Every Tarot Villain, Explained

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• The High Priestess

• The Hermit

• The Hanged-Man

• The Fool

• The Magician

• Death & The Devil

As a seasoned tarot reader and horror movie enthusiast, I must say that the movie “Tarot” has left me both chilled to the bone and intrigued by its unique blend of supernatural lore and card symbolism. Having spent countless hours studying tarot decks from various cultures, it’s fascinating to see how director Nicholas Balistefanis has woven these ancient symbols into a terrifying narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

On May 3, 2024, the American horror flick named Tarot was unveiled. Despite receiving unfavorable reviews, it managed to surpass box office predictions, earning an impressive $49 million against its production budget of $8.25 million (as reported by Box Office Mojo), indicating a possible sequel. The plot revolves around six college friends who stumble upon an ancient Tarot card deck while celebrating a birthday at a Catskills mansion.

As a seasoned tarot reader with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that each Tarot card holds a unique energy and meaning that can profoundly impact one’s life. While some may dismiss it as mere fortune-telling or superstition, I have seen firsthand how the cards can offer valuable insights and guidance when navigating life’s complexities.

Every Villain and Their Victims

The High Priestess

One day following Haley’s Tarot readings, the shapeshifting villain disguised itself as The High Priestess to attack Elise. The High Priestess is the second major card in the Tarot deck, symbolizing a woman adorned with a papal crown. In her readings, Haley’s details mirrored each victim’s demise. For example, during Elise’s turn, she spoke of a “ladder to success.” When The High Priestess confronted Elise, she brutally attacked her using a ladder that reached up to the attic. As soon as Elise passed away, the villain transformed once more and focused on Lucas.

The Hermit

In this Tarot reading, the ninth Major Arcana card, symbolically known as ‘The Hermit’, was given to Lucas. This card features an eerie figure resembling Ghostface, cloaked in a flowing black robe. During the session, there was a hint about “tracks”, which turned out to be a chilling foreshadowing of a fateful encounter. Later, when Lucas was alone in the subway, the Hermit’s ghostly figure appeared and transformed into the card’s image, leading to a deadly ambush by the hooded figure. The “tracks” in this context refer to the tracks beneath the subway, where Lucas met his tragic end, crushed by an oncoming train car. The Hermit symbolizes wisdom, introspection, deceit, and detachment – traits that Lucas momentarily exhibited before his untimely death.

The Hanged-Man

After Lucas passed away, the remaining individuals encountered an enigmatic woman named Alma (played by Olwen Fouere), who possessed unusual insight into the malevolent Tarot cards. Alma revealed that the antagonist is known as The Astrologer, a shape-shifting female entity seeking vengeance for her daughter’s demise.

On their journey home, the group’s vehicle breaks down unexpectedly. Suddenly, Madeline is unsettled as the Astrologer transforms and scribbles a stick figure hanging from a noose on the car window, eerily resembling The Hanged Man tarot card. This 12th Major Arcana card is linked with Pisces and portrays an individual dangling upside down by one foot. After playfully spooking Madeline, the Astrologer ends her life using the image of the Hanged Man.

The Fool

Following Madeline’s death, Paxton decides to leave the group and walks home alone at night. He is then accosted by The Fool, a trickster-like homicidal creature that symbolizes Taurus, his zodiac sign. Haley had predicted in her reading for Paxton that he would feel trapped and confined by increasing numbers. When The Fool corners Paxton in an elevator, it appears his fate is certain. However, because he is a Taurean, Paxton displays the dependability characteristic of his zodiac sign in the movie’s final scenes. Jacob Batalon delivers a remarkable performance in the film “Tarot.”

The Magician

In the movie, one of the questionable choices is made when Alma opts to conjure the spirit of the Astrologer instead of burning the deck as planned. However, the Astrologer swiftly ends Alma’s life using the Six of Swords card. Subsequently, the Astrologer transforms into a Magician and sets his sights on Paige. The Magician is typically the first card in Tarot decks and represents a circus performer working at a table. Unfortunately for Paige, she meets her gruesome end as the Magician confines her within a box and slices her body in half with a saw, much like a magic trick.

Death & The Devil

Following Paige’s demise, The Astrologer metamorphoses into The Devil. This malevolent entity then confronted Grant, the most skeptical Tarot skeptic among them. The Devil seized Grant and isolated him from Haley, leaving his fate uncertain. In an attempt to lift the spell and banish the antagonist, Haley read The Astrologer’s Zodiac. Surprisingly, Haley drew the Death card, which inexplicably protected Grant instead of ending his life in the climax of this intense PG-13 horror film. Eventually, The Astrologer was reduced to ashes near the sinister Tarot deck. Exhausted and battered, Haley and Grant returned home only to find Paxton, who had miraculously survived the elevator encounter with The Fool.

In various guises, it is a single individual – the Astrologer – who serves as the villain in Tarot lore. This Astrologer once made predictions for a Hungarian Count in the 18th century. Tragically, she prophesied the fatal childbirth of the Count’s wife, an event that led to her being viewed as a witch and her daughter’s death. Driven by vengeance for her slain daughter, The Astrologer used the Tarot deck to eliminate the Count and his men. In the end, she took her own life and cursed the Tarot cards. Alma suggests that numerous historical massacres can be traced back to this cursed Tarot deck.

Tarot is available to stream on Netflix.

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2024-08-10 02:31