Hello, everyone! My name is Star Isabella Romero, and I’m excited to share my passion for tarot with you today. I’m a sophomore at Miami Dade College North Campus, studying library science. My interests lie in the arts, mysticism, philosophy, mythology and psychology. In searching for a way to combine all of my interests, I've often found myself drawn to Tarot and have even begun my own tarot practices and readings. I find that tarot reading provides a unique way to explore these areas while fostering personal growth and self-reflection, inspiring us to delve deeper into our inner selves and motivations.
Through my research, I’ve explored the history of tarot and its role in helping people understand themselves better. While many still see tarot as just a tool for fortune-telling, it is increasingly recognized as a resource for self-awareness and introspection. In fact, psychologists and therapists are now using tarot to assist people in navigating their emotions, making important decisions, and tackling all of life’s challenges. It is fascinating to see how this often-misunderstood practice can encourage self-discovery and personal insight.
Tarot is set of cards commonly used for divination, the occult, and even self-introspection. Occultists and tarot readers may use the cards to gain insight on personal situations and even tell the future. The imagery of the cards was specifically designed to invoke feelings and emotions within the subconscious. Some attribute tarot readings to the equivalent of using a Ouija Board, while others consider any knowledge or insight taken from the cards to come from one's own personal subconscious mind. The general idea is that readers can call upon anyone or anything for guidance, using the cards as a form of interpretation. Reading and interpreting the cards can almost feel like trying to find Where's Waldo, looking at the big picture while the true meaning is hidden in plain sight.
History of Tarot
The history and origins of the tarot are not exactly set in stone. While researching, I found many different versions of the card's history. Historically, tarot can be traced back to Italy in the 15th century, but it is commonly believed by occultists and historians that tarot has potentially been around for much longer.
One theory suggests that tarot cards have a Hindu origin, specifically a card game that features four suits illustrating the Hindu God Ardhanari and his consort Devi. These suits represent a cup, a wand, a sword, and a ring. This game is believed to have originated in Europe and ultimately inspired the tarot cards we use today.
Anthony Court de Je Berlin, a former protestant priest, proposed the card's mysterious history began in Egypt and contained the wisdom of the Egyptian God Thoth (The Book of Thoth). The word tarot was even believed to be derived from two Egyptian words, "Tar," meaning road, and "Rot," meaning wisdom. Despite these claims, little historical evidence supports that tarot started in Egypt. Most of these ideas stem from the fact that the main story and archetypes presented within the tarot cards are commonly found across many different cultures, mythologies, and folklore. The Book of Thoth and Egyptian mythology inspire many modern decks.
In mid-15th century Europe, in Italy, tarot was played as a card game called Tarocchi. The early tarot decks consisted of 78 cards, divided into two main groups: the Major and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana represents significant life events, spiritual lessons, and major turning points, consisting of 22 cards with deep, often archetypal meanings. The Minor Arcana focuses on the more day-to-day experiences and practical aspects of life, made up of 56 cards divided into four suits: wands, cups, swords, and pentacles or coins; essentially, the Major Arcana provides broader guidance while the Minor Arcana delves into specifics of a situation.
One of the oldest and most famous surviving tarot decks is the Visconti-Sforza deck. It is an incomplete set of approximately 15 decks dating back to the 15th century. They were commissioned by Filippo Maria Visconti, the Duke of Milan, and his successor and son-in-law, Francesco Sforza. These cards significantly impacted the visual elements, card numbering, and interpretations that would inspire modern tarot decks later.
Initially, tarot was simply a fun game people of all social classes enjoyed. However, by the late 18th century, Jean-Baptiste Alliette, known as Etteilla, began to explore the deeper meanings of the cards. This shift started with tarot’s connection to spiritual insight and divination.
Another important tarot deck is the Marseille Tarot. This standard deck of 78 cards was popular in France in the 17th and 18th centuries, mostly used for playing. The deck is still produced today.
In the 19th century, various mystical groups, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, examined the magical aspects of tarot and connected it to ancient traditions and wisdom.
A significant moment for tarot came in 1909 with the release of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. This deck became popular because of its accessible imagery, making connecting with the cards’ meanings easier. This ensured that everyone could engage with tarot regardless of their background.
Evolution of Tarot
Today, tarot has evolved to include a wide variety of themes and artistic styles. Many people use tarot for personal reflection and growth, allowing them to explore their thoughts and feelings in a structured way, providing a guided path to understanding their inner selves. Many artists and occultists have turned to creating Oracle cards. Oracle cards are a form of divination cards created with much broader imagery and often take inspiration from mythology, religion, pop culture, fairy tales, and much more. Oracle cards can be used separately or used in conjunction with traditional Tarot readings.
I want to highlight the idea that Tarot has not only been embraced for personal self-awareness but also has deep connections with various psychological and narrative theories.
Carl Jung: An Important Figure in Psychology and Tarot
Before we discuss the meanings of specific tarot cards, it’s important to talk about the psychologist Carl Jung and how his ideas relate to tarot. Jung was a significant figure in psychology, known for exploring the human mind. He introduced concepts like the collective unconscious, suggesting that we all share common memories and symbols that shape our understanding of the world. He also discussed archetypes, which are universal symbols and themes found across cultures.
Jung’s work encourages people to explore their inner thoughts and feelings, which aligns perfectly with the practice of tarot reading. By examining our emotions and motivations, we can better understand ourselves. Tarot serves as a valuable tool for this kind of self-exploration.
Tools for Self-Discovery
Each tarot card holds specific meanings that connect to Jung’s archetypes. For instance, the Fool card represents new beginnings and a sense of adventure. When drawn, it can reflect our current mindset and encourage us to embrace change. Therapists increasingly use tarot because it provides clients with a different way to discuss their problems and aspirations. Engaging with tarot can lead to valuable insights and deeper conversations about a person’s life. Jung’s idea of synchronicity also plays a role in tarot. This concept suggests that some coincidences carry deeper meanings. For example, when a card drawn resonates with a person’s current situation, it can feel incredibly significant, providing clarity and validation. Carl Jung’s ideas are essential to understanding the depth of tarot. His insights have helped many view tarot as a legitimate self-exploration and personal growth method. Combining Jung’s psychological principles with tarot reading helps people better understand their inner selves.
When exploring the connections between Tarot and self-awareness, it's also important to highlight the contributions of Joseph Campbell, whose work often relates to the narrative structure of Tarot. Like Carl Jung, Campbell's insights delve into the realm of the unconscious and universal themes that resonate with the human experience.
Joseph Campbell was an American author and editor. He introduced the idea of "The Hero's Journey," also called the "monomyth," in his The Hero With a Thousand Faces. This idea describes a common story pattern found in across cultures.
In a typical Hero's Journey, a hero goes on an adventure. It starts with the "Call to Adventure," where the hero is invited to leave their normal life and face new challenges. As the hero goes through this journey, they meet mentors, friends, and enemies that test their skills and character.
While facing these challenges, the hero learns important lessons and gains new strengths. This change is often marked by a moment of reconciliation, where the hero resolves an inner conflict or makes peace with a powerful figure. Finally, the hero returns home with new knowledge or power that can help their community.
Campbell's work shows a universal story pattern that connects different cultures through stories of heroism and change. His insights have influenced many writers and filmmakers, deepening our understanding of storytelling and the shared human experience.
Influence on Popular Culture
The Hero's Journey has influenced many works of fiction, shaping stories across genres. Many noteworthy films have drawn upon Campbell’s framework, including Star Wars, The Matrix, and Spiderman. George Lucas (the creator of Star Wars), for instance, has credited Campbell with influencing the narrative structure of the Star Wars saga. For instance, the journey of Luke Skywalker, with its elements of heroism, self-discovery, and struggle against darkness, mirrors the archetypal path laid out by Campbell. Similarly, characters in The Matrix and Spider-Man also undergo comparable journeys of growth and transformation, showing the significance of the Hero's Journey in modern storytelling.
Psychologists Embrace Tarot
An interest in tarot as a self-help tool grows, psychologists and therapists embrace it as a complementary tool in their practices, recognizing its potential to encourage conversations about feelings, choices, and individual experiences. One way a therapist might use tarot to persuade a client to explore their thoughts and emotions about a particular life event is by offering a visual and symbolic representation that can lead to deeper insights. The imagery and themes in tarot cards can encourage discussions about personal trauma, aspirations, and subconscious beliefs, providing a creative way for clients to express their feelings. Moreover, tarot can also foster a sense of empowerment and self-reflection, which are crucial elements in the therapeutic process. The therapeutic approach recognizes the potential of tarot to enhance self-awareness with the possibility of clients gaining personal insight through tarot’s unique imagery and symbolism. In his book Tarot and Psychology: Spectrums of Possibility, Arthur Rosengarten discusses how tarot cards function effectively in this context. Rosengarten, a clinical psychologist, explains that “Tarot cards either clarify, interconnect, or amplify what already exists in consciousness, or they bring unconscious possibilities into conscious awareness” (Rosengarten, 2000, p. 66). This interpretation suggests that the cards can help people better understand their thoughts and feelings, or they may reveal aspects of their psyche that were previously hidden from view.
In a review of Rosengarten's work, Karin C. Ryding emphasizes the role of tarot in encouraging meaningful dialogue. “Tools such as the tarot spread provide tangible and visual forms of discourse in response to questions posed” (Ryding, 2002, p. 5). Tarot, Ryding asserts, serves not only as a reflective medium but also as a structured way to engage with one’s thoughts in a visual format that can prompt deeper contemplation. Ryding further points out that while tarot may offer insights or potential answers, the process heavily relies on interpretation. She points to the importance of formulating an appropriate question, viewing this as a crucial discipline that can influence the outcomes of tarot reading. Through this lens, tarot is a tool that combines art, psychology, and intuition, enhancing the therapeutic process and encouraging personal exploration.
A search through the Miami Dade College academic database and Google found a number of research articles, news and magazine stories, podcasts, and blogs devoted to the phenomenon of tarot in psychology, a few of which I have included here (click the links to view the articles):
Even with excitement over tarot as a new tool for psychological and emotional support, there are some limitations. Unlike licensed therapeutic methods, tarot does not have standardized training and ethical guidelines. Since tarot is still viewed as a tool for exploration rather than a sole replacement for psychological support, researchers suggest that it should be used with a balanced approach -- considering the potential benefits of tarot in therapy while being aware of its limitations.
Explanation of the Tarot cards
Tarot is an interpretative practice that involves understanding archetypes and exploring subconscious thoughts and ideas. In many stories and cultures, an archetype is a common symbol, pattern, or character. It serves as a model for others to follow. Archetypes are easy to recognize because they represent shared human experiences and universal themes. Examples include the hero, mentor, and trickster, each playing an important role in storytelling and connecting with broader cultural meanings. The tarot cards symbolize different stages of life and the experiences we encounter along our journey. Tarot serves as a means to connect with one's intuition. In essence, tarot cards help people uncover hidden emotions and thoughts.
Tarot readers rely on their intuition to interpret the imagery and symbolism of the cards, tailoring their insights to meet the specific needs of their clients. Carl Jung's concept of synchronicity plays a significant role in this interpretation, suggesting that the cards drawn are not random but rather a reflection of the subconscious or guidance from the universe. By drawing cards and interpreting their meanings, people can develop a path to growth and self-discovery.
The card’s imagery aims to draw out a personal meaning that resonates with the reader. Many experienced readers do not recommend scrambling to learn each card’s written meaning when first practicing Tarot. Instead, it is better to focus on studying imagery. This approach can help you understand how the cards work together to create a cohesive message for the reader. Each card was drawn explicitly with a story in mind.
For example, The Tower card depicts a tower struck by lightning and engulfed in flames. The head of the tower, which resembles a crown, has been blown off and is tumbling towards the ground. Two men have fallen out of the windows and are free-falling. One man dons a crown upon his head and resembles a king, while the other is dressed plainly. The way the card is drawn makes it look like the men have been expelled from the tower by force as if the tower himself must spit them out. The men fall downwards with flailing arms, grasping for something to grab onto, but are met with nothing but air. The plainly dressed man looks down as he falls, his face contorted in terror. He can see the ground for what it is: his final destination or perhaps the truth he cannot recognize sitting high up in this tower. The crowned man, or the king, looks up away from the ground, refusing to accept his fate. His mind is still focused on the illusion of the Castle (Tower). His crown remains on his head despite falling downwards, symbolizing his refusal to let go of his harmful mindset. The imagery is violent and sudden, leaving the reader shocked and helpless, much like the two men falling. While looking at the entire picture of the card rather than simply reading this card at its face value, one can infer that imagery can tell a different story. For example, the card shows the tower with a crown at the top, presented as a castle. Once the “castle” is struck and cast down, both men fall with it. The crowned man can symbolize a part of a person’s subconscious with a superiority complex or hubris. Meanwhile, the plainly dressed man can symbolize a person’s more grounded beliefs about themselves. Each man represents a choice. They can choose to accept the truth or look away and ignore it. Both men still face the same outcome. In the end, they must both fall.
Explanation of the cards.
The tarot card deck is divided into two sections: Major and Minor Arcana.
Major Arcana: This group of cards consists of 22 cards, each with a unique symbolic image representing significant life themes, archetypal energies, and spiritual lessons. The Major Arcana cards typically deal with profound life events, personal transformation, and spiritual awakening (the Empress card, the Fool card, and the Judgement card).
Minor Arcana: This group of cards consists of 56 cards divided into four suits: Cups, Pentacles (or Coins), Swords, and Wands (or Rods). Each suit contains ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King). The Minor Arcana cards represent everyday aspects of life, such as emotions, relationships, work, and challenges.
The tarot deck is divided into two primary sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana, each serving distinct yet interconnected purposes in tarot reading.
Major Arcana: This segment consists of 22 cards, each designed with intricate and symbolic imagery that delves into significant life themes, archetypal energies, and profound spiritual lessons. The Major Arcana cards address pivotal moments in human experience, focusing on personal growth, transformation, and spiritual enlightenment. For instance, the Empress card symbolizes fertility, abundance, and nurturing, while the Fool card represents new beginnings and the pursuit of adventure, often depicting a carefree spirit on the verge of embarking on a journey. The Judgement card, on the other hand, signifies self-reflection, redemption, and rebirth, encouraging individuals to assess past actions and embrace a renewed sense of purpose.
Minor Arcana: This section has 56 cards divided into four distinct suits: Cups, Pentacles (or Coins), Swords, and Wands (or Rods). Each suit contains ten numbered cards (ranging from Ace to Ten) and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King), each carrying its own significance and meaning.
Cups are associated with emotions, relationships, and connections, reflecting experiences related to love, intuition, and feelings.
Pentacles represent material aspects of life, such as finances, work, and security, emphasizing the importance of practical matters and the tangible world.
Swords symbolize thoughts, challenges, and conflict, often relating to communication, decisions, and mental clarity.
Wands relate to creativity, action, and passion, signifying inspiration, initiation, and the drive to achieve goals.
The Minor Arcana cards provide insight into the everyday experiences and challenges that shape our lives, allowing for a deeper understanding of our daily emotions, interpersonal relationships, and various obstacles. Together, the two sections of the tarot deck create a comprehensive approach to exploring personal journeys and narratives.
Credits:
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