Strategies for Communicating the Meanings of Tarot Cards to Enhance Intellectual Well-Being

Abstract

        The primary objective of this research Tarot Card Meaning Communication Strategies for Intellectual Well-Being is to analyze the symbolic meanings embedded in Tarot cards and to explore how images and symbols can contribute to intellectual well-being and serve as a dimension of encouragement. This study employed textual analysis and qualitative research methodologies to examine the 78 Rider-Waite Tarot cards, focusing on images and symbols that carry implications for intellectual well-being. The research incorporated approaches from semiotics and communication studies, alongside scholarly works on intellectual well-being, communication, and card reading, as well as manuals on Tarot card reading and the use of tarot cards as tools to enhance intellectual well-being.

        The researcher examined the symbolic meanings of each of the 78 cards in accordance with the conceptual framework of the study. The analysis was guided by semiotic theory, concepts of intellectual well-being, and the principles of Tarot. Findings revealed that interpretations of Tarot symbols vary across different social and cultural contexts. Furthermore, symbolic design can enhance both the meanings of the cards and the flow of meaning derived from them.

        The study also found that a reader’s prior knowledge and personal interpretive frameworks significantly influence the fluidity of meaning. Tarot cards may thus function not only as tools of divination but also as instruments for interpersonal communication, self-reflection, and constructive feedback. Through their symbolic richness, tarot cards foster creative communication and add value to the communicative process. A single card may embody multiple meanings, depending on interpretation and situational context. Importantly, the framing of the question and the interpretive context can substantially alter symbolic meanings. Therefore, it is hoped that the findings of this research will serve as a reference for the future development of Tarot cards as communicative tools.