Self sabotaging behaviour

[Adriana]

Are there any cards that could suggest a self sabotaging behaviour? That for example someone consciously/unconsciously messes up because they think it would go wrong anyway? And maybe they wont feel as hurt in the end.

I was thinking maybe 10 of swords or 9 of swords, but I'm not sure about it. Could 4 of cups in any way be related to this?

 

[Eco74]

Spontainiously I'm thinking 5 and 8 of cups.
After all, we don't really know what the person isn't seeing or what the person is walking away from. It could be on purpouse...
Same thing with 5 coins really, it is possible to be on the outside by ones own choice, maybe not daring to take the step in, or not wanting to because there's a fear it's just an illusion, like the little matchstick girl in the light of her matches.

For majors, the Devil feels like the obvious card since it often indicates that we are stuck in bad situations by our own devices and really are free to go to something better if we choose to.

 

[YDM42]

Are there any cards that could suggest a self sabotaging behaviour? That for example someone consciously/unconsciously messes up because they think it would go wrong anyway? And maybe they wont feel as hurt in the end.

I was thinking maybe 10 of swords or 9 of swords, but I'm not sure about it. Could 4 of cups in any way be related to this?

I have really really seen this in the 5 of Swords and 7 of Swords. Why, because those are action cards, self annihilation is so...five of swords behavior. 9 of Swords and 10 of Sword can represent the mental aspects of it as well, negative self talk and anxiety lack of confidence. For me any of the knights reversed, but particularly the knight of swords, letting his mouth outrun his mind. And with the Majors, of course the Fool reversed, taking a flying leap off that ledge and often times the Hermit reversed who is not listening to that inner voice, and ignoring his wisdom. Also with the Hermit reversed we see major self sabatage, like drug use, Hang man reversed can be also not learning lessons or listening to inner wisdom. Those are a few that hit home for me, forgot to mention the Sun reversed again, ignoring what one clearly sees and taking unnecessary risk.

 

[willowfox]

Fool?

 

[tarotcognito]

Definitely the Devil comes to mind. The 7Cups to a lesser extent because it often signifies a tendency to avoid unpleasant realities.

 

[seaglass]

Are there any cards that could suggest a self sabotaging behaviour? That for example someone consciously/unconsciously messes up because they think it would go wrong anyway? And maybe they wont feel as hurt in the end.

I was thinking maybe 10 of swords or 9 of swords, but I'm not sure about it. Could 4 of cups in any way be related to this?

I agree about the 5 of Swords. And all 5 cards in general. 5 always speaks of momentary defeat (at least in pentacles, cups, and swords), and I think that defeat often stems from the _feeling_ of being defeated. Like that Eleanor Roosevelt quote - "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Whenever I pull the 5 of cards, 9 times out of 10 it is telling me that I (or someone else) is doing something that perpetuates the feeling of defeat.

 

[willowfox]

I have really really seen this in the 5 of Swords and 7 of Swords. Why, because those are action cards, self annihilation is so...five of swords behavior. of course the Fool reversed, taking a flying leap off that ledge

***Both the 5 swords and 7 swords indicate victory, the 5 swords indicates victory by direct action and the 7 swords indicates victory by stealth. Both jolly good cards.

So how can you suggest that these cards indicate "self sabotaging behaviour"?

And the Fool Rx does not take a flying leap off the cliff, he is to wary to even get near anything dangerous but the Fool upright does leap into the unknown but nothing bad ever seems to happen to him.

 

[janie144]

I agree with The Devil as the most obvious card and perhaps the 5 of cups, as the person in this card is usually depicted as focusing solely on the negatives and refusing to see any good in the situation.

 

[Grizabella]

For me, it would definitely include the Devil. The ideas of others sound good, too.

The way Tarot works for me, whatever the message is comes to me when I look at any given card, plus the cards (for me) usually speak in combination, so it's difficult to say any particular card that would mean this.

 

[Adriana]

Thanks for all answers. The reason I asked if 4 of cups could relate to this kind of behaviour is that I know someone who has a major lack of self esteem and have a tendency to sabotage things for himself, after which he may say "Yeah, it doesn't really matter, I'm happy where I am now anyway", so failing to take new opportunities and are happy with status quo as it is more safe. Does anyone else see the 4 of cups relate in this scenario?


I do agree with some other suggestions, the devil and the 5's especially.