Tarot cards have been used for centuries for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Each card in the deck has a unique meaning; by interpreting the cards, you can gain guidance into your past, present, and future. Tarot journaling is a powerful way to deepen your understanding of the cards and how they relate to your life.
Basics on Start Using Tarot
You will need a tarot deck and a journal to start tarot journaling. Choose a card that resonates with you and write down your initial impressions. What do you see in the card? What are the colors, symbols, and imagery? How does the card make you feel?
Next, delve deeper into the meaning of the card. Consult a tarot guidebook or do some online research to learn about the traditional interpretations of the card. Then, reflect on how the card's meaning applies to your life. Are there any challenges or opportunities that the card is highlighting? What advice or guidance is the card offering you?
You will see patterns and connections between the cards as you continue to journal. You can also develop your intuitive understanding of the tarot. The more you practice, the more you can use tarot journaling for guidance and self-discovery.
To Create Your Tarot Spread for Guidance:
Set your intention: Determine the focus or question you want the spread to address.
Choose your cards: Select the number of cards you'll use and assign a specific meaning to each position in the spread.
Lay out your spread: Arrange the cards in your chosen pattern.
Interpret the cards: Consider the individual card meanings and how they relate to each other within the context of your question.
Reflect and journal: Record your interpretations and any insights you gained from the reading.
Choosing the right tarot deck is a personal journey; there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Here are some tips to guide you:
Consider the art style: Find a deck with imagery that resonates with you and evokes the desired emotions.
Explore different themes: Tarot decks come in various themes, from traditional to modern, and cater to specific interests like nature, mythology, or pop culture.
Research deck creators: Learn about the artist and author behind the deck to see if their vision aligns with yours.
Read reviews and comparisons: Seek out opinions from other tarot enthusiasts to gain insights into different decks.
Trust your intuition: Ultimately, the right deck will feel like a natural extension of yourself, so choose one that speaks to you personally.
I own three decks; one I got years ago is a Celtic deck, and the cards are beautiful. This deck isn’t available in stores because it’s nearly 20 years old. I have another deck that was given to me, and it’s funny; I rarely use it. It just doesn’t resonate with me, but I feel weird about giving it away, and I don’t want to throw it away, so it just hangs out around my place. I use the final deck quite a bit, and it’s one of the most standard decks. It’s the Rider Tarot deck. The design has been used for a very long time. I got it on Amazon a few years ago. This is my go-to deck when I have quick basic questions that I am looking for guidance on.
Keeping a Tarot Journal Offers Several Benefits:
Tracking your progress: By recording your readings, you can observe patterns, recurring themes, and the evolution of your interpretations over time. This allows you to see how your understanding of the tarot deepens and your intuition develops.
Deepening your understanding: Journaling about your tarot readings encourages you to reflect on the card meanings, symbolism, and your connections to them. This helps you integrate the messages into your daily life and apply the insights gained.
Enhancing self-reflection: Tarot journaling prompts introspection and self-awareness. As you explore the cards and their messages, you may uncover hidden emotions, motivations, and limiting beliefs, fostering personal growth and transformation.
Providing a source of guidance: Your tarot journal becomes a valuable reference tool, offering guidance and support whenever you face challenges or seek clarity. You can revisit past readings to gain new perspectives and insights.
Cultivating intuition: Consistent journaling strengthens your intuitive abilities. As you record your interpretations and reflect on your readings, you'll learn to trust your inner voice and recognize subtle patterns and connections.
Creating a sacred space: Your tarot journal becomes a space for self-expression, exploration, and spiritual connection. It allows you to document your tarot journey, creating a personal record of your growth and insights.
Reducing stress and anxiety: The process of journaling can be therapeutic and help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Improving your problem-solving skills: Tarot journaling can help you see problems from different perspectives and find creative solutions.
I don’t look at tarot as some magical, mystical thing that psychics use to predict the future. I turn to it when I have a decision or something I am healing from. I use it often when I feel “stuck” on something in my life, and the cards help me with direction. I created my tarot journal so others can learn to use it for guidance. The first part of the journal has prompts to learn how to use the journal and tarot cards. After the prompts, there is a section of pages where you can write your questions and break down the meanings of the symbols on the cards; this section is personal to you. As always with journaling, the best part of keeping track is looking back later on what you write to see how you have grown and revisiting something you have experienced so that when the pattern repeats, you can see how you handled it before. Disclaimer: Journaling is a powerful tool to support your healing process. The CBT exercises in Journals to Healing journals are intended to help you analyze and reframe your thoughts as part of a personal growth journey. However, these journals do not replace therapy or professional help. If you are experiencing intense emotions or feelings beyond your control, please seek professional assistance. Resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741) are available 24/7 for support. Remember, reaching out for help is a strength, and healing is a process.
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