In our work, we often encounter people who are fearful of divination tools like tarot cards and our Concrete Shamanism Spirits Deck. Their fear is deeply rooted, and they believe that evil spirits or demons can come through the cards. While it is possible for negative energies to influence a reading, they can only manifest if those energies already exist within the individual using the cards. We have explored the political reasons for the Bible’s ban on divination tools in a separate article, but in this one, we will focus on addressing the core question: Are tarot cards evil?
The perception that tarot cards are evil often stems from misunderstandings about how divination tools function. According to A Course in Miracles, when people label something as evil, they are projecting their own guilt or fear onto an external object. The text teaches that “those who suffer guilt will attempt to displace it because they believe in it. Yet though they suffer, they will not look within and let it go”. Rather than facing their inner turmoil, people externalize their guilt, seeing evil outside themselves rather than recognizing it within.
Tarot Cards Are Neutral—Intention Is Key
Tarot cards, like any other tool, are neutral in nature. The key is the intention behind their use. When used with the intent to manipulate, control, or instill fear, the person wielding the cards reflects their own inner conflict and negative intentions. On the other hand, using tarot for self-reflection, healing, or spiritual growth can turn the practice into a powerful form of introspection, prayer, or meditation.
This insight aligns with The Fifth Agreement, which teaches the importance of being “impeccable with your word” and not allowing false agreements or beliefs to dictate your perceptions. Therefore, any “evil” associated with tarot comes not from the cards themselves, but from the intentions and beliefs of the person using them.
Historical Context and the Bible’s View on Divination
The Bible’s prohibitions against divination, including tarot and other forms of fortune-telling, were motivated by concerns about political manipulation and spiritual deception. In ancient times, rulers and priests could use divination to control or exploit the people, wielding spiritual tools as instruments of power. These prohibitions were not because the tools themselves were inherently evil, but to protect individuals from being manipulated through their beliefs.
The Role of Projection and Shadow Work
When someone perceives tarot cards as evil, they are often projecting their own unacknowledged fears or insecurities. A Course in Miracles explains that this is a defense mechanism of the ego, which seeks to avoid responsibility by projecting guilt outward. Instead of looking within, where the true source of discomfort lies, individuals externalize their guilt.
Engaging in regular shadow work is essential to recognize and integrate the parts of ourselves that we tend to disown, such as our capacity for harm or negativity. As we work through these shadow aspects, we begin to understand that the “evil” we see in the world is often a reflection of the parts of ourselves we haven’t fully accepted.
Using Divination Tools Ethically
To use divination tools like tarot ethically, it’s essential to set clear intentions and remain aware of your own inner state. When working with these tools, especially as a reader or shaman, it’s important to strive to be a “hollow bone”—a concept from shamanic practice that means allowing oneself to be a clear channel for spiritual wisdom, free from personal projections or ego-driven motives.
Becoming a “Hollow Bone”
To be a hollow bone in your work means striving for a space of neutrality and openness, where you are not projecting your own fears, desires, or judgments onto the reading. This requires self-awareness and a commitment to recognizing when you’re bringing your own biases or unresolved emotions into the process. A regular practice of mindfulness and shadow work can help you become more attuned to when you’re in this clear, open state and when you’re not.
Here are some ways to ensure you’re acting as a hollow bone during readings:
- Self-reflection: Before a reading, take time to reflect on your current emotional and mental state. Are you carrying any unresolved emotions or judgments that could interfere with your ability to be a clear channel?
- Meditation or grounding practices: Center yourself through breathwork or meditation to clear away distractions and prepare your energy.
- Check for bias: Ask yourself if you’re leaning toward interpreting the cards in a certain way due to your own desires or fears. If so, take a step back and recalibrate your focus.
Good Intentions for Reading Tarot
Having the right intentions is crucial to conducting an ethical reading. Here are some examples of positive, constructive intentions to set before a tarot reading:
- Clarity: “I seek clarity and truth, for the highest good of all involved.”
- Healing: “I ask for guidance that will bring healing and growth.”
- Empowerment: “May this reading empower those receiving it to make informed, conscious choices.”
- Objectivity: “I commit to being a clear and neutral channel for wisdom, free from personal judgment or agenda.”
- Compassion: “I seek to offer insights with compassion, understanding, and non-judgment.”
By setting intentions that prioritize clarity, empowerment, and healing, you create a space where the cards can serve as tools for spiritual insight rather than as instruments of fear or manipulation.
Examples of Misusing Tarot Cards
While tarot can be a powerful tool for growth, it can also be misused when wielded with the wrong intentions. Here are some common ways tarot cards could be misused:
- Manipulation: Using tarot to influence someone’s decisions for personal gain, such as pushing them toward choices that benefit you or reinforce your own agenda.
- Fear-based readings: Framing the cards’ messages in a way that instills fear or anxiety, rather than offering constructive guidance. For example, interpreting the “Death” card as a literal warning of physical death, rather than transformation or change.
- Dependence: Encouraging someone to become reliant on tarot readings for every decision, which can erode their confidence in their own intuition and judgment.
- Overstepping boundaries: Giving unsolicited readings or using tarot to pry into someone else’s life without their permission can be invasive and disrespectful.
Conclusion
Tarot cards are not inherently evil; the perception of evil often stems from the user’s unresolved inner conflict. By practicing ethical use of divination tools, setting clear intentions, and striving to be a hollow bone in your work, you can approach tarot with integrity and clarity. Remember, the tool itself is neutral—it’s how you use it that matters. When approached with self-awareness, compassion, and a commitment to truth, tarot can be a powerful ally in personal growth and healing.
