A Study on the Use of the Tarot Major Arcana as a Guide in Individuation Counseling

Abstract

This study explores the applicability of the 22 cards of the Tarot Major Arcana as a symbolic tool for self-exploration in counseling, grounded in C.G. Jung’s individuation theory. Individuation, as conceptualized by Jung, is a psychological journey toward the integration of the ego and the Self, encompassing symbolic stages such as ego separation, confrontation with the shadow, ego dissolution and reconstruction, and ultimately, self-realization. From a depth psychological perspective, this study analyzes the symbolic structure of the Major Arcana and compares it with the stages of the individuation process. The sequential progression of the Major Arcana reveals a structural and symbolic parallel to Jung’s individuation journey, suggesting that each card can function as a medium for engaging with specific psychological tasks and inner transformations. Based on this framework, the process of individuation counseling is restructured into five stages: departure, initiation, collapse, recovery, and integration. This study highlights the potential of the Major Arcana to serve as a guiding symbolic system within counseling, offering a model for individuation that facilitates inner integration and symbolic transformation.