5 powerful three-card Tarot spreads for shadow work and inner healing

Tarot spreads

Shadow work is the process of exploring the hidden, often suppressed aspects of yourself to better understand your fears, triggers, and untapped potential. Tarot can serve as a powerful tool in this journey, offering a safe way to confront and work through your shadow. Below are five tarot spreads designed to guide you through inner healing and self-discovery.

How to use these Tarot spreads?


1. The Shadow Self Tarot spread

This spread helps you uncover the aspects of your shadow that are influencing your behaviour and emotions.

  • Card 1: What part of my shadow needs my attention right now?
  • Card 2: How is this shadow affecting my life?
  • Card 3: What can I do to begin integrating this part of myself?

2. The Trigger Tarot spread

Use this spread to understand what’s behind your emotional triggers and how to respond to them more consciously.

  • Card 1: What is the root cause of this trigger?
  • Card 2: How does this trigger protect me or hold me back?
  • Card 3: What steps can I take to heal this trigger?

3. The forgiveness Tarot spread

This spread supports you in letting go of anger, guilt, or resentment.

  • Card 1: What am I holding onto that no longer serves me?
  • Card 2: What do I need to forgive myself or others for?
  • Card 3: What will happen when I release this burden?

4. The Inner Child Tarot spread

This spread connects you with your inner child, helping you heal old wounds and rediscover joy.

  • Card 1: What does my inner child want me to know?
  • Card 2: What pain from my past needs healing?
  • Card 3: How can I nurture my inner child moving forward?

5. The Integration Tarot spread

This spread focuses on bringing your shadow and conscious self into harmony.

  • Card 1: What lesson is my shadow teaching me?
  • Card 2: How can I accept this part of myself?
  • Card 3: What will balance between my shadow and light self look like?

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5 powerful three-card Tarot spreads for shadow work and inner healing | The Free Tarot Journal