
The Tarot Diagnosis
Hey there! I'm Shannon - a licensed psychotherapist in private practice who also happens to love tarot. Each episode I work to demystify tarot and explore its connections to mental and emotional health while implementing its inherently helpful tools to better understand ourselves and those around us. Join me as I unravel common struggles related to our behavior, thought patterns, emotions, and relationships while pulling cards to facilitate growth and to help create the life and relationships we all desire.
Latest episodes

Jun 30, 2025 • 32min
The Abandoned Archetype as the Golden Shadow
This week on The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, I’m unpacking the emotional aftermath of the Summer Solstice Summit and diving deep into one of the most powerful psychological and tarot-based concepts I explored there - the Golden Shadow, which I expand on as a type of abandoned archetype.I begin by reflecting on the special magick that unfolded during the Summer Solstice Summit and how a weekend meant for learning and connection blossomed into something collectively sacred and transformative. From heartfelt comments in the chat box, to “aha!” moments during presentations, it became clear that this space wasn’t just about tarot, it was about holding space for each other and ourselves.***Skip to 9:57 to avoid hearing me gush about the Summer Solstice Summit.***That leads into the theme of this episode: the golden shadow as the abandoned archetype. Using both therapeutic insight and Jungian psychology, I examine how the golden shadow holds our disowned potential… all of that creativity, boldness, and joy that have been buried under years of social conditioning and shame. I draw from Robert Bly’s “bag of shadows” as a metaphor and infuse some developmental psychology, as I reflect on how our shadow forms across the lifespan.Plus, you get to hear me talk about how the Tower is one hell of an epic, abandoned archetypal golden shadow. Tune in to hear my thoughts on how this often feared card is actually beautiful and admirable.In this episode, I also walk you through a tarot spread to help you meet your own golden shadow and discover your abandoned archetype. Through three card pulls, we explore how to identify repressed potential, recognize what’s blocking it, and find ways to integrate it back into our life. I end up pulling the Magician, Six of Wands, and the World.Whether you attended the summit or are just tuning in, I hope this conversation invites you to look at your shadow not only as a place of wounds, but as a container of all of your endless potential and authenticity!Deck used: Pamela Coleman Smith’s Playing Card DeckTarot Spread from the Episode:The unacknowledged potential of an abandoned archetypeAn obstacle preventing me from embracing this potentialA way I can reclaim and integrate this hidden potential into my life 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube! Want to find out all of the ways you can connect with me live this month? Join us inside The Symposium! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This helps more people discover the show and is a great way to support my work <3Don't forget to subscribe to our email list to get all kinds of free mental health and tarot goodies on our website, as well as access to our private membership community The Symposium! www.TheTarotDiagnosis.comFollow The Tarot Diagnosis on Instagram @TheTarotDiagnosisAudio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of Deep Resonance SoundContact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

Jun 15, 2025 • 29min
Judgement & Justice Demystified: A Therapeutic Tarot Breakdown
Dive into the fascinating world of tarot as Judgment and Justice are explored through psychological and archetypal lenses. Discover how Judgment serves as an inner awakening, promoting liberation rather than condemnation. Justice stands for accountability and wise decision-making, encouraging actionable insights. Personal stories from Tampa Bay add emotional depth, while the Queen of Pentacles and the dynamic Emperor offer contrasting perspectives. Engage with your own tarot deck and reflect on these thought-provoking archetypes!

7 snips
Jun 1, 2025 • 36min
The Truth Behind the Two of Cups
Unpacking the Two of Cups reveals more than just romantic notions; it dives deep into our subconscious projections and unmet needs. The discussion highlights how attachment styles, especially dismissive-avoidant ones, shape our ability to connect. Intimacy and autonomy emerge as compelling themes, showcasing their interplay. With insights from compassionate therapy, the conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticity in relationships. The Page of Cups brings a gentle reminder of curiosity and open communication, adding depth to the exploration.

May 18, 2025 • 27min
Lazy or Liberated? The Four of Swords & Eight of Pentacles go to Therapy
Explore the tension between productivity and rest through the lens of tarot cards. Discover why taking a break feels so daunting and how hustle culture distorts our sense of worth. Dive into Polyvagal Theory to understand nervous system responses and the struggle for calm. Delve into how societal pressures transform exhaustion into a badge of honor, while challenging norms that prioritize constant activity. Embrace the vital role of recuperation in enhancing creativity and mental health.

6 snips
May 4, 2025 • 48min
Architecture of Stability: Tarot and Financial Wellness with Mimi Cirbusova
Mimi Cirbusova, a certified financial education instructor and money mentor, joins the discussion to redefine stability in today’s chaotic world. She introduces her Money Mountain framework, emphasizing how tarot can help ground us in financial uncertainty. The conversation delves into the connection between our nervous systems and financial anxiety, the balance between survival and joy through tarot's Four cards, and the importance of community for emotional wellness. Mimi encourages reframing our financial relationship with compassion and introspection.

8 snips
Apr 27, 2025 • 29min
Damocles: A Jungian-Tarot Psychoanalysis of Sleep Token
Dive into a Jungian-tarot psychoanalysis of Sleep Token's latest single, exploring the complex interplay of fame, creativity, and identity. Unpack the emotional depth behind the minimalist arrangement, revealing a longing for simplicity in a chaotic success. Discover how the artist's duality and internal struggles relate to tarot archetypes and mythological themes. Throughout the discussion, examine the burdens of persona, the inner critic's voice, and the journey toward authenticity amidst the challenges of a capitalist art world.

Apr 13, 2025 • 23min
Tarot Therapy: The Psychodrama of Tarot & Witchcraft
This week on The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, I’m continuing my monthly Tarot Therapy series by exploring a topic I’ve been wanting to discuss for ages: How tarot and witchcraft function as Psychodrama.Specifically, I explore how tarot and witchcraft can be understood and practiced through the lens of psychodrama, a powerful therapeutic method developed by Dr. Jacob Moreno. Psychodrama is essentially theater for the psyche. It’s an embodied way of working with emotion, memory, and healing through role play, creativity, and storytelling.If you’ve ever lit a candle for someone you love, pulled a tarot card that made your stomach drop, or cried while drawing a protection sigil - then you’ve already engaged in psychodrama.In this episode, I share why I believe tarot and magick aren’t just symbolic or ritualistic, but active, expressive healing tools. I talk about how tarot spreads become psyche-inspired stages, how tarot becomes characters, and how we can use these practices to externalize our inner world in ways that go beyond talk therapy.I also walk you through a guided psychodrama-inspired tarot practice using a technique called the soliloquy - a beautiful, embodied way to give voice to something you’ve been holding inside. ✨ In this episode, I talk about:What psychodrama is and how it relates to tarot and ritualWhy embodiment and symbolism matter for emotional healingHow to turn your tarot spread into a living storyA guided soliloquy-style tarot activity to help you release what’s been unspoken Want to find out all of the ways you can connect with me live this month? Join us inside The Symposium! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This helps more people discover the show and is a great way to support my work <3Don't forget to subscribe to our email list to get all kinds of free mental health and tarot goodies on our website, as well as access to our private membership community The Symposium! www.TheTarotDiagnosis.comFollow The Tarot Diagnosis on Instagram @TheTarotDiagnosisAudio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of Deep Resonance SoundContact: DeepResonanceSound@gmail.comMusic by Timmoor from Pixabay

Apr 6, 2025 • 33min
The Wounded Caretaker: A Tarot Exploration
This discussion dives into the concept of the 'wounded caretaker,' uncovering how early emotional responsibilities affect adulthood. It juxtaposes the nurturing Queen of Pentacles with themes of burnout and self-neglect. The show explores the psychological impacts of parentification, emphasizing the importance of self-care. Tarot archetypes serve as tools for reflection, revealing hidden emotional needs and encouraging listeners to reconnect with their inner child. Through humor and deep insights, it highlights the often-overlooked struggles of those who habitually prioritize others.

9 snips
Mar 30, 2025 • 31min
Gaslighting, Over-Explaining, and the Page of Swords in Tarot
Discover the intriguing link between over-explaining and the Page of Swords tarot archetype. Explore how gaslighting shapes communication styles, leading to a lifelong quest for clarity and understanding. Journey through the evolution of self-expression from anxious to grounded as you learn about the transformative power of self-trust. Dive into strategies for emotional healing and the importance of recognizing your worth. Plus, connect with a supportive community embracing tarot for personal growth!

Mar 16, 2025 • 36min
Tending to Our Parts with Tarot
Dive into the fascinating intersection of tarot and therapy! Explore how tarot illuminates our inner dynamics through Jungian archetypes like the manager and the lovers. Discover personal stories reflecting the exile through the Eight of Swords and find balance between societal expectations and emotional truths. Plus, get ready for a Summer Solstice Summit featuring an array of brilliant tarot and astrology practitioners. It's all about understanding ourselves better, one card at a time!