10 Tarot Journaling Prompts for Inner Growth and Self-Reflection

Every person has a wealth of knowledge and insights hidden within their subconscious mind. However, accessing these inner workings can be a daunting task. This is where tarot journaling comes in. Through a combination of tarot cards and journaling prompts, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the patterns that govern your life. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of tarot journaling, how it works, and ten prompts that can help you uncover subconscious patterns. So grab a notebook, a pen, and your tarot deck, and let’s dive in.

Why Tarot Journaling?

When it comes to seeking clarity and insight into the various aspects of our lives – our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships – there are many methods to choose from. One lesser-known but highly effective approach is tarot journaling. As a tool for self-reflection and introspection, tarot journaling is gaining popularity for its ability to uncover subconscious patterns and help us find deeper meaning in our experiences. In the following sections, we’ll explore the benefits of tarot journaling, how it works, and ten powerful prompts for uncovering subconscious patterns. Whether you’re interested in improving your mental health or relationships, making decisions, or cultivating mindfulness, these prompts will help guide your practice.

1. Benefits of Tarot Journaling

One of the main benefits of tarot journaling is its ability to help you uncover and understand your subconscious patterns. Here are some additional benefits of incorporating tarot journaling into your self-care routine:

Benefit	Explanation
Self-awareness	Tarot journaling can help you gain insight into your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, allowing you to better understand yourself
Clarity	Journaling allows you to clear your mind, organize your thoughts, and gain clarity on situations in your life
Decision-making	Reflecting on tarot readings in your journal can help you make decisions with more confidence and clarity
Self-compassion	Tarot journaling can help you practice self-compassion by providing a safe space to explore your emotions and experiences without judgment. You may want to check out these tarot journaling prompts for self-compassion
Mental health	Tarot journaling can provide a therapeutic outlet for processing and releasing difficult emotions. It may be especially helpful for individuals with anxiety or depression. You can read more about tarot journaling for mental health
Relationship insight	Journaling about tarot readings related to relationships can help you gain insight into the dynamics at play and provide perspective on any challenges you may be facing together. You can explore tarot journaling prompts for relationships.
Tarot archetypes	Tarot journaling prompts can provide opportunities to explore the archetypes represented in the tarot deck and how they relate to your life. You can learn more about tarot journaling prompts for exploring tarot archetypes
Mindfulness	Tarot journaling can help you cultivate mindfulness by focusing on the present moment and reflecting on your experiences.
Limiting beliefs	Tarot journaling can help you identify and challenge limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. You can explore tarot journaling prompts for limiting beliefs.
Personal growth	Tarot journaling can facilitate personal growth by providing opportunities for reflection, insight, and positive transformation. You may want to explore tarot journaling prompts for role reflection or using tarot for goal setting and manifestation.

Tarot journaling is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. By consistently reflecting on your tarot readings and exploring the prompts provided, you can gain deeper insight into your subconscious patterns and make positive changes in your life.

2. How Tarot Journaling Works

Tarot journaling is a powerful tool for gaining insight into subconscious patterns that may be impacting our lives. But how does it work? Let’s take a closer look:

Step	Description
Step 1:	Select a tarot card
Step 2:	Reflect on the imagery and symbolism of the card
Step 3:	Consider how the card relates to your current situation or question
Step 4:	Journal about your thoughts and feelings
Step 5:	Look for patterns and insights in your writing

During this process, the tarot card serves as a powerful visual and symbolic tool for accessing our subconscious mind. By reflecting on the imagery and symbolism of the card, we can connect with deeper parts of ourselves and gain a better understanding of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Once we have connected with this deeper part of ourselves, we can use journaling to explore our thoughts and feelings in more detail. This can help us identify patterns that may be holding us back or contributing to negative behaviors and emotions.

In turn, by gaining insight into these patterns, we can begin to make positive changes in our lives. This might involve developing new habits, changing the way we think about ourselves, or addressing unresolved emotional issues.

Ultimately, tarot journaling is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. By tapping into the wisdom of the tarot and our own inner selves, we can gain clarity, find direction, and make positive changes in our lives.

If you want to learn how tarot journaling can help with decision making, check out our article on tarot journaling and decision making. For tips on using tarot journaling for mindfulness, read our article on tarot journaling and mindfulness.

10 Tarot Journaling Prompts for Uncovering Subconscious Patterns

As we delve into the world of tarot journaling, it’s important to recognize the power it holds in helping us uncover subconscious patterns. By exploring the depths of our psyche through tarot prompts, we can begin to unravel hidden aspects of ourselves and gain a better understanding of our behaviors, habits, fears, and desires. In this section, we’ll explore ten powerful tarot journaling prompts that encourage self-reflection and introspection. These prompts will guide us in uncovering the subconscious patterns that shape our lives and help us achieve a greater sense of self-awareness. Get ready to dig deep and unravel the mysteries of your psyche.

1. The Unconscious Mind

The Unconscious Mind is an area of the psyche that we have little to no control over. It is the part of the mind where our deepest desires, fears, and motivations reside. These desires, fears, and motivations can often be hidden from our conscious awareness, making it difficult to understand why we behave in certain ways.

Tarot Journaling Prompt:

In order to tap into the wisdom of the Unconscious Mind, try this journaling prompt:

Prompt:	Draw a Tarot card and reflect on what it means to you. Write down any thoughts, feelings, or images that come to mind.
Reflection:	Reflect on the card you drew and consider how it may relate to hidden desires or fears that you may not be aware of. Write down any insights or realizations you have during this reflection process.
Action Steps:	Consider any actionable steps you can take to explore and address these hidden desires or fears. You may want to consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor if these hidden issues are causing significant distress in your life.

By exploring the Unconscious Mind through Tarot journaling, we can gain deeper insights into ourselves and our behaviors. This awareness can help us to make more informed decisions and live more authentic and fulfilling lives.

2. Repetitive Behaviors and Habits

One of the main benefits of tarot journaling is that it can help you uncover repetitive behaviors and habits that may be holding you back in life. This is because the tarot cards often reveal underlying patterns and themes that may not be immediately apparent to your conscious mind. By using tarot journaling prompts, you can gain insight into these patterns and begin to make positive changes in your life.

Here are some tarot journaling prompts that can help you identify and work through repetitive behaviors and habits:

• What are some habits or behaviors that you engage in regularly?
• What do these habits or behaviors say about your current state of mind?
• What emotions or feelings do these habits or behaviors bring up for you?
• Are these habits or behaviors helping or hindering your personal growth?
• What triggers these habits or behaviors?
• What steps can you take to break these habits or behaviors?
• What positive habits or behaviors would you like to incorporate into your daily life?
• What fears or anxieties might be keeping you from breaking these habits or behaviors?
• What support do you need in order to break these habits or behaviors?
• How can you hold yourself accountable for making positive changes in your life?

By taking the time to answer these tarot journaling prompts, you can gain a better understanding of the repetitive behaviors and habits that may be holding you back. Once you have identified these patterns, you can begin to take positive steps towards creating new, healthier patterns and habits that can help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.

3. Emotional Triggers

Emotional triggers are often the root cause of our reactions and behaviors. They can reveal deep-seated fears, insecurities, and past traumas that are driving our decisions and actions. By identifying and exploring these triggers, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and take steps towards healing and personal growth.

Here are some tarot journaling prompts to help uncover your emotional triggers:

Prompt	Description
What situations or people trigger me emotionally?	Identify the specific scenarios or individuals that cause emotional reactions within you. Take note of any physical sensations or thoughts that arise in these situations.
What emotions do I typically feel when triggered?	Explore the range of emotions that you experience when triggered. Do you feel angry, sad, scared, or something else entirely? Try to get as specific as possible.
What past experiences might be contributing to my emotional triggers?	Consider any past traumas or experiences that may be influencing your emotional reactions. Write about how these experiences have affected you and how they may still be impacting your life today.
What beliefs or assumptions do I hold that contribute to my emotional triggers?	Examine any underlying beliefs or assumptions that you hold about yourself or the world that may be contributing to your emotional triggers. For example, do you believe that you are not worthy of love, or that the world is a dangerous place?
What strategies can I use to better manage my emotional triggers?	Think about different coping mechanisms or ways to soothe yourself when triggered. This could include deep breathing exercises, meditation, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist.

Exploring your emotional triggers can be a challenging process, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. By gaining insight into the root causes of your reactions and behaviors, you can begin the process of healing and growth. Remember to be gentle with yourself and take your time as you work through these tarot journaling prompts.

4. Hidden Desires

As humans, we often have desires that we may not be fully aware of. These hidden desires can unconsciously drive our thoughts and behaviors, impacting our lives in ways we may not realize. Tarot journaling can help uncover these desires and bring them to the forefront of our consciousness. Here are some prompts to help uncover your hidden desires:

Prompt	Explanation
1. The Devil Card	The Devil card in Tarot is often associated with temptation and desires. Draw this card and reflect on what it may symbolize for you. What desires do you have that may be holding you back?
2. What Makes You Jealous?	Jealousy can often stem from a desire that we may not even be aware of. Reflect on situations or people that make you feel jealous. What is it about those situations or people that triggers this feeling?
3. Creative Visualization	Close your eyes and visualize yourself living your ideal life. What desires come up in this vision? How can you work towards manifesting them in your reality?
4. The Lovers Card	The Lovers card in Tarot represents choices and commitments. Draw this card and reflect on what choices you may be avoiding due to hidden desires. What commitments may you need to make in order to align with your true desires?
5. Childhood Dreams	Reflect on what you wanted to be when you grew up. What desires did those childhood dreams stem from? Are those desires still present in your life?
6. What Makes You Happy?	Think about what brings you joy and happiness. What desires do those activities or things fulfill? How can you incorporate more of those activities or things into your life?

By journaling about your hidden desires using these prompts, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and what truly drives you. Recognizing and acknowledging these desires can also help you make more conscious choices and live a more fulfilling life. Remember to use emotional phrases when reflecting on these prompts, and don’t be afraid to dig deep and explore any confusing or uncomfortable emotions that may arise.

5. Fear and Anxiety

Many people experience fear and anxiety in their daily lives, and these emotions can become major stumbling blocks to personal growth and happiness. Tarot journaling can be a powerful tool for uncovering the root causes of these emotions, allowing you to confront and overcome them. Here are some prompts to help you get started:

• What am I afraid of? Take some time to reflect on your fears. What scares you the most? Is it a fear of failure, of rejection, of the unknown? Write down your thoughts in your journal.
• Where does my anxiety come from? Anxiety can be caused by many different factors, including past traumas, negative self-talk, and uncertainty about the future. Try to identify the sources of your own anxiety so that you can work on addressing them.
• What triggers my fear and anxiety? Do certain situations or people tend to trigger your anxiety? Are there specific thought patterns or beliefs that contribute to your fear? Make note of these triggers so that you can become more aware of them.
• How do my fears hold me back? Think about how your fears and anxieties impact your life. Do they cause you to avoid new experiences, retreat from social situations, or hold back from pursuing your goals? Be honest with yourself about the ways in which these emotions are limiting you.
• What steps can I take to overcome my fears? Once you have a clearer understanding of your fears and anxieties, it’s time to start working on overcoming them. Make a list of concrete steps that you can take to move past these negative emotions, whether that means seeking therapy, practicing mindfulness techniques, or facing your fears head-on.

Remember that fear and anxiety are natural emotions that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. By using tarot journaling to explore these feelings, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs, and take concrete steps towards living a more fulfilling life.

6. Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is a common pattern that many people struggle with, but may not even be aware of. Here are some Tarot journaling prompts that can help you uncover and address any negative self-talk patterns:

• What negative thoughts do I tend to have about myself? Write down any negative thoughts you tend to have about yourself, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m a failure.” Take a close look at these thoughts and try to identify where they come from and why you believe them.
• How do these negative thoughts affect me? Consider how these negative thoughts impact your self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being. Are there specific situations or people that tend to trigger these thoughts?
• What evidence do I have to support these negative thoughts? Challenge your negative self-talk by examining the evidence that supports these thoughts. Is there any objective proof that these thoughts are true, or are they simply assumptions or beliefs you have about yourself?
• What would happen if I let go of these negative thoughts? Imagine how your life would be different if you no longer believed these negative thoughts about yourself. What opportunities or experiences might open up for you?
• How can I reframe these negative thoughts? Explore ways to reframe your negative thoughts in a more positive or neutral light. For example, instead of thinking “I’m a failure,” you could reframe it as “I haven’t succeeded in this particular area yet, but that doesn’t make me a failure as a person.”
• What positive traits or qualities do I possess? Make a list of your positive traits and qualities, and refer to it whenever you are struggling with negative self-talk. Remind yourself of the good things about you and the value you bring to the world.
• How can I practice self-compassion? Learn to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend who was struggling. Offer yourself words of encouragement and support, and remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and faces challenges.

By examining and addressing negative self-talk patterns, you can improve your self-esteem and emotional well-being, and create a more positive outlook on life. These Tarot journaling prompts can be a powerful tool on your journey towards greater self-awareness and personal growth.

7. Past Trauma

When it comes to past trauma, it can be difficult to identify and acknowledge our own emotional wounds. However, tarot journaling can be a valuable tool to help us explore and work through these experiences.

1. Identify the Trauma

The first step is to clearly identify the past traumatic experience. This may involve revisiting painful memories, which can be challenging. Use the tarot cards to guide your reflections and help you recognize the specific trauma or traumas that you have experienced.

2. Recognize how the Trauma Affects You

Once you have identified the trauma, it is important to recognize how it may still be affecting you in the present moment. This can include things like recurring negative thoughts or feelings, avoidant behaviors, and difficulty trusting others. Use the tarot to uncover any patterns or behaviors that have

developed as a result of the trauma.

3. Practice Self-Compassion

Working through past trauma can be emotionally exhausting and it’s important to practice self-compassion throughout the process. Use the tarot to help you identify the strengths and positive qualities that you possess, even in the face of adversity.

4. Develop Coping Strategies

Once you have identified the traumatic experience and recognized how it is affecting your current thoughts and behaviors, it’s important to develop coping strategies that can help you to manage any negative feelings or emotions that arise. Use the tarot cards to help you identify potential coping strategies, and experiment with different techniques to find what works for you.

5. Seek Support if Needed

Finally, if you are struggling to work through past trauma, it can be helpful to seek out support from a trusted friend or mental health professional. There is no shame in seeking help, and it can be an important part of the healing process. Consider using the tarot to help you identify potential sources of support, and allow yourself to receive the help that is offered with an open heart and mind.

By using these tarot journaling prompts, you can explore your past trauma in a safe and supportive way, and begin to work towards healing and emotional growth. Remember to be gentle with yourself throughout the process, and to give yourself the time and space you need to process and heal from any past wounds.

8. Relationships

When it comes to our relationships, Tarot journaling can be a powerful tool for gaining insight into patterns and behaviors that may be affecting the dynamics of our connections with others. Here are some tarot journaling prompts to help explore different aspects of our relationships:

Prompt	Description
How do I typically show up in my relationships?	Reflect on your past patterns and tendencies in relationships. Are there any consistent behaviors or traits that have come up?
What qualities do I value in a partner?	Consider the characteristics that you prioritize or desire in a romantic partner.
What do I need to work on in my relationships?	Think about areas of your communication or behavior in relationships that you would like to improve upon.
What am I avoiding in my relationships?	Are there any conversations, topics, or behaviors that you tend to avoid in your relationships?
How do my past relationships inform my current ones?	Reflect on any significant past relationships and consider how they may be influencing your current approach to partnerships.
What are the strengths and weaknesses within my current relationships?	Take a deeper look at the dynamics of your current relationships. What areas are thriving, and what areas could use some improvement?
What do I need to let go of in order to cultivate healthier relationships?	Consider any negative thought patterns, limiting beliefs, or behaviors that you may need to release in order to create healthier connections with others.

Exploring these prompts through Tarot journaling can reveal new insights and help us to better understand ourselves and our relationships. It’s important to approach this process with a sense of curiosity and openness, and to allow ourselves to be honest and vulnerable in our reflections.

9. Inner Strengths

When delving into our subconscious mind through Tarot journaling, it is important not to focus solely on our negative patterns and limiting beliefs. We all have inner strengths, qualities that allow us to thrive and overcome challenges. These strengths can sometimes be buried beneath our fears and doubts, but by using Tarot journaling to uncover and explore them, we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Here are some Tarot journaling prompts to help you discover your inner strengths:

• What qualities do I admire in others? Make a list of the people in your life who you look up to or respect. Then, for each person, write down what qualities you admire in them. Do any of these qualities resonate with you? Can you recall times when you have exhibited these traits, or moments when you wished you had? Use the Tarot to explore how you can manifest these qualities in your life.
• What challenges have I overcome in the past? Reflect on times in your life when you faced adversity or overcame an obstacle. What strengths did you draw on to get through those tough periods? Use the Tarot to explore these strengths and how you can continue to call upon them in the present.
• What makes me feel confident and empowered? Think about experiences or activities that make you feel strong and capable. Is it public speaking, artistic expression, physical exercise, or something else entirely? Use the Tarot to explore how you can cultivate these feelings of confidence and empowerment in your daily life.
• What do I love about myself? This prompt may feel uncomfortable for some, but it is important to acknowledge and appreciate our positive qualities. Make a list of things you love about yourself, whether they are physical attributes, personality traits, or accomplishments. Use the Tarot to explore how you can honor and celebrate these aspects of yourself.
• What do others appreciate about me? We often receive validation and affirmation from others that can help us recognize our own strengths. Think about what friends, family members, or colleagues have said about you in the past. What do they appreciate or admire about you? Use the Tarot to explore how you can integrate these perspectives into your self-image.

Remember, uncovering our inner strengths is not about becoming perfect or flawless. It is about accepting and embracing all parts of ourselves – both the light and the shadow. By engaging in Tarot journaling, we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-compassion, and tap into the inner resources that enable us to live our best lives.

10. Improving Your Life

The last but not least tarot journaling prompt you can use is to reflect on “Improving Your Life”. This prompt encourages you to focus on how you can create positive changes in your life based on the insights and lessons you have gained from the previous prompts.

Here are a few questions to consider:

• What changes can I make to improve my daily routine and overall lifestyle?
• How can I enhance my relationships with loved ones and those around me?
• What steps can I take to achieve my goals and aspirations?
• How can I cultivate a more positive mindset and outlook on life?

By using tarot card readings and journaling, you have an opportunity to dive deeper into your subconscious mind and unveil patterns that may be holding you back from living your best life. Reflecting on these prompts can help you to identify specific areas in your life where you could seek positive change – whether it’s focusing on self-improvement or strengthening your relationships with loved ones.

Ultimately, the practice of tarot journaling can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. The process of connecting with your intuition in this way can allow you to gain clarity and insight into your life journey. Use these prompts to get started on your own tarot journaling practice and see how it can positively impact your life.

How to Use these Tarot Journaling Prompts

Now that you have these 10 tarot journaling prompts for uncovering subconscious patterns, it’s important to know how to use them effectively. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your tarot journaling practice:

1. Create a comfortable and intentional space: Find a quiet and private space where you can be alone with your thoughts. Set an intention for your journaling practice – what do you hope to learn or achieve? Consider lighting a candle, burning some incense, or playing soft music to create a soothing atmosphere.

2. Choose a tarot card for each prompt: Shuffle your tarot deck and pick a card for each of the 10 prompts. Take a moment to reflect on the card and how it relates to the prompt before beginning to journal.

3. Set a timer: To keep yourself focused, set a timer for a specific time period (i.e. 10-30 minutes) and commit to journaling until the timer goes off. This will help you avoid distractions and stay on track.

4. Write honestly and openly: Don’t censor or judge your thoughts as you write them down. This is a time for self-reflection and exploration, and it’s important to be honest with yourself in order to gain insight.

5. Look for patterns: As you journal, pay attention to any patterns, themes, or recurring thoughts that arise. These may be clues to subconscious patterns that you can explore further.

6. Reflect on your journal entries: After you finish journaling, take some time to reflect on what you’ve written. Consider how the prompts and tarot cards relate to your life and whether you gained any new insights or perspectives.

By following these tips, you can use these tarot journaling prompts to gain a deeper understanding of your subconscious patterns and uncover insights that can help you improve your life. Remember, this is a personal practice, so feel free to modify and adjust these prompts to fit your individual needs and style.

Conclusion

After exploring these 10 tarot journaling prompts for uncovering subconscious patterns, it’s clear that tarot journaling can be an incredibly powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. By diving deep into our subconscious minds, we can start to unravel the patterns and behaviors that may be holding us back in life. With this newfound awareness, we can make conscious choices to improve our lives and become the best version of ourselves.

It’s important to remember that tarot journaling is a personal journey, and there are no right or wrong answers. You may uncover aspects of yourself that surprise or even shock you, but the important thing is to approach this process without judgment or resistance. By being open and receptive to the insights that come up, you can begin to heal and transform in profound ways.

So, grab your tarot deck and journal, and start exploring these prompts. And remember, the journey is ongoing – you can always return to these prompts as often as you’d like to continue your self-discovery and growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to start tarot journaling?

All you need is a tarot deck, a journal or notebook, and a pen.

Do I need to have experience with tarot to journal with it?

No experience is necessary. Anyone can use tarot as a tool for self-discovery and reflection.

How often should I journal with tarot?

You can journal with tarot as often or as little as you want. It’s important to find a method that works for you.

Can I use tarot journaling to predict the future?

No. Tarot journaling is not meant to be used for divination or predicting the future. It is meant for self-reflection and introspection.

Can I journal with tarot for specific issues?

Yes. You can use tarot journaling to focus on specific themes or areas of your life that you want to explore.

How do I choose a tarot card for journaling?

You can choose a card randomly or intentionally select one that resonates with you. You can also use spreads or layouts to guide your selection.

Do I have to write about every single card I pull?

No. You can choose to write about certain cards that stand out to you or resonate with you.

What should I do if I don’t understand the meaning of a tarot card?

You can use resources such as tarot guidebooks, online resources, or seek the guidance of a tarot reader to help you interpret the card.

Is tarot journaling a form of therapy?

No. Tarot journaling is not a substitute for therapy. It can be used as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth.

Can I share my tarot journal with others?

That is up to your personal preference. Some people find it helpful to share their insights and reflections with others, while others may choose to keep it private.

References

• JOURNALING THE MAJOR ARCANA
• Decision-making