How does tarot work?

Even though the cards often seem to ‘hit the mark’ and intuition and the subconscious add a fascinating dimension to the process, it is not about predicting a fixed destiny, but rather about providing the tools to actively shape one’s future. And in the corporate world, tarot cards now have their place. Organisations such as Google, Maje, Dior and design agencies are turning to tarot for events, using it to kick off meetings, encourage team building or refresh strategic thinking. LinkedIn Learning courses also use it to stimulate creativity within teams. Tarot is shaking off the dust, and that’s a good thing.

A revealer, not an oracle

The philosophy behind The Force Tarot is based on a firm belief: the tarot acts as a revealer and a catalyst. This ‘deck’ of 78 cards, filled with images, symbols and archetypes, is the product of a long history – from the Italian decks of the Renaissance to the psychological interpretations of the 20th century. It has been carefully designed to reflect the universal stages of life and human experience. And whilst it works for all situations in our lives, I find this system particularly relevant for exploring career cycles.

But how does it work? Why do the "good" cards appear?

The way this tool works is not ‘magical’ in the supernatural sense. It is based on a fascinating blend of psychology, interaction, intuition, the subconscious and focus (yes, all of that at once!).

· A structured symbolic system: The tarot, and in particular the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, which is the most widely recognised worldwide, features 78 illustrated scenes designed to represent different situations and stages of the human experience, across all areas of life. It is a consistent visual language. A reading is not a jumble of cards; it is a “phrase” that offers a new and structured perspective on a situation.

· The projective effect (like a guided Rorschach test): This is at the heart of the process. Just as when faced with a Rorschach inkblot, a painting in an exhibition, a film, or even a child’s drawing at a child psychiatrist’s office, our brain projects our thoughts, fears and unconscious desires onto the image. The card acts as a mirror. But, unlike a simple blot, the symbol on the card (a character, an object, a colour or something else) guides this projection and makes it incredibly relevant to the subject being explored. Your brain will dig deep into its innermost recesses for ideas. They were already there; you have simply brought them to light or ‘given birth’ to them thanks to these prompts and our dialogue around the card.

· “Jungian” synchronicities: The act of focusing on a question creates a state of receptivity. The cards that appear, even by “chance”, resonate with this inner state. This is what Jung called “synchronicity”: a meaningful coincidence. The tarot activates our ability to recognise this meaning, to make connections that our logical mind overlooks. It is not a question of whether another card would have been “better”; it is about working with what is there, for what matters is the process of reflection that the card triggers. Of course, sometimes the cards are so spot on that it’s astonishing, and, given the tarot’s controversial reputation, one might wonder if there isn’t something “supernatural” about it… Everyone has their own answer to that question, and it doesn’t matter. What matters is making effective progress in your thinking – and towards your goals.

· Co-creative dialogue: In a tarot coaching session, the real work happens through the exchange. The role of the tarot coach is not to impose a truth, but to guide a dialogue. “What does this image bring to mind for you?”, “In the tarot system, this image means this, and in your context, I would interpret it as that, but what does it make you think of?”, “What new perspective does this open up, in your view?”. It is a process of bringing ideas to life, where the cards act as the catalyst. The tarot, you and I journey together and clear the path as a trio.

This method works beautifully for creative careers, where intuition, personal vision, imagination and meaning are essential drivers. But I’ve conducted sessions on all sorts of professions and topics (including personal, family, romantic and others – before specialising in the professional field). And as the tarot is a language, it applies to and works with everything.

The goals

The aim of a tarot coaching session is therefore to:

Clarify complex professional situations and obstacles (such as imposter syndrome, the fear of letting oneself or others down, feeling overwhelmed by the scale of tasks, difficulty making choices, the desire to change career or start a new venture, etc.).
Reconnect the individual with their core strengths and deepest desires, often buried beneath obligations.
Explore career options with a fresh and creative perspective, stepping outside the usual ways of thinking, to discover new ideas within oneself.
Developing a coherent, sustainable and motivating action plan.

In short, tarot coaching is a strategic and intuitive dialogue that uses a tried-and-tested tool to give everyone back the keys to their own journey. Demystified and approached with an open mind, it allows us to glimpse new perspectives that suit us and to get to know ourselves better.