Exploring Past Lives with Tarot: Techniques and Spreads

As we journey through life, we often find ourselves pondering on our past experiences, and wondering about the mysteries of our existence. One topic that has long intrigued spiritual explorers, psychologists, and those curious about the afterlife is the concept of past lives. What if our souls have lived multiple lifetimes, carrying with them lessons learned, strengths honed, and unfinished business from previous incarnations? How can we access these memories and learn from them? Enter tarot, a powerful tool for introspection and self-discovery. With its rich symbols and archetypes, tarot can help us unlock the secrets of our past lives and provide guidance for our current journey. In this article, we’ll explore techniques and spreads for using tarot to explore past lives, and learn how to interpret the insights gained from these readings. Are you ready to delve into the mysteries of your soul’s journey through time? Let’s begin.

Why Explore Past Lives?

As we delve into the mystical world of tarot, the idea of past lives may seem like an enigma to some. However, exploring past lives can offer a deeper understanding of the self and the bigger picture of life. But what are past lives and why should we explore them? While some believe in reincarnation, others may view past lives as metaphorical representations of the journey of the soul. Regardless of personal beliefs, exploring past lives can bring an enlightening perspective that can aid in personal growth and understanding. Examining past lives can also provide insight into current relationships, career paths, and life purpose. Relationship spreads, career guidance spreads, and life purpose spreads can all be enhanced by tapping into insights from past lives. Ready to learn how to use tarot to explore your past incarnations? Let’s dive in.

What are Past Lives?

Possible response:

Past lives refer to previous incarnations of a person’s soul, which are believed to exist beyond the current lifetime. According to various spiritual and religious traditions, each individual undergoes a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, known as reincarnation or transmigration, in which the soul learns and evolves through multiple experiences and lessons.

In some cases, past lives can be remembered or accessed through intuitive or hypnotic techniques, meditation, dreams, or spontaneous flashes of insight. In other cases, past lives may influence a person’s current life subconsciously, without conscious awareness or recognition.

The concept of past lives raises many philosophical, psychological, and metaphysical questions, such as:

Question	Implication
What is the nature of the soul?	If souls exist, what are they made of, what is their purpose, and what happens to them after death?
What is the role of karma?	If actions and intentions from past lives can affect present circumstances and future outcomes, how responsible are individuals for their fate and how can they change it?
What is the relationship between past, present, and future?	If time is not linear but cyclical or multidimensional, how do different incarnations relate to each other and to the collective consciousness?
What is the value of knowing about past lives?	If past lives are real or perceived as real, how can they contribute to personal growth, healing, and understanding of oneself and others?

While there is no scientific evidence to confirm or refute the existence of past lives, many people find the idea intriguing and helpful for their spiritual development or therapeutic purposes. By exploring past lives with tarot, one can gain insights into patterns, themes, relationships, and potentials that transcend the limitations of time and space, and tap into the collective wisdom of the human experience.

Why Explore Them?

Exploring past lives can be a profound and transformative experience. It can provide insight into patterns in our current life and help us understand why we may be drawn to certain people, places, or things. It can also help us heal and release past traumas that may be holding us back in our present life. Understanding our past lives can help us to move forward with more clarity and purpose.

But why explore past lives?

There are many reasons why someone might want to explore their past lives. Here are a few:

• Curiosity – For some, the idea of exploring past lives is simply fascinating. They may be drawn to the mystery and the opportunity to learn more about themselves.
• Healing – Many people believe that exploring past lives can help heal past traumas and patterns that are affecting them in their current life. It can provide a deeper understanding of why certain things are happening and help release any negative emotions associated with those experiences.
• Insight – Exploring past lives can provide insight into current patterns, behaviors, and relationships. It can help us understand why we feel drawn to certain people or situations and provide guidance on how to move forward.
• Spiritual Growth – Past life exploration can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth and understanding. It can help us connect with our higher self and gain a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.

It’s important to note that past life exploration should be approached with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. It’s not about proving or disproving anything, but rather about exploring the possibilities that exist within ourselves. If you’re interested in exploring your past lives, tarot can be a powerful tool to help guide you on your journey. Be sure to check out some of the spreads and techniques in this article or consider creating your own custom spread using our guide on how to create tarot spreads.

Using Tarot to Explore Past Lives

As a tool for self-discovery, tarot can offer insights into more than just our present circumstances. In fact, tarot can be a valuable resource for exploring our past lives and gaining a deeper understanding of our soul’s journey. By tapping into the collective unconscious, tarot can help us unlock memories and experiences from past incarnations, offering guidance and awareness in our current lives. But before delving into the techniques and spreads for exploring past lives with tarot, it is important to prepare your deck and space. For tips on how to do so, see our guide on intuition and tarot spread interpretation.

Preparing Your Deck and Space

To properly explore past lives with tarot, it’s important to prepare both your deck and space before beginning a reading. This will help you establish a clear and focused mindset as you delve into the depths of your past.

Preparing Your Deck:

1. Cleanse your deck: This is important for any tarot reading, but especially when exploring past lives. You can cleanse your deck by smudging it with sage, palo santo, or other cleansing herbs, or by simply holding it under running water while visualizing any negative energy being washed away.

2. Set your intention: Take a moment to focus your mind and set your intention for the reading. You may want to say a quick prayer or mantra to ground yourself and invite positive energy into the space.

3. Choose a spread: Depending on what aspect of your past lives you want to explore, you may want to choose a specific spread to use. More on spreads in the next section.

Preparing Your Space:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place: Choose a spot where you feel calm and relaxed. You may want to light candles or incense to create a peaceful atmosphere.

2. Eliminate distractions: Turn off your phone and any other electronic devices that may cause distractions during your reading.

3. Ground yourself: Take a few deep breaths and visualize roots growing out of your feet and into the earth, grounding you and helping you feel connected to the present moment.

By taking the time to prepare both your deck and space, you’ll be able to approach your past life exploration with clarity and focus. If you’d like to learn more about tarot spreads, you may want to check out our article on the Significance of the Celtic Cross Spread, or explore other spreads such as the Tarot Manifestation for Abundance and Tarot Spread for Shadow Work.

Techniques and Spreads

When exploring past lives with Tarot, it’s important to have an understanding of various techniques and spreads that can be used during a reading. Here are some techniques and spreads to consider:

• Meditation: Before conducting a past life reading, take a few moments to meditate and clear your mind. This will allow you to connect more deeply with the Tarot cards and the energy of past lives.
• Intention Setting: Set an intention to connect with your past lives or the past lives of the person you’re reading for. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand and get the most out of the reading.
• Journaling: Consider keeping a journal of your past life readings. This will allow you to reflect on your experiences and revisit the insights you gained during the reading.
• Choosing a Significator: When conducting a past life reading, consider choosing a Tarot card to represent the person you were in your past life or the person you’re reading for. This will help you connect more deeply with the energy of the reading.

There are many different spreads that can be used when exploring past lives. Here are a few to consider:

• The Reincarnation Spread: This spread consists of six cards and can help you gain insight into who you were in a past life and how that past life may be influencing your present. The order of the cards is: Your Past Life; Your Gifts and Strengths from That Life; Your Challenges and Weaknesses from That Life; Your Past Life’s Influences on Your Present; Your Future Path; and What You Need to Learn from Your Past Life.
• The Journey Spread: This spread is designed to help you explore the journey of your soul through multiple lifetimes. It consists of nine cards and includes positions such as “Current Lifetime,” “Previous Lifetime,” and “Future Lifetimes.”
• Exploring Karmic Patterns: This spread can be used to gain insight into karmic patterns that may be affecting your current life. The spread consists of seven cards and includes positions such as “The Karmic Lesson,” “What You Need to Let Go of,” and “What You Need to Embrace.”
• Connecting with Your Past Self: This spread can help you connect with a specific past life and gain insight into that life. It consists of five cards and includes positions such as “Your Past Self,” “The Influences of That Life,” and “What You Need to Learn.”
• Partner Study Spread: This spread is designed for two people to explore their past lives together. It consists of eight cards and includes positions such as “Your Connection in a Past Life,” “How That Life is Affecting Your Current Relationship,” and “What You Need to Learn from That Life.”
• Dream Exploration Spread: This spread can be used to explore past lives that you may have encountered in your dreams. It consists of five cards and includes positions such as “The Past Life You Visited in Your Dream,” “What That Life was Trying to Teach You,” and “How That Life is Influencing Your Present.”

Consider trying out these techniques and spreads during your next past life Tarot reading to gain deeper insight into your soul’s journey. For more information about Tarot spreads, check out our guide to the Celtic Cross Spread.

Spreads for Exploring Past Lives

As we delve into the realm of exploring our past lives, tarot becomes a tool that can offer profound insights and powerful messages from the beyond. With various techniques and spreads, the tarot opens up a portal to our past selves, offering glimpses into our previous lives and the karmic patterns that continue to impact us today. Whether you’re a seasoned tarot reader or a curious beginner, these spread options offer a wealth of opportunities to grow and discover your soul’s journey. Let’s explore some of the best tarot spreads for past life exploration.

The Reincarnation Spread

One spread that can be used to explore past lives is the Reincarnation Spread. This spread is designed to provide insight into who you were in a past life and how that life may be affecting your current one. It involves laying out cards in a specific pattern and interpreting their meanings in relation to your past self.

To perform the Reincarnation Spread, first shuffle your tarot deck and focus your intention on exploring your past lives. Then, use the following table to lay out your cards:

Card Position	Card Meaning
1	Your past self
2	The environment you lived in
3	The lessons you learned
4	The challenges you faced
5	The karma you carried into this life
6	The message from your past self

Once you have laid out your cards, take some time to reflect on each one’s meaning and how it relates to your past life. Think about what each card is telling you about who you were and what you went through. Consider how that past life might be affecting your current life.

When interpreting the Reincarnation Spread, it’s important to use your intuition and trust your instincts. Pay attention to any gut feelings or intuitive hunches you get. Also, look for common themes or symbols among the cards. These can provide important insights into your past life.

The Reincarnation Spread is a powerful tool for exploring past lives and gaining insight into how they may be affecting your present. By using this spread, you can gain a deeper understanding of who you are and where you come from, providing guidance for your current path.

The Journey Spread

The Journey Spread is a powerful tarot spread for exploring past lives, helping you to identify patterns, gain insight and work through unresolved issues. This spread involves drawing 6 cards and interpreting them in relation to the theme of each step in the journey. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing the Journey Spread:

1. The Beginning: This card represents the beginning of your journey, your first incarnation or the first significant past life that is relevant to your current situation. It can provide insight into your foundation, your roots and the source of any issues that may have carried over into this life. Draw a card and place it in the first position of the spread.
2. The Obstacle: This card reveals the major obstacle or challenge you faced in this past life. It can shed light on patterns or behaviors that have been repeated in subsequent lives and may still be affecting you now. Draw a card and place it in the second position of the spread.
3. The Lesson: This card represents the most significant lesson you learned in this past life. It can help you gain insight into your life purpose, your spiritual path and the soul growth that you achieved. Draw a card and place it in the third position of the spread.
4. The Gift: This card reveals the gift or talent that you developed in this past life. It may be something that you are still passionate about or something that you have yet to discover. Draw a card and place it in the fourth position of the spread.
5. The Outcome: This card represents the outcome of this past life. It can provide insight into how you resolved the main challenge or obstacle, what you achieved and what kind of impact you had on others. Draw a card and place it in the fifth position of the spread.
6. The Healing: This final card represents the most important step you need to take to heal any unresolved issues or patterns from this past life. It can provide guidance and inspiration for your current life path and spiritual growth. Draw a card and place it in the sixth position of the spread.

Once you have drawn all six cards, you can begin to interpret them in relation to each step of the Journey Spread. Look for themes, patterns and symbols that emerge, and trust your intuition to guide you towards deeper understanding and healing. Remember, this spread is not only for exploring your past lives but also for gaining insight into your present life and your spiritual path.

Exploring Karmic Patterns

When exploring past lives with tarot, one important aspect to examine is the concept of karmic patterns.

Karma refers to the idea that our actions in one lifetime can impact our experiences in future lives. It is a cycle of cause and effect, where our choices and behaviors determine the course of our existence.

In tarot, certain cards can indicate karmic patterns and lessons that we may be carrying with us from past lives. These patterns may manifest as recurring themes or challenges in our current life.

To explore karmic patterns in a past life reading, try using the following spread:

• Card 1: The lesson or theme being carried over from the past life
• Card 2: The impact of this lesson in your current life
• Card 3: The actions or changes needed to break the karmic cycle
• Card 4: Guidance for moving forward and releasing this pattern

It is important to approach this type of reading with an open mind and a willingness to face any difficult truths that may arise. Remember that the purpose of exploring past lives is not to dwell on the past, but rather to gain insight and clarity for the present.

Through understanding our karmic patterns and taking steps to break free from them, we can create a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Connecting with Your Past Self

One of the most intimate and powerful ways to explore your past lives with Tarot is through connecting with your past self.

Step 1: Start by grounding yourself in the present moment. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and allow yourself to let go of any stress or distractions.

Step 2: Shuffle your Tarot deck while focusing on the intention of connecting with your past self. You may want to specifically ask which lifetime you should focus on, or simply allow the cards to guide you.

Step 3: When you feel ready, draw a single card and lay it face up. This card represents your past self in the lifetime you are exploring.

Step 4: Take a moment to study the card and allow yourself to become immersed in the symbolism and energy of it.

Step 5: Begin to ask questions of your past self, either silently or out loud. You may ask about struggles they faced, relationships they had, or even their passions and joys.

Step 6: Use the cards as a tool to gain insight into your past self’s experiences and emotions. You may choose to draw additional cards to clarify or expand on the initial card.

Step 7: When you feel ready, thank your past self for their insight and guidance. Take some time to journal or reflect on any revelations or emotions that surfaced during the connection.

Remember, the goal of connecting with your past self is not to dwell on the past, but to gain a deeper understanding of your soul’s journey and how it contributes to your present life. Use this exercise as a way to gain insight and guidance for your current path.

Partner Study Spread

The Partner Study Spread is a great way to explore past lives with a friend or loved one. This spread allows you and your partner to each focus on one past life of your own and then compare and discuss the readings together.

Here’s how to do the Partner Study Spread:

• Shuffle the deck and cut it into two piles. Each partner should choose one of the piles.
• Each partner should focus on one specific past life they want to explore. It could be one they feel particularly drawn to, or one that they keep having dreams or visions of.
• With that past life in mind, each partner should draw three cards, placing them face down in a line. The first card represents the past life itself, the second card represents the lessons learned in that life, and the third card represents how those lessons can be applied in the present.
• Once both partners have drawn their cards, reveal them to each other and compare interpretations. Look for similarities and differences in the cards and how they relate to each person’s past life. Use empathy and open-mindedness.
• Discuss how the lessons learned in each past life could be applied in the present. This can be a great way to gain new perspectives and insightful guidance for current challenges or situations.
• Thank each other for participating and take some time to reflect on the readings.

Remember, this spread can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth, but it’s important to approach it with respect and empathy, both for yourself and your partner. Keep an open mind and be willing to learn and grow together.

Dream Exploration Spread

One of the ways to explore your past lives with tarot is through the Dream Exploration Spread. This spread can be helpful in interpreting dreams and uncovering past life connections.

To perform the Dream Exploration Spread, shuffle your tarot deck and focus on the dream you wish to explore. When you feel ready, lay out the cards in the following positions:

Position	Card	Meaning
1	The Dreamer	This card represents you and your current waking life state. It can provide insight into why this dream has come to you now and how it connects to your past lives.
2	The Message	This card represents the main message or theme of the dream. It can provide insight into the lessons or experiences from your past lives that are currently impacting you.
3	The Past Life	This card represents a past life that is relevant to your dream. It can provide insight into how this past life is influencing your current waking life state, as represented by the first card.
4	The Connection	This card represents the connection between the past life (as represented by the third card) and the current waking life state (as represented by the first card). It can provide insight into how the past life is impacting your present situation.
5	The Lesson	This card represents the lesson or experience that can be gained from exploring this past life connection. It can provide insight into what you need to learn or heal from in order to continue on your spiritual journey.

Once you have laid out the cards, reflect on the meanings of each one and how they relate to your dream and past lives. Consider how you can apply the insights gained from this spread to your waking life and spiritual growth. By using tarot to explore your past lives in this way, you may deepen your understanding of yourself and your journey.

Interpreting Past Life Readings

As you delve into the Tarot to explore your past lives, the readings may reveal powerful insights and symbols that speak to your soul. However, interpreting these past life readings can be a complex and nuanced process that requires both intuition and knowledge. In this section, we will examine some common symbols and meanings that may arise in your past life readings, as well as provide guidance for using your intuition to gain valuable insights and wisdom for the present. Let’s take a closer look.

Common Symbols and Meanings

As with any tarot reading, the symbols and images on the cards can offer valuable insight into our past lives. However, interpreting these symbols can be a complex process and requires a deep understanding of the cards and their meanings. Here are some common symbols and meanings to look out for when exploring your past lives with tarot:

Symbol	Meaning
Butterfly	Transformation and change
Chains	Restriction and bondage
Keys	Unlocking hidden knowledge or opportunities
Snake	Rebirth and regeneration
Coins/Pentacles	Material possessions and finances
Cups	Emotions and relationships
Swords	Conflict and mental challenges
Wands	Creativity and passion

These are just a few examples of the many symbols and meanings that can appear in a past life reading. It’s important to trust your intuition and your own personal associations with these symbols, as they may hold different meanings for each individual. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the same symbol can have different meanings depending on the context and the other cards in the reading. Interpretation is key, so take your time and reflect on each card’s message before moving on to the next.

Guidance for the Present

When exploring your past lives with tarot, it’s common to gain insight and guidance for your present life. Here are some tips on how to interpret the messages from the cards:

1. Look for Patterns: Notice any recurring themes or symbols in your reading. These can point to patterns in your current life that may require attention or resolution.

2. Trust Your Intuition: The cards are a tool for tapping into your intuition and higher wisdom. Don’t be afraid to let your instincts guide your interpretation, even if it doesn’t immediately make sense.

3. Consider the Context: How do the cards relate to your current situation or questions? Keep in mind that the past lives you’re tapping into may have relevance to your present circumstances.

4. Focus on Empowerment: Rather than feeling disheartened or overwhelmed by any negative aspects that come up, try to view them as opportunities for growth or areas where you have the power to make positive changes.

5. Take Action: The guidance you receive from your past life reading is meant to be put into action. Use the insights you’ve gained to make conscious choices and take steps towards the life you want to create.

By following these tips, you can gain valuable guidance and insight from your past life tarot readings to help you navigate your present life with more clarity and purpose.

Using Your Intuition

Trusting your intuition is an essential aspect of exploring past lives with Tarot. Tarot is a tool that can help guide you in uncovering past life experiences, but your intuition is the key to unlocking the meaning behind the cards. Here are some tips for using your intuition during a past life reading:

• Take note of your initial reactions: When you first see a card or pull it from the deck, pay attention to your gut reaction. What emotions come up? What do you feel in your body? Trust these initial responses, as they can provide valuable insights.
• Listen to your inner voice: While interpreting the cards, listen to the voice within you. What is it telling you about the reading? What messages is it conveying? Don’t dismiss these thoughts as insignificant.
• Notice patterns: Sometimes, when exploring past lives, certain patterns or themes may arise. Trust your intuition when making connections between cards and past experiences.
• Trust your instincts: The Tarot cards are a tool, but ultimately, you are the one with the insights and understanding of your own past. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to go with your gut when interpreting the cards.

By using your intuition, you can gain a deeper understanding of your past lives and how they may be impacting your present. Don’t be afraid to embrace your intuition and trust in yourself during a past life Tarot reading.

Conclusion

After exploring past lives with tarot spreads and techniques, it is important to reflect on the insights and guidance gained from these readings. The journey of exploring past lives is a deeply personal one, and each individual’s experience will be different.

It is crucial to approach these readings with an open and curious mindset, allowing the cards and your intuition to guide you towards understanding and growth. By exploring the past, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the threads that connect us to our present and future.

Remember to trust yourself and your intuition throughout the process, and don’t be afraid to seek additional guidance or support if needed. The journey of self-discovery is a lifelong one, and there is always more to learn and explore.

Incorporating past life readings into your tarot practice can offer a unique and rewarding perspective on your journey through life. By connecting with your past self, you can gain greater insight and understanding into your present experiences and the path ahead.

Overall, exploring past lives with tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth, and can offer invaluable guidance and understanding for those seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I’m accessing information about past lives or just my imagination?

Trust your intuition and pay attention to the details. Past life information tends to feel different than imagination because it often has a sense of familiarity or remembering. Additionally, past life details may be historically accurate or contain information that you couldn’t have known otherwise.

Can I experience negative emotions during a past life reading?

Yes, it is possible to experience a range of emotions during a past life reading including sadness, fear, and anxiety. If this happens, take care of yourself and consider seeking support from a therapist or healer.

Is it possible to explore past lives without using tarot cards?

Yes, there are many techniques for accessing information about past lives including meditation, hypnosis, and shamanic journeying.

How far back can my past lives go?

There is no limit to how far back your past lives can go. Some people may access information about past lives that span thousands of years, while others may only receive information from a few decades ago.

Can I access information about my past lives without knowing my ancestry?

Yes, your past lives are not necessarily linked to your ancestry or genealogy. People from all backgrounds and cultures can explore their past lives.

Do I need to believe in reincarnation to explore past lives?

No, you do not need to subscribe to any particular belief system to explore past lives. Simply approach the practice with an open mind and willingness to learn.

How often can I explore my past lives?

There is no established guideline for how often you should explore past lives. Some people may choose to do so regularly while others may only explore once or twice in their lifetime.

Can I explore past lives in a group setting?

Yes, exploring past lives can be done in a group setting. However, it is important to find a safe, supportive environment and respect each person’s individual experiences and boundaries.

What should I do if I experience a traumatic past life memory?

If you experience a traumatic past life memory, take care of yourself first and foremost. Seek support from a therapist or trusted healer and take time to process and integrate the information.

Will exploring my past lives help me understand my current life better?

Exploring your past lives can offer insight into patterns and themes that may be present in your current life. This can lead to a better understanding of yourself and your life path.

References

• Ever Wanted to do a Past Life Tarot Spread?
• Tarot card reading