Deciphering the Crystal and Tarot Phenomenon

Last summer, my two best friends, Olivia and Keeler, shared their passion and curiosity for crystals and Tarot. Never understanding or having looked into the crystal and Tarot phenomenon, I found myself wanting to learn more.

Growing up I remember seeing followers of crystals and Tarot being depicted in movies as groovy, crazy women or a dark, mysterious fortune teller. They were cast to the side as nonsense. Knowing this, I found it interesting that crystals and Tarot were entering the mainstream and beginning to be seen as everyday practices. I began seeing more and more Metaphysical supply stores selling crystals and Tarot and social media pages brimming with content on them. I couldn’t help but dive into it myself.

At the beginning of last summer, I moved to Richmond, Va. Starting a new journey in an unfamiliar city allowed for it to be a perfect time for an exploration into Tarot and crystals. Not knowing anyone gave me the time for self-discovery. So, I decided to look into how Tarot and crystals could aid in it.

This exploration initiated when I visited Olivia and Keeler in Pennsylvania briefly after the move. Olivia had previously shared with me about her interest in Tarot and crystals but I now found myself ready to dig in. Together we visited multiple Metaphysical supply stores. I bought crystals and a set of Tarot cards while there. She and Keeler showed me their crystal collections and explained to me their meanings. While Keeler, Olivia, and I were browsing in one store, Olivia read a description of a crystal and had a visceral reaction. Olivia expressed that this meaning deeply connected with something that was happening in her life. She felt understood and seen. I could see the meaning helping her become more connected with herself and her feelings. From this point on I began to create my own understanding of crystals. While I didn’t find myself relating to the concept of crystals attracting certain energies or feelings, I could relate to them being symbols and reminders of ones. For instance, an Absinthe crystal is considered to be an agent of transformation and reaching creative potential. In my mind, it doesn’t cause you to have a transformation or reach your creative potential, but it can help inspire you to do so. I think people hear stories of “This crystal works! It caused me to reach my creative potential” because when one picks out a crystal with a certain meaning it often means they are seeking it. What I mean by this is that if you choose a crystal with a specific meaning in mind, that means you are already focused on achieving that. Whether that be stress relief, confidence, or creativity. Therefore, you might achieve stress relief by choosing a crystal that emphasizes that because your mindset is aimed at doing so. Crystals don’t cause your success but align with it.

I found picking a crystal because I was drawn to its beauty to be an effective practice. Not only did the beauty instantly brighten my mood but afterwards I looked up the meaning and reflected on how it related to myself. The crystal then acted as a prompt in self-reflection and understanding myself more deeply. I found this to be the case with Tarot cards as well.

Olivia had begun a thorough investigation of Tarot. She aspired to gain a deep understanding of their meanings to be able to effortlessly read Tarot. So, Olivia began researching, studying, and practicing. She watched informational youtube videos and read my Tarot as practice. Through her gained knowledge, Olivia helped guide me in understanding the purpose behind Tarot: to explore a question about yourself.

Before, I had associated Tarot with suspicious storefronts that boasted signs claiming that a mystical fortune teller inside would predict your future. But in reality, they are much more than that. Olivia showed me that Tarot helps direct introspection. Similar to crystals, Tarot can be used as a prompt and guide in self-discovery and reflection. I wondered, why then is Tarot often associated with future telling? I discovered this is because Tarot can help guide one's future. When a Tarot card is picked with a question in mind, the card’s meaning helps one reflect on possible answers to the question asked. This process then helps you in making a decision for your future. In my understanding, Tarot cards don’t predict the future but help determine it by guiding one on their future decisions and actions.

With the information I gathered from Olivia, I decided to create my version of a Tarot reading. I began by picking a Tarot card at random. Afterwards, I would look up the card’s meaning. With this meaning, I would reflect upon and journal how that relates to what’s going on in my own life. I found this practice to be extremely beneficial. The card would focus and guide my thoughts in understanding my choices, feelings, and actions. Oftentimes when I journal or sit down to think, my mind is overwhelmed by a million things to consider. Using the card helped center me and think more specifically about my life. For me, Tarot cards have acted as a helpful prompt in reflecting upon myself.

I had a misunderstanding of the purposes of Tarot and crystals. I didn’t see how they hold the ability to act as promoters for soul-searching, self-betterment, and enlightenment. After my exploration, I see their positive benefits and enjoy seeing their increased presence in the mainstream. It shows a communal effort to better understand and improve ourselves.

From my friends, I found helpful new practices that I can now utilize and depend on. There are always new practices to learn and ways to grow and look at the world.