Have you ever asked yourself what a tarot journal actually is and how to go about keeping one?
You're in the right place.
Tarot is enjoying a surge in popularity, and that fits with the arrival of the Age of Aquarius—a period in which interest in magical and esoteric subjects that had been suppressed for centuries is resurfacing, from tarot and crystals to numerology, astrology, lunar manifestation, and other new age practices.
So if you feel drawn to tarot, keep in mind that you are moving with the currents of change from the Age of Pisces into the Age of Aquarius. You are connecting with the great collective, and your own personal growth is coming to fruition.
Let's begin with tarot—specifically, keeping a tarot journal—and how it can enrich your life.
Getting Started with a Tarot Journal
What makes tarot journals so appealing is their variety; they tend to look different for everyone.
That said, a few basics will help you get started on your tarot journey:
- A blank journal and a pen (if typing suits you better, an online journal is an option too)
- A tarot deck
- About an hour per week—this is flexible, and you could split it into ten minutes a day if that works better for you
Before you start writing, set up a quiet space where you can concentrate without interruption. You might add crystals, candles, or incense to set the mood.
What to Put in a Tarot Journal
As mentioned, tarot journals vary widely, and there are many different things you can include—which is part of what makes them so exciting.
At their core, they are written records you create to chronicle your tarot journey. That includes your interpretations of readings, your understanding of individual cards, and anything related to your readings that helps you gain insight and experience as a reader.
You can include images and drawings in your journal, and decorate it in whatever style you like. Some people prefer a simple look (perhaps to keep it inconspicuous), while others like to make it visibly tarot-themed, with card images, mystical patterns, and vibrant colors. The choice is yours.
So what can you write in your tarot journal? Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Do a Daily Draw Reading
A daily draw is a simple and rewarding addition to your journal, and it can be done over a morning cup of tea or coffee.
Shuffle the deck, pick a single card, and write down what it means to you. A few lines or a couple of paragraphs is enough. You'll find this helps build your intuitive reading.
You can also jot down the card's meanings and note which ones apply to your reading at the time.
Doing this each day is a great way to get into the rhythm of journaling.
2. Write Up Longer Readings
For longer readings—such as the Celtic Cross or relationship spreads—writing them up in your journal can be a wonderful way to reflect back on them and recognize what you got right and what you might need to work on.
For a longer reading, record the cards you pulled and then the meanings you interpret for them.
This is an excellent way to build your tarot skills and to make comparisons later when you look back.
You can take photos of the cards and print them to stick in your journal (a great visual aid), or simply sketch the cards and their positions. This is especially helpful for those who like to create their own tarot spreads.
Usually, an hour is recommended for a longer tarot reading, as it takes time and concentration to interpret the meanings and write them out. So if you can set aside this additional time weekly, all the better.
3. Write Out Your Own Major Arcana Journey
For the storytellers among you, this will be a fun and creative project.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, from The Fool to The World. The cards follow The Fool's journey as he sets out, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, into the world, finally coming to the end of his journey in The World, where he has learned much along the way.
Writing out your own Fool's journey can be a great way to familiarize yourself with the Major Arcana. Simply lay out the cards and think of landmark times in your life that you identify with each card.
So if you were starting with The Fool, you would associate it with a time when you began something new in your life. It could be when you first started university, perhaps when you started a new career, or a new relationship where you felt positive and upbeat. Write down how it made you feel, what happened, and how you can identify with the card based on this new beginning.
This can be a long-term project, and you can incorporate different times of your life for each card if you wish—you don't have to limit yourself to just one.
4. Keep a List of Your Different Decks
It's a neat idea to keep a list of the different decks you have. You'll likely find with time that you'll be instinctively pulled toward a deck based on the reading you wish to do.
5. Assign Court Cards to People You Know
A great way to get to know the court cards is to think of your friends, family, people you know, and even celebrities, and assign a court card to them based on what you know about the card's personality.
This will help you understand the courts better when they show up in your readings, as familiarizing them with people you know provides deeper insight for you.
Let Your Journal Be Your Guide
You can write in your tarot journal any time of the day or night, but many people like to start their day with a daily draw, which provides a short entry each day. Others feel their magical energy is stronger at night and prefer to save their longer readings for just before bed.
Remember, a tarot journal is unique to you, so make it work for you.
Hopefully, this guide can get you started on your tarot journal journey—one that will not only enhance your intuition and knowledge of tarot but also enrich your life in ways you might never have expected.
Your tarot journal will be your friend, guide, and counselor. Always remember that tarot is there to help you, and with a tarot journal at hand, looking back and reflecting on past readings can help pave the way for the future.
