When it comes to meditating on Tarot cards, many people wonder whether it’s worth focusing on the “bad” cards, such as the Three of Swords or the Tower. Some believe these cards merely predict troubles and negative changes, which can cause anxiety. However, others think that including such cards in meditation practices can be beneficial for self-discovery and personal growth. In this article, we will explore whether it is worthwhile to pay attention to “bad” Tarot cards during meditation and, if so, what aspects to focus on to gain the most benefit from this experience.

Jazz meditations, like “bad Tarot cards,” teach us to perceive the world in all its complexity and diversity. In jazz music, as in life, there are light and dark shades, moments of harmony and dissonance. They help us realize that challenging moments and trials are not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth and transformation. Similarly, in Tarot, each card carries not only dark predictions but also valuable lessons that help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

Here are a few examples of “scary” Tarot cards. I am considering only one aspect of each card, which can have both a heavy, frightening side and a bright side. These cards are complex and contain much meaning; I want to show you the positive aspects of some of them.

The Tower

  • Difficult meaning: The Tower symbolizes destruction, crisis, and unexpected changes that can feel like a loss of control over the situation. This card reminds us of the importance of flexibility and the ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances in life.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Tower also signifies liberation from old beliefs and illusions, awakening to new possibilities, and deep changes for the better.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “Gloomy Sunday” performed by Billie Holiday. This song reflects hard times and deep sorrow, recreating the atmosphere of crisis and loss, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Tower.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. This composition exudes joy and gratitude for the beautiful world around us, highlighting the positive liberation and new outlook on life as presented in the positive meaning of the Tower.

The Devil

  • Difficult meaning: The Devil symbolizes addiction to material things, self-deception, and entrapment in circumstances that can block the path to personal freedom. This card reminds us of the importance of recognizing dark aspects of life and working to overcome them.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Devil also represents the acceptance of one’s shadow side, liberation from fears, and a deep understanding of one’s power and potential.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “Strange Fruit” performed by Billie Holiday. This song visualizes the dark sides of society, deep issues of addiction and social injustice, reflecting the difficult meaning of the Devil.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck. This composition conveys joy, freedom, and liberation from constraints, emphasizing the positive liberation and acceptance of one’s potential, as presented in the positive meaning of the Devil.

Death

  • Difficult meaning: Death symbolizes the end, loss, and completion of a life cycle or period. This card reminds us of the inevitability of change and the necessity of accepting losses in life.
  • Positive meaning: However, Death also represents the beginning of something new, transformation, and transition to something better in life.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “I’ll Be Seeing You” performed by Billie Holiday. This song conveys the feeling of farewell and sadness for what is lost, corresponding to the difficult meaning of Death.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Blue Skies” by Ella Fitzgerald. This composition exudes hope, optimism, and belief in new opportunities, emphasizing the positive meaning of Death as a chance for growth and positive changes.

Three of Swords

  • Difficult meaning: The Three of Swords symbolizes heartbreak, disappointment, and grief. This card reminds us of painful experiences and losses that can cause deep emotional difficulties.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Three of Swords also represents healing, forgiveness, and liberation from pain. This card reminds us of the importance of accepting and processing emotional trauma for spiritual growth.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “I Cover the Waterfront” performed by Billie Holiday. This song conveys deep longing and anticipation, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Three of Swords.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington. This composition exudes joy and freedom, highlighting the positive meaning of the Three of Swords as an opportunity for fun and living life to the fullest.

Five of Swords

  • Difficult meaning: The Five of Swords symbolizes defeat, betrayal, and conflict. This card reminds us of painful conflicts and disappointments that can lead to broken relationships and losses.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Five of Swords also represents reconciliation, forgiveness, and lessons learned from difficulties. This card reminds us of the opportunity to learn from challenging situations and move forward with wisdom.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “Stormy Weather” performed by Lena Horne. This song reflects difficult times and a storm of emotions, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Five of Swords.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Ain’t Misbehavin’” by Fats Waller. This composition exudes joy and carefreeness, highlighting the positive meaning of the Five of Swords as an opportunity to find harmony and peace in relationships.

Seven of Swords

  • Difficult meaning: The Seven of Swords symbolizes deception, evasion, and hidden intentions. This card reminds us of the complexities associated with differences in perception and unclear circumstances.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Seven of Swords also represents strategy, tactics, and the ability to overcome obstacles. This card reminds us of the necessity of flexible thinking and the ability to adapt to changes.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “Black Coffee” by Sarah Vaughan. This song conveys melancholy and loneliness, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Seven of Swords, where there is a sense of deceit and uncertainty.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra. This song reflects aspiration and ambition, emphasizing the positive meaning of the Seven of Swords as an opportunity for strategic planning and achieving goals.

Eight of Swords

  • Difficult meaning: The Eight of Swords symbolizes limitation, helplessness, and a difficult situation. This card reminds us of feelings of isolation and limited choices.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Eight of Swords also represents liberation, overcoming fears, and new opportunities. This card reminds us of the necessity of freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs and opening up to new paths.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “Solitude” by Duke Ellington. This song reflects feelings of loneliness and isolation, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Eight of Swords, where one feels constrained and unable to change their situation.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “On the Sunny Side of the Street” by Tommy Dorsey. This song exudes optimism and joy of life, emphasizing the positive meaning of the Eight of Swords as an opportunity to see the bright side and enjoy new possibilities.

Nine of Swords

  • Difficult meaning: The Nine of Swords symbolizes fear, anxiety, and nightmares. This card reminds us of inner battles and feelings of helplessness in the face of our fears.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Nine of Swords also represents awareness of one’s fears, overcoming anxiety, and healing. This card reminds us of the necessity of accepting and working with inner conflicts.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “In a Sentimental Mood” by Duke Ellington. This song conveys melancholy and sadness, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Nine of Swords, where there is a feeling of oppression and anxiety.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Body and Soul” by Coleman Hawkins. This song reflects deep feelings and inner peace, emphasizing the positive meaning of the Nine of Swords as an opportunity for awareness and acceptance of one’s emotions.

Ten of Swords

  • Difficult meaning: The Ten of Swords symbolizes the end, catastrophe, and loss. This card reminds us of deep disappointment and a feeling of hopelessness.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Ten of Swords also represents new beginnings, resurrection, and overcoming difficulties. This card reminds us of the possibility of rebirth and coming out of difficult situations.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “I Can’t Get Started” by Bunny Berigan. This song reflects a sense of hopelessness and despair, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Ten of Swords, where one feels loss and despair.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Begin the Beguine” by Artie Shaw. This song reflects the joy of new beginnings and renewal, highlighting the positive meaning of the Ten of Swords as an opportunity to start anew and move forward.

Five of Cups

  • Difficult meaning: The Five of Cups symbolizes loss, grief, and disappointment. This card reminds us of a sense of loss and dissatisfaction.
  • Positive meaning: However, the Five of Cups also represents acceptance, forgiveness, and moving forward. This card reminds us of the possibility of learning from difficulties and going further.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “I’m a Fool to Want You” performed by Billie Holiday. This song conveys a sense of loss and disappointment, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Five of Cups, where one faces unhappiness and grief.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” by Duke Ellington. This song reflects acceptance of changes and moving forward, highlighting the positive meaning of the Five of Cups as an opportunity to overcome difficulties and redirect towards new possibilities.

Five of Pentacles

  • Difficult meaning: The Five of Pentacles symbolizes hard times, failures, and losses. It reflects a feeling of instability and poverty when people may feel rejected or temporarily deprived of support.
  • Positive meaning: At the same time, the Five of Pentacles can teach us important lessons from difficulties and emphasize the significance of hope and the possibility of recovery. This card reminds us that even in the most challenging moments, one can learn to see the light at the end of the tunnel and strive for the better.
  • Jazz of the 40s for difficult meaning: “Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)” performed by Billie Holiday. This song sounds deep and emotional, conveying a sense of loss and loneliness, corresponding to the difficult meaning of the Five of Pentacles, when one may feel loss and instability.
  • Jazz for positive meaning: “All of Me” performed by Billie Holiday. This song expresses self-acceptance and self-love, emphasizing the positive meaning of the Five of Pentacles as an opportunity to learn from difficulties and move forward with hope for the better.

Notice how I emphasize choice in my more positive interpretations of these cards? We all have the power of choice. Let’s allow ourselves and our clients to see possibilities where there are challenges. Besides, I adore swords; I feel they lack love and understanding, like sharks.