And The
Collective Unconscious
Tarot Imagery and the Collective Unconscious is a presentation about tarot card reading and its relation to the unconscious world of the human mind. Tarot card reading and tarot imagery have long been used in several major religions. It has been proposed earlier that human beings are born with an innate mental structure with mythological imagery. This is known as the Collective Unconscious. Several researches have been performed on such topics but the results could not be represented empirically. Jung, a renowned psychologist and researcher, analyzed in different ways to find the key to the Collective Unconscious. Research studies have shown that different archetypal forms correspond to different personality factors. The Big Five personality test is one such test which attempts to theorize personality formation. It is as follows:
Openness to New Experience (Creative Complex).
Conscientiousness (Dependability, Carefulness).
Extroversion (Enthusiasm Boisterousness).
Agreeableness (Sympathy, Warmth).
Neuroticism (Anxiety, Emotional Instability).
Purpose of the study
Hypothesis
The hypothesis stated by the study is that significant association will be found between different personality factors and reactions to tarot images.
Results of the Hypothesis
The hypothesis was tested using 22 participants of mean age 25.9 years with 59% females and 36% males. The participants were a mixed group of Hispanic/Latino, White Caucasian, Black African-American, Middle Eastern and Asian origin, with different religious backgrounds. They were all provided with an electronic survey consisting of 11 out of the 22 major arcana with six questions each. The participants were also given questionnaires on demography, spirituality and familiarity with the subject, along with shortened versions of the Big Five theory. The questionnaires were selectively provided to the participants on the basis of their high scores in accordance with the Big Five personality factors. The results of hypothesis testing will show that respondents will respond higher on survey questions related to their personality factors. It can be shown that there is a significant association between different personality factors and their reactions to different tarot images.
Tarot Imagery as a Therapeutic Tool
Tarot imagery can be used as a therapeutic tool by psychologists for interacting with clients who are receptive to such readings. Such techniques can induce broad dialogue between the psychologist and the client so that the psychologist may explore deeply into the individual’s traits and behavior pattern, so that he may advance in the path of individuation.
