How Movies, TV, and Music Use Tarot to Tell Untold Stories

Tarot cards have long been an intriguing element in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, literature, and music. Their portrayal holds significance beyond mere symbolism, often serving as catalysts for plot development, character exploration, and thematic depth.

In movies, tarot cards are frequently used to create an air of mystery or foreboding. For example, in the film “

Now You See Me

,” tarot cards are employed by the Four Horsemen to symbolize their roles and predict their next moves, adding an element of mystique to their performances. Similarly, in “

The Hateful Eight,”

a tarot card reading sets the stage for tension and foreshadows the characters‘ fates.
Television shows often utilize tarot cards to delve into characters’ psyches or hint at future events. In “

Twin Peaks

,” Agent Cooper consults the cards to gain insight into the murder investigation, highlighting the mystical and intuitive aspects of his personality. Similarly, in “American Horror Story:

Coven

,” tarot readings are central to the witches’ practice, offering guidance and revealing hidden truths. TV shows like “Naagin” and “Saraswatichandra” also incorporate Tarot cards to enhance the plotlines. In “

Naagin

,” Tarot readings foretell the characters’ destinies, driving the storyline forward with elements of suspense and prophecy. Likewise, in “

Saraswatichandra

,” Tarot cards symbolize the characters’ inner conflicts and desires, adding layers of complexity to their relationships and decisions.
Literature frequently employs tarot cards as literary devices to deepen themes and explore character motivations. In Neil Gaiman‘s “

The

Sandman

” graphic novel series, tarot imagery is woven throughout the narrative, reflecting the story’s dreamlike quality and exploring concepts of destiny and free will. Authors like Paulo Coelho in “

The

Alchemist

” and Neil Gaiman in “The Sandman” weave Tarot imagery into their narratives to explore themes of self-discovery, transformation, and the interconnectedness of all things. In “

The Night Circus

” by Erin Morgenstern, tarot cards serve as a mystical element that influences the characters’ fates and the unfolding of the magical competition.
In music, tarot cards can inspire lyrics and evoke mood. In the song “

Major

Arcana

” by The Mountain Goats, tarot imagery is used metaphorically to explore themes of fate and self-discovery. Similarly, in “

The Tower

” by Weyes Blood, tarot symbolism is employed to convey a sense of impending doom and existential questioning.
Overall, the portrayal of tarot cards in various media reflects their enduring significance as symbols of mystery, intuition, and fate, enriching storytelling and inviting audiences to contemplate the deeper meanings behind their imagery.