same cards keep appearing

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

pozt	08 Dec 2002
I use the major arcana only and find it strange that while doing a reading on a friend's relationship (I did the reading several times to clarify the situation), 2 cards kept appearing each time: Empress and Popess. My friend is a guy by the way, just gotten into a new relationship. So the Q is: does my shuffling just suck (but i shuffle so thoroughly for 10 minutes at least!!!) or am I supposed to draw my attention to those cards? Thanks.

Mojo	08 Dec 2002
It's just a numbers game. With only 22 cards being used, the chances of the same card coming up are exponentially greater than they are when you use all 78 cards. And perhaps they're coming up for a reason.

Damien X	08 Dec 2002
Interpreting just the two cards by themselves may indicate that your friends new relationship could blossom to a very serious one, but also that the significant other may be the stronger part thus having a bossy attitude towards him. This later fact due to the absent of a 'male' card, which is needed in order to harmonize the amorous liaison.

Keslynn	08 Dec 2002
I would not recommend doing the same reading more than once. If you want clarification, then draw a clarification card for either the position that puzzled you or the whole spread in general. If you ask the same question again and again, then the "powers that be" or whatever you think makes tarot work, might get annoyed. Then you might start getting only the answers you want rather than the ones you need. As it is, the same two cards coming up was the cards' way of telling you that you got your answer already so use it. :) Kes

pozt	08 Dec 2002
Actually, the spread was an 8 card spread. I don't have my tarot journal with me at the moment, so I don't quite remember all the cards that appeared, but with full respect to Damien X's interpretation, I don't think it signifies that my friend's relationship will blossom into a serious relationship. The reason for this is 'coz of all the negative cards surrounding. I have some ppl suggesting that my friend may still be thinking about his ex - or a female will come in between.... can the appearance of 2 female cards be interpreted this way, i'd like to ask? 'Coz someone said that the popess could signify the ex girlfriend (it was in the "core of sitaution" position) and I kinda forgot what position the Empress came in... Just wondering... :P

The same cards keep appearing thread was originally posted on 08 Dec 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.