Problem with "scary" cards - Need Help!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Jun 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

dolphinprincess	18 Jun 2004
I feel somewhat silly posting this – but I've decided to take a chance and put it out there bc I think others may be able to offer some help. While I have studied and used Tarot for several years (off and on) – there is still something I find bothersome. It has been the cause of past hiatuses. It was once the cause of my selling off a rather large tarot collection awhile back. I want to bring it up and ‘admit’ it bc I am hoping others can share their experiences and help me to work through it…. I still get really scared when certain cards pop up in my readings. If I am drawing cards and I see the 3 of Swords (or any other of the ‘less favorable’ cards) – my first reaction is to throw the cards back in the box and not touch them. I know this sounds a bit immature and (as mentioned above) silly. But I can’t seem to help it – it is still my ‘first or gut’ reaction. This ‘fear’ has caused me to avoid tarot for a bit (at times) and focus on angel cards, etc. bc I could not handle the negativity. I am drawn to the ‘fluffier’ decks sometimes bc of this ‘fear’. Rationally I know that seeing a negative card does not in any way mean the end of the world. I mean – there are *many* times that the 9 of Cups shows up and I do not find any wishes coming true. So, I know I need to stop viewing cards in the extreme. But, I’m just curious if others have ever gone through similar feelings working with the Tarot? I feel that this really hinders my study and I am not able to get beyond a certain point bc I always ‘pull’ back when I start to get nervous. I want to clarify that I in *no way* think tarot cards or the practice of reading cards is evil – nor have I ever struggled with that question. This is strictly a reaction to certain cards. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated :D Thank you very much!!

mercenary30	18 Jun 2004
Maybe you could focus more on reading for others and not read for yourself for a while...... I seldom read for myself, I am just not comfortable with it, partially for the same reasons as you are mentioning. Often, if I see a "bad" card and try to look at it in a more positive manner I then feel like I am cheating. Trying to make myself feel better or something. So I just don't read for myself often........

Diana	18 Jun 2004
Buy a Tarot of Marseille. There is not one scary picture in the deck. The "Tower" (Maison-Dieu) is a card of Enlightenment and Illumination. And the "Devil" (Diable) is the most empowering and humoristic chap you will ever meet. As to the Minors, they are full of leaves, flowers and beautiful instruments like cups, swords, batons and coins. Most delightful. Like being in a garden with your favourite tools.

dolphinprincess	18 Jun 2004
Both splendid ideas ;) I have thought of not reading for myself for awhile, as well as just pulling a card a day to study - instead of studying the card I pull for myself.... Diana- so nice to hear from you :D ... I never even thought about a Marseille deck!

Kahlie	18 Jun 2004
I understand the idea, but I have the opposite! When I see really happy cards coming up in my reading, I am afraid to interpret them as happy event, and instead shy away from them. Finding some negative twist on them. Which is why my 9 of Swords:Cruelty pops up a lot I think. I tend to be cruel to myself sometimes. I found that the Osho Deck is really good for me. All the cards give a deep happy feeling without being too threatening. =) Good luck finding a Deck that fits a bit more.

Luminessence	18 Jun 2004
I don't like seeing negative cards either... My first instinct is always to think, "Well, it couldn't really mean that, it must really be referring to something else..." and thus delude myself. What I've started doing is, when I get a card showing an outcome I don't like, I draw a card asking what I can do to change that outcome. And I think there you're at least somewhat safe in interpreting negative cards more positively... for example, if you get the 3 of Swords as your answer for how to change the outcome, you can interpret it as saying that you need to stop hiding and suppressing your feelings, and get them out there and deal with them. A negative card drawn as a way to change a negative situation can't be totally negative, because it's the path to something positive. And we have control of our future, right? :) So I'm finding that this method works well for me.

lunakasha	18 Jun 2004
I think for me....the way I look at a reading, and even specific cards within the reading...is that they are there to help me, give me insight into a problem and start thinking about how I can address it. Although there are certain cards that most of us view as "negative" (3 of Swords, 10 of Swords, 8 of Swords), I try to look at them as learning tools, guidelines....no card is "bad" in and of itself...they all have something to teach us. For example, the 10 of Swords could indicate a devastating event....or it could simply mean that the worst is over now, and it is time to pick yourself up off the ground and move on. The 8 of Swords comes up for me often...it reminds me that I need to work through my anxiety, don't let it consume me...and that I have the power to get past it if I am willing to face my fears. I don't know if any of this is helpful or not, just one way of looking at it. I am also not suggesting that one should look at these cards through rose-colored glasses either...just try to keep a balanced and open mind I guess.... :) Luna

dolphinprincess	18 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kahlie I found that the Osho Deck is really good for me. All the cards give a deep happy feeling without being too threatening. =) Good luck finding a Deck that fits a bit more. I've been using the Animal Wise a lot lately for this exact reason. Even the more negative cards seem to be interpreted differently in this deck.... - Luminessence... you also mention an excellent approach. Janina Renee's book, Tarot for Everday, is more about advice.. and I find this book helpful for asking 'how to change' the negative... Luna - the way you look at the cards is how my rational mind tells me to look at the cards. I just haven't convinced the rest of my body.. bc I get that "tense up in fear" feeling that I have not been too good at controlling.... must keep working at it...! Thanks all for not making me feel stupid - which is how I initially felt typing this thread :D

Sillanza	18 Jun 2004
Sometimes those less-desireable cards are a good thing, especially when reading for oneself. They often bring out in the light those things we don't like about ourselves, or those things we don't want to acknowledge. I often get the 9 of Swords in readings for myself, because I do tend to cause myself far more mental anguish than anyone else could. I usually try to look at the "what is this card trying to help me overcome" aspect of the less-desireables. And yes, drawing those extra cards to clarify is sometimes the best medicine.

lunakasha	18 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by dolphinprincess Thanks all for not making me feel stupid - which is how I initially felt typing this thread :D There is nothing stupid about feelings...they just happen, whether our rational mind wants them to or not. Truth is, I do often get an initial *panic* sensation when a "negative" card comes up....but then I try to look at it differently, figure out how I can use that message to help my situation. Sometimes our attitude toward something can have a significant impact upon how we deal with a problem and its eventual outcome. I would also highly recommend the Osho Zen....I have recently rediscovered this treasure, and it is helping me on many different levels. There is always something positive to be gained from it. :) Luna

dolphinprincess	18 Jun 2004
Thanks Luna - :) :) ... I shall also check out Osho...

Kahlie	18 Jun 2004
You can do so easily by using the website. www.osho.com It's possible to have Readings there, but I haven't found a way yet to see the whole deck. You are welcome to join us in the Daily Osho Draw group on the "My Readings" Forum.

Moonbow*	18 Jun 2004
Hi DP I know exactly where you are coming from but for me it was a whole deck. I was told something about this deck which not only scared me but made me get rid of the deck. (it was in my earlier days of learning - I know so much more now, and I have had advise from some very respected people) But I now know that the thing that can hurt you is your own fear. The cards cannot, what you think they portray cannot hurt you. I know that fear is something that you think you have no control over - but you do. The cards are just suggestions, the fear is in you. It is you that interprets the cards and you can do that any way that you want and it will be correct. Next time you get one of these cards pick it up really look at it and think of all the meanings for it that come to mind but don't go by the book. I did the Angels thing too, and crystals and I started to give my decks away but someone told me I would regret it and I do (but I am still happy that the people that have them enjoy them). I regret it because I now know it was not Tarot frightening me but it was 'me'. I hope this has helped you, and BTW oracles are great too, but I agree with Diana - get a marseilles you will 'never' regret it.

dolphinprincess	18 Jun 2004
Moonbow*! Your post really hit home with me! It was very helpful!! I do tend to be quite a fearful person... worrying all of the time. Maybe I should start asking the tarot how to move past this issue. I'll try not to give any more decks away, too! Thank you so much! DP

The Problem with "scary" cards - Need Help! thread was originally posted on 18 Jun 2004 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.