I got an email today from a client who’s had a couple readings from me and has decided to teach herself to read tarot. She had two cards that were coming up repeatedly for her recently. Of course, to make matters worse, these were a pair of the great “freak out” cards. She definitely wasn’t freaking out—she’s pretty cool, but she was certainly very curious as to what the cards could mean. I offered a couple interpretations, but without knowing the exact question, the deck that was being used, the positions (if it was a positional layout at all), and so on, I really couldn’t expect to provide her much detail, only some generalized thoughts on the matter.
But I did share with her a trick that I think is top-notch for deciphering confusing cards, or even for entire readings that are more puzzling than prescient. Here’s the trick: Do a reading on what’s confusing you!
If you’ve got a card that’s taken to stalking you, confront it! Stick it on the table in front of you, stare it down until it’s a bit nervous, and then ask: What do you mean for me right now? Why do you keep coming up? What is your relationship to the question I keep asking? Or whatever question leaps to mind as your stalker starts to sweat and squirm under your gaze. You can do a full spread, or just lay down a card or two, whatever you think it will take to get a grip on this hooligan.
Even in the middle of a reading with a client, if a card doesn’t make sense in relationship to the other cards, I’ll pull a qualifying card. It’s important to note that qualifying cards are not to be used in lieu of actually reading the cards laid out (the lazy reader’s trick) nor are they a way for you to weasel out of honest personal reflection, but when you’ve really given the cards your best shot, if “one of these things is not like the others,” then pulling a card for commentary can be very enlightening. I’ve used this technique with two different clients recently, both times discovering that the card in question actually applied to a second person involved in the situation, not to the querent, which explained why it was so different, even contrary, to the other cards that came up.
So if a reading stumps you, don’t turn to Google to get your answers, use your cards! Anything from a single qualifying card to a full reading done on what a recurring card means for you lets you turn the tables on your dastardly stalker.
Joy Vernon is a Certified Professional Tarot Reader and Reiki Teacher in Denver, Colorado. Her specialty is the Empyrean Key Intuitive Coaching, which combines energetic and esoteric modalities to help her clients break through blocks and align themselves with their higher purpose. To schedule an appointment, please visit JoyVernon.com.
© 2011 by Joy Vernon. All rights reserved.
