How to Journal Spiritual Practices

How to Journal Spiritual Practices

ByMelissa Kennedy

If you’ve ever started a new spiritual practice—maybe pulling tarot cards, tracking your dreams, or experimenting with numerology—you’ve probably heard the advice: “Journal your journey.” Sounds great, right? But then life happens, notebooks get lost, or you forget what you meant by “big blue bird, 3 swords, weird number 444 everywhere.” The truth: documenting your spiritual practices doesn’t have to be a mysterious or overwhelming task. With a little structure (and some surprisingly helpful products), you can create a journaling habit that actually supports your growth—and only takes about 15 minutes a day.

Why Journal Your Spiritual Practices? (And When Does It Actually Help?)

Let’s be real: not everyone needs to write down every single meditation or tarot pull. But journaling can be a huge asset when you:

  • Want to notice patterns (like dream symbols or repeating numbers)
  • Are trying to build a new habit (daily tarot or mindfulness)
  • Feel “stuck” and want to track what actually works
  • Are learning something new—astrology, crystals, rituals

“If you don’t write it down, you’ll forget it. Keeping a record is the easiest way to spot what’s helping and what’s just hype.”

In my own experience, journaling helped me realize that I always had the same dream the night after full moons, and that my most ‘accurate’ tarot readings happened when I pulled cards in the morning—never late at night. (Coffee, not candles, is apparently my real psychic tool.)

Case Study: One Week of Documenting Dream Symbols

Let’s say you want to start tracking your dreams for intuition, personal growth, or just plain curiosity. Here’s how a real week looked for one of my clients:

  • Day 1: Jotted down “green door, running, dog barking”
  • Day 2: Skipped—slept late, forgot
  • Day 3: “Flying, old school friend, number 7”
  • Day 4: Nothing remembered (but noted down “woke up tired”)
  • Day 5: “Lost keys, beach, 111 on watch”
  • Day 6: “Forest, chasing fox, feeling calm”
  • Day 7: Skipped again—busy morning

What did she notice? Repeating numbers (111, 7), themes of searching or running, and a sense of calm only in nature settings. The takeaway: she started doing a quick “nature visualization” at bedtime and noticed better sleep. That’s the power of tracking, even imperfectly.

How to Set Up a Quick-Start Spiritual Journal (in 15 Minutes!)

Here’s how to get started, whether you’re a pen-and-paper person or prefer apps:

Step 1: Choose Your Tool

  • Old-school notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5—simple, durable, dotted pages for flexibility
  • Guided journal: The Rituals Journal—has prompts for rituals, dreams, tarot, and more
  • Digital app: Day One (iOS/Android)—great for adding photos, audio, or voice notes
  • Spreadsheet: Google Sheets—track dates, symbols, cards, numbers

Pro tip: If you tend to lose notebooks, go digital. If you love stickers and washi tape, go paper.

Step 2: Decide What to Track (Don’t Overcomplicate!)

  • Tarot/Oracle pulls: card(s), question, mood, quick interpretation
  • Dreams: symbols, feelings, colors, any numbers (if you notice them)
  • Angel/numerology numbers: when/where you notice them, what’s happening
  • Rituals: what you did, how you felt before/after, any “results” or signs
  • Mood/energy: optional, but helpful for patterns

Keep it simple: a few lines per day is enough. Use checkboxes if you like structure.

Step 3: Create a Fast Template

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every morning. Here’s a sample “quick log” template you can print or copy into your app:

  • Date:
  • Practice: (tarot, dream, ritual, etc.)
  • Main symbols/numbers/cards:
  • Feelings:
  • Insight/Pattern: (optional)

Set a timer for 5 minutes. That’s all it takes.

Comparison Table: Best Journals & Tools for Spiritual Tracking

Name Key feature Size/Material Price range Amazon link
Leuchtturm1917 A5 Blank/dotted pages, durable binding A5, hard/softcover $20–30 See today’s deal
The Rituals Journal Guided prompts (rituals, tarot, dreams) Paperback, 144 pages $10–15 Check price on Amazon
Day One App Digital, syncs across devices, photos/audio n/a (app) Free/$3–5 monthly Visit site
Google Sheets Customizable, sortable, free n/a (digital) Free Start here

Who is each for?

  • Leuchtturm1917: For stationary lovers who want flexibility (and a bullet journal vibe). Not ideal if you lose notebooks easily.
  • The Rituals Journal: Newbies or anyone who likes prompts. Some find it too structured.
  • Day One App: Tech fans, frequent travelers, anyone who wants to add audio/photos. Monthly fee can be a con.
  • Google Sheets: Data nerds, pattern seekers, those who want to search and sort. Not as “cozy” as a real journal.

Checklist: 15-Minute Daily Spiritual Journaling Routine

  • Choose your moment: Morning (after waking), evening, or right after a ritual/reading
  • Set a timer for 5–10 minutes (less is fine!)
  • Write or record: Main symbols, cards, numbers, feelings, and any quick insight
  • Optional: Add photo, drawing, or voice note if that helps
  • Weekly review: Once a week, scan your entries. Any patterns? Repeat symbols? Jot down 1–2 insights or things to try next.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s building self-awareness, not a work of art.

Recommended Accessories & Extras (Not Required, But Fun!)

Pro tip: Don’t overbuy before you build the habit. Start with what you have, and add tools if they genuinely help.

Links & Further Tools

Final Thoughts: Keep It Real, Keep It Useful

Journaling your spiritual practices is about building self-awareness, not impressing anyone or chasing “perfect vibes.” Whether you’re tracking tarot spreads, dreams, rituals, or lucky numbers, the process only works when it fits your actual life. Experiment, review, and adjust. And if you miss a day (or a week), just pick up where you left off. Growth isn’t linear—even in your notebook.

“The best spiritual journal is the one you’ll actually use.”

Ready to start? Grab a notebook, app, or even a sticky note—just start documenting. You might be surprised at what you discover in 15 minutes a day.

Some links may be affiliate. You pay the same price, and this blog may earn a small commission.

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