Tarot To The Rescue - Holding On and Letting Go

Tarot To The Rescue is a recurring feature. I’ll be tackling different life issues and showing you how tarot can be a valuable tool to help you navigate through these challenges. As a long time tarot reader, I have used the cards myself to seek guidance, check my own inner compass and find direction through those sticky moments in life.

Did you ever watch that show “Hoarders” where people are basically living in filth because they can’t throw anything away? It’s heartbreaking to watch and often leaves the viewer wondering, why on earth can’t they just throw that stuff out? (The people in the show have serious mental issues which is why they are compelled to hold on so tightly, even to worthless junk.)

Many of us have issue with letting go. I’m not just talking about the material stuff ala Hoarders but emotional junk:

old relationships – even bad ones – that are long gone
grudges (my issue)
people who’ve passed on
bad habits
family of origin crap
emotional wounds (“remember when you did this to me”).

Why do we hang on so tightly to that emotional garbage? Fear is usually the underlying emotion. Although I’m no therapist, I have found in almost every circumstance, there is an element of fear floating around, sometimes disguised as anger or love.

Here’s the deal: when we are in “holding on” mode, we do not leave space for anything new to enter. We’re full to the brim with no room at the inn.

With time, most of us eventually let go. But usually it requires concentrated effort. We have to make the CHOICE to liberate ourselves from those destructive emotions, people and attitudes.

Here is a simple tarot inquiry to use when you are considering doing some release work:

Shuffle the cards and focus on your obsession. Now, fan them out, face down and randomly choose a card for each of these questions:

What can I expect if I let go?

How can I best support myself in this process?

Advice to move forward?

Here is an example: my client Sally is still holding out hope for Robert to return. He’s been gone for a year and has not contacted her in that time. She feels he is the love of her life but she also knows that this is probably not healthy. Using the spread above, here is what we discovered:

What can I expect if I let go? 8 of Wands – this is the card of quick movement, accelerated growth. If Sally chooses to let go of Robert, she’ll start moving ahead with lightning speed. The energy here suggests she will develop a new life swiftly.

How can I best support myself in this process? The High Priestess – Sally may want alone time to rebalance her energy. Quiet introspection may be necessary as she begins the process of releasing hope for Robert’s return. The High Priestess can also suggest sharing her situation with a trusted female such as a counselor or close friend.

Advice to move forward? Knight of Swords – here, the figure holds a sword and charges forth. The advice is to sever the emotional ties. Perhaps a cord cutting ceremony is in order – or simply removing any objects that remind her of Robert. This is time for drastic, no-nonsense measures. The faster she cuts the cord and the visible and invisible ties, the quicker that movement will happen.

The energy here is a bit tough love – Sally needs to start taking some strong actions to shift the energy. Get rid of anything that keeps her connected to Robert energetically. Sharing her feelings with a trusted advisor will help her gather the strength to do this. And once she starts the process, she’ll progress quickly.

Always remember, no one gets spiritual by holding on. It’s the letting go that brings relief and liberation.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” ~ C. JoyBell C.

Blessings!

Theresa

image from stock photography

If you try this spread, I’d love to hear your results. Please post ’em in the comment section below: