Tarot: A Symbolic Journey Of The Human Soul

By Renato: Tarot is not important because it predicts the future; it is important because it offers a symbolic language capable of illuminating the processes of the human psyche.

Far from being merely a collection of seemingly random cards with mysterious symbols, Tarot represents a profound journey—a process of psychological and spiritual growth that extends from the instinctive innocence of The Fool to the complete fulfilment represented by The World. This archetypal path, often referred to as The Fool’s Journey, serves as a symbolic map for the human experience.

The great themes of life can be understood through the journey represented by the 22 Major Arcana, with each stage corresponding to a specific card along the path.

From the perspective of Jungian analytical psychology, many scholars interpret the Major Arcana as visual representations of archetypal forces within the collective unconscious. According to Carl Jung, archetypes are innate patterns of behaviour and perception. Tarot acts as a mirror, allowing these inner forces to be projected, recognised, and understood, thereby encouraging self-awareness. It is important to note that the Tarot cards themselves are not archetypes—they are symbolic representations of those archetypal energies.

The Main Connections Between Jungian Psychology and Tarot
1. Tarot and the Process of Individuation

As mentioned earlier, the sequence of the Major Arcana is commonly interpreted as The Fool’s Journey, describing humanity’s path toward wholeness—a process Jung called individuation. Along this journey, The Fool encounters life’s challenges, integrates opposing forces within the psyche, and ultimately reaches self-realisation, symbolised by The World.

2. Archetypal Correspondences

Many authors and psychotherapists associate specific Tarot cards with Jung’s archetypes.

Anima and Animus: The feminine within the masculine and the masculine within the feminine are often represented by The High Priestess and The Hierophant. Other traditions associate The Empress and The Emperor with the archetypal Mother and Father.
The Shadow: The hidden or repressed aspects of the personality are most clearly represented by The Devil. However, every card possesses both balanced and unbalanced expressions.
The Wise Old Man: Represented by The Hermit, symbolising wisdom, introspection, and spiritual guidance.
The Self: Represented by The World, symbolising the integration of the conscious and unconscious mind and the completion of individuation.
3. Tarot as a Projective Tool

Jung believed the unconscious communicates through symbols. Tarot functions as a projective tool, allowing individuals to recognise situations, emotions, and patterns reflected in the imagery. This process brings unconscious material into conscious awareness, making personal growth and healing possible.

4. The Mandala Structure

Jung considered the mandala to be a universal symbol of wholeness. Authors such as Alejandro Jodorowsky have proposed arranging the 78 Tarot cards as a mandala, representing the complete structure of the human psyche.

5. Synchronicity

Jung introduced the concept of synchronicity to explain meaningful coincidences that cannot be explained by ordinary cause and effect. In Tarot, the seemingly random selection of cards often reflects the querent’s inner psychological state, creating a meaningful symbolic connection between the outer event and the inner experience.

The Fool’s Journey also closely parallels Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, with both describing the universal cycle of departure, initiation, transformation, and return.

It quickly becomes apparent that Tarot deserves respect. It is not simply a game or a method of fortune-telling but a symbolic mirror of the soul. Here, the word soul refers to the deepest dimension of the collective unconscious—a reservoir of inherited archetypal patterns that shape human thought and behaviour, much as instinct guides animals.

Nor should Tarot be viewed as something dangerous or influenced by “dark forces.” From a Jungian perspective, consulting the Tarot is simply a dialogue with the unconscious mind. There is no need to invoke supernatural entities or spirits. The process requires only sincere reflection, concentration, and openness.

Respect for Tarot should also extend to its interpretation. Its symbols should not be distorted to fit modern trends or ideological agendas.

For example, I have debated with people who wished to redefine The Emperor as a modern man who helps with household chores or changes children’s nappies. While these are admirable actions, they are not what the Emperor archetype represents.

Archetypes do not describe domestic responsibilities or temporary social roles. They represent fundamental psychological functions such as order, structure, leadership, authority, discipline, and the creation of civilisation.

Many men—including myself—wash dishes and have changed countless nappies without becoming any less masculine. Likewise, many remarkable women, such as Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, and Indira Gandhi, embodied the Emperor archetype through their strength, leadership, and ability to establish order. These qualities belong to the archetype itself rather than to either gender.

I have also encountered interpretations that portray the Emperor exclusively as a negative figure—the oppressive male or symbol of patriarchy. While every Tarot card possesses a shadow aspect, reducing the Emperor solely to that interpretation demonstrates a misunderstanding of Tarot symbolism. Even The Devil has constructive and illuminating aspects when understood correctly.

Ultimately, respecting Tarot does not mean attributing supernatural powers to the cards, nor reducing them to simple fortune-telling. True respect lies in recognising Tarot as a rich symbolic language that encourages self-reflection and offers profound insights into the human condition. The wisdom contained within the Arcana remains timeless because it speaks to universal structures of the human psyche that transcend culture, history, and social change.