every card has the right answer

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Jun 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ros	08 Jun 2004
Helpful hint? Every card in Tarot is the right answer but the one(s) we choose helps us to FOCUS on our question or issue at the time. This helps with there is no right answers or wrong answers in a reading. A reading helps us focus. I never thought about Tarot in this way before & just posted this for some of us who hasn't thought about this before. Isn't funny how one little word changes the way you look at things.

Kissa	08 Jun 2004
How amazing!!! I was driving my car today and instead of concentrating on the trafic, I was thinking about tarot and how I could explain it to my very rational dad... I don't believe or use tarot for fortune telling, I don't think anybody or anything knows what is going to happen next for the very simple reason that it is not existing yet. So I am into tarot for self councelling. And since the cards use archetypes, there is the answer I need in every card. UH???? Yes! The little voice inside, the one that is the purest form of life, the energy of love etc.. always shouts what I cannot hear... But then I concentrate on reading the cards... And I can hear a whisper, from inside, growing louder and louder... 10 of Swords? Yesterday it meant I am in a terrible state, it is over, nothing to fight for anymore... very severe depression. Today it means, well, after the battle, all is quiet again... maybe a bird will start singing somewhere. There is still hope, right? That's how it works for me. There is the answer in every card since the answer is right inside me and is ready to come out if I lend it an ear... The way I look at the cards changes and evolves with the events going on in my life and my way of reacting to them. There is no scary card, bad or good card. They are just cards, they are the tool, and the perfect one IMHO! Thanks for the post, ros, brilliant! :D Kissa

Rhiannon	08 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa 10 of Swords? Yesterday it meant I am in a terrible state, it is over, nothing to fight for anymore... very severe depression. Today it means, well, after the battle, all is quiet again... maybe a bird will start singing somewhere. There is still hope, right? Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are stating a point I just made somewhere else. I'm so glad that someone else "gets" it. It's about interpretation of the card in the situation, not interpretation of the card all by itself. And yes, every card has the right answer. Very well and simply put. I agree it's BRILLIANT! R :)

Ravenswing	08 Jun 2004
... could we ever use just one card? I'm not trying to be funny here; it's a thought that just popped into my head. I guess I could re-word here: If every card has the right answer, does one card have them all? I'm feeling rather metaphysical tonight... fly well Raven

hedgecub	08 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Ravenswing If every card has the right answer, does one card have them all? I think every card is a different way of looking at the answer. Every situation can be seen from many perspectives; each card offer you a new perspective, shedding a new light on the same key. Using the same card every time, I feel, would give you a very one-sided view of the world. If you looked at the world through just the Sun, you might end up naïve, overconfident, or irrationally optimistic. And looking at the world through the Tower alone might turn you into an overly skeptical, even paranoid person, always trying to read between the lines, and between the lines between the lines. With 78 cards in all, there's a bit more balance, and a few more colours of the spectrum :)

MeeWah	09 Jun 2004
Ravenswing: I think it possible that one card could contain "all [the answers]". Each card holds a range of possibilities; both the positive/negative connotations. Depending on the moment & within the context of a given throw, seen the same card to mean different things. Seen different cards to mean the same things. Also a year ahead type of reading from one card which covers different life aspects.

Ravenswing	09 Jun 2004
Well-- On one paw, I've got hedgecub-- on the other side of the ring is MeeWah. Seems it's all in the view. A jewel with one facet doesn't shine, yet one face can reflect all. I'm still feeling metaphysical-- maybe even zenish. fly well Raven

MeeWah	09 Jun 2004
I do not actually disagree with HedgeCub. For the purposes of this discussion, however, state the personal experiences & understanding--that of not discounting the range of information *possible* within one-card readings. Remember we tend to be of a linear thought pattern; see a finite view rather than a wholistic perspective. Brings to mind poet & artist William Blake's "To see a World in a grain of sand, And Heaven in a wild flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour." ~ Auguries of Innocence Examples: On the one hand, 0-The Fool to mean the beginning of life, a birth or new prospect(s). On the other, to mean death for as one path/cycle ends, another begins. For a beginning to occur, there is usually also an end/death of something else (unless one is multi-tasking, has several projects in progress at any one time). Similarly for 13-Death. On another note: 5-Pentacles to signify loss to include loss of life. 5 is the number of Man & thus, can be equated with earthly life as one knows it. In this particular instance, within 5-Pentacles can be seen a lack of health or vitality; an illness or dis-ease such as of a lingering or an underlying condition from which a loss could occur. In addition--although we are not speaking of reversals per se, a card need not be reversed to confer such an impression. Contains within its essence a spectrum of meanings to encompass the extremes. A wholeness that encompasses all possibilities. This does not discount actual reversals. Edited to reiterate: this a personal view & do not expect agreement; however, makes for an interesting & insightful discussion :)

Ravenswing	09 Jun 2004
MeeWah-- No, I don't see you disagreeing with HedgeCub, just a different point of view here... Blake IS wonderful, isn't he? Okay, I've gotten repeating one card readings-- same card, different take. And yes-- the opposite contained/implied... up doesn't exist without down. Can we extend that and say that each card implies its "opposite"? Hmmm. Infinity and eternity. Circular non-linearity? We draw a card for the day, and find it in our environment. Is it ALWAYS there? Do we notice it because the drawn card brings our attention--FOCUS-- in a cetain way? Hmmm. I think I may try expanding the card a day. Use the card for a week instead-- expand time so to speak. And then again-- there are those year theme cards-- I'm moving from a Lovers year to a Chariot year in a few weeks. Perhaps I may try to se the Chariot every day..... It's nice to play with your bounds of reality every so often. MeeWah-- I greatly appriciate your sharing. As I see it, there are no wrongs or rights. Only ways of looking at things. And second opinions are great horizon expanders. fly well or just fly (then again, we have to light down once in a while...) Raven

MeeWah	09 Jun 2004
Ravenswing: Agree that every card's wholistic essence is ever-present, but the part/facet that occurs as a significant or noticed is usually only as it appears reflected in the immediate or present environment or experience--as ye aptly pointed out. The rest of its facets or possible meanings need not apply. This, however, does not mean that *it could not apply at some future time & depending upon the particular focus*, to which Ros refers. One way to know if its other aspects could apply in future is to keep a record; see if the same card "repeats" & what it speaks of at those times. Btw: a few months ago, moved from a Lovers Year into a Chariot Year. I am sort of doing what ye mentioned--seeing the Year Card on a nigh daily basis as well as using the Daily Card(s). Currently using the Triple Goddess or Robin Wood. Whilst the Year Card has not appeared, aspects of the Personality/Soul (the minors), the actual P/S Cards & the Shadow Card have all made appearances. The Shadow has rarely appeared but occurs periodically, indicating there are again challenges that require meeting. The daily attention to the Chariot--its possible shades of influence & its qualities, be it guidance, conflict or other--lends a more intense experience to its confrontation with self & the life. That is, seeing The Chariot apply in the personal/home life & the workplace. Oft of a more compelling or recognizable influence than the Daily Cards! Of course, perhaps I am not seeing the Dailys aright as the Triple Goddess is new to me. Not the usual Tarot deck but of 26 Major Arcana of which its first 22 work as the traditional number of Major Arcana. There are also 7 Chakra cards which can be used independently of the other cards.

starsongs	09 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Ravenswing ... could we ever use just one card? I'm not trying to be funny here; it's a thought that just popped into my head. I guess I could re-word here: If every card has the right answer, does one card have them all? I'm feeling rather metaphysical tonight... fly well Raven If every card has the right answer, one could have them all; but since we are not all One as of yet, all answers are not seen in One, but in the many that comprise it.. Interesting to think about... starsongs

Ravenswing	10 Jun 2004
MeeWah-- I had the triple goddess for a bit. Wonderful deck but too female for me... LOL!! The chakra cards were really a great addition. Anyhow, I can see/feel my focus changing as I enter into my chariot year. My lovers year was overflowing with choices to make-- stanrting with one of the biggest i've ever faced on the first day of that year... Chariot time-- good portents here. I'm really moving into manifesting my system. Over thirty years of workings all coming together. I think it's going to be a real ride.... I'll have to try keeping my eye out for the chariot. Perhaps I'll have to pin one up in my santuary. A great reminder. And I'm going to go for a card a week, I think. See how the Chariot and the weekly card blend through the week.... As the Chariot does represent Will, I think this an appropriate disipline for the year. Thank you everyone for your thoughts. fly well Raven

tao51	10 Jun 2004
and the question. One of the reason for the survival of the Tarot is the elastic meanings of the cards. The are able to fit and adapt to a variety of situations.--Tao

gareth.	10 Jun 2004
Its all subjective but I would have lost interest if I did not see the cards operating independently from myself.What gives it the frission is the fact (perceived) that there is somehow a partnership and that one empowers a latent energy in the cards.For that reason a card has its own meaning One is always reminded of that when a reading works.

Satori	10 Jun 2004
Looking at the cards and "skewing" the vision in order to see meaning in new ways. Taking the meaning from a card and looking beyond definition to experience and life, getting from the pan to the fire, quick. So today Justice pops up while I'm doing a reading for a woman who was dumped by her boyfriend who lives in Wales, and she lives in MA. This woman is a mess, on meds, and very emotionally distraught over the break up. But it was long distance reltnshp and they hardly saw each other, but were in constant contact except at the end. Turns out she was critical, negative etc. But now she has the how dare he thing going, because he has a new woman. Well, it was Justice served, only it was the woman's doing. Her behavior in the relationship summoned Justice, and the scales were tipped, and the woman did not like the spiritual "medicine". In essence, she got what she asked for, whether she likes it or not. Was that Justice? It depends who you ask I guess.... But that is the wisdom of the tarot. If you pulled the same card every day for your daily, how would that be different than looking at the same card for a week? Would the advice be different? Are you thinking about it differently.... It's all about context...taken out of context we have ink and paper pulp right? What about putting up the 3 of swords from 4 or 5 decks on your dresser and watching what comes up.... But a week? That might be wall paper. You're just staring at a paper card with an interesting image for many days. A meditation asking to be shown something different new unique about a card, or looking for the unexpected in the card would be interesting. When I was in college and taking writing classes I was always struck by juxtapositions. I was the juxtaposition kid. I would weave elaborate papers all with the aim of finding disparaties and trying to make them come together seamlessly. It was a fascinating exercise. What started happening was that suddenly everything connected....I lost the point of difference.....and blew my mind! This is tarot. The tarot takes all the stuff that I don't see connecting and gives it to me in a way that just blows my mind.

MeeWah	10 Jun 2004
Ravenswing: I am using the Triple Goddess Chakra Cards occasionally in conjunction with the Daily draws. At this point, this is a new exercise as well as a new deck so I am not sure of any connection. Over the course of the passing years, noticed the Year Card seems to bleed through as an overlay or in counterpoint with which to view other cards. In this sense, the other cards serve to modify or clarify Year Card as well as stand on their own. elf: Interesting summation on Justice. What cards are "summoned" may be said to hinge directly on the past actions or behaviour. Regarding: "If you pulled the same card every day for your daily, how would that be different than looking at the same card for a week? Would the advice be different? Are you thinking about it differently...." Have experienced consecutive days of drawing the same card, drawing the same cards a day apart & twice within a week's time. Aside from the same cards sometimes eliciting an "Not *that* again", at times a card's reappearance variously meant: let's do this one more time; there is more than meets the immediate eye; a continuing/developing process; or that unwelcome back-to-square-one. Regarding: "The tarot takes all the stuff that I don't see connecting and gives it to me in a way that just blows my mind." That is a wonderfully succinct way to express the experience of Tarot! In other words, Tarot connects-the-dots. I am remembering the fun with all those connect-the-dots/numbers colouring books.

Satori	10 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by MeeWah elf: Interesting summation on Justice. What cards are "summoned" may be said to hinge directly on the past actions or behaviour. I sort of see the Majors this way. There are times when they show up and I feel like some big guns 'magic' was needed or they were indeed summoned by some kind of behavior or situation. I think there are levels of archetypal power at play when the majors enter a reading. There are times when a major appears and the feeling is very distinct like today, or other times when the major really blends in with the minors and the real personality of the archetype is more benign. Quote: Originally posted by MeeWah Regarding: "If you pulled the same card every day for your daily, how would that be different than looking at the same card for a week? Would the advice be different? Are you thinking about it differently...." Have experienced consecutive days of drawing the same card, drawing the same cards a day apart & twice within a week's time. Aside from the same cards sometimes eliciting an "Not *that* again", at times a card's reappearance variously meant: let's do this one more time; there is more than meets the immediate eye; a continuing/developing process; or that unwelcome back-to-square-one. Yes, I know what you mean here. What I was trying to say, albeit poorly, was that there is a difference between pulling the same card out of the pack daily or the way you demonstrate, rather than having it sit out for a week. I think whatever way you choose to study is of course right for you, but to me the difference lies in Need and Intent. When the card is removed from the pack after the shuffle, if the resulting response is needed and then the reader/querent intends to respond/react to that information the energy is different and the universe knows you mean business. If there is not a need/question/desire to know then I think that influences the outcome. Quote: Originally posted by MeeWah Regarding: I am remembering the fun with all those connect-the-dots/numbers colouring books. Thank you! I'm laughing because I love the connect the dots idea here. My 5yo loves connect the dots...just like us! Different scale....or maybe not....! Blessings...

MeeWah	10 Jun 2004
elf: I think I see what is meant. That the act of drawing daily cards is of a more active intent or nature; & leaving a card out is of a more passive nature, yes? The difference in the approach could influence the perception though it could vary according to the individual. Knowing me, if I left a card left out I would soon forget about it or ignore it; regard it as part of the furnishings :D

Satori	10 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by MeeWah elf: I think I see what is meant. That the act of drawing daily cards is of a more active intent or nature; & leaving a card out is of a more passive nature, yes? The difference in the approach could influence the perception though it could vary according to the individual. Knowing me, if I left a card left out I would soon forget about it or ignore it; regard it as part of the furnishings :D Yes, that is what I mean about wallpaper. You begin to get so used to seeing it that you ignore it. This is a marketing ploy with shop displays, it is why they move stuff around so often.

MeeWah	11 Jun 2004
elf: O yes, I know about the constantly changing shop displays as a marketing ploy--the bane of part of my work life & as a consumer, too :D I have left cards out as reminders but they do not fare well in a busy household nor with my absent-mindedness. Hung them with magnets on the refrigerator until they disappeared & were found months later under the frig, very much the worse for the experience. On a bathroom mirror until they almost drowned in the sink. Propped up on kitchen table & horrors, acquired unflattering "marks". Carrying the cards with me to work to look at during odd moments works better.

Satori	11 Jun 2004
LOL, this is why I never slept with my deck....I just thought boy what if I wake up some morning with a tarot card stuck to my forhead and scare my poor husband to death....plus, who would want to risk ruining the cards by sleeping with them? btw Meewah, how is it going with the Triple Goddess Tarot? I'm on the verge of asking for it for my birthday and wanted to hear how you like it. the images I've seen are truly beautiful....

MeeWah	13 Jun 2004
Have slept with a few individual decks & inadvertently on occasion. Hubby does not usually mind if I do not talk aloud to them & keep them on "my side" of the bed. Triple Goddess is a visually stunning deck. The colours are vibrant as are the images. Very different from most decks I use, its focus on the feminine or goddess energy (such as "What would Goddess do"). Accordingly, also uses non-traditional meanings. As I mentioned earlier, there are 26 Majors that are called Alchemy Cards (with the first 22 equitable to the usual 22 Majors & 4 additional Majors); no minor arcana & 7 Chakra Cards. The accompanying book provides background information on different goddesses but I have not read through it yet. Not clear to me that those same goddesses are actually represented in the individual cards. Includes ideas for the use of the cards & intriguing spreads. Although not the same as the Deva Tarot, it reminds me of the Deva in that it strikes me as more of a meditative deck than a reading deck, intended for consciousness raising. Also of Songs for the Journey Home. Generally, I tend to not favour "feminine" decks because I find them difficult to read with due to a lack of balancing "male" energy patterns; however, I am attracted to the theme & artwork. All of the cards have been re-named to refer to the essence of their energy, albeit in a different way. Such as: 0-Flying Into Spring; 1- Song of Creation; 2-Sanctuary; 3-Fullness of Life; 4-Path of Balance; 5-Blossoming Spirit... I am keeping a record of the cards as they appear & brief notes. Also began drawing from the Chakra Cards. Thus far, the most insight from Chakra Cards.

Cerulean	14 Jun 2004
The card that I look at yesterday with a fresh focus and I see it reflecting me at that moment in time...the next day I see a new card and the difference in me has shifted with a readiness for a new card. Can I look at one card for a week, each day, and see something fresh? Probably can work at it and let my learning and affiliations sink down deeper if I try to approach it differently. But the focus might become forced and I may see a tired, dimmer mirror if this becomes stale... The answer, of course, is in oneself, but does the mirror have to always to reflect the same outfit, the same scene every day? No, I have 78 mirrors and I rejoice, because the focus can shift and so can the mirror and even if it's myself, it can be 78 aspects of myself rather than....a dim mirror that becomes warped and fogged with over-familarity... I like 78 cards and even if all answers are right or diminished by reversals, it's 78 little tools to spark different aspects of myself. It's a generous little world and I like it very much... Cerulean Mari

The every card has the right answer thread was originally posted on 08 Jun 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.