Tarot can be used to overcome damaging beliefs
There’s a difference between being realistic and being self-sabotaging
I once did a tarot reading for a young man who wanted to know why he could never achieve anything. He told me that all he had under his belt were a series of failures and he constantly felt like a loser. The cards revealed what I knew before they were even turned over: his struggles in life were due to his crippling self-perception.
Thankfully, most people aren’t that self-depreciating. Unfortunately, many of us do possess some negative beliefs about ourselves that limit our potential. While it’s healthy to be aware of our own shortcomings, there’s a difference between being realistic and being self-sabotaging.
When we have a healthy sense of self-worth, we can accept criticism and see our flaws as opportunities to grow. When we possess an unhealthy sense of worth, however, we become quick to quit and possibly even resentful of the world. This can hinder our work, relationships, as well as our potential for happiness and fulfilment.
To release our emotional baggage, we must first understand the difference between seeing our own weaknesses and harbouring disabling beliefs. Oftentimes, the difference is how far we take them.
For example, my worst character flaw is my lack of mental responsibility. It would be fair to say that I often don’t pay enough attention to things, which results in errors. It would, however, be incorrect and harmful to extend this idea to the point where I tell myself that I’m just plain stupid. In the first scenario, I have a problem to work through. In the latter, I have sentenced myself to irredeemable failure.
The following reading is for those who carry such beliefs and how we can address them.
How do we approach this negativity in a productive way? Card: Ace of Wands
Aces symbolize new beginnings and the Suit of Wands addresses our will, desire and motivation. Here, in this position, this card asks us to examine where our unhealthy beliefs came from. At what point did a realization of a character flaw turn into a mental and emotional blockade that prevents forward movement?
Was it the result of bad experiences? Or perhaps your current negative outlook was implanted by others.
Please be mindful that the purpose of this exercise isn’t to assign blame. This isn’t a witch hunt to discover who’s responsible for our hurt feelings. Rather, an origins investigation allows us to understand the cause so that we can work on a solution.
Whether you stopped singing because your peers laughed when you sang off tune or you believe that you’re unworthy of love because you came from an abusive home, the point is to see your pain for what it is so you can let it go. The best way to stop fearing the monster under the bed is to look under the bed.
Why do we hold onto to these unproductive beliefs?
Card: 4 of Wands
It may appear ironic at first since this is a card of celebrations. Upon further contemplation, however, this card is asking us to consider a point of view that is very difficult to address: the possibility that some of us may have chosen to indulge in pain and feelings of inadequacy.
Have we become so used to this identity that we fear change? Or worse, do we hold onto these negative beliefs because they’ve become excuses for our failures and lack of effort?
These are hard questions to ask ourselves but, unfortunately, there are people who unconsciously do these things.
The good news is that this type of weakness isn’t inevitable. They’re simply really bad habits. While it’s hard, bad habits can be corrected once we become aware of them. They only stick because we don’t know how to change, not because we don’t want to. Realizing that we have these habits will assist us on this journey of transformation.
How can we release our negative beliefs?
Card: Hierophant
This card speaks about the things we learn from our families, society, education and media. It is all the formal and informal teachings that shape how we think and feel. I see this as a complement to the previous card, which speaks about poor habits.
While many perspectives we hold are learned unconsciously, simply knowing this can help us consciously learn new ways of thinking and behaving. The Hierophant is here to teach us how to adopt new truths.
The next time we catch our hearts and minds telling us we aren’t worthy or competent, we need to challenge ourselves by refusing to accept these condemning statements as truth. Instead of allowing the conversation to stop there, think of something positive to focus on. If we’re feeling ignorant, consider what we can learn from the situation so that we can feel smarter the next time around. If we’re feeling unworthy of love, instead of wallowing in self-pity ask how we can show love to ourselves and the people around us.