Getting it wrong

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Osher	02 Mar 2004
I once read for someone, and gave her an answer she really didn't like, and said did not think could happen. I then realised I had mis-read the cards. OK, we all try and avoid such things, but if we do accidently jump in hole, what is the best way to get out?

Imagemaker	02 Mar 2004
Without being mealy-mouthed, I've found it's just wise to be less emphatic about proclaiming any reading as definite. I use: "This looks like . . ." "The cards seem to say . . ." When we've had a lot of super hits, the Ego steps in and says "wow, I can really do this!" Then I think the Universe cautions us (with an embarrassing mistake) that the Ego needs to step back so that Awe and Wonder can run the reading.

lark	02 Mar 2004
Hi Happiness, If you looked at the card and were prompted to say what you did... how can it be wrong? When people tell me "OH that can't happen!" A always say "Just take the thought with you, it may be for the future." It always astonishes me how many clients come wanting readings purely about the future... But they insist on basing their understanding of the reading on what they know about the present. Luckly I work in a place where we get many repeat clients. They'll often come back and say "Remember when you told me this and that? Well it happened!" This has really taught me to trust what the card is intuitively telling me and not always what the traditional meaning is.

Mojo	02 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Happiness OK, we all try and avoid such things, but if we do accidently jump in hole, what is the best way to get out? Why not just keep digging? It's Tarot, not brain surgery. If they don't like or agree with your interpretation, so what? The world isn't going to stop turning, the sun will continue to rise, and life will go on. Tell a good story to the best of your ability and you've done your job.

Osher	02 Mar 2004
To be honest, I felt guilty because I knew in my heart that I had given the wrong answer. I slightly rushed it, didn't allow the card to permiate into me, to marinade in it, used a 'stock answer' and screwed up. OK, it taught me a good lesson, and have never done it since, but I have felt guilty since. I did re-read, and gave what was really the correct answer, but still....

Imagemaker	02 Mar 2004
Quote: OK, it taught me a good lesson, and have never done it since, but I have felt guilty since. "Guilt, the gift that keeps on giving." But there's no need to keep receiving it. You've learned and remember for next time--that's all that's necessary. Don't let the 9 of Swords have its way with you :)

Osher	02 Mar 2004
Thanks Image, you're right

SongDeva	02 Mar 2004
I think your guilt was about 'abandoning' yourself, and trying to do the work contrary to the way you know works for you. Sit somewhere comfy and apologize to yourself. (look, the goofy stuff *works*.) Promise to try to avoid doing it again! Then picture the guilt draining away, down, out of your body and into the earth. (Who will transmute it back into light, so don't worry about polluting. hehehe.)

Osher	02 Mar 2004
Thanks SongDiva, I will try that. That sounds like something very positive that will work Happiness BB

fairyhedgehog	02 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mojo Why not just keep digging? It's Tarot, not brain surgery. If they don't like or agree with your interpretation, so what? The world isn't going to stop turning, the sun will continue to rise, and life will go on. Tell a good story to the best of your ability and you've done your job. I smiled when I read this but it is true. I don't read for other people in case they take it too seriously but maybe that is up to them. There is something refreshing about your way of looking at it, Mojo :)

ros	02 Mar 2004
We're only human. At least you had enough confidence to do the reading. Sometimes I find people want to tell you that you are wrong because you haven't told them what they wanted to hear so anything you say will not be right. Offer another reading I think is more than fair & it shows honesty & that makes you stronger for showing that you are not afraid to admit that you may have been wrong in their eyes. As time passes you're interpretation may not be wrong. Sometimes I think we learn about mistakes to show us how strong we really are. It takes us to be strong to admit that we know we were wrong, more so than the person who points out our mistakes.

DesertHowler	02 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Happiness I once read for someone, and gave her an answer she really didn't like, and said did not think could happen. I then realised I had mis-read the cards. OK, we all try and avoid such things, but if we do accidently jump in hole, what is the best way to get out? I found these spontaneous wrong readings, at least for me, are the ones that really hit. They are usually truly inspired and the intuition is really hitting the mark. The brain is out of the picture and the connection is at it's best, even if the reading doesn't make sense according to what the rules say it should be. In my experience the things the client doesn't like are usually the best but they want to avoid the issue for some reason. Guilt trips are fun sometimes, but keep them short and get on with life. DesertHowler

crystal cove	02 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by fairyhedgehog There is something refreshing about your way of looking at it, Mojo :) Agreed. I enjoy Mojo's posts. He always has something good to say. :)

Kosmos	02 Mar 2004
Consider all mistakes to be irrevocable evidence that learning is taking place.

Moongold	04 Mar 2004
I did a very intense reading over a week recently. Some extraordinarily difficult things happened at work and sapped my energy and confidence, and I did not refresh myself as well as I might have after each part of the reading. So I ran out of steam and the flow deserted me. The mind took over the soul and I got it wrong. I sought help from someone else, and acknowledged my situation. It was OK and I learned a huge amount from it. The Querent also got the answers she really needed too, and that was the best part of it. We are learning after all, and making mistakes is often the most effective way of learning. I know I have made an error in Tarot if I feel uncomfortable. I don't often feel quite like that because Tarot is so open but when I do, I need to listen to the feeling.

The Getting it wrong thread was originally posted on 02 Mar 2004 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.