Everyday Tarot

Y’all might remember that a while back, I did a guest post  about the Death card at Your Dark Passenger. Jen reciprocated with this interesting look at some of the misconceptions that many Christians have about the Tarot. Somehow, it got lost in the confines of my mailbox where it has been languishing in luxury along with the purveyors of miracle diets, get rich quick schemes and former foreign dignitaries eager to share the $18 million they have discovered hanging out in a bank account in their country.

If you haven’t read Your Dark Passenger yet, I suggest you hop right on over there and bookmark it, because Jen has a wickedly keen eye for absurdities and an equally wicked sense of humor that makes her blog always fun reading. Don’t go before reading about her take on Christian Misconceptions of Tarot, though!

Christian Misconceptions of Tarot

While readers here may find the use of tarot cards quite an ordinary thing, there are many who view their use to be mystical in nature. Christians, in particular, have strong feelings on the subject.

Those of you who know me from Your Dark Passenger are already aware I don’t have very many biases – at least, not that I’m unwilling to make fun of at every turn. For whatever reason, tarot is a little different for me. From a young age, I was taught that tarot cards were evil and to never touch them or have my cards read. Yes, that could have been the crazed ramblings of my mother; however, I believe much of what I was taught to be common to a typical Christian upbringing.

So…What do Christians believe about tarot cards?

*Tarot Cards Are Evil

Just to make certain this was a more common belief than just my family, I took a quick survey in my house and hubby confirmed it. Actually, he said tarot cards make him think of voodoo and black magic. He is perhaps a touch more normal in his faith than I so we’ll go with his answer for discussion purposes.

Television portrays tarot cards as a tool of voodoo. Whenever the frightened damsel in distress goes to see the voodoo shaman for help, it seems there is always something going on with blood and tarot cards. It doesn’t help either that the cards usually say the damsel will soon die.

From the Christian perspective, it makes some sense to view tarot cards as tools of Satan. The Bible is clear about how those who dabble in occult practices are “abominations in the eyes of God” and an “affront to the Lord.” Don’t ask for book, chapter and verse because I wouldn’t know.

Guess I’ve never been a very good Christian…

Anyway, your typical Christian may see tarot cards as a way to foretell the future. Since only God is supposed to know those things that are yet to be, trying to gain His knowledge is a no-no. Then again, the Bible is full of prophesy so it does seem a tad hypocritical.

*Tarot Cards Invite Satan into Your Life

Some Christians also believe that tarot cards and other readings are a direct connection to Satan himself. The line of thought is this: If God wanted you to have the information then it would have been provided to you. If knowledge is not coming from God then it must be from the other guy.

Tarot cards are also believed to be a method by which individuals become demon possessed. Christians are taught that even though they are given authority over demonic entities through their faith in Christ, a loophole remains. Anyone who invites Satan or his minions into their life is forfeiting that authority. It’s sort of like once you invite the mythical vampire into your home the first time, they can always come in.

In general, Christians see tarot cards as the first step down the proverbial slippery slope. One who will start reading their cards might later think the casting of spells is harmless. Once they cast a spell, why not go with a friend to watch a ritual ceremony. If you’re at the ceremony already, why not take part in the dark ritual? Hey, then it might seem like fun to go drink some cow blood.

The next thing you know, the cops are hauling you off because you were ripping open packages of hamburger and steak to drink the blood in the middle of your friendly neighborhood grocery store…all because you played with tarot cards.

Perhaps I might have gone every so slightly overboard at the end there, but the fact remains that one can never know where a particular path will lead.

So are tarot cards really evil tools of the dark, waiting to entrap hapless Christians? I have no idea. For my part, I don’t assume everyone who pulls out their own deck to be Satanic or demon possessed. Will I be learning how to use them anytime soon?

Hmm…

Maybe I shouldn’t tempt fate.

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