Imposter Syndrome Tarot Spread | Stop Self Sabotage

Last Updated: October 26, 2022

Are you struggling with self-doubt? Do you downplay your successes because you see them as luck, rather than the hard work you’ve put in? Do you feel like you’re not good enough, or that maybe someone will eventually find out that you’re a fraud?

If so, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from imposter syndrome, which is a term used to describe the feeling of being a fraud or an impostor.

This can lead to self-sabotage and prevent people from achieving their goals. In this tarot spread, we will help you dispel the self-doubt and build on your belief that you deserve to be here, simply by being here.

Root Cause

When we doubt ourselves, it can be tough to break out of the cycle of self-sabotage. We might feel like we’re not good enough, that we’re frauds and that someone will find us out.

This Tarot spread is designed to align with shadow work on Imposter Syndrome, so there are some tips below – but first, I wanted to dive into why we have these thoughts, begin with. This list isn’t complete and there are many factors but some include:

Societal standards that we did not ask for; this could be as a BIPOC individual in a typically white space, as a woman in a male-dominated field, or any other number of intersections.
Witch Wound; The witch wound is a term used to describe the feeling of not belonging, of being an outsider. This can be due to our upbringing, or it can be a result of trauma. Some believe it is residual energy of past lives that affects us.
Family patterns; could be intergenerational trauma that has been passed down through our family line or an abusive authoritative figure in your life who has led you to believe that you are not good enough.
Learned behaviours; negative self-talk through a perfectionism/high standard we wanted to attain our whole lives have led us to believe these things about ourselves.
Early traumas; A traumatic event or series of events that have left us feeling like we are not good enough.

When we internalize these messages, they can take root and grow into full-blown Imposter Syndrome. The first step is acknowledging that these thoughts are not our own. We did not ask for them, and we do not have to keep them. They are not serving us and holding us back from achieving our goals. The opinions of others are a weight we don’t need to carry.

Bosswitch Imposter Syndrome

There have been numerous occasions when Bosswitch sessions folx have spoken about feeling Imposter Syndrome and I just wanted to address this before the tarot.

feeling it creeping in when sending an invoice or setting up new pricelists for new offerings
feeling it when asked questions by clients that it takes them a minute to respond (this is the equivalent of being asked questions in meetings or via email too)
feeling it when going live on socials to engage whether that’s free readings, Astro updates, talking about new offerings etc those first few minutes of nerves really kick up the pressure
feeling it when working with a new customer or new client for the first time, especially when reading tarot and they feel nothing is resonating during the reading or the client sits there saying absolutely nothing

What is really key here is that we focus on our strengths, our facts, our accomplishments as well as our feelings to acknowledge our powers here. We don’t know all the answers at the time, and this is ok. We don’t always feel super confident being broadcast live and we may say the wrong thing – but we are in the right place, with a community that loves us.

If it feels wrong and it’s perceived that we have to do something (such as show up on socials when we are inherently introverted), then do not dismiss these feelings but work with them to a comfort level that helps you – and then find ways to grow your confidence from there on out.

How to tackle imposter syndrome

A second step is working with some tools and resources to help with imposter syndrome, daily & regularly to rebuild ourselves and reframe our situation. These can include:

CBT therapy; cognitive-behavioural therapy is a type of therapy that helps us to change our thinking patterns and behaviours.
Shadow work; is a type of light segueway into the road of self-counselling. It can look like anything from a journal prompt a day to delve into your family lineage and traumas to understand where these behaviours come from.
A spiritual practice that’s beneficial; confidence-boosting tarot spreads, reaffirming spellwork, affirmation & visualisation techniques
Reiki; this is a form of energy healing from a closed-practise so I would recommend getting reiki from someone who has been officially trained through usui reiki.
Meditation; there are many types of meditation, so find one that works for you! You can use a guided meditation or sit with solfeggio frequencies whilst you write, pray, and utilise body stretches or breath work.

Impostor syndrome tarot spread layout & questions to ask

This tarot spread is created for those who are just done. It’s horrid that in an age where we believe in self-empowered there are times we just aren’t empowered, and I don’t stand for that. So here is a tarot spread for you to do to pull some cards, do some work and change your relationship with yourself for the better. This spread is for when you are aware of the problem, and you want support & guidance to move forward.

To begin, shuffle your tarot deck and draw a card for each position in the stalker card tarot draw (as shown in the below layout).

Finally, take some time to reflect on the questions that each card position represents and what message the tarot cards in that position might be trying to tell you. If you’re just starting to learn tarot, or if you’re still getting to know your deck, you may find my in-depth articles on the meanings of every tarot card helpful.

Card to represent Imposter Syndrome to me

This is a card that you choose before shuffling and pulling cards. It can be the 8 of Swords, the 7 of Swords, or the reversed World – all have a correspondence of Imposter Syndrome and being unable to move forward. But this can be a card that you choose that represents what Imposter Syndrome looks like to you too.

Click here to download this impostor syndrome card tarot spread

Tarot card #1: I want to overcome whatever is holding me back. How do I do this?

This card will show you either a person who can assist you, a way to communicate, a way to physically do something about it (whether through your work or through your body), or even offer additional spiritual support. This could be pulling the Magician which in this instance would mean using all the tools available to you to create the reality you want.

Tarot card #2: There are times when the Comparison Monster is burying me; how do I merge this aspect for growth?

This card will show you how to integrate and love those parts of yourself that are born from jealousy or anger; it’s a way to understand what is going on for you and how you can work with it. This could be pulling the Devil card which in this reading would suggest finding ways to logically break down or work through any restrictions that prevent you from achieving your goals

Tarot card #3: What self-limiting beliefs can I let go of?

This card will share some insight on what beliefs are currently not helping you with your growth and how you can let them go. This could be pulling the Tower card which suggests that it’s time for a change, or that there is something drastic that needs to happen for you to see things clearly, such as getting outside help to build a new foundation for yourself.

Tarot card #4: One step closer; what is some immediate advice for today?

This comforting card sees that you just need one bit of key information for today and this insight can be a major theme (using the Major arcana) or a minor detail that you don’t need as much energy for (using the Minor arcana).

Tarot card #5: How can I utilise I.S. as an ally moving forward?

This card will show you how to utilise those aspects of Imposter Syndrome which so far have been running amok, to come together and give you the power boost moving forward. This can be The Empress showing up to guide you with creativity and ease; use what has been holding you back as a fruitful opportunity to give you an extra oomph in your step.

Tarot card #6: Something to know others see in me

This is a lovely card, and one of my favourite placements in tarot spreads usually, to share with you what may be hidden or unknown; something that your loved ones and biggest supporters see in you.

Whether it’s 7 of Wands telling you that folks see you fighting with passion for what you love, or it’s the 3 of Swords to share that they see you able to move forward through difficult times with the humanity that can sometimes be self-sabotaging to others.

Whether it’s The High Priestess and others thinking that you will intuitively know what to do, or it’s Judgement who shows up to symbolise how you can find ways to renew the energy of a place – it’s important for you to know that you are loved, that you are supported, and people don’t think as badly of you as you may believe.

Tarot card #7: What will keep progressing with me?

This card will indicate that as you move forward with building confidence, building self-esteem and building yourself the version of you that brings you joy… what grows with you or around you too.

This may be the 3 of Pentacles, indicating a better team supporting you to exchange ideas with, or it may indicate 9 of Pentacles which suggests that your personal resources and finances also begin to look up as you put your focus on yourself.

This can also be The Fool, which indicates that there’s just optimism for your future journey – do not discredit that your progress will be the only thing that grows.

Tarot card #8: I belong here + tarot affirmation

This card will reaffirm for you that you belong here because you do. You deserve all that is yours, and better. You have a say in the direction you wish to grow in. So when this card comes up for you, build an affirmation around it, and utilise it in your fight against Imposter Syndrome.

Utilise keywords in an “I am/I deserve/I thrive/I overcome” statement. E.g. If the 6 of Cups comes up, I would turn this into “I deserve limitless inner child joy.”

What to do after this tarot reading

After you’ve finished a tarot reading, there are a few things you can do in order to reflect on the experience and integrate the insights you gained. Here are some suggestions:

Use a tarot journal to record your findings

Jotting down your thoughts in a tarot journal after reading can be helpful in a few ways. First, it can help you remember the details of your reading later on, such as how you felt at the moment and perhaps your first impressions of what a card meant. Second, it can provide a space for you to process the information you’ve received and explore what it means for you. Third, it can be a way to keep track of your progress over time as you revisit your journal entries and reflect on your journey.

Take a picture of the cards

If you want to remember the position of the cards and what they meant in relation to your questions, take a picture of the spread. This will help you look back on the reading later and review the insights you received. Sometimes, clarity is better acquired after you’ve stepped back from the situation for a little while and had some time to process it.

Some people create Instagram accounts or Pinterest accounts specifically for this, and if you use any of our spreads please tag us @backyardbanshee if you feel comfortable!

Take some time to meditate and reflect

Immediately after a tarot reading, it’s important to take some time to sit with the insights you’ve received. This can be done through proper meditation, visualisation, or simply taking some time to reflect on the reading. It can be helpful to think about what the messages from the cards mean for your life and how you can apply the advice that was given to you. That time can also be used to replenish your energy level and cleanse your tarot deck.

Get a second opinion from a close friend

If you have close friends who also happen to be tarot practitioners, it can be helpful to get their take on your reading. They may be able to offer additional insights or perspectives that you hadn’t considered before. This is also a good way to get feedback on your own interpretation of the cards.

Ensure to ask permission before just blindly sending your cards across in a message and saying “what does this mean to you?” as your friends may not have the energy or have a boundary with this sort of thing – manners cost nothing, and this is especially to note if they are a professional tarot reader who normally gets paid to interpret readings.

Layer your reading with more divination

Why not try adding astrology dice or a pendulum reading to your tarot session? Your intuition will guide you on how to best use these tools, but they can be helpful in providing more clarity around the messages from your tarot reading. We have lots of methods for you to utilise here on the website.

Do the same reading a month later

This is a great way to check in on your progress and see how far you’ve come. It can also be helpful in understanding the cyclical nature of our lives and how our current situation is likely to change over time. This can be especially useful if you’re struggling with a decision or trying to figure out which path to take as to offer suggestions, provide perspective and encourage your confidence to move forward.

At the end of the day, tarot readings are meant to be a helpful tool, not a replacement for your own intuition. The best way to use tarot is to combine the insights you receive with your own understanding of the situation. Trust your gut and follow your heart—the answers you’re looking for will come.

This spread was created to help you understand Imposter Syndrome a little better, work out what some of your self-limiting beliefs may be, and how you can start to utilise I.S. as an ally instead of a foe. I hope that this spread provides some clarity and comfort for you in your journey.

Remember, you are not alone in feeling like an imposter – we all feel it at some point or another! But that doesn’t mean that we have to let it rule our lives.

Work on building your confidence, one day at a time, and don’t hesitate to share with me how you’re journey is going – I’m rooting for you, always.

Until next time, my lovely! xox

Written by Lizzie Burgess

I have been passionate about reading divination for more than 15 years. This gives me a unique perspective when it comes to creating fun, supportive and creative tarot spreads. I hope they help you find the clarity and insight you are looking for.

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