Responding to Negative Perceptions

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Harmony	08 May 2003
It seems to me, as new user of tarot cards, that there are quite a few people out there who feel tarot cards are too negative and the messages that they would receive from a reading would be full of gloom and doom, especially if any cards come up in the inverted position. The word tarot by itself can cause anxiety for those unfamiliar with tarot and it's benefits. Some people won't even consider a tarot card reading because of a pre-conceived notion that the messages that they may/will receive are too scary and critical. I'm wondering how other people respond to these "negative" perceptions. How does one get through to people that a tarot card reading can be beneficial to them?

Diana	08 May 2003
Harmony: First of all a warm welcome to Aeclectic! :) Don't forget our New Members section where you can introduce yourself so we can get to know you better! I am moving your thread to the Talking Tarot section, where I think it is better suited. (Don't worry if you post in the "wrong" section - it is not always obvious where to post.)

Harmony	08 May 2003
I have this cyber white-cane, and I'm feeling my way through all of these message boards. Thanks for your message that helps me get an idea where to post things. Harmony

Alissa	08 May 2003
I don't waste my time responding. People who don't want to be read, who are phobic about Tarot and Tarot reading, aren't going to hear the message ... no matter how well you deliver it. Their ears are shut before they sit down. If someone comes to me for a reading, and offers a comment about their skepticism, I answer by smiling and nodding. "Well, if you'd like a reading, please do sit down." I often offer. It's up to them to take the chair or not. Some people who are closed minded to Tarot are that way due to a misinformed conception of what it is. They may have gleaned from unreliable television and film sources all their knowledge of the subject -- sensationalistic b.s. (with lots of Death and Devil cards thrown in for effect) in many cases. No wonder it produces anxiety?? Or, they may have been taught by a respected elder that the cards were bad. Just questioning them may cross a moral boundary for them that you can't cross ... so why bother trying? It's up to *them* to step over that border. My best advice is to follow what you know in your heart is the truth. The truth shines. People are attracted to it. Ground yourself with love, and prayer or meditation, and this will help you work from a position of spiritual invincibility when you read or discuss Tarot. Oh, and about reversals ... people who see them as a patently "negative" response are likening the cards to coins ... something with heads and tails. That isn't the truth of reading reversals, and there are a WHOLE lotta threads on that subject, so I won't even *try* to go there. But I do encourage you to search the subject, as Solandia provides an excellent search engine here. Bump threads that catch your eye! It's always fun to regenerate old conversations. And, since I don't get to the New Members forum often, I'll just say right here ... welcome to Aeclectic :D~!

Kiama	08 May 2003
Hi Harmony! Well, when I speak about Tarot to people, I usually add something in about what the Tarot is, and how I use it... So, a simple sentence such as... "I use the Tarot as a way to explore somebody's feelings about a situation, and the situation itself, and in this way the Tarot becomes an advisory tool for helping people make the most of their lives." I find that a simple, positive introduction like the above often jolts people out of their pre-conceived ideas of Tarot, simply because it's not what they expected me to say... They expect me to say: "I use the Tarot to look into the future and tell people what will happen to them." Associated with this sentence is the fear of the unknown, (For many people anyway, not all) so people automatically think about the negative things that they think the Tarot could tell them. Wordplay is always useful: There are many different ways of explaining the same thing, so play around with an introductory sentence, and try and make it as honest, yet as positive as possible. If you DO use the Tarot for fortune-telling, you could get yourself a sentence such as: "I use the Tarot to examine the causes of a situation, and come to some conclusions as to the effects in that person's life. In this way, whilst the Tarot does tell you the future, it only tells you what will happen if you carry on down a certain road: It therefore acts as an advisory tool in that it helps you make the most of your life." Or something along those lines anyway! Kiama

Harmony	08 May 2003
Thank you Alissa and Kiama for your replies to my posting. Your answers are really helpful as they give different perspectives and approaches to handling this challenge. I'm feeling that it involves using my own intuition to work with this challenge using different approaches depending on each individuals concerns and fears, and going with my gut instinct on how to respond to them. Thanks for your responses. They have helped me a lot. Harmony

Khatruman	08 May 2003
Kiama and Alissa's advice is super, and I would stress again what Alissa send about the person having to cross that portal himself. For those who are interested and want to break through their notions of scariness, negativity, even devil worship, I would suggest using a deck such as the Osho Zen, which offers wonderful pictures that don't have an occult look to them, and present very clear messages to those who don't know tarot. Good luck on your journey.

Harmony	08 May 2003
Hi Khatruman: Thanks for your reply to my questions. You are right. So far I have been using Osho Zen Tarot and Inner Child tarot to "build a reputation" so to speak, before I move on to other, more traditional tarot decks. It's good to know that I have started out on the right foot. Thanks for your feedback. Harmony

Khatruman	08 May 2003
Hey, as they say... "Follow the yellow brick road." Glad to hear of your success with the Osho Zen. I am actually awaiting delivery of the Inner Child deck to use with my five year old son, to get him into storytelling. Be well.

Centaur	09 May 2003
It is like when you turn over the Three of Swords, or the Tower, during a spread; The querent's face drops quicker than a pair of prostitute's knickers. The sight of those images has quite an effect. Ofcourse this depends on what deck one uses ;) I have found that many querents have expressed 'fears' about tarot revealing anything negative. I assure them that everything will be constructive, and will benefit them. On the occasion that I have read something negative, I 'ease' it into the tarot reading in a manner that is constructive. If I pull out the three of swords as the outcome of a relationship, I would tell that a rocky time may lie ahead, but he or she must try and counteract this; by compromise, etc. Depends I suppose. C

punkangelgcm437	11 May 2003
The advice everyone else has given is so good here I'm not sure if mine will be of any benifit. A few weeks ago on the bus to a band contest, I was looking at my friends' deck and we were discussing soul & personality cards...something I had just discovered a few days before. My sorta-kinda friend Lindsay was 2 seats behind us (me and my friend Ellie) and was asking what we were doing. And I said "doing a tarot reading" and she said "can I have one" and of course I said I'd give her one. She got sorta freaked out and asked me if I would do a reading on myself. I did a lil 3 card reading asking who I would marry (her question idea, not mine LOL). Of course, it didnt spell it out, saying his name would be Michael, John, Brian, or any other name but instead named characteristics. She was shocked and when I asked her again her friend sitting with her said that she shouldnt. The common things I hear from people who dont understand it or know about it are 'its devil worshiping' or 'evil' or whatever. They think every card is negative and no positive. I just try to ignore it as much as I can. Luckily, no-one in my family or close circle of friends thinks that way. Good Luck & Happy Readings ~much love~ ~punkangel~

Harmony	16 May 2003
Thanks everyone for your comments on my concerns. I appreciate all of your replies. Thanks for taking the time to answer. Harmony

The Responding to Negative Perceptions thread was originally posted on 08 May 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.