Journaling is a great tool for this path of self-discovery since we read the cards to learn about ourselves as well as the future. However, it can be challenging to know where to begin, so here are some strategies that we have found to be useful.
Try to write as soon as you wake up. What occupied your dreams? What perceptions of the world do you have while awake? Bypassing the ego and surprising your conscious mind will help. No matter how bizarre or fantastical these notions seem, sometimes those are the greatest! You are free to use any amount of poetry. Consider the world through a child’s perspective. What is novel and exciting? If you were suddenly transported to this planet with no prior knowledge, how would you interpret its events?
And bear in mind that, despite your desire to retreat within, it is beneficial to maintain contact with the larger society. Your opinions and others’ are both worth considering. so give! As we keep a notebook and share it with others on social media, it’s kind of like journaling has evolved naturally.
Gaining a greater understanding of life itself is the goal of divination, which goes beyond just predicting the future. The tarot offers us a window through time into potential futures, alternative courses, and forgotten pasts. The self continues to be the focal point of everything throughout. Your readings represent who you are, who you were, and everything you might become. Even if you weren’t able to see this beautiful tapestry at the time, journaling will help you find it.
Are you a tarot notebook keeper? Please let us know how this method performs for you. Specify in the comments or get in touch with us on Instagram!
In This Article...
How should a tarot card journal be started?
Please note that this practice may be done with any deck you choose (the Inquire Withindeck is one of my personal faves!) and that I’ve included both the steps to my tarot journaling practice and more generally, how to use a deck for self-growth.
1) Perform a grounding exercise before dealing. With your eyes closed, taking a few slow, deep belly breaths helps to greatly calm the nervous system and quiet the mind. Take as much time as your mind requires to sense some separation from the whirling ideas, obligations, and overall mayhem of the outer world. Instead of feeling hurried or distracted, you should be naturally guided to your cards.
2) Clean the area and the deck. Palo santo or a light-colored crystal can be placed nearby to draw in positive energy. A candle can also bring a serious dose of charm into your environment.
3) As you shuffle the deck, consider the inquiries you wish to make. It’s crucial to pose inquiries that invite conversation. Ask open-ended questions, such as, “What energy do I need to harness to make the growth I want in my career?” How can I express my needs and feelings to my spouse in a more sincere manner? Enter the inquiries in your journal.
4) Dividing your deck, choose your cards. Any technique you choose to select your cards is ideal if you lead with intuition. My preferred method is to divide my deck into three piles and re-stack them, starting with the middle pile at the top. After reading aloud the accompanying question from my diary, I spread the cards out into a half-moon fan and choose one for each card. Before turning any cards over, make sure to finish selecting all of your cards. For tarot journaling, I would advise using no more than a 3-card spread, using one card for each question.
5)Spend some time examining the card’s artwork before rushing to find up the significance. What catches your eye? What emotions does it elicit? As words come to mind, write them down.
6)Think about how the meanings of the cards you choose from your guide book align with your intuitive readings as you read about them. You should also try to get a general sense of how the cards might relate to the questions you asked. Write the card that goes with each question you listed at the beginning next to it for your records.
7) Your diary entry now has a blank canvas. It’s time to put your imagination to work to make it happen. Treat the cards as if they were having a conversation with one another. What overarching themes do you see in the reading? How do they connect to the inquiries you made? What challenges do they present to you? What surprises you about them? Intentionally left open-ended, this process. It is up to you to use the information from the cards to create your own narrative.
8) After two weeks, observation is necessary. We have the chance to look back on the last two weeks and discover where and how the different energies of the cards appeared in our life. Look for any duplicate cards first. Repeating cards have a special significance that compels us to consider that particular theme in greater detail. If there aren’t any repeating cards in your readings, pay attention to any other patterns that pop up.
9) Free writing time. Spend 15 minutes intuitively journaling about the key topics you identified in the previous stage. Allow your unconscious to direct you. Allow your mind to wander freely through your work without self-editing. You might be amazed by the connections that the cards might help you make in your mind and heart!
Can you perform a self-tarot reading?
Is it feasible for a beginner to perform Tarot spreads on themselves? Yes! It most certainly is. Tarot is a technique that aids in deepening our understanding of the present moment, honoring our intuition, and predicting future possibilities.
Tarot journaling is what is it?
Tarot diaries are comparable to artists’ varied sketchbooks, archaeologists’ prospecting field records, and language learners’ grammar notebooks. We take notes to help us remember who we are, to compile our own personal reference library, and to serve as a roadmap to our highly individual psyches.
Tarot cards were once used as a divination tool, but the post-1970s development of self-help focused tarot textbooks and manuals marked a shift toward a focus on self realization. supporters from the 1980s, like
What constitutes a proper tarot reading?
Tarot readings typically proceed in the following manner after that:
- You must first pose a query to the card deck. It ought to be unambiguous and open-ended.
- It’s time to shuffle once you have the question in your head.
- Draw a card (s).
- Lay your chosen card or cards in your spread face down after making your selection.
How do I make Tarot cards on my own?
What I actually wanted to do was open a store that offered independently made tarot and oracle decks like the ones I collected, first online and then offline. I would purchase these independent decks from vendors like Two Sides Tarot and Little Red Tarot, and I imagined that perhaps I might create my own small collection to offer to Manila residents (and maybe Asia).
Now I know some of you who frequent this blog do have tarot deck creation goals of your own… so I thought I’d put together a guide that can *fingers crossed* walk you through the creation process the way I did it.
Disclaimer: If you think this piece is going to be about suppliers, printers, and the like, I’m going to warn you right away that it isn’t. I get a lot of queries about those things. I encourage you to conduct independent research on execution. You can set together your decks just as easily as I did by conducting your own research. Your best friend is Google.
So let this serve as a guide, but don’t expect any spoon-feeding. Open yourselves up to the experience of learning through process, discovering through research, and creating a tarot deck all your own.
Have a goal in mind. Back in architecture school, we had to begin with a design challenge before we could even begin sketching or discussing aesthetics. You must understand your why. Initially, why are you building a deck? Is your deck an outlet for your creativity or an attempt to tackle a problem? Are you making a deck in order to generate income, support a certain cause, or get a little more tarot knowledge for yourself?
Knowing your why will set the tone for your entire creation process. Give this fundamental step time.
begin with a notion. These days, independently produced cards are based on themes. It’s too general to say, “I want to create a tarot deck.” Make your creation worthy. Do you want an animal-themed deck? Why? Do you favor having a “Stranger Things” theme? Eighties soap operas? political leaders
Select a form of artistic expression. If you’re into impressionism, Op-art, or post-modernism, go ahead and do whatever you feel at home with, unless you’re making a deck to broaden your style or portfolio. I selected collage because that’s the medium I’m comfortable with.
Setting your parameters will help you create a visually appealing deck (unless the concept you’re working with calls for a range of art styles, in which case mixing things up might make sense).
You need to accept your own artistic ability at this point. If you have a deadline, consider what you can actually accomplish in that time. Perhaps painting frescoes, photographing them, and then processing each image is not the ideal course of action if you want to complete a deck in a month. Consider whether you can actually complete 78 canvases (and possibly more since you’ll need extras for do-overs and such) if you’re comfortable working with oil on canvas.
Establish your guidelines so that you have a reference point to use when you build your deck.
Make sure you understand what you’re getting into before you even start. I am aware that many artists who have no background in tarot take on the task of creating a deck. But I think their cards have a distinct vibe than real tarot readers. They aren’t as useful as decks created by those who are proficient in spreads, have a thorough understanding of their archetypes, and can read for themselves or others. Even the most accomplished artists are unable to discern tiny elements when using the tarot, despite their skill.
If you are familiar with tarot, create a deck. If you are proficient with it, construct an oracle deck. Do your research.
Start working. The part that most eager beavers are anticipating, you’ll just have to put in the effort. Tarot cards cannot “magician their way into existence.” Get your iPad out, start using Procreate, get some scissors, paint thinner, and brushes.
Be prepared to make a lot of stops and starts at this phase of the process, and be nice to yourself. whenever you’re ready, display your work to the public. You’d probably benefit from getting feedback from both a non-tarot reader and a skilled reader, just to see whether what you’re doing resonates with both target groups.
Remember to keep the big picture in mind. Although we occasionally interpret tarot cards individually, we often use pairs of cards and broad spreads. You must have the ability to take a step back from your task and assess how the cards stack up. three, five, ten, and twelve-spot spreads. Lay them all out to check for stragglers, see if any visual or thematic trends emerge (extremely important in a deck! ), and determine whether you like the way they all look when arranged in a formation.
Beyonc staging Bey-chella comes to mind. She had to make sure that everyone on stage appeared flawlessly coordinated.
Make a trial run. The effort isn’t ended once the art is finished, whether you plan to build your deck for sale or just want a copy for yourself. You want to check to see how the tarot cards represent everything. Look for a printer who can produce a single copy at a low cost on common card stock, or if you want to wreck your inkjet printer, do it yourself at home. This is to determine whether your art, in any size you decide, works. You can use this to check for border problems, uneven cropping, etc.
Use your test deck as soon as you obtain it. Carry it around and do readings for friends, family, and future clients. Trust me, once you acquire that tester, it won’t leave your hands. Check out how it functions in the wild.
Revision is essential. My least favorite project stage, but one that is absolutely necessary if you want to do things correctly. You will be able to determine what needs shifting and what needs altering after holding your sample in your hands and using it for 10, 20, and 50 readings.
With my initial run of the PM Starter Deck, I saw a few things that I wanted to change. The fact that I only had 11 copies printed allowed me to fix any errors I found without incurring significant costs.
Examine the market. If you’re quite certain about your deck, you can have a professional finish it right away. You can either order a task for a small print run for yourself or a large print run if you want to take the plunge. You may relax knowing that you tested your deck, made any necessary adjustments, and took into account everyone’s input.
See whether people are interested in your cutting-edge independent deck. Consider going commercial if individuals appear to be really engaged. Examine your numbers to see if you can feel as like you are taking a calculated risk.
If you decide to place a large print order, say a Hail Mary and good luck to yourself. Who knows, your invention could be the next item to appear on the independent shelves of Two Sides Tarot and Little Red Tarot.
What do I do with my brand-new tarot cards?
2. Position your deck during the New or Full Moon. Imagine the moon’s beams touching and anointing your brand-new deck if you think in the power of the moon. But if you’re from a place like the Philippines, you need to be careful! Moisture and unexpected downpours of rain can harm your priceless new cards. I occasionally place my deck near my window so that it has a slight outdoor sensation without being dangerous.
After some extensive use, this is a great way to “clear your deck.” It feels excellent to let the moon refresh your deck symbolically. You can also encircle your deck with your favorite stones if you have a collection of crystals.
3. Commence utilizing it for noteworthy events. A fresh deck may spice up any celebration, whether you choose to use it exclusively for Beltane or Ostara in accordance with the pagan Wheel of the Year, or you want to infuse your birthday with extra charm.
You might even limit the times when you utilize your deck. You may, for instance, create a special tarot deck exclusively for readings about the moon cycle or readings that entail shadow work.
On the other hand, I could use my recently acquired OG Starchild Tarot to inspire an altar full of celestial-themed accessories, including twinkle lights, crystals in luminous yellows, dark, night-sky blacks, and cool blues, a cloth decorated with constellations, and perhaps putting The Star card out and on display.
5. Put your brand-new tarot deck beneath your pillow as you sleep. Absolute superstition, this The night before a huge exam, I used to do this to simulate the information seeping into my subconscious (lol, reassure me that I’m not the only one). You can truly, physically bond and spend time with your tarot deck by sleeping with it beneath your pillow. And why not try it if you believe all that woo woo about images actually penetrating your subconscious?
Questions you don’t really want answered
Even though it might seem apparent, it’s advisable to refrain from asking the tarot cards questions that you aren’t prepared to hear the answers to. That’s because answers to these questions can reveal information you’re just not quite ready to hear.
“Tarot can definitely come off as offensive if you’re not willing to hear the truth or consider an opposing opinion. Tarot reading Nicole Fortunaso
According to tarot reader and life coach Nicole Fortunaso, “tarot may truly come out as offensive if you are not willing to hear the truth of the problem or look at an alternate viewpoint.” She advises analyzing why you’re reacting the way you are in order to reflect on how to effectively address the underlying problem if you ask the question and aren’t satisfied with the response.
Why can’t I read the tarot by myself?
It’s normal to be a little clumsy when you first start practicing the tarot. Tarot study is similar to learning a new languageit takes time to become proficient. But what happens if you no longer require the booklet and have intimate familiarity with the deck? Are you able to read yourself? No, except for a few rare instances. Simply put, it’s a horrible idea.
You see, the majority of us turn to astrology or tarot when we’re looking for clarity amid a period of ambiguity. In contrast to astrology, which is quite technical, our consciousness restricts our capacity to read tarot cards. Working with your personal interpretation of the cards, you are not constrained by short- and long-term cycles like the planets’ orbits. It might be tricky to go beyond your current circumstances while utilizing the tarot to better understand a trying scenario. Even if all the cards are spread out in front of you, putting them together requires such a broad perspective that it is all but impossible to fully understand the meaning of each card. Basically, any biases you already have will always be reflected in your tarot reading!
After a breakup
Draw one card for each of the following inquiries if you’ve recently broken up with someone and want to know more about the reason or determine whether you’ll get back together:
- How energetic is the partnership right now?
- What caused the divide in the first place?
- What do they really think of me right now?
- What do they intend for me right now?
- What kind of relationship will this be in the future?
- Which action is ideal for me to take right now?
When job searching
You can use this spread to explore what kind of career guidance the tarot can offer if you’re feeling uncertain about your career path or thinking about a new employment. Draw one card once more for each query.
- How active am I in my career right now?
- What challenge must I overcome?
- What is my calling in life?
- How can I follow this calling more closely?
- What should I do to prepare for the upcoming month?
When deciding between two options
This spread can highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each option, guiding you toward the best decision if you’re using tarot to pick between two possibilities (two job offers, two apartments, perhaps a love triangle???). Getting the deal Per card, ask one question.
- What is the fundamental cause of this fork in the road?
- What is the likely result of choosing option A?
- What is the most likely result for option B?
- What more should I take into account that was overlooked?
- What’s the best thing I can do right now?
When something is off with a friend
If you’re concerned about the state of a friendship or feel like something is wrong but are unable to pinpoint the cause, you might be interested in seeing what conclusions and solutions this spread offers. Ask one question per card, once more, I repeat.
- What makes this friendship so crucial?
- What led to this sudden change in tone, and why?
- What has changed, in my friend’s opinion?
- What can I do to make this matter more urgent?
- What is the future of this friendship?
- What should I do at this moment?