If you are like me and are currently spending every night watching recaps on the Eras Tour and falling deeper and deeper into Swift land than this article is for you. After watching wayy too many Tiktoks on Taylor Swift I started to notice a spiritual theme between each of the albums.
Each of Taylors Swifts albums is defined as an Era with clear themes. This article we will explore the spiritual meaning of each album and how it connects to themes in the tarot deck. Taylor Swift's music has become a spiritual journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, inspiring her fans to embrace their own journeys of self-discovery and growth.
Taylor Swift (2006)
Taylor Swift's first album, released in 2006, is a reflection of her experiences with love and heartbreak. The songs on the album are about the things she observed from other people. When we start looking deep into the spiritual meaning we can see a young Taylor exploring the human experience of wondering about who we are and what other people think of us.
It speaks to the risks and rewards of self-discovery and the journey of finding oneself. Looking back on it now in comparison to her entire career, it is clear that Taylor Swift has evolved both musically and spiritually. Her music has become more introspective and mature, exploring themes of self-forgiveness, self-healing, and caring for oneself.
If Taylors Swift entire career is a journey, her first album is the starting point of her finding her place in this world. When I think of this album I connect it to themes of innocence, fearless, the unknown.
Tarot Card Association: The Fool
Crystal: Clear Quartz
Fearless (2008)
Taylor Swift's "Fearless" album holds a significant spiritual meaning. The album is about being fearless in love and life, and it encourages listeners to take chances and embrace their emotions. The album's title track, "Fearless," is about someone who wants to take a chance on love, even though they are afraid of getting hurt. Taylor Swift wrote in the liner notes that her definition of fearlessness was "not the absence of fear" or doubt but living, loving, and embracing life.
Looking back on the album now in comparison to her entire career, "Fearless" was a turning point for Taylor Swift. It was her second studio album and marked her transition from country to pop music. The album's success propelled her to superstardom and set the stage for her future albums.
In 2021, Taylor Swift released "Fearless (Taylor's Version)," a re-recording of the album. The re-recording allowed her to regain control of her music and revisit the songs with a new perspective. The album's re-release also gave fans a chance to revisit the album and appreciate its spiritual meaning. Including myself and the inspiration behind this article.
Overall, "Fearless" is a powerful album that encourages listeners to be fearless in love and life. It marked a turning point in Taylor Swift's career and set the stage for her future success. Looking back on the album now, it is clear that its spiritual meaning has stood the test of time and continues to inspire listeners.
Tarot Card Association: Strength
Crystal: Golden Healer Quartz, Citrine
Speak Now (2010)
Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" album is a reflection of her personal experiences with love, heartbreak, and her public image. The album features a mix of country and pop songs, with the title track being about a protagonist interrupting a wedding in an attempt to win her ex-lover back. In retrospect, Taylor Swift describes the song as being about good versus evil, with the girl being the hero. The album as a whole represents a time in Taylor's career where she was still finding her footing and exploring different genres and themes.
Looking back on it now in comparison to her entire career, "Speak Now" can be seen as a stepping stone towards the more mature and introspective themes explored in her later albums. While the album still features some of the youthful exuberance and romanticism of her earlier work, it also hints at the more complex emotions and experiences that would come to define her later albums. Overall, "Speak Now" is a testament to Taylor Swift's growth as an artist and her ability to connect with her fans through her music.
Tarot Card Association: Hierophant
Crystal: Angel Aura
Red (2012)
Taylor Swift's "Red" album is a musical and lyrical representation of a heartbroken person. The album is a mosaic of feelings that are all over the place, yet somehow fit together in the end. The color red symbolizes powerful, unstable passion, which is a recurring theme throughout the album. The album is a mix of passion and heartbreak, rage and rawness, tragedy and trauma, and the loss of an imagined future alongside someone. The album's hidden messages and Easter eggs have been analyzed by fans, revealing possible song subjects and meanings. The album's deep cuts, such as "All Too Well," have been dubbed some of the best songs of the decade.
Looking back on the album now, in comparison to Taylor Swift's entire career, "Red" stands out as a turning point in her music. It was a departure from her country roots and marked a transition to a more pop-oriented sound. The album's themes of heartbreak and healing, rage and rawness, and tragedy and trauma have continued to be present in Swift's music throughout her career. The re-release of "Red (Taylor's Version)" in 2021, with previously unreleased vault songs, shows that the album still holds a unique position of power over Swift's fans. The album's enduring popularity and critical acclaim are a testament to its spiritual meaning and the emotional impact it has had on listeners.
Tarot Card Association: The Devil
Crystal: Red Jasper
1989 (2014)
Taylor Swift's 1989 album marked a significant shift in her career, both musically and spiritually. The album was named after the year of her birth, and it symbolized her rebirth as an artist. She moved away from her country roots and embraced a more synth-driven 80s pop sound. The album was about expressing her real self in songs, but in a way her fans would embrace. The album's liner notes contained sentimental reflections that hinted at a broken and ill-timed relationship that "everyone was watching." The album's overall theme was self-discovery, and it concluded with a moment of self-discovery.
Looking back on it now in comparison to her entire career, 1989 was a turning point for Taylor Swift. It marked the beginning of her transition from country to pop, and it set the stage for her subsequent albums. The album's success paved the way for her to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world. The spiritual meaning of the album lies in its message of self-discovery and rebirth. It was a reflection of Taylor Swift's personal growth as an artist and as a person. The album's success allowed her to embrace her true self and to connect with her fans on a deeper level. It was a defining moment in her career, and it remains one of her most beloved albums to this day.
Tarot Card Association: The Chariot
Crystal: Angelite
Reputation (2017)
Taylor Swift's "Reputation" album is a reflection of her personal journey and the spiritual meaning behind it is about self-discovery, growth, and redemption. The album is a departure from her previous work, as it explores darker themes and emotions. The album is a reflection of her experiences with the media and public scrutiny, and how she has learned to cope with it. The album is a symbol of her transformation from a young girl to a mature woman, and how she has learned to embrace her flaws and imperfections.
There are so many powerful messages in the reputation album, this was a clear shift for Taylor Swift and honestly there are so many cards that come to mind but sticking with the themes of using the major arcana I pulled both the Hanged Man and Death.
Taylor clearly had a huge shift when making this album, the Hanged Man can represent a willingness to sacrifice or surrender in order to progress forward. A major lyric that stands out to me is "Look What You Made Me Do" when she says
"I'm sorry, the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now."
"Why?"
"Oh, 'cause she's dead!"
This album was a death to her ego and represents a shift in her music and image and also marks a shift in her public persona, as she becomes more outspoken and unapologetic.
Overall, "Reputation" is a powerful album that showcases Taylor Swift's growth as an artist and as a person. It is a testament to her resilience and strength, and how she has learned to overcome adversity and criticism. The album is a reminder that we all have the power to transform ourselves and rise above our challenges, and that our mistakes and flaws do not define us.
Tarot Card Association: Hanged Man, and Death
Crystal: Black Tourmaline
Lover (2019)
Taylor Swift's "Lover" album is a reflection of her spiritual journey and growth as an artist. The album is a celebration of love, self-discovery, and the beauty of life. The album's title track is a declaration of love, with Taylor singing about the joys of being in a committed relationship. The song "The Man" is a commentary on gender inequality and the double standards that women face in the music industry and beyond. The album also features songs about heartbreak, self-reflection, and the importance of family and friends.
Looking back on Taylor Swift's entire career, "Lover" stands out as a culmination of her reflection of personal growth and her journey towards self-acceptance and self-love. Throughout her career, Taylor has been open about her struggles with anxiety, body image, and relationships. "Lover" is a testament to her resilience and her ability to turn her pain into art.
For Lover we are pulling the lovers card, which represents a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical connection between two people. The card symbolizes the strength of two coming together and the power of relationships as a source of comfort, support, and inspiration. The Lovers card can also represent a business partnership between two people. Additionally, the card raises questions about how committed one is to love and the choice of commitment. "Lover" is a celebration of life's ups and downs and a reminder that we are all capable of finding happiness and fulfillment.
Tarot Card Association: The Lovers
Crystal: Rose Quartz
folklore (2020)
Taylor Swift's album "Folklore" has a spiritual meaning that is rooted in storytelling and the preservation of traditions. The album is a collection of stories that Swift has woven together, some of which are fictional and some of which are based on reality. The album's lowercase title signifies ambivalence, nonchalance, and emotional terrorism. The album's themes are sad, beautiful, and tragic, and it explores themes of love, loss, and regret. The album's stories are told from different character points of view, and they are filled with allusions and Easter eggs that keep Swifties guessing and speculating.
Looking back on "Folklore" in comparison to Taylor Swift's entire career, it is clear that the album represents a departure from her previous work. The album is more introspective and intimate than her previous albums, and it showcases a more mature and nuanced side of Swift's songwriting. The album's stripped-down folk-pop sound is a departure from the upbeat pop sound that Swift is known for, and it shows that she is not afraid to take risks and experiment with new sounds.
For Folklore we are pulling the Hermit, this album was writing at the start of Covid when we all went inwards. The Hermit is a tarot card that represents the need for introspection and solitude to find answers within oneself. For Taylor, we can see her return to her roots but in a evolved way. The album's spiritual meaning is rooted in the power of storytelling and the preservation of traditions, and it shows that Swift is a master storyteller who is capable of weaving together complex and emotionally resonant narratives. The Hermit symbolizes spiritual knowledge and enlightenment and reminds us that true spiritual growth comes from looking within and finding our own truth.
Tarot Card Association: The Hermit
Crystal: Moss Agate
evermore (2020)
Taylor Swift's "evermore" album is a collection of songs that explore the themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. The album has a spiritual meaning that is deeply personal to Taylor Swift, as it reflects her growth as an artist and as a person. The album is a continuation of the themes explored in her previous album, "folklore," and is a reflection of her entire career. The songs on "evermore" are a mix of fictional narratives and personal experiences, and they are filled with hidden meanings and Easter eggs that fans have been dissecting since the album's release.
Looking back on "evermore" now, in comparison to her entire career, it is clear that the album is a culmination of Taylor Swift's growth as an artist. The album is a reflection of her ability to tell stories through her music, and it showcases her talent for creating fictional narratives that are deeply personal and relatable. The album is also a reflection of her ability to connect with her fans on a spiritual level, as the songs explore themes that are universal and timeless.
For Evermore we are pulling the World, this card represents a sense of wholeness, achievement, fulfillment, and completion. It signifies the end of a long-term project, period of study, relationship, or career, and the sense of closure and accomplishment that comes with it. In a spiritual context, The World card represents the culmination of spiritual growth and understanding, with the potential to spread our knowledge and experiences to others. It signifies that you have come through the karmic lessons you were given and have learned from them, bringing you the sense of spiritual fulfillment you have longed for
Tarot Card Association: The World
Crystal: Cream Moonstone
Midnights (2022)
"Midnights" is a collection of 13 songs that capture 13 restless nights throughout her life. The album explores themes of self-sabotage, pain, and finding love. According to an article on Refinery29, the album marks the beginning of a melancholic phase in Taylor's career that is not afraid of the dark and turns to maturity. The album is also said to contain Easter eggs and references to her past work and experiences.
The spiritual meaning of the album is subjective and open to interpretation. However, some have suggested that the album's themes of self-discovery and introspection could be seen as a spiritual journey. Looking back on the album in comparison to her entire career, it is clear that "Midnights" marks a new phase in Taylor's music that is more introspective and mature.
For Midnights we are pulling the Moon, the card appears when the subconscious is reflected back to us and we get the chance to work with it. In Midnights Taylor is reflecting back on her life during 13 dark nights. The moon card invites us to ask us dive deep into the depths of who you are and being willing to see and accept everything you find."
She adds that when you pull this card, it's an invitation to "release the control you've held over your internal, emotional realm in order to access your innermost truths."
Tarot Card Association: The Moon
Crystal: Lapis Lazuli, & Sodalite
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