Do you sometimes get wrong cards?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Tor	10 Aug 2004
Sometimes I loose my connection with the tarot and gets really wrong cards. I then put the tarot away for a while and pick it up later when I feel connected again. Do you experience the same things? I hear some say that the cards are right, but that we sometimes just don't manage to understand them, but I'm not sure if I believe in that. As an example I can be in much pain and get the ace of cups as situation. Then I just laugh at the cards and put them aside. I believe that the cards should make an instant connection. I see the first card in my reading, which often is situation or similar, to be a card that tells me I'm on the right track. I really know when I get the right cards, and I feel I know when I get the wrong ones too. Do you always have a connection? Or what do you do when you loose it?

NeXoRiouS	10 Aug 2004
I do feel that too. Sometimes either I'm too exhausted or got distracted, I won't be able to grasp what the cards are trying to say. No matter what I say doesn't makes sense. The signals don't seem to be right. But after taking a bath or rest, I relook the cards and it seems everything worked fine. Could be because we need to readjust our energies.

firemaiden	10 Aug 2004
This is one of my favorite questions. How do you know you got the right cards?? Is there such a thing as "the wrong card?" What makes a card "wrong?" -- it doesn't answer the question the way you wanted ? or it doesn't make any sense? Or, perhaps, more to the point, what makes a card the "right" card??? In some of my spoof readings I was convinced I had the "wrong" cards -- it meant, I couldn't figure out what on earth to make of the cards I had. I couldn't put together any kind of story from them. So I dialed again, hoping to get the "right" cards on the next draw. This approach of "re-dialing" until I got the right number usually didn't help me much at all. The only right cards were the first ones I pulled.

blackroseivy	10 Aug 2004
I got a couple of really wrong cards in a reading I did a bit ago for the Forum. One of these stands out: it was the 7 of wands, it screamed "Competition!" out loud, & this person said that he was not in the *least* competitive, didn't do anything competitive, blah blah blah!!!!! So I was pretty disappointed that my much-ballyhooed "Gilded" didn't cooperate! :(

Diana	10 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Balder As an example I can be in much pain and get the ace of cups as situation. Then I just laugh at the cards and put them aside. That doesn't sound like a wrong card to me. Ace of Cups can indicate excesses of different kinds which could be contributing to the pain. I don't think the cards are ever wrong. However, we can interpret them wrongly.

Eco74	10 Aug 2004
Maybe not competitive but certainlly defensive about it, which in itself is a competition of the will. ;o)

littlehermit	10 Aug 2004
I kind of think, from my utter novice perspective, that there's no such thing as a "wrong" card. If there were such a thing as a wrong card, then there'd have to be such a thing as a "right" card, which means there could only ever be one perfectly accurate spread of cards for any question. In that case, it should always be the same cards that come up if you re-ask and re-spread. No! That makes my little brain hurt. ;) My take: Whatever comes up was meant to come up. Maybe if we'd concentrated/grounded/whatever a little more carefully, we might have gotten a different set of cards whose message was clearer. But if a card comes up, it's not wrong. It's there. Look at it. Take me with much salt, for I am unskilled, and as intuitive as a mango. :D

Tor	10 Aug 2004
Well, maybe I get the "wrong" cards just so I can put tarot away and do other things? I too think there is a purpose of the cards I'm picking, but not always suited for a reading... I think my guides are telling me to get in balance again, and give me stupid cards :D

Aun	10 Aug 2004
Maybe the 'wrong cards' are the ones our conscious mind doesnt want to see - or - our unconscious mind imposes some sort of blockage. I'm with Diana. As long as you have a respectful and receptive attitude when shuffling (which varies from reader to reader), I believe the cards will always be the right ones.

Majecot	10 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Aun Maybe the 'wrong cards' are the ones our conscious mind doesnt want to see - or - our unconscious mind imposes some sort of blockage. I'm with Diana. As long as you have a respectful and receptive attitude when shuffling (which varies from reader to reader), I believe the cards will always be the right ones. I agree, I truely believe that we always get the right cards, we just do not always understand them or interpret them in the right way. Some times it just doesn't make sense, but I find if you write it down, and then look again later, it will make perfect sense. I think that it is not the decks that do not cooperate. Sometimes we just need to take a step back, and let the events unfold before we can comprehend.

queenofcups333	10 Aug 2004
If you get the Ace of Cups as a situation when you are not feeling that great do you think it might be telling you that you may not be on the right track as to what has real meaning in your life? Sometimes what is of the utmost importance to you at the time may not be what the cards feel is utmost. Often they tell you what you should be knowing rather than what you want to know. This is my first post. I hope what I have written is okay.

Eco74	11 Aug 2004
Ace of Cups - "The Cup Floweth Over" but with What emotion? Emotions are not only the happy ones, and the ace does not always indicate a new beginning. It may well be an indication that the pain is overwhelming right now and there's really no room for anything but the greef and hurt (the overflowing water indicating tears). The ace is after all "the whole" of the cups suite and not always just at the beginning of it.. Also, it could indicate that the cup is full and you can't add anything to it just now. There are just so many options...

Diana	11 Aug 2004
Balder: When you were saying that you were in pain and you get the Ace of Cups, were you referring to emotional pain or physical pain? I had understood physical pain. Ace of Cups can refer to all sorts of excesses like I said. One example (amongst others), it could refer to toxins being built up in the blood-stream, or the kidneys. Could also refer to problems eliminating water - feeling bloated for instance. If it's emotional pain, then the Ace of Cups also refers to an excess. Depending on the kind of emotion one is feeling, this card is an excellent indicator as to how we should go about solving our emotional problem.

DreamSinger	11 Aug 2004
What you said about pain and the Ace of Cups -- the second I read "Ace of Cups" I saw that the pain you were feeling was soul pain... things being "touched" within you from past lives... or your childhood. Ace of Cups often represents the person's spirit to me in a reading, and in association with pain (depending) my mind's eye easily sees myself interpreting it in light of spirit -- encouraging you to look deeper, encouraging you to let yourself totally sink into the pain (you will come back up)... encouraging you to see the eternality and soul purpose... and that it's about your growth and development, spiritually... and that it will end. It's spirit saying "this is just part of the process, so let the process take place. Don't be afraid. The pain isn't your enemy, it's to get you somewhere." Anyway, I don't know if that's for you, but since I feel the most painful year of my life could best be described as an "ace of cups" year, I just thought I'd share. :) miss

ros	11 Aug 2004
I think I'm trying to understand the idea of "every card has your answer" If this is true, the cards that are chosen are the ones that you should "focus" on. This only applies if you believe that each card can answer any question you ask, but the cards ask you to focus on the ones you choose. Maybe a misunderstandings but not wrong cards??? Hope this gives some different ideas.

Jewel-ry	12 Aug 2004
I don't think we get wrong cards, I just think we don't always understand them, in the context of the question. Very often when I have cards that I don't understand, I go back to the question and I will find that my question wasn't very clear in the first place. Ask an ambiguous question, get an ambiguous answer! I also think that sometimes cards appear and we need to take time for their meaning to become evident. :)

DreamSinger	12 Aug 2004
The cards are never wrong. Our ability to interpret any card at any time may be more or less strong, given (of course) a gazillion factors. Sometimes, the Universe takes the opportunity a reading offers to presents to try to get another message across to you. By this, I mean that the cards are not always bound by what you asked -- if you request insight when that happens, you will get it -- probably within moments or hours - or, at most, days (although of course, there could be purpose in delayed understanding in some cases). Sometimes, the Capital U has bigger fish to fry. :) miss

Ace	12 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by danubhe I got a couple of really wrong cards in a reading I did a bit ago for the Forum. One of these stands out: it was the 7 of wands, it screamed "Competition!" out loud, & this person said that he was not in the *least* competitive, didn't do anything competitive, blah blah blah!!!!! So I was pretty disappointed that my much-ballyhooed "Gilded" didn't cooperate! :( It is possible that we are wrong, but I agree with others, I don't think the cards are often wrong. If the querent doesn't accept that card, fine. Let it go. My favorite reaction to a reading is not from the querent, but from their friends. They will say, No way, and the others hearing this will say, Oh, yes! (the very best example was a palm reading I did at the end of a tarot gig. I had put my cards away already, but this one woman was so demanding I finally said I would read her palm. I looked up from my reading to see her shaking her head. And her friend behind her was nodding hers!) I am not sure what is truth in these readings, but the cards say what they say. You just say it and don't worry if it they don't accept it. (Er, let the cards fall where they may.... :rolleyes: ) Or you might ask the cards for clarification, to get the querent to be able to hear the message coming from the cards. but sometimes they just don't want to hear it. It isn't up to you to be "right" just to read the cards. Sometimes you will think it is a totally wrongo reading and they are just amazed at the accuracy!

tmgrl2	14 Aug 2004
I, too, feel that the cards I draw are always right. I may find difficulty reading them. So, like Umbrae, I get quiet, sometimes hold up my hand if the sitter starts to speak, and I stare out the window, or at the card or in space....and soon, something comes to me. But I need to get quiet and be comfortable with the quiet, while I "dial in" to the universal guidance that is there. terri If I've done my best...then I let it go.

BlueLotus	14 Aug 2004
I definitely believe that the cards never go wrong. What may come out in the cards as unexplainable or wrong may be further explained by other adjacent or selected cards if one gets more/less specific. And the answer can apply for the longer run instead. However if the reading may seem way out of tune at the time, I think the reader shoudl call it a day, and try again later; maybe even using another deck altogether, one that knows the reader better at that point. More often than not I have had a couple of off readings as well with my Quest. I think this deck does not like me. So I keep it for the images or for the yes/no features only, but even then it will not be as accurate as I would like.

tmgrl2	15 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Feebie I definitely believe that the cards never go wrong. More often than not I have had a couple of off readings as well with my Quest . I think this deck does not like me. So I keep it for the images or for the yes/no features only, but even then it will not be as accurate as I would like. I like this Feebie...this is what I feel sometimes. I always know the cards are right. Sometimes, I am definitely off. I feel it is me, though, not the draw. teri

Yemanja	19 Aug 2004
I've been using the cards only for one and a half years, but also get the feeling that sometimes I draw "wrong" cards. This happened especially in the beginning when I was still learning to read, interpret, learning card meanings etc. I've noticed that my readings, which so far I do only for myself, make little sense when I am in a worked up state energetically, and run to the cards to either make them solve my problems or tell me what I want to hear (ahem!). As time goes on, I have become more aware when I am doing this, and have also learned to identify and feel when a reading is "right". A reading is generally right when I calmly and trustingly approach the cards as a tool for guidance/help from my guides to gain insight into the situation and then do the appropriate physical, emotional, mental or spiritual work myself. Also, I have noticed that sometimes I tend to get too rigid with card meanings. Perhaps the wacky and out-of-place card that I draw is the right one, althought it might be telling me something other than its traditional meaning. Nevertheless, it has a message. Some things I do to access the message of such a card is just to look at and "into" the card, letting the card tell me its story and letting it guide me through its landscape while giving up the thought of control. When I find its message, I usually know through an inner knowing, and am learning (slowly! argh!) not to question its message. Perhaps this is where picking up on images and symbolism in the artwork of the card comes into play. Like I said, I haven't been using the cards for a long time and am by no means the expert but I hope the above ideas are helpful to you. I would also love to hear more on this topic from others. love and light Yemanja

bublee_tweety	22 Aug 2004
I believe that there are no card/s drawn in the spread which is/are wrong.... it's just that we sometimes misinterpret that/those card/s....it's by our interpretation and perception that cards became so wrong for us...we sometimes tend to blocked ourselves whenever the card that was drawn is not the one we expect it to be...we need to be open to any possibilities...and being open is not only to see what is obvious...but go beyond the whole thing....

Ace	23 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Yemanja I've noticed that my readings, which so far I do only for myself, make little sense when I am in a worked up state energetically, and run to the cards to either make them solve my problems or tell me what I want to hear (ahem!). Also, I have noticed that sometimes I tend to get too rigid with card meanings. Perhaps the wacky and out-of-place card that I draw is the right one, althought it might be telling me something other than its traditional meaning. Nevertheless, it has a message. Yemanja You are getting good at this! I won't read for people immediately when they call me, they want the answer they WANT not what the cards say is true. Also, to come up with a new meaning for the card may mean that you are really in tune with the message the cards are giving you, which in not what the traditional meaning was! I had a friend e-mail about someone she was talking to on the 'net (on a singles website). she was all in a lather about whether to trust this guy. I pulled King of Pentacles and told her she was much too good for him, not the usual meaning of Pentacles-it should have meant that HE was a good guy for her-but it didn't, and in this case rightly so. And one more story about people telling you that the cards (and you) are wrong: a reader I worked with years ago told a story about a reading she did: she kept telling the client that someone close to her was or soon would be in trouble with the law and the client kept saying she didn't know who that could be. Finally, my poor friend said, "well, I am done, do you have any questions?" and the client said: "I want to ask about my nephew, he's in jail." Lesson: the cards are always right, but you may never know for sure! If you really can't get the client to agree with the message, you might ask the cards for another way to explain it.

anubis	23 Aug 2004
i'll get the wrong cards if it "jumps" out ir rather dropped when i m dealing them

littlehermit	23 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by anubis i'll get the wrong cards if it "jumps" out ir rather dropped when i m dealing them Actually I tend to pay very sharp attention to my jumpers. They usually corroborate the spread (or even appear in the spread after they've been shuffled back in). Sometimes I do spreads of nothing but jumpers.

anubis	23 Aug 2004
hey... thats interesting... a spread of jumpers. but at the end, i suppose all cards are in very bad condition then

littlehermit	23 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by anubis hey... thats interesting... a spread of jumpers. but at the end, i suppose all cards are in very bad condition then How so? You mean they get extra wear and tear from falling out of the deck (landing on the floor, maybe getting rolled over by my computer chair when I bend down to get them, etc)? No doubt that's more wear and tear on them than in handling them uber-carefully, but my cards are far from "in very bad condition". We understand each other quite well. I don't coddle them, and they don't coddle me.

anubis	23 Aug 2004
haha... tat sounds interesting... ur deck understanding u.

littlehermit	23 Aug 2004
Yep. My relationship with my deck is sort of like my relationship with my husband. We don't stand on ceremony. Sometimes we wrestle, and muss each other's clothes and hair and whatnot. And the love is not despite these things, but because of it.

anubis	23 Aug 2004
oh ya... i m connected to my tarot too. once my blood accidentally touched my tarot, and it "came" to life.... i could understand it better imagine painting ur blood over the scythe of death

Diana	23 Aug 2004
anubis: In another thread, you say you cleanse your decks with your own blood. Is your cleansing accidental then? And does this blood not leave stains on your decks? Or do you think it is only when the blood is accidental that you give life to your tarot cards? (How do you make yourself bleed? With a knife? Or a pin-prick? And please explain how your cards came to life. Did the characters start moving around the cards, or did they walk out of the cards and have a walk on your table. Or are you just pulling our legs, for a kind of a private joke?

anubis	23 Aug 2004
hmmm... to say i started out without the intention to cleanse with my blood. but since i accidentally touched it with my blood, the tarot seemed to be able to "communicate" well with me. i refer "cleaned" as in claiming myself as the owner ofthe tarot. Juses shed his blood only once rite?

anubis	23 Aug 2004
wrong spelling for post above, hope no offense to anyone

The Do you sometimes get wrong cards? thread was originally posted on 10 Aug 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.