Law of Attraction in Tarot Readings - Do You Use It?

[RickInBakersfield]

Hello everybody,

 

Just curious if you guys and gals use a philosophy that was kind of popular about 10 years ago called The Law of Attraction that was made popular of videos like The Secret, books and YouTube videos by Abraham Hicks & new age promoter Oprah Winfrey.

 

What exactly is the Law of Attraction? It states that this Universe is an "attraction-based Universe" and that "like attracts like". And that we are entirely responsible for everything that happens in our life's. Sounds like a simple and easy way of looking at the world, doesn't it? But the downside of it if you take this way of looking at the world is let's say you are a woman and you get raped, you attracted that experience from the Universe. Or if you get beat up by your husband you somehow attracted that experience, or if you get into a car accident and you become disabled, because you are entirely responsible for everything that happens to you in this lifetime...you attracted it.

 

I hate to admit that for many years I was caught up in this LoA philosophy and that I gave MANY readings using the Tarot teaching this crap to my querants. 

 

Today, I tell people, let's say they are wanting a little red sports car, ok? I tell them that they need to take ACTION steps towards having that car manifest in their life. And that just wishing about it isn't going to make it happen. They need to have some kind of plan, preferably a written plan to get what is their wanting. I tell them the Bible verse "faith without works in dead".

 

I believe that this new-age scam promoted by Oprah Winfrey is a very reckless way of looking at life.

 

I've said my peace here. What are your thoughts, opinions & comments?

 

Rick,

[Chariot]

The last two tarot books I've read or re-read ...Theresa Reed's Tarot: No Questions Asked and Jenna Matlin's Will You Give Me a Reading ...both make the strong point several times that a reading only predicts possibilities.  If you want the possibility to become real, you have to work for it.

Both writers express frustration at clients who return, complaining that what was 'forecast' at the previous reading didn't happen—then admitting they did nothing to bring the result about.  In fact, the client's passivity may have put obstacles in the way of the outcome becoming a reality.  Example: "A new romantic interest is waiting to enter your life," gets scuppered when the client sits at home, waiting for the doorbell to ring and refuses to go places or do things that would put them in the path of the new romance.  And etc....

I don't know how others feel. There is certainly a trend toward supernaturally 'manifesting' wishes and desires from some practitioners these days ...but I'm pretty skeptical.  I believe the tarot tells a client what the client needs to hear at the time of the reading. What, if anything, the client does with that knowledge afterwards will certainly affect the outcome.

Edited October 20, 2024 by Chariot

[RickInBakersfield]

Yes, yes. I totally agree with you.

[Chariot]

I may be wrong here, but I think this law of attraction is one of the beliefs of Scientology?

And yes, according to believers it's your fault if bad things happen, or if you don't get what you want.  I think this attitude is harmful indeed, as it presumes 'deserving' on people who fail, as well as on people who succeed.

While obviously you should work for what you want—and it's perfectly possible to screw up as well—whether you actually get what you want often depends on factors beyond your control.  At least that's how I see the situation.  There have also been times when 'cosmic luckout' comes into play ...and bad or stupid stuff you do actually doesn't catch up with you or affect your future.  Both sides of the same coin.

The oddest thing is, sometimes what you crave most isn't ultimately good for you!  There is that old saying: 'careful what you wish for.'  I've had that be true for me a number of times in my life.  🙂

 

Edited October 20, 2024 by Chariot

[gregory]

I absolutely do not believe in ANY of it. Mercifully for all those around me, I never have  I think all it does is give people unrealistic expectations and a mindset that leads to their feeling they have "wanted:" hard enough so now it will happen with no effort on their part. NOT good for people.

[RunningWild]

Let’s not blame Oprah for this.  The concept has been around for a very long time, certainly longer than Ms. Winfrey has promoted it (I’ve never heard, or seen, her do that but I’m out of touch with what she does these days).  All any of them are talking about is manifestation which the sane and rational understand requires work on the individual’s part.  A reader could point out that there needs to be action by the querent to create or deter a situation that the reader perceives in the cards.

[Deian]

Many of those movies that came out at that time(the secret, what the bleem do we know etc.) were based on channeled material.
The secret from Esther and Jerry Hicks if I remember correctly was based on initial material channeled from "entity" called Abraham and in one of their later books they did said they couldn't convey it exactly as it came, with the exception of that specific book.

In it, the view was very different. We don't "want" stuff or attract it, we use our emotions to lead us to where our path is.
In todays world with so much advertising in so many ways, I don't think that could work great, but back then that was still valid, to some degree.

So as usual the intentions were good, just channeling is a tricky creature, much of our base systems(western ones) come from it in one form or another, and taking the information purely as it come has left a mess in some parts of metaphysics. Some people correct the info later on, when they could clear it out, others didn't...

 

I think pointing people to what is good for them, is nicer approach. Lets say we have Ludwig van Beethoven and instead of pointing him to composing music, we see he will be very ill near the end, will withdraw from people and be deaf. Nightmarish view, yet if we could take the steps to avoid that, world may have lost a composer they would like to be able to keep for a long time after.

Same for Van Gogh... Imagine someone said early on in his life he shouldn't be painting, as he will never sell more then 1 painting and die in debts and without much. Now, one of the most expensive paintings we could think of, its sad to think how much would have been lost if someone did, we would have one more average worker and we won't have Van Gogh...

So finding someones path and less care about what the social role is is always the better approach in my humble view. Can tell them that, though, they should want it strongly as well.

Just my view, of course.

[RickInBakersfield]

30 minutes ago, RunningWild said:

Let’s not blame Oprah for this.  

Oh, really?

 

Oprah is the biggest new age con woman out there. I'll give you some examples,

 

Marianne Williamson a teacher of A Course in Miracles has been on the Oprah show many times. ACIM which is a "channeled" work of Jesus is full of non-sense.

 

Eckhart Tolle author of The Power of NOW also has been on Oprah many times. His book teaches that "thoughts" are a bad thing. Deepak Chopra is also a scam artist.

 

Let's not forget John of God now, a convicted rapist who when he turned himself in had over 600 allegations of sexual misconduct & using "magic tricks " to do faith healing with was promoted by Oprah on her show and in her magazine.

 

And back to the subject, Esther Hicks who "channels" Abraham to teach the Law of Attraction via books and seminars has also been on her show promoting this toxic philosophy. I've also seen a show on the video The Secret which is another Oprah show teaching the LOA i.e. the same thing as Esther Hicks.

 

As you can see, I don't have a good opinion towards Oprah.

[DanielJUK]

For me it's irreverent if someone believes in law of attraction or makes intentions or what. Whatever helps someone get through life 🙂 

I give advice about making decisions or taking action and it's up to my partners what they want to do. However I think as we all know, querents hardly ever take the action we suggest in the reading, what can you do? 🤷‍♂️

[Ferrea]

1 hour ago, DanielJUK said:

...

I give advice about making decisions or taking action and it's up to my partners what they want to do. However I think as we all know, querents hardly ever take the action we suggest in the reading, what can you do? 🤷‍♂️

 

That's an interesting point you're touching on here, @DanielJUK. Aren't oracles notoriously ignored? The oracle spoke, and off Oedipus went, killing his father and marrying his mother—just to mention one of the most famous examples. It seems like we're so hard-wired to our path/dharma that we can barely consider other possibilities.

 

I think this is where psychotherapy, meditation, and similar practices may prove useful: training different thought patterns and creating a little distance from our habitual way of perceiving ourselves in the world. This can potentially expand the room for manoeuvre in my opinion.

 

[gregory]

1 hour ago, DanielJUK said:

For me it's irreverent if someone believes in law of attraction or makes intentions or what. Whatever helps someone get through life 🙂 

I give advice about making decisions or taking action and it's up to my partners what they want to do. However I think as we all know, querents hardly ever take the action we suggest in the reading, what can you do? 🤷‍♂️

 

I THINK you mean irrelevant, Just saying... as if you didn't, I don't think your post makes sense...

[DanielJUK]

24 minutes ago, gregory said:

 

I THINK you mean irrelevant, Just saying... as if you didn't, I don't think your post makes sense...

 

You are right 🙂 my phone autocorrected that without me noticing before posting!

[RunningWild]

Autocorrect is the bane of my existence in the 21st century.

 

@RickInBakersfield  She used to have Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil on her shows, too, whose advice I always questioned.  She interviewed those people.  She didn’t necessarily endorse them.  But as I’ve already stated, I don’t pay much attention to anything Oprah these days…I probably haven’t watched one of her shows in 20 years.  There are all sorts of questionable things people believe, IMO.  But hey, I don’t have to believe it, too.  And as long as they’re not pounding on my door trying to sell it to me, I just don’t care.

 

[EMarieHasADHD]

Interesting topic. I have read about a dozen of the LOA books in the past as it was intriguing but it never really clicked with me as truth. It does not sit well with me that that “law” assumes that people who are attacked, abused, destitute etc were so because they attracted those horrific events with their thoughts.
 

I’m all about thinking positively and I have a daily gratitude practice but the law of attraction is bs imo. I will tell seekers what I see in the cards and what my intuition tells me but I won’t include that belief into my readings. Not necessary and could even potentially be psychologically damaging. 

[JoyousGirl]

Law of Attraction might exclude karma, errors of judgement made through freedom of choice, parallel universes and everything that is a potential occurring in the now, but each of us experiencing that at times which don't coincide with others' realities.  Maybe law of accountability is more suitable.

 

A vision board is probably in the realms of the law of attraction premise, but the board consists (to my mind) something more akin to smart goals. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timed.  You see the board and it keeps the object of your intent at front of mind so you continually take baby steps, or giant leaps, toward it, you think about it, and develop it, then maybe realise it's not what you want so you dump it.   

 

What about soul contracts and lessons we decide we want to learn before we enter this 'dimension' of being?  It's good to think positively, as the neural pathways will tend to follow those frequencies, but the Law of Attraction might be more wishful thinking, as you and others have implied.  

Edited October 20, 2024 by JoyousGirl
add paragraphs to space thoughts - apparently short sentences and paragraphs are more easily consumed!

[gregory]

3 hours ago, RunningWild said:

Autocorrect is the bane of my existence in the 21st century

 

I would very much like to know how my desktop PC has learned predictive text. It drives me nuts.

[Chariot]

12 hours ago, Deian said:

 

 

I think pointing people to what is good for them, is nicer approach. Lets say we have Ludwig van Beethoven and instead of pointing him to composing music, we see he will be very ill near the end, will withdraw from people and be deaf. Nightmarish view, yet if we could take the steps to avoid that, world may have lost a composer they would like to be able to keep for a long time after.

Same for Van Gogh... Imagine someone said early on in his life he shouldn't be painting, as he will never sell more then 1 painting and die in debts and without much. Now, one of the most expensive paintings we could think of, its sad to think how much would have been lost if someone did, we would have one more average worker and we won't have Van Gogh...

So finding someones path and less care about what the social role is is always the better approach in my humble view. Can tell them that, though, they should want it strongly as well.

Just my view, of course.

Very interesting idea, @Deian!  I wonder what kind of information Beethoven and Van Gogh would have received from a tarot reading early in their lives, regarding their life's work, or the direction they might want to take while navigating through life.  What would the tarot have encouraged them to do/not do?  It's clear that the 'reader' of tarot needs to be mindful indeed, when communicating with a client.  Think what a misguided reading might do to a person! Yikes.  Unless, of course, we all believe in predestination and fate that can't be turned, and that both Beethoven and Van Gogh would have turned out exactly as they did, no matter what. 

Edited October 21, 2024 by Chariot

[Deian]

I think they maybe wouldn't ask, as they knew what they had to do. In the east there is a saying  - if we don't have doubts we shouldn't ask. Makes sense to me, sometimes and they didn't seem to had doubts.

 

But one have to wonder, how many average workers out there, carried there own inner Beethoven in some field, but never had the courage to access it, as it was too different then what is supported from the environment/society at the time. Each one of them could have broke out with that and left a trace that humanity could love, later on, but if they were unsure in some step of the way, a role of a diviner may be to guide them to what their real contribution to humanity could be. And that may still be tragic life, as at least in the west the more different approaches to life are not always well supported, but at least there is space in it.

That may be shown by the Fire suits in the Tarot I guess, that is the most primal connection we have to where it all comes from I think. Then for example if it comes with the Moon, they may have developed it on the previous tries here, so can just watch it unfold. If its the Sun its how they express themselves, so doesn't need and likely can't take much change, while the Hermit suggests may need to find it in themselves and not that much turn to outside, so a period of search may be going on. The world may mean "try many things", the fool may mean - this path is beneficial for now, but expect a change of direction may be needed forward, and overall each card switches to guide a process of "connecting" of a flowing movement, as deep as possible.
If that connection happen, what should come out of it, should come out by itself.

 

In that sense its not that we focus on how to find the path in the cards, its more on what to ask about. How someone to be happy and fulfilled, could work in many cases, although as mentioned "happy" may not be the right word sometimes. But in my experience all Divination systems are very aware of the concept of Path and we can just ask that, "can something be beneficial for their path" etc.

 

I also think if we ask by default "should I do this" or "should I do that" the path often comes up as a factor in the reply. So people often avoid asking like that, as they think the system has to be aimed to produce result. And that, while sometimes true, in my humble view, is not exactly it, its just that following ones path, that doesn't guarantee they will be happy, more wealthy or anything we can specifically ask for. So its kinda elusive thing, but one can see it when they look at a person following that and its very easy to feel it for oneself in most cases. As we know we are on the right track, when we are in life and then things align and work out much easier and bringing a lot of experience with them, one is suppose to be learning the most on it.
Of course, that form of question sometimes just provides reply by other means, so not saying here it will always point to that.

 

If we work with that, I believe one can sense other peoples path with time without any system even if it hasn't shown up, as they attune to that purity of connection and how that is sought in many. We can recognize there is something happening between Van Gogh and painting, that is definitely not happening between him and doing anything else in his life, for example. And some have left that so long ago that there is no going back, especially at higher levels of society. In the West that is, at it seems all this may be different in the East and I can't speak for that much, as I don't understand it that well.
But in that cases, the ones that have left  the path behind too far, can't really point them to their path, as they can't see it if they turn and look back, lost too long ago to be still accessible. In that cases, then it doesn't matter much, in my humble view, can point them to money or desires or whatever, that specific incarnation is wasted to a large degree, so may as well bring some happiness until the reset sometime later.

I'm trying to figure out how to describe it, as its very obvious in a situation. We can't mistake that for anything else, but not sure what specific definition it would have. But if one starts reading like this, it should be easy to find, most times people know it veeery well, as they have longing for whatever their path is, always. They just turn it aside, sometimes, usually for worry how they will manage with demands their life gives.

[RunningWild]

19 hours ago, gregory said:

 

I would very much like to know how my desktop PC has learned predictive text. It drives me nuts.

I’m blaming it all on advances in AI.  

 

*sorry mods, off topic and I’ll stop now.

[Misterei]

On 10/20/2024 at 6:04 AM, RickInBakersfield said:

... a philosophy that was kind of popular about 10 years ago called The Law of Attraction that was made popular of videos like The Secret, books and YouTube videos by Abraham Hicks ...

I personally found it distressing that the LoA infiltrated into Tarot and Astrology circles, but people like to be on trend.

I'm more of a history, scholarship, and facts person than a trend person.

I also feel that LoA is dangerous and can cause real damage. It's a mind virus.

On 10/20/2024 at 6:04 AM, RickInBakersfield said:

I hate to admit that for many years I was caught up in this LoA philosophy and that I gave MANY readings using the Tarot teaching this crap to my querants.

Ouch. I guess we all make mistakes. I have been spiritually misguided at times, myself.

 

Like any good lie, LoA has its kernel of truth. It wouldn't gain traction otherwise. Yes, of course if you're at a certain vibrational level you will attract and experience that vibrational level. But this is a spiritual truism. What LoA misses is HOW to consciously control your vibrational level. [Hint. It takes more than paperback books, videos, and overpriced seminars blowing smoke up your a$$]

 

On 10/20/2024 at 3:54 PM, EmarieWithADHD said:

... It does not sit well with me that that “law” assumes that people who are attacked, abused, destitute etc were so because they attracted those horrific events with their thoughts.  ... could even potentially be psychologically damaging. 

It's EXTREMELY psychologically damaging imo.

This hit me watching a female YouTube business guru "How I used LoA to make my first million". And YOU can DO it TOO. [I mean maybe you can ...]

Meanwhile, said YT business guru is young, pretty, perfect hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Gym fit. Clearly educated. Did her parents send her to university for a business degree? Did they buy her a nice computer and fancy cameras to help her get started with YT?

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge her these blessings. But let's not pretend its a level playing field.

 

Is a 60 year old disabled woman with severe health challenges going to reproduce her results? What about the single mom working 2 jobs and just got evicted from her rental -- not through any fault of her own -- but b/c the landlord was converting to Air BnB?

What about a woman in Afghanistan? Last I heard the Talban tortured and executed Afghanistan's only popular female YouTuber. LoA clearly has no effect on the Taliban, since said Youtuber was a positive happy person trying to spread joy.

 

How, exactly does LoA work in a famine situation? A war zone? EVERYONE prays in those situations. The ones that pray and die. Die. The ones that pray and live say, "prayer saved me!" My positive thoughts saved me!" We want to feel we deserve our good fortune or survival b/c we *attracted* it. Otherwise the horror of the Great Chaotic Randomness of Life might overwhelm us. But I digress.

 

LoA sells people on false hopes. And even the delusion that you can control forces beyond your control.

[Chariot]

4 hours ago, Misterei said:

...

 

LoA sells people on false hopes. And even the delusion that you can control forces beyond your control.

...and the notion that it's your own fault if bad things happen or you don't attain your dream life.  You COULD have prevented/created the situation, so why didn't you?  This seems wicked to me. People can be deliberately manipulated.  Follow the money.  Who benefits from sowing this notion?

[DanielJUK]

32 minutes ago, Chariot said:

...and the notion that it's your own fault if bad things happen or you don't attain your dream life.  You COULD have prevented/created the situation, so why didn't you?  This seems wicked to me. People can be deliberately manipulated.  Follow the money.  Who benefits from sowing this notion?

 

The main recent popular self-help book for it, "The Secret" has been out for nearly 20 years now and is constantly in the top 5 of self-help books. I remember in the late 2000's it was constantly at #1 in the general book charts or in the top 5. It's sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The interesting thing about it is that it's a secular book, many LOA books are religious, some representing every religion.

 

 

[RickInBakersfield]

I was typing about the LoA on another website (not a tarot site) and a person chimed in with this comment and link.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

And let’s not forget James Arthur Ray who was convicted of negligent homicide for conducting a sweat lodge ordeal that killed three people in Sedona, Arizona in 2009.

Ray became a self-help superstar by using his charismatic personality and convincing people his words would lead them to spiritual and financial wealth. He used free talks to recruit people to expensive seminars like the Sedona retreat that led to the sweat lodge tragedy. Participants paid up to $10,000 for the five-day program intended to push people beyond their physical and emotional limits.

Ray's popularity soared after appearing in the 2006 Rhonda Byrne documentary "The Secret," and Ray promoted it on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Larry King Live."

 

Self-help guru convicted in sweat lodge deaths

[Misterei]

8 hours ago, Chariot said:

...and the notion that it's your own fault if bad things happen or you don't attain your dream life.  You COULD have prevented/created the situation, so why didn't you?  This seems wicked to me. People can be deliberately manipulated.  Follow the money.  Who benefits from sowing this notion?

It has socio-political implications, even beyond the profit motivation of the *LoA Gurus*. Keep people addicted to the false belief that their personal poverty has NOTHING to do with market forces being manipulated to exploit the little guy and serve wealthy and powerful profit interests. Keep people addicted to the false belief that their ill health arose from bad thoughts and not from the additive-laden processed garbage that passes for food in USA. Not to mention the places like "Cancer Alley" where people sickened due to environmental toxins.

 

Attitude can affect our finances and health -- but the LoA doesn't cure cancer if you live in Cancer Alley. Possibly people who think they failed to *attract* good health are less likely to sue. To me, LoA is a philosophy that's useful for the rich and powerful. It helps sustain the status quo.

7 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

The main recent popular self-help book for it, "The Secret" has been out for nearly 20 years now and is constantly in the top 5 of self-help books. ...

That's depressing. I kinda hoped it had run its course. But it seems quite baked-in to the USA mindset. Maybe Europe too. Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich from 1937 kinda started it all.

 

Maybe its how secular Westerners justify our relative wealth and easy lives? We *attracted* all this prosperity we were born into ... which of course is true on a karmic level in the grand scheme of things. But that doesn't hold on the micro level where Bad Things happen to Good People. And vice versa.

 

LoA depends on a certain baseline of wealth and stability to "work". And now we're back to the notion of the Fortunate Ones needing to believe our blessings arose from our personal virtue as a sort of moral insulation when we see the Unfortunate Ones.

Edited October 22, 2024 by Misterei

[Chariot]

52 minutes ago, Misterei said:

To me, LoA is a philosophy that's useful for the rich and powerful. It helps sustain the status quo.

 

That's it, in a nutshell.  It means you deserve to be where you are.  Rich people deserve to be rich; poor people deserve to be poor.  Their attitude made them what they are, and put them where they are.

Sickening, manipulative—and does nothing to make the world a better place....