Monday, June 15, 2015

Tarot Isn't A Quick-Fix

A fellow reader broached a topic today that highlighted something that's been on my mind for a while of late: that identifying an issue doesn't automatically fix it.

There are a million uses for Tarot (and divination, in general) from fortune telling, to spiritual guidance, to personal development, to gaining insights for practical decision-making, and on and on. All of these have a valuable place in the divination spectrum. As a reader I've found that by far the most powerful function of Tarot is for exploring the Self, and using insights and knowledge to make positive changes, spark thoughtful introspection, and generally making us all better, happier, stronger, and more peaceful human beings.
"Descent" by Jorge Garza
I've also found that many people (most definitely not all, nor the majority) that seek out readings on significant matters in their lives are not looking for or interested in personal growth or development; rather they're looking for fast and simple solutions to complex issues, or even simply interested in hearing that their deepest desires will come to pass, with little-to-no effort on their part (and as a side note, there are definitely "readers" out there in the business of telling clients only what they want to hear - it's not just an issue related to the impulses of a subsection of seekers, by any means). I am not entirely certain why this is, but I do notice it, and I'm curious about the phenomenon.

Tarot can be a powerfully meaningful catalyst for real, positive change. But real change is hard work. The most enriching use for Tarot is for self improvement, yet even for those people who are open-minded, honest, and dedicated to improving their lives, making lasting changes can be challenge. Tarot isn't meant to be a quick-fix. Durable change takes time and persistent effort, a willingness to delve into personal weaknesses, fears, and shadows, to shed light on what needs to be healed or strengthened or honored. It creates space for forgiveness and empowerment. This is the heart and soul of Tarot, and what makes it such a precious tool.

Some seekers are not interested in identifying areas for growth. And even knowing what needs attention is not always enough. If you're willing to do the work, however, Tarot can help create wholeness and nurture wisdom. That, for me, is ultimately what it's all about.

2 comments:

  1. The hard work is living life day by day and the cards can be signposts for alternatives routes. Sometimes it seems if nothing changes at all but when I remember where I came from so much has changed that I almost wonder if I am still me :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think you're right, and living life and using the cards as sign posts is a great way to stay self aware and see progress in retrospect. That is a great example of being open to change. The fact that it is slow is part of the process - kind of like trying to lose weight and getting frustrated and quitting the health routine because you don't see drastic and immediate results. If you stick with it, over the long term you probably will change so much that you can't recognize yourself. That's about persistence, and that is definitely doing the work. I think of many people who don't even want to identify or think about where they might focus to improve their lives - they just want to know that they'll get what they want as soon as possible. That can be exasperating.

    ReplyDelete