the "uh-oh" cards

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

oceanpoetry	05 Feb 2003
I draw a daily card or two every day because I find the practice really helpful for gaining insight into the day. Every so often I draw cards that make me react with an "uh-oh". For example I drew the 3 of Swords this morning - heartbreak, disappointment, lonlieness. I drew a clarifying card, Page of Pentacles. So I feel like the recommendation is to be practical and be trusting that everything works out for the best. I have been going through lots of changing in life, and believe that 3 of Swords is a reflection of my own self-doubts. And that I should stay focused on what is around me to achieve success. I am wondering how others respond when they get those "uh-oh" cards like this, in particular in the sword suit.

Laurel	05 Feb 2003
I usually start by saying "uh oh." out loud. Really. :) Especially 3 of Swords and 7 of Cups, my personal uh oh cards, always. 3 of Swords tends to mean a specific bad event, 7 of Cups to a short cycle of depression/apathy/illness/negative thinking. Then I take a deep breath and look inward at my mood and reflections. Am I setting myself up for a bad day? Is it time for some ritual work, a long walk, a shower, cleaning the kitchen, aka the stuff I need to do to feel better, emotionally-spiritually. I try to do some journal work and even write myself a note so I am aware of how I feel, and what needs done, and to remind myself to approach life that day with gentleness and humor. Nothing works better than escaping an "uh oh" experience, for me, than the combo of gentleness and humor. ~LAS

oceanpoetry	05 Feb 2003
those are great suggestions, Laurel! When those cards up - it is a good idea to step back a little and look at the bigger picture. Through meditation, reflection, ritual we can connect with the message the card is giving us. I am aware my daily cards do form a pretty accurate assessment of what is going on. It could be something large or small that happens during the day. For example, I drew "8 of Swords" on Monday (restrictions) - and on my morning commute found there was especially bad traffic and was a little late for work. *lol* I didn't let it bother me because I remembered the card and just decided to take the advice of the card to "go with the flow". :) I know everyone gets these cards - and I think it is one reason I stopped practicing tarot a long time ago. But now, this time, I want to approach it differently - those sword suits call on us to find our inner courage and faith. They indicate to me where/ how I am feeling negative or discouraged.

Eowyn	05 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by oceanpoetry When those cards up - it is a good idea to step back a little and look at the bigger picture. thats true, and also a good advice. I dont like to do daily card reading, but each 2 weeks, I do a general view with a celtic cross and sometimes I write it down. Sometimes I get those readings qhen you look to heaven saying "it was spected" and then continue with a smile. When it really worries me, I say the uh oh in my mind, I become really serius and end having a walk after sunset to clear up a little. The sword card I always get, everywhere (no matter who is the tarot reader) is the Knight. Always reflecting me. (When Im quiet, I appear as the Q of W or Coins).

WolfSpirit	05 Feb 2003
When I have "bad cards" for my daily draw I am not that worried: after all it's just one day and that will be over soon anyway, but I am a bit alerted. I must say, I have left the negative meanings the RWS deck gives to most of the swords, for example, I have drawn 10 of swords a few times and never anything happened, the 10 can be: the end of a cycle, the beginning of a new one. Can be painful, does not have to be. If the cards tell me it is going to be a rough day I try to put in something nice as well, phoning a friend or taking a walk is something that often helps me. And I often take the corresponding cards from the Animal Wise tarot, this is a very positive deck, not a disneyland-everything-is-coming-up-roses deck, but a deck that gives advice to make it better, for example for 3 of swords it gives: healing of the heart - it is time to look at the pain inside in order to be able to heal and move on. But: as a daily card the 3 of swords can be something very mundane, you don't have dramas happening every day of your life (well I hope not :))

Kiama	06 Feb 2003
For me, the future is never set in stone, and it all depends solely on what happens in the present. So, when I draw a few 'uh-oh' cards, I say to myself 'yes, that could happen. But what can I do to make it NOT happen?' And I it down and think, or take a shower and think, or eat porridge and think (Yep, me=strange child, I eat porridge.) I work out how I'm gonna make the most of my day, and how I might react if the uh-oh thing still happens. Then I get out, face the new day, and make the most of everything that comes along. This way, the cards warn me of what I am in danger of making happen that day, but I do believe I have the ability to change it, so I am not too worried. Kiama

Alissa	06 Feb 2003
I had just this uh-oh experience just yesterday.... My own "uh oh" daily draw was yesterday's Devil card from the Univ. Waite deck. Oh geez, I thought immediately. However, I focussed on the card, to see what *additional* messages it might want to convey. I didn't want to dismiss it just because i figured I wouldn't like the message. Intuitively, I was drawn to the palm markings on the Devil's hand. This reminded me of my henna work, where I create temporary tattoos on palms, and I did in fact have an appointment scheduled that day. I was also drawn again and again to the fire side of the card. Fire, fire. I didn't know exactly what to make of it, but thought to myself that at tonight's appointment I should perhaps watch my attitude, and not cause one of my favorite client's any grief by a misspoke comment. Like Kiama, I wanted to see what I could actively do to work with the message. But, I think I was really rEALLY wrong in my interpretation. Late last night, after I got home from the appointment, I threw an extra large log on the woodstove to keep the house warm (as I often do). However, at 1:30 a.m. we awoke to a house full of smoke. (My brain : FIRE! !@#$!) It turned out that the woodstove had backed smoke into the house, and nothing was on fire, but we did have to air out the house all night, and suffer the repeated carbon monoxide alarm every hour or so as well (and did I mention I have a toddler trying to sleep?) I think the message was : I shouldn't have thrown in the log in after my henna appointment. But who would have guess the cards were being so literal! :) If I hadn't though, it wouldn't have occurred -- the fire was burning low by that point in the evening. The palm/henna reference to pinpoint time, and the FIRE was a direct warning that we could easily have a chimney fire if we don't get the thing cleaned before burning another. Maybe even that night. So, I guess I'd say when "uh-oh" is sometimes your natural response, it may not even be what you are projecting it to be. I imagine worse, more often than not, though I try not to. Last night was pretty spooky, but as WolfSpirit said it was just one day. (Today's card was the Knight of Pentacles. A good day to take it easy and relax. Get some sleep. The grandparents, God bless them, took the boy for the day and night!!)

Karenwhe	06 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama For me, the future is never set in stone, and it all depends solely on what happens in the present. So, when I draw a few 'uh-oh' cards, I say to myself 'yes, that could happen. But what can I do to make it NOT happen?' Very good question. What do you do to reverse the 'uh-oh' card? When I get one of those cards particularly the minors, which are within ability to change easily, I leave the 'uh-oh' card on the table I reshuffle the deck concentrating on reserving the affect, and draw another card of advise for this not to happen. I usually find that the second card will be a good card of advise to reverse that card and I also find that it gives me the reason for that card to appear in the first place (like a mental state or something). Take for example the Nine of Swords as an advise card....... it tells me I am creating in my own head my problems and I should stop right now. When I have major events occurring in my life I don't draw only one card but two. One "me" you could called the inner aspect or whatever and another card "external/outer noise", this gives me a very good realistic perspective of what’s up. You should try it, its lots of fun and takes the "uh-oh" out of the cards once and for all. I also see these "uh-oh" cards as a positive challange card and for me a challange card = opportunity. Oh, and one more note, if you really want to reverse the "uh-oh" card, you must ACT on the advise card, not just see it and say "great nothing to worry about". I hope it helped.

oceanpoetry	15 Feb 2003
Glad you're okay, Alissa, and that the fire was averted! thanks for the responses everyone! Karenwhe, I can see how those cards that at first read are full of doom and gloom are really "opportunity cards" :) I am thankful for the "uh-oh" - they call for our attention to the matter at hand. The more I use the cards, the more I appreciate the insights and awareness find from them. The daily readings are a more tranisitory look at life, since it only pertains to that day. But the advice about the 'uh-oh' cards can be applied to any reading. Wolfspirit, for me 'healing of the heart' rings true. The 3 of swords certainly got my attention! It is helpful for me to know how to work with these cards, so when I can them for myself or others, they can be applied in a beneficial way.

DeLani	15 Feb 2003
When I get one of those danged cards (usually the 5 of coins or 10 of Wands), I do a modified version of what Mary K. Greer suggests in her book, Tarot for Yourself. If I get a 'bad' card, I first note the suit it's in. Then I go "across the wheel" so to speak, to the opposite suit, and look through the cards to find the one that seems to negate or cure the "negative" one. Then, I visualize & meditate on that card to help me through the situation. The pairs across the wheel are: Swords & Cups, and Wands & Pentacles. That is using the Wiccan system of suits = elements = directions. For those who aren't familiar with it, it goes: Swords = air = east Wands = fire = south Cups = water = west Pentacles = earth = north (some systems transpose swords & wands) And I think it works rather well. Swords need the receptivity and heart of cups, and too much emotionality needs some cold hard logic. Wands are so firey and combustible, they need some grounding. Conversely, stiff, stodgy pentacles need some fire & energy to get up & going. If it's a Major, I choose another Major. Of course, all that is secondary to good old-fashioned common sense: how can I avoid this? Blessings!

ihcoyc	15 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by DeLani If I get a 'bad' card, I first note the suit it's in. Then I go "across the wheel" so to speak, to the opposite suit, and look through the cards to find the one that seems to negate or cure the "negative" one. What you said. And since I tend to view the pips as a cycle the same way I do the majors, I usually correspond them this way: A - 10 2 - 9 3 - 8 4 - 7 5 - 6 So, for instance, a mental dead end, or hitting bottom (10 Swords) sends you to the Ace of Cups for a new, intuitive approach. Or, a broken heart (3 Swords) suggests a need for a spiritual retreat (8 Cups). Too much competitive energy (5 Clubs) can be met by cultivating a spirit of generosity (6 Coins). If you're stuck in self-pity (5 Coins) you ought to sally forth and take on the world (6 Clubs). This is hardly a brilliant insight, but it is something I've sometimes found useful.

DeLani	19 Feb 2003
Ihcoyc, That really is a good idea. I had never thought of that (other than with the majors, using the "pythagorean pyramid" as found in the Nigel Jackson book). I suppose your technique differs from mine only in that you have a complete system, where each card has its "match" or advice. In mine, you use your own creativity to choose the card you feel would do the trick. I like yours too, though!

Kitty	21 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by ihcoyc So, for instance, a mental dead end, or hitting bottom (10 Swords) sends you to the Ace of Cups for a new, intuitive approach. Or, a broken heart (3 Swords) suggests a need for a spiritual retreat (8 Cups). Too much competitive energy (5 Clubs) can be met by cultivating a spirit of generosity (6 Coins). If you're stuck in self-pity (5 Coins) you ought to sally forth and take on the world (6 Clubs). This is hardly a brilliant insight, but it is something I've sometimes found useful. Wonderful insight - I have been reading this thread after being directed to it by Aerin in my "Combating the 7 of Swords" post - your comments where what I was trying to get at in my post. I think your above suggestions are great - practical - I am trying to learn to use the tarot to assist me in life. Its difficult when the "uh-oh" cards come up - and they are coming up a great deal for me at the moment - think they are trying to say change!! Have heard other says that the "bad" cards are not bad - they are opportunities for growth - to learn - without the "oh-oh" there would be no "Yippee!!! :D" So they are opportunites -seeing the opportunity and knowing how to deal with it is the tricky part!!

Alex	22 Feb 2003
May be I should not say that, but when I draw such 'uh-oh' cards for the day, nothing like 'uh-oh' happens really. I usually try to relate those cards to aspects of my life in general and reflect on them during the day, but I don't take them literally as predicting things for that day, neither do I attempt to relate the cards to banal events. Even though it's unpleasant to find out in the moring that I run out of coffee, I usually fail to associate such mundane event with my daily card, even if it is the "Tower card". But that's me, oppinions diverge on that.

WolfSpirit	22 Feb 2003
ihcoyc - I like this system too, I am going to try it out what it gives me. Although if you use your own insight instead of a system, as DeLani does, that is always good imo. Kitty - I find some decks are more helpful to show you the opportunities instead of gloomy predictions. I do know I can always interprete these difficult cards as opportunities, but still I like a deck to give me a helping hand with this. Especially in difficult times I like to have a deck that gives me an urge to take positive action. For me this deck is the animal wise, but for you this may be another one. Alex - I find this is true with happy cards as well. When I draw the 10 of cups it does not mean I get everything on a silver platter that day, it may just be an advice to forget trouble for a while and do something cheerful. But then again - sometimes they do relate to an event happening that day.

Kitty	22 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by WolfSpirit Kitty - I find some decks are more helpful to show you the opportunities instead of gloomy predictions. I do know I can always interprete these difficult cards as opportunities, but still I like a deck to give me a helping hand with this. Especially in difficult times I like to have a deck that gives me an urge to take positive action. For me this deck is the animal wise, but for you this may be another one. A deck with a helping hand - yep that could be idea for me - think I will have a look around!! The animal wise has been mentioned by a few - will check it out! Cheers

Kitty	22 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Alex May be I should not say that, but when I draw such 'uh-oh' cards for the day, nothing like 'uh-oh' happens really. I usually try to relate those cards to aspects of my life in general and reflect on them during the day, but I don't take them literally as predicting things for that day, neither do I attempt to relate the cards to banal events. Even though it's unpleasant to find out in the moring that I run out of coffee, I usually fail to associate such mundane event with my daily card, even if it is the "Tower card". But that's me, oppinions diverge on that. Unpleasant to run out of coffee - 5 of Cups? or maybe the 10 of wands - need caffeine to get us going!! :D I would find it most unpleasant to discover my favourite coffee shop was closed on a Monday morning!! Sorry - being cheeky! Interesting you don't experience the "uh-oh" cards in a literal sense - what about the "yay!" cards? (Is this getting off the inital topic? Will start new thread in that case)

oceanpoetry	22 Feb 2003
ihcoyc, I really like that those card corresponspondences you posted! All the cards have a relationship to each other, so if we get a challenging card, we can think about ways we can respond. Alex, maybe we put out different intentions for our daily card. I like to use my daily card as way to "check-in" with what is going on around me. It may reflect my overall mood or indicate something that will come up during the course of the day. I find I consistently get relevant feedback from the cards, so when I get something "3 of Swords" or "9 of Swords" I want to better understand how to interpret and use these cards when they come up. I don't draw a morning card for mundane questions, like if I am going to run out of coffee, so I don't expect my morning card to be about something mundane. :cool: kitty, I don't think we're getting off-topic. This thread would be a good place to consolidate discussion about the difficult/challenging cards and how we use and respond to them. I am glad to see that other members have also had the same questions about the "uh-oh" cards

Alex	22 Feb 2003
I don't either. Today I got the Kn Cups and P Cups. It's flooded outside. You know, too much water floods. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by Kitty Unpleasant to run out of coffee - 5 of Cups? or maybe the 10 of Interesting you don't experience the "uh-oh" cards in a literal sense - what about the "yay!" cards? (Is this getting off the inital topic? Will start new thread in that case)

Esmeralda	22 Feb 2003
I draw a card or two everyday too!!! ... So I can memorize the meanings and go around fortune telling, well, that's my way of putting it.

Kitty	23 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Alex I don't either. Today I got the Kn Cups and P Cups. It's flooded outside. You know, too much water floods. Alex. LOL - :D ahaha don't know if you are joking or not!! Please send your kn and page here to Melbourne - we are in the middle of a drought - rained a few days ago - forgotten what it was like to have rain falling on your head, but we need more water!!

Alex	23 Feb 2003
It snowed for two days last week and filled the streets with snow and ice. Now, it started raining, so the snow is melting and I can see rivers forming from my window. Quote: Originally posted by Kitty LOL - :D ahaha don't know if you are joking or not!! Please send your kn and page here to Melbourne - we are in the middle of a drought - rained a few days ago - forgotten what it was like to have rain falling on your head, but we need more water!!

WolfSpirit	28 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by DeLani Ihcoyc, That really is a good idea. I had never thought of that (other than with the majors, using the "pythagorean pyramid" as found in the Nigel Jackson book I don't have the Nigel Jackson book; could you tell us about the pyramid for the majors ?

The the "uh-oh" cards thread was originally posted on 05 Feb 2003 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.