Does drawing a 'bad' Tarot card always signify a negative outcome?

Absolutely not! This is arguably the most common and biggest misconception about playing Tarot cards.

When I first started with Tarot, every time I drew cards like The Tower, Death, or The Devil, my heart would sink, feeling like the sky was falling. But after playing for a while, you'll realize there are no absolute "good cards" or "bad cards" in Tarot. They are more like a mirror, or a friend who dares to tell you the truth.

Let's look at these so-called "bad cards" from a different perspective:

Death: This card almost never represents actual physical death. It speaks of "endings." An ending of a relationship, an ending of a job, an ending of an old habit or idea. While the process of ending can be painful, it also signifies a new beginning, making space in your life for something more suitable for you. If you don't let go of the old, how can the new come in?
The Tower: This card looks terrifying: lightning, collapse, falling. It usually represents a sudden, disruptive change. For example, something you've always believed in is suddenly proven wrong, or your stable life is shattered by an unexpected event. This is certainly not pleasant, but The Tower's meaning is "tearing down to rebuild." It destroys things that were inherently unstable, false, or limiting your growth, giving you an opportunity to start anew on a more real and solid foundation.
The Devil: This card doesn't mean you're possessed by a demon; it points more to your inner "bondage." Such as unhealthy dependencies, material addictions, or negative thought patterns that trap you. The appearance of The Devil card is actually good news. It's reminding you: "Hey, you're bound by these things, but do you see that chain? It's not as strong as you think, and the key is in your hand." It helps you see the problem, thereby gaining the strength to break free.
Ten of Swords: On the card, a person is stabbed in the back by ten swords, a truly gruesome sight. But think about it, with ten swords already in, how much worse can it get? This actually represents the "peak of suffering" and "an end." Things have reached their worst point; they can't get any worse, and from here, they can only get better. It's like the darkest hour before dawn, telling you that the most difficult phase is about to pass.

So you see, these so-called "bad cards" are actually very powerful and valuable cards in Tarot. They are like warning lights on a car's dashboard, telling you that something needs attention and repair. They are not cursing you, but giving you a warning and an opportunity.

Compared to cards that seem very positive (like The Sun, The Star), these "bad cards" are actually more likely to prompt us to reflect, change, and grow. When you draw them, you can ask yourself:

Is there something in my life I need to let go of? (Death)
Is my life built on an unstable foundation? (The Tower)
What is holding me back, preventing me from moving forward? (The Devil)
Do I need to admit defeat and then get back on my feet? (Ten of Swords)

In summary, don't be afraid of them. Tarot cards are not judges passing sentences on you, but guides. They simply show you the part of your current situation that most needs to be seen, in a symbolic way. Drawing a "bad card" precisely means you've received a very important and honest reminder, which is far better than blind optimism.