Are you curious about how daily tarot journaling can transform your life? If you've been wondering how reading tarot and journaling about tarot can help you understand yourself better, you're in the right place. Journaling consistently is important to getting these benefits. Let's explore how to get started with daily tarot journaling, from selecting the right deck to establishing a cohesive routine.
Selecting Your Tarot Deck
Importance of Having Your Own Deck
Choosing the right tarot deck is an important first step. Owning your own deck is so important because you develop a personal connection with it. This connection works with your own energy to help make your reading more personalized. The connection also allows you to tap into your intuition more, which helps you get to know yourself better.
How to Choose a Deck
Picking your first tarot deck can feel overwhelming, but there are a couple of ways to go about it:
- Online Shopping: Platforms like Amazon have tons of decks. This is super easy, especially if you already know what you are looking for.
- In-Person Shopping: For your first deck, I highly recommend going to a metaphysical store or a bookstore like Barnes & Noble. You would be surprised to see how many decks B&N carries. Being able to touch and see the cards in person helps you figure out if you feel a connection with them. You want to think about things like the colors, images, and overall vibe of the deck.
For instance, when one of us selected our first deck, we walked into a metaphysical store and instantly connected with a Celtic-themed Druid Craft deck. When I got my very first deck, I went to a metaphysical store. I saw my deck immediately! Since I am Irish, and there was a Celtic deck called the DruidCraft deck, I bought it without even looking at other decks.
Popular Starter Deck: Rider-Waite-Smith
If you don't know where to start, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is an great choice for beginners. This deck has been around for a long time, and its symbols are clear and easy to read. Most companion books use the Rider-Waite-Smith deck as the basis for their information, making it a great starting point for your tarot journaling journey.
Setting Up Your Tarot Journal
Options for Journal Type
Having a dedicated journal for your tarot readings is the next step. You don't need anything fancy, but if you prefer something special, there are plenty of options available:
- Regular Notebook/Composition Book: These are affordable and readily available, making them a practical choice. You might even have one already!
- Legal Pad: Another simple yet effective option. These are longer than most journals, which gives you extra room to write down the spread and the interpretation.
- Specialized Tarot Journal: If you want something more unique, I love Archer & Olive. They have amazing journals with linen or vegan leather covers in many sizes. I am a bit of a notebook snob, so I buy from them whenever I can.
Parts of Your Journal
You should set up your journal any way you like. If you have a couple of journals hanging around you can use both. I have a separate journal for my tarot readings and my tarot learning. Some things you might want to consider when you are setting up your journal:
- Daily Card Readings: A section where you can write down your daily draws and their interpretations.
- Card Research/Notes: A space for any research or notes about specific cards. I have a journal set up with a 2 page spread for each card.
- Ideas and Thoughts About Tarot: You might want a space for general thoughts and ideas about your tarot practice. You can put questions you want to answer in here as well.
You can see that I have journaled several different ways. I like to have the tarot spread as well as the interpretation in my journal.
The first image I just drew the tarot spread. In the second image, I used tarot card stickers to create the layout and then I wrote down the interpretations.
In the third picture I wrote the questions at the top of the page, and then I added the stickers with the interpretations next to each sticker.
Establishing a Daily Routine
Importance of Practicing Daily
Be as consistent as possible. It is the way you will make the most growth reading the card. It also leads to your intuition strengthening more quickly. Even if you only hav e 5-10 minutes a day, it all adds up. Before you know it you will be a pro!
When Should you do your daily reading?
The best time for tarot journaling is different for everyone. I am a morning person, so I like to do my reading before I start my day. I am fresh from a good nights sleep and ready to go. This is the perfect time for me to find out what kind of energy to expect for the day.
If you are more of a night owl that's great too! Tarot is a great reflection tool. You have the energy to do the reading. I am not a night person, so this would be tricky for me to do.
The most important thing is to just choose a time that works for you during the day. Maybe add it to your plan for the day so it becomes a habit.
Daily Tarot Journaling Practices
Two of the easiest ways to get started journaling are a daily one card draw or three card draw.
Daily Card Draw
A daily card draw doesn't need to be hard. Here are a couple of ways to get started:
- One Card for the Day: Draw a single card in the morning to gauge your energy or focus for the day.
- Three Cards: If you have more time, draw three cards—one for the morning, one for the afternoon, and one for the evening. This way gives you more information about the energies of the day and provides a closer look at possible road bumps.
Trusting Your Instincts
Readings rely on the card symbolism and the numerology of the cards. It also relies on your intuition. You need to trust your instincts and what they are saying. It takes a while to do that, but that is part of the magic of tarot.
Ask yourself questions like “How will this energy fit into my day?” or “Who might I interact with today that this card might pertain to?” Jot down your thoughts and intuitions in your journal.
Journaling Your Reflections
Writing About Initial Thoughts and Emotions
After drawing and reading your card, take a few minutes to write about your first thoughts and emotions. What insights did you have about your reading? What was the first thought you had about the cards? That's your intuition talking to you before you have time to edit your thoughts.
Noting Insights and Patterns
Over time, your journal entries can show you patterns. For example, if you draw a lot of Cups cards, it is reflecting to you the emotions you are feeling.
It's important to remember that in order to find these patterns, you need to go back and reread your past journal entries. This might take a few minutes, but it is so helpful. By recognizing the patterns in the cards, you can notice things in your life that you didn't realize before.
Joining my Facebook group is another resource to learn more about tarot and manifesting.
Benefits of Daily Tarot Journaling
There are so many ways your life will change once you start reading your cards every day.
Enhancing Intuition
Daily tarot journaling builds your intuition, which just gets stronger the more you read. This will also spill over into things that are happening in your life. You will notice that you are getting feelings about situations or people that you never noticed before. You'll find that as you practice, your intuitive skills will be more reliable and accurate.
Self-Reflection and Personal Growth
Tarot cards act as a mirror to your current energy and whats going on in your thoughts and mind. They ask us to do some self-reflection and what we are going to do for our personal growth. For instance, if you want to improve a relationship, a daily card draw give insights and suggestions for positive things you can do.
My daily draw today was the 2 of Cups. It tends to be a romantic card, so of course I thought of my husband. The card made me think that I should do something special for him to show him how much I appreciate him. Since I don't usually cook, I am going out of my way today to make a really nice meal for dinner.
Gaining Clarity About Oneself
Daily practice can help you get to know yourself better. It helps you see your strengths and where you struggle. It also shows you opportunities for growth. You have to be open to the messages. I am assuming you are open to the messages or you wouldn't be interested in tarot.
Mastering Tarot Cards and Readings
Learning tarot is a life long art. As you change, what you notice in the cards will change as well. The progress might not even be noticeable at first, but it is happening. One day you might notice that you aren't using your books to help you. Or you might realize that the Lovers card means more that relationships.
Doing great tarot readings takes time and practice. Give yourself grace as you are learning. Remember, you didn't become great at walking for at least a couple of years, but here you are now!
Starting a daily tarot journaling practice can be a life changing experience. By choosing the right deck, setting up a dedicated journal, and establishing a daily routine, you'll find that tarot journaling not only improves your intuition but also helps with personal growth and self-discovery.
The key is to get started and stay consistent. Over time, you'll see how this powerful practice can bring clarity and insight into your life. Happy journaling!
If you like free things, check out this Freebie Marketplace. I have a free gift for you there. It is the Tarot Intuition Playbook and I think you will love it!
