Make it Conscious - Inner Work Exercises

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...

The Six of Cups speaks to the simplicity and joy of connections, often hearkening back to the innocence of childhood relationships or early stages of romance. While it encourages an appreciation for kindness and sharing, it also cautions against immaturity or superficiality. In this exercise, we'll explore these themes to understand our current connections and foster sincere, meaningful interactio...

Scorpio, the Fixed Water sign, is synonymous with depth, introspection, and transformation. It invites us to navigate through the shadowy recesses of the soul, unearthing secrets, buried emotions, and latent potential. It beckons us to confront the uncomfortable, to transform, and to rebirth ourselves in profound ways. In this active imagination exercise, we will engage directly with the wisdom of...

The Five of Cups, often associated with feelings of disappointment, regret, and loss, invites reflection on the past, present, and potential future. While it acknowledges the sorrow that comes from loss, it also emphasizes the importance of moving forward and finding paths to healing and acceptance. This active imagination exercise aims to facilitate a deeper exploration of personal setbacks or gr...

The Justice card, numbered 11 in the Major Arcana, resonates with balance, honesty, and a profound sense of fairness. It underscores the importance of integrity, objectivity, and accountability in one's actions and decisions. However, it also cautions against the negative aspects, such as cold impartiality, judgementalism, and a lack of compassion or flexibility. In this active imagination exercis...

The Four of Swords emphasises the need for withdrawal, contemplation, and recuperation. It's a moment to pause and gather your strength after challenges, to reflect and gain clarity. However, it also warns against the perils of stagnation, the shadows of deceit, or an over-adherence to convention. In this active imagination exercise, you're invited to explore these themes by interacting with the e...

The Queen archetype represents nurturing leadership, compassionate authority, and a deep connection to the cycles of life and growth. This archetype signifies an individual who upholds harmony, nourishes her subjects, and holds the heart of her realm in balance. However, she is also cautioned against the shadow sides - which manifest as cold detachment or overwhelming protection, sometimes stiflin...

Addictive behaviour originates from various underlying factors. Often these behaviours are destructive, and despite our better judgment and conscious intentions, we find ourselves ensnared in patterns that leave us feeling powerless and out of control. At the core, there's always an unconscious component driving this behavior—a part of ourselves that has unmet needs or seeks to avoid certain feeli...

The Three of Swords tarot card is a symbol of confronting emotional turmoil and working through challenges with bravery and clarity of mind. It invites us to not only face our troubles head-on but also to communicate honestly about our fears and uncertainties. Through this exercise, we'll navigate the energies of the Three of Swords, seeking to find strength in adversity, clarity amidst confusion,...

The Wheel of Fortune tarot card symbolises the cyclic nature of life, the turns of fate, and the interplay of destiny and free will. In its positive aspect, the Wheel of Fortune signifies opportunities, good luck, and fortuitous timing. On the challenging side, it warns of unforeseen changes, volatility, and forces outside our control. As we navigate through life, we encounter highs and lows, mome...

Libra, represented by the Scales, signifies balance, harmony, fairness, and aesthetic appreciation. As the cardinal Air sign, Libra seeks to build bridges, forming bonds, and creating harmony in relationships. It embodies the principles of justice and the appreciation of beauty in all its forms. Through this exercise, we aim to connect with the diplomatic and harmonising energy of Libra, allowing...

The Two of Swords tarot card embodies the duality and balance of the mind. On one hand, it symbolises partnership, cooperation, and the ability to see both sides. Yet on the other, it warns of potential stalemates, indecision, and the complexity of choices. This card invites us to tread the fine line between objectivity and indifference, mastery and arrogance, and certainty and speculation. In thi...

The Lover archetype represents our innate yearning for intimacy, connection, and shared experiences. It illuminates our deepest passions, our ability to nurture and be nurtured, and our quest for profound emotional bonds. Yet, in its shadow, the Lover can manifest as over-indulgence, promiscuity, or an overwhelming neediness that skews the balance of relationships. In this active imagination exerc...

The Ten of Disks symbolises the peak of material success, abundance, and long-lasting prosperity. It signifies not just personal wealth but also the wealth that benefits generations, emanating a sense of legacy, permanence, and familial unity. Through this exercise, we'll dive deep into the energy of the Ten of Disks, enabling us to embrace a broader perspective on wealth and its role in nurtu...