A Tarot Spread for Heartbreak and Self Compassion

Heartbreak is a complex emotion that can make us feel fragmented, it’s deep, cutting and at times a cruel or unexpected shake up. Regardless of what happened or occurred between you and another, it’s a kind of grief. On an emotional level this loss or hurt registers as an intense and sometimes even traumatic experience and throughout the duration of the deepest feelings of loss and severity it’s as if the heart temporarily disintegrates ones outer shell, one’s deepest feelings become exposed, highlighted, heightened, they’re more apparent to oneself (and to the careful observer), emotions just fill the being from head to toe. The usual lens in which one would normally view the world from takes a sort of vacation, what one sees and perceives at this time can be blurry and confusing with a touch of gloom, it's a vulnerable space to be in. One’s life can feel altered because in truth something has shifted, paused, or yielded, the world doesn't feel the same after. I sincerely hope that at this stage you are able to or have the option to lean into the arms and support of family and friends at this time to heal through their love and care however even when that's not available or the case, our own love can reach places deep within that can bring about healing in profound ways, the love one pours into the self, the more one can lean into mercy, compassion, love and trust, it becomes the perfect recipe for internal changes, graceful and beneficial little transformations for the soul. In this precious moment, one beautiful thing we can do for ourselves is to take a moment to reflect and assess our own emotional landscape when we feel ready to to get a clear or better view of our unique situation through the eyes of compassion and unconditional love. 

From observation and personal experience especially while working with tarot and with energy work over the past few years, I've observed that feelings sometimes have needs separate from our conscious minds and sometimes what they want and need is to be acknowledged as well as expressed, it’s how the emotional body feels respected and heard. Provided, with the right prompts and focus on clarity, truth, communion with our higher self/the divine and acceptance it can be helpful to embark on a journey of introspection and understanding. I find that for those of you who resonate with using tarot for personal development and who like to partake in shadow work for healing, that journaling with tarot can be just the right fit for unraveling and clearing our minds, hearts and overall psyche. I therefore created a tarot or oracle spread specifically for times when we experience heartbreak, it’s a seven card spread that assists us alongside journaling to provide guidance and insight. It’s tailored for divine support and for the individual to open a conversation about the matter with love and clear thinking in mind.

Seven Card Tarot Spread for Heartbreak and Self Compassion:

• The essence of the heartache. What hurt and in what way?

• What was a key issue or problem in this situation?

• What is your heart coming to terms with compassionately at this time?

• What needed/needs to shift to bring about a more balanced situation for yourself?

• In what ways can you hold yourself to feel the love and healing that you deserve at this time?

• In what ways is the divine protecting and supporting you during this time?

• What does the light at the end of the tunnel look like for you? (the silver lining)