My shrink told me to stop using Tarot Cards.

[The Suckling]

He said my grasp on reality isn't strong enough and that I might make a life decision that I'll later regret.

I couldn't quite explain that the cards don't really tell me to "do" anything. In fact, when I do a reading I'm more conserned with the past and present than the future. The future doesn't usually make sense until after the fact.

I"m still going to use them, but I really don't want to go against doctor's orders. What do you think I should do?

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I personally do see how giving up the tarot cards can strengthen your grasp of reality! I think that when reflecting/meditating on the cards would give one a stronger greasp of who you are and where you want to go in life. It causes self explorations and encourages you to look at and beyond your "faults".

Of course tarot doesn't make you do anything. It's your decision to act on any of the gleaned information you receive from your own interpretation of a reading.

This is just my opinion though. I wouldn't give up the tarot.

[lucidfire]

maybe they feel threatened somehow by your use of the tarot cards? That's what I would figure :D

[Lavender]

It could be that he doesn't fully understand how tarot really works. I wonder if he thinks of tarot as just superstitious mumbo jumbo?

[Flaire-FireStar]

I'll have to say that he doesn't understand them & he thinks that they're just for fortune-telling..That's why I think he wants you to stop using them, although it's up to you whether or not you keep using them.... I would still be using them. :)

[Myst]

I would hazard to guess that he doesn't really understand the implications of the cards. At any rate as long as you remember that you're the diviner and without you the tarot cards don't say anything, that you are the one who makes the decisions, then I don't see a problem.

[manstranger]

Yeah, I agree with everything said here. Why woud you listen to someone that doesn't understand Tarot's advice on Tarot? Seems rather silly to me.

[The Suckling]

Yeah, thanks guys. He's actually been all over the world and has only found two Tarot readers that he believes in. Thing is, these were mostly money-grubbing proffessional readers who thrive on your ignorance.

What I'm wondering is, since I'm not going to stop, should I try to explain or just not tell him?

[Myst]

That's up to you. You're the one paying for the visits. :)

[Twilight Garden]

My opinion on this is that the only way this person is truely going to be able to help you is if you are completely honest with him. You must be seeing him for some reason. Lies, even little white ones, could hinder your relationship with him. If you don't approve of what he has asked of you (not reading tarot) you need to tell him. Explain your reasons to him and ask his reasons for not wanting you to read tarot. If you cannot come to a mutual agreement with him as far as what your "treatment" should be, then I would suggest requesting a more understanding counselor. I would not approve of being dishonest with someone you are seeking help from. {just my $.02}

[Epona44]

What I usually tell people who are outsiders about the Tarot is that it's like an alphabet and each card has several meanings.

We learn the general meanings of the cards and when we lay them out, in general, the entity we are talking to is a part of ourselves.

It's a subconscious alphabet. For those people who are sensitives or mediums the cards may be a way to set aside the conscious mind and allow another to come through.

I believe that for most people the cards become a way to talk to our inner selves, the part of us that we can sometimes squelch because we are afraid, opinionated, or willful.

I am a stong believer in following a counselor's advice, but if the counselor has no experience with the cards, perhaps he/she could benefit with your explanation of what they mean to you.

[Lavender]

Originally posted by LunarMist
My opinion on this is that the only way this person is truely going to be able to help you is if you are completely honest with him. You must be seeing him for some reason. Lies, even little white ones, could hinder your relationship with him. If you don't approve of what he has asked of you (not reading tarot) you need to tell him. Explain your reasons to him and ask his reasons for not wanting you to read tarot. If you cannot come to a mutual agreement with him as far as what your "treatment" should be, then I would suggest requesting a more understanding counselor. I would not approve of being dishonest with someone you are seeking help from. {just my $.02}

Good points, LunarMist. I would also add that if this shrink is familiar with tarot & still feels the way he does, you're not going to be able to change his mind, Suckling.

[Laiste]

I have a few questions for you Suckling. Did your shrink ask you, tell you or suggest that you to stop using the cards? Also, did he/she suggest a period of time for you to stop using them or did they just say never touch them again. These little details make a big difference with the situation. Perhaps your shrink just wants you to stop using them and begin to look inside yourself for the answers you may be seeking from the Tarot. I spent quite some time going to a shrink myself and learned alot from the experience about myself by looking inside myself. As for telling or not telling your shrink...well I feel that it is not a good idea to be dishonest about any decisions you make. Part of therapy is brutal honesty and dealing with things. Perhaps you can ask for more concrete reasons why he/she thinks you should stop and reflect on those reasons for a while. Personally I would not stop for any long period of time, but I see nothing wrong with stopping for a short time. You may gain something from the experience.

[Myst]

Wise questions I didn't think of Laiste.

Even tho this guy doesn't know tarot cards he might have good reasons!

[Drew]

I think this guy has no Idea about what hes talking about.

[Silver Venus]

Just one more things to add ~ why dont you show him this thread and what everyone has written ~ then see what he says.. It may help for him to read others opinions.

Theres also a thread here with tarot card affirmations which you should show him too
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?threadid=3325&highlight=tarot+card+affirmations

Good luck :sunny:

[The Suckling]

Well, he didn't really Order me or even as me, he just suggested that I be careful. I suppose I should be able to explain things to him without any trouble. Thanks, everyone.

[Twilight Garden]

Originally posted by The Suckling
Well, he didn't really Order me or even as me, he just suggested that I be careful. I suppose I should be able to explain things to him without any trouble. Thanks, everyone. I suggest that to anyone reading Tarot cards... What's the problem?

[GDA]

I'm certainly no expert, but perhaps your shrink just wants you to experiment with different things to see how they make you feel. Maybe put the cards aside for a little while to see if your perspective changes at all. I personally don't see any reason to put them aside permanently, but maybe try it for a little while. It may open your eyes to other things you were not seeing before and make your future readings more meaningful. I would- as others have said- tell your therapist about it one way or another, though.

Just my opinion; good luck.

GDA

[Mnemosyne]

I have to agree with the other people who have written. You should not necessarily give up tarot. The cards show you opportunities and ways to think about various issues. The way you interpret the cards can be very subjective. In comparison, your shrink only gives you subjective advice. After all, if a shrink knew all the "correct" answers on how to live life, we would all see him or her. Perhaps your shrink does feel a threat that you resort to tarot readings. Have you ever talked to another shrink who may give you different opinions and may be more compatible to your likings?

[mol]

Originally posted by The Suckling

I"m still going to use them, but I really don't want to go against doctor's orders. What do you think I should do?

Do what you Will.

I would add that, the good doctor probably doesnt believe in the Tarot most likely. So, to him/her, they are a fantasy tool. They do nothing. So, he/she is just telling you to stop playing with cards and get back down to earth.

[tarotbear]

Your shrink is a dink.

[Silver Venus]

Well any news? Did you have it out with him?