• Author: Dawn Michelle (Dawn Michelle Creates – author. content creator.)
• Publisher: Llewellyn (The Tarot of You | Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.)
• Publication Date: April 2026
• RRP: US $16.99 / GP £16.99
• Reviewed by: Cadence (IG: @temperanceandtruth)
   

Note: The deck used in these photos is The Botan Tarot by Addi Miyako (A Miyako M).

I am a long-time follower of Dawn Michelle’s YouTube channel (@Dawn Michelle Creates), and I was thrilled to see that she had written a new book, The Tarot of You. Dawn Michelle is well-known amongst the tarot community as the go-to person for video tutorials on deck modifications (trimming, edging, etc.), and that is how I initially found my way to her channel. In watching her videos, I found that we share a background as readers who were taught through a tarot numerological lens. Dawn Michelle also speaks often about journaling as a means to deepen your tarot practice, and I was happy to find that The Tarot of You delved deeply into that topic.

The Tarot of You was written to support readers with using tarot as a personal growth practice. She notes, “Tarot as a personal practice is an intimate experience. […] You have the power to connect with your inner voice. Some people may experience this as a thought-voice inside their head…Others experience it as the higher self or the ancient wisdom passed down through the connected consciousness of the universe.”

The first three chapters focus on normalizing reading for yourself, turning your readings into regular rituals, the “magic of journaling”, and tips to maintain your practice. Suggested methods for improving and growing your practice are: using tarot as a means of self-care or mindfulness; preparing your own ritual by creating the right space for yourself; shuffling with intention; and journaling for self-expression, study, or to record readings. Dawn Michelle reminds us that there is no right or wrong way to dedicate yourself to any ritual or journaling practice, but the suggestions provided are inspiring and offer many options for creating a deeply personal practice of your own. 

The latter two-thirds of the book is dedicated to an extensive guided practice with each chapter focused on a topic, all containing many spreads. Following each spread, there are a few questions to serve as a deeper reflection of the pull. The first few chapters delve into personal study, with the idea that “the tarot acts as both a guide and a mirror, helping you cultivate a life that aligns with who you truly are and the person you strive to become”, and chapter titles such as: Bloom Where You Are Planted, Whole-Self Care, and Reigniting Fire. Let’s look at a spread from the Ebb and Flow chapter, which focuses on navigating everyday ups and downs.

The Ebb spread:

1. What lesson does this time have to teach me? 4 of Cups (pulled) + 10 of Swords (fell): This is a time for Radical Acceptance. While I am worn out from having faced this issue head-on, rest assured that this is the low point. It is time to be still and to replenish, creating a safe space to recharge my emotional resources.
2. What message do I need to pay attention to? Page of Swords: Accept the truth of where things are, making sure I am operating without any hidden agenda. Be mindful of communicating clearly and effectively, holding my tongue against any tendency to be critical.
3. What needs to be adjusted for it? Queen of Wands: Notice when I have a desire to try to control the issue in the face of opposition. This is no time for ‘my way or the highway’. Practice patience and warmth in every interaction.
4. Where am I still struggling against it? The Star: I lack faith that positive changes are coming. Resist the urge to compare my life to others. Trust in Divine Guidance that this difficult change has happened for the greater good.

The Ebb spread reflection questions are: What do I need to release to keep moving forward? and How can I make space for this experience?

The latter chapters focus on how we can harness the energy of outer influences to become more attuned to our part of the greater whole, with chapters such as: Accessing the Inner Temple; Cosmic Awareness; and Manifesting with the Moon.

I especially enjoyed the Conversing with Guides section and used the Council Spread: Where can my guides be of assistance in my life? [though I am leaving out my interpretations because it felt too personal to share…an excellent review of the book in and of itself!].

1. What my guides wants me to know: 8 of Pentacles
2. How I can navigate my way through: 6 of Cups
3. What must I address before I can move on: Ace of Swords
4. How my guide will support me in this effort: The Hanged Man

Council Reflection:

1. How to continue to nurture this connection: King of Wands
2. Where I can find additional support: 2 of Cups

Sometimes when we use tarot spreads created by others, the prompts are too abstract and can feel impersonal. This is not at all the case in The Tarot of You. In general, the book is a fantastic reflection of the kind and inviting tone that I am accustomed to on Dawn Michelle’s social media channels. And the practice suggestions and the spreads provided are powerful while still being very accessible and clear. It should be noted that the book assumes a basic understanding of tarot, though readers of all levels will find useful tips and exercises on using tarot for personal growth and transformation.

Dawn Michelle has created a means for us to become more intimately connected with ourselves in our practice. We are warmly encouraged to use our cards as, “a gateway to becoming who you are meant to be rather than a simple tool for answering questions”. The practices in The Tarot of You are deeply personal; anyone who wants to truly look at their authentic self will benefit. I can already see that The Tarot of You will be a mainstay on my tarot library shelf as a resource to visit again and again.

About the Author:

Dawn Michelle (@dawnmichellecreates on Instagram) resides in the Pacific Northwest of the US and is also the author of Connecting with The Tarot: A Guide for Bonding with Your Deck as well as the creator of Sacred Threads Oracle, The Rusted Lenormand, and Finders Keepers Oracle. She is currently working on her first fiction novel.

Note: The deck used in these photos is The Botan Tarot by Addi Miyako (A Miyako M).