Tarot Therapy: the Psychological Roots
Apart from its use as a divination tool, tarot can be a profound psychological aid in supporting mental health and conscious awareness.
I am often asked how I blend esoteric practices like tarot and astrology into my profession in the mental health field. My answer is always, “when you study psychology, you eventually find it at the root of everything!”
Tarot is no exception.
According to psychoanalysts like Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, the tarot serves as a mirror to the subconscious, unveiling aspects of our inner selves that may lie dormant or unexplored. Through the symbolism in the cards, we are prompted to reflect on themes and circumstances in our lives that can otherwise go unnoticed in the day to day. This reflection fosters a nuanced exploration of emotions, fears, and desires - a powerful way to interpret our inner landscape.
Below are some of the ways I’ve constructed my tarot practice as a psychological tool for myself and others.
A mindfulness practice
The act of shuffling and selecting cards in a tarot reading requires direct focus and presence. Have you ever tried to shuffle cards while you were distracted? It’s choppy, chaotic, and cards usually end up flying every which way! Approaching tarot in a ritualistic aspect fosters more mindfulness, drawing individuals into the present moment. As attention shifts to the cards the mind often follows suit, creating a temporary respite from the drone of endless thoughts or restless fidgeting. Such mindfulness can contribute to stress reduction and increased awareness, elements essential for maintaining good mental health!
A new kind of narrative therapy
Each tarot spread tells a story, weaving together the threads of the past, present, and future. This narrative framework can be empowering if you’re struggling to find meaning or purpose in particular chapters of your life. Pulling a spread about specific life events (or even existential questions) allows individuals to view their experiences from a broader perspective, ultimately acknowledging that life unfolds in chapters and cycles. This holistic outlook can offer comfort to those in the midst of life challenges, serving as a reminder that tribulations are often transient and better days are always ahead.
A confidence booster
From my psychological perspective, tarot readings are not about predicting a predetermined future. Instead, they empower you to make the decisions that influence your “fate”. By illuminating potential outcomes and highlighting new areas of focus, tarot provides valuable insights that anyone can incorporate into their decision-making process. The “magic” is realizing that life is happening through you, no to you. This sense of empowerment can be particularly beneficial if you’re looking to replace anxiety or uncertainty with a more proactive mindset.
An emotional compass
Articulating complex feelings can be challenging, yet it is a crucial aspect of maintaining emotional wellbeing. Tarot cards, with their rich symbolism, can act as a visual vocabulary for emotions. I once had a Tarot Therapy client who was torn between major decisions in her life. For the most part, the reading was relatively light-hearted, we even laughed about a few things. The moment I pulled “The Devil” card, however, she burst into tears and the reading went to new depths we hadn’t penetrated before. Sometimes the imagery of a tarot card alone can create a visceral response and trigger emotional release. It is a great tool if you’re looking to express or understand your feelings in an nonverbal way.
Intrigued? Buy a deck of tarot or oracle cards from my favorites on Amazon or book a 30-60 minute Tarot Therapy reading with me today!
Lauren Victoria, LPC
is a licensed mental health professional specializing in depth psychology, astrology, and tarot. Follow her on Instagram at @mutedearthwellness