How to Avoid Media Manipulation with the Tarot

In today’s post, we look at how to avoid media manipulation with a bit of help from the Tarot. But before we dive into the Tarot cards that relate to media manipulation, let’s take a look at what media manipulation is. I have my own thoughts on this but I was also curious about what AI would say about it so below, you will find an AI description of media manipulation. For full disclosure: I asked AI to describe the use of media to specifically divide people against each other and to keep them unconscious.

Unite and Divide?

AI: Media manipulation is a multifaceted phenomenon that can be wielded as a tool to both unite and divide people. While it is true that in some instances, media manipulation can contribute to the division between individuals and groups, it is important to acknowledge that media manipulation alone does not bear the sole responsibility for such outcomes.

My thoughts: When media unites people, it is invariably in such a way as to divide those who unite against another group. But AI is right, media alone doesn’t bear the responsibility for this division. It can only do to us what we allow it to do to us. And the more conscious and aware we become, the less we allow media to manipulate us.

Media Creates Echo Chambers

AI: One of the ways media manipulation can foster division is through the dissemination of biased or sensationalised information. When the media prioritises certain narratives, selectively presents facts, or amplifies controversy, it can generate polarising views and fuel conflicts among different segments of society. By focusing on divisive issues and promoting sensationalism, media manipulation can contribute to the creation of echo chambers. These echo chambers expose individuals to only one side of a story, reinforcing their existing beliefs and leading to increased polarisation.

My thoughts: Absolutely spot on. I would say that all current journalism is sensationalist. It has been this way for a very long time due to the bottom line being the almighty dollar. Hence the clickbait headlines. However, it goes much deeper than this. Yes, the bottom line is money but also power. The dying powers have used these same techniques to divide us for thousands of years. And it still only works if we choose to listen.

Propaganda

AI: Additionally, media manipulation techniques such as propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation can manipulate public opinion, sway emotions, and reinforce existing biases. By disseminating false or misleading information, media manipulation can exploit people’s vulnerabilities and manipulate their thoughts and behaviours. This can further deepen divisions within society, erode trust, and hinder critical thinking.

My thoughts: Lack of critical thinking is what makes some people still tune into and trust the main media news broadcasters in the first instance. Those who deploy critical thinking in their own mind arsenal stopped listening a long time ago. Those of us recently awakened here in the West now know what the Chinese have known for decades; It’s all propaganda.

Not the Sole Driver

AI: However, it is important to remember that media manipulation is just one piece of a complex puzzle. Many other factors, such as socioeconomic disparities, political ideologies, and historical tensions, also contribute to divisions among people. While media manipulation can play a role in exacerbating these divisions, it is by no means the sole driver.

My thoughts: No, it is not the sole driver but it is the main driver. Without the news or, as I like to call it, ‘the noose,’ people would, of course, still form opinions and adhere to ideologies. But the power to weaponise those opinions and ideologies simply wouldn’t exist.

The (Un)consciousness Agenda

AI: As for the notion of keeping people unconscious, media manipulation does not directly aim at keeping individuals unaware or asleep. However, it can indirectly contribute to maintaining societal complacency by diverting attention away from important issues, distorting priorities, and influencing public discourse in a way that may benefit certain powerful interests. It is crucial for the audience to critically engage with media, seek diverse perspectives, and employ media literacy skills to navigate through the complex information landscape.

My thoughts: This went exactly how I thought it would go. All you have to do is follow the money so of course AI is not going to reveal the real agenda. Want proof? This is what AI says about the term ‘conspiracy theorists:

Conspiracy Theorists

AI: The term “conspiracy theorist” originates in the mid-20th century. It was initially used to describe individuals who subscribed to alternative explanations, often involving secret plots or cover-ups, for significant events or phenomena. It was coined in the context of scepticism towards the Warren Commission’s investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Over time, the term “conspiracy theorist” has evolved and taken on different connotations. While initially neutral, it gradually acquired a negative undertone, often associated with the idea of irrational beliefs or unfounded speculation.

My thoughts: It is now a well-known fact among ‘conspiracy theorists’ (lol) or anyone old enough to remember the Kennedy assassination that the term was coined to create a negative connotation.

How to Avoid Media Manipulation with Help from the Tarot

Here we take a closer look at what media manipulation looks like through the lens of the Suit of Swords in the Tarot Minor Arcana. Once we firmly associate the symbolism in the Tarot with the media manipulation concepts mentioned above, it will be very easy indeed to avoid. What has been seen cannot be unseen. Once we awaken, we remain awake to these tactics and they lose their power.

So let’s start this part of the post with a dream I had last night: In the dream, I was sitting next to a dark-skinned male who said he was from Georgia. We were in an airport waiting area and the topic we were discussing was… wait for it… media manipulation!

Annoyance and the 8 of Swords

He told me that the media agenda is to keep us in one of three states of consciousness: afraid, angry or annoyed. He revealed that annoyance is the most insidious state of the three. That’s because it is what they use as the mind’s gateway to our hearts. We cannot remain conscious and aware when we are annoyed. It then becomes easy for the media to manipulate us further, triggering us into states of fear or anger.

This state of mind is a distraction from the peace that comes from inner harmony and balance. We can only avoid media manipulation by getting rid of the distraction that it is completely. It may seem harmless enough to allow slight annoyances to infiltrate our minds but it really isn’t. Stop doom scrolling completely, in other words.

So, he explained, we see this state of distraction and annoyance in the 8 of Swords. But this card, like all Tarot cards, contains its own medicine. The medicine is to liberate our minds from all things that distract us from a sense of peace and oneness.

Anger and the 9 of Swords

Next, he reveals to me the state of media-generated anger showing up in the 9 of Swords. This Mars in Gemini energy can generate so much mental stress and outrage that it keeps us up all night, keeping us in a sleep-deprived loop of reactivity. It also relates to being angry about something that isn’t even real. They put things into our minds to be angry and reactive about.

Again, the card itself carries its own medicine: We liberate our minds by looking at what is really going on, analysing it objectively and decisively, with the precision of a brain surgeon. This card is about learning to reframe what we see in the context of the bigger picture and what we came to Earth to learn/teach. The more we talk about the media agenda, the less power it holds over us.

Fear and the 10 of Swords

Finally, he shows me what the state of media-generated fear, hopelessness and helplessness looks like in the Tarot. It looks a lot like the 10 of Swords (Sun in Gemini).

In terms of what medicine the 10 of Swords carries, it is the medicine of new beginnings. There is no way but up at the bottom of the barrel. We reach a point where we realise that the terror holds no power over us any more because they maxed out before they reached their goal.

This one rings especially true to me as a Gen X-er who had to live with the fear of the A-bomb dropping any minute all through my childhood. All it does is make me want to shout: “Go on then, do your worst! You can kill my body but because I am conscious and aware, you cannot kill my consciousness, nor my soul.”

I guess you could see it as the dying powers shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to our generation. They can’t bully us. And quite a few of us are Blueray and Indigo Starseeds. We see through everything they throw at us so none of it sticks.

Conspiracy Theories, Theorists and the 7 of Swords

This is a bonus card because the dream ended after the 10 of Swords. But there is, of course, a card for conspiracy theories and conspiracy theorists too. It’s the 7 of Swords (Moon in Aquarius). I happen to like this card and often see it in its positive aspect as foresight and coming up with a great plan.

Remember, they think they are getting away with it. We know better.