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What do blockages mean in Tarot?

Tarot Wisdom 3 min read

TL;DR

In Tarot, blockages signify inner or outer obstacles hindering progress, often pointing to stagnant energy, fear, or self-limiting beliefs that need to be acknowledged and overcome for growth and forward movement.

Core Meaning: The Archetype of Resistance

When blockages appear in a Tarot reading, they represent impediments to the natural flow of energy, progress, or potential. These are not necessarily external forces; more often, they are internal. Blockages can manifest as feelings of stagnation, inertia, confusion, or being "stuck." They signal that something is preventing you from moving forward towards your goals or from fully expressing your authentic self. This could be due to unaddressed fears, limiting beliefs, unresolved emotional patterns, or a lack of clarity. The Tarot invites you to examine these hindrances with honesty and compassion, recognizing them not as insurmountable walls, but as opportunities for profound self-discovery and transformation.

Love & Relationships: Navigating Stagnation

In love, blockages can indicate a lack of emotional connection, communication breakdowns, or unresolved issues that are creating distance between partners. For singles, a blockage might suggest an internal barrier preventing them from attracting or committing to a healthy relationship, perhaps stemming from past hurts or a fear of vulnerability. It's a call to address these underlying emotional patterns and to foster open, honest communication and self-acceptance.

Career & Finance: Overcoming Professional Hurdles

Professionally, blockages often relate to career stagnation, difficulty in achieving financial goals, or feeling stuck in a job that doesn't align with your aspirations. This can stem from a lack of confidence, fear of change, or challenges in asserting your needs or skills. The cards urge you to identify the root cause of this professional inertia and to strategize practical steps to overcome it, whether through skill development, seeking new opportunities, or asserting your value.

Actionable Advice: What to Do Next

When a blockage appears, the first step is to identify its nature: Is it internal (fear, belief, habit) or external (circumstance, opposition)? Once identified, practice self-reflection. Journaling, meditation, or simply sitting with the feeling can bring clarity. Consider what needs to be released – perhaps an old pattern, a resentment, or a limiting belief. The next step is to take a small, concrete action towards moving forward, even if it feels imperfect. This might involve seeking advice, learning a new skill, or initiating a difficult conversation. Remember, overcoming blockages is a process, not an event. Be patient and compassionate with yourself.

🃏 Related Cards to Watch For

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The Tower

Represents sudden, disruptive change that clears away old structures, forcing you to confront blockages by breaking them down.

The Devil

Symbolizes being trapped by materialism, addiction, or unhealthy attachments, highlighting self-imposed limitations and fixations that create blockages.

The Hanged Man

Suggests a necessary pause and surrender, indicating that sometimes the way forward through a blockage involves a shift in perspective and letting go of control.

What do blockages mean in Tarot? | Tarot Wisdom | TaroTarot.cards