The Sceptic's Tarot

If creativity can be enhanced, and tarot reading is a creative activity, can boosting your creativity make you a better tarot reader?

Research cannot answer this question, but we know you’re more creative when in a good mood. It can only mean good things for tarot reading.

How a good mood makes you more creative

Researchers call being in a good mood a “positive mood,” which includes emotions such as happiness, contentment, gratitude, excitement, hope, amusement, pride (as in satisfaction from achievements), serenity, curiosity, and awe.

Their findings show that being in a positive mood makes it easier to solve problems through insight. It also helps you find associations more easily. These abilities are crucial to solving problems creatively and doing more meaningful tarot readings.

A good mood increases your cognitive flexibility, which means your mind will be more agile and flexible, and you will be more open to new ideas. To use a hackneyed phrase, a good mood allows you to think outside the box.

Positive emotions such as happiness increase dopamine levels in the brain, enhancing your ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. Making these connections is an essential aspect of creative thinking. It is also crucial for tarot reading, where you need to make connections between the cards and between the cards and your situation.

Being in a good mood reduces stress and anxiety, leaving your mind free to wander and explore new ideas without the constraints of stress.

A positive mental state improves problem-solving skills. It makes one more persistent and resilient, more likely to tackle challenges head-on and find creative solutions.

Good moods broaden your perspective, allowing you to see the bigger picture and consider multiple viewpoints. This expanded outlook can lead to more creative and holistic solutions.

You are more willing to take risks and experiment with new ideas. This willingness to step out of your comfort zone is crucial for creative breakthroughs.

Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence, encouraging you to pursue and develop your creative ideas without fear of failure.

Your energy levels rise, helping you stay focused and productive during creative projects (or tarot card readings!).

Your social interactions improve, making you more open to collaboration. Working with others can spark new ideas and lead to more creative outcomes.

And finally, a good mood means you are more likely to enjoy the creative process (or tarot reading). This enjoyment can fuel your passion and lead to more inspired and imaginative work.

This is all very well, but how do you get into a good mood if you’re feeling down?

Improving your mood

Because we’re all different, you probably have your methods to improve your mood. Here are a few that are universal:

• reduce stress, which can be done with
• exercise to release endorphins (something as simple as going for a walk),
• doing something you love,
• listening to happy music (if you like classical music, try the final (4th) movement of Beethoven’s ninth symphony, commonly known as the Ode to Joy),
• reading or listening to something funny (in one study, college students who watched a comedy routine by Robin Williams were more likely to solve world-association puzzles, a proxy for creativity, than those who had watched a scary or boring video beforehand),
• spending time with pets,
• spending time with friends or family,
• “counting your blessings” (this really works!),
• taking a nap,
• expressing your thoughts and feelings in a journal, and
• doing something creative (like reading tarot cards!).

But I read tarot cards when I’m down!

Many people do tarot readings when they’re feeling down. This is what we know: a negative mood (like feeling down, sad, anxious, guilty, ashamed, frustrated, resentful or insecure) often leads to self-reflection, and as a tarot reader, you’ll do this with a tarot reading, right?

So tarot reading is a good idea, whether you’re feeling happy or sad!

But do take note: if you’re feeling so depressed that nothing makes you feel better and you don’t enjoy anything you’ve enjoyed before, a tarot reading won’t help. Please find a therapist or medical doctor to talk to.

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