Tarot Spread: Why do I care so much about [this]?

How many f*cks should I give?

Recently, I have found myself asking this important question: Why do I care so much about [this]? I also find myself reflecting on this much more pointed version, based in my own shadow work: Why do I need to be right about [this]? In both cases, [this] could be anything.

I’m someone who cares very little about the vast majority of things I encounter. Giving very few f*cks can be a gift or a curse, depending on whom you ask and when you ask them. And while it’s easier now that I’ve hit 40, it has generally been harder these past few years the more involved in social media I’ve become. A part of my shadow, the part tied to earned expertise and intellectual elitism, is regularly triggered online in the “marketplace of ideas.” As a result, this kind of reflection is vital.

If you feel as if you need to have an opinion about everything, this spread is probably for you. If you feel as if you need to correct someone you hardly know about something that isn’t all that important, this spread is also probably for you. And if somehow you don’t fall into those two camps, I’m shocked that you have been online long enough to find this tarot spread (you can also use it as an oracle spread), but congratulations! Still, you will probably get something good out of this layout at some point.

So whether this is part of your shadow work or just a useful reflection, I invite you to ask the following questions. You can make them more specific to your need to be right if that’s a thing for you, but you don’t need to. This tarot/oracle spread should suffice. The card layout is based on a classic cross, which is versatile and worth learning, even if you don’t normally feel a need for specific layouts.


5-card cross Tarot spread for shadow work called Why Do I care So Much About [This] with five questions. Visit the blog on Hermit's Mirror for full questions text and explanation.
  1. Why do I think I care about [this]?

  2. What do I think I will achieve by caring about [this]?

  3. What do I not admit is a driving force for caring about [this]?

  4. How has [this] affected my life in the past?

  5. How can I move forward in a more honest way?


Please note that this spread does not assume that you should not care about [this], whatever [this] is. You may find that you can release it. And you may find that continuing to care about [this] is in alignment with your values. That’s up to you and the cards to determine. Be honest with yourself. And be kind.

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