6 Confusing Tarot Cards That Don't Always Mean Your Relationship Is Doomed

The idea of gazing into a crystal ball to take a peek into the future might seem silly. However, the art of divination is one that many people have taken seriously for centuries. Some evidence suggests it goes as far as Mesopotamia, but most experts can agree that the concept has at least been around since ancient times. Today, those who practice the art use a wide range of tools, including tarot cards.

You might have already heard of tarot through friends who have embraced New Age trends. However, people have been using variations of cards for divination since around the 1400s. If you've ever been interested in the practice, one way to dip your toes in the water is to seek out a reading. Tarot cards can be used by practitioners to answer questions on everything from career moves to relationships.

If you have burning questions about a particular relationship, a tarot reading might be just what you need to gain some clarity. However, there are a few cards that may make you pause if they pop up.

Death is a tarot card that even those who haven't dabbled in divination might be familiar with, as its imagery has become synonymous with gloom and doom. If this card appears during your tarot reading, you might automatically assume the worst for your relationship. However, most seasoned tarot readers know that Death doesn't necessarily mean you're in for trouble when it pops up.

Some illustrations on the card of Death show the grim reaper or another type of skeleton. This is one of the main reasons many people are scared off by the card, but when Death appears, it's typically symbolic of some type of transformation. In a relationship reading, this might indicate that you, your partner, or your relationship as a whole is evolving.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this card is that, unfortunately, you might have some challenges to overcome in the near future. However, there is always a silver lining when you see Death — making it through these obstacles will likely help you grow, either as an individual or a couple. In the event that you don't make it through this period together, you can at least rest assured that you will come out stronger from the experience alone.

If you see the Hanged Man appear during your relationship tarot reading, you might be a little confused — or perhaps just wondering why you didn't get a prettier card. The card typically has an illustration depicting a person being hung upside down by their ankle. The individual is always suspended in the air, and some variations show them hanging from a tree.

When the Hanged Man shows up in a reading pertaining to love, it indicates that the recipient may be stuck in some sort of rut. Your relationship, in particular, might have hit a wall, or you may be unsatisfied with your partner. Regardless, the key to understanding the meaning behind the Hanged Man is remembering that he always wants to be right-side up. If this card appears in your relationship reading, it's time for you to address issues you might be dragging your feet over and take action. This doesn't necessarily mean a breakup is inevitable, but something will need to change if you want to see progress.

At the same time, take a moment to assess how your relationship is affecting you on a personal level. Toxic behaviors can not only be exhausting to handle but detrimental to your mental and physical well-being.

One card that most tarot practitioners will agree has an ominous meaning is The Tower. The illustration on this card often shows a tower up in flames or crumbling to the ground, and this is indicative of its meaning. When The Tower appears, the reading recipient is either already in crisis, or a crisis is looming on the horizon. One can expect a complete overhaul or significant life change if The Tower shows up, according to many tarot practitioners.

In a relationship reading, you might not only find this card to be worrisome, but downright scary. However, it's worth highlighting the fact that out of the chaos may come an opportunity for personal growth. Often, The Tower signifies some sort of separation in a love reading, but it might not result in a complete split. If you and your partner are willing to see things through, you might end up stronger and closer than ever before.

One point worth noting is that the tower illustrated on this card is often falling apart due to its poor foundation. The Tower might come up in your reading if your relationship was founded on false beliefs or shaky expectations.

The 10 of Swords is a card that often has a grim illustration. In many decks, a person is depicted with several swords plunged into their back. If it appears during your tarot reading, you might already think your relationship is doomed. Believe it or not, though, there is a silver lining to the meaning of this card.

While it's true that most tarot practitioners interpret the 10 of Swords to be indicative of some sort of failure or ruin, there is a positive way of looking at it — when you see the 10 of Swords, there's nowhere left to go but up. You may already know what this card is telling you when you see it as well, depending on the state of your relationship. If you were already thinking of splitting from your partner, now might be the time. Alternatively, your partner could be thinking of breaking things off or may have already done so. Just keep in mind that, despite the heartache, the worst is likely already in the past. Now is the time to start looking ahead to a brighter future, even if you have to go at it alone.

Generally speaking, the cups in a tarot deck are often associated with emotion. If you see one of these cards in a reading about your relationship, it could mean a variety of different things. However, the Eight of Cups, in particular, might not lift your spirits as soon as it appears. Although illustrations of this card vary, it commonly shows eight chalices fallen over or spilled onto the ground. Needless to say, it isn't one of the more positive cup cards in a standard tarot deck.

Simply put, the Eight of Cups represents disappointment and unfulfillment. In a relationship reading, it might mean that you or your partner feel like something is amiss. If you see this card, take a moment to check in with your feelings. Is your partner meeting your needs on an emotional level? Do you know if you're fulfilling your partner's emotional needs? Seeing the Eight of Cups in your tarot reading might be just what you need to initiate an important conversation with your loved one.

Keep in mind that the Eight of Cups may also shed light on feelings of unfulfillment that you have been burying. If so, it might be time to move on from your current relationship.

The Devil is one of the trickier cards in a tarot deck, especially when it comes to love readings. Plain and simple, this card represents desire, but the consequences that come with acting on it are always to be determined. Tarot practitioners also typically associate The Devil with earthly desires, such as lust and greed. In more negative situations, it may be indicative of things like addiction or toxic relationships.

If you see The Devil pop up during your relationship reading, it's a good time to stop where you are and think about your current actions. What are the motives behind them? How are they impacting your relationship? The Devil shows its face to suggest that plans you are executing without the best of intentions are bound to implode.

On the flip side, The Devil may be making an appearance to remind you that there are always better options if your relationship happens to be causing trouble for you. Your existing partnership might not be meant to be, especially if you are already feeling the negative impact of it on your life. In this case, The Devil may very well be a blessing in disguise.