Tarot for Shadow Work: The Symbolic Power of Tarot in Psychology & Myth (Part 5 of 6) + free PDF

Introduction: Tarot as a Mirror of the Psyche

Have you ever pulled a tarot card that felt eerily personal—like it was reflecting a hidden truth you hadn’t put into words yet? Tarot, at its core, is not about predicting the future. It’s a mirror for the unconscious, a tool that reveals the patterns, fears, and desires shaping our inner world.

Carl Jung, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, believed that the unconscious communicates through symbols and archetypes—the very essence of tarot. When we engage with the imagery and structure of the cards, we’re not just reading a deck; we’re reading ourselves.

But how does this work? And why do certain images resonate so deeply?

This article explores:

Tarot and Jung’s concept of the Shadow: How the cards can help us integrate suppressed aspects of ourselves.
The psychology of symbols and myths: Why tarot reflects universal human experiences.
IFS (Internal Family Systems) and Tarot: How different tarot figures represent the “parts” within us.
Scientific support for tarot as a tool for self-reflection: Journaling, storytelling, and the therapeutic power of imagery.
Practical exercises for using tarot to explore your personal myth and shadow.

By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of tarot’s psychological power and practical ways to use it for healing.

Jung’s Shadow Theory & Tarot as a Tool for Integration

Carl Jung famously said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”This is the essence of shadow work—bringing awareness to the hidden parts of ourselves that influence our thoughts, behaviors, and emotional reactions.

What Is the Shadow?

Jung’s Shadow refers to the aspects of ourselves that we repress, deny, or disown. These can include:

Traits we were shamed for as children (e.g., sensitivity, ambition, anger).
Unconscious fears (e.g., fear of rejection, fear of failure).
Hidden strengths that we avoid embracing due to social conditioning.

These parts don’t disappear; they operate beneath the surface, influencing our choices and reactions. Shadow work is about integrating them—not eliminating them—so that we can live with greater self-awareness and wholeness.

How Tarot Helps Reveal the Shadow

Tarot acts as a visual language for the unconscious, bringing Shadow elements to the surface. When we pull a card that triggers discomfort, it often represents a part of ourselves we have avoided.

Example:

If you resist The Emperor, you might struggle with structure or authority—perhaps fearing control due to past experiences.
If The Devil makes you uneasy, it could reflect repressed desires, compulsions, or feelings of shame.
If you recoil at The High Priestess, you may distrust your own intuition or feel disconnected from your inner wisdom.

Shadow work with tarot means exploring these reactions instead of dismissing them.

Practical Exercise: A Shadow Spread

Try this three-card spread to identify Shadow aspects:

What part of myself have I rejected or repressed?
How does this unintegrated part show up in my life?
How can I begin to work with and accept this part of myself?

Example Reading:
A person struggling with self-doubt pulls:

The Magician (Repressed Strength) → They have skills and knowledge but feel unworthy of using them.
Five of Pentacles (How It Manifests) → They self-sabotage and feel unworthy of success.
The Empress (Integration) → They need to nurture self-trust and recognize their innate value.

By journaling on these cards, the person gains insight into their inner conflict and how to move toward self-acceptance.

Why Symbols & Archetypes Affect Us Psychologically

Carl Jung believed that archetypes—universal symbols and themes—reside in the collective unconscious. These recurring images appear in myths, fairy tales, and dreams across cultures, reflecting deep-seated aspects of human experience. Tarot, with its rich imagery, speaks directly to these psychological blueprints.

How the Brain Processes Symbols

Modern neuroscience supports Jung’s theory that symbols can bypass our rational mind and evoke deep emotional responses. Studies on visual cognition show that the brain processes images 60,000 times faster than words (Braden, 2009). This is why tarot can trigger immediate intuitive insights that verbal reasoning might take longer to uncover.

Example:
A person pulling The Tower may instinctively feel dread before they even analyze the card. The image of a collapsing tower taps into a primal fear of instability, revealing unconscious anxieties about change.

Archetypes in Tarot & Their Psychological Impact

Tarot is filled with archetypes that represent different parts of the psyche. Let’s explore a few:

The Fool (The Innocent & The Seeker) → Represents new beginnings, curiosity, and risk-taking. Shadow side: naivety, recklessness.
The High Priestess (The Intuitive & The Wise Woman) → Embodies hidden knowledge and deep intuition. Shadow side: secrecy, avoidance of action.
The Emperor (The Father & The Ruler) → Symbolizes structure, discipline, and authority. Shadow side: control, rigidity, fear of vulnerability.
The Devil (The Shadow Itself) → Represents addiction, temptation, and self-imposed limitations. Shadow side: repression, guilt, inner conflict.

For a deeper exploration of the whole mayor arcana, return to the second article of this series: Tarot for Shadow Work: The Major Arcana as a Roadmap to Your Hidden Self (Part 2 of 6)

Exercise:
Pick a card you feel strongly about (positive or negative) and ask:

What part of me does this card reflect?
What emotions arise when I look at it?
Is this an aspect of myself I embrace or resist? Why?

By analyzing your emotional response, you uncover hidden layers of your psyche.

The Role of Myth in Self-Discovery: Tarot as a Personal Myth-Making Tool

Every person lives by a personal myth—a deep, often unconscious story that shapes their identity and choices. These myths arise from childhood experiences, cultural narratives, and psychological patterns. Tarot offers a powerful way to explore and rewrite these personal myths, allowing us to step out of limiting roles and into conscious self-authorship.

How Personal Myths Shape Our Lives

Carl Jung believed that humans need a guiding narrative to make sense of life. If we don’t consciously craft our own story, we tend to live out inherited myths—often those shaped by childhood experiences or societal expectations.

For example:

A person raised with CEN (Childhood Emotional Neglect) might unconsciously live by the myth: “I must take care of others to be loved.”
Someone who experienced instability might hold the myth: “If I don’t control everything, everything will fall apart.”
A person who was overly criticized as a child might carry the myth: “I am never good enough.”

These internalized myths drive our beliefs, behaviors, and emotional responses—until we bring them into awareness.

Tarot as a Tool for Rewriting Your Story

Tarot acts as a reflective surface for examining these unconscious narratives. When we lay out cards, we externalize our inner world, making it easier to identify patterns and shift perspectives.

Exercise: Rewriting Your Personal Myth

Identify Your Current Myth
- Pull three cards to represent different aspects of your life (relationships, work, self-worth).
- Ask: What hidden story does this spread reveal?
- Example: The Five of Pentacles in a self-worth position might indicate a deep-seated belief in scarcity or not being enough.
Explore the Root of the Myth
- Ask: Where did this story originate?
- Pull a card to represent your past influences (family, childhood events, cultural messages).
- Example: The Hierophant reversed could suggest rebelling against rigid belief systems that no longer serve you.
Create a New Narrative
- Pull a final card as a guide for the new myth you want to embrace.
- Example: The Nine of Cups could symbolize shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of gratitude and self-fulfillment.
- Journal a new personal statement: “I am inherently worthy, and my needs matter.”

Scientific Support for Journaling, Storytelling & Self-Reflection in Healing

Modern psychology increasingly recognizes the power of narrative in healing and personal growth. Storytelling, whether through journaling, self-reflection, or symbolic tools like tarot, helps integrate unconscious emotions, shift limiting beliefs, and foster psychological resilience.

Why Rewriting Personal Narratives Is Psychologically Powerful

Neuroscience & the Power of Story
- Studies show that our brains are wired for storytelling. When we recall events, we naturally place them into a narrative structure—beginning, middle, and end.
- When we consciously rewrite our story, we shift neural pathways, allowing new perspectives to emerge.
- Research in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) suggests that reframing a negative self-story can reduce depression and anxiety (Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999).
Expressive Writing & Emotional Processing
- Dr. James Pennebaker’s research found that writing about emotions leads to:
  - Lower stress and anxiety
  - Improved immune function
  - Better emotional clarity
- Tarot journaling functions similarly—it allows people to externalize emotions, identify unconscious themes, and reframe limiting beliefs.
Symbolism as a Tool for Self-Integration
- Jungian psychology suggests that working with symbols (like tarot) bridges the conscious and unconscious mind, facilitating self-integration.
- In Internal Family Systems (IFS), naming and visualizing different “parts” (or subpersonalities) helps with self-understanding and healing—a process tarot can naturally support.

How Tarot Fits Into Modern Psychology as a Therapeutic Tool

Tarot is not just a mystical practice—it has practical psychological benefits:

A Mirror for the Unconscious Mind
- Similar to Jung’s active imagination technique, tarot provides a way to engage with unconscious thoughts.
- Instead of reacting emotionally to a situation, tarot allows us to step back and observe patterns.
Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
- By interpreting symbols, tarot encourages introspective thinking.
- Regular tarot journaling can increase self-awareness, helping individuals name emotions they might otherwise suppress.
A Structured Approach to Shadow Work
- Unlike open-ended journaling, tarot provides structure, guiding individuals through specific emotional themes.
- Using tarot in IFS therapy can help people connect with inner parts that feel neglected, criticized, or exiled.

How Tarot Fits IFS & Archetypal Healing

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, views the psyche as made up of different “parts”—each with its own perspective, emotions, and motivations. Tarot naturally aligns with this approach, offering a visual and symbolic way to connect with these inner voices.

IFS & Tarot: Mapping the Psyche Through Symbols

In IFS, we have:

Exiles – Wounded or suppressed parts carrying pain from the past.
Managers – Protective parts that try to maintain control and prevent pain from resurfacing.
Firefighters – Reactive parts that use impulsive behaviors to numb distress (e.g., addiction, anger outbursts).
Self – The core of who we are, capable of wisdom, compassion, and healing.

How the Tarot Suits Represent Different Parts

Cups (Emotions & Relationships) → Exiles
- These cards often reveal deep emotional wounds or suppressed feelings that need attention.
- Example: Five of Cups may symbolize grief that has been ignored.
Swords (Thoughts & Defense Mechanisms) → Managers
- This suit reflects mental strategies, anxieties, and coping mechanisms that try to keep us “safe.”
- Example: Eight of Swords represents a part that feels trapped but doesn’t see a way out.
Wands (Desires & Impulses) → Firefighters
- These cards represent passionate, reactive parts that seek immediate relief from discomfort.
- Example: Knight of Wands might indicate a part that rushes into decisions to escape emotional pain.
Pentacles (Stability & Grounding) → Self-energy or Wise Parts
- This suit often represents the grounded, practical side of us that seeks long-term stability.
- Example: Queen of Pentacles embodies the nurturing, resourceful energy that can help heal wounded parts.

Using Tarot for IFS-Inspired Shadow Work

A simple IFS-based tarot spread to explore your inner world:

Which part of me needs attention right now? (Draw a card)
How does this part try to protect me? (Draw a card)
What pain or fear is this part hiding? (Draw a card)
How can I offer this part support and healing? (Draw a card)

This practice allows you to visually engage with your inner world, helping you uncover unconscious narratives and begin the integration process.

Tarot as a Personal Myth-Making Tool

Throughout history, humans have used myths to make sense of their experiences, struggles, and transformations. Our personal narratives—how we interpret our past, present, and future—function much like myths. They guide our identity, choices, and emotions. But sometimes, these stories are shaped by wounds, fear, or outdated beliefs, keeping us trapped in cycles of self-sabotage.

How Tarot Can Reveal & Rewrite Your Personal Myth

Tarot acts as a storytelling mirror, reflecting our subconscious narratives. It helps us:

Identify limiting beliefs (“I always fail,” “I’m unworthy of love”)
Recognize recurring life patterns (e.g., feeling abandoned, fearing success, struggling with self-worth)
Rewrite outdated self-concepts (“I am capable of growth,” “I deserve kindness,” “I can create change”)

A Personal Myth Reading: Tarot Spread for Narrative Healing

This 5-card spread helps uncover and rewrite the story you tell about yourself:

What is the central myth I currently live by? (The overarching narrative shaping your life)
Where did this myth originate? (A past experience, family dynamic, or cultural belief that shaped it)
How does this myth impact me today? (Where it limits or strengthens you)
What new myth do I need to embrace for healing? (A more empowering self-narrative)
How can I integrate this new myth into my life? (Practical steps for embodying your new story)

Example Reading: A Story of Unworthiness

Let’s say a seeker draws the following cards:

Current Myth: Five of Pentacles – “I am alone and undeserving.”
Origin: The Emperor (Reversed) – A controlling or absent father figure may have left them feeling unsupported.
Impact: Eight of Swords – The belief keeps them stuck in self-doubt, unable to see new possibilities.
New Myth: The Star – “I am connected, guided, and worthy of healing.”
Integration: Queen of Wands – Embodying confidence, creativity, and self-trust in daily life.

By engaging with these archetypes, the seeker challenges an outdated narrative and actively reshapes their self-perception.

Practical Exercises: Tarot for Self-Narrative Work

Journaling with Archetypes
- Identify a recurring theme in your life (e.g., fear of failure, people-pleasing, self-doubt).
- Pull a tarot card and reflect: What does this archetype say about my story?
- Ask: What role do I want this archetype to play instead?
Story Reframing Ritual
- Write your current self-narrative in one sentence.
- Draw a tarot card to represent the story you want to tell instead.
- Journal about how to embody this new narrative in your daily life.

Final Thoughts: Tarot as a Tool for Deep Psychological Work

Tarot connects the personal and collective unconscious, allowing us to explore, question, and reshape our inner world.
By using tarot in shadow work, we can consciously step into a new story, one that aligns with healing, growth, and self-empowerment.

Free guide: Tarot & Archetypes for Shadow Work

✨ Explore powerful tarot spreads for self-reflection
✨ Learn how symbols & myths shape your inner world
✨ Get a reading list of must-have books on tarot & psychology
✨ Try journaling exercises to rewrite limiting beliefs

Ready to dive deeper?

Download now

Let’s talk!

How do you personally connect tarot to self-reflection and healing? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your experiences! And if there’s a specific aspect of tarot and psychology you’d like to explore, let me know.

Part 6: Making Tarot Shadow Work a Regular Practice

Shadow work with tarot is powerful, but how do you make it a sustainable part of your life? In the final part of this series, we’ll explore how to create a long-term practice that evolves with you. Learn how to avoid burnout, track your insights over time, and integrate shadow work into your daily routine—so tarot becomes more than just a tool, but a lifelong guide to self-awareness and healing.

References

Jung, C. G. (1959). Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self. Princeton University Press.
Jung, C. G. (1964). Man and His Symbols. Doubleday.
Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press.
Singer, J. (1972). Boundaries of the Soul: The Practice of Jung’s Psychology. Anchor Books.
Schwartz, R. (2021). No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Sounds True.
Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Opening Up by Writing It Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain. Guilford Press.
McAdams, D. P. (1993). The Stories We Live By: Personal Myths and the Making of the Self. Guilford Press.