Once I saw the card, I nearly burst into tears.
I knew the wave of sadness that washed over me was not mine. It was my tarot reading client's grief, a loss unexpressed until this point.
As the reading unfolded, the cards continued to speak to her grief in an uncanny way, bringing laughter, tears, and clarity. The tarot witnessed her grief in a way I couldn't anticipate.
Tarot As A Gentle Companion to Grief 💔
Others may invite you to talk about your loss, but you’d rather moan, wail, scream, or sob. You feel consumed with numbness or an electric wave of irritability and anger in every thread of your nervous system.
Thankfully, Tarot does not tell you what your grief is or isn’t. It does not tell you how to ‘move on’.
It’s simply a soft invitation for the words to come out; to give voice to your loss. Tarot is simply a witness.
If you want to explore how Tarot can tend to grief and loss, consider these practices:
- Tarot as a Voice: Ask the cards, “What’s happening for me right now?” Once the cards are pulled, do not go to the book (this is important). Sit with all the emotions and images that come up. How do you feel about what’s happening in the card? What symbols are you drawn to?
- A Tarot-Reading Witness: Find a beloved person who will sit with you as you pull cards or receive a reading from a trusted tarot reader. Grief is hard to explain (and even if you could, you’re too tired, anyway) and sometimes you simply need someone to sit with you as opposed to talk at you. If desired, this witness can share reflections about the cards, or simply comfort you as you talk about your reading.
- Grief Anchor Card: Find a card in your deck that can offer you the energy that you need during this difficult time. Perhaps you need the sturdy solace of the Queen of Pentacles, the protective nest of the 4 of Swords, or the community of The 3 of Cups. There’s no right or wrong answer, just what you need right now.
- Grief Anniversary Check-In: On significant dates, you can draw a card to honor your loved one’s memory or gain insights into your current state of grief.
- Tarot-Inspired Grief Ritual: Pull a card as part of a ritual to identify what you’re ready to release, integrate, or process. This book (*aff link) may be a helpful resource for embodied, elemental-driven rituals.
Grief-Tending: A Tarot Spread for Grief & Loss
Grief does not have to come just from the passing of a loved one. It can come from the ending of a relationship, a life transition, a career change, or a shift in your identity. Whatever your loss, it matters to the Tarot.
Create a sacred space for yourself before pulling cards–light a candle, fix a cup of aromatic tea, or play soft music.
- Present: Where are you at in your grief process right now?
- Unexpressed: What is still unexpressed about this loss?
- Honoring: How can I honor the memory of my loved one (or what was lost)?
- Gifts/Lessons: What gifts or lessons did my loved one (or the loss) bring to my life?
- Coping: What resources can I call upon to support me?
- Support: Who or what can I turn to for support as I grieve?
- Integration: How can I integrate this loss into my life in a way that feels feeling?
Remember: While deck creators and readers can offer interpretations, the true meaning of the cards emerges from you and only you.
Tend to Your Grief With An Intuitive Tarot Reading
If you would like to receive a tarot reading to support you in your grief– whatever the loss may be – please feel free to book here.
A tarot reading with me is not therapy, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health care. However, as someone who has spent years sitting with folks during their darkest moments, I will offer that energetic capacity to you during your reading. Tears, anger, and all emotions are welcome.
Wishing you peace and rest during this winter season,
✨ Arianna
P.S. My winter calendar is for Intuitive Tarot Readings. January spots have been filled, yet 2 spots are remaining for February. Book your reading here.
P.P.S. Join a cozy, low-key witchy space to complete any writing projects ➡️ Check out Cozy Cowriting Sessions. 100% free for you.
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