Lecturer: Jungian Analyst, Kenneth James, Ph.D.

The Jungian Perspective

• Definition of a Jungian Perspective:
  • The Jungian perspective must relate to the process of individuation.
  • Jung’s psychology is practical, aiming to facilitate individuation.
• Individuation as the Core:
  • Goal of inner work and a lifelong process.
  • Process of becoming “undivided” (moving from division toward wholeness).
  • Complexes, drives, and fantasies create inner divisions.
  • Life naturally pushes individuation; inner work, including tarot, aids the process.

Tarot and Its Role in Individuation

• Tarot as a Tool for Inner Work:
  • The tarot is used in the service of individuation.
  • Jung’s concept of “abbézement du nouvementale” — lowering the mental level to access deeper unconscious material.
• Ego and the Tarot:
  • Consulting the tarot relativizes the ego’s dominance.
  • Tarot helps us confront defenses and resistance to the unconscious.
  • Non-egoic determinants of experience influence life.

Structure of the Tarot Deck

• Two Decks in One:
  • 78 cards in total, divided into:
    1. Major Arcana (22 cards) – archetypal, transpersonal forces.
    2. Minor Arcana (56 cards) – daily experiences, personal situations.
• Major Arcana:
  • Reflect archetypal forces that shape human experience.
  • Examples include “The Fool,” “The Lovers,” and “Death.”
• Minor Arcana:
  • Depicts everyday situations and interpersonal dynamics.
  • Four suits: Pentacles, Wands, Swords, and Cups.
  • Includes court cards (King, Queen, Knight, Page) and pip cards (Ace to 10).

Tarot, Jung, and the Unconscious

• Jung’s Views on Tarot:
  • Tarot represents the flow of the unconscious.
  • Applicable for intuitive methods that help us understand life.
  • Tarot reveals meaning between the unconscious and outer world.

Key Messages:

• Individuation as Life’s Work:
  • Tarot, like dreams and synchronicities, helps guide us towards wholeness.
  • The process is natural, inevitable, and essential for personal growth.
• Tarot as an Oracle:
  • Consulting tarot is an acknowledgement of needing information beyond egoic control.
  • It helps us surrender to a broader, non-rational form of knowledge.
• The Role of Archetypes:
  • Archetypes shape the personal and collective experience and are key to understanding both.
• Complexes and Ego Defence Mechanisms:
  • The tarot helps us see past our ego defences, opening the door to self-awareness.
• Non-Egoic Forces and the Self:
  • Beyond the ego, non-egoic forces (complexes, archetypes) play a significant role in shaping life experiences.
  • Recognising these forces is essential for growth and individuation.

Exercises for Participants:

1. Tarot Diary Exercise:

• Draw a card each day, reflect on its meaning in the morning and before bed.

1. Narrative of Insight:

• Select three cards, tell a story connecting them without focusing on divination.

Closing Thoughts

• Integration of the Tarot and Jung’s Psychology:
  • Tarot serves as an ally in the individuation process, helping us navigate life’s inner and outer worlds.