Tarot journaling techniques have become a powerful tool for self-discovery and reflection. When I practice different tarot journaling techniques, I get new information about myself each time. Each card has a different meaning in different situations, so I have more chances to understand my thoughts and emotions. Journaling is a an amazing opportunity to understand my situations in personal matters. By writing down my readings and the insights they bring, I'm able to track my thought patterns and changes in my life, which I find so helpful in getting to know myself better.
In my experience with tarot journaling techniques, I've seen that there are as many ways to journal as there are individuals. Some people faithfully do a daily draw, while others might journal only when they feel a strong connection to a specific question. When I journal with my tarot cards is when I find the most insight. Being consistent in anything is the way to make any progress. I like to flip through my journal occasionally to see what changes I have made over time. The most important thing is to keep your journal entries focused on your reading. Free write journaling is something I do in a separate jouranl.
Through my journey, tarot journaling techniques have shown me that they're more than just a way to write down card readings—they're a way to dig up what I have hidden in my subconscious. When I journal, not only am I looking at the cards and their symbols; I'm also writing to see how they apply to my life. This process doesn't just help me understand the tarot better, but it also helps me understand myself better. If you are looking to get to know yourself better, I suggest you jouranal with your tarot cards.
The Basics of Tarot Journaling
I've found that tarot journaling techniques play a crucial role in deepening my connection with my tarot deck. Keeping a journal helps me reflect on my daily readings and understand the complex symbols found in the cards.
Understanding Your Tarot Deck
Before I start journaling, I like to get to know my deck. I look through all the cards, noticing the symbols and how they are similar or different to my other decks. There are typically 78 cards, including 22 Major Arcana cards that represent the Fools journey through life. I spend time looking at each card, paying attention its imagery, symbols, and possible meanings.
- Major Arcana: Focus on the life lessons and archetypes.
- Minor Arcana: Pay attention to the day-to-day details represented.
I also like to do an interview with my new deck. A non tarot reader won't get it, but each deck has it's own vibe. You get to learn this quicker if you do an interview with your cards.
Setting Up Your Tarot Journal
I choose a pretty notebook, often picking a bullet journal because of its flexibility. I am a paper snob, probably from my greeting cards background. My journal needs something that has high quality paper that won't bleed through when I write in it. I like the first few pages blank, so I can make an index. Then, I usually add the date of the reading and the question I ask with the page number for ease of referring back to the reading.
When I start a journal entry for my reading I usually add
- Date & Card: Record the date the question, and the card(s) drawn.
- Card Keywords: I record the keywords or feelings I get from the card right next to the card in the spread.
- Feelings & Thoughts: After I have done that, I then start reflecting on the question and how all the cards fit together. Sometimes it's so obvious to me how the cards all work together, but at other times it takes a bit of writing to get to the root of what I am looking for.
Daily Tarot Draw
In my tarot journaling techniques, the daily tarot draw is essential. Each day, I draw a single card from the deck and use the following format to log my thoughts:
| Date | Card Drawn | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| (Today's Date) | (Card Name) | (My Impressions) |
For the daily draw section, I consider:
- Immediate Reaction: My gut feeling when I see the card.
- Card Imagery: Specific details that stand out on the card.
This is a great way to set up a journal for minimalists. It could even be done in a spreadsheet.
I like to write mine in my spiffy journal with the thick paper. I record the same information, but a bit differently.
By using this method in my daily life, tarot journaling techniques become not just a habit but a meaningful part of my journey through life.
Tarot Journaling Techniques for Beginners
In my journey with tarot cards, I've found that the right tarot journaling techniques can be a powerful tool for personal growth. It has helped me connect deeply with the cards and integrate their insights into my daily routine. Let's look at a few simple ways you can get started.
A Different Single Card Focus
When I'm looking to understand the meaning of a card, I will focus on a single card. I draw one card from my tarot deck and spend time contemplating its imagery, symbols, and potential messages. This way of journaling includes action points. Whereas the previous one card daily draw asked for date, card, and observations, this one digs a little deeper. In my journal, I create a table like this to keep my thoughts organized:
| Aspect | Notes |
|---|---|
| Imagery | (What I see. A description of what is going on in the card) |
| Symbols | (Symbols & their possible meanings given the question) |
| Personal Reflection | (How this card might be speaking to me. What are my initial reactions and feelings) |
| Action Points | (Steps I could take based on this card’s message. This is where the gold is. Determining what happens next.) |
I find this single card focus technique particularly useful because it allows me to delve into the details without feeling overwhelmed by too many messages at once.
Daily Draws and Writing Prompts
This adds an extra layer to our regular one card draw from above. Each morning, I pull a ‘card of the day' and use it as a starting point for reflection. I write down my initial thoughts and feelings about the card, just like I usually do. Then, I use writing prompts to dig into the card's meaning even more. Here's a list of prompts I might use:
- What is this card telling me about my current situation?
- How can the lessons of this card be applied today?
- What feelings or thoughts does this card provoke in me?
Using these prompts, my daily draw becomes not just a tarot reading but a stepping stone for introspection and contemplation.
Court Card Studies
The court cards in tarot can be some of the most complex to understand. They represent different personalities and archetypes. To get to know these cards, I created a section in my journal for each court card. I note down their traditional meanings, but also my personal interpretations. Here's an example of what that might look like for the Queen of Cups:
- Traditional meaning: An intuitive, nurturing figure full of compassion.
- My view: Reminds me of my mother or a strong female presence in my life.
- Situations it might represent: Times when I need to rely on my intuition or when someone needs my support.
I love how the “my view” brings a person into the mix. It also helps you remember what the card means by associating with a person you know. If you can think of a person, alive or passed on, or somebody it reminds you about on a TV show, it will make the reading that much easier. By making a connection to each court card individually, I find that my tarot readings become more insightful.
Tarot journaling techniques are not just about recording meanings; they're about forming a personal connection with the cards and using them as guides for self-discovery and personal growth. Whether it's through a single card focus, daily draws with writing prompts, or court card studies, these methods have made a significant difference in my understanding of tarot.
Advanced Tarot Journaling Strategies
We've explored various tarot journaling techniques, and if you are ready and comforatble we can use some more advanced practices to deepen our tarot knowledge. It's time to move to some more advanced tarot journaling methods. We are going to look at more structured spreads, themed discovery and reflective exercises.
Tarot Spreads for Journaling
Morning Tarot Spread:
Once I became more comfortable with the one card draw, I advanced to 3 card spreads in the morning. This is one easy spread to start with. It sets the tone for your day!
- Mind: Reflects my current state of mind
- Body: Offers insight into my physical well-being
- Spirit: Provides guidance for my spiritual path
After drawing these cards, I record my thoughts and feelings in my journal, focusing on the the cards are saying and how they might apply to the upcoming day.
Different Spreads:
Different spreads can serve specific areas of my life where I seek clarity. For example:
- Career Spread:
- Position 1: Current career situation
- Position 2: Challenges to overcome
- Position 3: Opportunities ahead
- Relationship Spread:
- Position 1: Current state of the relationship
- Position 2: Potential challenges
- Position 3: How to nurture the relationship
Recording these readings helps me internalize the meaning and see what kind of changes I might need to make.
Themed Readings for Self-Discovery
I often select themed readings as part of my tarot journaling techniques to unravel layers of my subconscious and kickstart my journey of self-discovery. Some themes include:
- Love and Relationships: I focus on my emotional connections and how I can improve my relations with others.
- Career and Goals: My readings may center on my professional aspirations and the steps needed to achieve them.
- Travel: Helping to choose where you want to go on vacation, or if you want to do a volunteer vacation, or a relaxing vacation.
I take notes on how the cards reflect these themes and the actionable insights they provide.
Enhancing Your Practice
Using tarot cards have brought me to the point where I want to do something creative with them. I am a creative person by nature, so I am excited by these ideas.
Creative Projects
To infuse creativity into my tarot journaling, I have often given thought to making my own tarot cards. Unfortunately, I don't have the drawing or illustration skills to actually drawing the cards. Yes, I could use AI, but that is also a bit beyond me. If you are skilled at any of the ways I just talked about, you should consider making your own cards.
Design Your Own Tarot Cards:
- Sketch a card each week based on personal experiences.
- Use colors and symbols that resonate with your spiritual practice.
Making my own spreads, on the other hand, is right up my alley. I love thinking about asking questions that go together to help someone find meaning. If you want to try to create your own spread, here are a couple of recommendations. I will have a full post on creating spreads in the near future.
Crafting Spreads:
- Create spreads reflecting personal milestones.
- Tailor each position in the spread to questions about personal growth.
Connecting with the Tarot Community
If you are looking to grow as a seasoned tarot reader by connecting with others who share your passion, you should join my Facebook Group. It's a great way to get different insights into other peoples methods.
Joining my Facebook group is another resource to learn more about tarot and manifesting.
Online Forums:
- Participate in discussions about tarot journaling techniques.
- Share my experiences and learn from other tarot enthusiasts.
Meetups and Workshops:
- Attend local meetups to exchange tarot journaling techniques.
- Engage in workshops for hands-on practice and to gain new perspectives.
Daily Practices and Routines
Tarot journaling techniques are an excellent way to reflect on my day-to-day life and help focus on different areas. By setting aside time each day for your tarot practice, you can harness these insights and apply them to my personal growth.
Adapting Tarot Journaling for Personal Needs
Not every tarot journaling technique will suit your needs, and that's okay. It's important to adapt techniques to fit your lifestyle. If your short on time, a one-card draw with a quick reflection might be all you can manage, and that's a great way to maintain your daily practice. If you have more time on weekends, you might dive deeper into a spread like the Celtic Cross that explores various aspects of you life.
Setting Routines
I refer to a guide book when I need a better understanding of a card or want to explore different tarot journaling techniques that can enhance my practice. The key is to be flexible and allow my tarot journaling to evolve with me. I prefer not to use the guide book that often because I want to learn to rely on my intuition and become more flexible with the meanings.
By setting up a routine that easily fits tarot into my day, the techniques becomes something I look forward to on my journey. s.
As I look forward, I know that doing as little as a one card draw will help improve my reading ability for myself and when I read for others. I look forward to using the moment to see how the cards mirror what energy I have around me. My advice to anyone starting their journey is simple:
- Be consistent, even if it's just a few lines every day.
- Start with one card and broaden your practice as you grow more comfortable.
- Personalize your journal; make it a space that reflects who you are.
I've discovered that tarot journaling techniques can truly transform your tarot practice, but like all great things, it starts with a single step: beginning your journal. If you're wondering how to use tarot alongside your journaling, follow these actions to get started.
Firstly, choose a tarot deck that resonates with you. Feel the cards, look at the imagery, and connect with them. This connection is crucial for your tarot journaling techniques because you'll be working closely with these cards.
Action Steps:
- Select a Deck: Find a tarot deck you love.
- Get a Journal: Pick any notebook or journal you're drawn to.
- Daily Draws: Start by pulling a card each day and noting your thoughts and feelings about it.
| Task | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Card of the Day | Build intuition and familiarity with the cards. |
| Observations | Track patterns and personal interpretations. |
| Reflections | Note feelings or events the card brings to mind. |
Remember to date your entries! It can be amazing to see how your understanding of tarot journaling techniques deepens over time.
As you get comfortable, expand your tarot journaling techniques by doing and recording full spreads. Take note of each card's position and its meaning to you in that context. But don't be intimidated—just start simple.
My advice is to not overthink it. Your tarot journaling techniques are personal; there's no right or wrong way to do it. Trust yourself and your intuition. If today feels like the right day to start, then grab that deck, open your journal, and let your journey begin!
