Well, from an advice standpoint, I'm of the belief that no matter what card(s) you draw, there's something you need to hear.  That meaning could be negative, sure, but that doesn't mean you don't need to hear it.  From a more concrete, "what should I do?" standpoint, I suppose it depends on the card(s) in question, as well as what's being asked (either explicitly or implicitly). 

 

There is a card I absolutely love the imagery of, but really don't want it to show up in a reading, and that's the Five of Pentacles.  Its imagery especially appeals to me as a Christian, but it indicates that there are hard times ahead.  In terms of what the card could be saying that could be interpreted as advice, perhaps it's that there is hardship in your near future if you continue on the path you're on, or if you make a decision that will put you on a particular path.  Maybe you're currently experiencing hardship or are just about to, and it might be saying not to lose hope no matter how difficult things may seem. 

 

I like alternative interpretations derived from the card's imagery that indicate there are people you can reach out to for help if you need it, so you don't need to go it alone.  In fact, the message could be that you're only struggling or will only struggle because you're not reaching out to others.  As a Christian, that last interpretation really resonates, as although the Church is meant to reach out to the community, and many Churches do in fact do just that, it's also highly possible that the staff and clergy are unaware of much of what could be happening right outside the walls of their building.

Sure, what I gave is a specific example, but if you're wanting general advice on how to get advice from negative cards, I think it's to be mindful that there's a lot more nuance to a card than it might appear on the surface.  It might be saying "something bad is going to happen", but there's generally more to the story than that.  What you want to know definitely factors into what the card might be telling you too, so keep that in mind.  Of course, there are other things to consider such as the position of the card in the spread.  Maybe you can take some time to reflect on the imagery of the card.  Above all though, I think you should leave black and white thinking at the door.  A card could be giving you a great deal of advice, but you're not going to receive it if you're so hung up on the notion that it may be portending something negative that you don't reflect on it any further.  

For me, sometimes the message is more around how we deal with challenge coming our way.  The 9 also reminds us to rest and withdraw - to absorb all the emotions and experiences we just went thru - it reminds us to take the time to accept it, heal from it, thank the universe for the experience, integrate it - and let it go (release it).  Lesson learned - don't need to learn again

 

WW

@dalsegno_ - I can see why the 9 of Swords would not be a great card to get  if you're clinically depressed.  If it appeared as 'advice' to a chronic sufferer, I might interpret that as a need to accept the depression. Clinical depression needs to be medically diagnosed and treated—if it's not already—and/or also acknowledged. Feeling depressed is perfectly legitimate, given the circumstances—so don't beat yourself up about it.  The card is just telling you what you already know.  Look to the other cards for more insight into how to deal with the situation.

On the other hand, if clinical depression isn't applicable, look upon the 9 of Swords as a state of mind, rather than a state of affairs, when giving or taking advice based on the card.  Perhaps the thing you're worrying about won't be that bad, or won't even happen. The card does not reflect a particular situation, but the Seeker's experience of it.  The 9 of Swords reflects your attitude, not necessarily reality.  An unpleasant situation can be made much worse by morbid imagination. That doesn't mean to quit worrying, but maybe quit worrying about trying to control things you can't control.  Instead, devise a plan to deal with the worst-case scenario.  Then feel you've done all you can, and await developments.

 

I know it's not easy to just stop worrying when things look bad.  But it can help to sort out what you can control and what you can't, make a plan (or two) to deal with it, and then find something else to distract you until the situation has come to a head or blown over.  Think about the situation.  Chances are, you did (or are doing) your best.  This, too, will  pass.  

I often link it to catastrophic thinking. That thing some people do - including a relative of mine ! - where we think of the worst possible outcome to any scenario and then plan for it, fear it, obsess about it, stay awake all night worrying about it - even though there's no reason at all to think it will happen.

I'd rather see the cards as giving advice rather than being negative, or even taken as negative.

5 hours ago, Eric13 said:

I'd rather see the cards as giving advice rather than being negative, or even taken as negative.

This too. I can't see any card as intrinsically positive or negative.