Example Shadow Work Tarot Spread Reading
You know when you sit down with your tarot cards, hoping for some clarity, but instead, you end up with something way deeper than you expected? That was me the other day. I asked the cards a pretty straightforward question: What do I need to work on right now for my personal growth? Seems simple enough, right?
Well, let’s just say the answers I got weren’t as simple as I hoped. The cards laid it all out, and I wasn’t entirely ready for how intense the reading was.
As an empath, card reader, and psychic, I’ve always used tarot not just for insights about the future, but also for deep self-reflection. And honestly, this spread was all about that. I used the Seer’s Veil Digital Deck (the one you see in the image above, plus it’s free) because it’s perfect for shadow work.
If you’re looking to face parts of yourself you’ve been avoiding, this deck doesn’t sugarcoat it—it puts everything on the table.
I used my usual Shadow Work Tarot Spread (which I talked about in a previous post) and wow, did these cards hit me hard. Let me walk you through how the reading unfolded and what each card meant for me.
1. Negativity Brings Everyone Down (The Shadow Card)
So, the first card I pulled was Negativity Brings Everyone Down. It landed in the “Shadow” position—the one that points out what part of my shadow self I need to focus on right now. The water sinking the boat really caught my attention, and then that message? Oof.
I realized how much negativity I’ve been carrying around, but not all of it is even mine. Empaths, we know this feeling, right? Absorbing everyone else’s emotional weight without even realizing it. But the hard truth this card reminded me of is that I’ve been letting this negativity affect not only me but also the people I care about most—especially my family. It was a wake-up call to stop dragging others down with me.
If you’re like me, and you find it hard to shake off the emotions of others, you might want to check out my post on Empath Self Care Tips: Strategies for Thriving. It’s full of tips to help protect your energy, so you’re not constantly absorbing the weight of the world.
2. Inner Child Healing (The Root Card)
Next up was the Inner Child Healing card, and it landed in the “Root” position—where the spread asks me to look at where this shadow actually comes from. The image of a little girl on train tracks immediately pulled me back to some of my own childhood memories where I truly felt alone.
In those moments when I felt like I was the only one I could count on to be stable and fix everyone else’s problems plus my own. I was a kid remember, the thought of that is heavy even for my adult self.
I’ve tried to lock away those memories for years that have just showed up in different ways on different days.
The thing about trauma is, it doesn’t just go away. I thought I had moved on from a lot of things, but this card made me realize that some of those old wounds are still lurking. They’re showing up in my life today, whether I want to admit it or not. This card was a reminder that my inner child needs healing. I’ve spent so much time being strong for everyone else that I’ve forgotten to take care of her.
If you’re curious about shadow work and how it can help with healing your inner child, I wrote a post called What Is Shadow Work that goes into what it is and why it’s such an important part of the healing journey.
3. Too Many Things at Once (The Block Card)
The third card I pulled was Too Many Things at Once. It made me laugh because the image of a woman staring down a giant octopus with all these tangled arms? Yeah, that’s been my life lately.
This card fell into the “Block” position, meaning it was showing me how this unresolved shadow is affecting me right now. And honestly, it nailed it. I’ve been trying to juggle way too much. Between my own emotions and everyone else’s, it’s no wonder I feel like I’m suffocating under the weight of it all. This was my reminder to slow down, take a breath, and stop trying to fix everything at once.
It’s easy to think shadow work is overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re worried about diving into it, I’ve written a post on Is Shadow Work Evil? which addresses some of the fears people have about it. Spoiler alert: it’s not evil, just deeply transformative.
4. Emotional Hangover (The Healing Card)
Then came the Emotional Hangover card, which landed in the “Healing” position. Seeing that card gave me a little jolt because the image of a figure sitting with their head down? That’s been me, more times than I care to admit.
This card told me exactly what I needed to hear—I’m emotionally drained, and I need to rest. I’ve been running on empty for way too long, and the weight of both my emotions and those I’ve picked up from others has taken its toll. Healing isn’t about pushing forward all the time; sometimes, it’s about slowing down, giving yourself grace, and letting the dust settle.
5. Boundaries (The Integration Card)
Finally, I pulled Boundaries as the last card in the spread. This one showed up in the “Integration” spot, meaning it’s the card that tells me how to take what I’ve learned and actually integrate it into my life.
The message was clear—I need boundaries. Like, really need them. As an empath, I’ve always struggled with boundaries because it feels like I’m shutting people out. But what this card reminded me of is that boundaries aren’t about pushing people away—they’re about protecting your own energy. If I’m going to heal and grow, I have to set clear limits on what I take on emotionally.
Even though boundaries has been a foundation for my healing, I’m learning that it takes time to get the right balance and it’s not a “One and Done,” type thing.
I have to constantly work on this. And that’s ok because every time I do, I’m taking a small step towards doing the boundary thing a bit better.
If you’ve been feeling like your boundaries are weak or non-existent, I recommend trying 12 Shadow Work Prompts for Letting Go to help identify where you need to set boundaries in your life. It’s been really helpful for me to see exactly where I need to create more space for myself.
Final Thoughts on my Shadow Work Tarot Spread Reading
This reading was intense, but then again, shadow work usually is. It brings up the things we’ve been avoiding, the emotions we’ve been pushing down. But it’s through that uncomfortable process that we heal.
Each card in this spread that I pulled gave me a clear picture of what I need to work on right now to help my personal growth.
If you’re an empath like me, shadow work might feel heavy at first, but it’s worth every bit of effort. Whether you’re using tarot, journaling, or just sitting with your emotions, shadow work helps bring hidden parts of yourself into the light.
And that’s where real healing happens.
If you’re ready to try this spread yourself, take a look at my Shadow Work Tarot Spread post. It breaks down how to use this spread to work through your own shadow. And, of course, the Seer’s Veil Digital Deck is always free to use on my blog—whether you want to pull one card or three.
And if this reading stirred something in you about your psychic abilities or your empathy, take a peek at Clairsenses and A Simple Path to Psychic Abilities. Both posts are great if you’re curious about enhancing your intuitive gifts, which we all have, especially as empaths.
Love, Nicole.
