When it comes to decision-making in business, the stakes are often high. Entrepreneurs and professionals constantly seek tools and strategies to navigate the tricky terrain of commerce with confidence and clarity, and one such tool that has gained traction in recent years is tarot.
At first glance, tarot might seem like an unlikely ally in the world of business. Traditionally associated with the woo-woo of mysticism and divination, tarot is perceived as a tool for personal introspection or spiritual guidance. However, many seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders have discovered that tarot can offer valuable insights and perspectives that complement traditional analytical approaches.
If you’re curious about how to use tarot in business, here are some ways the cards can assist with making business decisions, inspiring innovation, or adding a unique tool into team-building events. Whether you’re a solo business owner or working within a large corporation, tarot is waiting for you!
Tapping in to Intuition
One of the key benefits of using tarot in business decision-making is its
ability to tap into intuition.
Business decisions aren’t made in a vacuum; they’re influenced by a myriad of factors, including market trends, competition, and internal dynamics. While data and analysis certainly play a crucial role in strategic planning, they can only take us so far. Statistics may indicate an outcome based on a learned pattern, but intuition often spins us towards another direction—even though we may not understand why. In cases like this, tarot offers a way to access the subconscious mind and unearth insights that may not be immediately apparent through conventional analysis alone.
When faced with a challenging decision, tarot cards can serve as a catalyst for intuitive reflection. By posing a specific question or scenario to the cards, we can gain fresh perspectives and uncover hidden factors that may influence the outcome. Whether it's weighing the pros and cons of a new venture or evaluating the potential risks of a partnership, tarot can help to illuminate the best path forward.
Gaining Clarity
Clarity is a precious commodity when it comes to business, particularly in rapidly changing industries and economic climates.
With so many variables to consider and factors at play, it's easy to become overwhelmed or bogged down in indecision. Turning to tarot offers a way to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
As each tarot card carries its own unique symbolism and meaning, once laid out in a spread, a narrative that speaks to the heart of the matter forms. The cards have the ability to uncover hidden dynamics, potential obstacles, and opportunities for growth. Armed with this clarity, the underlying aspects of a situation become more apparent, and from there, we can identify the most viable course of action.
When facing ambiguity or indecision, tarot can provide a much-needed sense of direction and reassurance. Clients often tell me they had a ‘feeling’ about the direction they should take, but past experience and/or market trends had left them uncertain about taking action. During the reading, the cards clearly signposted the way, allowing them to move forward with much greater certainty than before. Whether the cards highlighted a solution or an obstacle, the clarity provided cleared the fog.
Harnessing Creativity and Innovation
Innovation is the lifeblood of any successful business, yet fostering creativity can sometimes feel like an elusive goal.
When it comes to unlocking creative inspiration and exploring new possibilities, tarot is an invaluable tool. With its ability to offer multiple perspectives, it can greatly widen the landscape of innovation. It's easy to become entrenched in a singular viewpoint or strategy in business, potentially overlooking alternative solutions or unforeseen risks. Tarot encourages a broader outlook by presenting different facets of the situation through its imagery and symbolism.
As an author, I’ve turned to tarot to assist with character development or plot lines. At times when inspiration has run dry, a scene is missing that special spark, or I’m simply playing with ideas, tarot has been a fun way to get my creative juices flowing. Regardless of the business, the imagery and symbolism contained within tarot can spark fresh ideas and unconventional solutions. By engaging with the archetypes and themes represented in the cards, individuals can tap into their innate creativity and think outside the box. Whether it's brainstorming product concepts, refining marketing strategies, or even envisioning the future direction of the company, tarot provides a fertile ground for innovation.
Tarot on the Table
So, how can you bring tarot to the table in a business setting? Here are just a few scenarios where throwing down a few cards may benefit.
Brainstorming
The next time you’re leading a brainstorming session, try incorporating tarot. Regardless of whether you ask specific questions or pick random cards, the themes, images, and symbolism of tarot hold endless inspiration. Have fun! Allow the cards to lead you down creative paths you may not have ventured before. Tarot sparks deep insight. Run with its suggestions and see what new inspiration sparks.
Strategic Planning
When it comes to strategic planning, tarot can also be a worthwhile assistant. Questions using How, Where, and What prompts are a great way to direct focus. Try querying what is or isn’t working, how to overcome an obstacle, where the best solution lies, where challenges may be waiting, what you’re not seeing, what needs further consideration. The options are endless! Keep an open mind to what is uncovered. We all work with free will, so while the cards can foster a deeper understanding of challenges, they aren’t dictators, merely signposts.
Team-building
Team-building with tarot is a unique and fun way to foster connections, spark motivation, and ignite inspiration. Prior knowledge of tarot isn’t necessary to play along, just an open mind and a willingness to share thoughts and insights. There are a number of different ways I bring tarot into play in this setting, but here are a few of the most popular.
Participants select a card they feel represents them, a colleague, or a situation as a prompt to open discussion. Their selection can be inspired by the figure in the card, a pose, a colour, a symbol, or even the name of the card itself. I ask the participant to describe what they see, why they feel it reflects the subject, and what they think the card might be saying. I then further expand the conversation by explaining the traditional meaning of the card. Typically, this uncovers even more aspects and further deepens the conversation between colleagues.
Another fun exercise involves colleagues reading each others cards. Even though the majority will have no experience of tarot and what each card traditionally means, their perception (and often, intuition!) of a colleague or situation can lead to truly inspiring insights. They can go in ‘blind’ and tell the story they perceive within the cards, or assign a question to each card and use the card to answer that query. While framed as a fun exercise where the ‘reader’ is encouraged to go with the flow, it gives colleagues a chance to converse at a more vulnerable level which strengthens connection.
The one-card draw is an exercise where a group or individual agrees on a single question, typically relating to their role. For example; What is my greatest strength, What challenges me, How do others perceive me, How can I work best with my abilities, Where is further training required, What am I not considering at this time. A card is drawn, and each participant writes their own understanding of what the card indicates. From there, answers are compared, discussed, and advice offered.
These are just a few examples of how tarot can bring a fresh perspective to team-building. With so many archetypes, themes, and wisdom within the cards, there’s an endless well of insight.
Balancing Intuition with Rationality
In any business setting, it is, of course, important to strike a balance between intuition and rationality.
While tarot can offer valuable insights and perspectives, it should be viewed as just one tool in the toolkit, alongside more traditional methods of analysis and evaluation. Ultimately, the goal is not to rely blindly on tarot or any other single approach, but rather to integrate different perspectives and sources of information into the decision-making process. By combining intuition with critical thinking, individuals can make more informed and well-rounded decisions that are grounded in both logic and intuition.
In the dynamic and often unpredictable world of business, having access to diverse perspectives and insights is essential. Tarot offers a unique lens through which to view both challenges and opportunities, providing a gateway to intuitive wisdom and creative inspiration. Even within a more relaxed setting, the cards can bring rewarding insight and encourage stronger connections.
So, the next time you're faced with a difficult decision, or challenged with finding fresh ways to build team morale, consider turning to tarot. You might just be surprised by what they can bring!
I hope you've enjoyed this article on how to use tarot in business.
If you're curious to learn how tarot can grow, support, or revitalise your business, or you’re seeking an exciting new way to enliven team-building, chat with me!
You can reach me at julie@creativesoultarot.com to book a reading
or a Workplace Wellness event.
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