3 Intuitive Writing Practices to Boost Your Creative Magic
Have you ever heard the phrase “intuitive writing” and wanted to know more? Maybe you are deep in the throes of writers’ block and have tried everything to free your mind. Or you might just be a highly sensitive, intuitive person interested in nourishing your spiritual gifts.
Maybe, you just want to write a really good story.
If any of the above speaks to you, then you will fall in love with the magic of intuitive writing. Here I share three of my favorite intuitive writing practices—easy, DIY ways to help you unlock your creativity, nurture your intuition, and support your spiritual journey. (Plus, they’re great for writers’ block!)
I use these ALL THE TIME and after you give them a try, I think you’ll love ‘em as much as I do.
Before you begin any intuitive writing practice, take a moment to set the tone of your space and ground your energy as much as possible, to support your connection to creativity beyond your conscious mind. Try to choose a place to write that feels uncluttered, inspiring, or even sacred to you—one that will allow for as few interruptions to your practice as possible. Once you’re settled, consider practicing a short grounding meditation or breathing exercise to center yourself and steady your energy.
One more tip: When it comes to choosing your writing materials, make your selection as simple as possible. While some people love to geek out over a new clothbound journal and fancy pens, others prefer plain old notebook paper and ballpoints. No matter what you choose, intuitive writing is best done by hand, whenever possible. Tons of research studies show that there are neurological and psychological benefits to writing by hand—including tapping into regions of the brain that manage emotions and are associated with receiving and interpreting information. So, ditch the keyboard if you can! (Remember, there are NO rules for spelling, grammar, or punctuation during intuitive writing.)
Now, let’s get writing!
Intuitive Writing Practice #1: Automatic Writing
Automatic writing is amazingly simple and probably the most common intuitive writing practice. All you have to do is grab your pen, open your journal, put pen to paper, close your eyes or soften your gaze (that’s right—no looking directly at your paper!) and write.
The key to automatic writing is to be as unaware of the writing as much as possible during the writing process: You want to let your pen fly until it almost seems to stop on its own. Intuitive writing is designed to channel creativity beyond the conscious mind, so allow the unconscious out to play here! (If the unconscious needs a little help getting started, I have included some great automatic writing prompts below.)
Once you’re finished writing, take some time to return to your body before reading what you wrote. Then, note any words, sentences, or themes that recur, seem significant, or simply spark your curiosity. The words that may have appeared to make no sense while you were writing them may, upon reading, offer you clarity, insight, or information from your higher self.
But don’t get too attached to the outcome, either. All intuitive writing requires practice. Just like meditation, sometimes a session will be filled with inspiration and wisdom, and just as often you will uncover little or nothing. There’s nothing wrong with that—just keep at it and over time, the benefits will become increasingly clear!
Consider these writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing:
What do I need in this moment?
What do I know in this moment?
What do I need to know?
What lesson am I being taught, right now?
What am I being called to let go of, right now?
What am I ready for?
What would I do if I knew I could not fail?
You can even use a previous automatic writing as a prompt for you next exercise, over time growing a practice that builds upon itself.
Intuitive Writing Practice #2: Tarot or Oracle Card-Inspired Story Writing
For this automatic writing practice, you’ll want to start by grabbing your favorite tarot or oracle card deck. Begin by pulling three cards from your deck, as you would for any other intuitive practice involving cards. Once you have flipped each card, arrange them in whatever order you like—keeping in mind that the first card will serve as the “beginning” of your story, the second card the “middle”, and the final card the “end”.
Pulling inspiration from the cards: The words, the images, and the arrangement you were inspired to choose, write a fairytale-like story. Follow your intuition but try to keep the story as simple as possible—something that even a child might understand.
If you need help getting started, begin with the words: “Once upon a time…” (All great fairytales begin that way, after all.)
As you write, think of your story as already being fully formed in your creative unconscious, just waiting for you to intuitively receive it—rather than focusing on writing a story, focus on receiving it. Remember: This practice is designed to help you connect with your intuition, so trust that whatever comes of it is what is meant to be.
Intuitive Writing Practice #3: Channeled Writing (for Someone Else)
Channeled writing, or writing while tuning into someone else’ energy, is one of the most interesting intuitive writing practices—great for working with clients, connecting more deeply with friends and family, or even starting to heal a relationship.
You can start this practice by asking the person to pull a tarot or oracle card for inspiration or, if they are not present or not participating in the channeled writing, you can try a simple meditation to connect yourself to their energy. (A note: While it’s always best to ask for permission for tuning into someone else’s energy, sometimes this just isn’t possible. Notice what comes up for you, and if your intuition gives you the sense that it is not a safe or appropriate time for you to connect, try the practice another time.)
Set the intention to energetically tune into the other person and, like the practice above, rather than thinking about writing a message, think about receiving a message.
As you begin to receive information, write what comes up for you. Sometimes, in the case of channeled writing, this may only be a few words or a couple of simple sentences. Do not judge what comes up. Stay open and trust that what is meant to flow through you will.
When you are done, consider closing the session by thanking the person or their energy for allowing you the connection.
Each of these practices is an invitation to be fluid and receptive, but don’t forget to play and have a little fun too! Being intuitive means that you’re empathetic and have strong natural instincts—but you may not always trust them or know how to nourish them to their fullest potential. Intuitive writing is a great practice for not only boosting your creativity, but nurturing trust in your intuition as well.
Remember: Everyone’s experience with intuitive writing will be different. We are all unique, with unique stories to tell. Intuitive writing is just one magical way to get those stories out of your unconscious and onto the page!