Finding what is missing...card subtraction & addition

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Enchanted	27 Mar 2005
(Apologies in advance if this makes no sense). Okay, a nagging thought that I have been pondering concerning what is missing/or what you are looking for or why a certain card is present? I began to think of in terms of adding or subtracting numbers of that suit. I first thought of this in terms of the eight of cups, which I take to mean searching, deeper meaning, more to life. Anyway, if you take the ten of cups to mean the completion of the suit, then what is 'missing' or what you could be 'searching' for is the two of cups, love, someone who 'knows' you and you 'know' them. Then you could have the possibility of a sense of completion. I thought of it again in terms of the seven of swords (all Rider-Waite-Smith deck and assuming that you are not the person in the card) someone has 'stolen' five swords from you, the theft of the five of swords leaves you feeling defeated, (always identify with the guys in the background) but you are left with two. The two of swords (which I actually find a quite tranquil card). So perhaps after the experience of the seven which leaves you feeling the effects of the five it is a natural response to 'close ranks' and have those swords protecting your heart. (again sorry if this is explained badly, Sun/Mercury conjuction what ya gonna do! :) ) I thought I would just put this out there as such, as I am not sure if I am thinking outside the box, or just going nuts! :laugh: Any thoughts? BTW feel free to tell me I'm nuts! ;)

Fulgour	27 Mar 2005
There are times when, as I watch each card appear, it feels like I am in my garden, watching birds gather. One by one they gracefully float into place and land, here and there, then fill the air around me with song. Each time the group is different, but because I know them all, its always special to see which group forms. And I do note whose absent, for it does truly matter, since none is ever really missing, just a little bit away.

Free Flight	28 Mar 2005
Hi Enchanted, I think this is an intruiging idea. I had definitely never thought of it. Like the 9 Cups which I see as a staircase card..always plodding up those stairs..never getting there...well you need the power of the ace to reach that satisfaction and happiness of the 10 cups Or to use another cups analogy you have the 7 cups which to me is a card signifying too many choices..well you take this from ten and you get the 3 cups...a card where much celebrating is going on.. Although the last example doesnt tie in that well as an example...I know where you are going and it is avery good. Another layer I can add to my readings thanks Ainsley

Fudugazi	28 Mar 2005
Fulgour wrote: There are times when, as I watch each card appear, it feels like I am in my garden, watching birds gather. One by one they gracefully float into place and land, here and there, then fill the air around me with song. Each time the group is different, but because I know them all, its always special to see which group forms. And I do note whose absent, for it does truly matter, since none is ever really missing, just a little bit away. This is a poem, Fulgour, and you've made my heart beat a little faster with it. Birds and Tarot cards. Ah! :) Enchanted - I am excited by your meditation. Thanks for sharing it.

Fudugazi	28 Mar 2005
Free Flight wrote: you have the 7 cups which to me is a card signifying too many choices..well you take this from ten and you get the 3 cups...a card where much celebrating is going on.. I think maybe it works if we turn the 7 cups on its head - rather than saying "too many choices" - we say - "in front of choices, learn to focus on what your heart wants and/or needs". Then the 3 of cups falls into place: we focus with expanding creativity, and not too seriously, but lightly. Like the zen way of shooting arrows ;)

Enchanted	28 Mar 2005
So I'm not completely nuts! :cool: Was a little worried about sharing this one (new, nutty, silly) but then I figured this is why I am here to share and to learn. So what the hey... What a lovely poem Fulgour, what a beautiful way to see the experience. Kinda like absent friends (even the 'not so nice' ones). I have only thought of it in terms of the cards mentioned as there was a repetitive pattern to their appearance in my readings but I will try to explore it further and see what comes up. Keep peeling that onion as such :laugh: Afterthought: With the seven of swords though, even if you are represented by the 'thief' then you only managed to 'steal' five swords which would leave you with the 'shallow victory' of the five and more inclined to be represented to the guy in the foreground on the card.

gypsy_morrigan	28 Mar 2005
Fulgour...your post reminded me of a quote from a book I love: "Cautiously, she removed the lid and shook the cards into her hands. They felt smooth, and they slipped against each other like the feathers of a bird's wing folding into place." --The Raven Ring by Patricia Wrede I like the subtraction-addition idea. I will be trying that out!

SunChariot	28 Mar 2005
Fulgour wrote: There are times when, as I watch each card appear, it feels like I am in my garden, watching birds gather. One by one they gracefully float into place and land, here and there, then fill the air around me with song. Each time the group is different, but because I know them all, its always special to see which group forms. And I do note whose absent, for it does truly matter, since none is ever really missing, just a little bit away. That's beautiful, so poetic! :-) Bar

Skydancer	28 Mar 2005
I agree with Helvetica - thought provoking poem. I like it! Enchanted - very good! I had not thought of this before, not with numbers from the same suit. Thank you. (Here's to more onions!!) And - thanks a lot for yet another book to add to my list! *sigh* A girl could go broke hanging around a place like this. ;) S:OL

The Finding what is missing...card subtraction & addition thread was originally posted on 27 Mar 2005 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.