I tend to do my best Tarot/oracle readings in the morning, after a full, steaming hot mug of coffee.
But as it is the summer, my kids’ internal sensors are set to wake the exact moment that mug touches my lips.
So, in the rush of trying to meet everyone’s immediate needs, I’ve found myself foregoing my morning Tarot readings.
My kids’ needs will always come first, but Tarot has an incredibly grounding effect on me, and I find myself feeling resentful when I feel I ‘have’ to skip a morning read.
I also want to improve as a reader, and the best way I have found to do that is to read consistently.
The Myth of the Aesthetic Altar
I have tried to set up a traditional tarot altar in the past. It looked beautiful and perfectly witchy, but I didn’t end up using it very much at all. To keep it safe from curious hands, I intentionally tucked it away in a spot far from the kids. But because it was out of sight, it was out of mind (side note: I just realized I never took a picture of my tarot altars! Enjoy this picture instead, when my Tater Tot wanted to join in on the Tarot fun).
I didn’t need a hidden sanctuary. Tarot is a practical tool for me, and so very much like my wall-mounted pantry, I needed a spot that came easily for me to use, allowed me to keep an eye on the kids, and worked with the current “chaotic good” that is my life.
I could only think of one place: My kitchen table.
Our main playroom is down in the basement, but because I want the kids upstairs with me while I’m cooking, I had already set up a mini rolling utility cart in the kitchen full of toys and drawing supplies to keep them entertained.
With a little bit of editing, I realized I could transform this cart so it would work for all of us.
Let me introduce you to the Morning Mana Base
Every tier of the cart is now a strategic boundary system, mapped out by shelf:
- Shelf 1: Mama’s Tarot Sanctuary. This is strictly my station. It holds my cards, my one-card-a-day log, my spread journal, my spread book, stickers, pens, and a spray bottle of Florida Water to clear the kitchen air. It also houses my household gamification binder, bridging my intuitive morning reflections with the practical reality of running our home.
Occasionally, the kids get curious, and try to rifle through my shelf. But thankfully, re-directing to the lower shelves has worked (so far).
- Shelf 2: The Quick Distraction Layer. Letter magnets to use on appliances, and fidget toys. These are toys that keep my kids distracted for a short period of time, which is just enough time for me to do a quick reading.
- Shelf 3: The Heavy-Duty Craft Vault. Paints, brushes, crayons, and paper. These supplies work a treat when I’d like the kids to independently entertain themselves for a bit longer, to give myself a bit more time for the readings.
All the activities take place right at the kitchen table.
When it’s time to lay out a spread, I don’t reach for an expensive, ornate silk wrap. I lay down a clean tea cloth or the tarot wrap that I made.
Because part of my journey is learning to recognize the sacredness in the ordinary, I try to use ‘ordinary’ items (such as the tea towel in the first image of this post) in my sacred workings.
Imperfect Magic Counts
I genuinely believe in that old adage, where there is a will, there’s a way.
Tarot is important to me. Important enough that an imperfect set up, and a quick five minute reading with nursery rhymes as my background music is better than not pulling a card for the day at all.
My current layout might not look like an elaborate, aesthetically flawless ritual from a social media feed, but it is brimming with love and tinged with chaos.
It serves as a daily reminder that no matter how imperfect or short my practice is, it counts. I am still learning, even if it is at a snail’s pace.
It also feels deeply important to me that my kids see me actively making time for something that matters to me, and that they see me doing it imperfectly.
At the end of the day, I love that no matter how mad things get, I still choose to look at our chaotic kitchen table and see the magic in the world.
A Sip and Shuffle Ritual for you
While I’m not big on elaborate set-ups, I consider the act of pulling a tarot card to reflect on my day a mini-ritual.
If it’s something you fancy trying too, I’ve made you this handy-dandy ‘Sip and Shuffle’ Ritual Card. You can perform this any time of the day, with whatever drink you want, and whatever tarot/oracle deck you have at hand.
Let this card be a starting point! I’ve found the more I create/personalize my practice, the more empowered and connected to my magic I become.
All of which, leads me to be a better mother, wife, and homemaker.
And that is how I’ll make my home even more cozy and magical.
Before you go
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Until the next magical mess,
Amrita
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