Tarot as Shadow Work

People are often scared of tarot.

Oooo, the Devil card! The Death card! The Tower Card!

I respect their fear. It’s natural to be intimidated by images of suffering, and it’s also reasonable to be uncomfortable with tarot.

Tarot is a shadow work, bringing into the light that which is key to your personality . . . but perhaps you prefer not to look at.

So, what is Shadow Work?

“Shadow work is the path of the heart warrior.” – Carl Jung

Renowned psychologist and tarot lover, Carl Jung, defined the shadow as a key part of our personality (see image above and below).

He defined it as a living part of ourselves that is often hidden in the subconcious mind. It wants to express itself, and will emerge in ways we did not plan. We naturally want to repress these parts of us, because they are uncomfortable to sit with. When we are unaware of our shadows though, they actually have more power to drive our behaviors.

“What is not brought to consciousness, comes to us as fate.”

Tarot is a chance to bravely face these scary cards and learn to love our entire being so we can break the Tower Card patterns in our life that continually cycle around us.

Naturally, a reading alone cannot unravel these deep occurrences in our psyche. That is better managed with professional therapy.

But some therapists, like Jung, see the value in using the cards to draw to the surface that which is in the dark.

As a reader, I find it fascinating that we all are embarrassed about very similar shadows. I believe that a reading can help you find compassion and acceptance for yourself and others in our shadows.

“There is no light without shadow and no psychic wholeness without imperfection.”

Jung also noted that this a source of where our creativity comes from. So consider making some art this month that welcomes your inner darkness to display in a healthy outlet.

Better yet, enjoy the creative experience of an artful tarot reading and ask the cards about your own shadow. Sign up for a personal tarot reading with me.

Prefer to have a friend there when you get called out? Bring them in for a Tarot Together session.

Want to meet your own inner psyche, and welcome in all parts of yourself? Enjoy an intuition coaching session. 

Need some real magical entertainment with a dark side for your autumn house party?
If you live in Portland, have a talented professional reader perform for your friends. Portlandia Fortune Tellers provides top notch divination artists to add magic into any festivity. We are already booking out for the weekends before Halloween, so send in your request today!

Snuggle Your Shadow,

Jenna Lynne Roberts

Present Path Tarot

Portlandia Fortune Tellers