Is tarot about predicting the future, or is it psychological suggestion?

Hello, that's an excellent question, and it's actually the biggest question mark in the minds of many friends who are new to Tarot.

If you ask me, these two aren't contradictory at all. It's both, and it's neither; it's more like a combination of the two. Let me give you a few examples, and you might understand.

Firstly, viewing it as a tool for "psychological suggestion" or "psychological projection" makes perfect sense.

You can think of it as a mirror. You might have worries or confusion in your heart, but perhaps you can't quite sort them out, and everything feels messy. When you draw a few cards, the images on them—like Swords, The Tower, The Sun—are classic archetypes that easily trigger your subconscious thoughts and feelings.

For example, if you ask about your career prospects and draw the "Three of Swords" (three swords piercing a heart), your first reaction might be, "It's over, I'm going to be fired." But does this card truly possess such magic? Not necessarily. It's more likely that deep down, you've long been filled with unease and anxiety about your current job, and this card merely "illustrates" that unease, making it impossible for you to ignore it any longer. It's like a friend pointing out things you're afraid to say or haven't realized yourself, helping you untangle a jumbled mess of thoughts. From this perspective, it's a very effective psychological tool.

So, can it actually predict the future?

I think a more accurate way to put it is that it helps you see "future possibilities" or "the trend of how things might develop."

The future isn't a fixed, straight line; it's more like a map with countless possible paths. Tarot cards are like a GPS, telling you: "If you continue down this current path (your mindset, your actions), this is the most likely destination you'll reach."

Using the previous example again, if you draw the "Three of Swords," it might be a reminder that if you continue to ignore problems at work or maintain your current state of anxiety and unease, then a "heartbreaking" outcome is very likely to occur. It's not delivering a verdict; it's giving you a "weather forecast." If the forecast says it will rain, you can choose to take an umbrella when you go out, rather than sitting at home waiting to get soaked. So, Tarot cards reveal a possibility, but the ultimate power of choice, and the ability to change that future, always remains in your hands.

So, to summarize:

Through the symbols and images on the cards (psychological suggestion), Tarot helps you clearly see your current state, your true inner thoughts, and your surrounding environment.

Based on this clear "present," it deduces the most likely "future trend" (future prediction).

Its ultimate purpose isn't for you to passively await a so-called "destiny," but rather to help you understand yourself better, see the path ahead clearly, and then empower you with the wisdom to make choices and actively create the future you desire.

So, the next time you consult Tarot cards, don't treat it like a crystal ball that can tell you tomorrow's lottery numbers. Instead, treat it like a wise old friend you can chat with; it won't give you direct answers, but it will always inspire you to find the answers yourself.