Can Tarot cards be utilized as a psychological counseling tool?

Of course, and I think this is an excellent question. Many people misunderstand Tarot cards, rigidly associating them with fortune-telling and predetermined fates. However, in reality, their role in psychological exploration might be far greater than "predicting the future."

Let me explain it to you with a real-life analogy.

You can imagine Tarot cards as a set of exquisitely designed "mood cards," or perhaps a "mirror of the soul."

Think about it: sometimes our minds are in a mess, and we can't quite pinpoint what's bothering us. It's like a tangled ball of yarn, and we don't know where to start untangling it. In such situations, if you consult a psychologist, they will guide you through conversation, helping you unravel that tangled mess little by little.

Tarot cards, in this context, play the role of a very powerful "conversation starter."

When you draw a card, say "The Tower," the image shows a tower struck by lightning, with people falling from it. What's your first reaction when you see this card?

• Some might think: "Oh no, is something in my life about to collapse? Is it my job? Or my relationship?"
• Others might feel: "Great! I've been wanting to tear down and rebuild for a long time; I'm fed up with this old pattern!"
• Still others might focus on the person falling from the tower, wondering: "Are they scared? Or do they feel liberated? Do I feel scared or liberated right now?"

You see, the same card elicits completely different interpretations from different people, depending on their state of mind. The cards themselves don't tell you anything "predetermined"; they merely offer an image, a symbol, and then, like a mirror, reflect your deepest subconscious thoughts, worries, and desires.

So, a good Tarot reader or a psychological worker using Tarot cards won't tell you, "You're going to lose your job next month." Instead, they will ask you, "Seeing this 'Tower' card, what in your life does it make you think of? What feels shaky to you, or what do you wish to break free from?"

By discussing this card, you begin a dialogue with your inner self. The previously vague and indescribable worries now have a concrete image (The Tower), and you can discuss your feelings around it. This transforms an abstract psychological issue into a concrete, discussable topic.

This aligns with many methods in psychological counseling. For instance, "projective tests" in psychology (like the Rorschach inkblot test, where you say what you see) involve showing you ambiguous images and analyzing your inner state based on your descriptions. Tarot card images are rich with various archetypes and symbols (kings, queens, warriors, hermits...), which are universal human psychological imageries, making them particularly effective at triggering our associations and emotions.

However, a very important distinction must be drawn here:

1. Tarot cards are not psychotherapy. They are an auxiliary tool and cannot replace professional psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment. If you have a diagnosed mental illness like depression or anxiety, you must see a doctor and a licensed psychotherapist. This is like using ginger tea as an aid for a cold, but pneumonia absolutely requires hospital treatment with injections and medication.
2. The user (reader) is crucial. If the person interpreting for you constantly speaks of "destiny" or "what you must do," they are engaging in fortune-telling, which might cause you greater anxiety. But if they act as a guide, continually asking, "What do you think?" or "What does this mean to you?", helping you explore yourself, then they are using Tarot cards as a healthy psychological tool.

In summary, viewing Tarot cards as a "tool to help you talk to yourself" makes perfect sense. They cannot predict the future, but they can help you see the present more clearly—to understand your own inner self, your true desires, and your fears. From this perspective, they can absolutely be a very valuable auxiliary tool for psychological consultation.

Certainly, we can talk about this.

Let's put it this way: Tarot cards themselves are not psychological counseling, but they can absolutely be considered a very useful "auxiliary tool for psychological counseling."

You can think of it as a "hook" or a "mirror."

Why is it a "hook"?

Sometimes your mind is in a mess, feeling tangled, and you want to talk to someone but don't know where to start. At such times, drawing a few cards – the images, symbols, and stories on them – act like hooks, pulling out your subconscious thoughts, worries, and desires.

For example, if you ask about work and draw the "Three of Swords" (three swords piercing a heart), you might immediately associate it with a "heart-wrenching" moment at work recently, perhaps being misunderstood by a colleague or a project failure. See? A topic emerges. You can then follow that "heart-wrenching" feeling and delve deeper into the conversation. It helps you find an entry point for discussion.

Why is it a "mirror"?

Tarot cards are like a mirror, reflecting your inner world. The cards themselves have no magic, nor do they tell you a "fated" future. The one truly interpreting the cards is you.

For the same "Sun" card, someone content with their current situation might see "success, joy," while someone who has been suppressed for a long time might see "a desire to be seen, a need for release." The card triggers your associations, allowing you to see your true inner state. You're not "fortune-telling"; you're having a dialogue with your inner self.

But what's the difference between it and actual psychological counseling?

This is crucial.

1. Different Professionalism: Psychologists and counselors undergo rigorous professional training; they possess systematic psychological theoretical knowledge and clinical experience, enabling them to address various complex psychological issues like depression and anxiety. Tarot readers, however, vary greatly in skill, relying more on experience and their understanding of card meanings.
2. Different Goals: Tarot readings are often for "exploration and suggestion," offering you a new perspective on a problem. Psychological counseling, on the other hand, aims for "healing and growth." It systematically helps you adjust cognitions, process trauma, and establish healthy psychological patterns, which is a longer-term, more in-depth process.
3. Different Safety: An unprofessional Tarot reader might give you absolute, fatalistic "guidance," which could make you more anxious or even lead to wrong decisions. Professional psychologists and counselors are very rigorous; they won't make decisions for you but will guide you to improve your decision-making ability, and they adhere to strict ethical guidelines to protect your privacy and safety.

To summarize:

You can consider Tarot cards a great tool for self-exploration, or a "prop" for deep conversations with friends. They can help you clarify your thoughts and see your true feelings. From this perspective, they indeed have a psychological soothing effect.

However, if you feel you are experiencing genuine psychological distress, such as persistent low mood, severe anxiety, insomnia, etc., you must seek a professional psychologist or counselor. In such cases, Tarot cards can at most be an auxiliary tool during your communication with a therapist (some therapists do use them), but they absolutely cannot replace professional treatment.

Simply put: It's fine to "talk about your feelings" with Tarot cards, but it's not okay to use them to "see a psychologist."