Monthly Check-In Tarot Spread
Last Updated: October 26, 2022
As part of a self-care routine with tarot, I think it’s important to check in regularly with your deck. They can offer you responses just as close as a best friend, with hard truths and soft support.
This is a reflective process usually, and so that is how some of the cards come out, but as your resident Bosswitch who cares so deeply… I want you to feel some layer of protection through tarot. You could even call it a protection tarot spell, as simple as affirming its meaning whilst making your morning coffee daily. It’s additionally like a future self tarot spread, albeit the short term kind where it’s only for the month ahead and not all the seasons in front of each other.
If you don’t have a deck of your own yet, take this as an invite: you are ABSOLUTELY invited over to my magickal space where we will create a gorgeous experience together.
Monthly tarot spread layout & questions to ask
I have created the below 6-card tarot spread as a way for you to get some clarity on what the month ahead holds for you. Getting some hindsight on what to expect during the next 30 days can help you plan and prepare for potential challenges, as well as take advantage of any opportunities that might come your way. To begin, shuffle your tarot deck and draw a card for each position in the monthly 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.
Tarot card #1: What do I need to step back from this month?
The first question on this spread is “What do I need to step back from this month?” it’s asking you to look back at what has drained you, what has not served you well and what is a red flag point of focus. We need to look at this as a way to sever any ties in some areas, and this card can be a fantastic way to articulate some boundaries that you need for your well-being.
Tarot card #2: What do I need to step towards for the month ahead?
The second question covers “What do I need to step towards for the month ahead?” and I always find this so exciting. Who doesn’t love the anticipation as we ask for something good, whilst we turn the card over? This can be a specific personality trait it’s asking you to step into to help you with your growth, or it can be a type of energy to embody in your spiritual practice (Air, Earth, Fire, Water). Whatever comes up, trust your intuition to guide you with moving forward.
Tarot card #3: What do I need to know about additionally moving forwards?
The third question is for bringing awareness, and intuition for the month ahead. “What do I need to know about additionally moving forwards?” can describe an event, an important meeting, or even share with you how you’ll be feeling. If we knew that we were definitely going to have some “sad human” days, we would absolutely use this to our advantage and plan ahead. Any excuse for buying cosy candles and big bars of chocolate.
Tarot card #4: How will this be in my best interest?
The fourth question ties into the third, and “How will this be in my best interest?” can shed light on why this process needs to happen, whether it’s comfortable or uncomfortable. It can indicate major accomplishments at the end of a journey, or it can indicate the start of a really aligned quest for yourself.
Tarot card #5: What should I be building on for the month ahead?
The fifth area we look at is “What should I be building on for the month ahead?” and this is a really interesting point. We look at what we will build on from previous months that can enrich our lives and provide us with a better standard of living than the last period.
Tarot card #6: Energy I should embrace as a shield for protection, like armour, on my days I don't feel my best or strongest
Finally, we have “Energy I should embrace as a shield for protection, like armour, on my days I don’t feel my best or strongest”. I had to include this for you, as your well-being overall is of utmost importance to me. I feel you deserve to be supported, deserve to be protected, and deserve to feel good. If this card can help in any way, it will for you. This is how tarot magick can really work for us.
What to do after this monthly 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.
It is my hope that these tarot spreads on my website help you with clarity and articulate whatever is going on. Let me know what you think of this tarot spread in the comments below and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
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.
More tarot spreads for you to try ✨
This page is part of our collection of free tarot spreads. If you enjoyed the read, then you’ll love the following articles.
I would recommend preparing this spread for the week ahead in advance, but you can also move the days around to complement the next day onwards.
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