I believe we are put on earth to create—from creating a child to creating a home, a garden, a meal, an atmosphere of love, a piece of jewelry, or the life we want—it's all a divine act of creation. Shadow work is soul work and soul work is creating—and birthing—the life of "something more." Healing releases a surge of creative energy because we turn to the wisdom of our Higher Self and discover the creator within.

It can be frightening to believe we are able to construct the life we dream of by listening to our spiritual, creative, inner voice. We begin to hope, and we begin to fear that hope, because creativity carries with it the responsibility of personal choice. When we choose, we change, and it is the change that causes fear. For most of us, learning to trust the creative inner voice is the most difficult aspect of healing. The remainder of the chapter will help you to develop trust of the creator within.

The Star of Hope
This layout is designed to foster hope—not from fantasy or wishful thinking, but from a deep source of truth that springs from your Higher Self. It is hope inspired by the healing power of pure intention. You can then use the Star of Hope to plan and visualize the possible future. Allow at least twenty minutes for this exercise.

Light candles and incense to cue your unconscious that something important is about to happen. Begin by taking slow, deep breaths to achieve a state of relaxation.

Repeat the shadow work affirmation: "By embracing my shadow, I am healing and becoming whole. I am gaining wisdom and learning compassion."

Position One—Hope for the Future: Place card 17, the Star, in position one; or, choose another card that speaks to you of promise and hope. Let your center shine. Shuffle the remaining twenty-one cards. As you shuffle, concentrate on making contact with the creator within. It may be helpful to chant "I create my life consciously with love" while shuffling.

When you are ready, randomly choose five cards and place them face down in position two through six, as shown in the illustration. Be sure that the first card you draw is in position two, the second position in position three, etc. Turn them over and record your initial reaction in your journal.

Position Two—Your Desire: What can I realistically be hopeful about? What is your sacred desire? What does the creator within hope to create?

Position Three—Your Gifts: What do I need to keep and nurture? What gifts have you found in the dark? What strengths have you developed? What do you love about yourself? How can you nurture and encourage the creator within?

Position Four—Your Responsibilities: What work still needs to be done? You are always a work of art in progress. What is your unfinished business? What lost part of you do you still need to recover? What part of the shadow still needs embracing? What blocks you from growth? What do you need to do to release your creator within?

Position Five—Your Potential: How will my life change as a result of embracing my shadow? What is the benefit to you in doing shadow work? What will enter your life because you have now made room for it? What wounds have healed? What lost part of you did you recover and how will this change your life? What is the forward motion of your creator within?

Position Six—Your Self-Completion: How can I shine my Star of Hope on others? How can I reach out with wisdom and compassion to other people in pain? How can I support others while allowing them their own truths? What can I create to benefit others? How can I outwardly express the divine creator within?

Make an entry in your journal. Do not try to "force" information. Breathe deeply to allow your mind to be still and receptive. Incubate a dream for more details. Leave the Star of Hope layout on your altar for a while and record additional insights as they occur to you. Learn to listen to—and trust—your creative inner voice of healing.

Excerpted from Tarot Shadow Work: Using the Dark Symbols to Healby Christine Jette