The integration of tarot cards into popular media has created widespread fascination with divination practices and symbolic interpretation. While cinematic portrayals often emphasize dramatic supernatural elements, the underlying principles of tarot as a tool for introspection and guidance have been explored through various narrative frameworks. Contemporary films and series frequently utilize tarot archetypes to represent character development, moral dilemmas, and the exploration of fate versus free will. Understanding how these symbols are employed in storytelling can provide deeper insight into the psychological and spiritual themes that tarot represents beyond sensationalized horror tropes. This article examines the representation of tarot in media, the specific spreads and symbolic meanings depicted, and the distinction between fictional dramatization and the authentic practice of tarot reading for personal growth.
Tarot in Cinematic Narratives
Filmmakers have long utilized tarot imagery to explore themes of destiny, psychological introspection, and the unknown. The symbolic language of the cards offers a rich visual and thematic palette for storytelling, often serving as a mirror for characters' internal journeys.
The Depiction of Tarot in Horror Films
The 2024 horror film Tarot exemplifies a specific approach to integrating tarot into its plot. The film utilizes a method known as the Zodiac draw, or 12-card draw, where cards are arranged in a circle corresponding to the numbers on a clock. Each card represents a different aspect of the subject's life, such as career, health, and relationships. In some instances, a thirteenth card is drawn to summarize the subject. This specific spread is distinct from the more commonly known three-card method, which typically represents the past, present, and future. The narrative of the film revolves around the consequences of violating the tarot deck, specifically the act of using another person's deck without permission, which is depicted as unleashing an unspeakable evil. While the film dramatizes this as a curse, it highlights a recognized principle in tarot practice regarding the personal and energetic connection a reader has with their own deck.
Another film, The Dark Tarot (2020), portrays a psychic using tarot cards to solve murders, revealing dark secrets hidden within the cards. This portrayal aligns tarot with investigative intuition and the uncovering of hidden truths. Similarly, The Tarot Card Killer (2009) features a detective using tarot cards to track a serial killer who leaves cards at crime scenes. These films utilize the cards as clues or symbols of fate, contrasting with the supernatural horror genre.
Tarot as a Tool for Psychological Exploration
Beyond horror, tarot appears in films that explore psychological and existential themes. The film The Game (1997) integrates the concept of fate and unpredictability associated with tarot, with the protagonist's experiences echoing the themes of the Wheel of Fortune card, which represents the cyclic nature of fortune and misfortune. In The Fountain (2006), themes of life, death, and rebirth correspond with tarot symbolism, highlighting characters' inner struggles and transformative journeys. These portrayals suggest that tarot archetypes can serve as metaphors for the human experience, focusing on internal transformation rather than external supernatural threats.
Television and Video Game Adaptations
The influence of tarot extends to television series and video games, where the archetypes guide narrative structure and character development. In True Detective, the plot weaves images and themes from tarot, particularly the symbolic significance of the Hanged Man, which denotes sacrifice and a different perspective on time and reality. This representation deepens the understanding of characters' moral dilemmas. In The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, tarot is used to guide the audience through the protagonist's journey of empowerment and self-discovery, with character decisions reflecting the archetypal meanings of specific cards.
In the realm of video games, Persona 5 utilizes a persona system directly inspired by various tarot archetypes. Each character represents a different tarot card, providing unique abilities and storylines tied closely to their corresponding meanings. This integration allows players to engage with the archetypal symbolism on an interactive level.
Authentic Tarot Practices and Misconceptions
While media often dramatizes tarot, it is essential to distinguish between cinematic tropes and the actual practice of tarot reading. Tarot is primarily a tool for self-reflection, spiritual growth, and personal development. The insights gained depend on the situation being explored and the interpretation of the reader.
The Significance of Deck Ownership
A recurring theme in tarot media is the concept of a "sacred rule" regarding the use of decks. The 2024 film Tarot suggests that using someone else's deck can lead to misfortune. While the film portrays this as a literal curse, the underlying principle in authentic practice is one of energetic hygiene and respect. A tarot deck is often considered a personal tool that attunes to the reader's energy. Using another's deck without permission is generally considered uncool and can lead to less accurate readings due to the lack of resonance between the deck and the new user. This is not a "law" that summons demons, but a guideline for maintaining the integrity of the reading.
The Role of the Reader
In films such as The Tarot Reader (2015), the practitioner is depicted as an individual who has learned the craft, often adding depth to the performance by actually learning to handle the cards. This reflects the reality that tarot reading requires study and intuition. The Tarot: A Journey Through the Major Arcana (2016) documentary-style film further emphasizes the educational aspect, taking viewers through the visual and symbolic journey of the cards.
Tarot and Real-World Events
Some films, such as The Cards of Fate (2014), adopt a documentary style to explore the lives of people whose destinies were altered by tarot readings. By interviewing real tarot readers, these works provide genuine insights into the practice, moving away from supernatural horror and toward a nuanced understanding of how tarot can influence perspective and decision-making.
The Symbolism of Specific Tarot Cards in Media
The specific cards depicted in media often carry distinct meanings that drive the narrative.
The High Priestess
In the 2024 film Tarot, the High Priestess card manifests as a terrifying monster in an attic. In traditional tarot, the High Priestess represents intuition, the subconscious, and hidden knowledge. Her appearance in the film is used to evoke fear, but her archetype signifies the need to look beneath the surface and trust one's inner voice.
The Hanged Man
As seen in True Detective, the Hanged Man represents sacrifice, suspension, and seeing the world from a new perspective. In a narrative context, this card often appears when a character must make a sacrifice or endure a period of uncertainty to gain enlightenment.
The Wheel of Fortune
Referenced in The Game, this card symbolizes cycles, destiny, and the ups and downs of life. Its inclusion in a film suggests that characters are at the mercy of forces beyond their control, or that a significant turning point is approaching.
Tarot as a Narrative Device
The use of tarot in movies, series, and games serves to highlight the human desire to understand the unknown and to find patterns in chaos. Whether used to summon dark forces in a horror movie or to guide a character toward self-discovery in a drama, tarot cards provide a framework for exploring complex themes. The Tarot Legacy (2019) film, for example, uses an heirloom deck to reveal family secrets, utilizing the cards as a vehicle for uncovering the past.
The Distinction Between Fiction and Practice
It is crucial for those interested in tarot to recognize that the supernatural consequences depicted in films like Tarot (2024) or The Devil's Game (2018) are fictional constructs designed for entertainment. Real-world tarot does not involve summoning demons or literal manifestations of card imagery. Instead, it is a reflective practice. The Tarot Prophecy (2011) film, where a woman's life spirals out of control by following predictions, serves as a cautionary tale about dependency rather than a reflection of the practice's true nature. Authentic tarot encourages agency and interpretation, rather than fatalistic adherence to a reading.
Conclusion
The representation of tarot in media offers a fascinating glimpse into how ancient symbols are interpreted and reimagined for modern audiences. From the specific Zodiac spreads used in horror films to the archetypal characterizations in video games, tarot serves as a versatile tool for storytelling. However, the dramatic portrayals of curses and supernatural entities should be viewed as artistic license. The true value of tarot, as reflected in the more nuanced media portrayals and the practice itself, lies in its capacity for self-reflection, spiritual growth, and the exploration of the human psyche. By understanding the symbolism and distinguishing fact from fiction, individuals can appreciate tarot as a meaningful tool for personal insight rather than a source of fear.