Make it Conscious - Inner Work Exercises

The Eight of Cups prompts a reassessment of what truly fulfils us, encouraging a shift away from stagnant or unfulfilling scenarios towards a path of genuine emotional growth. This card brings to light the necessity of honouring our own needs and aspirations, pushing us to seek environments and connections that offer true engagement and satisfaction. In this active imagination exercise, we will de...

The Star tarot card symbolises hope, inspiration, and renewal, serving as a guiding light through challenging times towards a brighter future. It represents the moment of calm and clarity that emerges after turmoil, promising healing and a renewed sense of purpose. It encourages us to trust our inner guidance system, highlighting the potential for growth and spiritual replenishment. In this active...

The Seven of Swords challenges us to confront the aspects of evasion, strategy, and even deceit within ourselves and in our dealings with the world. It invites us to consider the value of novelty and idiosyncrasy, as well as the consequences of acting on half-truths or engaging in avoidance. This card reflects on the need for individuality and the courage to stand apart, but it also warns against...

The Animus is a personification of the masculine principle that exists in the psyche of every individual. The Animus is an important archetype that can provide insights into our assertive, rational, and goal-oriented selves. In this exercise, we will use active imagination to help you connect with your Animus and gain insights into your inner world. Active Imagination is a technique developed by t...

The Six of Swords symbolises moving forward from difficult situations into a clearer, more hopeful state. This card highlights the importance of open communication, learning, and the harnessing of skills and expertise. While it suggests advancement and intellectual growth, it also cautions against detachment and intellectual arrogance. In this active imagination exercise, we'll navigate these them...

The Aquarius zodiac sign, symbolised by the Water Bearer, represents innovation, individuality, and humanitarianism. This sign is known for its forward-thinking vision, its desire for progress, and its focus on the collective good. Aquarians are often seen as unconventional, valuing freedom and independence. In this active imagination exercise, we will connect with the energy of Aquarius, explorin...

The Five of Swords represents the challenges of conflict and disagreement in our lives. It often points to situations of stress, misunderstandings, and broken relationships. This card brings to light the complexities of human interactions, such as grudges, deceit, and judgmental attitudes. In this active imagination exercise, we'll explore these themes of conflict, aiming to understand their impac...

The Tower symbolises sudden upheaval, revelation, and the dismantling of established structures. It often represents a necessary but dramatic change, shaking the foundations of our beliefs, perceptions, or ways of life. This card challenges us to confront the instability and unpredictability of life, urging us to find strength and resilience in the face of dramatic, unexpected changes. In this act...

The Four of Disks invites us to examine our approach to stability, particularly in the realms of work and finances. It encourages us to consider how we build and maintain our material foundations, balancing the need for security with the potential for growth. This card prompts us to reflect on our handling of physical resources, encouraging us not to become too rigid or guarded in our quest for st...

The Devil in tarot, not to be confused with the devil of religion, represents a complex array of meanings tied to the material world and our experiences within it. It symbolises the notions of seniority, expertise, manifestation, and the challenges of material and societal constraints. Associated with Capricorn and ruled by Saturn, this card delves into the themes of discipline, determination, and...

The Three of Disks or Pentacles represents dedication to artistic and vocational work. It emphasises labor, discipline, and the development of practical competence and skills. This card is associated with immersion in work, whether it involves crafting art, designing, fashion, architecture, or mastering a professional skill. It stresses the importance of precision, attention to detail, and the rec...

Capricorn, symbolised by the mountain goat, is associated with structure, ambition, and discipline. As the cardinal Earth sign, it embodies the qualities of practicality, reliability, and a focused approach to achieving goals. This sign is known for its ability to build enduring structures, both metaphorically and literally, through careful planning and unwavering determination. In this active ima...

The Two of Disks often deals with the balancing act in financial and business matters. It represents the early, often unstable stages of financial ventures, the challenges of managing multiple income streams, and the wisdom needed in investment and resource allocation. This card embodies the dual nature of risk and reward in financial decisions. In this exercise, you will explore your ability to n...

The Rebel archetype embodies the spirit of defiance, innovation, and breaking free from conventional norms. It represents the courage to challenge the status quo and the willingness to forge new paths. Engaging with the Rebel archetype can empower us to question existing paradigms and discover our authentic selves, often leading to significant personal and societal transformations. In this active...

The Ten of Wands captures the essence of achievement coupled with the weight of the responsibilities it entails. It symbolises the journey towards completion, often laden with the burden of expectations and duties. This card prompts us to evaluate our commitments and understand their impact on our lives. In this exercise, you'll embark on a metaphorical ascent up a mountain, carrying a pack that r...

This is an advanced shadow work exercise for those who are sincere about confronting uncomfortable aspects of themselves and experienced in voluntarily working with feeling. If you are new to shadow work, it is recommended to first perform some of the fundamental exercises from the Active Imagination Playlist, for example The Wall, Journey into the Depths and The Shadow Room, before progressing to...

The Temperance card embodies balance, harmony, and moderation. It signifies the merging of opposites, fostering a holistic and integrated approach to life. This card encourages us to blend and synthesise conflicting elements within ourselves, in order to arrive at higher truth and understanding. In this active imagination exercise, you will embark on a journey to discover your own equilibrium, see...

The Nine of Wands embodies a state of resilience, symbolising the strength we gather from life's trials and tribulations. It represents a stage of cautious readiness, having weathered many battles and now standing on the brink of one more. This card captures the essence of perseverance and the need for a mindful approach to life's challenges. It teaches us about the fine line between caution and p...

Sagittarius, symbolised by the Archer, embodies the quest for knowledge, exploration, and the expansion of horizons. This mutable fire sign is driven by a desire for adventure and understanding. In this exercise, we will tap into the Sagittarian energy to explore our own desire for growth, freedom, and discovery. Active Imagination is a technique developed by the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung for e...

The Anima is a personification of the feminine principle that exists in the psyche of every individual. The Anima is an important archetype that can provide insights into our emotional, creative, and intuitive selves. In this guided exercise, we will use active imagination to help you connect with your Anima and gain insights into your inner world. Active Imagination is a technique developed by th...

The Eight of Wands in tarot represents swift action, rapid movement, and the quick unfolding of events. It suggests a phase of accelerated progress and the powerful momentum of intentions manifesting into reality. However, this swift energy can also bring challenges, such as a sense of being overwhelmed or losing control. In this exercise, you will explore both the exhilarating and potentially ove...

The Death card in the Tarot is a powerful symbol, associated equally with the cessation of the old and the potential for profound transformation. It signifies not just an end, but the alchemical process of turning the old into the fertile ground for new growth. This card invites us to confront what must be released to allow for regeneration and to embrace the cycle of renewal that follows dissolut...

The Hanged Man, representing transformation and introspection, invites us into a state of contemplative suspension. This card embodies the essence of sacrifice and the revelation that arises from willing abstinence and surrender. In this exercise, we engage with the spirit of The Hanged Man, confronting our attachments and discovering what must be relinquished to facilitate our personal evolution...

The Seven of Cups symbolises the crossroads where dreams and reality converge, urging us to discern between what is real and what is an illusion, and between honourable ambitions and being sidetracked by fanciful distractions. This card invites us to sift through our desires to identify which can lead us to fulfilment and which are mere escapism. The exercise ahead aims to navigate this intricate...

T.S. Eliot once wrote: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” This quote perfectly captures what the Explorer archetype is about. The Explorer archetype represents the human spirit's relentless quest for new knowledge, experiences, and profound understanding derived from exploration—both of t...