An interest in Tarot cards or divination, will no doubt be at odds with a fundamental concept that we in the modern world hold central to our self-identity: free-will. What do I mean by this?
I mean that free-will is something that is implicit in the very fabric of most societies. As an example, laws are created and enforced, based on the assumption that the individual has responsibility and therefore, as a result, the implications for the Law’s assumption of the individual’s responsibility, is that the Law assumes the individual has free-will to determine their actions.
In other words, it does not matter, in some cases, what the circumstances of the individual were: their relationship with their parents, their financial circumstances etc; because the Law assumes that at the end of the day, the individual makes the final decision. That means that despite other factors having a strong and powerful influence on the Individual at the time, the Law implicitly assumes the individual has freedom of choice.
If we contrast that assumption with fate, in other words, the future is fixed, what then, if anything, happens to our understanding of an individual’s responsibility for actions? If the future is fixed and free-will does not exist, can we rightly assume individuals have any responsibility for their actions? If the individual does not have responsibility then what, or who, does? Is it society, the history of our cultures, Supernatural powers? Can these seemingly incompatible concepts, that is, the concept of free-will, and the concept of fate, exist together?
Let’s take a step back for a moment so that we can ask ourselves if an individual does indeed have ‘full responsibility’ for their actions? If the answer is something along the lines of: “yes, the individual does have responsibility, but not full responsibility; the responsibility is shared between circumstances and the individual”, then that answer is more sophisticated than assuming that fate rules individuals. It’s sophisticated because it implies an oscillation between an individual and the circumstances of that individual. When I talk of circumstances, I’m referring to the history of the individual, the history of society, Supernatural influences and their causal relation to the individual. In philosophy, although I have not defined it in exactly the correct manner, we are referring to a concept called Determinism. This concept can be described, very simply, as every effect, action or thought as having a prior cause. I should make it clear that Determinism is not the same as Fatalism, which marginalises the influence of human choice to zero. We now need to ask ourselves, how much of our future decisions are based on free-will and how much is determined by circumstances, society, social conditioning, parental expectations, Supernatural powers and so on?
There is an interesting tension between an individual’s ability to choose actions and the society’s influence to shape and determine individuals. One is the concept of free-will and the other is the concept of determinism. Having looked at determinism, let’s now define free-will:
Very simply, free-will can be described as the ability to choose, or the freedom to choose one particular action over another. Not only that, but, the individual chooses an action that is not determined, or influenced by historical, external or Supernatural factors.
I don’t really want to get into the debate of free-will versus determinism, simply because I won’t be able to do the subject justice in one post. In fact, one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th Century, Wittgenstein, thought that the debate of free-will versus determinism should not even be considered part of philosophy at all on the grounds that it is semantic and hence non-philosophical. For all that, it is still a problem that has occupied humanity for thousands of years.
Why Do People Have Tarot Readings?
People have Tarot readings, in the main, for a glimpse into their futures. They believe that a Tarot reader, through the use of Tarot cards, and certain clairvoyant abilities, will accurately reveal their fate. In other words, they believe in fate.
They need not be conscious of this, in fact they usually aren’t. Normally, in most circumstances, they believe in free-will. They believe that they have the power to choose one action over another and yet, when they visit a Tarot reader, by implication, they believe in fate; a pre-destined outcome.
Divination
There are certain ideas and concepts that are implicit within any Tarot reading or divination that is: Supernatural powers are at work and these Supernatural powers determine outcomes. These Supernatural powers have been given many names: Spirits, Angels, Collective Unconsciousness, God or the gods. Naturally, people still believe they have free-will, despite their limited ability to influence. Any external or historical influence will almost always be stronger than an individual’s will to choose. In other words, these influences have a powerful ability to determine how an individual will use their free will.
Another concept that is implicit within any Tarot reading or divination, is that the divination device itself, when used correctly, can accurately depict the exact influence that these Supernatural powers are having; past, present and future. How does this work? The Tarot, or any divination system, symbolically represents these Supernatural, cultural and historical influences through symbolic representation. A Tarot reading then, helps us better understand the causal influences that these Supernatural powers and influences have on ourselves or the people we give readings for. In other words, a Tarot reader can help communicate to a client, what external, historical or Supernatural influences are determining or shaping their environment. I often speculate, whether or not a good Tarot reading can open the client up to choice. I suspect, that in certain cases, it can.
The Heroes
The Greek Myths are a good place to begin an understanding of historical influences, Supernatural powers and the gods. In Greek Myths, there are many stories that usually describe the extreme end of human experience; with the whim of the gods being integral to these stories. Those exceptional and unique individuals, who were noticed by the gods, for one reason or another, who caused the gods to love them or defy them, were known as Heroes. In fact, they often displayed godlike qualities themselves.
I want to explore the myth of Jason as a way to illustrate and compare the role that free-will and the determining powers that Supernatural influences have on the individual. In particular, the complexity of the subject of free-will and the ambiguity and and unknowingness of our being. In future posts, I will be comparing the myth of Jason with the myth of Achilles as a way to further explore the concept of free-will versus determinism. I think it’s really useful for us as Tarot readers, to try and be as a thoughtful as possible about this subject.
Before we begin to explore the myth of Jason, let’s think about what the Greek Myths were symbolising with their use of gods. To me, the gods in Greek Myth, symbolise certain forces of nature that determine the amount of free-will individuals have. For instance, Persephone was the goddess of Earth’s fertility and as such, her role had a direct bearing on individuals and their choices.
Medea gives Jason a magic potion
In Greek mythology, Jason was the least heroic of all the Heroes; his whole life was determined by circumstances – the gods. This is completely different from the other Greek heroes, such as Achilles or Odysseus, who, in some senses, defied the gods. From the Sandal, to the Golden Fleece, Jason was blessed by the gods. This part of the Jason myth, the quest for the Golden Fleece, is no different to any other story told within the genre of the ‘Heroes Quest’. Once Medea, Jason’s lover, enters the picture, the story takes on a dark and sinister quality. Medea ensures Jason’s success on one condition, that he be faithful to her for the rest of his life, to which Jason agrees.
Jason is no different to many modern day mythological characters, such as James Bond, who rely on the power of Women to help them complete their quest.
They return home, Jason reclaims his kingdom from Pelias; and Medea and Jason have children. Sounds like the perfect ending? Not quite.
Medea, granddaughter of the sun god Helios, convinces the daughters of King Pelias, that with her magical powers she can rejuvenate him if they dismember their father. After the daughters kill him, naturally Jason and Medea were driven into exile. Jason and Medea end up in Corinth where the King offers Jason his daughter, and he agrees; big mistake. Medea, in her revenge, kills the King’s daughter; then, in the ultimate act of horror, kills her own children.
Medea is one of the most fascinating characters in Greek myths. One of the most interesting real world accounts that I have read was from the Greek writer Pausanias. He describes a shrine to the murdered children of Jason and Medea in Corinth as a ‘most frightening statue of a woman’ whom he does not name but calls simply ‘the horror’.
At the end, then, there is a grim irony. Medea becomes a female demon, the kind that we find in folk tales across the Mediterranean and beyond – like La Lorona, the ‘Weeping Woman’, in Mexican belief. She is the spirit of a mother, who, having murdered her own children, spends eternity wandering the earth looking for others to kill. She is the ‘terror’, the female transgressor, the irrational or inexplicable child killer, confined here in her place so that she may be propitiated by all who see in her their own secret fears.
Michael Wood, In Search of Myths and Heroes.
Interestingly, Medea is the prototype for many modern day horror films, such as the Grudge. It shows the enduring power that this bronze age myth still has.
What happened to Jason? He returns to the Argo – the ship that brought him his fame and success. The ship was old, decaying and as Jason sat weeping next to the beam, it falls and kills him. What was Jason’s Fate?
Jason’s fate was to be completely determined by circumstances and the Supernatural powers of the gods. He was the least heroic of all the Heroes because circumstances ruled his life, not his free-will. Made by the gods, destroyed by the gods.
What ever free-will the other Heroes possessed, they used. They defied the will of the gods. In some cases, such as the Rage of Achilles, the gods become afraid that his Will was stronger than their own; or Odysseus, who defied Poseidon; or Herakles, who defied Hera.
What became of Medea? They say that after her death, she married Achilles; ‘a real hero.’
The Rage of Achilles Scares The Gods
What Does All This Have To Do With Tarot Cards?
It is always worthwhile considering the extent to which free-will and determinism play a role in a person’s life. I use the myth of Jason as a reminder that great and exciting things, as well as terrible and horrifying things, can happen to people who never use their free-will.
Free-Will In A Tarot Reading?
The bottom line is, most people won’t use it. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. A Tarot reading can present ways to defy the gods. Naturally, you may anger them; you may, by your actions, get them to notice you. This is not too dissimilar to Crowley’s Lovers or Brothers card, were Cain kills Abel; and in that very monstrous act, God notices him for the first time. The Lovers, the first independent choice, is always a defiance.
We may not have that much free-will in the big scheme of things and some people have less than most. Everybody is different and everybody is unique. Free-Will is not timeless, nor is it absolute. Rather it is relative to the historical context in which that individual stands. By illustrating where choice lies in a Tarot reading for the client, by discussing the options, making the first real choice; the first free choice (just like the Lovers) then you have begun your own journey of Spiritual Independence.
Can a thousand facts compare with that epiphanic moment, when a poet stands tall in a lightning storm, hurling challenges at God? – David Brin
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I always like to remind my clients that no matter what the reading shows as an outcome, their free will really determines the outcome in real life. I believe it is up to the client to take what the reading has highlighted and determine how they can use this information to their best advantage. That’s where the fun lies!
Hi Leila, thank you for sharing your ideas
I follow a similar principle as you – I present the information to the client but stress the importance of free-will. I usually start this process off by asking a question – at the end of the reading; “What do you want to happen?” I find that by asking this question, it helps the client think through what they would like to do.
LOL I agree with you 100%
Hey, I have an idea, you should do in parts, Like Part 1 of Do we have free will and then Part 2 of free will, In that order, people will come for more, more than one time and stays.
Just another idea. I will probably get back to this post and read it again, from where I blurred out… But very very good. It is very interesting to hear another’s opinion.
Hi Maz,
Thanks for your kind words
I’m glad you liked the post.
I have no plans to split that post into two sections, but thanks for feedback.