Many people start their mornings with a journaling ritual, and I think that’s beautiful. But, when I began blending my journaling with Tarot, something shifted. It didn’t just become a routine… it became a ritual. A compass so to speak. A way of beginning each day with intention instead of drifting into it half-awake.

The Ritual of the Draw

Each morning, coffee in hand and the house still wrapped in silence, I shuffle my deck and pull a single card. Before I touch the cards, I ask a question—something simple, something grounding:

• What deserves my focus today?
• Where can I offer myself grace?
• What energy should I carry with me?

That one card becomes the theme of my day. Sometimes, jumping cards fly out like eager supporting characters, and I honor them too. But always, I split the deck and claim the card that feels like it was meant for me.

Writing the Day’s Theme

In my journal, I write my question, the card I pulled, and then distill it down into what I call Word(s) of the Day.

If I draw The Wheel of Fortune, my words might be Change of Course. That means catching myself when I say, “No, I’m not doing that,” and realizing that maybe that’s exactly what I need to do. Sometimes it even changes what’s for dinner. Waffles instead of spaghetti or eating ice cream before dinner is plated.

If I draw Temperance, my theme is usually Renew and Revitalize. That usually means softening into the day, living slower, and often ending the evening with my Book Bliss Box (a cozy ritual I’ll share more about in another post).

Copying, Reflecting, Clearing

After that, I copy the description of the card straight from the deck’s booklet. Word for word. Different decks say different things, but the act of transcribing feels almost meditative—like automatic writing, but softer. It clears space in my head for reflection. Some might scoff at copying things verbatim from a guidebook they own or what might already be memorized, but I find it a calmly seductive way to begin.

Then comes the heart of it: What is this card telling me? How does it land in my life right now? How do I carry it forward? On high-energy mornings, I may pour out three pages before I remember there are errands to run. On slower days, I might write only a few sentences. Either way, I always write something to honor the card.

Why This Matters

Since weaving Tarot into my mornings, I’ve noticed three powerful shifts:

1. Sacred Me-Time
   This is mine alone. Morning light makes everything look a little more cottagecore, the coffee is hot and sweet, and the quiet feels enchanted.
2. Built-In Accomplishment
   Even if I accomplish absolutely nothing else, I’ve honored my morning self by showing up on the page. That counts. More than we admit, it counts.
3. Clarity That Ripples Outward
   Writing gives me focus, focus gives me calm, and calm could just change the energy of the whole world! I would like to think that the appreciation, focus, and kindness I give the grocery clerks or the person next to me at the gas pump has an overall effect on… something. I like to imagine that ripple reaching farther than I’ll ever know.

Making It Your Own

Personally, I printed my favorite Tarot images on sticker paper and used my Cricut to create my own custom Tarot stickers for my journal. But there are endless ways to design your practice.

I even created a simple daily Tarot journal for anyone who wants a starting place, complete with inspirational sayings sprinkled throughout (because who doesn’t love a little surprise encouragement?): Daily Tarot Journal

And if you prefer more writing room over decoration, I also love these classic mini Tarot stickers: Mini Tarot Stickers

I love both of these when used together!

Sometimes I opt for a plain lined journal so my words are not limited to a couple of pages. But, other times I do like the structure, the definitive start and end in a pre-printed journal like the one above.

Whether you go full-on artsy or keep it minimal, the magic is in the ritual itself… pulling a card, opening your journal, and giving your day a theme.

Will you join me in the One Card A Day practice for a little while? I would love to know if anyone else experiences the same (or different) positive changes from the practice.

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