Tarot therapy is a therapeutic tool that helps people think about themselves and discover new aspects of themselves. The therapist guides the person through a tarot reading, connecting the symbols on the cards to their own experiences. Tarot cards are neutral, philosophical, therapeutically, and spiritually, and can be easily adaptable to work within any therapeutic framework. The symbols and themes depicted in tarot cards represent life themes, circumstances, and the self.
Using tarot in therapy doesn’t necessarily mean doing readings with your therapist; it could simply mean doing it by yourself and then discussing it (or not). This makes tarot a very customizable tool. Tarot Therapy is a method of working with the cards to empower the client to respond to their situation and circumstances in the best way for them.
For decades, the psychology field has employed tests that use ambiguous visual images to reveal underlying, unconscious, or difficult-to-communicate needs. Tarot is used as a means of gaining insight into addressing a question the client has. Each card has symbols that are open to interpretation by the therapist.
Tarot therapy is similar to ASMR, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and stocking up on amethyst crystals to treat depression and anxiety. An evocative image on a tarot card offers a way for people to talk about an otherwise difficult to express inner experience in an objective way. Therapeutic tarot is less about learning the traditional meanings of cards and specific spreads and more about paying attention to what thoughts are being expressed.
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In this video, I chat with Certified Biddy Tarot Advisor and Founder of Space to Tame, Sujarda Herring. Sujarda is a qualified and …
What is tarot therapy?
Tarot cards in psychotherapy sessions provide a unique and empowering approach to clients. Unlike traditional readings, where a reader shuffles and draws cards, clients can use the cards themselves, choosing at random or describing their meanings. This approach often leads to feelings of empowerment and increased investment in the process. Tarot cards also provide a unique way to tap into experiences that may be difficult to verbalize, making them an effective tool for therapy. Overall, incorporating tarot cards into psychotherapy sessions can enhance the client’s experience and understanding.
What does tarot do for you?
Tarot cards have gained a significant following, particularly among younger women, as they offer a sense of community and empower individuals to consider their problems and work through them. The art of tarot cards has evolved over the years, with some seeking certainty in uncertain times and others seeking new ways to self-reflect. Fiona and Jen, authors of Wild Card: Let The Tarot Tell Your Story, provide a comprehensive guide to the art, covering topics such as how to start reading cards and which deck to buy. The collective interest in tarot cards has grown over the past four years.
What is the science behind tarot?
Tarot cards, a tool with a long history dating back nearly 700 years, have been used by people to predict the future and understand their inner issues, desires, and motivations. The major arcana of Tarot is believed to be based on the Egyptian hieroglyphic book of Thoth, also known as the book of Tarot. The use and interpretation of Tarot cards can be divided into two explanations: paranormal and nonparanormal.
The paranormal explanation claims that Tarot cards reveal hidden motives, portray opportunities, and offer a reflection of a person’s inner processes, providing clarity regarding questions or conflicts. The nonparanormal explanation argues that the entire phenomenon of Tarot cards can be explained by examining two simple psychological effects: the Barnum effect and “cold reading”.
Many standard Tarot decks follow the same 78-card structure, which is divided into the minor arcana (56 cards) and the major arcana (22 cards). The major arcana represents the main themes of human life, such as love, death, spirituality, acceptance, etc., while the minor arcana represents subtle mysteries of life.
The popularity of Tarot cards has continued to flourish, even in western societies, as it provides insight into how using the cards can influence our thought processes and mental state. Occultists believe that the cards reveal information about the quality of a moment for an individual, rather than predicting the future as if it is fixed. By creating more awareness about the meaning of a specific moment, clients can gain important insights and drive them to take control of their own lives and make changes that will be beneficial in the long run.
The nonparanormal explanation examines the use of Tarot cards through the lens of psychological effects, with the Barnum effect being the most emphasized. This effect suggests that vague predictions or general personality descriptions, such as those offered by Tarot or astrology, have specific applications to one’s unique circumstances. Cold reading, a set of deceptive psychological techniques, involves the use of sharp observational skills and a good memory when examining a client. Cues such as a client’s clothing, physical characteristics, and manner of speech can reveal valuable information that a reader can use to inform their statements regarding the topic of their reading.
What do you call someone who does tarot readings?
A tarot reader, also known as a fortune-teller, is a skilled psychic, clairvoyant, crystal ball gazer, diviner, medium, mind reader, oracle palm reader, prophet, psychic, seer, soothsayer, spiritualist, or tea-leaf reader.
Is tarot card reading true?
Early French occultists claimed that tarot cards had esoteric links to ancient Egypt, the Kabbalah, Indic Tantra, or the I Ching. However, scholarly research reveals that tarot cards were invented in Italy in the early 15th century for playing games, and there is no evidence of significant use of them for divination until the late 18th century. The belief in the divinatory meaning of the cards is closely associated with a belief in their occult properties, which was propagated by prominent Protestant Christian clerics and Freemasons.
From its uptake as an instrument of divination in 18th-century France, the tarot went on to be used in hermeneutic, magical, mystical, semiotic, and psychological practices. It was used by Romani people when telling fortunes and as a Jungian psychological apparatus for tapping into “absolute knowledge in the unconscious”, a tool for archetypal analysis, and even a tool for facilitating the Jungian process of individuation.
What is the psychology behind Tarot cards?
Tarot readings involve the use of symbolism, intuition, and the human psyche to access the collective unconscious and deeper layers of awareness. This process aligns with psychological concepts like archetypes, symbolism, and narrative therapy, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and symbolism in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world. Three factors contributing to transformation following a tarot session include positive expectations, the placebo effect, and the belief in the effectiveness of the treatment. This optimistic outlook can lead to real improvements in well-being.
Is tarot good for mental health?
Tarot readings have been demonstrated to be beneficial for some individuals, as they encourage intentional reflection on life themes, circumstances, and self-perception, which may in turn lead to improvements in mental health.
What not to do with tarot?
The second most common error is the failure to read when emotionally compromised. This may manifest as the selection of an inappropriate spread, the addition of an excessive number of clarifiers, an excessively detailed examination of card meanings, or the perusal of others’ feelings or motives following a challenging encounter with a superior or romantic partner.
What religion do tarot cards come from?
This literature review examines the relationship between Tarot cards and New Age religion, emphasizing their significance in the contemporary study of the New Age movement.
Why do people believe in tarot?
The tarot, a divinatory tool, has been associated with occult properties, a belief prevalent in early modern Europe. Originating in 18th-century France, the tarot has been used in various practices, including hermeneutic, magical, mystical, semiotic, and psychological aspects. Romani people used it to tell fortunes, while Jungian psychologists used it to tap into “absolute knowledge in the unconscious”, for archetypal analysis, and to facilitate the Jungian process of individuation.
Many occult and divinatory practitioners trace the tarot to ancient Egypt, divine hermetic wisdom, and the mysteries of Isis. Many believe that the tarot’s divinatory meaning is closely linked to its occult properties.
What are the benefits of doing tarot?
A tarot reading is a powerful tool that offers guidance and love to help individuals connect with their inner self and uncover deeper truths. The cards can provide insights into various areas such as career, conflict resolution, love, ancestral connections, decision-making, and identifying patterns in life that need to change. Readings are available in 30-minute or one-hour sessions, with a one-hour session recommended for the first reading. The reading takes place in a comfortable and private setting, with each reader having their unique style and approach to interpreting the cards.
The messages from the cards aim to help individuals understand their journey better, even if some insights may be challenging. The tarot offers guidance on navigating life’s complexities, healing, and overcoming obstacles, empowering individuals with the tools and perspectives needed to embrace the present and future.
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I love this conversation. I have had a counselor and an MD as clients, and they have both said that you can still be a counselor and advisor without having the degree, and that clients can be open to different avenues of delivering the same thing in different ways. When I said, “I should have gotten my therapist degree, they both said I didn’t need it, because I am still doing the same thing. The techniques and tools I use are similar. The counselor, in fact, wanted a reading where I knew very little about the situations initially. And then they opened up, and it was very expansive. I also do astrology and one of my teachers uses astrology in her counseling (she’s a licensed pro) and she says this cuts to the understanding of her clients and getting to the heart of the matter–and she doesn’t take clients that aren’t accepting of counseling that way. This is the way forward!