Tarot and the Psyche 

 Tarot has been a tool for gathering insightful information about the Self for centuries. The deck contains 78 cards divided into two categories, The first 22 are called the Major Arcana and are numbered from zero to 21 . The rest are known as the Minor Arcana. The word Arcana means "secrets, or mysteries."  The Major Arcana are a series of archetypal images similar to those that Carl Jung described as primal and universal. He discussed these as being part of our collective psyche and wrote that tarot is "an intuitive method that has the purpose of understanding the flow of life."

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As Joseph Campbell showed in the iconic PBS series with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, versions of these archetypes are present in stories and mythologies across the globe. They exist in all cultures as stories, cautionary tales, fairy tales, and myths. The archetypal figures, roles, and scenes portrayed within the 78 cards of the tarot resonate with us all. We each envision or experience ourselves as these characters at various points throughout our lives. Every possible situation we as humans can find ourselves in, has representation in the tarot and its interpretation.

The cards are divided into to sections, the Major and Minor Arcana. Arcana means, "secret" or "mystery." 
The Major Arcana, are 22 named and numbered primal archetypes, roles, or life stages. Taken as a whole, they can represent an entire journey of one's life path--birth to death to rebirth. When the Major Arcana cards show up in a spread, when pulled from the deck, or if you feel drawn to one of these images, they can indicate major shifts and themes happening in your life; vital energies and power shifting or arising in your life. They may also indicate perhaps deeper psychological and subconscious material that may be arising or impacting you. Understanding how archetypal themes are working in your life can offer a path to self-discovery, clarity, and alignment with your purpose and potential.

The Minor Arcana cards are divided into 4 suits, from which our regular decks of playing cards were born. These cards generally represent things happening in our day to day lives, issues we are struggling with, These are events usually in our conscious awareness, but not always. These cards might bring insight into happenings in our work or home life, in relationships, with our emotions, mental processes, money, spirituality, and other concerns that all humans deal with on a regular basis. Information gleaned here is different from the Major Arcana, but equally profound and important.

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For decades, psychological tools and assessments have used symbols and imagery to delve into personality and aspects of the self, assisting professionals and laypeople alike understand the terrain of the subconscious and the many layers of who we are and how we can know ourselves better. 

In a counseling session, the cards work in a similar way. The universal symbology of the cards is at work as well as what the imagery may mean to you personally. The cards, and how they might be configured--in what we call a "spread" or layouts-- can help create a context for exploring your feelings, fears, hopes and dreams, past events, strengths, barriers, inner conflict and more. 

Because of the random nature of the deck and the synchronicity, another term coined by Carl Jung, that shows up, tarot cards are extremely helpful for gaining fresh perspective on situations where you may feel stuck, or unable to make a change. The cards are also extremely helpful as tools to begin conversation or to verbally explore things that may feel difficult to talk about. Choosing a card that seems to represent how you are feeling, and then describing the story in the card, what may be happening in the image, what the characters in the card may be feeling or experiencing can open doors to new ways of seeing your situation or your motivations, desires, needs and fears. Using tarot cards as tools for journaling and artmaking is also a way of delving further into what may be happening internally that we find difficult to express. 

In counseling sessions, I use tarot with clients who may be drawn to these methods for understanding themselves, their own motivation, their relationships, life patterns and choices as well as to help gain clarity around questions about all kinds of issues. Sometimes a client is drawn to the metaphorical imagery of particular cards, or we may use the cards in a story-telling context that might reflect deeper underlying themes at work in a person's subconscious or within their life or relationships. A client might contemplate a question they have been turning over in their mind, or think about something that has been troubling them--a problem in a relationship, or a choice they may have had difficulty making. Drawing one or more cards from the deck, they can then allow the imagery and symbolism of their chosen cards to help uncover their own intuitive knowledge. Or the images may help unlock unconscious fears, apprehension, or some internal resistance that may be creating an impediment to progress in whatever area we are examining. 

I also offer tarot sessions without a psychotherapeutic context to those who are not therapy clients to help provide guidance, clarity, understanding and awareness around any number of issues people with which may be struggling, Typically a reading will begin with a question you have and should not be a "yes" or "no" question. Something open ended, like "What can I do to further my career" or "How can I deepen the connection with my spouse?" or "What do I need to know right to help me with ________?" "What should I be focused on right now in my life?" "How can I best overcome the problems in my relationship/career/finances?" A "general" reading, which is non-specific, can also be helpful to aid in gaining fresh perspective or direction, help with a problem or when you feel "stuck," stagnant or in need of a new point of view. Tarot is a beautiful tool for personal and spiritual growth and can be utilized on your own as well as with a professional reader. 

Interested in a reading? 
Fill out a the contact form below if you  have any questions or to schedule a reading.
Tarot readings are $130 an hour. If your session is less than an hour, we will pro-rate the fee. 
Many people like to combine Tarot with Reiki and do a half hour for each in a session. In those cases, usually the tarot reading is first and the reiki session follows. Having Reiki following the tarot reading can help your system integrate any information and insights that may surface during the tarot reading and can feel very soothing, relaxing, and grounding following the mental and emotional energy that can be activated during the tarot session. 

Readings can be done in person or via Zoom. A recording of your reading can also be made available to you.

Readings outside a therapeutic context with active therapy clients are not to be taken as professional mental health treatment. It is also imperative to remember in all cases that no tarot reader can predict the future. You are responsible for any and all decisions you make based on information gained in a tarot reading with any reader. No tarot reading with any reader is a substitute for professional therapy, nor for professional medical, legal, or financial advice. 

I  use the Robin Wood Tarot Deck. This is the deck I have been using for nearly 30 years. I own other beautiful decks, but only the Robin Wood deck, seen in all the photos here, is my constant companion for readings and work--for myself and with others. 

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What people are saying...

Karla is a teacher. I knew nothing about tarot until she taught me. Tarot has an intriguing history, it turns out, and I was a skeptic until she read my cards. Every word of the readings she has given me rang true; every reading I have witnessed her give to others has been dead-on, according to those having their cards read. Her readings have allowed me to see myself in my life situations more clearly. The wide variety of therapeutic disciplines she's practiced through many years help immeasurably with her readings, no doubt. The value of Karla's readings has everything to do with all the truthful things you take from the experience.
~Samuel R.

Working with Karla at Mandala Yoga Therapeutics is always a joy! Each experience I’ve had with her doing Tarot and Reiki has left me feeling more grounded and connected with myself. I felt so seen and heard. I really felt comfortable and cared about. Karla expresses an enormous amount of warmth, knowledge and care in her work.
~Angela R.

I get so much value from Karla’s readings. Karla’s tarot and reiki sessions reflect her 30 years studying tarot mixed with 20+ years as a psychotherapist. I walked away from that sessions with a deeper respect for tarot, Karla’s ability to offer me voice and choice from the beginning and offer helpful insights to some challenging circumstances.
~Julie J.

Karla is knowledgeable and very professional. She offers insightful recommendations and helpful explanations. I would highly recommend her for Reiki and Tarot. 
~Meg F.