The Tarot Diagnosis

This week on⁠ The Tarot Diagnosis⁠, I'm taking you behind the scenes of writing my new book, Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow (available for pre-order now, out December 8, 2025!).In this deeply personal episode, I share what happened the day I received my author copies: yes, including the moment I froze and couldn’t open the box. But more than that, I offer a director’s cut of the book itself - reading passages aloud, reflecting on what surprised me as I wrote it, and unpacking the emotional and psychological process behind writing about the shadow being an act of personal shadow work.Together, we explore:What it really feels like to be seen, exposed, and publishedThe existential terror of transparencyHow magical tools like crystals became sacred support in therapyThe Queen of Swords as persona and protector (hello, favorite archetype)A real-life case study of shadow integration in therapyWhat Sartre, Jung, Brene Brown, and tarot have in commonAnd yes, I do a bit of spontaneous exposure therapy by reading straight from the physical book instead of my digital copy (gulp). Spoiler: I also spill the behind-the-scenes tea on publisher recommendations, imposter syndrome, and what it's like to hold your life's work in one trembling hand while clutching herbal tea in the other.Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering the podcast, this episode offers a vulnerable look into the creative process, the messiness of being seen, and the transformative power of shadow integration.📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices!🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

This week on⁠ The Tarot Diagnosis⁠, in honor of my upcoming book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow, which releases on December 8, 2025, I’m reading a portion of chapter 2 (Roots of the Shadow) right here on the podcast.In Roots of the Shadow, I dive into the foundations of shadow work through a deeply therapeutic and psychologically grounded lens. I explore how Carl Jung’s original concept of the shadow intersects with Internal Family Systems (IFS), Freud’s ideas of the id, ego, and superego, and even Brené Brown’s research on shame. Throughout this chapter, I explore academic theory, personal reflection, and practical exercises, because shadow work is just as much about theory as it is about application.You’ll also get to experience one of the tarot spreads from the book, the Psychoanalytic Shadow Spread, designed to help you explore your inner world using tarot as a reflective tool. I walk you through each position in the spread and provide an example interpretation using cards like The High Priestess, Ace of Cups, Nine of Swords, and more.We also take a deep dive into the Pages of the tarot and how each one can represent developmental moments where your shadow may have started to form. Whether it's being told you're “too emotional,” “too much,” or “not enough,” these early messages get internalized and shadow work gives us the chance to revisit and reclaim those parts of ourselves.🎧 Listen in, grab your tarot deck and journal, and join me in beginning (or deepening) your own shadow journey.✨ And don’t forget: Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold. Pre-ordering not only supports my work, it enters you into a giveaway to win a free shadow reading with me. (Just send me proof of purchase and you’ll be entered to win!)Deck Used: Tarot Vintage🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community 📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

What if the real root of evil isn’t money, but power?This week on⁠ The Tarot Diagnosis⁠, I take a deep, psychologically grounded look at the Six of Wands, a card typically associated with success and recognition, and reframe it through the lens of shadow work, power and control, neuroscience, and social dynamics.Inspired by a spread I pulled during a recent shadow workshop and influenced by current global events, I found myself asking: What happens when power becomes addictive? When does celebration become complicit? How does unchecked power erode empathy, justice, and even our sense of self?Throughout this episode, we will explore:Why the shadow side of the Six of Wands reveals themes of envy, domination, and the intoxication of being celebratedHow power alters the brain, impacts empathy, and mimics addiction, which is supported by neuroscience researchWhat tarot archetypes like The Devil, Queen of Cups Reversed, The Hierophant Reversed, and The Tower teach us about the darker side of social influence and powerHow power dynamics appear in relationships, institutions, spirituality, and social mediaWhy Lane Smith’s concept of "Move Up, Move Up" (from 78 Acts of Liberation) and Mary K. Greer’s caution about the Six of Wands in The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals both invite us into more collective awarenessIf you’ve ever struggled with your relationship to power (either craving it, fearing it, or unconsciously abusing it), this episode offers a powerful mirror and invitation. Through therapeutic insight and tarot symbolism, we reflect not only on how power can corrupt, but also how it can be shared, checked, and transformed for good.Deck Used: Tarot VintageReferenced: 78 Acts of Liberation by Lane Smith The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals by Mary K. GreerOn power and its corrupting effects: the effects of power on human behavior and the limits of accountability systems https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10461512/🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community 📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

What does it mean when tarot archetypes are blindfolded or their vision is obscured? In this week’s episode of The Tarot Diagnosis, I explore the often over-looked symbolism of obscured vision in tarot - where sight is blocked, avoided, invited or even denied. Inspired by six cards (Two of Swords, Four of Swords, Eight of Swords, Nine of Swords, Ten of Wands, and Strength), I take a psychological and symbolic deep dive into what it means when our eyes are closed.Together, we’ll unpack:Why blindfolds might represent clarity over confusion (Two of Swords vs. Eight of Swords)The difference between chosen vs. imposed limitations on sightHow anxiety and panic (Nine of Swords) make us unable to see clearly, even if our eyes openWhat closing our eyes can teach us about nervous system regulation and rest (Four of Swords)How over-functioning and burnout distort our ability to see what’s truly happening around us (Ten of Wands)Why Strength might be less about control and more about titration and sensory inputThrough the lens of psychology and tarot symbolism, we uncover how visual obstruction in the cards can indicate increased internal knowing, emotional overwhelm, or even power dynamics. And how sometimes seeing less allows us to feel and know more.If you’ve ever pulled the Two of Swords and said, "just open your eyes and deal with it," this reframe might change the way you see the cards forever.Deck Used: Tarot Vintage🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community 📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

This week on⁠ The Tarot Diagnosis⁠, we’re exploring one of the most commonly misunderstood behaviors that exist in many of us: people-pleasing. Inspired by real conversations in the therapy room and the archetypal patterns of tarot, I explore people-pleasing through a trauma-informed, psychological, and tarot-based lens.While people-pleasing is often viewed as a virtue and praised as kindness or empathy, the truth is way more complex. From a clinical perspective, people-pleasing is often rooted in early childhood conditioning, or what therapists might consider as part of the “fawn response,” as well as the development of what psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott refers to as the false self. I shed light on how people-pleasing is actually a survival skill - a way of staying safe by tending to others' needs, moods, and perceptions, often at our own expense.In this episode, I explore how tarot archetypes reflect the nuance and shadow of this survival style. Drawing from both psychological theory and tarot symbolism, I unpack this behavior pattern as a form of emotional manipulation born from a deep need for control, approval, and connection, which might be difficult for many of us to hear.I also guide you through a therapeutic, three-card spread designed to help you explore your own patterns of people-pleasing along with what’s underneath it, what it protects, and what it might feel like to step outside of it.For the collective, I pull…Card One: What emotion am I attempting to prevent or manage by people-pleasing? → The TowerCard Two: What would it mean to allow another person to feel disappointed, angry, or uncomfortable without taking responsibility for it? → Two of CupsCard Three: How can I tell the difference between being kind and giving so much that I lose myself? → Nine of CupsDeck Used: Tarot Vintage🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

This week on⁠ The Tarot Diagnosis⁠, we’re getting delightfully nerdy. Inspired by a conversation with a dear friend, I explore tarot through the lens of developmental psychology, focusing specifically on Donald Winnicott’s concept of transitional objects, transitional space, and transitional phenomena.Traditionally, transitional objects are things like blankets, stuffed animals, or toys that help children move from total dependence to early independence by offering emotional regulation and symbolic comfort. But what happens when we grow up? We don’t stop needing comfort. It turns out our transitional objects just evolve…Enter tarot.In this episode, we explore how tarot functions as an transitional object, or what psychologist Mark Brenner refers to as a “sacred keepsake” that helps us self-soothe, regulate, and bridge our inner world with our external world. Drawing from both developmental theory and therapeutic principles, I unpack the psychological richness of the cards as mirrors, containers, and transitional phenomena.I also guide you through an experiential three-card “Container Spread” designed to help you hold and process what feels too heavy using the archetypes as emotional containers. For the collective, I pull… Card One – What feels too heavy right now? → Eight of Swords Card Two – What archetype can hold that heaviness? → Queen of Swords Card Three – What can I do while this is being held? → Nine of WandsDeck Used: Pagan Otherworlds🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community 📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

Dive into profound therapeutic insights as the hosts explore the impact of cognitive distortions in relationships through card pulls. Discover how the Devil represents all-or-nothing thinking, while the Three of Swords reveals clarity through pain. The Lovers card encourages the art of reframing and conscious choice for healing. A practical tarot exercise illustrates how these concepts play out in real-life scenarios, guiding listeners to break free from unhealthy thought patterns and embrace emotional flexibility.

Dive into the intriguing duality of the Knight of Wands and the Seven of Pentacles, representing the tension between urgency and patience in relationships. Discover how these tarot archetypes reflect our neurobiology, connecting dopamine's drive for action with serotonin's role in sustaining rewards. Learn to integrate these contrasting styles to enhance connection. Plus, get excited about the upcoming book 'Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow,' which promises a deeper exploration of shadow work and personal growth through tarot.

Discover the captivating symbolism of clouds in tarot as they embody transition and the unknown. Learn how clouds contrast with fixed zodiac signs in the Wheel of Fortune, reflecting mental states and emotional journeys. From evoking feelings of turbulence in the Swords suit to representing completion in The World, clouds are more than just a backdrop—they mirror the human experience. This exploration encourages us to embrace change and view our challenges with fresh eyes, reminding us that nothing is static.

Discover why the usual advice of 'just think positive' often fails in mental health. This discussion emphasizes how real change begins with action, not just thoughts. Learn about the brain’s response to trauma and how Dialectical Behavior Therapy can help navigate complex emotions. Explore how tarot can serve as a transformative tool, guiding you toward new experiences and small victories. Uncover practical strategies like a unique tarot spread designed to illuminate micro-moments of safety and agency in your healing journey.