A tarot journal is a notebook where you record the cards you draw and what you make of them. Writing three lines a day teaches you the cards faster than any book, because you connect each card to your own life.
What to write each day
| Line | What to note |
|---|---|
| Date and question | One sentence, or simply “card of the day” |
| Card | Name, upright or reversed |
| First impression | What you see and feel before looking anything up |
| Traditional meaning | A few keywords from your guidebook |
| Evening note | How the card showed up during the day |
The evening note is the most valuable part. It turns a keyword into a memory.
A ten-minute routine
- Shuffle and draw one card. No deck at hand? Use the tarot card draw.
- Look at the picture for one minute.
- Write your first impression in one or two sentences.
- Look up the meaning and add keywords.
- In the evening, add one line.
Prompts for when you feel stuck
- What is the figure on the card doing, and where am I doing the same?
- What would this card say to me as advice?
- Which detail did I not notice before?
- If this card were a day of the week, which one?
- What is this card asking me to stop, start or continue?
What to track over time
- Cards that keep returning
- Suits that dominate, see The minor arcana suits explained
- The moon phase, if you like to follow the moon calendar
Paper, app or printable?
Any notebook works. A guided journal saves you drawing the layout. See Journals and planners, or print our free tarot journal page and collect the pages in a binder.
Cards are a tool for reflection. They do not predict the future, and the decision is always your own.
Do I have to journal every day?
No. Three times a week is plenty. Regular beats perfect.
Can I journal oracle and angel cards the same way?
Yes. The same five lines work. See How to read angel cards.