Tarot Journaling: How to Get Started
Essential supplies to set up your tarot journal
I recently shared that I’ve started keeping a more formal tarot journal again for the first time in a long time. I finally got my hands on a classic Traveler’s Notebook in camel - the only Traveler’s Notebook left at a stationery store I discovered on Instagram that serendipitously happened to be two blocks away from the animal shelter at which I volunteer - which YOU KNOW I took as a sign. (Signs from the Universe HATE to see tarot readers coming, am I right?)
There are myriad ways to keep a tarot journal, including digitally or on your phone. But if you, like me, are craving a more analog experience with your tarot journal, I have put together a super basic guide to help you get some essential journaling supplies together and get started.
First, the journal.
You can’t go wrong with a classic Moleskine or Leuchtturm notebook for your tarot journal (or any journal). These come in blank pages, lined pages, and even dotted pages for all you OG bullet journalers out there.
I even found a couple more affordable dupe options if you are not brand-loyal.
6-pack of Black Hardcover Lined Notebooks by Suin (more colors available)
Cagie Dot Grid Hardcover Notebook (more colors available)
Leuchtturm19 Hardcover Notebook with Plain Numbered Pates (more colors available)
I like the idea of a basic notebook because I imagine a whole uniform row of them accumulating on your bookshelf over the years - an entire chronological volume of your tarot journey for posterity to discover later!
If bound notebooks (that is, starting them, fearing you have ruined them, and then never finishing them) scare you, might I suggest an alternative?
My fellow planner girlies already know what I’m about to say: A ring-planner system like a Filofax could work really well because you can refill the pages, organize them, add tabs and sections, move things around, and remove pages you “mess up” or don’t like instead of “ruining” the entire notebook.
I use a personal size Moterm as my daily planner. And my standard pages for to-do lists, notes, brainstorming, etc. is just plain grid paper that I cut down to size and hole-punch. If you are super into customizing and adding bells and whistles to your tarot journal, this might be a good option for you.
Pocket Size Moterm Luxe 2.0 Rings Planner (more colors available)
I would be remiss and neglecting my brand, of course, if I didn’t suggest adding some color to your tarot journaling life. I almost guffawed out loud when I saw the composition books below and then found the PERFECTLY MATCHING pack of gel pens. It’s just too perfect to ignore, especially if you’re a more subdued or even goth-leaning girlie who shudders every time you see hot pink on this newsletter (which I appreciate you powering through because boy do I love my brights!).
5-pack of Colorful Spine Kraft Notebooks (more colors available)
20-Color Retractable Quick Dry Fine Point Gel Pens by Drawdart
More on writing utensils.
Your writing utensils need not be fancy at all. I carry a Uni-ball One P gel pen in a yogurt barrel (#2 below) in my Moterm planner. And for my tarot journal, I have a similar tri-color ballpoint pen because I like having black, blue, and red for some basic color-coding.
(For example, when I record my tarot spreads, Major Arcana cards get written down in red, Minor Arcana get written down in blue, and I use the black for journaling my interpretations, notes, thoughts, and everything else.)
Finally, a few extras as you see fit.
Your tarot journal can be as basic or as creative and complex as you like. Like I said earlier, this is the first time in quite some time that I’ve kept a more formal and dedicated tarot journal. Before, all I meant by “tarot journaling” was when a particular tarot spread or card pull stumped me so I busted out with paper and pen and just started speed writing to see what came to mind. Like Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages, they were messy, somewhat automatically written, and never really consulted again once they unlocked something meaningful in my brain and I moved on.
Takeaway: You know you have successfully set up a tarot journal when you love using it and keep returning to it. So make it as useful and enjoyable for you as possible.
For example, you might prefer highlighters rather than different colored ink pens. Or, if you are a visual person and want to do more sketching and doodling in your tarot journal (I have personally made room for this in mine by including blank as well as lined pages), you might want some colored pencils instead of just black pens. You might even want some stickers, although I will contain myself and not go down that delightful rabbit hole here.
2-Inch Sticky Index Tabs by Kicnic (more colors available)
But I will go down a sticky note rabbit hole! A great (and often reusable) way to flag or call attention to certain pages or content in your tarot journal is to use sticky tabs. If you’re a fellow stationery junkie, here are some lovely options from my favorite local stationery store.
Of course, Post-its and any standard sticky notes will do. Using sticky notes is an easy way to add insights and reflections to an older reading you recorded in your tarot journal after the fact. When I revisit a tarot reading entry from, say, three weeks ago, I use a sticky note to add text to that page so that it’s all still there in the same place.
Plus, I like the tactile, collage-like feel of adding bits and bobs to notebooks. I like it to look as dynamic and varied as my life does. That somehow feels more authentic and engaging to me than having a perfectly neat and uniform record of insights that are usually anything but!
(And also, if it comes in a heart shape, I’m getting the heart shape.)
Tell me about your tarot journaling practice! Do you have a tarot journal? Is it analog or digital, and what are some strategies, techniques, or supplies you love to use?
Always,
Annie
That sounds really cool. Love the supply ideas and pictures. I'm curious what some of your completed tarot journaling pages look like. I'm just getting into the practice and I really love seeing examples.