Do you ever feel inexplicably drawn to certain time periods, cultures, or people?
Do recurring dreams, unexplained phobias, or intense déjà vu haunt you with the feeling that you’ve lived before?
The idea of past lives—previous incarnations of your soul—has existed for thousands of years, embedded in Eastern philosophies, Western occultism, Theosophy, Kabbalah, and New Age spirituality. But how can you access these forgotten memories?
One surprisingly effective tool is the tarot deck—a symbolic system capable of unlocking deep layers of the unconscious mind and, with intention, the soul’s karmic blueprint. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use tarot to explore your past lives, step by mystical step.
What Are Past Lives?
The concept of reincarnation suggests that your soul has lived many lifetimes, each with its own lessons, karma, and spiritual growth. Traditions that support past lives include:
- Hinduism & Buddhism: Samsara, the wheel of rebirth
- Kabbalah: Gilgul haNeshamot (transmigration of souls)
- Western Esotericism: Theosophy and Hermeticism
- Modern Mysticism: Past-life regression therapy
Why explore them?
Because understanding who you were may help you understand who you are—your strengths, blocks, relationships, and soul purpose.
Why Use Tarot for Past Life Exploration?
Tarot is more than a divination tool. It’s a mirror for the unconscious, deeply connected to archetypes, patterns, and karmic echoes. When used with intent, tarot allows you to bypass surface-level logic and tap directly into the akashic field—the spiritual archive of all soul experiences.
Benefits of using tarot for past life work:
- Reveal karmic cycles still affecting this life
- Discover soul connections with others (twin flames, karmic ties)
- Heal unresolved trauma from previous incarnations
- Gain insight into your soul’s purpose and mission
Preparing for a Past Life Tarot Reading
This is not a casual reading. You’re working with deep soul energies and unconscious memories. Prepare like it’s a ritual.
Set Your Intention
Write down or speak aloud a focused intention, such as:
“I ask to be shown a past life that is currently impacting me and needs healing or integration.”
Cleanse Your Space
Use one or more of the following:
- White sage, palo santo, or incense
- Salt circle or bowl
- Bell or tuning fork
- Crystals (e.g., labradorite, amethyst, selenite)
Ground and Protect
Visualize roots from your feet into the Earth. Call upon spirit guides, ancestors, or divine protection if part of your practice.
Choosing the Right Deck and Environment
Not all decks are equally suited for past life work. Look for decks with symbolism, mythic imagery, and esoteric depth.
Recommended Decks:
- Thoth Tarot – rich with Hermetic and Qabalistic symbols
- The Starchild Tarot – cosmic and intuitive
- The Tarot of the Spirit – ideal for soul-level insights
- Rider-Waite-Smith – classic, and easy to interpret
Set the mood:
- Low lighting
- Meditative music
- Optional: candles or ancestral altar
Step-by-Step Guide: Performing a Past Life Tarot Reading
Step 1: Enter Trance or Meditative State
Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Use guided meditation, theta wave music, or visualization. Imagine stepping into a long hallway of doors—each one, a life you’ve lived.
Step 2: Ask Your Question
Hold the deck. Say aloud or mentally:
“What past life experience is influencing my current incarnation the most right now?”
Step 3: Shuffle and Lay Your Spread
Use your chosen layout. Trust your intuition to draw cards—even if they seem “random.”
Step 4: Interpret with an Occult Lens
Tarot doesn’t just tell you “what happened.” It reveals soul stories, archetypal roles, and spiritual lessons. Consider:
- Swords: Conflict, betrayal, intellectual karma
- Cups: Emotional entanglements, love, loss
- Pentacles: Poverty/wealth karma, survival issues
- Wands: Power, rebellion, soul purpose
Use Major Arcana as markers of major karmic turning points. For example:
- The Hierophant: You were part of a religious institution
- The Tower: A violent or shocking death
- The Lovers: Karmic or soul mate bond
- Death: A literal or symbolic transformation
Interpreting Symbols: Archetypes and Karma
Tarot is symbolic. Here’s how to decode some example cards it in a past life context:
| Card | Possible Past Life Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Magician | Sorcerer, alchemist, or manipulator |
| The High Priestess | Occultist, mystic, temple initiate |
| 8 of Swords | Imprisonment, false accusations |
| 3 of Cups | Life of luxury, sisterhood, or hedonism |
| 5 of Pentacles | Life of illness, poverty, abandonment |
| Knight of Wands | Warrior, traveler, exile |
| 10 of Swords | Betrayal or violent end |
How to Validate Your Reading
Skepticism is healthy. Here are ways to validate your reading:
A. Recurring Dreams or Memories
Do your cards reflect dreams, fears, or images that persist?
B. Astrological Synastry
Look into past life indicators in your natal chart, such as the South Node, 12th house, or planetary retrogrades.
C. Past Life Regression Hypnosis
Compare your tarot reading to insights from a professional regression session.
D. Ancestral Patterns
Does this life echo themes from your family or cultural heritage?
Using Tarot to Heal Past Life Trauma
Once you’ve uncovered a past life, healing is crucial.
How Tarot Aids Healing:
- Use affirmation cards from your deck to reprogram karmic beliefs
- Perform a closing ritual: burn, bury, or anoint the cards drawn
- Create a sigil or talisman to mark closure and transformation
- Journal messages from your past self and integrate the wisdom
Optional: Combine your tarot work with energy healing, shadow work, or ancestral altar rituals.
Final Thoughts
Exploring past lives through tarot is one of the most spiritually enriching paths you can take. It can reveal the buried roots of your greatest fears, gifts, relationships, and soul-longings. More importantly, it can liberate you from old karmic stories, allowing you to step into the present with clarity and empowerment.
Tarot doesn’t just predict—it illuminates the soul’s journey.