When a Tarot reading will not help

Bereavement

Our sense of loss is immense; there is a void that remains in our lives.

Following the initial feelings of loss and despair, anger and resentment, there is inevitably a period of adjustment.

I felt compelled to write this blog because of a difficult situation I found myself in recently. I was asked by the husband of a close friend to do a Tarot reading for him. Every cell in my body repelled against such an action and I gently refused. I had no qualms that I had made the right decision, but I still felt absolutely awful about it.

His wife, my dear friend, had passed away less than 3 months before.

You are probably wondering why I refused to do such a thing for someone who needed support and reassurance more than ever.

But here’s the thing; Tarot may be beneficial for navigating life’s challenges and opportunities but, in this, I feel it is not.

When a loved one passes away, our sense of loss is immense. There is a void that remains in our lives. Following the initial feelings of loss and despair, anger and resentment, there is inevitably a period of adjustment. We may be struggling to come to terms with the loss, and look externally for answers. No one can bypass or rush through this phase; we may try, but it will catch up with us in the end. We can’t skip any stages in the grieving process, so must navigate them all.

When difficult emotions arise, we should greet them, be curious about them, sit with them. Work through them. This may be the time to seek the added support of a bereavement counsellor, and that may prove to be extremely beneficial to help us work through the difficult emotions. Until the skies clear.

I’m obviously not an expert; I only have my personal experiences of bereavement. But, in my opinion, Tarot is the very last thing that can help us in those initial stages.  

Health

If we have any health concerns, it is natural to want to know what is going to happen. What does the future hold?

Tarot should not, and cannot, replace the professional guidance and support of those specialists qualified to assist us.

There are also other times when a Tarot reading may not provide the answers we are hoping for. For instance, when it comes to our health. If we have any concerns, it is natural to want to know what is going to happen. What does the future hold? Any responsible Tarot reader may shy away from answering questions related to health matters, if only on the basis that a reading focuses on the here and now, and does not provide an outcome that is set in stone – the future forecast can change, depending on the decisions we make going forward. 

If we seek assurance from a health question, we may easily hang on to any glimmer of hope and fail to take appropriate action in our lives that would bring about this positive outcome. Or, conversely, we may hear something we do not take very well and may plummet into feelings of despair and helplessness, resulting in us moving away from the headspace in which we would be able to take necessary and decisive action. Tarot should not, and cannot, replace the professional guidance and support of those specialists qualified to assist us.

Tarot is a divination tool. It is extremely beneficial for signposting any blockages or fears we may be carrying, for showing us our options and providing guidance and potential outcomes. It can highlight to us that which we cannot yet see. It can help us in so many ways, and with its use comes a greater self-awareness.

These are just a few examples of when I believe Tarot readings may not be appropriate. I feel this deep within my soul and wanted to pass that on.