The Kybalion, a profound text on esoteric philosophy, goes deeply into the subject of “mental induction” as a form of vibration that can create a current of influence between the mind of the accomplished master and the consciousness of those who are its target. This premise supports my own assumption that the tarot operates under the sway of “subconscious induction” that flows from the seeker into the cards during the shuffle.

The authors described it as the principle behind telepathy or mental suggestion. I think of it as “attunement” between two minds, and in the case of a tarot reading it is facilitated by the agency of the cards. If the reader maintains a high degree of optimism that even the most discouraging cards can be turned to the seeker’s advantage, this mindset can be leveraged in ways that guide the individual toward an awakening of self-determination. I don’t see it as “empowerment” for the purpose of “taking the reins” so much as alignment with universal forces that are symbolized by the cards pulled for the reading. They are the “engine of destiny” and the reader is the conductor, while the seeker is urged to take over the throttle.

In each instance of its application, this subtle force develops along a narrowly-defined corridor of manifestation. The Kybalion insists that any advancement in the self-awareness of the individual will be a matter of degree within a linear progression and not the focus of a “make-over” or transmutation of inherent nature into something entirely different. The train can’t switch tracks without a switchman in the form of a new paradigm, it can only go faster. If querents were deficient in a certain quality before the reading, the mental stimulus it provides can empower them to gain enrichment in that quality but it won’t enable them to transform it into a completely unrelated reward.

Although I don’t intentionally avoid the opportunity, as a professional diviner I don’t feel strongly that I must be a “booster” of my clients’ peace of mind. My role is to open their eyes and arm them with self-knowledge; their job is to bring it to bear on their problems. There is a certain amount of “call it as a see it” in all of my commentary, with no false signals that are intended to convey either enthusiastic cheerleading or ominous doom-saying. The mental induction comes full circle, originating in the seeker’s subconscious awareness, passing into the cards and being filtered through the reader’s trained sensibilities, then returning to the seeker as targeted insights. It’s an elegant system when done right.