Tarot as an Act of Resistance

Tarot, often misunderstood as mere fortune-telling, offers a profound avenue for personal empowerment and spiritual exploration.

Unlike traditional monotheistic religions that require intermediaries for spiritual guidance, tarot allows individuals a direct, independent connection to the divine, challenging hierarchical structures.In Western culture, we tend to favour the logical and linear aspects of the “left brain,” often overlooking the symbolic and intuitive language of the “right brain.”

Tarot bridges this gap, offering a language of symbols, metaphors, and feelings to make sense of life’s experiences, aiding in the therapeutic process of self-discovery and meaning-making.Jungian psychology further emphasizes tarot’s significance, as Carl Jung associated tarot cards with archetypes, making them valuable tools for psychological insight – nowadays we would find this tool incorporated into art therapy. 

Tarot doesn’t have to be about divination; like art, it’s about tapping into one’s interpretive imagination to guide the parts of ourselves that seek internal wisdom. It allows us to tap into the Self, a higher wisdom, and intuitive energy, empowering us to navigate life’s complexities with newfound clarity and purpose. 

I will present my research paper on Tarot as a tool of resistance at Harvard School of Divinity next month, focusing on its role throughout history with the Roma people, its association with witchcraft, colonization and the patriarchy. Follow along here.