Tarot: A Conversation Between Intuition, Psychology, and the Human Story

For many people, tarot sits in a curious place. It’s often seen as mysterious, mystical, or even intimidating; something reserved for psychics, fortune tellers, or people who “just have the gift.”

The truth is far more grounded, intelligent, and human.

At its core, tarot is a symbolic language, one that speaks to intuition, psychology, and the universal patterns of human experience. You don’t need special powers to read tarot. You need curiosity, presence, and a willingness to allow intuition to flow.

A Brief History of Tarot

Tarot began its life not as a divination tool, but as a card game.

The earliest tarot decks appeared in 15th-century Italy, commissioned by noble families as elaborately illustrated playing cards known as trionfi (triumphs). These early decks already contained symbolic images (emperors, virtues, death, fate) reflecting the worldview of the time. It wasn’t until the 18th and 19th centuries that tarot became associated with mysticism, esoteric study, and inner exploration. Occult scholars began to see tarot as a visual system that mapped human consciousness, spiritual development, and psychological processes.

In 17th century Europe, the Tarot de Marseille, a French deck was popular, though many cards required readers to rely heavily on numerology, tradition, and memorised meanings rather than visual intuition.

In 1909, the tarot as we largely know it today was born with the publication of the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite. This deck was revolutionary because it placed rich symbolic scenes on every card, including the Minor Arcana; making tarot more accessible, intuitive, and teachable than ever before.

It is this deck that has shaped modern tarot reading and remains the gold standard for learning.

Tarot as a Map of Human Archetypes

One of the most compelling ways to understand tarot is through the lens of archetypes; which are universal patterns of human behaviour, experience, and development. Psychologist Carl Jung introduced the concept of archetypes as innate, symbolic forms that exist within the collective unconscious. While Jung did not write extensively about tarot itself, his work provides a powerful framework for understanding why tarot works.

Jung wrote:

“Archetypes are typical forms of behaviour which, once they become conscious, naturally present themselves as ideas and images.”

The Major Arcana of the tarot (cards like The Fool, The Magician, The Lovers, Death, The Star) are clear expressions of these archetypal forces. They represent stages of life, inner conflicts, transformations, and awakenings that every human experiences in some form. When we encounter these images, something inside us recognises them; not so much intellectually, but instinctively.

This is why tarot feels personal, even when read by someone else. It speaks a symbolic language the psyche already understands.

Intuition Meets Psychology

Tarot is not about predicting a fixed future. It is about revealing what is active in the present moment.

A skilled tarot reader learns to:

• Read symbols and imagery

• Weave the story within and between the cards in a spread

• Include information recieved intuitively

• Ask meaningful questions

• Reflect patterns in the cards back to the querent with clarity and care

Tarot offers a gentle, visual way to bring unconscious material into awareness; which allows choice, insight, and growth rather than blind repetition of unhelpful patterns. A good tarot reading offers new points of view and opportunities for learning from any problem or decision.

You Don’t Need to Be Psychic to Read Tarot

One of the biggest myths about tarot is that you must be “naturally intuitive” to read well.

In reality, confidence in tarot comes from:

• Understanding the structure of the deck

• Learning the symbolic language of the cards

• Knowing how to build story from a spread

• Practising interpretation in a grounded way

Intuition is not something you either have or don’t have. Intuition is something you develop through practice. Tarot is a skill, an art, and a conversation.

Learning Tarot with The Healing Bower

If you’re new to tarot, learning with the Rider–Waite–Smith deck provides a strong, transferable foundation. Its imagery is layered, intentional, and deeply connected to archetypal psychology. What you learn is applicable to any deck based on the RWS deck (which is the majority).

When taught well, tarot becomes:

• A tool for self-reflection

• A language for understanding others

• A pathway to confident intuitive decision-making

• A bridge between intuition and intellect

Learn Tarot With Me: March 7–8 in Coolangatta

If you’ve been curious about tarot but unsure where to start — or if you want to move beyond guidebooks and into real confidence — I invite you to join me for:

The Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot Intensive. Pathway to the Confident Reader.

Location: Coolangatta

Dates: March 7–8 (two immersive days of tarot)

*be quick because only 3 spots remain in the March course

Cost: $495

Included: so many amazing gifts and inclusions - you can read more about the course on the website HERE.

This in-person intensive is designed for beginners and developing readers who want:

• A clear understanding of tarot structure and symbolism

• Practical reading skills (not memorisation)

• Building a deep personal relationship with the cards so that you can have confidence in interpretation

• A grounded and intuitive approach to reading the cards

You’ll leave not just knowing tarot — but trusting yourself with it.

If tarot has been quietly calling you, this is your invitation to answer.