So I was trying to figure out what a clarifying card actually is in tarot. I’ve heard people throw the term around a lot, but I never really sat down to get it straight in my own practice.
Starting with a Real Mess
I pulled out my Rider-Waite deck this morning because that’s my go-to when I’m confused. I shuffled the cards thinking about a question I had about my work—just something simple like, “Should I focus on this new project?”
I pulled a single card: the Seven of Wands. It shows a guy standing on a hill, fighting off a bunch of other wands. Okay, defense, holding your ground, that kind of thing. But honestly, my first thought was, “What does this really mean for my project?” It felt a bit vague. Is it telling me to defend my current work, or is it a warning about competition?
This is where the clarifying card idea popped into my head. I’ve seen other readers do it, so I figured I’d try it myself.
How I Actually Did It
I kept the Seven of Wands right where it was. I didn’t reshuffle the whole deck. I just placed it down, focused hard on my confusion, and said, “Okay, what’s the deal with this card? Clarify it for me.”
Then I pulled another card from the top of the deck and laid it right next to the first one.
The second card was the Ace of Pentacles. A new opportunity, a seed, something solid and tangible.
Suddenly, the first card made more sense. The Seven of Wands wasn’t just about defense; it was about defending this new opportunity (the Ace) that’s coming. It clicked. The clarifying card didn’t change the first card’s meaning; it just put a spotlight on one part of it.
What I Learned from My Own Practice
It’s not some fancy rule you have to follow. It’s just a tool. Sometimes one card is enough, but when your brain goes, “Huh?” that’s when you grab a clarifier.
- It’s like asking a follow-up question in a conversation.
- You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Just pull one more card.
- It works best when you’re genuinely stuck, not when you’re just doubting yourself.
I used to think you needed a special spread or a ritual, but nah. It’s straightforward. See a confusing card, pull another one to shed light on it. That’s it. My practice got a lot simpler after I stopped making it harder than it needed to be.
