Unearthing the Gift

I am joining a small group of tarot bloggers on a challenge/activity started by Julia of Spiral Sea Tarot, each Thursday we will answer three tarot related questions, we can submit questions as well for the upcoming Thursdays. I have already fallen behind on two Thursdays, but I am determined to join. Below are the questions and my responses for the first Thursday (January 5, 2017). These questions were put together by Julia.

1. How do you know when to stop shuffling?

This is a very good question. When I started learning to read the tarot I followed the usual shuffling method: shuffle three times, do a wash, cut the deck in three piles, pick a pile, compile piles, draw the card on the top. I did that for a while, but then I started shuffling my own way, that is to say with no method. So when do I know to stop shuffling? It’s kind of hard to explain, when I shuffle with no method, I either get a feeling that it’s time to stop, or I’ll also stop if a card jumps out of the deck. I have had times where I shuffled for a long time and even I ask myself when will I stop shuffling!? Usually if I have shuffled too long it also tells me that I might not be focused enough so I bring my attention back to it.

2. Have you ever had a spooky or supernatural experience while working with the cards?

I would say I have had several spooky situations, if you count cards jumping and mysteriously falling out of the deck as supernatural. Although I would say the most spooky situations happened when I did a spirit guide challenge last year, also hosted by Julia. During the challenge we connected with one spirit guide and communicated with them through the cards. One experience that was kind of spooky was when we asked our Guide to give us a sign outside of the cards. There were two cards that came out frequently for me during that challenge, the 10 of pentacles and the King of Pentacles. On the day we had asked our Guide for a message/sign I found a King of Pentacles and 10 of pentacles playing cards in the back pockets of my jeans. They didn’t magically get there, my oldest put them in my pockets without me noticing, but I did think that was my sign.

3. Is there a card that you still struggle to interpret at times (maybe even dread when it pops up!)?

I still struggle with the court cards. I don’t know if I should read them as people or energies. I usually read them as energies, but what if they are supposed to represent people? I do dread when they come up, and it is often, especially when I am reading for other people.

Well that wraps up the first Thursday. Thanks for stopping by!