Tarot Cards: Reflection of Destiny or Psychological Projection?

Ah, this is an excellent question, truly a core issue that anyone who plays with Tarot will eventually ponder. I actually believe it's both a mapping of destiny and a psychological projection; these two aren't contradictory but rather two sides of the same coin.

Let me explain with a simpler analogy.

First, let's talk about the "psychological projection" side.

You can imagine Tarot cards as a very peculiar mirror. It doesn't reflect your outward appearance, but rather your inner self, especially the subconscious parts you usually don't even notice.

For example, you ask, "Should I change jobs?" and you draw "The Tower" card. The card depicts a tower struck by lightning, with people falling from it, looking quite terrifying, representing upheaval and destruction.

• If deep down you're filled with fear and aversion towards your current job, seeing this card might make you think: "Exactly! If I stay any longer, I'll definitely collapse. This indicates I must leave this dreadful place immediately!"
• But if you're actually very afraid of unknown challenges and feel anxious about changing jobs, seeing this card might make you think: "Oh my goodness, how terrible! Does this mean if I change jobs, I'll face a disaster, like the new company will go bankrupt or I'll be fired?"

You see, it's the same card, but your different internal states lead you to completely different interpretations. The card itself doesn't give you a "yes" or "no" answer; it merely presents you with an image of "upheaval," and then all your inner desires, fears, anxieties... are "projected" onto the interpretation of this card. Through this process, you gain a clearer understanding of your true inner thoughts. This is psychological projection.

Then, let's discuss the "mapping of destiny" side.

Many people believe "destiny" is a pre-written script that cannot be altered even by a single step. However, my understanding of "destiny" as revealed by Tarot cards is more like a "weather forecast" or a "map."

• A weather forecast tells you, "There's an 80% chance of rain tomorrow." It doesn't command you to carry an umbrella tomorrow or to stay home. It merely tells you a possibility, a trend. You can choose to go out with an umbrella, or drive, or even decide you want to get wet. Your choice determines whether you ultimately get soaked.
• A map shows you that there's a mountain ahead and a river. It displays the terrain and possible paths before you. But the ultimate decision to climb the mountain, cross the river, take a detour, or turn back home still rests with you.

The "destiny" that Tarot cards reveal is like such a "weather forecast" and "map." Through the card spread, it tells you, based on your current state and energy, which direction things are most likely to develop, and what opportunities (hills) and challenges (rivers) you might encounter. It's "mapping" out a future possibility, not declaring an unchangeable outcome.

So, how do these two combine?

It's simple: Tarot cards use the tool of "psychological projection" to help you see the "map of destiny," ultimately allowing you to choose your own path.

You see the cards (the map), form your own interpretation (psychological projection), and thus become aware of your true inner thoughts and the potential trends in your external environment. Then, you can use this information to make the choices most beneficial to you.

So, don't get too hung up on what it "really" is. The most magical thing about Tarot cards isn't their ability to "predict" something accurately, but rather their power to stimulate your thinking and initiate a deep conversation with your inner self. Treating it as an old friend who can listen to your thoughts and offer insights might be the best approach.

You can think of Tarot cards as a mirror.

This mirror doesn't necessarily reflect a fixed, unchangeable "destiny," but rather your current inner state, subconscious thoughts, and desires, worries, and fears that you might not even be fully aware of when you ask a question.

The images, symbols, and stories on the cards are like a psychological "Rorschach inkblot test"; everyone sees different associations, and these associations come precisely from your own inner self. The role of a Tarot reader is to guide you in understanding these messages that your own inner self projects onto the cards.

So, what does this have to do with "destiny"?

You can think of it as a "weather forecast." Based on your current state (for example, you're walking towards a dark cloud), it tells you, "Hey, it might rain ahead." This possibility of "rain" is one potential "future trend" or "destiny" revealed by the cards.

But a weather forecast isn't a command; you're completely free to choose: do you take an umbrella and keep going, take a different path to avoid the cloud, or even stop and wait for the cloud to pass?

Therefore, Tarot cards are more like a tool to help you "see the present and choose your future." By concretizing your inner thoughts, it gives you the opportunity to examine yourself and then make clearer choices that are more true to your inner self. It doesn't give you a final answer, but rather an opportunity to become the author of your own destiny.