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We have already delved into the rich history of tarot. Together, we’ve unraveled its roots as a courtly game in the 1500s, marveled at its evolution under the hands of renowned esotericists during the 1800s, and recognized its enduring significance in our modern world.
As we explored the influential figures that have molded the tarot’s legacy, it is now time to direct our attention to a truly significant individual in tarot’s history: Alejandro Jodorowsky.
Beyond his renowned achievements in film and theater, Jodorowsky’s profound exploration of tarot has brought a new dimension to this ancient divination tool. His work has helped to bring tarot back to an intellectual and deep level, not limiting it to the esoteric niche.
About Alejandro Jodorowsky’s story
Alejandro is a master of artistic expression, a multifaceted artist known for his groundbreaking work in cinema, theater, and literature. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Jodorowsky has immersed himself in the study and practice of tarot, elevating it from a mere divination tool to a profound instrument for self-discovery and personal growth. Let’s delve into his story.
Alejandro Jodorowsky was born in Chile in 1929 and later moved to France. He was a multifaceted character, an artistic soul, and a revolutionary with a unique approach to perceiving reality – never trivial or obvious. In short, a true artist.
His interest in tarot led him to pursue a deep study, which lasted for years – years of research and practice. Starting from the study of the Tarot de Marseille Jodorowsky analyzes and studies each arcane as if it were a guide to the knowledge of ourselves. For Jodorowsky, the tarot is a therapeutic tool – absolutely not divinatory – for the psychological knowledge of the human soul.
Tarot doesn’t divulge secrets but rather guides us along the path of self-discovery. It acts as a lighthouse, illuminating the otherwise obscure realms of understanding.
In 2005, together with Marianne Costa, he published the famous book “The Way of Tarot” which revolutionizes the tarot world and the common perception of it.
Not only the book, along with that, Jodorowsky recreated the Marseilles deck, with the help of master Philip Camoin, trying to maintain the originality of the Marseilles decks, thus their symbols. You can find his deck often sold together with the book. Both to have, if you love tarot.
Let’s discover more about these two masterpieces.
Jodorowsky’s Tarot of Marseille
One of Jodorowsky’s most notable contributions to the world of tarot is his revitalization of the Tarot of Marseille. Collaborating with the renowned French artist Philippe Camoin, Jodorowsky sought to restore the original esoteric symbolism and archetypal power of these ancient cards. His Tarot of Marseille deck has become a cherished tool for those seeking profound insights and spiritual guidance.
Jodorowsky’s captivating journey to the Marseille Deck
Jodorowsky’s profound attachment to the Tarot of Marseille is a captivating aspect. According to The New York Times, he considers any deviations from the Tarot de Marseille as mere inglorious bastards.
“I’m a purist” Mr. Jodorowsky once declared during a visit to New York, where he was being honored by the Museum of Modern Art for his cinematic achievements. Despite the prestigious occasion, he couldn’t contain his excitement to discuss his enduring passion and pastime: the world of tarot.
In the introduction of his book “The Way of Tarot” (which we’ll discuss later), Jodorowsky shares his journey of becoming a purist of the Marseille tarot.
His fascination with tarot began at the age of 20 when he witnessed an old woman in Chile conducting a tarot reading. This encounter instantly captivated him. Subsequently, he moved to Paris, where he joined Marcel Marceau’s mime company and embarked on his travels. In Tokyo, he acquired his first tarot deck, and from then on, collecting decks became a habit, amassing a vast collection from every place he visited.
In the 1960s, during a visit to the Surrealist writer André Breton, Jodorowsky brought along a tarot deck as a gift, thinking Breton would appreciate it as a fellow fan. However, Breton told him that the only good tarot was the Tarot de Marseille.
This encounter led Jodorowsky to start anew. He let go of his entire deck collection and immersed himself in the intensive study of the Tarot de Marseille. Eventually, this profound exploration led him to create his own Tarot deck in collaboration with Camoin.
Alejandro Jodorowsky’s bestseller: The Way of Tarot
Alejandro Jodorowsky wrote “The Way of Tarot” in collaboration with Marianne Costa. This book has become essential references for those seeking a deeper understanding of tarot as a tool for personal growth. It inspires countless individuals to explore the profound wisdom and therapeutic potential of tarot.
“The Way of Tarot” reveals that the entire deck resembles a temple or mandala, symbolizing the world and the divine. The authors view the Tarot as a “nomadic cathedral”, urging us to see its 78 cards as part of a whole. This understanding unlocks the Tarot’s deep symbolism.
The book explores the meanings of the cards and how they connect to human energy. Each Major Arcana description includes keywords, meanings, and even allows the card to speak. The authors introduce Tarology, a new psychological approach using Tarot’s symbolism as a mirror for self-realization, creativity, and healing.
The book features stunning illustrations – as you’ll see in a picture later in the article. Each card is intricately illustrated, and there are zoomed-in images of the main symbols on every card.
We won’t provide further details about the book here because if you want to delve deeper into the world of tarot, it’s a must-read. This beautiful book serves as a valuable manual: you can browse through it whenever you have doubts about the cards or simply to admire its stunning illustrations.
For more information, you can find the book “The Way of Tarot” here.
Another book suggested: Psychomagic
“The Way of Tarot” is not the only amazing masterpiece of Jodorowksy. Another book written by him which is absolutely to read is “Psychomagic: The Transformative Power of Shamanic Psychotherapy“. In this book, spirituality and magic take on an almost cathartic meaning. Magic is not seen as the opposite of science but as an art through which you can get in touch with your inner self and heal (or rather accept) your fears.
Within the book, you will find a chapter dedicated to taking your first steps in tarot readings. Herein are outlined patterns and exercises designed to immerse you into the world of tarot in a conscious and structured way.
One of the most meaningful exercises encourages you to identify both your favorite card and the one that disquiets you. The card that draws you in or makes you feel comfortable, contrasted with the one you repel or find unsettling, will lead you to mindful reflections about the shadowy areas within yourself that seek integration. This type of exercise reveals just how revolutionary the author’s approach has been toward a discipline often fraught with all manner of superstitions.
The influence of Alejandro Jodorowsky in the world of Tarot
As we’ve already said, Jodorowsky’s work is really important in the history of tarot, because it helped to bring tarot back to an intellectual and deep level, not limiting it to the esoteric niche.
Even the most hostile audience has approached tarot, finally seeing it as a friendly tool, useful for our daily practices of self-care. Now tarot is everywhere and more and more people – even those far from the spiritual world – have approached it with openness and curiosity. Surely this is also thanks to Jodorowsky’s work because he introduced Tarology with an intellectual but also psychological approach.
The main concept of his contribution is the difference between Cartomancy (which is about predicting future) and Tarotology, which is about understanding the present and the expressed or unexpressed potential.
Let’s explore some significant perspectives we can glean from Jodorowsky’s approach.
Tarot as personal narratives
One of Jodorowsky’s key contributions to the contemporary use of tarot is his emphasis on creating personal narratives with the cards. He encourages users to interpret the cards as characters in a story, allowing the archetypal imagery to unfold and reveal insights into their own lives.
In his book “The Way of Tarot,” the cards come alive. It’s as if the deck of tarot cards becomes the stage of a theater, and the arcana are the actors who depict parts of ourselves often unknown, while we, the spectators, watch a staging of our own dynamics.
Through this experience, we learn and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, leading to catharsis.
This narrative approach adds a creative and interpretive dimension to tarot readings, fostering a deeper connection between the reader and the cards.
Tarot as a path of self-discovery
For Jodorowsky, tarot is not merely a divination tool but a profound tool for self-discovery and personal growth. He perceives each tarot card as a doorway into the unconscious mind and the collective human experience.
In his view, the tarot becomes a mirror that reflects an individual’s innermost thoughts, emotions, desires, and fears. By engaging with the archetypal imagery of the cards, one can gain insights into their own psyche and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
Through his work, Jodorowsky invites individuals to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, using the tarot as a tool for introspection, reflection, and transformation.
Tarot as a language of symbols
Jodorowsky believes that tarot cards speak to us through symbols, unlocking hidden layers of wisdom and insight. He emphasizes the importance of intuitive interpretation and encourages practitioners to develop a personal connection with the cards.
By engaging with the tarot as a language of symbols, individuals can tap into the deep well of universal knowledge and unlock their own intuitive wisdom. That’s why in the book you can find the explanation of many symbols each card has. For example, in the picture below, you can see the details of The Evil tarot card, which are represented and explained.
Jodorowsky believes the images and symbols on the cards act as a language of the subconscious, communicating profound messages and insights that can guide us on our journey of self-discovery.
Fun Facts about Alejandro Jodorowsky
Now let’s discover 6 fun facts about Alejandro Jodorowsky:
- Jodorowsky is a master of improvisation, skillfully infusing his films and performances with spontaneous elements. Beyond his prowess in filmmaking, he is also an accomplished performance artist, exploring live artistic expression through actions, gestures, and interactions. In performance art, artists utilize their bodies, voices, and objects to convey profound ideas and showcase the limitless possibilities of artistic expression.
- His association with the avant-garde theater movement “The Panic Movement”, which sought to challenge societal norms and provoke intense emotional responses through performances.
- Jodorowsky is a passionate advocate for psychomagic, a therapeutic approach he developed that combines elements of art, psychoanalysis, and shamanism to heal psychological wounds and promote personal growth.
- His films often feature surreal and dreamlike imagery, blending elements of fantasy, symbolism, and spiritual allegory. Remarkably, the movie “The Holy Mountain” stands out for its surreal and symbolic storytelling, exemplifying Jodorowsky’s remarkable artistic vision. This movie is undeniably a masterpiece worth watching.
- Jodorowsky is a polyglot, fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, English, and Russian. His linguistic abilities have allowed him to connect with diverse cultures and audiences around the world.
- His diverse artistic career spans decades, embracing filmmaking, theater, poetry, writing, and visual arts. His multidisciplinary approach has made him a true pioneer in the realm of creativity and self-expression. His ability to adapt his art to different media is fascinating!
After exploring Alejandro Jodorowsky’s stories, masterpieces, and fun facts, it is evident that his impact on the world of tarot has been profound and enduring. His artistic vision and intuitive wisdom have transformed how we perceive and engage with tarot, leaving behind a lasting legacy in divination and self-reflection.
