How Tarot Works: Archetypes, Intuition, and Life’s Journey

Tarot cards have intrigued people for centuries, but their real power isn’t about predicting the future. Instead, tarot offers a reflective guide for understanding life’s challenges, opportunities, and personal growth. When I was younger, I used to play with tarot cards a lot. I was fascinated by the colorful pictures and the magician in my hoped that I would be able to discover future possibilities and troubles. I learned to ask questions: open ended, but I must admit: I was disappointed a lot. I often wondered: can tarot cards be wrong? Or is it the fact that I might not know how a tarot reading works? I started out by shuffling the deck, laying the cards in front of me faced down and picking three cards intuitively. The first card would represent my past, the second my present and the third my future. Over time, I discovered the Five Card Spread, a method that adds depth to the reading by addressing not just the timeline of events but also their underlying themes:

1. Card 1: Represents the present or the central theme of the reading.
2. Card 2: Reflects past influences that continue to shape the situation.
3. Card 3: Offers insight into the future possibilities.
4. Card 4: Reveals the reason behind the question, shedding light on the past.
5. Card 5: Highlights the potential within the situation.

But one night, a dream rekindled my connection to tarot. In it, I encountered a figure who mirrored the Hermit—his gray hair, flowing beard, and quiet wisdom radiated a profound sense of understanding. That moment reminded me of the power of archetypes within both dreams and tarot. These archetypes serve as universal symbols, unlocking insight into our subconscious minds.

Through archetypes, symbolism, and intuition, tarot offers clarity and guidance for navigating life’s twists and turns. If you’ve ever wanted to deepen your connection with tarot or explore how it intertwines with your dreams, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (click to read more) is the course for you. This transformative program delves into the Major Arcana, connecting the archetypes in the cards to the wisdom of your subconscious.

Let’s uncover the art of tarot and how it can reshape the way you view your life’s journey.

Tarot as a Mirror of Life’s Journey

The tarot deck reflects life’s stages—the growth, challenges, and decisions that shape who we are. The Major Arcana, in particular, beautifully illustrates this universal journey. It begins with the Fool, who takes a step forward without looking. He trusts his own intuition, the universe and hiThe tarot deck serves as a profound reflection of life’s cyclical nature—its growth, challenges, and transformative moments. The Major Arcana illustrates this journey in a way that mirrors the circle of life, beginning with the Fool. The Fool takes a leap of faith, stepping forward into the unknown with only his intuition, trust in the universe, and loyal dog (Click thread more about the archetypical meaning of dogs in dreams).

With the Fool’s courage as the catalyst, the journey unfolds. The Magician and the High Priestess introduce the dance of the conscious and subconscious minds, blending logic and intuition to navigate the world. As life progresses, we ground ourselves in the nurturing energy of the Empress, representing creativity and growth, while the Emperor provides the structure and stability we need—or sometimes rebel against—to define our individuality.

As the Chariot advances on this path, it reminds us of the courage required to face life’s challenges. Niki de Saint Phalle’s depiction of the Chariot, a mosaic-clad figure in a flowing blue dress reminiscent of the High Priestess’s celestial garb, captures this essence. The red staff she carries symbolizes the inner strength to overcome past traumas, drawing parallels to Saint Phalle’s own resilience in the face of personal pain. The Fool’s leap of faith has brought her here, ready to confront the trials ahead.

Chariot
Tarot Garden Niki de Saint PhalleBut life’s journey also brings encounters with the shadow, represented by the Devil. In the Tarot Garden, this striking statue is vibrant and alluring, yet deceptive, much like the Magician. Viewed from behind, hidden feet appear, revealing the duality of its nature. This serves as a reminder of the importance of confronting our own shadow, as Carl Gustav Jung wrote in Aion (Aff):

The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real.

In Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden, such recognition requires the courage depicted in the Strength card, where a young woman faces a dragon with calm resolve. Her white dress reflects innocence, while her steady gaze mesmerizes the beast, showing that courage and self-awareness can transform even our deepest fears. Strength bridges the innocence of the Fool with the hard-won wisdom gained through life’s struggles.

The girl seems to have mesmerized the dragon. Her white dress symbolizes her innocence, the innocence of the Fool. The dog who was his friend now turns out to be the nemesis. Children are so often without power to defend themselves. But this girl is up for the challenge. It is the stuff of nightmares where each child first looks under their bed. In Niki’s life it was her own father, but we all have trusted someone that betrayed us. And you have to deal with that each time again. Otherwise you just have to isolate yourself so you will never get hurt. But that also means that you never change and never learn, never grow into someone older and wiser. Then you are stuck, much like the Hanged man is (read more about the card of the hanged man). This card represents surrender and introspection. Much like Odin’s quest for wisdom in Norse mythology, it challenges us to look inward when no clear path forward exists.

Intuition in Action

In my blog, Does Tarot Predict Your Future? (click to read), I share how drawing cards isn’t about foretelling events but understanding the present and making informed choices.

While many approach tarot hoping for answers about the future, its true value lies in guiding self-discovery. As I explain in Does Tarot Predict Your Future?, the cards don’t determine destiny—they highlight archetypal patterns and potential paths.

This shift in perspective empowers you to take control of your life story, a philosophy central to The Good, The Bad, andThe Ugly.

One of the most inspiring places to experience tarot’s magic is Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden in Tuscany. This enchanting location brings the Major Arcana to life through vivid, larger-than-life sculptures that capture the essence of each card’s archetypal meaning. Every step in this artistic sanctuary feels like stepping into a living tarot deck, where the cards’ symbolism unfolds in breathtaking detail.

Why Join “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”?

This course is more than just an exploration of tarot. It’s a journey into your subconscious mind, guided by dreams and archetypes. Here’s what you’ll gain:

• Comprehensive Understanding of Archetypes: Explore the symbolic meanings of all 22 Major Arcana cards.
• Dream Incubations for Growth: Use guided exercises to connect with archetypes on a profound level.
• Community Support: Share your insights in a private Facebook group with like-minded individuals.
• Practical Application: Learn how archetypes influence your decisions, relationships, and personal growth.

At the end of this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of tarot and a new perspective on your dreams.

How to Get Started

Ready to unlock the wisdom of tarot? Here’s how to begin:

1. Sign Up Now: Don’t miss your chance to enroll in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. It helps you strengthen this intuitive connection through guided dreamwork and reflective exercises.
2. Enhance Your Practice: Use tools like the Rider Waite Tarot deck (aff), in combination with the Tarot of the New Vision (aff). These complementary decks represent each other’s shadow, creating a richer perspective. Combine their insights with your personal dreams, guided by the dream incubations crafted specifically for each Major Arcana card, to unlock profound connections to the archetypes.

Other Resources to Deepen Your Practice

 

I have written about the tight relationship of the Norse God Odin and his relationship to the tarot card of the Hanged Man. And just like you, I have wondered: does Tarot predict your future? Because sometimes the cards where accurate about my future, sometimes they were wrong. I came to the conclusion that it’s the archetypes. You do not own an archetype, they own you. For a while, sometimes for a period of your life. One of the best things I have ever done is visit the Tarot Garden created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. She created an otherworldly world and I strolled around in it for a day. It was beautiful, mesmerizing and adventurous to walk in a world where you are surrounded by the cards.

Literature

Jung, C. G. (1951). Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self (R.F.C. Hull, Trans.). Princeton University Press. (Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Vol. 9, Part II, para. 14).

Ton, J. (2005). De Levende Tarot. De tarot als visuele synthese van de esoterische wereld: een weg tot zelfkennis. Uitgeverij Schors.