Tarot : Busted, Superstitions and Untruths

Superstition, Untruths...

Misrepresentation of the Tarot has been perpetuated since its existence. Shrouded by outdated myths and superstition, the Tarot has been bombarded with untruths, from old wives’ tales to TV shows showing them as occult-themed and evil. Fact from fiction, what these fallacies and fabrications boil down to, is fear of the unknown, reinforced by the mystery surrounding the Tarot.

Contrary to belief, the Devil Card does not denote evil forces. 

It represents the material world and is interpreted as fears and doubts, feeling vulnerable, being easily lured (lead astray) and superficial. 

Photo by Wikipedia – from the Rider Waite tarot deck

Eight Most Popular Misleading Beliefs

1. The Tarot is Evil and an Act of Heresy. ‘Poppycock’. 

Many people believe the Tarot cards are evil because the Bible denounces sorcery and divination. In addition, the Catholic Church, once branded tarot as a form of heresy due to its perceived associations with the occult. Books, Movies and TV shows also depict tarot as having evil associations.

The Real Truth:  Simply put, the cards do not work in this way. A superstitious person is always going to see such associations. Tarot cards, like any other tool, are not inherently good or evil, they do not possess dark or evil powers.  Rather, they represent a wealth of universal symbols and imagery that tap into the collective unconscious. The tarot is a psychological tool, a tool for self-discovery nothing else. It is a perfectly neutral tool that merely holds symbolic imagery that helps us tap into our intuition. How the tarot is used depends on the intentions of the person using it. The tarot's association with the occult and evil is a matter of interpretation. 

2. Tarot is fortune telling. ‘Hogwash’. 

One of the most predominant myths about Tarot cards is they predict the future. Though there are some very gifted mediums, clairvoyants, and those who are very apt at interpreting the cards, the cards do not tell our future.

The Real Truth: The future is not set in stone it is shaped by our actions and decisions. The tarot cards can help us find clarity and answers to questions. They are tools for self-awareness and a guide for foretelling events. They can’t make decisions for us they can, however, guide us to make new or right choices - we choose to listen and act or not.

3. You must be Psychic to read Tarot cards. ‘Balderdash’.

This misconception can be traced back to the portrayal of tarot readers in ancient cultures as mysterious figures with extraordinary gifts.

The Real Truth: Contrary to belief anyone can learn to read Tarot. The reason why anybody can learn to read the tarot is because all of us are intuitive. A tarot reader does not need to possess supernatural psychic powers or abilities. Tarot is an intuitive practice that requires intuition, empathy and a knowledge of symbolism. A Tarot reader's insights and ability come from a deep understanding of the cards. They sharpen their intuition through practice and experience resulting in a deep connection with the cards. They are skilled interpreters of the tarot’s symbolism and imagery. Thus, reading the Tarot cards is a skill that can be learned and developed, much like any other form of art or practice. 

4. There are good and bad cards, or the cards foretell only bad news. ‘Baloney’. 

Many people fear the tarot because they believe it will reveal only negative outcomes. We tend to think a card is bad when it goes against our ego or what we want to hear and if it warns us about something we find unpleasant. This makes us brand it as a terrible card. We can also be prejudiced when it comes to looks. For example, often within a tarot deck the Tower, and Three of Swords are dramatic cards, seen to depict gloom which provokes anxiety and fear. This fear can cause people to shut down and label these cards as bad.
The Real Truth: In reality, tarot cards always have our 'highest self in mind'. There is a helpful message to be had in every single card. All the tarot does is mirror what we're thinking and feeling and reveal potential paths we're going down. The cards are a method of communication that is open to interpretation and can be read in a lot of different ways. Even cards like the Death and the Devil cards are not inherently bad (although they may warn about tough times, in the past, present and perhaps to come). What's important is how we understand the cards and act moving forward. Similarly, reversed cards aren't bad either, and an upside-down card doesn't mean a negative likelihood. Contrary to belief reversed cards may be turned upright depending on the discretion of the person using the cards. Using the Tarot as a divination tool can reveal a wide range of insights, every card has the potential to reveal challenges and opportunities.

5. The Tarot is never wrong: ‘Claptrap’. 

Everything is changeable and the future is fluid’.

The real truth: You can have a reading with the most highly-rated tarot reader but it doesn’t mean it is going to be one hundred per cent true and correct. Not only are many things in the tarot open to interpretation but also the outcomes of any predictions can be changed by making different decisions. Further, there are just too many variables and unknowns when predicting the timing of events making it riddled with opportunities for error. When using the Tarot cards, they should be viewed only as a guide and not followed blindly. Everything is subject to change.

                                                           Photo by: dailytarotdraw.com

6. The Death Card means death. ‘Twaddle’. 

We see death as scary because it means the act of dying or the end of a life. Throughout the centuries death has been associated with the Grim Reaper, a skeleton-like figure wearing a long black hooded cape, carrying a scythe and in a dark setting. Because the card is named Death and shows similar features, it is only natural that we assume it means death. 

The real truth: Truly the death card is about endings, it doesn’t mean that someone will die. The death card actually signifies change, representing the end of a period, transformation and the start of a new cycle. Note: It is unlikely for a principled tarot user to foretell a death, the outcome of an illness or pregnancy, why, because ‘there is nothing permanent except change’.

7. You must follow certain practices and rituals. 

Such as: You must not read for yourself; Your deck should be gifted; No one else should use your cards to do a reading; You must wrap your tarot in silk or keep them in a wooden box; and You must perform a ritual before laying down the cards. ‘Bunkum’. In a nutshell, these misconceptions have been fabricated over time based on the prejudices of individual users and their desire to form intimate connections with the cards. 

The real truth: What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. The truth of the matter is there are no hard and fast set rules. It is merely a matter of preference. The cards are the tools of the user and they can choose to use them in whatever way they feel comfortable with. In saying this the user should always value and be mindful towards the cards. To be respectful, to protect the cards from negative energy and to remain unbiased (being open and honest with themselves). In addition to creating a setting and environment so their intuitiveness can flow naturally. Whatever ritual may or may not be chosen to create a bond with the cards, is purely down to the user.

8. Tarot Cards are Oracle Cards are the same: ‘Nonsense’.

They are not identical.
The real truth: While the tarot and oracle cards are grouped under the umbrella of Cartomancy, a form of divination using cards, this is where the commonality stops. What sets them apart in simple terms is, that the Tarot, cards follow a structured system with fixed symbolism and meanings. Oracle cards on the other hand adhere to no fixed structure. Their meanings and uses are founded on more of a ‘creative licence’ based on diverse themes and art styles on the specific deck.

                   Photo by: Image Magazine

Compatible with Religion and the Cards are Not Evil

The Tarot is not to be feared, it is not incompatible with religion and the cards are not evil. They are merely pieces of paper with art in the form of symbols, pictures, signs and words. They only have the power we give them. They do not have a life of their own, their power lies in how they are read and understood. Tarot offers a unique way to explore the depths of our consciousness and seek insights. We all have free will and can take the tarot’s advice and change course if we choose to. 

Where the real magic lies is not in the cards themselves but in the wisdom and intuition of the user.

In our next article, we will take a closer look at the different Tarot decks: How to choose the right deck and What is a good deck for a beginner. 

Until then, as they say in France, "Au Revoir".