Into The Shadow: Five Tarot Spreads For Deep Shadow Work

If you have embarked on a journey of shadow work but need some guidance, look no further than your favorite tarot deck. It is more than a tool for divining the future — tarot can help you delve deep into the darkness of your subconscious mind to meet your Shadow Self face-to-face. Whether you use a tarot spread with pre-determined questions or pull cards based on your intuition, using tarot in your shadow journey can be a deeply revealing experience.

In this post, you will learn how to use five different tarot spreads to help you connect with your Shadow Self as you explore who you are on a deeper level.

Shadow Work Recap

Shadow work is a process many spiritual people use to help connect them to aspects of their personalities that they have been disconnected from. It is a phrase that was coined by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, and while it has its roots in psychology, it also has a spiritual purpose.

Our Shadow Self is made up of the many parts of our being that were repressed, usually in childhood, because of our lived experience and societal expectations. This can cause both positive and negative qualities to be pushed into the Shadow Self! For example, a little girl who is told she is too bossy as a child might grow into a woman afraid to be assertive for fear of being disliked. A little boy who is told to stop crying may grow into a man who is too afraid to show his emotions.

Through Shadow Work, we can uncover the repressed parts of ourselves and begin the process of integration. This process involves learning to bring those parts of ourselves into our conscious awareness so that we can begin to heal. Shadow Work involves a lot of reflection and introspection, but most importantly, it requires complete honesty. Healing cannot happen if you hide from your truth.

Tarot For Self-Reflection

Rather than using tarot for divination, we will be using tarot for self-reflection. This means that we will be calling on our Higher Self during these readings rather than a spirit guide or deity. Though some deities may be willing to help you with your shadow work, it is beneficial to learn to do this work on your own first.

Using tarot for self-reflection may be more intuitive rather than “by the book”. You will look to the cards for answers in the symbols, the meaning, and the way they make you feel. In this process, be careful not to dismiss an idea or meaning just because it is not traditionally associated with a card you pulled. Remember, we are connecting with our subconscious mind, and it works in mysterious ways.

No tarot deck? No problem!

If you do not own a tarot deck, that’s okay! These questions can be answered with many other forms of divination. Some examples of other divination methods that would work include runes, ogham staves, and witch’s runes. If you would like to use tarot, we have you covered! You can find a copyright-free tarot deck PDF to print right here on Spells8!

Tarot For Shadow Work

Now that you have a brief understanding of shadow work and using tarot for self-reflection, let’s discuss the tarot spreads we have for working with your shadow. Below, you will find five different tarot spreads for five different situations in your shadow journey. Choose the spread that will work best for your situation. If you have never done shadow work before, it is best to start with the first spread to reflect on your preparedness for shadow work.

Spread One: Am I Ready For Shadow Work?

Everyone has to start somewhere, but not everyone is ready for shadow work. This is a process that can uncover deep traumas, fears, and unpleasant things about ourselves that we may not be ready to face yet. You must be honest with yourself in this process, or you may end up doing more harm than good.

This tarot spread is designed to help you assess your current mental state and how prepared you are to face your Shadow Self. Shuffle your deck, quiet your mind, and pull your cards.

• Card One: What do I need to know about my current mental and emotional state?
• Card Two: Where will I get the most support during my shadow work journey?
• Card Three: When things get difficult, what advice can I turn to for clarity and peace?
• Card Four: What do I need to know if I face my shadows today?

Spread Two: Investigating The Shadow Tarot Spread

If you want to explore your shadow but aren’t sure where to start, this is a good spread for you. It can help you identify the current state of your shadow, any fears you might have, and your relationship with love and money. These are often parts of our lives where shadows like to hide, so be honest with yourself when you pull your cards.

• Card One: What is the current state of my shadow self?
• Card Two: When looking at my subconscious mind, where do my fears lie?
• Card Three: How do I feel about love?
• Card Four: How is my relationship with money?
• Card Five: What is the most volatile aspect of my life?
• Card Six: Where do my current priorities lie?

Spread Three: Shining A Light Tarot Spread

If you are working on a specific shadow, this spread is perfect for you. Rather than looking at a random shadow, this tarot spread aims to shine a light on a specific shadow you are already aware of. Search your deck for a card that represents the shadow you are struggling with. For example, if you are struggling with intimacy in your relationships, you might choose The Lovers. If you are struggling with burnout and an unhealthy work ethic, you might choose the Ten of Wands. If anger and emotional instability are shadows for you, then you might choose the Knight of Cups Reversed.

Then, shuffle your deck and pull a card for each question as it relates to your current shadow concern.

• The Shadow: Choose a card that represents the shadow you are exploring
• The Present: What is the current state of this shadow?
• The Past: What part of my life did this shadow manifest from?
• The Work: How can I best work with this shadow toward integration?
• The Advice: What do I need to know about this aspect of my shadow self?

Spread Four: Shadow Emergency Tarot Spread

This tarot spread is a quick and easy way to identify an unknown shadow that is plaguing you. This can show up in a few ways, but you will generally be able to tell when something is wrong. It is based on a standard Past-Present-Future three-card spread. So, shuffle your deck, quiet your mind, and pull a few cards.

• Past: What is the cause of my current shadow?
• Present: What shadow is coming into the light?
• Future: How can I best work with this shadow?

Spread Five: Whole-Self Tarot Spread

As mentioned above, Shadow Work has its roots in the psychological work of Carl Jung. The shadow is not the only part of the process, though. Carl Jung believed there were many different archetypes of the human mind. Each archetype presents itself differently to the outside world versus to the individual. This spread is designed to help you see those archetypes within yourself. Shuffle your deck and draw one card for each archetype.

• Persona: This card represents the version of yourself you present to the world. It is often viewed as the mask you wear when you interact with others. It is who you are on a surface level but not who you truly are as a whole.
• Shadow: This card represents your overall Shadow Self. It may be vague or very specific, depending on where you are in your shadow work journey. This card will hold the parts of you that you conceal from the outside world; it is the face behind the mask.
• Anima: The card you pull for your Anima represents your feminine traits. What is considered a feminine trait is usually based on societal expectations and socialization, but they may include characteristics such as compassion, beauty, and emotions.
• Animus: The card you pull for your Animus represents your masculine traits. Again, what is considered a masculine trait is usually based on societal expectations and socialization, but they may include characteristics such as authority, strength, and leadership.
• Self: Lastly, the card you pull for Self represents who you are as a whole person. This can change the more you work with your Shadow Self, and it is normal for it to change throughout your life.

Continue The Work

Working with your Shadow Self can be a deeply rewarding and spiritual process. Bringing in tarot or other divinatory tools to help you on your path further deepens your connection with yourself. Whether you are new to exploring your shadow or well on your way to integration, these tarot spreads are sure to help guide you in the right direction.