ND Friendly Life Tarot Part II
THE PRACTICE
The ND Friendly Life Tarot is a very easy and approachable practice to take up, and can be endlessly modified to suit your needs. It can be a full day ritual deep dive into your inner world, or simply a single card quick-pick as inspiration for the week.
The Deck
The deck consists of 78 cards, separated into 5 sections. The first 22 cards are the Major Arcana cards, which refer to forces of nature and to our own neurodivergent experiences. They include concepts like Masking, Burnout, Alexithymia, Special Interest Energy, and so much more.
The Minor Arcana consists of four suits: Perception, Capacity, Support, and Passion. Each suit contains 14 cards, which represent the progression from ignorance to self-knowledge in each of these arenas. The cards are numbered 1 to 78, and in addition to the name of the card there is a vibrant image to inspire you and awaken your creative mind.
How to Use the Cards
You can use the cards however they are helpful to you. Here’s a place to start.
Begin by attending to your environment, internal and external. Try to create a space where you feel safe enough to go deep inside, and to open your mind in new and creative ways. For me this usually includes a thermos of my favorite tea, a comfy place to sit, and sometimes music.
Hold the cards and think about whatever it is you’re wanting to focus on. . . maybe a particular aspect of yourself, a decision you are making, or a situation you are in. Shuffle the cards while you reflect on the topic and on yourself. When it feels as though you have shuffled the cards thoroughly, you can begin to lay them out in a “spread” or pattern.
There are various spreads described in the ND Friendly Tarot Book, or you can make up your own. Basically, you determine before you draw the cards what each placement will pertain to. If you do a past-present-future spread, the first card will refer to the past, the second to the present, and the third to the future.
When you have laid down the cards, take some time to just soak them in. Notice what comes up for you as you engage with the imagery. Then use the book to learn about the meaning of each card you have drawn. Consider how the meaning of the cards relates to your situation. The cards typically encourage a compassionate approach, but occasionally they get a little spicy!
I usually enjoy this practice with my dear friend Shelby Glaser, who keeps me honest and asks wonderful questions. I describe whatever comes up for me as I consider the various cards and their positions, and she encourages me to go deeper and see further layers of meaning when I’m stuck at the surface.
If she’s not available or I want my own counsel, I use a journal to write the process down. Sometimes the ideas in the cards will echo in my head for days or weeks, and help me stay connected to myself and my sense of purpose.
I hope you will enjoy these cards, and that they serve you well!
