What do I do with “scary” cards?

How can we approach “scary” cards?

1. I choose to assign meanings to each cards that feel supportive. I take what feels helpful and leave anything that feels harmful. Many of those “scary” cards are actually my very favorites, after I left the traditional meanings behind. A simple question we can apply to so many of our decisions and practices is: “Is this helpful or harmful?”

2. I choose not to read in a predictive way. When I turn a card  over, I am not worried that something bad is on its way. 

3. I appreciate that the cards hold the bitter, heartbreaking and confusing part of the human story. For me, a Tarot deck feels like a compassionate witness who “gets it” —while offering wisdom and powerful questions of how to consider hard things. 

 In what ways have you claimed supportive card meanings for yourself?

Remember—this is YOUR practice and these cards can be a tool of reflection and contemplation—and you choose how you would like to work with them.

Photo: Death Card from The Mystical Moments Tarot by Catrin Welz-Stein

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