That line, and dozens of other variations of it, may have already made its way into your social media feeds at one point or another. Now before you scroll away, hear me out: I think tarot could be for you. Yes, whether you believe in the “magic” of it or not.
Tarot and psychology From its roots as a card game and a magic tool however, tarot in the 21st century is now also slowly being recognized for its potential to aid in psychological practice. Charting our thoughts Using the tarot is a great way to check in with ourselves—to see what we think may be going well or not so well in our current situation, or to bring to the surface thoughts or feelings we’ve been avoiding.
In short, regularly pulling cards has allowed me to identify patterns in my thoughts and emotions from day to day. The imagery and its associated meanings—or sometimes even the intuitive feelings I get from just looking at the card’s artwork—also prompt me to flesh out and understand my experiences more.
“Tarot has definitely helped me with my self-image, decision-making, and conflict resolution. Honestly, I use my tarot cards to call me out on my topak. I know I’m not infallible,” she says. “They help me take a step back, analyze a situation, hold space with my feelings, and really unpack what’s going on.”
Another beautiful thing about the practice of reading tarot for yourself is how it can also coincide with or supplement other self-care practices, like meditation, or journaling.