Receiving "bad" cards as advice

So Lisa didn't technically receive The Happy Squirrel as advice.
But hasn't Tarot put that look on all our faces at some point?
Image from Touchstone Tarot.

Sometimes in a reading, we will find one of the "bad" cards turn up in a position of advice.  First let me say I don't actually think any of the cards are really bad; but there are some that incorporate unpleasant experiences and feelings among their meanings.  Often, these experiences, while negative in the short run, turn out to be for our own good.  (Not that we get much comfort from that in the moment!)

Actually, every card has its shadow aspect, and hopefully it's clear from context whether that is the appropriate interpretation  in a given reading.  However, here are some of the cards that can be most unwelcome:

• Death
• The Devil
• The Tower
• 3 of Swords
• 9 of Swords
• 10 of Swords
• The Happy Squirrel (kidding!)

Less potentially nasty, but still not fun, are:

• 5 of Swords
• 4 of Pentacles
• 5 of Wands

How do we interpret these cards when they turn up in a position to advise us?  Is Death telling us to die?  Is the 4 of Pentacles telling us to be jealous and clingy?  Is the Tower telling us to collapse?

I believe the key is to ask ourselves (1) what positive aspects can be found even in these seemingly "negative" situations, and (2) how can we turn situations like these to our advantage?

Death

You've probably heard before that Death doesn't really mean death, but a major transformation, even a rebirth.   So when you receive this as advice, consider the possibility that you should open yourself up to transformation.  Can you embrace it willingly, even though there may be the pain of separation?  Can you let something die?

The Devil

Here we need to look at to whom or what we have given our power.  The Devil makes us feel like trapped, like there's no way out and our situation is hopeless--all the while we have the keys to our own liberation.  We let ourselves become enslaved by any number of deceptions; so when the Devil comes up as advice, it's time to take the key, unlock the door, and walk out into the light.

The Tower

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen."  If you put yourself on a pedestal, you too are destined to take a tumble.  How might we build a more stable, lasting tower?  We first need a sturdy foundation--and this means one that is not based on complacency, deception, or arrogance.  Be the lightning bolt, destroy any deceit that you see, including any lies you've been telling yourself.  Then rebuild from a place of truth and humility.

3 of Swords

I believe the 3 of Swords as advice asks us to open up to vulnerability.  Yes, this usually means feeling pain and sorrow.  But pain can be handled in a healthy or unhealthy way:  repressing it, denying it, trying to "suck it up" without acknowledging it--these are unhealthy because we don't learn anything from the experience.  I'm not arguing that we should wallow in suffering.  Rather, I'm suggesting that we face up to it honestly, accept that it is present in our lives--and then let it go.

9 of Swords

Worry accomplishes nothing, especially when it's keeping you up at night, since usually there's little or nothing we can do to help ourselves after business hours!  Anxiety keeps us from seeing our situation clearly enough to come up with a real solution.  This doesn't mean that there isn't cause for concern--there may be.  And if you've been trying to put a happy face on things, maybe it's time you got real.  The situation calls for an honest, calm appraisal.  Maybe it's time to make a list of pros and cons.

10 of Swords

When you've hit rock bottom, you have nowhere to go but up.  It's time to dust yourself off and move on.

5 of Swords

Here is the card of conflict.  Sometimes conflict can't be avoided, and in that case we need to consider what kind of warrior we want to be.  Are we going to stand up for ourselves, and then be forgiving once we've won our battle?  Or are we going to loot the village, rape the women, and salt the earth?  You know which you should do, right?

4 of Pentacles

It's a time to be conservative, to look after the things we cherish.  You don't have to be greedy about it, but good husbandry is necessary for growth--whether you're trying to grow a crop, a fortune, or a relationship.  Just remember that your identity and your possessions are--and should remain--two different things.  And beware of letting sober financial management turn into a poverty mindset--because they will have opposite outcomes.

5 of Wands

Everyone wants to have their say, but when they're all talking at once, no one gets heard.  This is just so annoying.  There's only one way out of it, which is to either shout louder than anyone else, or establish some order, so everyone can have a turn.  Sometimes this card indicates one of those days when nothing quite goes right, and with every setback the day seems to get worse and worse.  Take it one task at a time.