A Tarot Spread for Self-Reflection

An image of a self-reflection Tarot reading. The card in the middle has been turned over, revealing the Five of Cups. The remaining three cards have not yet been flipped over.

Can Tarot Help With Self-Reflection?

Tarot is a powerful tool for prediction and assessment. However, its utility goes beyond that. For instance, Tarot can also be a unique and powerful method for reflecting on your identity and increasing your self-knowledge

Below is a simple three-card spread that you can use for self-reflection purposes. A spread like this is often best used on a daily basis, though you can of course practice this ritual at whatever interval makes sense for you. It is a quick and efficient way to see where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you’re going, whether it be in a specific situation or in life overall.

You may find it helpful to ask your angels and guides to join you in this process. Ask them to offer their insight through the cards and tell you what you most need to know right now. You may want to use it in conjunction with a personal journal. If you do, then keep your journal close by, open and ready for you to record your insights without any censorship or alteration at all. There will be time to modify your interpretations and draw your final conclusions later, after you’re done with the process of receiving and recording these messages.

So, what kind of spread is best for self-reflection? The simplest ones can sometimes be the greatest fit. Even a one-card daily draw can work well, especially if you’re short on time. However, those can be vague, so for a read that’s a bit more specific, let’s look at a slightly larger spread that gives us insight into relevant elements from the past, present, and future while still being direct and to-the-point.

Three-Card Tarot Spread for Self-Reflection

Shuffle well while focusing on the day ahead (if it’s morning) or the day you’ve just experienced (if it’s evening). As part of the self-reflection process, be sure to also consider your actions and motivations in the moment and for the day. Place the cards face-down in a stack and draw three cards randomly from the deck, letting your inner self lead you. Place them in a horizontal line, and thoughtfully turn each card over left to right, one at a time, to see what message your self-reflection has revealed.

Below are some examples of how this self-reflection spread can work for you.

Example One

Justin was struggling to discern the best location for a move. He was looking for someplace fresh and exciting, ideally in a location with a warmer climate. However, Justin was struggling to commit and wanted to do some self-reflection so he could better understand his own desires. He asked the cards to give him guidance and received the following reading.

Card One: Where You’ve Been

Five of Cups

Justin had just experienced a break-up with Daniel, his partner of five years. He was seeing all the losses and none of the gains of that relationship and was stuck in a state of depression and confusion. This card encouraged him to see the good things about his current situation, not just the negative.

Card Two: Where You Are Now

Six of Swords

He decided to move and start over. Justin hadn’t moved too often in his life, and he wasn’t sure how best to approach it. He would receive help from a kind “veteran” of many locations who mentored him and helped him navigate the chaos calmly and competently. This person became a romantic companion to him as well, which he hadn’t really bargained for, but very much enjoyed.

Card Three: Where You’re Going

The World

Since he worked in the ESL field, Justin had a choice of both domestic and international locations. He was drawn to the idea of life overseas because he loved the novelty and adventure it promised. He also knew that many short assignments were possible in a variety of different countries and felt attracted to the diversity and range of possibilities that they presented. This card promised that he would be outstandingly competent in such a situation!

Example Two

Patricia wasn’t seeking any major changes to her career or location. She was, for the most part, happy in her long-term relationship. What she wanted was to get in touch with her more spiritual side and develop it further during her admittedly limited free time. She wanted to take that enriched version of herself to work every day and change how she dealt with people and projects.

She began to use the cards every day as a tool for meditation, focus, and self-reflection. They triggered memories for her, both happy and challenging, and they put her in touch with her inner self, which made her feel more stable and purposeful in everyday life. She noticed that she enjoyed the simple time she spent with her kids a lot more and came to see how funny and interesting her coworkers were as people, not just as cogs in the machine of her organization. Life just became deeper and more enjoyable as she slowed down to the speed of love.

Here is an example of the cards that Patricia recently pulled in her morning Tarot reading for self-reflection:

Card One: Where You’ve Been

Ten of Wands

To put it bluntly, Patricia was working too hard and putting too much effort into the wrong things. She was becoming more and more burned out and enjoying her life less and less, even as her position and income rose.

Card Two: Where You Are Now

The High Priestess

Using the insights that Tarot provided, Patricia saw that her life was lacking in spirituality. She began to meditate and took up yoga. She joined some online groups of spiritual seekers and experimented with different spiritual pathways. She finally settled into one that felt right to her and practiced it consistently. Through this, she was able to allow her intuition to grow and have a voice in her management decisions, helping her lead with her heart.

Card Three: Where You’re Going

Three of Cups

When appropriate, Patricia celebrated the life passages that she and her staff were traveling through. Weddings, babies, promotions, and accomplishments were all cause for celebration. She developed a sense of deeper meaning and performed her customary management tasks in a new and more enjoyable way. She made a “new job” out of her old one by doing this and began to look forward to going to work in the morning because she’d learned how to play!

Using Tools for Self-Reflection

Consider trying this self-reflection spread for 30 days and seeing how it works for you. After a month, if you feel that Tarot hasn’t changed your life for the better, another divination tool might be a better fit for your self-reflection purposes. There are many to explore, so luckily, if you want to find a tool to help you with self-reflection, there’s almost certainly one out there for you. Happy journeying!


Looking for a deeper connection to Spirit? A Tarot Card Reading is your answer. Tarot cards give you a direct connection to Spirit so you receive profound insights into your past, present, and future. Our Tarot Card Psychics interpret Spirit’s messages for you so you know what you’re getting is the unadulterated truth. Learn more about how psychic readings work backed by real testimonials, and read through our Psychic Tools & Abilities Blog for more insight on Tarot Readings.


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