Reading Responsibly: Solutions to Your Tarot Conundrums

By Peggy Firth, CTM


We’ve all had those, “What the heck do I say?” moments when giving a Tarot reading.  Here are some solutions to a few of the most common conundrums faced by readers.

What do I tell the querent when my mind goes blank?

Often our mind goes into overload when we are faced with a question or a card that does not seem to offer up immediate answers. Remember, every spread is perfect. You may begin by saying that the card is confusing you, and that you would like to ask some questions relating to the card. Often the reading takes you on to other issues that are equally or more important. 

How do I restate a question that seems virtually impossible to answer? 

Predicting the future is harmful since a change of mind changes future possibilities. Readings that involve future predictions may influence the querent’s decisions. Perhaps it would be of greater assistance to look into the dynamics of the situation. What seems to be occurring in the present that may affect the future? For example, you could restate a question about who and when a person will marry as, “What has to happen before I meet my future husband?”

What if the cards all seem to point to difficult or stressful times ahead?

All seeming stressful or bad experiences ultimately have a positive side. Each life is fraught with some pain along the way. Our role as readers is to gently interpret the cards as challenges to heal or overcome. In Mary Greer’s book, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals, Greer puts forth that some readers feel that reversals always have unpleasant meanings. She asks the reader to realize that there are a dozen ways to interpret reversals, and the reader should choose one that best represents a more modified and balanced meaning. 

If the cards in a spread make no sense, can I reshuffle?

I was taught that it's OK to reshuffle.

What if the querent insists on knowing more details than the cards reveal?

This is a common problem, especially for people who have little understanding of Tarot. As a 900 Tarot telephone reader, my employer advertised that we had the winning lotto numbers. I quit that job! I feel that we readers must educate our querents as to the limitations of time and space, since spirit does not operate under those limitations. Time and space expand and contract according to many influences. Some readers pull an extra card to reveal more information. Perhaps those who use numerology and astrology are able to reveal a more exact timetable.


Every Tarot reader is faced with struggles in their readings from time to time. It takes verve and chutzpa to interpret the cards, just as it does in any other profession that requires decision-making on your feet. Tally ho!

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Tarot Reflections is published by the American Tarot Association - Copyright (C) 2008 

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