Herbs and Tarot

Herbs and Tarot

Herbs can be used to gain a greater depth of understanding of 

any tarot pack. Herb spirits are great teachers: they can subtly alter the 

consciousness of the user to become aware of a greater magical reality. To 

connect with plant familiars, attune to their vibrations, and absorb their 

lessons, try burning incense when you use your cards.Incense are made from 

dried leaves, petals, berries, woods, resigns and essential oils. They are 

burned on small charcoal blocks, which are readily available from occult 

suppliers. As you mix an incense, ask the plant spirits to share their 

knowledge with you. Begin by blending the resin with a few drops of oil, then 

add any woods or crushed berries. Add lesser quantities of leaves and flower 

petals. An incense might not contain all of these types of ingredients: it 

can consist of just one substance, so use your common sense. Experiment with 

quanitities to find the blend that works for you.To enhance your preceptions 

when you are divining with the cards, burn the incense blended from 

frankicense, calendula oil, sandalwoood, rowan berries, hazel wood, and 

honeysuckle blossoms. For tarot meditation try an incense of frankincense, 

lemon balm oil, acacia, sandalwood, and chamomile flowers. Or alternatively 

you might like to use specific incense to attune to specific cards.All herbs 

mentioned are harmless when used in the way described, but please bear in 

mind that some other herbs are poisonous or have toxic vapors. Make sure that 

you fully research any new herb you want to use.Incense for Suits Cups relates 

to the Element of water, emotions, feelings, intuition, and psychic skills. 

To attune, use an incense of myrrh, jasmine oil, willow bark, rowan berries, 

and chamomile flowers.Discs relates to the Element of earth, the body and the 

material plane, money, and possessions. To attune, blend an incense from pine 

resin, patchouli oil, pine wood, sage, honeysuckle flowers, and cypress 

needles.Swords relates to the Element of air, mental activity, and 

communication. To attune, blend an incense of benzoin, acacia, lavender oil 

and flowers, ceder wood, and mint leaves.Wands relates to the Element of 

fire, creativity, life energy, and the spirit. Make an incense from 

frankincense, rosemary oil, oak bark, crushed juniper berries, and marigold 

petals.Incense for the Major Arcana You can also use incense to attune to 

cards of the Major Arcana. The following are some examples:

The Fool: 

Frankincense, oak bark, hawthorn blossom, and the buds and leaves of any 

forest trees.

The High Priest/Magician: Chamomile, fennel, fern, mint, 

marigold petals, yarrow flowers, and ash bark or leaves.

The High Priestess: 

Myrrh, willow bark, rowan berries, and white sandalwood.

The Lovers: 

Frankincense, lavender flowers and oil, apple, meadowsweet, myrtle, violet, 

hawthorn, and rose.

Strength: Frankincense, borage, nasturtium, basil, 

tarragon, and fennel.

The Wheel of Fortune: Ash, chervil, pine, caraway, 

poppy, and ivy.

Death: Rosemary, rue, parsley, cypress, myrrh, ivy, and 

corn.

The Moon: Rose petals, frankincense, poppy, cinquefoil, mugwort, willow 

bark, and myrrh.

The World: Oak, mistletoe, ash bark, and leaves, apple bark 

and blossom, frankincense, sandalwood, and bistort root.