Keeping a Physical Journal

[Cheyenne]

Okay, I know there is a Journals part of the forum, but I thought this may be better palced here? Seeing as that is for keeping a journal.

 

 

I have a physical journal I keep. I was wondering if anyone else does?

 

If you do what all do you keep in it?

Daily draws?

Have a list of spreads?

Do you prefer lined or unlined?

How often do you use it?

How did you pick it?

---

 

I only keep personal readings in my journal. I have another where I put ones I've done for others. I don't have a list of spreads, but I do have a few that I have done and liked or want to try. I haven't done too many daily draws, but I plan on starting and keeping up with them. I like unlined as it is easier to draw up the spreads. I have a book of daily spreads that I may try to do some out of. I plan on using it every day to record at least a daily draw.

 

When i went over to Germany my Seinor year of high school, from America, I saw it at a stand and it called to me. I just had to have it, though I wasn't sure why at the time. Now however I know. It is for my tarot journey and it honestly feels right to have it.

 

 

[Elin by the Sea]

I have a physical journal I keep. I was wondering if anyone else does?

 

If you do what all do you keep in it?

Daily draws?

Have a list of spreads?

Do you prefer lined or unlined?

How often do you use it?

How did you pick it?

 

I sure do; I'm an armchair author and a bit of a "pen fanatic" (yes, there are large numbers of folks who are into pens), so I prefer writing by hand.

 

So I have one journal that I use exclusively for tarot stuff - usually for more detailed readings, and I'll often write copious notes on each reading.  It also contains an ever-growing list of spreads, most of my own creation, that served me well at one time or another. 

 

I have another journal that I use for everything else: poems, story ideas, stuff that happened that day, general "therapeutic" writing where I just need to write about nothing in particular to get my mind off something, etc...  I also put daily one-card draws in there.

 

I've used lots of different kinds of notebooks, but I almost always write with fountain pens and sometimes even dip pens, so paper quality is of concern (fountain pen ink will feather and bleed through cheap paper pretty badly).  My favorite notebooks are Rhodia Webnotebooks - lined, A5 size, hardcover.  Excellent quality 90gsm Clairefontaine paper.  My only complaint is that I wish they had more pages (they have 96 sheets - 192 pages); I usually fill one in about 3 months or less.  And I write at least something almost every day.  I also love the Rhodia dot-grid "Goalbooks", which I use as daily planners.

 

Hope that helps.

 

And speaking of daily one-card draws, I haven't been doing those much lately.  Maybe I should start again...

 

 

[Cheyenne]

 

I sure do; I'm an armchair author and a bit of a "pen fanatic" (yes, there are large numbers of folks who are into pens), so I prefer writing by hand.

 

So I have one journal that I use exclusively for tarot stuff - usually for more detailed readings, and I'll often write copious notes on each reading.  It also contains an ever-growing list of spreads, most of my own creation, that served me well at one time or another. 

 

I have another journal that I use for everything else: poems, story ideas, stuff that happened that day, general "therapeutic" writing where I just need to write about nothing in particular to get my mind off something, etc...  I also put daily one-card draws in there.

 

I've used lots of different kinds of notebooks, but I almost always write with fountain pens and sometimes even dip pens, so paper quality is of concern (fountain pen ink will feather and bleed through cheap paper pretty badly).  My favorite notebooks are Rhodia Webnotebooks - lined.  Excellent quality 90gsm Clairefontaine paper.  My only complaint is that I wish they had more pages (they have 96 sheets - 192 pages); I can fill one in about 3 months.  And I write at least something almost every day.  I also love the Rhodia dot-grid "Goalbooks", which I use as daily planners.

 

Hope that helps.

 

And speaking of daily one-card draws, I haven't been doing those much lately.  Maybe I should start again...

 

I am in love with writing utensils. I love pens and pencils. Have a huge collection of both. There is a certain feel I need when I write so I test out so many it is ridiculous. I have a few fountain pens myself that I adore, but I have no money and need ink. i do hae some dip pens as well, but the notebook I have, not good for them.

[Rowena]

 

If you do what all do you keep in it?

Daily draws?

Have a list of spreads?

Do you prefer lined or unlined?

How often do you use it?

How did you pick it?

---

 

 

I have one specific tarot journal that I use every time I read. I have write down what I'm feeling as I read, because otherwise I get distracted, and ten seconds later I'm thinking about something not tarot related at all. I also use it as I study and get to know the cards. I'm hoping eventually someday that I can compile all of my journals into like a big specific to me reference book to help myself with readings. I have details of spreads I try, thoughts and feelings I get from different cards, etc.

 

 

[Elin by the Sea]

I have one specific tarot journal that I use every time I read. I have write down what I'm feeling as I read, because otherwise I get distracted, and ten seconds later I'm thinking about something not tarot related at all. I also use it as I study and get to know the cards. I'm hoping eventually someday that I can compile all of my journals into like a big specific to me reference book to help myself with readings. I have details of spreads I try, thoughts and feelings I get from different cards, etc.

 

Interesting you should mention this.  I've kind of been doing the same thing on and off over this past summer.  Mary K. Greer (a well-known name here, I'm sure) has created a template for "Scrivener" - a writing application geared towards authors.  Details on this are here: https://marykgreer.com/2017/05/23/your-tarot-journal-and-a-template/

 

I've been using Scrivener for quite a long time, so I'm familiar with it enough to make a few minor tweaks to the template to suit my project and so far, it's been a blessing.  I reference what I have completed so far on a regular basis; it seems there's always something new to add.  Tarot is a lifelong learning experience and tools like this really help.

 

Many thanks to Mary K. Greer for kindly providing this resource.

 

 

[Cheyenne]

 

I have one specific tarot journal that I use every time I read. I have write down what I'm feeling as I read, because otherwise I get distracted, and ten seconds later I'm thinking about something not tarot related at all. I also use it as I study and get to know the cards. I'm hoping eventually someday that I can compile all of my journals into like a big specific to me reference book to help myself with readings. I have details of spreads I try, thoughts and feelings I get from different cards, etc.

 

I do have a few other journals for doing other peoples readings with different spreads that I think I may put into one journal just of spreads. Probably make an index and everything too for ease of access.

 

 

 

[HermitWriter]

I usually abhor journaling (which is probably blasphemy coming from a writer), except when it comes to tarot. Recording my own readings is kind of like taking notes in a class, and I love beeing able to look back and see trends in the spreads (usually 3-card spreads).

 

For equipment, I use 3-ring binders and lined notebook paper, usually college-ruled, and whatever pen I can find. I get serious notebook- and pen-envy, but anytime I try to get fancy I feel like my scribblings aren't worthy of the high-class equipment ::) Plus pens have a habit of disappearing in my house, so it's not worth the risk! Upside: the 3-rings let me add pages for spreads I'm test-running, so it's all good.

[Cheyenne]

I usually abhor journaling (which is probably blasphemy coming from a writer), except when it comes to tarot. Recording my own readings is kind of like taking notes in a class, and I love beeing able to look back and see trends in the spreads (usually 3-card spreads).

 

For equipment, I use 3-ring binders and lined notebook paper, usually college-ruled, and whatever pen I can find. I get serious notebook- and pen-envy, but anytime I try to get fancy I feel like my scribblings aren't worthy of the high-class equipment ::) Plus pens have a habit of disappearing in my house, so it's not worth the risk! Upside: the 3-rings let me add pages for spreads I'm test-running, so it's all good.

 

I used to be the same way with nice notebooks, but now I'm just whatever about them. I'll buy ones that I like and use 'em for what I want. Though I must say I have a very large collection of notebooks. Perhaps I should stop and wait to buy more.

[DevonCarter]

I've been bad with keeping up with it lately, but I have a journal I found secondhand that is lined on the left page, blank on the right. It's nice for sketching in spreads and keeping lots of notes. It's really messy, but still helpful to look back through.

I'm another pen person, so I usually keep a Kaweco Sport in the pen loop attached to the journal, or I grab whatever fountain pen is nearby and inked up (love my TWSBI Eco!). I am more likely to write if I have nice pens and pretty ink. Once I'm done with this journal I'll do something with better paper probably. I have an A5 Traveler's Notebook (knockoff) cover so I might put some nice paper in that and use it.

[Cheyenne]

I've been bad with keeping up with it lately, but I have a journal I found secondhand that is lined on the left page, blank on the right. It's nice for sketching in spreads and keeping lots of notes. It's really messy, but still helpful to look back through.

 

I should find one like that. I get a bit messy in my writing because I can't write straight, but I would love to be able to sketch what the spread looks like easily on a blank page instead of on lines.

[Jewel]

Okay, I know there is a Journals part of the forum, but I thought this may be better palced here? Seeing as that is for keeping a journal.

 

I have a physical journal I keep. I was wondering if anyone else does?

 

If you do what all do you keep in it?

Daily draws?

Have a list of spreads?

Do you prefer lined or unlined?

How often do you use it?

How did you pick it?

---

 

I only keep personal readings in my journal. I have another where I put ones I've done for others. I don't have a list of spreads, but I do have a few that I have done and liked or want to try. I haven't done too many daily draws, but I plan on starting and keeping up with them. I like unlined as it is easier to draw up the spreads. I have a book of daily spreads that I may try to do some out of. I plan on using it every day to record at least a daily draw.

I do keep two separate physical journals, one for my personal readings, and one for readings I do for others.  I prefer mine lined as I find it easier to write in them.  I then transfer my readings to the electronic journal, and it often expands as I work through the spreads again.  So my paper journal is like my first go at the spread and I fine tune it in the electronic version here.  I also keep a lot of my pattern identification and other comments just in my handwritten journal.

 

I put the name of the deck and spread in my paper journal, and I actually pull images of the cards, print them in color, and layout the spread in miniature in my journal (I tape the little cards) and number the spread positions.  I love it, makes the journal really pretty too.  I keep a binder with the various spreads I collect, but tend to refer often to past readings in my journals if I know I have used a specific spread.  I use my journal at least weekly, some times more often depends on what I am up to.

 

As for selecting my journal, I like the pretty lined journals with cool artwork on the front.  I like the hardback ones and love it if I can find one around 10.5" X 7", but will use the ones that at 9" X 7".

 

 

[Cheyenne]

I only keep personal readings in my journal. I have another where I put ones I've done for others. I don't have a list of spreads, but I do have a few that I have done and liked or want to try. I haven't done too many daily draws, but I plan on starting and keeping up with them. I like unlined as it is easier to draw up the spreads. I have a book of daily spreads that I may try to do some out of. I plan on using it every day to record at least a daily draw.

I do keep two separate physical journals, one for my personal readings, and one for readings I do for others.  I prefer mine lined as I find it easier to write in them.  I then transfer my readings to the electronic journal, and it often expands as I work through the spreads again.  So my paper journal is like my first go at the spread and I fine tune it in the electronic version here.  I also keep a lot of my pattern identification and other comments just in my handwritten journal.

 

I put the name of the deck and spread in my paper journal, and I actually pull images of the cards, print them in color, and layout the spread in miniature in my journal (I tape the little cards) and number the spread positions.  I love it, makes the journal really pretty too.  I keep a binder with the various spreads I collect, but tend to refer often to past readings in my journals if I know I have used a specific spread.  I use my journal at least weekly, some times more often depends on what I am up to.

 

As for selecting my journal, I like the pretty lined journals with cool artwork on the front.  I like the hardback ones and love it if I can find one around 10.5" X 7", but will use the ones that at 9" X 7".

 

Oh, that sounds pretty. The journal I'm using now is the first one I have ever started for tarot, so it is a bit mismashed and not the prettiest, but I love it. There is a learning curve most definitely, so when I finish this one and as I go through it, some stuff works and other stuff doesn't. I have been debating taking pictures and adding them to the journal somehow, so I may steal that little idea of yours when I get printer ink.

[Jewel]

Oh, that sounds pretty. The journal I'm using now is the first one I have ever started for tarot, so it is a bit mismashed and not the prettiest, but I love it. There is a learning curve most definitely, so when I finish this one and as I go through it, some stuff works and other stuff doesn't. I have been debating taking pictures and adding them to the journal somehow, so I may steal that little idea of yours when I get printer ink.

I like it!  :biggrin:  I also use highlighters (purple for Major Arcana, Blue for Cups, Orange for Wands, Yellow for Swords, and Green for Pentacles).  My personal journal usually lasts me 3-4 months, but that is because I do my deck of the month project so I do quite a few readings testing out the deck.  Aside from my mini spreads, I also print larger copies of the cards and tape the card to the side for each card as I interpret it.  After I go through the spread I have my summary and comments section.  Prior to starting off the reading I look and identify patterns then go on to the cards so I can ensure to apply whatever patterns I have noted if appropriate.

[Cheyenne]

I like it!  :biggrin:  I also use highlighters (purple for Major Arcana, Blue for Cups, Orange for Wands, Yellow for Swords, and Green for Pentacles).  My personal journal usually lasts me 3-4 months, but that is because I do my deck of the month project so I do quite a few readings testing out the deck.  Aside from my mini spreads, I also print larger copies of the cards and tape the card to the side for each card as I interpret it.  After I go through the spread I have my summary and comments section.  Prior to starting off the reading I look and identify patterns then go on to the cards so I can ensure to apply whatever patterns I have noted if appropriate.

 

When you deal out the cards do you put them face up or face down? I normally do face down but have been thinking about doing a few face-up ones and seeing how it affects my readings. I never thought about color coding or anything, though that is a good idea so that I can see everything a bit easier.

[Jewel]

When you deal out the cards do you put them face up or face down? I normally do face down but have been thinking about doing a few face-up ones and seeing how it affects my readings. I never thought about color coding or anything, though that is a good idea so that I can see everything a bit easier.

I deal them face up so I can look at patterns before getting started with the reading.  I look for card distribution (what suits are there, what is missing, repeat numbers, elemental correspondences, dominance or missing suits or majors, etc.).

[Cheyenne]

I deal them face up so I can look at patterns before getting started with the reading.  I look for card distribution (what suits are there, what is missing, repeat numbers, elemental correspondences, dominance or missing suits or majors, etc.).

 

I think I may try that, see how it works for me and if I can connect better or understand better what the cards are telling me. Who knows, it ma work it may not.

[ilweran]

I love notebooks, particularly Paperblanks.

 

I have one for card meanings, one for readings and one for my Greenwood study - so that's readings, meditations, audits of and notes on individual cards and any other musings I consider relevant.

 

I also have another I use for the Bohemian Gothic as I worked through the exercises in the companion book.

 

Non tarot related, I also have one for jewellery design and another for writing. My new year's resolution this year was the write a haiku a day so that has its own book as well. Next year it's going to be a short fiction piece every week.

[Jewel]

I have one for card meanings, one for readings and one for my Greenwood study - so that's readings, meditations, audits of and notes on individual cards and any other musings I consider relevant.

Ilweran, I also have a separate notebook for the Wizards Tarot study (the book has a one year study course).  So I guess I have 3 Tarot journals lol.

[BlueDragonfly]

*raises hand*  Another journal/pen/ink junkie here!  I keep a journal of my readings and have separate notebooks for spreads, and decks but I haven't worked in these for a while. 

 

I use traveler's notebooks for all the forms of my journaling.  I buy packs of Tomoe River 68gsm paper(100 sheets) from Jet Pens and make my own inserts.  It's great for fountain pen, light watercolors, some markers and colored pencils.  When I fill one up, I just go on to the next one.  ;D

 

Elin by the Sea[/member], have you ever looked on Nanami Papers(.com) They have nice thick A5 size notebooks.  So does Taroko Shop on etsy, look for the Enigma A5 notebook(384 pages)made of the 68gsm Tomoe River paper. Also the Mystique A5 notebook has orchid paper and is fountain pen friendly as long as you don't have a heavy hand or broad/stub nib.

 

DevonCarter[/member], look on etsy for shops that carry TN inserts, or like me, buy the paper and make your own. :)

 

*yes, I am a journal enabler*

[Lantana]

I’ve been keeping a steady journal for two years now. Since I don’t really do daily draws, it tends to be filled with larger readings, as well as spreads I’ve come up with, initial feelings on new decks, and any “worksheets” I might be doing (ie the lessons/activities from 21 ways to read a tarot card).

 

My first one was a tiny spiral notebook, which I got so I didn’t feel so pressured to fill a full page. My current one is regular sized, also spiral. I perfer lined since my penmanship isn’t the best, and lined paper never kept me from drawing anyway.  ;)

 

[Jewel]

Dragonfly[/member] I am like you, when one fills up I go to the next.

 

So fun to find so many fellow paper journal junkies  :party:

[Guest libra]

I'm gonna zombie a thread, because I'm not feeling like this needs a whole new topic lol!

 

I have SO MANY JOURNALS. Some of my decks demand their own journals, so I have a few that are specific to certain decks. I have one that is for any other decks and readings I do, the ones that aren't pushy enough to want their own book.

 

And then, I've got this great book from Staples that looks spiral-bound-ish, but the pages are removable, and it's like... My massive study book. The opening page for The Hanged Man is in the picture as an example - I gave like keywords and associations on this page, along with a table of contents for the section. Stuff that shows up usually includes:

 

- Card description & first impressions

- Keywords

- Prompts & Reflections (like, if you pull the card, things you may need to reflect on)

- Highlights from external research

- Connections to others cards within the deck (including numerological associations)

- Personal associations and notable readings the card has appeared in

- Pop culture associations  (celebrities, songs, quotes, poetry etc)

- Meanings as seen in different deck images  - Elemental associations

- Astrological connections

- Archetypes & myths associated

- Key symbols

- Card image

[AnomalyTempest]

That book is so cool! I love that the pages can be re-arranged. I feel a trip to Staples coming on now. My Master journal is a huge zippered black one with yellow trim, made to be colored on with gel pens. Found it at the height of the gel pen craze while school shopping for my daughter. I also have journals for individual decks. I've been trying to get them into Scrivener but I prefer taking my notes in longhand and having the book right there since I don't read where my computer is. One day, I'll take my master journal and create a handmade, illuminated tome. It just keeps growing though.  :-\

[Guest libra]

That book is so cool! I love that the pages can be re-arranged. I feel a trip to Staples coming on now. My Master journal is a huge zippered black one with yellow trim, made to be colored on with gel pens. Found it at the height of the gel pen craze while school shopping for my daughter. I also have journals for individual decks. I've been trying to get them into Scrivener but I prefer taking my notes in longhand and having the book right there since I don't read where my computer is. One day, I'll take my master journal and create a handmade, illuminated tome. It just keeps growing though.  :-\

The fact that it keeps growing is a good reason for a book like this. I'm most proud of my table of contents on each section tbh. It's laid out like "XII.I, XII.II, XII.III..." - so, free first Roman numeral is the number of the card, then the second is the page number in that section. I put it in pencil so that I can adjust it as the segments grow.

[Luna]

 

I have a physical journal I keep. I was wondering if anyone else does?

 

Yes, I am currently keeping a journal, though I'm not great at keeping them.  I will start one and then lay it down for months or even in the case of years w/o keeping up with it.  So, I would say I am not great at journaling, as much as I wish I was!

 

If you do what all do you keep in it?

 

I am currently keeping a journal that did start out as just a daily journal, but then morphed into mostly me keeping track of not just the things I/we experienced over the course of the day, but it also contains my dieting wins and losses.  Most days I am good, and actually have been losing weight, but a few times I had really bad days where I chucked it all and ate just what I wanted to!  :shhh:  But, it is also nice to open that journal book and see where I started at and where I am at that particular point in time.  I am winning the race more then not and so far have lost a total of 10 lbs.  :)

 

Daily draws?

Have a list of spreads?

A few times I did write about readings I did for myself or my husband, but no, I rarely put the spread in there.

Do you prefer lined or unlined?

How often do you use it?

I prefer a lined journal book and I try to remember to use it daily, as I also list all I eat and drink and the calories contained in each item.

How did you pick it?

Just picked it up at the store.  Its just a plain book, nothing special to it.  Usually I use a regular college ruled notebook.  I'm not one to pick up those very pretty, expensive 'journal' books.