Everything you need to know about The Tarot Artist's Way

Our summer tarot journaling programme combining Julia Cameron's the Artist's Way with Tarot archetypes

May 05, 2025

Hi little coven.

Four years ago I made a note in my coffee-stained copy of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. The seed of an idea: “It would be cool to run an Artist’s Way tarot-led workshop…”

Next week that seed blooms. Here’s everything you need to know ↓

The Tarot Artist’s Way – FAQ

When does it start?

The first live session is Sunday, May 11, at 7pm UK / 2pm Eastern / 11am Pacific. Recordings will be available if you can’t make it live. A full schedule is available at the bottom of this email.

Do I need to have read The Artist’s Way before we start?

Not at all! You don’t need to read anything in advance. Our first session is an introduction — no prep required. You’re welcome to follow along with the book as we go, but it’s not mandatory.

What if I don’t have time for the demands of The Artist’s Way/just want to keep meeting for weekly tarot journaling as normal?

You do NOT need to commit to doing the Artist’s Way in full (ie: all exercises, daily morning pages, artist’s dates, or the Week 4 media cleanse) to benefit from joining us on this journey.
While I will be offering support and guidance for anyone working through the book in full, our Sunday journaling sessions where we pull cards in response to the creative themes present in the Artist’s Way will benefit you whether you’re doing a full readalong of the book or not. If you love being a member of our weekly journaling club and just want to keep coming for weekly tarot spreads and reflection, you don’t need to do any extra homework - I promise that The Artist’s Way-inspired spreads will still offer resonant opportuniuties for reflection whether you’re reading along or not.
In weekly Monday emails, I’ll also be offering alternatives and reframes on some of the most rigourous requirements of The Artist’s Way so that you can meet the programme where you’re at.

What do I get as part of the programme?

Paying subscribers to The Shuffle receive:
Weekly essays linking tarot archetypes with The Artist’s Way themes
Journaling prompts and creative exercises
Access to all live Sunday sessions (and replays)
A dedicated chat thread for readers working through the book — available now for discussion and check-ins
20% off a special “Letter from Your Inner Artist” tarot reading (Founding Members can claim the written reading free, email me at hi@chelseypippin.com to arrange)

What about free subscribers?

Free subscribers will receive the Monday essay introducing the week’s card and theme — but the prompts, live sessions, replays, and community chat are exclusive to paid subscribers.

What’s the format each week?

Monday: Email with the week’s theme and tarot archetype + prompts and exercise suggestions
Sunday: Live tarot journaling session via Zoom
Each theme is based on the 12 chapters of The Artist’s Way, beginning with Week One: Recovering a Sense of Safety + The Hanged One.
In between: A dedicated Shuffle chat thread for anyone working through the book in full

How much does it cost?

Paid subscriptions to The Shuffle cost €7/month or €59/year
This gives you full access to the entire 12-week programme and all other paid-subscriber benefits, including access to over 50 hours of pre-recorded tarot journaling sessions, 20% off tarot readings, and other gifts and goodies as I come up with them.

Do I need a tarot deck?

Yes — you’ll need your own tarot deck to get the most out of the programme. Any standard tarot deck is fine, and you’re welcome to use one that feels personal and inspiring to you.

Can I join late?

Yes — late joiners are welcome! You’re welcome to hop in at any point in the programme that works for you, but to get the most out of the community aspect of the programme, I suggest kicking off with us on May 11.
When it comes to joining weekly sessions later than the start time, you’re also welcome to arrive when you can, just note that you may not be admitted to the live Zoom session right away, as I’ll be running the room solo.
All replays and materials are available to paid subscribers, so you won’t miss anything if you catch up afterward.

What’s the difference between this and just doing The Artist’s Way solo?

This isn’t a strict chapter-by-chapter readalong — it’s a guided remix. The tarot lens helps shift the focus to inner exploration, intuitive pacing, and creative reflection, which may feel more flexible and supportive than a standard bookclub-style structure.

Is this only for writers?

No! This is for anyone navigating a creative path — visual artists, performers, makers, musicians, journalers, creative entrepreneurs, or just the creatively curious.

What if I’m not a “tarot person”?

You don’t need to be! The tarot is used here as a creative and reflective tool — not for prediction. Think of the cards as a visual language for understanding your creative path, emotions, and blocks.

Can I get personalised support?

I’ll be active in the comments on posts and offering dedicated support in The Shuffle chat. For more in-dept support through your Artist’s Way journey, I’m offering a special Letter from Your Inner Artist tarot reading, inspired by the programme’s themes and my personal approach to the work. Paying subscribers receive 20% off this limited-time offer. Founding Members can claim this reading for free - drop me an email to arrange.

Will the live sessions be recorded?

Yes! Recordings will be shared with all paid subscribers and posted in the Substack archive shortly after each session.The Tarot Artist’s Way Schedule
All live sessions take place on Sundays at 7pm UK time / 2pm Eastern US / 11am Pacific Time

The Tarot Artist’s Way runs 11 May - 3 August.

Here’s the full schedule ↓

Introduction and intentions

May 11 live session (recording available May 12)

Week One: Recovering a Sense of Safety with The Hanged One

May 12: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
May 18: Live session, Creative Safety Spread & discussion

Week Two: Recovering a Sense of Identity with Judgement

May 19: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
May 25: Live session, Creative Identity Spread & discussion

Week Three: Recovering a Sense of Power with The Magician

May 26: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
June 1: Live session, Creative Power Spread & discussion

Week Four: Recovering a Sense of Integrity with The Hermit

June 2: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
June 8: Live session, Creative Integrity Spread & discussion

Week Five: Recovering a Sense of Possibility with The Wheel of Fortune

June 9: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
June 15: Live session, Creative Possibility Spread & discussion

Week Six: Recovering a Sense of Abundance with The Empress

June 16: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
June 22: Live session, Creative Abundance Spread & discussion

Week Seven: Recovering a Sense of Connection with The Lovers (and the Devil)

June 23: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
June 29: Live session, Creative Connection Spread & discussion

Week Eight: Recovering a Sense of Strength with Strength

June 30: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
July 6: Live session, Creative Strength Spread & discussion

Week Nine: Recovering a Sense of Compassion with The Star

July 7: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
July 13: Live session, Creative Compassion Spread & discussion

Week Ten: Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection with Temperance

July 14: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
July 20: Live session, Creative Self-Protection Spread & discussion

Week Eleven: Recovering a Sense of Autonomy with The World

July 21: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
July 27: Live session, Creative Autonomy Spread & discussion

Week Twelve: Recovering a Sense of Faith with the Fool

July 28: Monday email introducing card + theme for the week
August 3: Live session, Creative Faith Spread & discussion

Tell me in the comments:

Do you have an “unpopular opinion,” gripe, or turn-off concerning The Artist’s Way? Let me know and I’ll take it into consideration whilst I continue to develop alternatives, adaptations, and exercises for our summer programme.