Sabbats, Seasons, and Tarot Spreads

NOTE: This is excerpted from an article previously published on Spirit of Tarot

What Is the Third Eye?

The third eye is a spiritual concept that refers to an invisible, mystical eye located on the forehead, just above and between the eyebrows. It is associated with the Ajna chakra in the Hindu tradition and is often considered the source of intuition, insight, and higher consciousness.

When the third eye is “open” or activated, it allows an individual to access their inner wisdom and connect with the divine. This heightened state of awareness can lead to increased empathy, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of the world and one’s place within it.

In essence, the third eye is a powerful symbol of spiritual growth, enlightenment, and the development of one’s psychic abilities.

What Does this Have to Do with Tarot?

There are many important reasons why we, as Tarot readers, should learn about the Third Eye and take steps to “open” or “activate” it.

1. Intuition: An active third eye strengthens your intuition, allowing you to pick up on subtle cues and messages from the Tarot cards that you might otherwise miss.
2. Deeper Understanding: The third eye helps you connect with the universal wisdom, enabling you to interpret Tarot cards on a deeper level and discern their true meaning.
3. Clarity: With an open third eye, your mind becomes more focused and less prone to distractions, leading to clearer and more insightful readings.
4. Empathy: As your third eye opens, your ability to empathize with others also increases, which can help you provide more compassionate and understanding readings for your clients.
5. Spiritual Guidance: Opening your third eye allows you to tap into higher levels of consciousness, enabling you to receive guidance from spiritual entities or your higher self during Tarot readings.

In short, developing your third eye can significantly improve your Tarot reading skills by enhancing your intuition, understanding, clarity, empathy, and connection to spiritual wisdom.

How Can We Open the Third Eye?

As I read and researched more about opening the Third Eye, I was directed to a number of helpful resources. One very simple idea I discovered was haritaki supplements. Please note that I’m not a medical practitioner. The information provided here is educational only. I am neither expressing approval for these supplements nor making any recommendations for their use.

Haritaki — terminalia chebula — is a fruit that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Modern scientific research has affirmed many health benefits from haritaki. According to holistic health practitioners, it can awaken the intuition, increase mystical powers, and open the third eye. It also increases brain capacity, improves memory, and improves digestion by removing toxins from the system.

Perhaps the best-known and most widely-practiced method for opening the Third Eye is through meditation.  By quieting the mind and focusing inward, meditation helps you access higher levels of consciousness and develop a deeper awareness of your inner self.

Here are some ways that meditation can help open the third eye:

1. Chakra Meditation: Focusing on the Ajna chakra, or third eye chakra, during meditation can help balance and activate it.
2. Visualization: Visualizing a violet or indigo light or an image of an eye in the center of your forehead can stimulate the third eye during meditation.
3. Breathwork: Focusing on your breath and practicing pranayama techniques, like alternate nostril breathing, can help calm the mind and open the third eye.

Consistent meditation practice can lead to a more open and active third eye, which can enhance your intuition, creativity, and overall sense of spiritual connection.

As part of meditation, you might also want to add a mantra. This is a single word or phrase which is repeated during the meditation process.  The following are said to be especially helpful in working with the Third Eye:

1. “Om”: This is the most well-known mantra in Hinduism and is believed to be the primordial sound of the universe. Chanting “Om” can help awaken your third eye and connect you to the universal consciousness.
2. “Shambhavi”: This mantra is associated with Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration. Chanting “Shambhavi” is believed to help open the third eye and reveal hidden truths.
3. “Aum Mani Padme Hum”: This is a popular Buddhist mantra that translates to “the jewel in the lotus.” Chanting this mantra can help awaken your third eye and promote compassion and wisdom.

Another is the Gayatri Mantra. This is a powerful Hindu mantra that is often chanted for protection and enlightenment.

Recommended Reading

Of course, being a reader, I was naturally drawn to books on the topic of the Third Eye. I found several that provided information and exercises for Third Eye activation.

Third Eye by Valerie Holt

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is filled with helpful advice, practical information — such as teas, crystals, and aromatherapies — about opening the Third Eye. Holt not only provides step-by-step exercises, she also discusses reasons why we may have problems opening the Third Eye and gives suggestions on how to deal with these various obstacles. She also goes beyond the “opening” to share thoughts about “post-opening” experiences.

Third Eye: 7 Techniques to Open Your Third Eye Chakra by Andrew Black

This is another informative book. Black goes a bit deeper into the concept of the “Third Eye”. Early on, he explains it as,

“… a bridge between this physical world that we live in and the spiritual divide. Opening of the Third eye allows you to see more and to use more of your brain than perhaps you have been able to use in the past.”

Black’s techniques are similar to those in Valerie Holt’s book, although he places more emphasis on yoga practice and the overall spiritual nature of Third Eye activation. He includes information about seeing “auric colors”, and delves into the “Eight-Fold Path” of Buddhism.

Other Resources

Besides the two books listed above, a quick online search will turn up dozens of titles on the topic of the Third Eye and how to activate it. You’ll also find a number of online resources such as the Center for Excellence’s program on How to Open Your Third Eye and Activate Your Pineal Gland.

All of these resources cover the same basic ideas: meditation, mindfulness, chanting, visualization. Some, like Andrew Black’s book, focus more on the spiritual aspects, while others approach the subject from a more health-based perspective.

Why Not Give It a Try?

Opening the Third Eye might not be something you’ve given much thought to in the past, but as we’ve explored intuition recently, perhaps you’ve become more interested in techniques for improving your intuitive abilities.

Opening the Third Eye can be a fascinating journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Modern science has determined that there are definite benefits to “spiritual” practices such as meditation and chanting. It’s been proven that we can stimulate powerful energy centers within and open the gateway to increased insight and awareness.

By nurturing our connection to the divine, we become more attuned to the subtleties of life and better equipped to navigate our path with clarity and purpose. Remember, the key to unlocking intuition lies within, and with dedication and practice, the gifts of the Third Eye are within your reach.