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Have you ever felt that the boxes we put ourselves in—whether it’s good or bad, masculine or feminine, spiritual or not—are just too small? Like there’s more to life than choosing between one thing or the other? That’s where non-duality comes in—the idea that everything is interconnected, and the divisions we hold onto are just illusions. It’s about moving beyond either/or thinking and realising that we’re part of a much bigger, unified whole.
For me, tarot has been the perfect tool for exploring this. Non-duality and tarot go hand in hand, helping me see the fluidity between things that seem opposed—like how one tarot card might symbolise inner wisdom, but also external authority, or how a card about destruction can also offer renewal. I first got drawn into non-duality through The Liturgists podcast, which unpacked the idea in a way that finally clicked. Michael Gungor’s book This was another big one for me. And through deconstructing my faith, non-duality and tarot became a guide—a way of seeing beyond the chaos and binaries of life.
Most of the time, I still see the world in terms of dualities—good versus bad, light versus dark, me versus others. But tarot, especially the Temperance card, constantly reminds me that these dualities are connected, part of a larger whole. Non-duality and tarot have taught me that opposites can exist together and actually enhance each other. In this post, I’ll share 5 powerful ways non-duality and tarot have transformed my life, from my spiritual journey to navigating relationships, and how it might help you see beyond binaries, too.
What is Non-Duality?
At its core, non-duality is the idea that everything is interconnected, and the opposites we often think of as separate are actually part of the same thing. We live in a world that loves to divide—good versus bad, masculine versus feminine, right versus wrong—but non-duality challenges us to move beyond that thinking. It’s not about ignoring that these opposites exist, but about recognising that they aren’t really opposed at all.
Think of it this way: When we label something as “good,” we create its opposite, “bad.” But what is good or bad is often subjective, based on context, perspective, and time. Non-duality and tarot help us stop clinging to these rigid labels and instead see the flow between them. It’s about understanding that light can’t exist without dark, just as joy can’t be fully understood without sorrow.
In tarot, Temperance is the perfect card for non-duality. The figure in the card blends fire and water, standing with one foot on land and one in water, symbolising the balance between opposites. It’s a reminder that dualities are not in conflict, but part of the same, interconnected flow. Non-duality and tarot show us that we can blend seemingly opposing forces in our lives and create something new and harmonious.
Take the Death card, for example. People often fear this card because it represents endings. But endings are also beginnings, and the Death card speaks to the transformative power of letting go. Non-duality and tarot help us see that death and rebirth aren’t opposites—they’re part of the same cycle.
Non-Duality in Gender: Moving Beyond Binaries
One of the biggest shifts for me has been how non-duality and tarot have shaped my understanding of gender. As someone who identifies as non-binary, non-duality offered a way out of the rigid boxes society tries to force us into—male or female, masculine or feminine. For much of my life, I felt like I was trying to fit into those categories, but they never felt right. When I encountered non-duality, it made sense: Gender, like everything else, isn’t a binary. It’s fluid, and it exists beyond those limits.
In tarot, the Empress and Emperor cards represent the traditional feminine and masculine energies. The Empress is nurturing, creative, and connected to nature, while the Emperor is about structure, authority, and control. At first glance, they seem like opposites, but non-duality and tarot teach us that these energies exist within all of us. I don’t have to be one or the other—I can embody both, and it’s that balance that allows for wholeness.
Then there’s Temperance again, a card that embodies the blending of energies. In the context of gender, it’s a reminder that we don’t need to choose between being masculine or feminine. We can hold both within us, moving fluidly between them, just like the cups in Temperance that blend water and fire. Gender, for me, is a reflection of this non-dual reality.
Another example is the Two of Swords, which encourages us to stop thinking in binary terms and to see the possibility of both/and, rather than either/or. The blindfolded figure in the card represents how we often blind ourselves by clinging to binaries, when in reality, the answers lie in seeing the interconnectedness of seemingly opposing forces. Non-duality and tarot together help us recognise this balance.
Spirituality and Non-Duality: Balancing Tradition and Intuition
My spiritual journey has also been shaped by non-duality, especially as I’ve deconstructed much of what I was taught. For years, spirituality was presented to me in a very dualistic way—right versus wrong, sacred versus profane, holy versus sinful. But as I began to explore non-duality, I realised that these rigid categories weren’t the full picture. Spirituality, like life, is more fluid.
In tarot, the tension between tradition and intuition is represented beautifully by the Hierophant and the High Priestess. The Hierophant stands for external wisdom, the teachings passed down to us through tradition, while the High Priestess represents inner knowing and the mysteries that lie beyond what can be easily seen. For much of my life, I leaned heavily on the Hierophant—following the rules and accepting teachings without question. But non-duality and tarot helped me shift towards the High Priestess, leaning into my own intuition.
But here’s the thing: Non-duality and tarot remind us that these aren’t opposites. It’s not about choosing between tradition and intuition, but about finding a balance between them. The Temperance card reminds me that both are valuable, and spiritual growth comes from blending the wisdom of tradition with the insight of intuition. It’s a dance between the two, not a rigid choice.
The Judgement card also plays into this idea. It often represents a spiritual awakening or a reckoning with one’s beliefs, but it doesn’t demand that you abandon tradition. Instead, it invites you to rise above the either/or thinking and see how tradition and intuition can inform one another, just as Temperance blends opposing elements into something greater.
Non-Duality in Relationships: Seeing Beyond Conflict
One of the most transformative aspects of non-duality has been how it’s shifted my view of relationships. In the past, I often saw relationships in dualistic terms—me versus the other person, right versus wrong. But non-duality and tarot have shown me that relationships, like everything else, are interconnected. It’s not about winning or losing a conflict, but about recognising that the other person’s experience is just as valid as mine. We’re both part of the same whole.
In tarot, the Two of Cups is often a card of partnership and emotional connection. It symbolises harmony and the coming together of two individuals. But non-duality and tarot remind us that this connection isn’t just about romance or friendship—it’s about seeing the other person as part of yourself. When conflicts arise, instead of seeing it as a battle between me and them, I try to remind myself that we’re both part of the same larger system.
The Lovers card also speaks to this idea of unity, both within ourselves and in relationships. It’s about embracing all parts of ourselves and our connections with others, the light and the dark, the good and the bad. Non-duality and tarot help me approach relationships with more empathy, seeing beyond the divisions and realising that we are all interconnected.
And of course, Temperance shows up again. It reminds us to balance our emotions in relationships, to blend the internal and external, and to find harmony rather than choosing sides.
In relationships, the Three of Pentacles is another reminder of collaboration and interconnectedness. It shows that we are not solitary beings—our actions and choices affect others, and we are part of a larger whole. It’s not just about individual success or failure but about the collective effort. Non-duality and tarot teach us that relationships are not about competition but about coming together to create something bigger.
Non-Duality and Tarot: A Powerful Framework for Transformation
Tarot, as a tool for reflection, naturally aligns with non-duality. Many of the cards reflect dualities—light and dark, internal and external, masculine and feminine—but tarot also invites us to see beyond these binaries. In my tarot readings, I often guide clients to recognise the non-dual nature of the challenges they face.
For example, the Devil card represents the things that hold us captive—fear, addiction, self-doubt. At first glance, it might seem like the Devil symbolises control, and breaking free from it would be the opposite. But non-duality and tarot show us that freedom and control aren’t opposites at all. The chains we place on ourselves are often illusions, and understanding the interconnectedness of freedom and control is key to breaking free.
The Wheel of Fortune is another example. It represents the cycles of life—the ups and downs, the moments we feel in control, and the times we don’t. The wheel keeps turning, reminding us that life is always in motion, and non-duality and tarot teach us to let go of rigid expectations and flow with these cycles. We can’t have one without the other, and tarot helps us recognise that.
When I read tarot for clients, I use cards like The High Priestess and Hierophant to help them navigate the balance between external advice and internal knowing, just as I did in my own spiritual journey. I encourage them to see the fluidity between masculine and feminine energies with cards like the Empress and Emperor, or to recognise that seemingly opposing forces are part of the same whole with cards like The Tower and The Fool.
But no card better represents this balance than Temperance. In every reading, it’s a reminder that life isn’t about choosing one side over the other. It’s about finding harmony between them, seeing how they blend and flow together. Whether you’re dealing with a relationship issue, a spiritual question, or a decision about your career, the message of non-duality and tarot is always the same: Everything is connected, and it’s through embracing that connection that we find peace.
Conclusion: Embracing Non-Duality in Everyday Life
The biggest lesson non-duality and tarot have taught me is that everything is connected. Dualities like good and bad, right and wrong, masculine and feminine, serve a purpose in helping us navigate the world, but they don’t reflect the full truth. Underneath it all, there is a oneness that unites everything.
Tarot has been a powerful tool for exploring and understanding this oneness. It provides a framework for recognising the interconnectedness in life’s experiences and navigating them in a way that embraces both sides of the coin. By using non-duality and tarot, I’ve been able to transform the way I approach spirituality, relationships, and my own identity.
If you’re curious about how non-duality and tarot can help you navigate your own life, head over to my tarot reading page and book a reading. Together, we can explore these themes and see how they show up in your life.
