Tarot and Astrology: Differences between the West and the East

Introduction

Whether in the East or the West, people all share a common concern: predicting and grasping their destiny. However, behind each of these forecasting systems is a unique cultural background of each nation.

In fact, when comparing the doctrine of fortune telling between the East and the West, we are comparing two different cultures. The West is represented by astrology and tarot, while the East has the four pillars and eight characters and **Vi Dou Dou Nu.

Tarot: Origins and Development

History of Tarot

Modern Tarot originated in the 15th century, during the Renaissance period in Italy, initially as an entertaining game for the nobility called "Tarocchi". The deck of 78 cards is formed with 22 Major Arcana cards (Major Arcana) as the main core.

In the 18th century, French mystic Etteilla first connected tarot to fortune-telling, arguing that the cards contained wisdom from the ancient Egyptian "Book of Thoth." By the 19th century, the "Golden Dawn" organization had restructured the tarot system by embedding symbols from Kabbalah, astrology, and alchemy. From there, tarot became an extension of astrology and spread rapidly among the civilian population.

How to Approach Tarot

Tarot has many different divination methods:

• Major Arcana Method: Focus on the 22 main cards
• Minor Arcana Method: Use the remaining 56 cards
• Combined Arcana Method: Use all 78 cards

Each method has many different implementations. Some famous layouts include the Celtic Cross spread (using 10 cards, providing comprehensive information) and the Holy Triangle Layout (3 cards representing past, present, future). A useful check is to name the visible action on the card before choosing advice.

Tarot is a "Mind-Only" Art

Psychology in Tarot

Tarot is not only a forecasting tool but also reflects human psychology. The cards are considered archetypes of the collective unconscious, a concept proposed by psychologist Carl Jung. The 78 tarot cards correspond to the basic patterns of the human soul.

When using tarot, fortune tellers must interact deeply with customers, listen to their inner thoughts, and discover hidden ideas from the unconscious. The relationship between diviner and client must be equal—the diviner is not a magician, but a guide to the client's self-realization.

This is why tarot is called an "idealist" art: it emphasizes the free will of the individual. Although the cards reveal hidden characteristics and possibilities, how they are handled and chosen depends entirely on the individual. When several cards repeat a theme, treat the pattern as emphasis rather than certainty. For a cleaner reading, translate the symbol into one observable choice or behavior.

Comparison with Eastern System

Four Pillars and Eight Characters: A "Materialist" Model

If tarot is "idealist", then the four pillars and eight characters (astrology according to date of birth: year, month, day, hour) is a "materialistic" model—it simulates the laws of the universe.

The Four Pillars and Eight Characters are based on: - Year Pillar (Year): The cycle of the sun - Month Pillar (Month): The cycle of the moon - Sun Pillar (Day): Earth's cycle - Time Pillar (Hour): Human cycle

This system is not related to individual psychology but focuses on objective conditions: natural resources, location in time and space, and how the universe moves through each stage. It reflects the "Mandate of Heaven" philosophy of the East: humans are not in control of their destiny, nor are they controlled by a personal god, but are governed by "Heaven's Way"—the laws of the universe.

Basic Differences

| Criteria | Tarot (Western) | Four Pillars and Eight Characters (Orient) | |----------|-------------------|--------------------------| | Philosophy | Idealistic | Materialism | | Focus | Psychology, personal freedom of will | Universal laws, objective conditions | | Interaction | High—need to listen deeply to customers | Low—just birthday info | | Goal | Help customers understand themselves and make their own decisions | Destiny analysis based on space physics | | Result | Guidelines, not absolutes | Objective forecast |

The Exploration Out

Tarot and Psychology

Tarot had a profound influence on the development of Western psychology. It is not only a divination tool but also a way to explore the hidden layers of the mind—just as Freud explored the "self, ego, superego."

Four Pillars and Eight Characters and Traditional Medicine

In contrast, the Oriental system is associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Concepts such as yin and yang, the five elements, and the cyclical influences on major and minor events, provide a framework for understanding human pathophysiology and suggest directions for preventive health care.

Conclusion

Tarot and Eastern systems do not have a "better" or "worse" comparison. They are just two different approaches:

• Tarot emphasizes subjective influence—people are the center of destiny.
• The Eastern system emphasizes objective influence—human beings are governed by universal laws.

In practice, many modern Oriental systems (such as Horoscope Dou Nu or eight-character divination) have begun to incorporate personality factor analysis from tarot and astrology to enhance customer interaction and satisfaction. This is a testament to the convergence between two ancient traditions in the modern world.

Reference source: zhihu.com — The great war of theories predicting the fate of the East and the West

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Reading note: Check these meanings against the cards beside them before settling on one keyword.