WHAT IS A "ZENER" CARD DECK?
"ZENER" cards were created by Karl Zener in the 1930's to conduct experiments and research related to an individual's ESP [ExtraSensory Perception].
The symbols consist of a STAR, CIRCLE, SQUARE, PLUS SIGN, and 3 VERTICAL WAVY LINES. As previously mentioned, these cards were used to research possible psychic abilities, but a lot of people discredited the use of these due to ideas of "cheating" or "sensory leakage."
"Sensory leakage" refers to "information that is transferred to a person by conventional means (other than psi//by non-psychic means) during an experiment into ESP.
Example: If the person conducting the experiment was wearing glass, the person being tested could possibly get a glimpse of the card via the reflection. The experiments results could then be doubted due to these circumstances.
Unfortunately, due to cheating and things like sensory leakage, not many people will consider the research done with these cards as "applicable" but, I've always had an interest in them and wanted to share some of my thoughts.
Also, not many people will consider these cards useful for divination but, in my opinion, it's not impossible.
Each symbol does have different meanings and when coupled with intuitive abilities, I believe these cards can be used for certain guided messages as well as to train and strengthen abilities.
Here are some of the meanings of each symbol if using for divination:
THE STAR- This is a symbol of illumination, radiance, and heat. It can also symbolize an actual object as well as spiritual connection, protection, intuition, positivity, renewal, hope, light, wishes, divine power, and/or the elements.
PLUS SIGN- This is a symbol of growth (addition/sum), crossing lines, intersections or crossroads, and/or multiple directions (NSEW)/a location. It can also symbolize positivity and/or information coming in. On some occasions it can symbolize a block of some sort.
THE CIRCLE- This is a symbol that has no end, no corners/ is the same from all angles and can represent wholeness, symmetry, infinity, movement, and cyclical and/or continuous energy. It can also symbolize completion or the moon (and its phases.)
THE SQUARE- This is a symbol of stability, grounded-ness, equality, and balance but can also symbolize strong foundations, boundaries, inflexibility, control/law & order, as well as a fixed nature or structure.
WAVY LINES- This symbolizes fluidity/flow, motion, variability/change, and "multiple disconnected elements", as well as noises or feelings, emotion, communication, spirituality, and taking time or not being on a straight path as well as releasing control, and/or transition.
*Please note that I researched the cards as well as some meanings from other people and then also researched each symbol (in a more general sense) and included meanings that correlate as well as added my own intuitive interpretations. So, if you feel an interpretation 'does not make sense for you', then you don't necessarily have to include it if you so choose to do a divinatory reading.
Now, as I said before, it's less common to do a divination reading as there are only 5 symbols but in my own opinion I feel like if you're capable of divination or have intuitive abilities, then this really shouldn't be that difficult as it is a more intuitive way of going about things.
For example, if someone were to ask me about the possible outcome of something and I used these cards and pulled a STAR, WAVY LINES, AND A CIRCLE, I'd probably say that there's hope in the situation even though there may be some difficulties, there is also a movement about it, as well as the concept of some emotions at play but overall seeing a sense of completion/a situation coming to an end. -But that's just using 3 cards, you can use as many as you feel called to but know that when 'divining', using these cards is really just another way of focusing your intuitive thoughts to form a clear message or answer. (Which can be said for tarot as well, but tarot has more flare, lol- which may also be a reason not many people are drawn to Zener cards.)
As for practicing, training, and strengthening your abilities, it's fairly simple.
Basically, you sit in a quiet/safe space and somewhat clear your mind. Then, shuffle the cards as much as you can. Next, pick a card and hold it for a moment. Get a feel of the card and see what image pops in your mind. Turn the card over to see if you were corrected. >then repeat<
Don't get discouraged if you don't get all of them, or even any of them correct when you're starting out. Remember, this is to strengthen, no one's going to be perfect.
After a while you'll start to notice how you feel when you get a card right. You'll start to be able to 'sift' through your thoughts and feelings and narrow down what your intuition actually feels like. Soon, you'll not only start to pick the cards correctly, but you'll also notice your intuition in outside situations is more on point.
Lastly, I just want to mention that you can practice this technique with regular playing cards if you don't have a Zener deck. This consists of taking a regular card deck and shuffling it like you did the Zener deck. The difference is that instead of the symbols of the Zener deck, you may want to try with the different suits (or even try with "guessing" at the colors at first.) For example, you shuffle, pick a card, and see the color red. The more you practice the easier it will be to be able to 'feel' whether it is a heart or a diamond. Again, this can also be done with just suits. You just have to go with whichever method works for you.
I hope this post was helpful, and if you'd like to know more, I'd be happy to share. Let me know if you've tried practicing with a deck (Zener or traditional), I'd love to hear your own thoughts and methods.
Blessed Be🔮
[Zener cards, wikipedia, theghostinmymachine.com, transmitesp.com-Mr. Lewis R.R. Robinson, skepdic.com, and pathandtarot.com]
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