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Confusion is a crucible

Updated Mar 28 2025

On the whole radical acceptance front, even confusion—especially confusion—can be enormously helpful in our lives. It points to where the soil needs to be tilled, old ways dug up and new ways cultivated and planted.

The idea that confusion could have therapeutic value is powerful because it takes a human condition that’s generally thought to be negative and suggests that it could actually be a kind of crucible. It probes into the possibility that confusion could actually be an ideal time for working on our ancient and atrophied modes of seeing, moving, and knowing. —Jessica Dore, Tarot for Change

I would add, it’s also a valuable clue on whether you’re being abused. Confusion is key to gaslighting and manipulation, and abuse is best recognized by the effect it has on the abused.