picking a Querent card

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

midnightmoon	23 Apr 2005
i was wondering if it is always good to pick a Querent or if you can let the reading do it for you with the first card. midnightmoon

Maelin	23 Apr 2005
Hi midnightmoon - I don't pick a querent card any more, unless I feel the person asking needs that card to focus on. SOmetimes, when I read for the same people over and over again, they have a personal significator and I don't remove it from the pack, because it has a special significance if it shows up "on its own" in a spread. You can also, certainly, as you suggest, let the reading set the querent card - in this way, say with the celtic Cross, you've actually added a card to the reading that you would interpret as representing the querent. Best wishes

tarotbear	24 Apr 2005
If you are talking about 'choosing a significator,' I have found that it's usually a waste of time, and agree with Maelin about not excluding a card from a reading by using it for the Significator -- which is an 'unread' card.

Arnnaria	24 Apr 2005
I think choosing a significator is not necessary. Why bother? Most of the time the Tarot chooses pretty good significators on its own! I only choose a significator as something to stare at and focus on when I'm doing a reading and the querent isn't in the room and can't shuffle the cards. Then, I simply use astrological sun signs: King of Pentacles > Taurus Queen of Pentacles > Virgo Knight of Pentacles > Capricorn King of Swords > Libra Queen of Swords > Aquarius Knight of Swords > Gemini King of Cups > Pisces Queen of Cups > Cancer Knight of Cups > Scorpio King of Wands > Aries Queen of Wands > Leo Knight of Wands > Sagittarius I've heard that the Queen of Cups is Scorpio and the Knight Cancer, but I don't like that personally. The fact that the Queen of Cups usually is holding the only covered chalice makes her much more of a Cancer to me.

Moongold	24 Apr 2005
Hi midnightmoon ~ Just above where you posted your question is a virtual library of infomration about reading. In [thread=15119]this[/thread] thread you'll find series of posts about Significators starting from post 4 (right hand corner). It is up to you whether you use a significator or not. Some people have a card whuch they feel represents them and they use it all the time. It might be any card but is most often a Court or a Major. I tend to use Queen of Wands myself or VII Chariot. (my personality/soul card). Sometimes the spread calls for a specially chosen significator, and sometimes you can just leave it to the Tarot. It's up to you, and what suits the situation. Moongold

gollog	25 Apr 2005
Don't use them and never have, I see no reason why to use them. I even don't use them for spreads that 'require' one. I agree with others on not wanting to exclude a card from the reading.

Little Baron	25 Apr 2005
As things go, I have never felt the need to use one; however, I did recently. Rather than using one I thought would fit, I turned over each card in the deck until a court came up. I then re-shuffled. Thought it might be interesting to see if the card came up in the spread and what position. It didn't, however, lol. LB

psychic sue	26 Apr 2005
I don't bother with them either, although there are some situations where they can be useful (there is another thread on this, somewhere) - but generally speaking, on the occasions when I have chosen a Significator I have forgotten all about it by the end of the reading! Also, I think, by selecting a card out of the pack, you may be removing a card that could have had a significant place within the reading - if you know what I mean! Sue x Woops, just realised I have repeated what someone else has said. Sorry!

The picking a Querent card thread was originally posted on 23 Apr 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.