is bad to feel that way?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Antharias	20 Mar 2005
My family is Catholic, so all my life I being told that tarot (and other things) are thing of the devil, but from some time I began to like Tarot and bought mine little time ago, but I began to get into it this week. I had the same problem has member Pixie (she already asked one question that i had, so I already have answers)but my new question comes here: Something happened last year and I began to use tarot, however I have the issue of religion and have some trouble before using it, but: I dont really what to stop using it, and dont what to stop believing in God? Why I feel so relief (something that I havent felt for some time now)when getting answers (maybe not accurate because im a newbie)? Is that a bad thing?

Mimers	20 Mar 2005
Antharias, All I can say is that you should do what your heart tells you is right. Your heart will not stear you wrong. My belief is things are evil only if they are used for that purpose. If you are using them for good things it can not be wrong. You can believe in God. Nothing has to change there. If you know in your heart He is there, why does that have to change just because you find comfort in the messages that Tarot brings. I hope all works out well for you and you find peace with it. Blessings, Mimi

HudsonGray	20 Mar 2005
There are several threads here about religion & tarot use, most everyone concludes that tarot is a means of getting to know yourself inside, and any 'divine' help is there to allow a person to learn and expand their knowledge, especially if done with good in mind. It's separate from religion, and historically, popes have commissioned decks, so the use shouldn't be a problem. But it's up to you to decide what you feel comfortable with. Try searching for a thread called "Can't be a tarot christian" (I think that's the title on it). The decks are tools for ourselves to learn and grow with. They're cardboard and ink. The more you learn about them, the more you'll find a connection to what's inside you. Just go with how you feel, and not what anyone who doesn't use tarot says--what people don't understand they fear, and getting negative statements from people who've never learned how a deck works won't do you any good.

dadsnook2000	20 Mar 2005
Why would you have been given a life in this wondrous world it not to fully participate in those portions of it that appealed to you and which help you grow as a person? We all have choices. We choose who to love -- that is generally good. We choose who to fight -- that is often not so good. And we can choose to study the Tarot -- most here would say that is good because we get to learn about ourselves and to help others. Sounds fine to me. I suspect that if you are as sensitive to religous teachings as you indicate that you will also be sensitive to, and helpful to others. If Tarot can aid you in that, it sounds good to me. I hope you choose to stick with it and can find the clarity of insight to clear your mind and let your heart sing. Dave

rabidwolfie	20 Mar 2005
I commented on the other post, "Can't be a christian tarot" i think, but regardless, I feel the need to say this as well. As stated above (I'd quote but I'm lazy LOL) people have always feared the unknown & what they don't understand. Religions of ALL kinds tend to be superstitious. However, the next time someone says anything is evil, including but not limited to, tarot, tell them to point out just where it says that. Ask them if they're afraid of black cats as well, or walking under ladders, or whatever the other superstitions are. They all tend to be ridiculous. Before you allow anyone to start telling you what's evil, or what you should or shouldn't do, use your head first. If it's a religious matter, find out why something is considered bad. If there's a quote attached, "Book, verse:verse" read not just that bit but the whole section. Often traditions start & thier reasons are forgotten. I end with a short parable? for you to think on. LOL A man watched his wife cook dinner one day & say that before she put the ham in the cooking pan, she cut both ends of it off. When he asked her why she did it, she replied it was because that was how her mother always did it. Curious, the man then went to see the mother the next day & asked her the same question & got the same answer. Truely intrigued now, he went to see his wife grandmother & asked her the same question he had asked the other two women. She told him "I cut the ends off so it would fit in the pan!" (hint hint, my parents were raised catholic)

Adjustment	20 Mar 2005
Antharias wrote: My family is Catholic, so all my life I being told that tarot (and other things) are thing of the devil, but from some time I began to like Tarot and bought mine little time ago, but I began to get into it this week. I had the same problem has member Pixie (she already asked one question that i had, so I already have answers)but my new question comes here: Something happened last year and I began to use tarot, however I have the issue of religion and have some trouble before using it, but: I dont really what to stop using it, and dont what to stop believing in God? Why I feel so relief (something that I havent felt for some time now)when getting answers (maybe not accurate because im a newbie)? Is that a bad thing? Trust yourself and go with what feels right to you. I'm catholic and i see nothing wrong with tarot.

peridot	20 Mar 2005
Hi Antharias, I was brought up Catholic as well - even taught CCD! I loved singing in the choir too. Through the years I too struggled with the issue of dogma. Wondered if somehow I'd end up in Hell for reading cards. However, I find that Tarot has brought me closer to God and myself than the parish priests have. Now, it’s not their fault – that is their way to God. They are following a spiritual path as well, trying to help us on our journey. But we don’t always have to take the same roads to the same place. Both are a way to the source of all. I believe that God loves us regardless. And I believe that God wants us to love ourselves and others. If Tarot is a way to achieving this then how can it be so bad? Focus on the Hierophant he may have some interesting answers for you. :)

tarotbear	20 Mar 2005
Antharias wrote: I dont really what to stop using it, and dont what to stop believing in God! Why I feel so relief (something that I havent felt for some time now)when getting answers (maybe not accurate because i'm a newbie)? Is that a bad thing? Why do you have to 'stop believing in God?' :confused: The problem as I've always seen it, is that people cannot separate truth from fiction. The church ( hey - I was raised catholic, too - and I wrote a book about tarot card reading. Is that a conflict of interest?) always wants 'obedience' to whatever it says for it's 'policy of the week' (i.e. - whatever the sermon was about that day) What the church always wanted was 'ignorant obedience.' You are not being ignorant - you are thinking for yourself. Rememeber that old phrase about 'If it is not of God then it is of the Devil?' That was applied to anything at all, including 'jazz' - a musical form recognized as truly American, to using birth control in any form. Does the church really think catholic couples still practice 'rhythm method' and no condoms are sold to catholics? The question you must ask yourself first is if you are truely interested in tarot, or is this interest some kind of act of rebellion. Are you strong enough to stand up to your parents or peers when they find out 'what you are doing' and freak out about it - burn your deck or something worse. You must define and face the issues that you feel are in conflict. You should seek out a disinterested party or counselor and explain the situation to them. Perhaps you are over-reacting to what you think can or might happen, which may not be the case at all. Talk to someone you can trust. Be prepared for flak ~ you may get some. If you start getting the 'It's the Devil' routine, thank them for their time and tell them that you will seek help from someone else. There is a lot of stupidity and ignorance out there. Learn to recognise it and know the difference between 'reaction' and 'overreaction.' Above all, if you have God in your life, there is no reason to think he has abandoned you for 'reading tarot.'

rainwolf	20 Mar 2005
Cute story rabidwolfie :D I think after you start using the tarot for a while, your superstitions and worries will die down very fast. My family has some ardent christians in it, and whenever they make an accusing tone they sound way freaky, so ive learned to just not bring it up, and theyve forgotten about it (except for the aunt who likes them). If you dont bring it up, i think it will fit into your lifestyle very easily-you just need time. I remember when i first started, i was worried that weird stuff would happen and that my "afterlife" would be bad, but ive learned that: 1-weird stuff does happen ;) LOL and 2-tarot is no big deal-its a personal lifestyle. (Actually i have to say that the weird stuff happened because i did stuff other than just tarot which makes it look even more innocent }) ) Just fugedaboudit!! LOL Good luck!

Ruby7	20 Mar 2005
Antharias wrote: I dont really what to stop using it, and dont what to stop believing in God? Why I feel so relief (something that I havent felt for some time now)when getting answers (maybe not accurate because im a newbie)? Is that a bad thing? Hi Antharias, My personal experience with tarot is that it has made my belief in God stronger. I agree with what Tarotbear said in his post, "Above all, if you have God in your life, there is no reason for thinking he has abandoned you for 'reading tarot' ". Ruby7

Ruby7	20 Mar 2005
peridot wrote: But we don’t always have to take the same roads to the same place. Both are a way to the source of all. I believe that God loves us regardless. And I believe that God wants us to love ourselves and others. If Tarot is a way to achieving this then how can it be so bad? Focus on the Hierophant he may have some interesting answers for you. :) Well said Peridot! Ruby7

Rusty Neon	20 Mar 2005
Antharias wrote: My family is Catholic, so all my life I being told that tarot (and other things) are thing of the devil, but from some time I began to like Tarot and bought mine little time ago, but I began to get into it this week. "Pope John Paul II was presented with a copy of the two-volume German third edition of [the book]Meditations on the Tarot by Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar, who wrote a foreword to it." http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/pictures.htm See photo

HudsonGray	20 Mar 2005
Heck yeah, if the current pope is cool with tarot & has a copy of one of the books of his own, nobody can point fingers. He's the POPE!

Antharias	20 Mar 2005
Thank you all for your comments (especially rabidwolfie: your story made me think about many things)! I'll give it a try. See you around the threads.

Eco74	21 Mar 2005
This may be considered heresy, but here is how I feel about it. Spirituality exists on many different levels and can be accessed in many different ways. Somehow, the same spirituality we access through prayer, through service, through tarot and other means of "connecting ourselves to the greater whole" all lead to that same energy, that same "über-spirit" if you will. Whether we choose to call it God, Jahwe, Athena, Gaia, Kali or any other name, we all call to the same forces that when treated with respect and a certain amount of reverence will enlighten us. Thus, in my mind there are no obsticles to being a faithful catholic and tarot reader, or buddhist and scryer, or christian and alternate healer... Just as Peridot wrote - we all have our own paths to walk and God is Love above all else, so all we do with good intent, love in our hearts and consideration to those around us will surely be rewarded.

caridwen	21 Mar 2005
Quote: My family is Catholic, so all my life I being told that tarot (and other things) are thing of the devil, I was brought up Catholic as well, I come from a staunch Irish Catholic background and even went to a convent but have never, once heard that Tarot was 'the work of the devil'. How does Tarot take you away from your belief in god? How is it the 'work of the devil'? What evil is he trying to do through you? My family has always held a strong interest in divination but we each have our own views. I really don't know where this presumption comes from and it seems to be coming up very frequently on these boards. Quote: I dont really what to stop using it, and dont what to stop believing in God? Why I feel so relief (something that I havent felt for some time now)when getting answers (maybe not accurate because im a newbie)? Is that a bad thing? Why can't you think for yourself? Why is it necessary to follow other people's dogma? Of course your religion and Tarot can work together and it doesn't take you away from god. In what way could it do that? According to Catholicism God is within all of us as is the 'Devil' or we all have the power to do good as well as evil. Exploring your spirituality and other sides of your being through Tarot surely can't do any harm, nor would it dictate that you need to turn away from the church. It's entirely your own decision.:)

Fulgour	21 Mar 2005
"Location: Cd. Juarez, Chih. Mex." I can understand your problem. Maybe if we started a thread about the special issues in Mexico? Tarot just does not fit in there sometimes, and it can be difficult. Who would like to help? I think we need a Spanish speaking person.

Adjustment	21 Mar 2005
Fulgour wrote: "Location: Cd. Juarez, Chih. Mex." I can understand your problem. Maybe if we started a thread about the special issues in Mexico? Tarot just does not fit in there sometimes, and it can be difficult. Who would like to help? I think we need a Spanish speaking person. Creo que si Fulgor necesitamos alguien que able espanol. :D

rabidwolfie	21 Mar 2005
HudsonGray wrote: Heck yeah, if the current pope is cool with tarot & has a copy of one of the books of his own, nobody can point fingers. He's the POPE! Except non-catholics, skeptics, heratics, & anyone else with unfounded fears of the "mysterious unknown". It's human nature to be suspicious of things, & at the same time curious. "Sophisticated" as we're supposed to be, we have yet to evolve out of our primitive instincts, we mearly repress some of them & call it a day. LOL If you bother to think about it, it's really quite funny.

psychic sue	21 Mar 2005
Tarotbear's post made me think of the big hoo-hah over The Da Vinci Code - only now is the Catholic Church speaking out against it - could it be the that the Cardinal in quesition (can't remember his name) wants a bit of press exposure - the Pope is very ill at the moment. All the rubbishing of this book makes me think there must definitely be some truth in it then ! Of course, by denouncing it in this way, they are merely making it more attractive - I predict sales of the book will rise enormously over the next few months! Don't have to be psychic to know that! By the way, I am a non-practicing Catholic - someone else (may be on another thread) was worrying about "worshipping a false idol" by getting interested in the tarot. What exactly is Pope worship then? He's flesh and blood like the rest of us. Don't get me wrong, he is undoubtedly a spiritual man, but to me, setting him apart from everyone else is wrong. Of course, if the Church wanted to follow Jesus' teachings to the letter, they would give away their vast wealth to the poorest countries (catholic or not) and the pope would live in a simple house (or maybe even a commune). I can't see that happening can you? Don't mean to offend anyone, this is just my opinion, but can anyone justify the wealth the Church has to me? Sue PS - On the abortion issue which is raging in the UK at the moment, how can any man, let alone a celibate one who has never had a relationship with a woman, have the arrogance to have a comment on this subject? It should be left to women to chose what is right for them. I've seen the result of unwanted children being brought into the world, and its not nice. Just my thoughts.

caridwen	21 Mar 2005
psychic sue wrote: Tarotbear's post made me think of the big hoo-hah over The Da Vinci Code - I know, they've set up a special cardinal or something to refute its claims. I think they're perfectly correct when they say it's airport fodder - I didn't think it was particularly well written. It's the equivalent of M15 taking on Jeffery Archer or something - what's the point? It's just a mystery novel.

psychic sue	21 Mar 2005
I didn't think it was well-written either, and not researched properly either, but even so, why create such a big fuss ? Makes me think they have something to hide.

Fulgour	21 Mar 2005
Tara Deck wrote: Creo que si Fulgor necesitamos alguien que able espanol. ¡Necesitamos sí a alguien que sabe hablar español! (Yes. We need someone who can speak Spanish!)

caridwen	21 Mar 2005
psychic sue wrote: I didn't think it was well-written either, and not researched properly either, but even so, why create such a big fuss ? Makes me think they have something to hide. Maybe we should start a new thread? I don't know if they've got anything to hide or not - I think they're creating a fuss to draw people away from the books' claims and back into the fold as it were. But the fuss will die down anyway and it will be last years' news. The book was based on an interesting premise but nothing more and nothing particularly new, as far as I'm concerned. It did well in introducing people to Sacred Geometry though. People are moving away from the church so maybe this is a way of bringing attention back to its fundamentals or something...(twiddles thumbs)

psychic sue	22 Mar 2005
caridwen wrote: Maybe we should start a new thread? I don't know if they've got anything to hide or not - I think they're creating a fuss to draw people away from the books' claims and back into the fold as it were. But the fuss will die down anyway and it will be last years' news. The book was based on an interesting premise but nothing more and nothing particularly new, as far as I'm concerned. It did well in introducing people to Sacred Geometry though. People are moving away from the church so maybe this is a way of bringing attention back to its fundamentals or something...(twiddles thumbs) You may be right - or maybe the Pope is not well at the moment, and this particular Cardinal wants to be seen to be doing some "good" for the Church. Who knows?

HudsonGray	22 Mar 2005
You know, a lot of that stuff from The Da Vinci Code has already been used in other fiction books, in several movies, and on tv shows like X-Files and Millenium. What's the fuss about it? There wasn't a whole lot in it that was actually 'new'.

The is bad to feel that way? thread was originally posted on 20 Mar 2005 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.