12 Practical Tools To Help You Access Your Intuition

When you approach life in this playful, curious way, always staying present and watching for clues, life gets really interesting. Some of my own real-life examples of how intuition guided me toward a whole lot of magic are shared in my book The Anatomy of a Calling. But here are a few playful CliffsNotes to help you navigate your own unique scavenger hunt:

Intuition tends to be quiet, so it's hard to listen to that meek voice when your mind is full of chatter. Meditation is a great technique for calming that inner dialogue enough to let your intuition shine through.

Your body is always talking to you, reflecting your energetic vibration like a tuning fork. Are you having physical symptoms? Why are they here? What is the message from your body? Where might you be out of alignment with your truth? When you're making a decision, tune into your body.

Try playing with oracular tools, such as a tarot card deck, the Chinese I Ching, or runes.

Imagine that everything in nature is talking to you. Sit by a waterfall and ask it a question. What is it telling you? Ask a rose. Receive a message from a mountain. Listen to the wisdom of a tree. Consult a vegetable in your garden. Receive guidance from a star.

Pay attention to your dreams and glean intuitive information from your unconscious knowing.

You can even ask synchronicity to participate with you around a certain question. Then, keep your eyes peeled for what happens in your world. Be very present. Pay attention to street signs, people you meet, emails in your inbox, bumper stickers, meaningful numbers, objects that appear in your path. Be on the lookout for clues on the scavenger hunt of life.

Go to a bookshelf or library. Let yourself be intuitively drawn to a book. (Don't think! Just pick.) Then, open intuitively to a random page and see if there's a relevant message there for you. You can be directive and ask the book a question if you want to get specific.

If an animal crosses your path or shows up in a dream, be curious. Why is this animal here? What message does it have for you? If you can't get the answer on your own, try Google searching the name of the animal and "spirit totem."

Just be careful. Use your discernment and let your intuition help you pick the right guide to this realm. If you're new to accessing visionary states, you are playing with fire and you need someone trustworthy with pure motives to keep you safe.

Ask those you trust for referrals. And keep your eyes open for anyone who expects you to trust their intuition more than your own. Any intuitive worth trusting will always warn you to filter what they tell you through your own intuition filter.

Play with this if you don't get an answer right away. Don't overthink it and don't take it too seriously. The cognitive mind kills intuition while playfulness opens you to the mystery. Be curious. Stay open. Listen.

While the traditional vision quest might require venturing into the desert with no food, water, or tent, and while this kind of quest is sure to change your life, you can experiment with vision questing in a more low-key way. Take a day off, get in your car, and follow the guidance that shows you where to go for the day. Pay attention to your body. Watch for signs. Notice your feelings. Look for unusual occurrences. Pay attention to animals, plants, bumper stickers, and synchronicities. If in doubt, text a spirit guide and ask where to go!