Hi

I have noticed that many Tarot readers tend to have negative interpretations of the cards. Friends of mine have also confided in me that they find that tarot readings tend to always deliver bad news to them or talk about the negative aspects of things.

Today, I asked an acquaintance of mine to interpret a simple spread that I had already interpreted with the same question. Next thing I know, all the cards are being interpreted as being about a negative future...
For instance, the question was about my distant cousin who is about to get married.

The future card was the Emperor:

He interpreted it as meaning that the relationship was going to turn out badly because the husband would prove to be controlling, emotionally distant and authoritarian. The relationship would be completely emotion-less.

I interpreted this card as meaning that as a couple they would be builders. They would be very practical in their endeavors, get involved in property building and that they would both be a solid foundation for their future family.

I am bringing this up because I have noticed that many Tarot readers (thank God not here on Mystic Board) tend to keep reading the cards in such a negative light... that many of the querents come out feeling hopeless.

Why this phenomenon? Has anybody else notice this?

I am big believer that there are really no negative cards at all..just lessons to be learned. Once the querent has learned the lesson..the Universe will give them the next step. For example take the Rider/Waite The Tower card in which the destruction and rebuilding of everything that we hold near and dear-most happens. Many, many times " break-through " moments in life happen after someone has gone through a " dark-night of the soul experience." One can point out to the querant that a dark-night of the soul experience or the aspects of The Tower card happens when they least expect it and without warning. Once the person understands why they hurt so much or why everything is going wrong for them..that's when change for the better happens.

As you say, and I agree with many who do tarot readings tend to be very negative. Perhaps this is just inexperience with the reader, I don't know. If I can use the cards to point to querent to how to create the outcome that they are wanting..really no fortune-telling takes place on my part that's because they are creating their own future which the decisions that they are currently making.

I hope this makes some sense.

rich/

Farafina
I have had that experience myself too, so many times. Whenever I have had readings and they have used purely the tarot cards, I have had negative interperetations, unlike clairvoyance or mediumship. That is why I always ask them if the reading is going to be purely based on tarot cards or mixed with clairvoyance/mediumship. Those who intuit with the tarot and go on with their other skills, usually deliver it differenlty - more positive.
My experience so far even though I love the tarot.
Cedars

Waw so both of you Montauk and Cedars have noticed the same pattern with many Tarot readers.
I wonder, why is it that people who base their readings on Tarot only are often so negative in the interpretations? What makes them do that? What makes them see the cards as negative rather than positive?

It really is a mystery to me...

I think it is because of the reputation of tarot. So many new readers expect doom and gloom and that is, to be fair, the scariness and grandeur and theatre of tarot isn't it lol.

What I don't like is the way some readers give information. As if it is the only truth and it WILL happen and they are right. That to me is totally wrong and a misuse of the cards.   Tarot is more about helping provide information, support, guidance and empowerment.