Can I Embrace Tarot While Embracing Science?

I used to feel self-conscious about turning to tools like Tarot or the I Ching for guidance, seeing it as contradictory to my scientific and psychological background. Yet, time and again, these methods proved effective when others failed. Why is this the realm where I find solace? What would my friends, firmly rooted in "reality," think?

Then came a revelation: Science itself is fundamentally about forecasting the future. Whether it's data science, AI, psychology, economics, or medicine, all aim to anticipate what comes next, relying on probability. So much of science revolves around predicting the future.

In scientific terms, the more we understand about the present, the better we can predict future behavior, from viruses to economic trends. Neural networking, for instance, processes data at a speed and scale beyond human capability to recognize phenomena, evaluate choices, and reach conclusions. It is based on how the human brain works. Imagine if certain individuals possess such acute sensitivity to both themselves and human behavior that they can predict it with remarkable accuracy. Consider the possibility of enhancing this ability within ourselves through introspection.

Turning inward, can we then predict our own outcomes, armed with an understanding of how our thoughts influence behavior, how behavior shapes our world, and how environmental factors impact us? Certainly. It's akin to predicting the weather—just as we forecast atmospheric conditions, we can foresee events in our lives based on these variables.

Consider dogs that detect scent degeneration—it seems like magic, yet it's within their natural abilities. Does understanding it make it less wondrous? I don't think so. I can't discern time by smell, which feels magical to me. Does it diminish the bond? Not at all. I came across a fascinating study addressing an owner's perception that his dog was psychically connected to him, able to anticipate his return home. Many owners have similar stories. What the study found was that the dog was likely assessing the degradation of the owner's scent within the house. When it reached a certain level, the dog would head to the window to wait. This was confirmed when the owner's clothes were spread around the house on different occasions, and the dog didn't go to the window at the usual time, suggesting the scent degradation pattern was disrupted. While anecdotal, this study raises intriguing implications. Regardless of how the dog achieves it, the connection is evident in his eagerness to be prepared for his owner's return and his joyful anticipation of the reunion. Is it science or magic? Perhaps it's simply the beautiful intersection of both.

Some may crave magic but fear ridicule. Others may seek answers in science but fear they risk losing the sense of wonder and enchantment. But these realms aren't mutually exclusive—they've always intertwined. After all, where did science originate if not from exploring the unexplainable? We seek understanding to shape the future.

So, I won't hide this aspect of myself any longer. I anticipate some may ridicule my passion for and exploration of Tarot, while others will seek to understand. But in the end, both science and magic are facets of the same pursuit—to comprehend and influence what lies ahead.