Isa Bogart, LPC

Tarot Truths from a Therapist #1

Tarot, a practice rooted in centuries of history, has evolved from a leisurely card game into a powerful tool for spiritual reflection and self-exploration. In therapy, tarot can serve as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious. By interpreting the symbols and imagery within tarot cards, such as the grief-laden yet hopeful Three of Swords, one can gain deeper insight into their pain and healing.

Tarot & Therapy

Tarot originated as a card game played in 15th-century Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. It has been used as a spiritual divination tool across cultures and religions and can be a powerful guide for reflection.

In therapy, tarot can be introduced by either the client or the therapist. Rather than using tarot for predicting the future or answering specific questions, in therapy tarot can be used to explore one’s interpretation of symbols and imagery, emotions that arise, and as a reflective tool to gain deeper insight.

Themes of grief, pain, trauma, hope, & healing are present in the Three of Swords tarot card.

Holding Space for Grief

The Three of Swords, with its punctured bleeding heart, is a card associated with pain and betrayal, two feelings that are well known to many survivors of trauma. At the same time as holding its heavy grief, the card also embodies the promise of healing.

The Three of Swords does not shy away from pain. Rather, pain and grief are highlighted front and center, demanding to be seen and reckoned with. While some representations may be more visceral than others, the core of this card always remains the same – a large heart stabbed through by three swords.

This card asks you to tend to your grief and bear witness to your pain. It challenges any avoidance, making it clear that the only way out of pain is through acknowledging and soothing it.

Bearing Witness to Pain

By inviting you to confront your pain, this card asks you to bear witness to your most hurt self. Only through acknowledging and gently exploring your pain can you learn how to tend to it.

The parts of you that hold pain, grief, and rage want to be heard! Give yourself permission to feel and express your emotions – cry in the shower, scream in the car, punch a pillow, throw ice into your bathtub – try to find creative ways to acknowledge and release your feelings.

Hidden Hope in the Three of Swords

While the Three of Swords is a card heavy with grief, it also offers hidden hope and the promise of healing. Above the heart appears storm clouds and rain, symbols of cleansing and hope for what’s to come.

Expressing and releasing your pain and grief can be a sort of emotional cleansing. However, like many storms, there is often the need to repair and rebuild afterwards. Through tending to and honoring your pain, you can have faith in yourself that you will make it through.

Integrating Tarot into Healing

Whether you have been using tarot on your own for years or you have never picked up a deck before, it is always possible for you to begin integrating tarot into your healing or self-exploration.

This could look like setting aside time on your own to pull cards, look at the imagery, learn their meanings, and reflect on your own connection or reactions to the themes presented. It could also look like bringing your deck to therapy and exploring particular themes, ideas, and feelings that come up. Most importantly, you can find ways to integrate tarot in a way that feels supportive and true to you.

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In addition to welcoming creative and holistic practices like tarot into my therapeutic work, I take a compassionate, trauma-centered, and anti-oppressive lens to approaching mental health and overall wellbeing.

I am currently accepting new clients both in-person and virtually in Illinois. If you are interested in working together or seeing if we are a good fit, please email isa@mindbodycoopchicago.com or contact me through this website!