To me, spirituality is about connecting to the energy and forces of the natural world so as to better connect with myself and my "spirit" or "soul." Some people believe in a higher power, such as a god, but I prefer to simply call on the universe and its various forces when I feel I need guidance.
I have never felt particularly connected to any religion or religious belief, and if you have felt the same, but have longed for something "larger" than yourself, I encourage you to begin exploring what spirituality means to you personally. There are many "new age" beliefs stemming from various religions and spiritual practices, from believing in karma and chakras to having faith in the powers of astrology, divination, and crystals. There is no right or wrong way to approach spirituality, as long as you are being respectful and safe, so feel free to explore and find what feels best to you. Below I have compiled a list of some super fun tools you might want to look into when beginning your spiritual exploration.
1. Tarot Cards
Despite common belief, most tarot card readers don't use tarot cards to tell fortunes or make predictions about the future, but rather believe that the cards are there to bring to the surface our subconscious thoughts, beliefs, hopes, and fears. Each tarot card contains an archetype, and a card pulled by one person can take on a completely different meaning for someone else, because, simply put, the cards are a reflection of you.
Tarot cards are meant to be fun, so don't take them too seriously! It's a great way to divine your inner thoughts and feelings or to just get in better touch with your innermost desires. There are so many gorgeous, fun and modern tarot decks out there, so maybe try a few to find what speaks to you best, and most importantly, enjoy yourself in the process!
2. Crystals
Surrounding yourself with crystals and gemstones is a wonderful way to attract positive energy and bring beauty into your life and home. Every crystal has an "energy" or quality associated with it, and you can use these associations to set intentions. You can simply place crystals in various places around your home, carry them with you in your bag or car, or wear them in the form of jewelry, depending on your intention. Use rose quartz to attract love, citrine for happiness and hope, amethyst for intuition, jade for emotional balance, fluorite for focus, and moonstone for new beginnings. Whatever you hope to manifest, there is a crystal you can use for inspiration or manifestation.
3. Candles
Candles are probably the easiest spiritual tool to use, and you likely already own a few! The key to transforming a simple candle into a spiritual tool is, again, setting an intention. Like crystals, certain colors have their own associations and metaphysical properties. Burn pink candles for self-love and harmony, white candles for peace, purple for wisdom, green for abundance, red for passion, and blue for forgiveness. When lighting your candle, think about what you wish to receive from this ritual, and then let the candle burn as long as you see fit.
4. Journals
Journaling is arguably the most powerful tool you can use to explore your spirituality. I personally like to use my journal to make gratitude lists, set intentions, and log my manifestations. You can also use your journal to write about your tarot card readings, your rituals, and anything you have learned during your explorations. Your journal is a great place to explore your own thoughts and beliefs about spirituality to work through what truly resonates with you and what doesn't. It's also a great way to build a loving relationship with yourself, so get writing!
5. Spirit Cards
This last one is my absolute favorite –– these cards are adorable and so much fun! The Spirit Cats Deck is similar to tarot cards in that each card is archetypal, but I believe these cards are much easier to use. Simply shuffle the deck to put your energy into the cards, and then draw one. I like to pull one every day, either first thing in the morning or before I go to bed at night, to have something to reflect on. Each card serves as an important reminder, whether that is to follow your intuition, remain patient with yourself, or stay strong during tough times. Plus, these adorable cats will make you excited to go to your deck each day for some self-care and reflection time!
