lost connection

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Keslynn	07 Oct 2002
I think Myrrha had mentioned something similar in another thread but here goes... recently when I've been laying out the cards, I haven't really felt connected to them. Also, the readings tend to make little sense to me. The only time this has changed is when I've been reading for someone else. Then it's clear as a bell, and I have no problems at all. I used to be able to read for myself just fine (although certainly somewhat biased), but now I don't seem to be able to. How can I get back my own personal connection to the cards? Has anyone else ever had anything else like this happen? :) Kes PS - Not sure if this is in the right forum so feel free to move me.

ChrisTheObscure	07 Oct 2002
I'm going through this right now, and I've been going through it since I started with Tarot about six months ago. Like you, the messages come through a lot clearer when I read for other people. One thing that's been helping me is keeping it simple when I read for myself...doing a 1, 3, or 5 card spread rather than a Celtic cross or other complicated spread. Another thing that might help is drawing a daily card...I started doing that this week, drawing one card per day and meditating on it for a while. C.

VGimlet	07 Oct 2002
I think maybe just be patient with yourself. Keep reading for others. Sometimes I think it's more difficult to read for yourself, especially if something is going on in life that you're anxious about. Since I rarely (so far, but that's chaging gradually) read for others, there have been times I stopped reading for myself, even for a few months, or even longer, because of various reasons. No connection, cards not making sense, answers I don't really want to see. Eventually it came back to me. Or, you may be someone who won't ever be able to accurately read for yourself. I think there are a few people on here who won't/don't ever read for themselves. But in the words of my friend Bryan, "It's all good." :D

Maan	07 Oct 2002
Sometimes when i read the cards for myself its like the cards just don't have anything new to tell me.. Maybe thats what's happening...the cards just have nothing new for you and you just have to waite until they do. Just a thought Love and light Maan

Kirali	07 Oct 2002
Maybe you should meditate on your favorite card in the deck or carry it around with you and just sort through the cards or shuffle. OR maybe try sleeping with the cards under your pillow. What works best for me is that I like to shuffle my cards and then I'll put them back in order helping me learn the images of the deck better. I do this for a week or two every time I get a new deck! I hope you get your connection back! ~Kira :)

Fuzzmello	07 Oct 2002
When this happens I try to remember my intention for casing the spread. If I'm really doing it to practice or learn something, the spread is going to reflect that, regardless of what I think I'm asking. I guess the trick might be to give up my desire to have a good or worthwhile practice and just be open to what the cards have to say when I ask about myself. Just being open reduces that "forced" atmosphere that screws up my readings. Fuzz

aeonx	07 Oct 2002
Hi Keslynn. I've read a few threads concerning the same problem, and many Aeclectics advice these people to take some time off the Tarot. Maybe you're just a bit exhausted, and need time to clear your head. Or, as earlier suggested, the cards doesn't have anything 'important' to say. Almost all with the same dilemma had a break of a week or more from the cards, and after, the connection was re-established. So, take your time, maybe enjoy the artwork of the deck, and 'try again later' (in the words of the telecompanies). :D Good luck! ~aeonx~

Ravenswing	07 Oct 2002
Kes-- This happens to me every so often. Things will go out of synch and it seems that all I get is static. Then, suddenly, everything will clear up and my connections will be better than before. The 'dis-connectedness' seems to be a period of adjustment right before a 'level jump'-- there's a frequency change and I have to wait 'til I'm recieving again. you'll get it back raven

Natalya	07 Oct 2002
When this happens to me I simpy take a little break away from the cards...At least till I regain some energy and am better able concentrate.

juice	08 Oct 2002
Obviuosly this doesn't happen to anyone else and you're all alone Muahahahhahah J/K I've suffered from this in many periods and am currently working on the theory that at leasst some of those periods were based off of me doing a general celtic cross spread where some of the posistions seem to have the same or nearly same meaning and don't ask questions I need not beat to death right now. The daily advice card may be your quickest way out. But, for me thinking up new questions is helping a lot. My spread collection is growing.

Trogon	08 Oct 2002
Keslynn... I'm no expert by any means... ;) But one though lept to my mind when I read your post. If you have more than one deck, perhaps you might try using a different deck for your self readings from the deck you're using for reading for others? I have to be honest with you. So far (knock on wood - }) ) I haven't had this happen to me. I use the 2 decks which I use for readings for friends for my own self readings as well, and so far have had no problems (other than the usual ones associated with the learning curve) with my self readings. But the thought did occur to me that you might try a different deck for your own readings. Just my 5˘ worth...

catlin	08 Oct 2002
Hi Kes, I have had one kind of similar tarot "crisis" shortly before I fell severly ill, so I pay extreme attention to such matters as they may indicate a serious state of exhaustion. Maybe you should take a break.

Myrrha	09 Oct 2002
Sorry to hear you are feeling this way about the cards. I have noticed that when I use the silver Mantegna deck and play the solitaire game (which basically means interacting with the cards for about 15-20 minutes before reading) I always feel connected with them. It may still be hard to figure out what they are trying to say and relate it to my question, but there is never that feeling that the cards are "not at home today". So I was thinking that with other decks maybe I should just play with the cards for at least ten minutes before reading, look at them, sort them by random criteria, pretend to play solitaire, I don't know maybe they need to be woken up like warming up a car in the winter. Myrrha

jema	09 Oct 2002
yes, these things happen and one just have to take a step back and do something else for a while. don't force it, just leave the cards alone a few weeks. i have had periods for up to a year when i never touched a deck. and then suddenly i got the interest and the "feel", that special connection back again. i also find that after those rest-periods my knowledge of the tarot and my general spiritual level have taken a great leap forward. i seriously think that rest-periods are important. it is during those times our subconscious are digesting what we learnt.

Jewel	09 Oct 2002
Hey Kes, I pretty much just read for myself and I have had this happen to me. What I have done is used the cards for other things instead of reading (i.e. meditation, spiritual/personal development, short story writting, use work books like Tarot for Yourself). Then one day I get the urge to do a reding I do, and everything is fine again. Also if you have been tunnel vision focused on tarot for a while you might get a little burned out. Then I would say put it aside until the urge hits you. Don't dispair it will pass :)

truthsayer	09 Oct 2002
i agree w/ others here who suggest that you take a tarot vacation. maybe it's become the center of your life for too long and you just need a break to refreshen your life perspective and learn some new things. i have found that my vacations from tarot actually helped me grow as a reader. another thought is that it could be a sign you need to pay more attention to personal needs right now. maybe you are giving too much to others and don't have enough left for yourself. i would take it as a sign i needed to re-examine my life and take care of denied needs. maybe the cards are trying to tell you something you don't want to face. i know before i had to leave my job due to chronic illness, i drew the tower and 9 of swords so many times for at least a year that it simply couldn't have been a coincidence. even if you can't read the cards yourself, you could post what you draw in the reading section and we could try to help you gain insight into what is going on.

The lost connection thread was originally posted on 07 Oct 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.