Tarot in Spiritual Direction (w/guest Brian Relph)

In this episode of The Path to Wholeness, I sit down with fellow Spiritual Director Brian Relph to explore Tarot as a contemplative practice within Spiritual Direction—how the cards can become a doorway into conversation with the Divine, as a practice of presence and listening.

I first met Brian at the Haden Institute, where he was introducing Tarot to Spiritual Direction trainees. Having discovered Tarot myself at fifteen, I had long felt its power to awaken spiritual insight but struggled to integrate it fully into my direction work. Brian’s seamless, reverent approach revealed how the two worlds—symbolic image and sacred listening—can beautifully inform one another.

Together we reflect on the ethics and discernment of using Tarot in direction sessions, what it means to treat the cards as prayer, and how image and Spirit meet in the sacred conversation between director and directee.

This one’s a long listen — what can I say, we were on a roll. Once Brian and I started talking about Tarot and the language of image, time ceased to exist. So pour a cup of something good, settle in, and join us in the deep end.

In this episode:

  • Why Tarot belongs in the context of Spiritual Direction
  • How to discern when and how to bring Tarot into a session
  • Ethical and soulful considerations when using Tarot with directees
  • Tarot as a contemplative, prayerful practice rather than prediction
  • The meeting place of symbol, psyche, and Spirit

Takeaways:

  • A new lens on Tarot as a living language of presence
  • Practical insights for integrating Tarot into your own spiritual practice
  • Inspiration to approach symbol and image as sacred conversation partners

Mentioned in this episode:

Upcoming courses:

Praying the Tarot with Bethany Ward (Spring 2026) – Sign up at bethanysward.com

Window to the Soul: A Tarot Certification for Spiritual Directors, Therapists, and Dreamworkers with Brian Relph (Spring 2026) - Sign up at soulgrowthcoaching.com

Connect:

Follow Bethany’s reflections, writings, and upcoming offerings at bethanysward.com

Find Brian Relph at soulgrowthcoaching.com