What is Tarot? The Explanation from a Psychological Perspective — Symbol, Projection, and a Tool for Self-Reflection

Tarot, a set of 78 symbolic cards, has long occupied an ambiguous position in Western culture. For some, it represents a mystical instrument capable of predicting the future; for others, it is a symbolic artwork rich in historical and esoteric significance. In the last few decades, however, Tarot has also attracted the attention of psychologists, psychotherapists, and researchers interested in human meaning-making, archetypes, and cognitive processes.

This renewed fascination with Tarot does not stem from belief in supernatural forces. Instead, it arises from a growing recognition that humans naturally think in symbols and stories, and that metaphorical imagery can serve as a powerful catalyst for self-reflection. Tarot, in this sense, functions not as a divination tool, but as a symbolic mirror — one capable of reflecting the inner dynamics of the psyche when interpreted through a psychological lens.

This extended article explores Tarot in depth from a psychological perspective. It examines its symbolic foundations, cognitive mechanisms involved in interpretation, its use in therapeutic and developmental contexts, and the risks or limitations of symbolic work with such imagery. The goal is not to advocate for Tarot, but to understand why it resonates with so many individuals and how it interacts with the human mind.

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1. Tarot as a Symbolic System

The structure of the Tarot deck

A Tarot deck traditionally consists of 78 cards divided into two major parts:

Major Arcana (22 cards)

The Major Arcana portray universal themes such as beginnings, conflict, crisis, transformation, balance, wisdom, and inner integration. Cards such as The Fool, The Lovers, Death, The Tower, and The World depict archetypal narratives of change that are recognizable across cultures.

Minor Arcana (56 cards)

Divided into four suits — typically Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles — the Minor Arcana represent everyday experiences: emotions, actions, relationships, struggles, intellectual challenges, material concerns. Their structure resembles a standard deck of playing cards, which reflects their historical connection.

Psychologically, these two categories correspond to two layers of human experience:

• the archetypal and existential,

• the practical and everyday.

Interacting with both layers enables individuals to connect their daily lives with broader patterns that govern human development.

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Symbolism and the human mind

Humans are inherently symbolic beings. We assign meaning to images, gestures, colors, shapes, and stories. Tarot builds on this natural cognitive tendency by presenting rich, multi-layered symbols capable of evoking emotional and intuitive responses.

Why symbols work psychologically:

• Symbols bypass rational defenses and speak directly to imagination.

• They activate networks of associations, memories, and feelings.

• They allow complex psychological material to surface in safe, indirect ways.

• They stimulate both hemispheres of the brain — logical and intuitive.

Tarot’s imagery is deliberately open, allowing multiple interpretations. This ambiguity is exactly what makes it effective as a reflective tool: it encourages individuals to fill the images with their own experiences.

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The Jungian interpretation of Tarot

Although Carl Gustav Jung did not formally endorse Tarot as a psychological tool, his theoretical framework — especially the concepts of archetypes, the collective unconscious, and individuation — is highly compatible with Tarot symbolism.

Carl Gustav Jung

Examples of Jungian archetypes in Major Arcana:

0. The Fool 

• The Fool represents the archetype of the Self at the beginning of its psychological journey.

• He stands between worlds, symbolizing entry into the unknown.

• His innocence reflects a psyche not yet shaped by experience.

• In Jungian terms he is pure potential, prior to ego formation.

• The cliff edge suggests the risks inherent in cxonscious growth.

• The small bag symbolizes unconscious material carried into new phases.

• The dog represents instinct, guiding or warning.

• When active, this archetype brings excitement mixed with fear.

• The Fool teaches that transformation requires a willingness to leap.

• He embodies trust in the unfolding of individuation.

Tarot, when read through this lens, becomes a symbolic representation of the hero’s psychological journey, echoing mythological structures and personal development cycles.

I. The Magician

• The Magician represents conscious will and focused intention.

• His posture channels energy from above to below, uniting spirit and matter.

• Jungian psychology sees him as the ego discovering its agency.

• The tools on his table symbolize mastery of the four psychic functions.

• He demonstrates how directed awareness creates change.

• This archetype appears when a person realizes their power to act.

• Its shadow is manipulation, trickery, or ego-inflation.

• Integrated, it becomes responsible creativity.

• His upward and downward gestures remind of psychic balance.

• He is the pattern of the mind understanding its generative force.

II. The High Priestess

• The High Priestess symbolizes intuitive wisdom and inner mysteries.

• She sits at the gateway between conscious and unconscious worlds.

• Jungians associate her with the anima and the depths of inner knowing.

• The scroll hints at knowledge revealed only to the receptive psyche.

• Her stillness represents the quiet required for intuitive insight.

• She invites connection with dreams and symbolic perception.

• When active, outer action slows so inner awareness can deepen.

• She demands trust in the unseen and the subtle.

• Her shadow is secrecy, passivity, or emotional withdrawal.

• She embodies the receptive, lunar dimension of individuation.

III. The Empress

• The Empress is the archetype of the Great Mother and creative abundance.

• She represents the nurturing aspect of the psyche that fosters growth.

• Jung connects her with the maternal anima and fertile imagination.

• Her natural surroundings emphasize connection to body and earth.

• She symbolizes creativity expressed through compassion and sensuality.

• This archetype appears when one embraces receptivity and generativity.

• Her shadow manifests as smothering, overprotection, or indulgence.

• Integrated, she provides emotional grounding and flourishing.

• She teaches that creativity emerges from nourishment and trust.

• The Empress embodies psychological fertility in all its forms.

IV. The Emperor

• The Emperor represents structure, authority, and the paternal archetype.

• In Jungian terms he embodies the Logos principle of order and rationality.

• His throne symbolizes stability and responsibility.

• He teaches the psyche to create boundaries and rules that support growth.

• This archetype appears when discipline and organization are needed.

• His shadow is rigidity, domination, and emotional repression.

• Integrated, he becomes a benevolent leader within the personality.

• He helps establish inner sovereignty and self-governance.

• His energy grounds dreams into practical form.

• The Emperor marks the moment when structure becomes a container for individuation.

V. The Hierophant

• The Hierophant represents tradition, spiritual teaching, and collective wisdom.

• Jung associates him with the archetype of the Wise Old Man in institutional form.

• He symbolizes the transmission of values across generations.

• His presence indicates the importance of learning from established systems.

• He offers guidance rooted in myth and symbolic understanding.

• In shadow, he becomes dogmatic, rigid, or judgmental.

• Integrated, he supports ethical development and moral clarity.

• He reminds us that personal growth is connected to ancestral patterns.

• He mediates between individual consciousness and cultural meaning.

• The Hierophant teaches that spiritual truth often arrives through lineage.

VI. The Lovers

• The Lovers represent psychological union and the meeting of dualities.

• Jung links them to the anima–animus dynamic and inner relationship.

• They symbolize the choice between instinct and self-awareness.

• This archetype appears when the psyche seeks integration of opposites.

• The angel overhead suggests guidance from higher consciousness.

• In shadow, the Lovers reflect projection, dependency, or fragmentation.

• Integrated, they embody authentic connection and inner harmony.

• Their imagery implies that relationships mirror the state of the soul.

• They teach that love is a path to individuation.

• Ultimately, the Lovers symbolize the sacred union of inner forces.

VII. The Chariot

• The Chariot represents will, direction, and ego-strength.

• Jung interprets it as the disciplined self steering conflicting impulses.

• The two sphinxes symbolize opposing energies requiring alignment.

• This archetype appears when determination and control are needed.

• It reflects the capacity to move forward despite inner conflict.

• Its shadow is aggression, rigidity, or obsession with victory.

• Integrated, the Chariot becomes confidence without domination.

• It teaches mastery of impulses through conscious awareness.

• The armor suggests psychological protection and boundaries.

• The Chariot symbolizes purposeful motion in the individuation journey.

VIII. Strength

• Strength represents inner courage and the compassionate taming of instinct.

• Jung correlates it with integration of the animalistic shadow.

• The woman gently closing the lion’s jaws symbolizes conscious containment of primal energy.

• This archetype appears when emotional resilience is required.

• It teaches that true strength is found in gentleness, not force.

• In shadow, it becomes repression or uncontrolled passion.

• Integrated, it unites instinct with compassion.

• The infinity symbol above her head points to spiritual endurance.

• Strength highlights the healing power of emotional mastery.

• It marks a pivotal moment where the psyche embraces its own wildness responsibly.

IX. The Hermit

• The Hermit embodies inner wisdom, solitude, and reflective consciousness.

• Jung sees him as the archetypal guide or Wise Old Man.

• His lantern symbolizes illumination arising from introspection.

• This archetype appears when one withdraws to seek clarity.

• It represents a turning inward to discover personal truth.

• In shadow, it can manifest as withdrawal, isolation, or cynicism.

• Integrated, it encourages self-trust and inner authority.

• The staff he carries reflects psychological support and experience.

• The Hermit teaches that individuation requires periods of solitude.

• His energy marks the deepening of the inner path.

X. Wheel of Fortune

• The Wheel represents cycles, fate, and the shifting patterns of life.

• Jungian psychology sees it as the movement of unconscious forces.

• It symbolizes the rise and fall of psychological states.

• This archetype appears when change is inevitable or karmic.

• It teaches acceptance of the cyclical nature of existence.

• In shadow, it can feel like chaos or lack of control.

• Integrated, it brings humility and adaptability.

• The wheel's rotation mirrors psychological transformation.

• Its imagery implies that consciousness expands through cycles.

• The Wheel of Fortune marks a turning point in individuation.

XI. Justice

• Justice represents equilibrium, truth, and moral clarity.

• Jung relates it to the balancing function of the psyche.

• The scales symbolize the weighing of unconscious motives and conscious choices.

• This archetype appears when accountability is necessary.

• It teaches honesty toward oneself and others.

• In shadow, it becomes judgmentalism or self-punishment.

• Integrated, it supports fairness and integrity.

• Justice emphasizes the consequences of one’s actions.

• The sword represents the power to cut through illusion.

• Justice marks the moment psychological and ethical alignment must occur.

XII. The Hanged Man

• The Hanged Man represents surrender, suspension, and altered perception.

• Jung views him as the archetype of voluntary sacrifice for insight.

• His inverted position symbolizes seeing the world from a new perspective.

• This archetype appears when the ego must release control.

• It teaches patience, contemplation, and letting go.

• In shadow, it becomes victimhood or passivity.

• Integrated, it transforms into spiritual openness.

• The halo indicates illumination gained through surrender.

• The Hanged Man is the pause before transformation.

• He embodies the principle of inner reversal necessary for individuation.

XIII. Death

• Death symbolizes transformation, endings, and psychological rebirth.

• Jung interprets it as the dissolution of outdated ego structures.

• The skeleton represents the indestructible core of the psyche.

• This archetype appears when deep change is unavoidable.

• It teaches acceptance of impermanence.

• In shadow, it evokes fear, clinging, or denial.

• Integrated, it leads to renewal and liberation.

• Death removes what no longer supports growth.

• Its imagery emphasizes the natural cycles of the psyche.

• Death marks profound transitions in individuation.

XIV. Temperance

• Temperance represents harmony, integration, and alchemy of opposites.

• Jung connects it with the transcendent function that unites conflicting forces.

• The angel symbolizes guidance from the higher self.

• This archetype appears during internal reconciliation.

• It teaches balance, moderation, and flow.

• In shadow, it becomes avoidance or artificial harmony.

• Integrated, it creates psychological wholeness.

• The blending of waters symbolizes merging conscious and unconscious.

• Temperance highlights the healing aspect of integration.

• It marks a stage where inner systems become coherent.

XV. The Devil

• The Devil represents shadow material, bondage, and unconscious desire.

• Jung associates him with the repressed aspects of the psyche.

• The chains symbolize attachment to instinct, addiction, or fear.

• This archetype appears when the shadow must be acknowledged.

• It teaches confrontation with inner darkness.

• In shadow, it manifests as compulsive patterns.

• Integrated, it brings power, grounding, and authenticity.

• The Devil reminds us that denied desires control us.

• His imagery points to the need for conscious liberation.

• He marks the descent into the shadow as part of individuation.

XVI. The Tower

• The Tower represents crisis, disruption, and sudden revelation.

• Jung views it as the shattering of false structures in the psyche.

• The lightning bolt symbolizes insight breaking through defenses.

• This archetype appears when change must be forced.

• It teaches the necessity of releasing illusions.

• In shadow, it feels catastrophic or violent.

• Integrated, it becomes liberation from stagnant patterns.

• The falling figures represent ego fragments being reorganized.

• The Tower marks the collapse required for transformation.

• It opens the path to rebuilding on truth.

XVII. The Star

• The Star symbolizes hope, renewal, and spiritual openness.

• Jung associates it with the guiding light of the Self.

• The water flow represents emotional purification.

• This archetype appears after crisis as a gentle reawakening.

• It teaches trust in inner guidance.

• In shadow, it becomes naivety or escapism.

• Integrated, it brings peace, clarity, and creativity.

• The stars above evoke cosmic connection.

• The Star suggests the psyche’s natural ability to heal.

• It marks a return to authenticity and inspiration.

XVIII. The Moon

• The Moon represents dreams, illusions, and unconscious content rising.

• Jung connects it with the realm of projections and psychic ambiguity.

• The path between towers symbolizes a journey through uncertainty.

• This archetype appears during phases of emotional confusion.

• It teaches discernment between intuition and fear.

• In shadow, it manifests as anxiety, fantasy, or deception.

• Integrated, it enhances imagination and psychic sensitivity.

• The animals reflect instinctual forces emerging from the depths.

• The Moon highlights cycles of inner darkness and revelation.

• It marks the necessary exploration of the psyche’s hidden layers.

XIX. The Sun

• The Sun represents vitality, clarity, and conscious joy.

• Jung sees it as the emergence of the integrated ego in harmony with the Self.

• The child symbolizes innocence reclaimed through awareness.

• This archetype appears with optimism and renewed energy.

• It teaches authenticity and transparent expression.

• In shadow, it becomes ego-inflation or overexposure.

• Integrated, it brings confidence, warmth, and illumination.

• The sunflowers reflect growth and psychological flourishing.

• The Sun symbolizes the conscious personality aligned with deeper truth.

• It marks a celebratory stage of individuation.

XX. Judgement

• Judgement represents awakening, evaluation, and inner calling.

• Jung interprets it as the psyche’s summoning toward a higher level of integration.

• The trumpet symbolizes revelation from the unconscious.

• This archetype appears during moments of profound self-honesty.

• It teaches acknowledgment of past patterns.

• In shadow, it becomes self-criticism or denial.

• Integrated, it leads to renewal and purpose.

• The rising figures symbolize rebirth into a fuller identity.

• Judgement marks recognition of one’s true direction.

• It prepares the psyche for final unification.

XXI. The World

• The World represents completion, wholeness, and integration.

• Jung sees it as the culmination of the individuation process.

• The dancing figure symbolizes harmony between all psychic parts.

• This archetype appears when inner opposites have been reconciled.

• It teaches unity with life, purpose, and self.

• In shadow, it can become stagnation or spiritual pride.

• Integrated, it brings fulfillment and centeredness.

• The wreath symbolizes cyclical continuity and expansion.

• The four creatures represent mastery of all psychological functions.

• The World marks the realization of the fully integrated Self.

2. Psychological Mechanisms Active in Tarot Interpretation

Projection as a core mechanism

One of the most fundamental psychological processes involved in Tarot work is projection — the tendency to attribute internal experiences to external objects.

When interpreting Tarot cards, individuals inevitably project:

• their fears,

• their hopes,

• unresolved conflicts,

• unconscious desires,

• personal narratives,

• inner contradictions.

The card itself does not contain meaning; it becomes meaningful through the lens of the individual’s psyche. This makes Tarot uniquely suited to revealing personal concerns that may otherwise be difficult to articulate consciously.

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Apophenia and pattern recognition

Humans are natural pattern-seekers. Tarot engages this mechanism by presenting structured imagery that encourages individuals to draw connections, find narratives, and construct meaning. This tendency — called apophenia or pattern recognition — is not a flaw; it’s a cornerstone of creativity and meaning-making.

Psychologically, this leads to:

• the discovery of new perspectives,

• shifting interpretive frames,

• identifying overlooked relationships between life events,

• generating solutions or insights.

Tarot functions similarly to brainstorming with symbolic images — each card acts as a prompt activating a unique cognitive pathway.

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Narrative psychology and the storytelling self

Narrative psychology emphasizes that humans understand themselves through stories. Tarot spreads inherently create story structures:

• a beginning (Where am I now?)

• conflict (What challenges do I face?)

• development (What internal forces affect the situation?)

• resolution (What direction should I take?)

By interpreting cards, individuals co-create a narrative that reflects their identity, beliefs, limitations, and aspirations.

Tarot does not impose a story — the person constructs it, revealing their psychological landscape.

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Intuition and embodied cognition

Interpreting Tarot often feels intuitive. This intuition is not mystical — it is the result of non-conscious cognitive processing, drawing on:

• emotional memory,

• pattern recognition,

• past experiences,

• embodied reactions,

• subconscious associations.

Tarot images help bring such intuitive insights to the surface, allowing individuals to access knowledge that may be difficult to express verbally.

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3. Tarot in Therapeutic, Coaching, and Developmental Settings

Tarot in psychotherapy (non-divinatory use)

While Tarot is not a clinical tool, some therapists — particularly those working in expressive, Jungian, or depth-oriented traditions — use Tarot images to facilitate exploration.

Possible therapeutic uses include:

• discussing emotional states indirectly,

• helping clients articulate difficult or traumatic experiences,

• stimulating symbolic thinking,

• identifying inner conflicts,

• exploring dreams and fantasies.

Tarot functions like a visual language, enabling clients to “speak” through symbols rather than literal descriptions, which may be easier in cases of trauma or emotional avoidance.

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Tarot in coaching and personal development

In coaching, Tarot is used as a reflective and creative tool, not as a predictive one.

Applications include:

• clarifying goals,

• identifying hidden assumptions,

• exploring different perspectives regarding a decision,

• stimulating brainstorming,

• revealing personal values and motivations,

• supporting emotional processing.

Coaches emphasize that the power of Tarot lies not in answers but in questions it inspires.

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Tarot in art therapy and creative work

Tarot can also be integrated into art therapy, where clients create or modify Tarot cards as part of the therapeutic process. This encourages:

• symbolic expression,

• emotional release,

• personalization of meaning,

• strengthening creativity and agency.

Artists, illustrators, and writers frequently use Tarot for inspiration, as its archetypal imagery provides a fertile source of creative material.

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4. Why Tarot Appeals to Modern Individuals

The crisis of meaning

Modern society often leaves individuals feeling overwhelmed by rapid change, uncertainty, and emotional overload. Tarot offers a structured symbolic system that helps make sense of inner and outer chaos.

It allows individuals to:

• pause,

• reflect,

• reconnect with intuition,

• contemplate existential questions,

• integrate fragmented experiences.

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Increasing interest in mindfulness and introspection

Tarot encourages slowing down and entering a contemplative state. This aligns with the growing cultural acceptance of mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and self-reflective practices.

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Aesthetic and emotional resonance

Tarot imagery is also simply beautiful, emotionally evocative, and culturally rich. For many individuals, the cards serve as artistic and spiritual objects that invite curiosity and introspection.

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Identity and narrative construction in the digital age

Social media has made storytelling an everyday activity. Tarot fits naturally into this context by offering symbolic prompts that help individuals explore, reshape, and articulate their personal narrative — both privately and publicly.

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5. Risks, Limitations, and Ethical Considerations

Confusion between symbolism and prophecy

One of the biggest risks is taking Tarot literally as a predictive tool. From a psychological perspective, Tarot should be understood symbolically, not deterministically.

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Cognitive biases and emotional vulnerability

Because Tarot relies on interpretation, it can amplify cognitive distortions — such as catastrophizing or confirmation bias — especially during emotional crises.

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Over-reliance on external symbols

Some individuals may become dependent on Tarot for decision-making, which undermines autonomy and agency.

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Ethical use in therapeutic contexts

Therapists using Tarot must:

• avoid imposing interpretations,

• clarify that Tarot is symbolic,

• stay within professional boundaries,

• ensure clients do not misunderstand its purpose.

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Conclusion

From a psychological perspective, Tarot is not a magical prophecy tool but a rich symbolic system capable of activating intuition, narrative thinking, creativity, and deep self-reflection. Its effectiveness comes from universal cognitive and emotional processes — projection, storytelling, pattern recognition, symbolic meaning-making — that allow individuals to access layers of experience often unavailable through rational analysis alone.

When used responsibly, Tarot can support:

• personal insight,

• emotional processing,

• creative exploration,

• decision clarity,

• inner balance,

• self-awareness.

Its power lies in metaphor, not prediction; in inner dialogue, not external destiny. Tarot mirrors the psyche, serving as both a companion and catalyst on the journey toward deeper self-understanding.

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