Tarot Alchemy: A Journaling Practice for Insight and Transformation

Try this simple Tarot journaling practice that uses one card and free writing to gain insight, clarity, and personal transformation.

Working with the Tarot is an alchemical practice.

It brings what is hidden into the light. It reveals the stories and paradigms at play in our inner and outer experience. But it doesn’t just expose inner dynamics. It also inspires and empowers us to change them for the better.

Over the holiday break, I wanted to shake things up. I felt a little bored, a little cranky, and a little stuck in my ways, but I wasn’t sure why or how I should change. And then I stumbled upon this Tarot journaling practice that helped me bust out of that rut way quicker and way more thoroughly than I had dared to hope.

The good news? It’s super simple. I’ll take you through it step by step so you can get started right away.

Watch this video to learn this journaling practice, or find written instructions below.

There are Amazon affiliate links in this post.

What You Will Need

All you’ll need for this Tarot journaling practice is a Tarot deck, a notebook, a pen, and a bit of time to yourself.

Can you type your journal entry on a computer or tablet? Nope! An actual paper notebook and pen are required.

Optional items are a candle and/or incense to set the mood.

When to Do This Tarot Journaling Practice

I like to do this Tarot journaling practice first thing in the morning with my coffee, but late at night might be better for a night person. It’s not totally against the rules to do it midday, but you might not have as much access to your poetic truth and all the wily wisdom of your subconscious mind. After all, early in the morning and late at night are closer to the realm of dreams.

Step 1: SeT Up and Settle In

Turn to the first blank page in your notebook. Write the date.

Light the candle and incense, if using.

Take a deep breath, or two, or three.

Step 2: Draw a Card

Shuffle your Tarot deck. Turn half of the deck upside down sometimes while you shuffle to get some reversals in there.

When you feel ready, draw a card.

Write the name of the card at the top of the page next to the date. If it is reversed, put a comma after the title of the card and then write “Reversed.” (For example, write, “The Three of Coins,” or “The Tower, Reversed.”)

Step 3: Consider the Card

Gaze at the image. Turn to the page in your deck’s guidebook and read about it. Notice what stands out to you. Get a feeling for the messages the card conveys.

Step 4: Free Write for Three Pages

Without stopping, write. Keep writing until you have written three full, one-sided notebook pages.

At first, you may have no clue what the card is telling you, or why that particular card showed up. No matter. As you write, it will be revealed.

For example, you might write, “What could The Tower, Reversed possibly have to tell me right now? Is there some kind of change I’m resisting? What could it possibly be?” Then, keep writing and you will be astounded by what comes through. Your monologue might start out with uncertainty, but stay with it. Sentence by sentence, a clearer picture will emerge.

(Some of you may recognize the parallel to The Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way. This is not a coincidence. I wrote them religiously for many years.)

Step 5: Read What You’ve Written

Do not skip this step! It seems like you don’t need to read what you just now wrote, but you do. Reading the wisdom is part of the alchemy. This is where the transformation happens. This is where you metabolize the magic and transform your exploration into sparkling spiritual gold.

Step 6: Repeat As Needed

As I mentioned in the intro, this Tarot journaling practice worked way faster and way more powerfully than I expected. So I didn’t need to do it too many days in a row for it to free up my creativity and my joy. It’s not something you need to do every single day, but maybe for three days, or five days, or seven. Or even just one.

And then the next time you know you need a little spiritual alchemy, you can always come back to it. Sure, it’s a little bit of work, but it goes a long way.

My new Tarot deck, The Tarot of Secrets, is alchemy-themed. Each card features alchemical processes and dynamics to help you create positive change in your inner and outer worlds.

And, I’m teaching an online class called The Alchemy of Tarot Friday, February 27, 2026. Check it out and register here.

If you try this Tarot journaling practice, I’d love for you to come back and tell me how it goes. And if you have any questions about it, feel free to chime in below.