Tarot and Self-Knowledge: How the Cards Work (Jungian Psychology)
Tarot doesn’t predict the future — it reveals who you are being. This is the view of Jungian psychology, which sees the cards as a powerful self-knowledge tool.
In this article, you’ll understand:
- Why tarot works psychologically
- What archetypes are and how they appear in the cards
- How to use tarot for practical self-knowledge
Carl Jung and Tarot
Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), one of the fathers of modern psychology, extensively studied tarot and other symbolic systems. He saw the cards as a visual representation of archetypes — universal patterns present in the collective unconscious of all humanity.
For Jung, tarot wasn’t magic — it was a tool for accessing unconscious content through symbolic images.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” — Carl Jung
Why Does Tarot Work?
Tarot works through three psychological mechanisms:
1. Symbolism
Our unconscious “speaks” in images, not words. That’s why dreams are visual. Tarot offers a vocabulary of 78 symbolic images that our unconscious immediately recognizes.
The Death card, for example, needs no explanation — you feel that something is ending so something new can be born.
2. Projection
When we look at a symbolic image, we project our feelings onto it. The same card can mean different things to different people — because each person sees what they need to see.
Example: The “Moon” card can bring:
- Fear (for those avoiding something)
- Fascination (for those seeking mystery)
- Confusion (for the undecided)
The card has no fixed meaning — it mirrors your internal state.
3. Synchronicity
Jung created this term to describe “meaningful coincidences” — events with no logical cause but profound meaning.
The card you draw isn’t “random” in the common sense. It reflects something relevant to the present moment. It’s not magic — it’s the universe communicating through patterns.
Archetypes in the Cards
What are Archetypes?
Archetypes are primordial images that exist in the collective unconscious of all humanity. They appear in myths, dreams, and stories from all cultures.
You already know them:
- The Hero who faces the dragon
- The Mother who nurtures and protects
- The Wise One who guides with light
- The Shadow that hides what we reject
Archetypes in the Major Arcana
Each Major Arcana represents a fundamental archetype:
| Card | Archetype | Represents |
|---|---|---|
| The Fool | The Innocent | Pure potential, courage to begin |
| The Magician | The Creator | Power to manifest |
| High Priestess | The Anima | Intuition, feminine mystery |
| The Empress | The Great Mother | Nurturing, fertility |
| The Emperor | The Father | Structure, authority |
| The Hermit | The Wise Old Man | Inner wisdom |
| The Devil | The Shadow | What we reject in ourselves |
When a card appears, the corresponding archetype is active in your life.
The Concept of Shadow
One of Jung’s most important concepts is the Shadow — the part of us we reject, deny, and hide. It contains:
- Emotions we consider “negative”
- Desires we judge as “wrong”
- Potentials we’re afraid to claim
The Shadow in Tarot
Cards like The Devil, The Moon, and The Tower often reveal shadow content. When they appear, they’re not “bad cards” — they’re invitations to integrate rejected parts of yourself.
Practical example: If The Devil appears frequently in your readings, ask yourself:
- What addiction or pattern am I feeding?
- What fear keeps me chained?
- What pleasure am I denying?
How to Use Tarot for Self-Knowledge
1. Reframe Your Questions
Instead of “What will happen?”, ask:
- “What do I need to see in this situation?”
- “What am I avoiding?”
- “Which part of me needs attention?”
- “What’s preventing me from moving forward?”
- “How can I align with my purpose?“
2. Tarot Journal
One of the most transformative practices:
Morning:
- Draw a card
- Note your first impression (without researching)
- Write: “What does this mean for me today?”
Evening: 4. How did the card manifest? 5. What did I learn?
After a few weeks, you’ll have a map of your internal patterns.
3. Card Meditation
Choose a card that intrigues you and meditate with it:
- Observe every detail for 5-10 minutes
- Imagine entering the scene
- Converse with the figures
- Note what arises
This exercise directly accesses the unconscious.
Tarot and Therapy
Many therapists and coaches use tarot as a complementary tool. Important: tarot doesn’t replace professional therapy, but it can accelerate the process.
When Tarot Helps
- Bringing unconscious content to the surface
- Giving symbolic language to what’s hard to express
- Identifying repetitive patterns
- Facilitating conscious decision-making
When to Seek Professional Help
If the cards repeatedly reveal:
- Unprocessed trauma
- Persistent self-destructive patterns
- Intense suffering
Consider working with a psychotherapist alongside tarot.
The Fool’s Journey: Your Path
The 22 Major Arcana tell the story of The Fool — which is each of us — on our journey through life. This journey reflects the stages of human development:
- The Fool to The Chariot (0-7): Ego formation, learning about the world
- Strength to The Hanged Man (8-12): Questioning, midlife crisis
- Death to The Star (13-17): Deep transformation, symbolic ego death
- The Moon to The World (18-21): Integration, illumination, wholeness
Where are you on this journey?
Reflecting on this can bring enormous clarity about your current challenges.
Conclusion
Tarot is much more than an oracle — it’s a mirror of the soul. You don’t need to “believe” in anything supernatural. Just be open to dialoguing with symbols and listening to what your own inner wisdom has to say.
Self-knowledge is the bravest journey you can undertake. The cards are just a map.