june 2026 spreads for all

hello, friends. every month in my hermitage membership program, i send out an informal audio recording chatting about a tarot topic that's been on my mind. and this month, one of my lovely hermits asked me to talk about the challenges of pulling scary cards in scary moments — why it happens, how we cope, and what can help us navigate these particularly tough synchronicities.

it got me thinking about working with scary cards intentionally, identifying what about these cards can feel activating to us, and finding ways to embrace the medicine of challenging archetypes. so with that in mind, this month's spreads are all about some of the cards that can feel tough, overwhelming, or difficult to navigate.

but first, just to be clear: not all of these cards are necessarily "bad" — and not all tarot cards that scare you are necessarily bad either. some cards that feel really great for you might trigger the hell out of somebody else, and vice versa. we all get to have our own relationships with the tarot, and that includes the ways that our relationships with specific cards may ebb and flow over time.

the cards i've chosen for this month's spreads are ones that are often listed on "scariest cards" lists, or that seem to be activating for many people — but that doesn't mean that you have to be scared of them. i mean hell, i have a three of swords tattoo and am writing a whole damn book on the devil. sometimes we love cards that make other people nervous. sometimes we embrace things that other people are afraid of. and sometimes we learn to find the joy and power in cards or ideas or moments that make others flinch.

lean in, friends. you get to have whatever relationship you want with these cards, and get to embody them in whatever ways you wish. it's my hope that these spreads help you explore more deeply, find the medicine and the magic, and get the support you need all month long.

happy pride. let's get weird. let's make medicine out of what scares us.

changing towers: a tower tarot spread for embracing change. this is an archetype often associated with catastrophe, destruction, and chaos — but it can also be about clarity, adventure, and breakthroughs. what if the chaos you're feeling is the catalyst for the change you truly need?

card one / the chaos you feel: the disruption, contraction, obstacle, or confusion that you are experiencing; the sensory madness you're moving through
card two / the change you need: the adjustment, expansion, transformation, or discovery that this may lead to; the long-term shift that this moment could bring

ten swords is enough: a ten of swords tarot spread for opening your mind. listen, sometimes this card sure is calling out a victim mindset or a full surrender to the negative thoughts. and, as tumblr user queenlua reminds us, if it took ten swords to kill you then you must've put up a pretty good fight.

card one / an old way of thinking: something you were once positive was true; an old belief or a prior viewpoint that you no longer hold
card two / a new perspective: something you are learning and discovering; an expansion of the mind or a way you are changing what you think
card three / how to start the next chapter: a piece of advice or next step to move beyond this moment; something to try out that will help you turn the page

death comes as the end: a death tarot spread for transformative endings. i think it's important to let death be death — not rebirth, not transition, but a true inevitable end. but/and/also death doesn't have to mean that every single thing has ended, and it's possible to let death be death while also noting what it is making room for.

card one / a necessary conclusion: something that is over, closing, leaving, or ending; something that has reached its final moments
card two / a potent expansion: something that now has space to take root; a place that this life energy can now flow into

five of grounding: a five of pentacles tarot spread for tangible adjustments. sure, friction and tension can be uncomfortable. but think about how valuable, how useful, how sensual friction and tension can be when we recognize what we're moving through, adjust accordingly, and allow ourselves to really pursue what satisfies us.

card one / a need you're feeling: a craving or longing or desire or hunger that you're currently experiencing; something necessary
card two / something that can help: a next step or resource that can support you in getting what you need; a path forward
card three / an adjustment to make: a change or shift that will make your path forward easier or simpler; the friction that you have to move through first

wishing you a proud, magical, empowering june, friends.

i'm cooking up something fun and foolish that i'll be announcing tomorrow, so if you've been hungry for a new tarot community container, stay on the lookout 🛝

and remember that if you're ready to expand, transform, and personalize your tarot practice, the hermitage membership program was designed with you in mind. curious? get started with three totally free downloadable lectures right now: