I would say the first step in strengthening your intuition is having the recognition and desire to strengthen it. Self-awareness is a key part of growth, as Tarot teaches us, but is absolutely essential to grow and develop your intuition.

Understanding the concept of intuition, having enough self-confidence to embrace intuition, and recognizing that we ALL have a sense of intuition has always been a challenge for me. With Tarot, for example, it was very easy for me to memorize the meanings of the cards and use them to "tell the story." It was easy to learn to have a conversation about the cards during a reading. But it was much more difficult to listen to that quiet voice or inner feeling regarding something you need to be able to communicate, know, understand, or think about. As someone who is much more confident in the physical world than wading into the spiritual, trusting myself and my intuition is something that has taken some getting used to. Being a father has certainly helped in that department.

We all have intuition: AKA that "gut feeling." We have this barometer to help us read the energy of people. Maybe it's not even necessarily their "energy" per se, but we learn to recognize different mannerisms and details that raise a flag. In a sense, that's kind of what "gaydar" is... that recognition from someone just from passing on the street. Maybe they were born with it... Maybe it's Maybelline.

You can "feel" when you're talking with someone and they may be lying to you. Sometimes you can "feel" when you need to do a specific task, like reaching out to someone you've been thinking about. Are these "psychic" events? <shrug> That's outside of my pay grade; but we DO, all of us, have this innate "gift" of intuition. To use it, however, we have to make sure we are in the correct mindset or headspace.

A lot of churches actually teach about intuition, but they refer to it as "the Spirit," "The Holy Ghost," or "answers to prayers," not "your gut feeling" "a hunch," or "your conscience." So while intuition is our ability to sense something outside of our typical realm of knowledge, intuition is also a "communication channel" with our spiritual side or higher power, whether that be religiously affiliated or otherwise.

As I've gone through my own intense Tarot journey, I've learned a few things about intuition:

Intuition will not come in a negative space

If my mind is restless, angry, or really emotional, there is absolutely no point in trying to "intuit" anything - and it's a horrible time to practice Tarot. My mind is so focused on the immediate present that there's no way for my mind to lift itself into something higher. Tarot can HELP me to move into a more peaceful mindset by teaching me to step out of myself or be a 3rd party to my situation, but trying to read Tarot when I'm not calm or at peace is a fruitless exercise.

Intuitive feelings are soft and quiet

If my mind and body are loud or I'm in a place of chaos, I will most likely miss any type of intuitive feeling. Growing up in the Mormon church, they referred to this as "the still, small voice." All one and the same.

Use it or lose it

If you routinely seek out your sense of intuition, it will become easier and easier. Alternatively, if you are constantly in a state of worry or anxiety, often angry or frustrated, or willingly ignore your gut, those feelings become smaller and more difficult to identify; eventually, it may seem as if they've disappeared altogether.

Pay attention to your body

Intuition often manifests as physical sensations, such as butterflies in the stomach, a tightness in the chest, or a tingling sensation. It may present as a sudden sense of calm or lightness. Try to notice these physical sensations and pay attention to what they might be telling you.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, which can help you tap into your intuition. Practice mindfulness exercises such as meditation or deep breathing to help you become more present and aware of your inner experiences. Some people, myself included, struggle with meditation; often thinking and acting with intent can manifest the same benefits of meditation.

Trust your first instinct

When faced with a decision, try to trust your first instinct. This is often your intuition trying to guide you. Try not to overthink or second-guess yourself, as this can lead to confusion and, ultimately, doubting yourself.

Create quiet time

Create quiet time for yourself each day to reflect and listen to your intuition. This could be through meditation, journaling, or simply sitting quietly and allowing your thoughts and feelings to surface.

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