I’ve put together a self-guided workbook that takes you through one session of shadow working with a tarot or oracle deck. I used an oracle deck I created for myself, which I share for free here (scroll down). Go there and you can download all digital files for it to print out and produce your own copy of the deck.

However, I would not recommend using my little deck unless for some reason you have a deep, personal, and intuitive connection with it. =)  For this particular type of work, go with a deck that feels like your extra limb–it’s that much a part of you. Go with a deck, tarot or oracle, that is home to you, that you know well, a deck that knows you well. Get what I mean? Use that deck that you’re simply in love with. I do not recommend using a deck you’re just starting to learn how to operate. I even wonder if an oracle deck with keywords or affirmations, rather than tarot, would work better for this particular workbook. In any event, that’s up to you. Tarot or oracle, I recommend that you take time and care selecting your deck before you start.

The above photo shows you the items I recommend you having on hand when you sit down to run through this session. I find that blending internal Q&A, cartomancy, and very, very simple little rituals results in a shadow work session that anyone can do (even if you’re not a tarot reader, you could use an oracle deck with keywords and captions that requires no prior card experience). I certainly did not get ceremonial here. I tried to keep this to something anyone, any joe shmoe or jane doe could work with and get some value out of.

Did want to note that when I write stuff on pieces of scrap paper that are to then be burned, I use joss paper. Joss paper is thin, and the ones I have are made of rice, and were made intended for you to burn, so if you can get your hands on thin joss paper for the write something + burn it components, that’d be great. However, I’m sure normal paper works fine. Just observe all standard fire hazard precautions.

Also, it makes sense for you to scroll through and review the workbook first, to make adjustments as needed, so the exercise resonates with you, and then print it out to do the session. Think of the direct download of this workbook as a default setting. Once you get the default setting, you may need to customize it to fit you. As my hubby has said many times, he never direct downloads software and accepts its default settings. He always customizes, and I think this is worth your while to customize. I’ve created the default setting to, obviously, fit me. I mean. Come on. I don’t even know you. 😉

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get into doing tarot readings for myself, but in a way beyond, like, you know, I don’t know, the normal stuff of just specific question or general readings. That wasn’t motivating me to use my cards for myself. This workbook, however… this… yes, this is what I’ve been searching for in terms of reading tarot for myself. (Or oracle cards.)

My personal experience with the guided session was perspective changing. Even if you’re skeptical about some of the really woo practices I recommend, which are interspersed throughout the workbook, I hope you’ll acknowledge that there’s something oddly calming about it if you actually indulge in the practices as instructed.

Independent Shadow Work Cartomancy Session

Guided Workbook

 DOCX | Shadow Work Session with the Cards

PDF | Shadow Work Session with the Cards

By the way, in case you’re wondering, yes of course please feel free to use the contents of the workbook in any way you’d like, as you will. That means if you’re a teacher or spiritual counselor and want to incorporate content from my workbook, in part or even in whole, as-is or modified, for client sessions or workshops you teach, that’s totally cool by me, though a tiny shout-out to Benebell would be appreciated greatly, but it’s not like I’m going to police the Internet. (I’m not going to police the Internet.)

And if you’re a blogger or vlogger who wants to present the workbook and talk about it with your audience, omg hell yeah do you know how stoked I would be by that? Don’t even bother asking for permission. Just be sure to link me so I can watch like a giggly and totally flattered schoolgirl.