What If I Pull “Scary” Tarot Cards Like Death, the Tower, or the Devil?

Cue the dramatic music. Dim the lights. Add a thunderclap for flair. You’re flipping cards in a reading…and there it is: Death. Or maybe The Tower. Or… gulp… The Devil. These “scary” tarot cards can really trip a reader up. Thankfully, I’ve got answers as to how to handle these little bombs in the deck.

If you’re new to tarot, or even if you’ve been at it a while, these cards can feel like the tarot equivalent of a horror movie jump scare. Believe me, I’ve been there. When I first started reading tarot (back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth and card stock was probably made from actual papyrus), these cards totally freaked me out, too.

But here’s the comforting truth: These cards aren’t literal…they’re symbolic. And once you understand their deeper meanings, they often become favorites. Yes, favorites.

Let’s talk about it.

These Cards Look Scary for a Reason

Tarot is designed to provoke the subconscious. That’s the whole point. The imagery is archetypal, intense, and sometimes unsettling because it’s trying to wake something up in you. So if you see flames raining down from a crumbling tower or a skeleton on a horse, your lizard brain might start sounding the alarm…but your higher self knows better.

These cards aren’t there to terrify you. They’re there to tell the truth.

And let’s be honest: If you (or your querent) are dealing with toxic behavior, stuck in a painful cycle, or hurtling toward a crisis, do you really want a deck of cards to pat your head and say, “You’re doing amazing, sweetie”? No. You want clarity. You want truth. And sometimes, truth wears a scary mask.

Breaking Down the “Scary Three”

Death Card Meaning: Transformation, Not Doom

The Death card in tarot is rarely about physical death. It’s about endings and transformation. Something in your life has run its course…be it a relationship, a belief system, or a stale mindset…and now it’s time to make space for something new.

• Upright, the Death card says: Let go. Surrender. Make room for change.
• Reversed, it might mean: You’re resisting that change, holding on to what’s already expired. (No judgment…we all do it.)
• Pro tip: When Death shows up, ask: “What needs to die so something better can be born?”

The Tower Card Meaning: Upheaval with Purpose

Ah, The Tower. It’s dramatic, chaotic, and honestly a little rude. But it’s also a powerful reset button. This card appears when you’ve built something on shaky ground…maybe a relationship, belief, or career path…and it’s about to come tumbling down.

Why? Because it has to. That’s how real growth happens.

• Upright, it says: Expect a shakeup. But trust that it’s clearing the path for something better.
• Reversed: You might be ignoring warning signs…or you’re in recovery mode after a big upheaval.
• Reality check: Sometimes life blows up so you can rebuild with integrity.

The Devil Card Meaning: Liberation from Bondage

To say the Devil card is misunderstood is an understatement. It’s not saying you’re doomed…it’s pointing out what’s keeping you trapped. Whether it’s addiction, fear, shame, toxic relationships, or destructive patterns, this card shines a big, uncomfortable spotlight on it.

• Upright, it says: Time to face your shadow. What’s got a hold on you?
• Reversed: You’re ready to break free…or you’re still in denial.
• Note to self: The Devil only has power over you if you keep handing him the keys.

Tarot Is Rarely Literal

One of the first things I tell new readers is this: Tarot is not a crystal ball. It’s not here to spell out your fate like some over-dramatic soap opera. It’s a tool for self-awareness, a mirror that reflects your inner world.

So when “ominous” cards show up, don’t panic. Use your intuition. Ask questions. Find the patterns.

When I read for someone and The Tower or Death shows up, I don’t lean over and whisper, “Welp, that’s it. Pack your bags.” I dig in. I ask questions. I look at the surrounding cards. And most importantly…I listen. Because these cards are rarely about disaster. They’re about evolution.

What If All the “Bad Juju” Cards Come Up?

Okay, let’s say your querent pulls The Tower, Death, The Devil, and maybe even Ten of Swords and Three of Swords for good measure. Yikes, right?

Take a deep breath. Here’s how I handle it:

1. Stay Calm and Grounded

Your querent takes their emotional cues from you. If you look like you’ve seen a ghost, they’re going to spiral. Be the calm in the storm.

2. Focus on Patterns, Not Panic

When multiple intense cards appear, look for the message beneath the mess. Are there repeating themes? Endings? Emotional bondage? Betrayal? These cards are working together to spotlight an area that needs attention and healing.

3. Be Honest…but Compassionate

You don’t need to sugarcoat, but you also don’t need to go full doom-and-gloom oracle. Say something like:

“This spread suggests there may be some heavy stuff happening or coming to a head. It’s not a prediction of doom, but it’s a call to take a hard, honest look at what’s no longer working.”

4. Ask Clarifying Questions

Sometimes the most powerful question you can ask your querent is:

“Where in your life are you feeling stuck, scared, or unsupported?”

Their answer will often explain the cards more than any guidebook can.

5. Pull a Clarifier or Advice Card

Ask the deck:

“What is the potential for healing or growth in this situation?”

or

“What energy can support the querent right now?”

This not only softens the blow, but provides direction and hope.

Tips for Handling “Scary” Cards in Your Own Readings

If you’re reading for yourself and these cards show up, here’s what to do:

• Journal your initial reaction. What feelings come up?
• Take a break, then revisit. Sometimes space brings clarity.
• Pull a support card. Ask, “What can I focus on to move forward?”
• Don’t Google obsessively. You’ll find the scariest interpretations ever. Trust your instincts and the context of your spread.
• Be radically honest with yourself. These cards don’t lie, but they do nudge. Hard.

Final Thoughts: These Cards Aren’t Curses…They’re Clarity

Look, life isn’t always lollipops and unicorns. Sometimes it’s mudslides and hard truths. The so-called scary tarot cards are there for those moments. They’re tough love in card form. They don’t predict doom…they highlight what needs to change so you can grow.

Handled with experience, intuition, and heart, these cards become trusted allies. They challenge us to evolve, to unchain ourselves, to rebuild stronger. And isn’t that what the best kind of guidance does?

So the next time Death, The Tower, or The Devil pops up in your spread, don’t reach for the sage and run. Lean in. Ask questions. Be brave. You’ve got this…and the cards have got you.

Mighty brightly,

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