International Self-Care Day is on 24 July, a reminder that caring for ourselves is not selfish or indulgent, but necessary. In our fast-paced world, where work, news, and worries can easily overwhelm, small rituals of care can become anchoring practices. Tarot, with its rich history spanning fortune-telling, psychological exploration, and spiritual guidance, can be one such practice.
Whether you approach tarot as divination, self-reflection, or creative inspiration, and whether you are new to the cards or have decades of experience, it offers a pathway to tune in, reflect, and nourish your inner world. Tarot can support both gentle self-care and the more challenging work of personal growth.
Tarot and self-care: beyond simple comfort
At its heart, tarot is a conversation, not just about what might happen, but about what is present right now. It encourages us to slow down, draw a card, and ask: How am I today? What needs attention, comfort, or adjustment? But tarot’s gift to self-care extends beyond soothing affirmations.
True self-care sometimes requires us to face uncomfortable truths, examine patterns that no longer serve us, or sit with difficult emotions. The cards don’t always offer gentle messages. The Tower may appear when we need to acknowledge that something in our lives must change, or The Devil might surface when we’re avoiding an addiction or unhealthy attachment. This isn’t a failure of self-care; it’s the deeper work of authentic self-compassion.
Tarot helps us hold space for the full spectrum of human experience — the light and the shadow, the comfortable and the challenging. It brings us into mindful awareness of what is, rather than what we wish were true, which is the foundation of meaningful self-care.
Simple practices for beginners
If you are new to tarot, self-care can begin with something as simple as a daily one-card draw. Don’t have a deck yet? An app like Labyrinthos can provide cards for exploration before you invest in a physical deck. As you shuffle (or click), breathe deeply and ask yourself: ‘What do I need to know about caring for myself today?’ or ‘What energy do I need to cultivate right now?’
Write down your impressions in a journal or take a moment to contemplate the imagery. Notice what emotions or memories arise. Sometimes the card will feel immediately relevant; other times, its meaning may unfold throughout the day. And sometimes? The card might feel completely irrelevant or confusing. This is normal and doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
The goal is not a perfect interpretation, but rather presence and curiosity about your inner landscape. If traditional “slowing down” doesn’t work for you, try pulling a card while walking, or let your mind wander while you look at the imagery. Some people process information more effectively through movement or conversation than through stillness.
Remember that developing a relationship with tarot takes time and happens differently for everyone. Some readings will feel profound, while others will be confusing, and some may seem like nothing at all. All of these experiences are part of the journey.
Deeper practices for more experienced readers
More experienced tarot readers might seek practices that go beyond the familiar one-card draw. Here are several approaches that can deepen your self-care work.
The Self-Care Circle
Draw five cards lay them in a circle.
Mind: What thoughts need care or calming?
Body: What does my body need from me right now?
Heart: What emotions need holding or honouring?
Spirit: What will nourish my spirit today?
Integration: How can I bring this care into my daily life?
This spread invites holistic reflection, recognising that we are complex beings with interconnected needs. Try using it on a weekly or monthly basis as a check-in.
Shadow work and self-care
For those drawn to deeper psychological work, consider pulls that explore your shadow, the parts of yourself you might typically avoid or judge:
- What part of myself am I neglecting?
- What emotion am I avoiding, and how might acknowledging it serve me?
- Where am I being dishonest with myself about my needs?
This isn’t comfortable work, but it’s often necessary for authentic self-care. The cards can provide a safe container for examining these complexities.
Tracking patterns over time
Experienced readers might track recurring themes, noting how certain archetypes appear during specific life phases. The Empress might emerge when rest and nurturing are needed; The Hermit during times calling for solitude and introspection; Temperance when balance requires attention. These patterns can reveal the deeper rhythms and needs of your psyche.
Creating a supportive atmosphere
Tarot for self-care benefits from intentional space-making, though this can be as simple or elaborate as your circumstances allow. Light a candle, brew a good tea, or create a quiet corner with meaningful objects. If you don’t have private space, even a moment of intentional breathing before looking at a card on your phone can create an internal sanctuary.
Some practitioners pair their tarot work with complementary practices such as meditation, breathwork, gentle movement, or journaling. Others find that their practice works better when integrated into daily life, such as pulling a card during a lunch break or reflecting on it during a commute.
The key is finding what’s sustainable for your actual life rather than an idealised version of it. A consistent five-minute practice often serves better than elaborate monthly rituals that feel overwhelming to maintain or impossible to fit into your reality.
When tarot challenges more than it comforts
Not every tarot session will leave you feeling peaceful or reassured, and this is as it should be. Sometimes, self-care means receiving difficult messages about relationships that need boundaries, habits that require change, or grief that needs to be processed.
When challenging cards appear repeatedly, consider them invitations. The Ten of Swords might signal that it’s time to let something die so something new can be born. The Five of Cups could be asking you to honour loss while recognising what remains.
However, if your tarot practice consistently increases anxiety, feels triggering, or leaves you more distressed than when you began, it may be time to pause. This isn’t failure; it’s wisdom. Certain periods of life require different tools. If you’re processing trauma, experiencing a mental health crisis, or finding that tarot amplifies rather than supports your wellbeing, consider whether professional support might be more appropriate for this season.
Trust both your intuition about what the cards are offering and your practical wisdom about what you need right now.
Recommended decks for self-care work
Some tarot decks particularly support gentle self-care work, while others excel at psychological exploration. Consider your current needs when choosing.
Classic foundation:
- Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) by A.E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith is the gold standard for learning, widely available, affordable, and versatile for all kinds of work from gentle to deep.
For gentle reflection:
- The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne has modern and diverse, soulful imagery with an uplifting tone
- The Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon and Annie Ruygt is minimalist and calming, encouraging quiet reflection
- The Gentle Tarot by Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Tovar has nurturing, healing imagery with a focus on the natural world
- Wisdom of Pooh Tarot by Rue & Vervain is exceptionally gentle, perfect for inner child work
For deeper work:
- The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans is a somewhat abstract, intuitive deck rooted in natural wisdom
- The Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley has complex symbolism for psychological exploration
- Primordial Dreams Tarot by Lynae Zebest contains rich, dreamlike imagery for deep subconscious work
- Mary-El Tarot by Marie White is an intense, transformative deck for shadow work and spiritual exploration
Budget-friendly options:
- The free app Labyrinthos offers full deck access
- Affordable second-hand decks can be purchased in online marketplaces and Facebook groups
Remember that any deck can serve as a tool for self-care when approached with the right intention and openness. Start with what’s accessible to you rather than waiting for the “perfect” deck.
Integrating tarot self-care into daily life
The most transformative tarot practice is often the most realistic one: showing up when you can, how you can, with whatever curiosity you can muster. This might mean a morning card pull with coffee, an evening reflection during your commute, or a weekly, more in-depth spread when you have more time and mental space.
Don’t let perfectionism sabotage your practice. Missing days, feeling disconnected from cards, or having periods where tarot doesn’t feel helpful are all normal parts of a long-term relationship with the cards.
Consider how the insights from your cards can translate into concrete self-care actions. If the Four of Swords appears repeatedly, you may need more rest. If Cups cards dominate your draws, emotional processing might be calling. If Pentacles appear often, grounding and practical self-care may be needed. But remember: you’re the expert on your own life. The cards offer insights and suggestions, not commands.
When tarot stops feeling supportive, it’s okay to take breaks, try different approaches, or explore other self-care modalities. The cards will be there when and if you want to return.
Tarot offers an invitation to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself and with the rhythms of your life. It honours both the human need for comfort and the soul’s call toward growth, sometimes gentle and sometimes challenging, but always in service of your wholeness.
Whether you approach the cards as a form of divination, psychology, or spiritual practice, they can become valuable allies in the ongoing work of self-care.