Tarot cards are steeped in rich symbolism and archetypes, and many of these archetypes parallel figures from Greek mythology. The imagery and meanings behind the cards often evoke the same timeless human experiences that were personified by the gods, heroes, and myths of ancient Greece. For professional tarot readers, understanding these mythological connections can deepen the interpretive possibilities and resonate with clients on a more profound level. Greek mythology, with its stories of divine intervention, heroic quests, and moral lessons, mirrors many of the themes found within tarot’s Major and Minor Arcana. These ancient myths bring timeless wisdom to modern tarot readings, offering deeper insights into the human condition, the nature of the divine, and the cycles of life.
For tarot professionals, incorporating these mythological connections can provide clients with a more profound understanding of their own personal narratives. Greek mythology serves as a powerful lens through which to view tarot, providing both depth and resonance in the art of divination.
The Common Ground of Archetypes
Both tarot and mythology are structured around archetypes—universal symbols and patterns that appear in human consciousness across cultures and time periods. Carl Jung, the renowned psychoanalyst, popularized the concept of archetypes, suggesting that they represent fundamental human drives and experiences. Greek mythology, with its cast of gods, goddesses, and heroic figures, is filled with these archetypal roles, much like the figures in tarot.
When reading tarot, the cards act as mirrors to our own inner world, and the same can be said of the myths. Myths aren’t just ancient stories; they reflect our deepest desires, fears, challenges, and transformative moments, which are key aspects of any tarot reading.
Key Tarot Cards and Their Greek Mythological Parallels
Understanding the connections between specific tarot cards and Greek mythological figures can expand the depth of a reading. These parallels offer a narrative framework that helps clients connect with the timeless energies represented by the cards.
The Fool (0) – Dionysus
The Fool in tarot represents new beginnings, spontaneity, and the leap into the unknown, often without fear or expectation of the outcome. This archetype resonates strongly with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, revelry, and ecstatic abandon. Dionysus was known for his carefree spirit, challenging conventional norms, and embracing life’s unpredictability.
Much like The Fool, Dionysus invites us to trust in the journey and take bold steps without being bound by logic or structure. He represents the idea of surrendering to life’s flow, much like The Fool’s journey into the unknown.
The Magician (I) – Hermes
The Magician, a figure of transformation, skill, and manifestation, closely aligns with Hermes, the Greek god of communication, magic, and trickery. Hermes is the messenger of the gods, known for his ability to move between worlds and facilitate change. The Magician shares this ability to harness resources and channel energy to create tangible results. Both figures represent the power of intention and the skillful use of tools to manifest desires.
Tarot Decks Inspired by Greek Mythology
Several tarot decks have been created specifically to integrate the rich symbolism of Greek mythology with traditional tarot structures. These decks provide a direct link to the ancient stories and archetypes, offering readers a specialized tool for divination.
The Mythic Tarot: First published in 1989 and reprinted almost every two years, this popular deck depicts gods and goddesses, demigods, heroes, and villains from Ancient Greek mythology and legends on each of the 78 Tarot cards. Created by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene, the Mythic Tarot brings the power and insight of ancient Greek myths to bear on the traditional tarot. Each card in the major arcana shows a scene from a myth that reflects the essential meaning of that card. For example, the Star shows Pandora looking upward with hope despite having opened Zeus' fateful box of miseries. The four suits cover four well-known myths in detail: the love of Eros and Psyche (Cups), the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts (Wands), the tribulations of Orestes and the House of Atreus (Swords), and the resourcefulness of Daedalus against the Minotaur (Pentacles). The instruction book describes the myth, symbols, and meanings that go with each card, and a separate workbook offers exercises and extra information to help users experience the deck.
The New Mythic Tarot: This deck is a redrawing of the popular Ancient Greece-themed Mythic Tarot. Tricia Newell's original artwork has been recreated for the New Mythic by Giovanni Caselli.
The Mythos Tarot: This deck combines traditional tarot meanings with insights about various Gods within Greek Mythology. Each god is paired with a card based around historical myths and representations. The deck is described as providing a cartomancy scaffold and a psychological skeleton to help witness the inner reflections of the spirit. The dust from ancient footsteps never settles, and the swirling prints that the Olympians fashioned are still imprinted on the earth today. This deck helps users find their own path from the roads they carved out. Ancient Archetypes of Greek Mythology paired with traditional tarot help the contemporary spirit to guide its way to deeper understanding with the divine messages and meanings imbued in each card.
An example from the Mythos Tarot is The Fool, which is paired with Pan - God of the wild, shepherds, and mischief. The guidance suggests that the user has reached the beginning of a journey and Pan’s wild spirit burns within them. There is opportunity and potential ahead, and the user is about to take their first step into the unknown. In this new adventure, there is a calling to channel Pan’s free-spirited nature and leave behind any fear, regret, or anxiety. There is a leap of faith to be taken, but the user is ready for it, so they should step off the base of earth and fly with the wild music.
The Olympus Tarot: This is a tarot of the Ancient Greeks. Each card in the Olympus Tarot represents a myth, hero, monster, or god from Greek legend, depicted in dramatic comic-book style.
The Pythagorean Tarot: This is a complex and deep set of tarot cards, based on ancient Greek paganism, alchemy, and Pythagorean numerology. The companion book is long and very thorough, explaining the symbolic complexity.
The Renaissance Tarot deck: This deck has gorgeous artwork with touches of gold. All twelve deities of Olympus and several other Greek and Roman gods and demigods are pictured in the major arcana.
The Mythic Oracle: This deck brings the myths and legends of Ancient Greek to life. The 45 cards each show a Greek deity or character and are divided into groups of Heroes, Magical Beings, Olympians, and Titans.
Conclusion
The integration of Greek mythology into tarot practice offers a profound method for deepening spiritual insight. By connecting the archetypal figures of the tarot with the gods and heroes of ancient Greece, readers can access a rich narrative tradition that resonates with the universal human experience. Whether using a deck specifically designed around these themes or drawing upon mythological knowledge to interpret traditional cards, the relationship between these two systems provides a valuable lens for understanding the self and navigating life's journey. The timeless wisdom embedded in these myths continues to offer guidance, reflecting our deepest desires, fears, and transformative moments through the imagery of the cards.