Tarot has been a source of fascination for centuries, offering insight and guidance to those who seek clarity. Whether it’s through an in-person session or a card tarot online reading, the practice resonates deeply with both believers and skeptics alike. But what makes Tarot so compelling? Could there be a cognitive mechanism at play?
This blog explores how Tarot aligns with conceptual blending, a theory in cognitive science that explains how our minds combine ideas to create meaning. By the end, you’ll see how Tarot readings function not just as a mystical tool but also as a powerful framework for understanding and self-reflection.
What Is Tarot?
The Tarot is more than just a deck of cards—it’s a symbolic language. It comprises 78 cards divided into two groups:
- The Major Arcana (22 cards) represent significant life themes and spiritual lessons, such as “The Fool” for new beginnings or “The Tower” for unexpected upheavals.
- The Minor Arcana (56 cards) deal with more specific, day-to-day aspects of life, divided further into four suits—Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles—each corresponding to a different element and area of life.
Each Tarot card is rich with imagery, archetypes, and symbolism, weaving together history, psychology, and culture. The act of a Tarot reading taps into this symbolic system, pulling out patterns and metaphors that can mirror the querent’s (the seeker’s) life story or emotional state.
But Tarot isn’t just about divination. It’s a deeply introspective tool. When a reader interprets the cards, they engage in a collaborative process to make meaning, combining universal symbols and the seeker’s unique circumstances.
This process of combining is where conceptual blending comes into play.
What Is Conceptual Blending?
Conceptual blending, as described by cognitive scientists Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner, is the mental process of combining ideas, images, and concepts from different domains to produce new meaning. It’s how we make sense of the world and construct stories—and it happens all the time, usually without us realizing it.
Here’s a simple example: Imagine seeing a warning sign with a picture of a slippery figure falling next to a banana peel. Even though no words describe what’s happening, your brain blends the slippery motion (an abstract idea) with the known context of a banana peel (a specific object) to infer the meaning—“Caution, slippery floor!”
Conceptual blending can also explain how metaphors and stories influence our understanding of abstract subjects. For example:
- The metaphor “time is money” combines the ideas of time and wealth, leading to expressions like “spending time” or “investing energy.”
- At a deeper level, blending helps us turn fragments of knowledge into creative insights and richer narratives.
Through this lens, conceptual blending is the process we use to connect the dots, filling in the spaces between ideas, stories, or images to create new meaning.
Now, imagine applying this to the symbolic and layered nature of Tarot cards.
Tarot as Conceptual Blending
Every Tarot card reading is, at its core, an exercise in conceptual blending. Here’s how it works:
- The Tarot Cards bring a pre-set system of symbols, imagery, and archetypes into the mix. Each card carries associations that are both universal and personal (e.g., The Lovers may universally symbolize love or choices but could mean a career decision for one person and a romantic crossroads for another).
- The Querent’s Context introduces a unique set of experiences, feelings, and questions they bring to the reading.
- Together, the reader and the querent blend these elements to create a new, deeply personalized interpretation.
Take, for example, a Tarot spread where “The Tower” appears along with the “Ace of Cups.”
- “The Tower” indicates upheaval or sudden change.
- “The Ace of Cups” symbolizes new emotional beginnings, such as love, creativity, or healing.
A reader might blend these two cards together to suggest that while a disruptive event may be occurring or impending, it also opens the door for emotional renewal, inviting the querent to reflect on moments of change in their own life and place them in context.
This interaction—this creation of new meaning—is not unlike conceptual blending itself. The Tarot functions as a mirror, offering symbols and prompts that help the querent blend their internal world with external imagery.
It’s not about predicting the future but about making connections. By visualizing abstract ideas with tangible symbols, Tarot can guide self-discovery and problem-solving in a way that feels intuitive and inspired.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding Tarot through the framework of conceptual blending helps demystify its power. It’s not mere “magic” but rather a bridge between our subconscious mind and conscious thinking. It shows us what we may already know but can’t articulate, translating emotions and complexities into an understandable narrative.
Tarot also becomes a tool for empowerment. The querent doesn’t just passively receive answers—they engage actively in blending symbols, thoughts, and context to uncover their truths.
No matter whether you’re exploring a card tarot online reading or working with a traditional deck, the process taps the same mental muscle that fuels art, storytelling, and innovation.
Discover a New Perspective Through Tarot
Tarot’s magic lies in its ability to help us see pathways we wouldn’t have considered otherwise. When combined with conceptual blending, it becomes an extraordinary tool for personal growth, offering clarity, insight, and inspiration.
If you’re curious about what Tarot can reveal, consider this an invitation to explore it further. Whether you’re new to Tarot or a seasoned enthusiast, the next card you draw could hold the key to blending your story with the symbols that speak to you the most.
Maybe it’s time to book a reading with Mark?
