The Psychology of the Tarot

In the InsideOutcast #7, we mentioned common misconceptions of the Tarot in film and television. These misconceptions often give the Tarot a disservice as it already suffers enough blame from the fundametalist Christians and others that fear the occult. Oddly, a French monk is attributed to having rediscovered the Tarot, which seems to have originated in Egypt. The Tarot entered such a fashion that parlor games evolved from the esoteric set of painted cards. The playing cards of today owe their existence to the Tarot. Games of poker, rummy, blackjack, and the like would not exist without the Tarot.

So what is the big deal? What is the fascination with the Tarot? What is the mystique? Frankly, it is how the Tarot relates to our lives. Carl Jung, early psychologist, studied the impact the Tarot had on the collective unconscious. The Tarot is replete in symbolic images and numerology that speaks directly to the deep recesses of our minds.

I will begin with the numerology of the Tarot and expand a little into the rest of the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana are 22 cards that reflect the life cycle of the average human being. It touches on our deepest desires, fears, hopes, and experiences. To determine your numerology, simply take your birthday and add up all the numbers until you come up with a number between 1 and 9. For instance, if your birthday is July 4th, 1776, add the numbers up to 32. 3 plus 2 is 5. The numerology is then 5. Following are descriptions of the numerlogical side of the Tarot.

1-The Magician. The image of the magician generally features an elderly man with a sword, cup, wand, and pentacle. This represents the magician's control over the four elements. The magician has incredible control. He is a multitasker, a networker, and a master communicater. He hearkens back to the human mastery of intercommunication and the power of the spoken word. He also has a deceptive side. The magician relates to the the 10th and 19th cards, the Wheel of Fortune and The Sun respectively. The wheel of fortune represents affecting positive change in your life while the sun represents vitality and energy. These two cards support the traits of the magician. Also supporting the magician are all the aces and tens of the lesser arcana. As such, the magician is the most complex and intricate of the numerological signs.

2-The High Priestess. The image is of a young woman, often blindfolded, sitted between two pillars. Above her the moon is shown in three phases, representing past, present, and future. The priestess embodies natural instinct, occult knowledge, and feminine mystique. There are Greek roots here as there is a direct connection to Artemis, Goddess of the moon, virginity, and the hunt. Supporting the priestess are the 11th and the 20th cards, Justice and Judgement respectively. One can see the importance of balance and equanimity here. A blindfolded woman holding scales remains the image of blind justice. This relates directly to the Tarot. All the number 2 cards of the lesser arcana also support the priestess.

3-The Empress. The image of the empress is one of a mother. The empress is productive and fertile, she is caring and influential, embodying all aspects of motherhood. Mother nature is very much an image of a womanly source of abundance. She often holds a cornocopia or the like. Supporting the empress is the 12th and 21st cards, the Hanged Man and the World respectively. The hanged man represents a change of persective while the world implies universality and totality. As such, one can see how the mother is a font of complete knowledge, often being able to view both sides of a dispute. All the third cards of the lesser arcana support this sign as well.

4-The Emperor. The image is one of a military hero, representing confidence and masculinity. He is the father figure, a natural leader, and a rebel in his own right. All in all, the emperor represents manhood, which includes a propensity for war. Supporting the emperor are card 0 and card 13 of the Tarot, the Fool and Death cards respectively. The fool represents youthful innocence, fearlessness, and impetuosity. Meanwhile, death represents a trasnformation, a metamorphosis, and even, though rarely, atual death. As such, the emperor is a force of change, sometimes inspired through reckless actions. All the fourth cards of the lesser arcana add nuance to this sign.

5-The High Priest/Hierophant/The Pope. The image is one of a holy man, representing tradition and learning. The high priest is a pedant of the highest order. Morality, family life, and education are of great import. Compassion is tantamount as well to this sign. Supporting the high priest is the 14th card, Temperance, representing moderation on one side, and the love of art and beauty on the other. The high priest, then, is a highly cultured individual with great respect for tradition in the home and in the arts. All the fifth cards of the lesser arcana support the high priest.

6-The Lovers. The image of the lovers is a man and woman, often in an embrace. Although this may represent physical sex, it is more often an indication of trust. Tests and trials are suggested as the level of one's trust can only be measured by testing its limitations. As such, relationships are built on trust. Supporting the lovers is the 15th card, the Devil/Pan. The devil card was original called Pan, after the minor Greek god of wild things. The goat like image transfered easily to one of the lord of lies. The image today is one of deception, addiction, bondage, and enslavement, showing the darker aspects of relationships. All the number 6 cards of the lesser arcana support the lovers.

7-The Chariot. The image is of a cart or chariot in motion, representing movement or struggle. The chariot is closely related to athleticism, or to competition in particular. At worst, the chariot may indicate a desire for vengeance. The chariot may also represent journy or travel. Supporting the cariot is the 16th card of the tarot, or the Tower. The tower is the most negative card of the tarot, representing disaster, obliteration, and destruction, most often of an unexpected kind. The chariot, then, is a sign of constant struggle. Supporting the chariot are all the seventh cards of the lesser arcana.

8-Strength. The image is one of a considerably strong individual such as Colossus or Samson, representing courage, strength, resolve, and confidence. Supporting strength is the 17th card of the Tarot, or the Star. The star represents hope, glory, optimism, and success. As such, this is a very positive sign with a lot going for it. Note that unlike the chariot, this is a quiet strength, reserve being part of its nature. All the number 8 cards of the lesser arcana support this sign.

9-The Hermit. The final image is one of a withdrawn person carrying a lamp in the darkness. It represents enlightenment, wisdom, introspection, and aloneness. The number 9 refers to itself. 9 times 3 is 27. 2 plus 7 is nine. 9 times 6 is 36. 3 plus 6 is nine. This constant referral to the self is the central theme to the hermit. The hermit has considerable self-awareness, which is the sorce of his wisdom. Supporting the hermit is the 18th card of the Tarot, or the Moon. The moon represents dark desires, addiction, imagination, fantasy, and deception. Most loners, then, battle with madness and addiction. Also supporting this sign are all the ninth cards of the lesser arcana.

Aside from the major and lesser arcan, there are a number of royal or face cards representing actual people in a Tarot reading. There are four types representing a younger male and female and an older male and female. This four types are accounted for in each of the four suits. Each suit describes a class of society, military, clergy, artisan, and merchant. These suits imply the physical aspects of these people, whether fair or dark.

Altogether, the Tarot reflects the primal images of our collective unconscious. This psychological connection is deep and lasting. Sadly, misrepresntation of these images injures our connection to these arcane images. Much respect must be given to those that continue to study the tarot, and to honor and respect the images therein. There are many decks out there, from the erotic to the disturbing. Even H.R. Geiger designed a series of major arcana. The Osho Zen Tarot is a particular beautifully painted deck of cards, and very well designed for performing readings. If you are interested in the Tarot, I suggest seeking out the deck that speaks most to you. The Tarot does not so much tell the future as it helps unlock the gates in your mind. As you perform a reading, the images you see act as a tool, something to focus on as you meditate. The answer is not in the card, but in your own mind. As such, finding a deck of cards to which you personaly respond is of great importance. Such a deck can provide great insight and many years of joy.

Word of warning, though. Never ask the Tarot a question to which you do not want to hear the answer. It can only end in sorrow. Some things are better left unexplored. Then, this is true of everything, not just the tarot.