Explaining Tarot to Christians

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

foolscap	07 Mar 2003
I have have been doing the cards for almost 15 years and consider myself a Christian. For me there is no conflict between the two paths and frankly I believe they can compliment each other quite well. My main problem is I run into other Christians (mostly evangelical) who feel that Tarot is a form of devil worship or something else equally as sinister. I have tried to explain the uses of synchronisity (sp?) etc. to no avail. I know that everyone has their own beliefs but would be interested to hear how others have dealt with this same situation. How do you explain your love of the cards to your Christian friends? I'm not interested in hearing a lot of Christian bashing but rather to gain some insight from other's experience in dealing with this situation. Has anyone had a close family member, boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife who takes a negative view of the cards due to their faith and if so how do you deal with it?

cjtarot	07 Mar 2003
foolscape, As a christian, I feel the Tarot message is from God..or Goddess or ..the ALMIGHTY (which covers it all).. The key is to let people know the cards are for advise and guidance..they do NOT tell the future because basically The Almighty gave us all freedom of choice. With the cards, the Almighty lends guidance to help us either follow the right path, let us know he/she is listening and knows you are having trouble or just letting us know that this is where you are headed..CHANGE DIRECTIONS NOW... Unfortunatly, there will always be people who feel anything they don't understand is evil (take a look at the inquisition thread).. As far as friends and family who are totally Christian or just "not interested", we have come to the agreement that we just don't discuss the cards..I guess I'm just lucky that way.. Don't let others views or feelings turn you bitter twards a specific religion or race..lets face it there's a bad apple or two in ever race and religion.. Blessings Cj

jamesriouxctm	07 Mar 2003
Foolscap, As a Christian Tarot reader myself, I've thought a lot about this particular issue, and come to the (perhaps not unexpected) that there is no 100% accurate way to convince another person that what you are doing is not "evil". Some arguments will work for some people, and not for others. All I can do is present some of the most common objections I have encounted, and my response to each, and hope that helps in some way. "The Tarot is evil - the Bible says so." No it doesn't. The Tarot wasn't developed until the 1400s, by which time the current version of the Bible had long since been set in proverbial stone. "What I meant to say is, all divination is evil - the Bible says so." What the Bible translates as "divination" is the practice of saying that the future is set in stone, and nothing can change it - that is to say, the diviner claims to know the will of God. Indeed, this is blasphemy, but I don't claim to do that kind of thing. "Well then, why is there a card with a picture of the Devil on it?" So that when it appears in a reading, we can be aware of the chance that his energy is active in our lives - we can then turn to Jesus for guidance and protection. "But believing that the cards tell the future - that's idolatry!" I never said the cards tell the future. They tell me what God needs me to hear, just like the ancient Hebrew priests used stones to ascertain the will of God, and just like the apostles cast lots to decide who would replace Judas. Or were they evil too? "Reading Tarot goes against the teachings of Jesus." We must not be thinking of the same Jesus. My Jesus tells me to love and help others, and to praise God. I use the Tarot to help those in need of guidance and direction. I praise God before, during, and after every reading I do, to thank Him for the gift He has given me. How can that be wrong? I would also like to point out that 1 Corinthians 12 has some very interesting things to say about spiritual gifts - namely, that they all come from the Holy Spirit. You might kindly remind Christian detractors of the Tarot that speaking against the Holy Spirit is an act of blasphemy - this proclamation comes from no less an authority than Jesus himself. It goes without saying, of course, that some people are just too closed-minded to ever be convinced by rational arguments. God surely admires their tenacity, even though it is misplaced. But regardless of what they say, if you practice the Tarot with a humble spirit and good intentions, you have nothing to fear.

Astraea	07 Mar 2003
This subject has so many dimensions. Some Christians (particularly evangelical Christians, as James points out) become inflamed at the mere mention of any form of divination, while many practicing Catholics are card readers, astrologers and clairvoyants (remember Jeane Dixon?); indeed, for some, Catholicism is intimately blended with voudun, santeria, and other forms of devotion -- all of which are viewed as "devil worship" by many folks. To some people, even psychology is seen as a form of sorcery and devilish manipulation -- hence, the advent of "Christian counseling." To folks who feel this way, even the argument that tarot is useful for guidance and advice is a sign that one has missed the boat (or worse); the more dogmatic evangelical Christians believe that the only guidance one will ever need can be found in the Bible, and that no interpretation of the book is necessary -- it speaks for itself. Knowledge of how and when the Bible was created cannot sway those folks, because they believe it was divinely inspired, regardless of the manner in which the Bible came to be. How can one possibly combat such ideas? The older I become, the more I understand that -- for me -- it is neither possible, nor desirable, to try to convince people whose minds are firmly made up and whose security base would crumble if they made even one foray into another "camp." It would be like a reverse conversion attempt. I don't even think that those people are wrong: they are probably at a necessary (even if, in my view, unpalatable) stage of the evolutionary journey. The results are tragic when innocent souls are victimized by fanaticism from any direction, but human nature is what it is, and spiritual evolution can be a long, slow process. So -- I don't believe that it is possible to convince someone that tarot is not "evil." If people are open and curious, and if they ask for an explanation of the cards, I am glad to share my views with them. If folks think that what I do is wrong, I can live with that, as long as they don't try to interfere with my beliefs and practices (even through prayer -- which is energy, and thus potentially a form of manipulation). If people accept and/or share what I do, and if they are kind and loving, they are welcome in my life. This issue becomes more critical when it concerns younger people who are exploring their beliefs, and who must live in homes and communities where religious oppression is the rule. For them, there is often a family member who can help (this might be the "weird aunt," or some other such archetype), or a wise mentor who appears. An open-minded priest or minister can be a major beneficial influence (my priest's library -- I am a gnostic Episcopalian, no contradiction in terms at this stage of my life -- includes books on Gurdjieff, the Enneagram, Jung and astrology). Sometimes all one can do is secretly hold one's beliefs until the time comes when they can be practiced in the open. About the only thing I know to do when my beliefs and practices are held to be wrong, even devilish, is to stand in my understanding of truth: that God/Goddess is whole, loving, and approachable by many avenues; that my human perceptions are partial, but widening; that divinity is everywhere, and present in all beings.

Khatruman	07 Mar 2003
I talked about my experience with my devout Christian mother-in-law in answer to a thread Vita-morte started here in regards to being discovered as a tarotist by his Christian parents. I'll just quote myself rather than have you dig through the thread: Quote: This reminds me of an argument I had with my (then) mother-in-law, who is a devout Christian, and saw my interest in tarot cards to be against God. I told her how they were a device, a tool, to see the spirit within and around us. She brought up the Moses thing and the Golden Calf and worshipping false idols. I told her that I do not worship the cards. I pointed to the gold cross around her neck. Why did she where it? Well, as a symbol to the Lord Jesus Christ. It focused her belief in all he stood for. Why did she bow her head to the cross at service, or make a sign to it? Because it stood for, and reflected the spirit she believed in. And that is exactly what I do with the cards. The cards reflect, focus, and express the power that is inside and all around me. Nothing more. I don't attribute power to these pieces of cardboard, but to myself and the world around me. I do consider myself a follower of Jesus Christ's teachings rather than a Christian because of the narrow mindedness that I see historically and still presently in many Christians, an attitude of exclusion rather than inclusion that is opposite from Jesus' own teachings. In fact, I wear the more ancient fish symbol rather than the cross, reminds me of Jesus as the teacher ("will make you a fishers among men" and "teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"). Where is the devil in the study of tarot? On a card? So that means that the Bible must be devil worship also since he is mentioned quite a few times in there. Well, anyway, I hope I have helped. Peace!

Khatruman	07 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Astraea About the only thing I know to do when my beliefs and practices are held to be wrong, even devilish, is to stand in my understanding of truth: that God/Goddess is whole, loving, and approachable by many avenues; that my human perceptions are partial, but widening; that divinity is everywhere, and present in all beings. Astraea, This whole post is absolutely wonderful and comprehensive. It is quite true that one cannot sway one's firmly held beliefs, or if one does, one risks crumbling or brainwashing them (which is how cults work, chipping away at one's belief and supplanting them with a new one). I think you have put it in a way that is magnificent. For some reason I think of a quote from Elie Wiesel's Night, about his concentration camp experiences, where Moshe the Beadle says, "Man raises himself toward God by the questions he asks him.. that is the true dialogue. Man questions God and God answers. But we don't understand his answers. We can't understand them because they come from the depths of the soul and stay there until death. You will find the true answers... only within yourself."

foolscap	07 Mar 2003
Thank you all so much for sharing your experience with me. I am happy to hear there are other Christian tarot readers on this site. This topic has been one I have thought about a lot. Do any of you know of any books that discuss tarot from a Christian perspective. I saw one on Hermetic Christianity which was way over my head.

foolscap	07 Mar 2003
Actually now that I think about it Christianity and tarot would make for an interesting study group.

Astraea	07 Mar 2003
Yes, Foolscap, from what I've read on the forum so far, there seem to be quite a few Christian tarot students and readers here -- and I suspect that in the world at large, there are many more Christian diviners of all sorts than we might suspect. No books specifically about tarot and Christianity spring to mind, but I'll keep thinking about it and will post if something comes to me. Khatruman, thank you for that wonderful quote from Elie Wiesel's book! It stirred me deeply. So much wisdom has sprung from his suffering.

Jewel	07 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by foolscap Thank you all so much for sharing your experience with me. I am happy to hear there are other Christian tarot readers on this site. This topic has been one I have thought about a lot. Do any of you know of any books that discuss tarot from a Christian perspective. I saw one on Hermetic Christianity which was way over my head. I believe there is a book ... I believe I saw it discussed in the media section. I do not remember the name though ... sorry. Anyone else remember the name of the book?

genna	08 Mar 2003
I donīt know any book,but most Tarot decks contain A LOT of Christian images,it was used by Christians long before the Pagan religions came back.No religion can claim the Tarot as itīs own,and the Pagan decks are fairly new.The Connolly Tarot is a very Christian oriented deck(hasnīt even got a Devil card),and the books for it are Christian. One thing I like with the Pagan oriented decks is that there is no Devil card( Pagans donīt believe in the Devil),and the card unsettles me.Being a Christian myself,Iīve liked reading this thread.

Moongold	08 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Astraea The older I become, the more I understand that -- for me -- it is neither possible, nor desirable, to try to convince people whose minds are firmly made up and whose security base would crumble if they made even one foray into another "camp." ........ So -- I don't believe that it is possible to convince someone that tarot is not "evil." If people are open and curious, and if they ask for an explanation of the cards, I am glad to share my views with them. If folks think that what I do is wrong, I can live with that, as long as they don't try to interfere with my beliefs and practices (even through prayer -- which is energy, and thus potentially a form of manipulation). If people accept and/or share what I do, and if they are kind and loving, they are welcome in my life. What a wonderful attitude! I think when people see this kind of behaviour in action they are more likely to be open to what you have to say, especially when they know it isn't going to be thrust at them. Isn't is strange how prejudices develop? Often they are based on such deep sub-conscious fears that it is almost impossible to deal with them on a rational basis. If you don't wear a label or promote an ideology people are more likely to get to know the individual underneath. Some of the time, anyway, but not always! Moongold

Cerulean	08 Mar 2003
If you have relatives of a family that you are marrying into that are Catholic, exchange greeting cards, enjoy spiritual art of their faith and are also into playing card games for social purposes, then they can be more understanding. Two of the sisters seem to be into arts and crafts as well, so my mother in law figures that I am painting or decorating like they paint or decorate their photos or do photo albums. I realize that if I were to show them certain allegories that I am working on, it is generally the postive cards. They realize I don't paint cute bunnies or clowns, it's a matter of choice. If they are not into card games at all and are Protestant fundamentalists, the strictness might be like a ban on dancing or drinking or smoking in their home. I know a few very strict Christians who see that I like to do allegorical paintings, but they like me as a person--so it's more 'an art interest'. Their kids do collect playing cards for Asian games and comic books, so it is looked at as a hobby.

Icestorm	10 Mar 2003
This is a most beneficial thread for me, as I consider myself loosely anglican. I was actually introducted to tarot by a VERY christian friend (trust me, he goes to church on Friday nights as WELL as sundays. he even went to Papua New Guinea to convert the heathens!-joke) I thought, well, if this guy who has read the bible 20 times thinks that tarot wont send him to hell, then thats good enough for me. :-] Your post has just wiped most doubts from my mind completely :-] -I may post more later when I get home, after Ive read the other excellent posts in this thread.

Kiama	10 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Icestorm This is a most beneficial thread for me, as I consider myself loosely anglican. I was actually introducted to tarot by a VERY christian friend (trust me, he goes to church on Friday nights as WELL as sundays. he even went to Papua New Guinea to convert the heathens!-joke) I thought, well, if this guy who has read the bible 20 times thinks that tarot wont send him to hell, then thats good enough for me. :-] Your post has just wiped most doubts from my mind completely :-] When I first began studying Tarot, I was Christian, quite seriously. I was 9, and by that age had read the Bible about 4 times, and by the time I became Pagan I had read the Bible more often than I can now remember! I never really had a thought that it was 'evil' or against God, since I saw how many people I could help and benefit through the Tarot... For me, it was what Jesus did (Heal people etc) but with some cardboard images instead of miracles! Kiama

ihcoyc	10 Mar 2003
I am a Christian also, about as Protestant as you can get, though more liberal than most. I've not only read the Bible several times, but I've led bible studies. The Bible mentions many times that lots of people used "lots" to make decisions. The Urim and Thummim were sacred lots. The Twelve Apostles used lots to find a replacement for Judas Iscariot. What is a lot, if not a symbol given meaning and chosen by chance? Tarot as we know it was the product of a thoroughly Christian culture and is full of classical Christian symbols. Even Death and the Devil are obviously Christian symbols. They used to be painted on the walls of churches almost as often as the Last Judgment, and probably more often than the Pope. If your conscience is weak and you can't endure anything that someone has labelled "divination," the tarot is easy enough to avoid. There really aren't any good reasons to avoid an authentic Tarot deck.

Icestorm	11 Mar 2003
Wow the posts have been so high quality theres not much left for me to add, but I can think of one thing. This may just be me, but there are obviously alot of christian tarot readers out there. The fact that the major arcana card 'The Heirophant' is 'the Pope' in many decks would seem to me that they were almost designed for christians. This practice, i think, has not really fallen out of popularity, which means that SOMEONE is buying those decks. (of course, it could just be alot of pagans, but if thats the case the market distributors would make all the decks revert to 'the Heirophant'. Now that I think about it, even the Robin Wood pagan deck has a pope, doesnt it?) Anyways, probably a very minor point, and certainly not along the spiritual train of thought, but just reinforcing the notion that there probably ARE alot of christian diviners out there.

The Explaining Tarot to Christians thread was originally posted on 07 Mar 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.