Some people have two psychologists. I have just one. But I also have a tarot reader that I talk to once a week or even more (I myself am a tarot reader, but I rarely pull my own cards for objectivity). I’m not embarrassed or ashamed to admit that I talk to both of them on the same day at times. I even do daily tarot pulls to get a sense of the day’s vibe, which calms me and gives me peace of mind.
However, an op-ed recently published in The New York Times prompted me to reflect on my own experiences. The author praises tarot readers, offering guidance on how to use tarot to make significant life choices—and to consider using it instead of consulting a therapist. I’ve been there. However, I now know you need two to make your life go right—and I want to give my own advice to those contemplating doing the same as the author of the op-ed.
As a tarot and astrological practitioner who has been in therapy, I’ve explored integrating various modalities of self-understanding—whether scientific or metaphysical—into my healing path. To me, as a Mercurial person, gaining a deeper understanding of myself is a necessity, so I explore (and implore) any route that allows me to advance my journey towards self-discovery. Seeing a tarot reader and pulling my own cards to figure out a situation calms my anxiety, as does discussing my feelings with my therapist.
In fact, the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung infused his sessions with tarot to gain a deeper understanding of his patients’ innermost sentiments. In recent times, more and more psychoanalysts are using his exact technique to comprehend one’s behavior and subconscious thoughts. The cards weren’t used for prediction, but rather as a tool to help cognitive thinking and processing.
Dr. Kristen Long, DPsa, LP, LCAT, who is a New York State licensed psychoanalyst and licensed creative arts therapist, uses tarot in the graduate-level course she teaches at New York University. Similar to the teachings of Jung, Dr. Long believes that tarot “is about meaning-making, which is at the heart of psychodynamic psychotherapy. The cards serve as mirrors, sparking insight and opening space for personal storytelling. Importantly, tarot should be understood as one tool among many therapeutic options, never a replacement for therapy itself.”
Bri Luna, owner and creative director of The Hoodwitch and author of Blood Sex Magic: Everyday Magic for the Modern Mystic—and who offers tarot readings and horoscopes on her online store and blog—agrees. In her practice, she uses “tarot and astrology to show people what they’re already doing—it’s a mirror, not ‘fortune telling.’” She adds that it is “a tool that helps someone articulate a pattern, a fear, or a desire they’ve been avoiding, it’s useful.”
Luna’s sentiment rings true for me. It would be remiss of me to deny my own desire to take out my tarot cards or call a coworker for a reading when I’m spiraling. Luckily, I have colleagues and a support system who tell me when to put the cards away and to handle matters head-on. Through years of training and experience, I know when to stop and to calm my nerves in other ways. As a Mercurial person, I also like to get to the bottom of matters—and for me, tarot can be a way to gain insight into a situation. Once I understand the details, I discuss it and my feelings with my therapist (sometimes both).
In my journey, I’ve found that incorporating both the spiritual and psychological through tarot and psychoanalysis has been helpful. But balance is necessary. Dr. Jennifer Freed, PhD, a psychological astrologer of 35 years and author of A Map To Your Soul, also integrates tarot and astrology into her clinical practice, explaining that “astrology and tarot, in combination with competent therapy, teach us to be fully accountable for our actions and decisions while being fully aware that we are a divine spark in an overarching universe of profound meaning and amplification.”
The danger in only seeing a tarot reader for advice is that many aren’t professionally equipped to deal with clients who have psychological conditions that require medical care. Additionally, the subject is relying solely on the reader’s interpretation, rather than drawing their own conclusions. As a result, spiritual psychosis—where a mental health crisis is perceived by the individual as a spiritual revelation—can occur.
Most often, though, people are simply afraid of what they’ll discover. Edgar Fabián Frías, a MA, MFA, LMFT psychotherapist in private practice and multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, who also integrates tarot in their work with clients, explains: “Therapy is hard because it asks us to face the parts of ourselves we’ve adapted around, hidden away, or feared touching for years. The discomfort isn’t punitive; it’s purposeful.” Essentially, the substitution is not the same: A doctor is going to make you do the work to get past the hurdle so that you can mend the wounds, while tarot gives answers that don’t necessarily encourage you to take the steps and accountability required.
“Therapists train for years to recognize trauma responses, relational patterns, cognitive distortions, dissociation, somatic cues, safety concerns, and the nuanced ways people protect themselves from pain,” Frías continues. “A therapeutic relationship is designed to hold complexity, contradiction, ambivalence, and grief in ways that metaphysical tools alone simply cannot. The container matters, and so does the training behind it.”
On the flip side, there are plenty of surprising ways tarot can assist you on your journey. As Sarah Potter, tarot reader and author of Sober Magic: Using the Tarot and Ritual in Your Journey Away from Drinking says, “The cards don’t tell you what to do, they help you feel what’s already true. When used with care, tarot can slow the nervous system, offer perspective, and create meaning around experiences that feel overwhelming or confusing. Over years of practice, I’ve seen how this reflective process helps people articulate emotions, recognize patterns, and feel less alone with what they’re carrying.”
I wholeheartedly agree with one point made in the article: healthcare is costly, and what often happens is that people often turn to spirituality instead of receiving proper medical treatment. Still, tarot can also be pricey and expensive, and there are numerous services available that offer free consultations and therapy to those who can’t otherwise afford it in person and online. (It’s essential to check what your state offers to take advantage of the available assistance.)
The answer, in my opinion, is that tarot and analysis can work hand in hand. While the debate rages on, I stand firm in stating that incorporating magic into your healing process is a positive factor, as long as it’s being discussed with your therapist. And if they make you feel ashamed of your beliefs, then it might be time to find a new one. Carl Jung would agree.