What Are Affirmations, Really?

You’ve probably seen affirmations floating around Instagram or TikTok: those short, powerful phrases like “I am enough” or “Abundance flows to me.”

They sound nice. Maybe you’ve even tried repeating them in the mirror.

But let’s be honest, sometimes they feel a little... forced.

So what are affirmations, really? Are they just spiritual pep talks? Wishful thinking? Or can they actually shift your energy and help you grow?

In this post, we’ll explore:

• What affirmations actually are (and aren’t)
• Why they work on a psychological and spiritual level
• How to use them alongside tarot to create real inner change

Whether you’re new to this or just want to deepen your practice, let’s clear the fog and reconnect with the true power of intentional words.

What Are Affirmations?

At their core, affirmations are conscious declarations of what you want to believe about yourself, your worth, your path, and the world around you.

They’re not magic spells or instant fixes. They’re not about denying reality.

They’re about shifting your internal narrative so it’s aligned with your growth, not your fears.

An affirmation is a phrase, usually said in the present tense, that expresses a truth you want to embody.

Something like:

• “I am worthy of love and belonging.”
• “I trust myself to make aligned choices.”
• “I am safe to be seen and express myself fully.”

And here’s the key: affirmations are most powerful when they meet you where you are, then stretch you slightly beyond it. They’re like emotional training wheels for belief.

Why Affirmations Work

Affirmations tap into the way your brain forms habits and beliefs, through repetition, emotional engagement, and consistency. When you repeat an idea often enough (especially out loud), your subconscious starts to accept it as familiar. And what’s familiar begins to feel true.

Pair that with your emotions and your nervous system starts to shift. That’s why affirmations work best when you really feel them as you say them.

Over time, affirmations:

• Rewire old limiting beliefs
• Soothe the inner critic
• Help you show up with more intention and clarity
• Support emotional regulation and self-trust

So Where Does Tarot Come In?

Tarot is a mirror. It reflects your inner landscape and the energies at play in your life. But the most powerful part of tarot isn’t just seeing the truth, but rather what you do with that truth.

That’s where affirmations become a bridge between awareness and embodiment.

Here’s How Affirmations and Tarot Work Together:

• Tarot reveals the energy you’re working with
• Affirmations help you integrate that energy into your daily mindset
• Together, they create a practice of reflection, healing, and conscious transformation

Example: You pull The High Priestess. That card might be calling you into deeper intuition and stillness.

Your affirmation could be:

“I trust the wisdom that arises from within me.”

Or maybe you draw The Five of Pentacles, a card of scarcity or rejection.

You could respond with:

“Even in moments of lack, I am never alone. Support is all around me.”

In this way, tarot shows you what’s present, and affirmations help you shift how you relate to it.

How to Create (and Use) Tarot-Based Affirmations

You don’t need to memorize the perfect affirmation for every card. What matters most is that it feels true-ish for where you are now, and helps you anchor into a more empowered way of thinking.

Here’s a simple ritual to try:

1. Pull a card of the day (using your deck or the Aluma app)
2. Ask: What is this card inviting me to believe about myself?
3. Write down an affirmation based on your interpretation
4. Repeat that affirmation aloud, in the mirror, or during a quiet moment
5. Revisit it throughout the day, or journal about it in Aluma

Pro Tip: Let your affirmation evolve. If “I love and accept myself fully” feels like a stretch, try “I’m learning to love and accept myself more each day.” That counts. That works.

A Few Affirmation Examples by Tarot Card

Here’s a quick sampler to get you started:

• The Fool: “I trust the unknown. I am safe to begin.”
• The Magician: “I already have everything I need to create what I want.”
• The Star: “Hope lives in me, even when I forget.”
• Nine of Swords: “I am not my fears. I am safe in this moment.”
• Queen of Wands: “My confidence inspires others to shine, too.”
• Eight of Cups: “I am allowed to walk away from what no longer nourishes me.”

Want a full list of affirmations for all 78 cards? Let me know, I'd love to create that!

Let Your Words Become Your Compass

Affirmations aren’t about pretending. They’re about remembering who you are underneath the fear, the doubt, the conditioning.

When paired with tarot, affirmations help you not only see your truth… but speak it into existence. And that’s where real change starts.

So tomorrow morning, pull a card. Breathe. Reflect.

Then speak the words your soul needs to hear.

✨ Download Aluma to pair affirmations with daily tarot, track your growth, and build rituals that support your magic.