Tarot, Divination & the Symbolic Life

Guest T. Susan Chang is a writer, podcaster, and teacher of tarot, the most commonly recognized modern form of divination. The archetypal symbols in the tarot’s 78 card deck offer gateways to meaning and mystery. Jung says symbols act as transformers-life energy is converted from a lower to higher form by the amplification that consciousness provides. Tarot divination is intended to break from the mundane and court the numinous. It asks that we set logic aside, surrender doubt, and step unafraid into the space between realms. As with dreams, whatever arises will tell us something we don’t know and can use. Jung said that the “redeeming symbol is a highway, a way upon which life can move forward without torment and compulsion.” By opening ourselves to the inexplicable, we set forth on that highway with the intent of discovering our unique pattern for personhood and purpose in the world.
A Two-Card Tarot Reading:
This week, in lieu of a dream interpretation, Susie agreed to do a two-card Tarot draw for all of us. The question we chose was dealing with uncertainty. The cards, visible on camera, were spread out face down, and she gently moved them around, picked up a few, and selected two. Turning them over revealed the Queen and Page of Wands, two court cards. As the Queen of Wands has an outgoing nature, she creates networks. This card indicated that we can seek support from others in a time of uncertainty. The youthful Page of Wands, at whom the Queen seemed to be gazing, has a quality of innocence and optimism as he looks outward. Altogether this draw indicates that we can choose our attitude toward uncertainty. The Queen of Wands suggests the possibility of connection with others, and the Page conveys a spirit of adventure.
www.tsusanchang.com
Podcast: Fortune’s Wheelhouse
Books:
www.amazon.com/Tarot-Correspo...
www.amazon.com/36-Secrets-Dec...
Tarot Deciphered
www.amazon.com/Tarot-Decipher...
www.amazon.com/Divination-Syn...
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[@BurningBlueEmber]

I was so incredibly happy when I saw y'all did this episode! Jung is a huge influence on how I read tarot! Thank you for giving tarot the chance to be seen in a positive light as it unfortunately gets some backlash; whether saying it's only used by scammers, is a tool used for evil, or that it's founded on delusional beliefs. All of these counterpoints come from different places that miss out on the true possibilities of tarot. I believe it is an art that can help us go down the spiral of discovery towards our true selves!

[@jojojacques810]

I suffered a very severe nervous breakdown and I was not able to get any help. I had to heal myself and I did that through tarot! Tarot literally saved my life and now I read for others, in the hope that I can encourage them toward the life enhancing spiritual path that tarot guides us toward! ❤️🙏

[@sydney456]

One note... not DESIRE, but INTENT holds the keys to everything. Wonderful conversation 🙏

[@auroraborealis13579]

I’m in the middle of moving and I don’t have even one if my decks with my while I listen to this but I wish I did. This is the best I’ve heard Tarot explained. Nice talk. ❤️ I especially loved the idea that we have to pay for the answers by giving up our doubt. Which is maybe why people who can suspend their doubt can get deep meaning from the cards and people who come in very skeptically have a hazy message, if any at all. Thanks for this!

[@DreamingCatStudio]

Wow so excited to hear about “the buzz” Susan felt picking up the Tarot cards; When I pick up my bag of Runes, I always feel a buzzy electric frisson. I also love the idea of sacrificing doubt to gain meaning. By approaching the Runes with that attitude, I find each throw exactly, amazingly, perfectly addresses my question. The idea of parametaphor is lovely! Such a creative, lateral way to pique new thoughts.

[@drblaneyphysics]

This was a nice podcast, ;thank ;you ! Re. ~35 minutes where Chang invents (what I call) zen koans (senseless statements or in case of 'koan,' questions).I see this as ultra similar to doing a tarot reading, in which the 'random' images (or senseless sentences) pull meaning out of a quiet and receptive mind. Perhaps when our mind is still, our natural filter is relaxed so more data comes in, especially from within. I see tarot, tea leaves, and 'senseless sentences' all providing the same purpose.

[@entropy2644]

One of my new favorite podcasts. Thank you! So informative without being too woowoo.

[@kathryndebarra]

Fantastic speak! I use the cards and now appreciate them on a whole new level

[@bookworm96]

I just want to say this totally made my day. Thank you so much for this lovely podcast😊

[@srylanka100]

This episode resonated with me beyond description. It is heartening in a world esoteric practices which can often be looked down upon that there are intelligent, learned and spiritual people like susi (as also, Benebell wen!) who lead the way. Thank you!

[@fredhornaday3665]

Their romance unraveled like a paralogical metaphor

[@Liyah-encyclopedia333]

Love this❤

[@rls687]

Wonderful, just 😊 wonderful

[@nicholasn.]

Wonderful ❤thank you 🙏🏻

[@corlisscrabtree3647]

Thank you 🙏

[@LilyGazou]

Thanks. This was an interesting mix.

[@thisjungianlife]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Liyah-encyclopedia333]

Looking forward to an episode about tree of life

[@shreddhead23]

🙏💯

[@DJSTOEK]

🕺😷😷

[@katherinedrexler2310]

I was hoping to get a better understanding on the Tarot and its relationship to Jungian Psychology. Instead, the guest speaker mostly rambled on spitting out jargon, avoiding Joseph’s questions and laughing inappropriately. Hands down, this was the most disappointing of the Jungian Life podcasts. Usually, I can find some good take aways from the show but not this time.

[@sandi7192]

my take as well, I couldn't finish it. the guest was a big turn-off.

[@user-fm9jx1kl2e]

That nervous laugh whenever she didn't know what to say was a dead giveaway, this was not an authentic interview.

[@redruby8529]

I always enjoy your talks but this is a rare miss. It isn't clear if your guest has any background in Jungian clinical work other than pulling quotes, but the entire talk came off as New Age bs. Playing around in the unconscious is not a joke, not a game.

[@gabriellucero3540]

She’s not. She was talking about tarot. I have read an article about a therapist who would pull cards as part of treatment.

[@carmel3613]

I appreciated the questions Joseph asked, especially in the last half an hour. Just personally I find modern Tarot quite ungrounded and misleading to the Self. As I was listening I also could not get a sense of the purpose of the episode, but oh well. Conversations about the Tarot make me think of what von Franz wrote in her individuation chapter in Man and His Symbols in regards to making a living connection with the unconscious, "Many existential philosophers try to describe this state, but they go only as far as stripping off the illusions of consciousness: They go right up to the door of the unconscious and then fail to open it".

[@feathernorth]

But we all have access to the unconscious and different doors open for different people. The symbols are portals, as in dreams. The walls of the clinic don't contain the unconscious, as I'm sure you're aware.

[@sandi7192]

@@feathernorth are symbols portals, or is your mind playing tricks on you?

[@xyz-bj8zv]

@@feathernorth As I'm sure you're aware, there are many fake gurus and flakes who try to take advantage of vulnerable people who actually need help.

[@niki.twopointo]

This podcast was incredible! I enjoyed it so much I just ordered my first tarot card deck AND your book, TAROT CORRESPONDENCES.. ☀️🤍