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Writer's pictureLinda O'Neal

Miscarriage and Abortion as it Relates to Buddhism and Tarot

Updated: Aug 10




Pregnancy can be a terrifying thing in Texas. Our healthcare system is unpredictable and underserves everyone, especially people of color. Doctors are forbidden to give gender-affirming care, and women no longer have a choice about what is best for them regarding a pregnancy.


There are also many people who long to have children but have problems conceiving.


Whether forced with the birth of an unwanted child or unable to conceive a wanted baby, both experiences are highly emotional.


As a tarot reader, I rely heavily on Buddhism and my therapy training to help guide my clients during a session.


Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. If you are a Wiccan or Christian or practice any other faith, Buddhism does not conflict with that.


I share this Buddhist idea about miscarriages and abortion to help you if you suffer guilt or shame from an abortion or miscarriage.


In Buddhism, there is no birth, there is no death.


There's only manifestation.


We manifest from something into something during birth. We manifest from something into something in death.


Master Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in his book No Death, No Fear, "If a baby has been lost it means that conditions were not enough for [them] to manifest and the child has decided to withdraw in order to wait for better conditions."


Maybe the financial condition wasn't quite right. Perhaps it was emotional, physical, or environmental. Whatever condition was lacking, it wasn't the right time for the baby to manifest, and that is okay.


We must honor and accept what is truth. We must have compassion for ourselves by speaking gently to ourselves.


Occasionally, during a tarot reading, a querent will ask if I see a baby in their future.


This is a tricky one, right? We don't want to pull and relay cards that say there is no baby in the future.


Because as much as you think you know, you really don't. And delivering such bad news is cruel.


Instead, when you pull a "no" card around pregnancy, ask the cards to guide the querent on what conditions they must improve to increase their success in conceiving and delivering a child.


It may be wise to ask this question even when you get "yes" cards.


In tarot, several cards and symbols are associated with fertility and pregnancy. These symbols can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context of a tarot reading and the surrounding cards.


Here are some of the key tarot cards and symbols associated with fertility and pregnancy:


  1. The Empress card is often seen as a symbol of fertility, motherhood, and abundance. In some decks, she is depicted as a pregnant woman, and her presence in a reading can signify the potential for growth and nurturing energy.


See the Crown of Stars? The Empress often wears a crown of twelve stars, which can be associated with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the cycles of nature. This celestial crown reinforces the idea of cycles, growth, and the natural order of things, including the cycles of fertility and pregnancy.


See the Wheat and Grain? The field of wheat or grain surrounding the Empress is a symbol of abundance and fertility. It represents the Earth's bounty and the idea of sustenance. This can be interpreted as the nourishing aspect of pregnancy and the ability to provide for a growing family.





See the Heart Symbol: This heart can signify love, compassion, and the deep emotional connection between a mother and her child. It reinforces the nurturing and caring aspects of motherhood.


See Venus Symbol? Venus is linked to femininity, beauty, and sensuality. It represents the fertility of the feminine principle and can emphasize the Empress's role as a symbol of feminine power and creativity.


See the pomegranate? The pomegranate is a fruit that is often associated with fertility and the abundance of life. It is known for its many seeds, which are seen as a symbol of fertility and the potential for growth and creation. In the Empress card, the pomegranate reflects the idea of the Empress as a symbol of fertility and motherhood. It suggests nurturing and bringing forth life through children or creative endeavors.


The Empress card is the strongest indicator of fertility, but other cards may symbolize a future pregnancy, such as the Ten of Cups and Ace of Cups. In certain decks, rabbits are a good indicator that there will be a pregnancy.


That said, it's always best to ask the cards for guidance on how to achieve a goal rather than if that goal will be achieved.



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