Behind the scenes of my journaling practice - part 2
Where the magic really happens!
Disclaimer: What I’m about to share with you is my current journaling practice. It is not the way I’ve always journaled. It is likely not the way I’ll always journal. It is not, by any means, the “right” way to journal. If any part of this resonates, wonderful! Take it and leave the rest.
Last week I shared with you the practical part of my current journaling practice - stream of consciousness, my one-pager, and my What do I want exercise. If you missed it, you can find it here.
Today I want to share with you the magical part.
I’ve long been interested in tarot and oracle cards, but didn’t have any experience with them. In January, I invited Jesse Janelle onto my livestream to talk about Tarot Based Coaching. (You can find the episode here.)
She introduced me to her Soul Sessions method, a form of metaphor coaching - using pictures and symbols, in this case found on tarot cards, to help see connections and learn faster than we might without the use of the cards.
Since then, I’ve incorporated Soul Sessions into my journaling practice regularly.
Here’s how I do it:
I sit down with my cards and my printable and consider what it is I want self-coaching around. I identify the issue, or clarify the topic on my mind and write that on the top of my sheet so I am clear on my focus for the session.
Then I pull out my cards, shuffle them, and pull a card for each of my five questions:
What do I need to know?
What about it? What else?
What am I not seeing here?
What do I need to shift?
What is my next right step?
And for each question, I use the image and the meaning on the card to prompt my intuition to reveal the answers I need.
In tarot, there are 78 cards. The first set, the Major Arcana, has 22 cards and follows the traditional Hero’s journey.
You’ll recognize this as the major story arc of any good action movie or novel:
The hero is called on an adventure
She expresses fear and is reluctant to heed the call
She meets a mentor who gives her the wisdom, encouragement, or special gifts needed to start her journey
The hero accepts the call and begins her journey
She learns about the special world through tests, encountering enemies and allies
She makes preparations and approaches the Inmost Cave
She faces the central crisis, confronts her fear, tastes death
The hero enjoys her reward for confronting fear and death
She takes the road back and recommits to completing the journey
She faces the climactic ordeal that purifies, redeems, and transforms her on the way home
She returns home with the magic, the gift, the wisdom obtained from the quest
Each card has a meaning specific to that phase of the journey.
The other 56 cards are arranged in suits
Pentacles - representing Earth - Health/Body, Money
Cups - representing Water - Emotions, Relationships
Swords - representing Air - Thoughts/Ideas, Communication
Wands - representing Fire - Energy, Spirit
Within each suit are cards from Aces to Kings, just like in a deck of playing cards. Each number has a particular meaning. Combine the meaning of the number and the meaning of the suit and each card has a completely unique meaning.
Of course, each tarot deck comes with a guidebook to help you understand the cards, but understanding the general meaning of the card can help unlock our intuition and find the answers we need.
Here’s what this can look like in action:
Let’s say I’m doing a Soul Session based on revamping my morning and evening routines to make sure I prioritize what’s most important. I’ll note that on my sheet, shuffle the cards, and ask my questions in order, noting my answers.
(Please note that since I’m using these cards to access my intuition, to take the meaning of the card and extrapolate the meaning it has for me, what I uncover may be different than what comes up for you.)
What do I need to know? Queen of Cups
I have the power to create the life I dream. And it starts with understanding and engineering the way I feel and my relationship with time. There’s acceptance and surrender here too. I can create a routine that works for me, but I have to use the resources and tools I have at my disposal.
What about it? What else? 4 of Pentacles
I have to keep my attention and energy on what I want most, not keep looking around at what others are doing and thinking. My health and financial success are linked and I have to prioritize them both together.
What am I not seeing here? Knight of Wands
This doesn’t have to be drudgery. I can find joy in taking action, use my energy to move myself forward in ways that feel good. Be excited about this!
What do I need to shift? 3 of Swords
Let go of what didn’t work for me and what no longer does work. I don’t have to cling to the old that doesn’t help me simply because it’s comfortable and the way I’ve always done things.
What is my next right step? Page of Swords
Be curious about reworking my routines. Brainstorm some ideas. Try what I’ve brainstormed. See how it resonates. Give it a fair chance. Delight in it. Evaluate what’s working and what needs to be reconsidered.
By using this format, I often make discoveries or have those aha moments that are slower to come without using cards.
My go-to deck is The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne.
Sometimes I’ll also use the Cozy Witch Tarot Deck by Amanda Lovelace - while the cards all have the same general meaning, sometimes there are nuances in the illustrations that help me access answers in different ways.
Sometimes I’ll also use oracle cards in my journaling. I might pull one card to give further insight to what I’ve just uncovered. Or I may use them independently, outside of this process. But just like in my Soul Sessions, I’ll come up with a question then use the card to find my answers.
My current favorite deck is Believe in Your Own Magic by Amanda Lovelace.
But I also adore Woodland Wardens by Jessica Roux.
Have you used cards in your journaling?
What’s been your experience?
We’d love to journal with you!
My friend, did you know that I have spots available this month in my Journaling for Growth Membership Program? If you are open-hearted and interested in using journaling as a way to grow in self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-love, this could be for you.
We’re focusing on Meaningful Work (from 9-5 and beyond) through a blend of solo reflection using curated journal prompts you’ll receive daily by email, and together in our magical group journaling sessions.
Learn more and register here. Have questions? Send me an email.
This week’s journal tip:
If you want to use cards in your journaling, but don’t have a deck, you can access The Light Seer’s Tarot online. You’ll be able to pick a card then see the full image and guidebook. This one is particularly good because it’ll give you journaling questions to explore.
Happy Journaling!
