Breaking the Myths: The True Purpose of Tarot
For centuries, tarot has been misunderstood. Many people still picture a mysterious fortune teller in a dark-lit room, predicting doom with a deck of cards. Others associate tarot with superstition, believing it’s linked to the occult or some higher mystical power.
But what if I told you that tarot is not about predicting your future but understanding your present?
Tarot is a mirror—one that reflects your subconscious, your emotions, and the patterns shaping your life. And the best part? You don’t need a psychic to unlock its wisdom.
So, let’s break the myths and uncover what tarot really is—and how it can be an incredible tool for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth.
The “Dark” History of Tarot: Where Do the Myths Come From?
The stereotype of tarot as fortune-telling sorcery comes from its early association with gypsies and street mystics. Historically, gypsy travelers relied on skills like palmistry and card reading to make a living. They would offer quick, dramatic predictions, sometimes exaggerating outcomes to make their services seem more mystical.
🔮 “You will meet a tall, dark stranger.”
🔮 “I see danger in your path—be careful.”
🔮 “A great misfortune is coming your way.”
This fear-based approach made tarot readings exciting—but also left a lasting impression that tarot was about external fate, rather than internal guidance.
Another source of tarot skepticism? Religious institutions. During the rise of Christianity, anything that encouraged people to seek wisdom outside the church was seen as a threat. Tarot, along with astrology and other ancient practices, was labeled forbidden—not because it was evil, but because it empowered people to think for themselves.
Thankfully, today, we can separate fear-based superstition from the true purpose of tarot—a psychological and spiritual tool that helps us gain clarity and make empowered choices.
Tarot Is Not Magic—It’s Psychology
If tarot isn’t about fortune-telling, then what is it?
Imagine this: You’re sitting in front of a deck of tarot cards, shuffling them with a question in mind. You pull a card and look at the image.
What do you see?
What thoughts or emotions come up?
How does this relate to what you’re currently experiencing?
This is where the real magic of tarot lies—not in predicting your future, but in helping you understand your inner world.
Carl Jung & The Psychology of Tarot
Renowned psychologist Carl Jung saw tarot as a doorway into the subconscious mind, much like dream analysis or inkblot tests. The images in the cards trigger archetypes—universal symbols that we all instinctively understand.
For example:
🗡 The Tower might evoke feelings of sudden change, upheaval, or personal breakthroughs.
💛 The Empress may remind you of nurturing energy, creativity, or the need for self-care.
⚖ Justice could bring up themes of fairness, truth, or facing consequences.
According to Jung, when we interact with tarot, we aren’t looking at predictions—we are projecting our subconscious thoughts onto the images, revealing what we need to focus on.
In other words, tarot doesn’t give you answers—it helps you find your own answers.
Tarot & Therapy: A Tool for Self-Reflection
You might be surprised to learn that tarot is now being used in mental health practices.
✔ Tarot Therapy: Some therapists use tarot as a prompt for self-reflection, much like journaling or guided meditation. Clients choose a card and explore how its imagery relates to their emotions.
✔ Couples Therapy: Some relationship counselors ask partners to pull a card and describe what they see. Their interpretations can reveal unconscious thoughts, fears, or desires—opening up deeper conversations.
✔ Decision-Making & Clarity: People struggling with indecision sometimes use tarot to reflect on different choices, helping them tune into their intuition.
While tarot is not a replacement for professional therapy, it is a powerful self-awareness tool that can complement inner work.
Tarot for Self-Discovery: How to Use It for Personal Growth
Let’s step away from the myths and into the reality—tarot is a tool for YOU.
When used intentionally, tarot can:
🔹 Help you process emotions by giving you a visual representation of your inner thoughts.
🔹 Improve decision-making by showing different perspectives on a situation.
🔹 Strengthen intuition by encouraging you to trust your own insights.
🔹 Encourage self-reflection through storytelling, journaling, or meditation.
Try This: A Simple 3-Card Spread for Clarity
Shuffle your deck and pull three cards, laying them in a row.
1️. Card 1 – The Challenge: What is blocking me right now?
2️. Card 2 – The Guidance: What action or mindset shift can help me?
3️. Card 3 – The Outcome: What happens if I embrace this guidance?
Sit with the cards and write down your thoughts. The goal isn’t to force a meaning, it’s to let your intuition speak.
Daily Tarot Practice: A Simple Way to Connect with Yourself
Not ready for full readings? Try this:
💡 One-Card Daily Pull – Each morning, draw a single card. Use it as a theme for the day—what lesson or insight does it bring?
📖 Tarot Journaling – Choose a card and free-write about what it makes you feel. What story does the image tell?
🎨 Creative Exploration – Use tarot cards as writing prompts or even inspiration for art, poetry, or music.
Tarot is not about knowing the future – it’s about better understanding yourself right now.
Final Thoughts: Tarot as a Compass, Not a Rulebook
So, does tarot control your fate? No.
Does it reveal your destiny? Not quite.
But can it help you tap into your deepest wisdom, find clarity, and make aligned choices? Absolutely.
🔹 Tarot is not about superstition, it’s about symbolism.
🔹 It does not tell you what will happen – it helps you decide what to do next.
🔹 The true power of tarot is not in the cards – it’s in YOU.
Want to learn how to read tarot holistically and use it as a tool for self-mastery? Join my in-depth Tarot Self-Mastery Course and discover how to use tarot beyond predictions.
Curious about your own tarot reading? Book a session with me and let’s explore your path together.
