Celebration to Corruption: The Shadow of the Six of Wands

What if the real root of evil isn’t money, but power?This week on⁠ The Tarot Diagnosis⁠, I take a deep, psychologically grounded look at the Six of Wands, a card typically associated with success and recognition, and reframe it through the lens of shadow work, power and control, neuroscience, and social dynamics.Inspired by a spread I pulled during a recent shadow workshop and influenced by current global events, I found myself asking: What happens when power becomes addictive? When does celebration become complicit? How does unchecked power erode empathy, justice, and even our sense of self?Throughout this episode, we will explore:Why the shadow side of the Six of Wands reveals themes of envy, domination, and the intoxication of being celebratedHow power alters the brain, impacts empathy, and mimics addiction, which is supported by neuroscience researchWhat tarot archetypes like The Devil, Queen of Cups Reversed, The Hierophant Reversed, and The Tower teach us about the darker side of social influence and powerHow power dynamics appear in relationships, institutions, spirituality, and social mediaWhy Lane Smith’s concept of "Move Up, Move Up" (from 78 Acts of Liberation) and Mary K. Greer’s caution about the Six of Wands in The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals both invite us into more collective awarenessIf you’ve ever struggled with your relationship to power (either craving it, fearing it, or unconsciously abusing it), this episode offers a powerful mirror and invitation. Through therapeutic insight and tarot symbolism, we reflect not only on how power can corrupt, but also how it can be shared, checked, and transformed for good.Deck Used: Tarot VintageReferenced: 78 Acts of Liberation by Lane Smith The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals by Mary K. GreerOn power and its corrupting effects: the effects of power on human behavior and the limits of accountability systems https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10461512/🌙 Stay Connected With Me💌 Follow me on Instagram:⁠ @thetarotdiagnosis⁠🧠 Sign up for my newsletter at⁠ thetarotdiagnosis.com⁠👥 Join ⁠The Symposium⁠ — my tarot & psychology membership community 📚 Pre-order my book Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow for more therapeutic tarot practices! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a super easy and FREE way to support my work. Plus, it helps more people discover the podcast. I appreciate you all so much!Audio Edited by Anthony DiGiacomo of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Deep Resonance Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact: [email protected] by Timmoor from Pixabay