Reading Energy with the Cards: How Chakras Speak Through Tarot

Tarot is more than a tool for insight—it’s a mirror of the subtle energies flowing (or not flowing) through our bodies and lives. Each chakra, from the root to the crown, corresponds not just to our physical and emotional well-being, but to how we show up in the world. And sometimes, those imbalances speak loud and clear through the cards.

In this post, we’ll explore how each chakra’s energy might show up in your Tarot readings—especially when something’s out of alignment.

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Keywords: Safety, survival, foundation, belonging

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• Excessive Pentacles (esp. reversed) may signal fear around finances or basic needs

• Absence of Earth cards or strong Major Arcana figures (e.g., The Emperor, The Hierophant) can indicate disconnection from structure or community

• Themes of instability, moving frequently, or lacking “ground”

Cards to watch: Five of Pentacles, Four of Pentacles, The Tower, Ten of Wands

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

Keywords: Creativity, pleasure, emotional flow, sensuality

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• Reversed Cups or a lack of Cups altogether

• Difficulty connecting with The Empress or The Lovers archetypes

• Creative blocks, shame around desire, or fear of intimacy

Cards to watch: Four of Cups, Page of Cups reversed, The Devil (when desire feels tangled)

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Keywords: Confidence, power, will, boundaries

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• Reversed Wands or missing Court cards

• Struggles with The Chariot, Strength, or the Queen/King of Wands

• Questions about self-worth, indecision, or people-pleasing behaviors

Cards to watch: Two of Wands reversed, Strength reversed, Seven of Wands

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Keywords: Compassion, love, forgiveness, openness

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• Walls around emotion: reversed Cups, especially the Queen or King of Cups

• Grief and pain themes (Three of Swords) dominating the spread

• The Empress reversed or Hermit upright in a context of isolation

Cards to watch: Three of Swords, Four of Cups, The Star (as a healing prompt)

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Keywords: Communication, truth, expression, authenticity

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• Swords reversed, especially Pages or Aces

• Lack of verbal cards—no messages, no talk of expression

• The Moon + reversed Swords may suggest fear of speaking truth

Cards to watch: Page of Swords, Ace of Swords reversed, The High Priestess (guarded truths)

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Keywords: Intuition, clarity, inner vision

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• Difficulty interpreting cards or feeling “foggy” during a reading

• Lack of visionary cards (The High Priestess, The Moon, The Star)

• Confusion cards like Seven of Cups or reversed Hanged Man

Cards to watch: Seven of Cups, The Moon, Two of Swords, The Hermit

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

Keywords: Spirituality, connection to higher self, transcendence

Signs of imbalance in a reading:

• The Hierophant reversed or The World reversed (resisting spiritual structure or completion)

• Over-reliance on external signs or avoiding internal guidance

• Feeling “disconnected” from the reading or outcome

Cards to watch: The World reversed, Judgment, The Fool (beginning again)

Interpreting the Energy

When you notice repeated patterns—like no Cups in an emotional question, or every Swords card reversed—it’s worth tuning in to the energetic layer of the spread. Ask yourself:

• What chakra might this be pointing to?

• Is there a pattern of depletion, excess, or avoidance?

• What archetype might be trying to emerge—or stay hidden?

Use your body as well as your mind. Does your throat feel tight? Do you feel ungrounded? That’s the beauty of reading energy with Tarot: the cards start the conversation, and your inner wisdom completes it.

Bonus Prompt:

Next time you sit down for a reading, ask:

"Which chakra needs attention right now?"

Pull one card and interpret it through the lens of chakra wisdom. You might be surprised at what speaks.

The road ahead is unwritten, the cards unturned—until next time, walk between the worlds.

Carrie Slayton | Tarot Traveler ©2025