Introduction: The Shadows in the Small Moments
Many people think of shadow work as diving deep into their past traumas, exploring the vast unconscious, or confronting their most hidden fears. While those elements are certainly part of the journey, the small, everyday moments often reveal just as much about our inner world.
Think about this:
- You snap at a loved one over something trivial, only to regret it later.
- You feel an inexplicable sense of guilt when you take time to rest.
- You sabotage your own success, then convince yourself it wasn’t meant to be.
These moments may seem minor on the surface, but they often point to deeper patterns of wounding, defense mechanisms, and suppressed parts of the psyche.
This is where the Minor Arcana of the Tarot comes in. While the Major Arcana explores overarching life themes and deep transformations, the Minor Arcana reflects the day-to-day interactions, emotions, and struggles that shape our shadow.
Just as Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy recognizes that our everyday reactions are often driven by exiled parts and their protective mechanisms, the Minor Arcana provides a detailed map of these psychological dynamics.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- The Minor Arcana’s role in shadow work (and why the small things matter)
- The four suits as psychological archetypes (relating them to Jungian concepts & IFS)
- Practical tarot spreads for uncovering everyday patterns
- How to integrate insights into real change
Let’s begin by understanding why shadow work isn’t just about the big, dramatic revelations—it’s also about how you show up in the small moments.
The Minor Arcana & The Psychology of Small Moments
We often think of personal growth as the big breakthroughs—the moment you realize a core wound, the deep emotional release in therapy, or the sudden clarity that shifts your entire perspective.
But the real work happens in the small, daily interactions.
Consider these examples:
- You’re exhausted, but instead of resting, you push yourself to clean the house. Why? Perhaps a part of you learned that your worth is tied to productivity (Wands energy).
- You over-apologize in a conversation, even though you didn’t do anything wrong. Could it be an old pattern of keeping the peace, fearing rejection (Cups energy)?
- You procrastinate on an important task and feel intense guilt later. What part of you is afraid of failure—or maybe even success (Swords energy)?
- You hold onto material possessions even when they no longer serve you. Does this reflect a deeper fear of scarcity or change (Pentacles energy)?
These subtle behaviors hold clues to our unconscious wounds, protective strategies, and unresolved emotions.
This is why the Minor Arcana is so important in shadow work.
Each suit represents a different domain of experience—and each card within that suit reveals a different psychological dynamic at play.
By working with the Minor Arcana, we can:
✅ Identify repetitive patterns in our lives
✅ Recognize which inner parts (IFS) are active in certain situations
✅ Understand how our shadows manifest in everyday behavior
✅ Shift our automatic reactions into conscious responses
Next, let’s explore the four suits of the Minor Arcana and how they relate to Jungian archetypes, shadow patterns, and IFS therapy.
The Four Suits as Psychological Archetypes
Each suit of the Minor Arcana represents a core area of human experience—our thoughts, emotions, actions, and material world. But when shadow work is involved, these suits take on a deeper meaning. They reveal how our wounds, defenses, and inner parts shape our daily lives.
1. Wands – The Fire of Identity, Passion & Willpower
Themes: Drive, ambition, creativity, personal power, life force energy
Shadow Manifestation: Burnout, impatience, over-identification with achievement, suppressing anger
IFS Connection: The Manager that keeps you constantly productive to avoid feelings of failure
Example:
You have a strong passion project but find yourself procrastinating. Your inner Manager tells you, \”You must do this perfectly, or you’ll fail.\” But beneath it, an Exile fears rejection for not being good enough.
How to Use Tarot for Shadow Work:
- Pull a Wands card and ask: What desire or suppressed passion is this revealing?
- Journal: Where do I feel pressure to succeed? What emotions am I avoiding?
2. Cups – The Ocean of Emotions, Relationships & Intuition
Themes: Love, connection, vulnerability, subconscious patterns
Shadow Manifestation: Fear of abandonment, emotional repression, unhealthy attachments
IFS Connection: The Firefighter who numbs painful emotions with distractions or over-giving
Example:
You notice a pattern—when someone sets a boundary with you, you feel intense hurt. A Firefighter part rushes in, trying to win their affection to soothe an Exile that holds a childhood wound of rejection.
How to Use Tarot for Shadow Work:
- Pull a Cups card and ask: What emotional truth am I avoiding?
- Meditate: Where do I give too much to feel worthy?
3. Swords – The Realm of Thought, Beliefs & Inner Conflict
Themes: Mindset, clarity, communication, truth-seeking
Shadow Manifestation: Negative self-talk, anxiety, overthinking, self-sabotage
IFS Connection: The Manager that controls with rigid thinking to protect an Exile from uncertainty
Example:
You constantly replay past conversations, wondering if you said the wrong thing. A hyper-vigilant Manager tries to prevent embarrassment, while a hidden Exile still carries childhood shame from being criticized.
How to Use Tarot for Shadow Work:
- Pull a Swords card and ask: What thought pattern is limiting me?
- Challenge: Whose voice is in my head when I doubt myself?
4. Pentacles – The Earth of Stability, Security & Worth
Themes: Survival, abundance, self-worth, physical health
Shadow Manifestation: Fear of scarcity, workaholism, rigid attachment to money or status
IFS Connection: The Manager that clings to material security to avoid feeling powerless
Example:
You struggle with spending money on yourself, even for self-care. Your Manager says, “You must always save, or you’ll be unsafe.” Underneath, an Exile still carries childhood fears of financial instability.
How to Use Tarot for Shadow Work:
- Pull a Pentacles card and ask: What security need is driving my decisions?
- Reflection: How does my relationship with money mirror my inner world?
The Journey from Ace to King: How Each Card Reflects the Shadow Self
Each suit in the Minor Arcana follows a structured progression from Ace to King, representing different phases of growth, challenge, and integration. When working with shadow aspects, these ranks reveal where we are stuck, what defenses we use, and what deeper wounds lie beneath.
1. Aces – The Birth of Energy & Raw Potential
Light Side: New beginnings, inspiration, opportunities
Shadow Side: Fear of change, resisting initiation, self-doubt
IFS Connection: An Exile afraid to embrace new experiences due to past wounds
Example:
- Ace of Cups in Shadow: You deeply crave love and connection but sabotage relationships because an inner Exile fears being hurt again.
- Ace of Swords in Shadow: You have a brilliant idea but hold back, afraid of criticism.
Shadow Work Question: What new beginning am I avoiding, and why?
2-4 – Early Development & Inner Conflict
- Twos: Choices, duality, balance (Shadow: Indecisiveness, inner conflict)
- Threes: Growth, collaboration, first steps (Shadow: Fear of failure, needing external validation)
- Fours: Stability, pause, contemplation (Shadow: Stagnation, resisting change, avoidance)
Example:
- Four of Pentacles in Shadow: You hoard money or resources out of deep-seated scarcity fears from childhood.
- Three of Swords in Shadow: You cling to heartbreak, reliving past wounds instead of healing.
Shadow Work Question: Where am I stuck in early growth? Am I resisting or over-controlling?
5-7 – Struggles, Challenges & Defense Mechanisms
- Fives: Conflict, loss, disruption (Shadow: Victim mentality, fear of instability)
- Sixes: Transition, hope, lessons (Shadow: Avoidance, spiritual bypassing)
- Sevens: Strategy, deception, reassessment (Shadow: Self-sabotage, distrust)
Example:
- Seven of Swords in Shadow: You deceive yourself about your emotions, convincing yourself you \”don’t care\” when you actually do.
- Five of Wands in Shadow: You create conflict in relationships because inner chaos feels normal.
Shadow Work Question: What defense mechanism am I using to cope with discomfort?
8-10 – Breakthrough, Mastery & Transformation
- Eights: Strength, movement, persistence (Shadow: Pushing too hard, burnout)
- Nines: Near completion, self-reliance (Shadow: Isolation, fear of vulnerability)
- Tens: Completion, endings, lessons (Shadow: Over-identification with suffering, resistance to closure)
Example:
- Nine of Swords in Shadow: Your anxiety spirals at night because you suppress emotions during the day.
- Ten of Cups in Shadow: You believe external perfection will bring happiness while ignoring internal wounds.
Shadow Work Question: Am I embracing or resisting the lessons I need to learn?
Court Cards – The Inner Family of the Psyche
Court cards represent different aspects of our personality. In shadow work, they reflect unintegrated parts, masks we wear, or inner voices that shape our behavior.
- Pages (The Child/Exiles): Innocence, curiosity, vulnerability (Shadow: Immaturity, fear of responsibility)
- Knights (The Rebel/Firefighters): Action, exploration, impulsiveness (Shadow: Recklessness, avoidance, overcompensation)
- Queens (The Nurturer/Managers): Emotion, depth, inner wisdom (Shadow: Emotional repression, over-giving, control disguised as care)
- Kings (The Authority/Integrated Self): Mastery, leadership, balance (Shadow: Tyranny, suppressing emotions, fear of change)
Example:
- Knight of Wands in Shadow: You chase new projects obsessively but never finish because commitment feels suffocating.
- Queen of Cups in Shadow: You absorb everyone’s emotions but never tend to your own wounds.
Shadow Work Question: Which court card energy do I struggle with, and why?
Shadow Work Tarot Spreads Using the Minor Arcana
Now that we’ve explored the psychological meaning of the Minor Arcana from Ace to King, it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. Tarot spreads designed for shadow work can reveal hidden fears, outdated patterns, and suppressed parts of the self.
In this section, we’ll explore three powerful spreads that integrate Jungian psychology and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Each spread includes a practical example, so you can see how it works in action.
1. The Inner Conflict Spread
What happens when different parts of you are in disagreement?
Purpose:
This spread helps identify inner conflict between different psychological parts, often between an Exile (deep wounds), a Manager (control), and a Firefighter (impulsive reactions).
The Spread Layout:
- The Root of the Conflict – The deep, hidden fear or wound.
- The Manager’s Perspective – How your controlling or perfectionist side tries to protect you.
- The Firefighter’s Reaction – How impulsive or numbing behaviors step in to handle distress.
- A Message from the Exile – What your wounded self truly needs.
- The Path to Integration – How to bring these parts into balance.
Example Reading: Difficulty Accepting Change
Situation: Sophie is struggling with unexpected changes at work. She feels out of control, overwhelmed, and keeps distracting herself to avoid dealing with the emotions.
Her Reading:
- Root of the Conflict (Exile): Four of Pentacles – Fear of instability, holding on too tightly to control.
- Manager’s Perspective: King of Swords – A rigid need for structure and predictability.
- Firefighter’s Reaction: Knight of Wands – Impulsively seeking distractions (social media, overworking).
- Message from the Exile: Five of Cups – She needs to grieve past losses before embracing change.
- Path to Integration: The World – Accepting endings as part of personal growth.
Reflection:
Sophie realizes her Manager (King of Swords) tries to control everything, while her Firefighter (Knight of Wands) distracts her with busyness. Her Exile (Five of Cups) holds unprocessed grief. Instead of avoiding these emotions, she can work on gently allowing herself to feel and process the discomfort of change.
2. The Self-Sabotage Spread
Why do you keep repeating certain patterns?
Purpose:
This spread helps uncover self-sabotaging behaviors and their hidden roots. Often, we repeat destructive patterns because parts of us believe they are keeping us safe.
The Spread Layout:
- The Repeating Pattern – What behavior keeps showing up?
- The Deep Fear Behind It – What hidden belief drives this pattern?
- How the Manager Enforces It – What protective strategies keep the pattern alive?
- How the Firefighter Distracts from It – How avoidance or numbing behaviors play a role.
- What the Exile Needs Instead – What the wounded self truly longs for.
- Breaking the Cycle – How to start healing this pattern.
Example Reading: Avoiding Emotional Intimacy
Situation: Alex finds himself pushing people away whenever relationships get too deep, even though he craves emotional closeness.
His Reading:
- Repeating Pattern: Seven of Swords – Avoidance, secrecy, self-protection.
- Deep Fear: Three of Swords – Fear of heartbreak and emotional betrayal.
- How the Manager Enforces It: Queen of Swords – Keeping emotional distance, intellectualizing feelings.
- How the Firefighter Distracts from It: Devil – Using distractions (social media, overindulgence) to avoid intimacy.
- What the Exile Needs Instead: Two of Cups – Safe, reciprocal emotional connection.
- Breaking the Cycle: Knight of Cups – Learning to take small emotional risks.
Reflection:
Alex’s Manager (Queen of Swords) keeps people at a distance, while his Firefighter (Devil) numbs emotions with distractions. His Exile (Three of Swords) carries old wounds of heartbreak. He realizes that healing requires taking small, safe emotional steps (Knight of Cups), rather than shutting down at the first sign of closeness.
3. The Shadow Integration Spread
How can you embrace and work with your shadow?
Purpose:
This spread helps you face suppressed aspects of yourself—the parts you reject, fear, or avoid.
The Spread Layout:
- The Shadow Self – What aspect of you is hidden or rejected?
- How It Affects You – How this shadow influences your life.
- Why You Repress It – The reason this part of you remains hidden.
- How to Acknowledge It – A step toward accepting and understanding this shadow.
- How to Integrate It Positively – How this part can be transformed into a strength.
Example Reading: Struggling with Anger
Situation: Mia has always seen anger as “bad” and suppresses it—but she finds herself passive-aggressive and resentful.
Her Reading:
- The Shadow Self: Knight of Swords – A fiery, assertive side she denies.
- How It Affects Her: Four of Cups – Emotional numbness, dissatisfaction.
- Why She Represses It: Hierophant – She was raised to believe anger is disrespectful.
- How to Acknowledge It: Strength – Seeing anger as a natural, powerful emotion rather than something to suppress.
- How to Integrate It: King of Wands – Learning to express her needs with confidence and authority.
Reflection:
Mia realizes her repressed anger (Knight of Swords) manifests as detachment (Four of Cups). Her upbringing (Hierophant) taught her that anger was unacceptable. By recognizing anger as a source of power (Strength), she can learn to assert herself in a healthy way (King of Wands) rather than suppressing her needs.
Final Thoughts
Shadow work with the Minor Arcana offers practical, structured ways to explore your unconscious patterns and defenses. These spreads help uncover deep-seated wounds, psychological defenses, and paths to healing.
Want to Go Deeper?
To support your journey, download my free worksheet Exploring the Minor Arcana for Deep Shadow Work, which includes:
✔️ Step-by-step guidance for using these spreads.
✔️ Journal prompts for deeper reflection.
✔️ Extra techniques for working with your shadow.
What’s Next?
In the next article, we’ll explore advanced tarot techniques for shadow work, including how to create your own personal tarot rituals for self-integration.
Let’s chat!
Have you ever used the Minor Arcana for shadow work? What insights have you uncovered about your unconscious patterns? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Ready for the next part of this series? Read Tarot for Shadow Work: Practical Techniques & Spreads (Part 4 of 6) + free PDF
Would you rather revisit previous parts?
Tarot for Shadow Work? A Beginner’s Guide (Part 1 of 6) + free PDF
Tarot for Shadow Work: The Major Arcana as a Roadmap to Your Hidden Self (Part 2 of 6) + free PDF
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