Discover the 5 Fatal Mistakes in Cartomancy and How to Avoid Them to Become an Expert!

Origin of the Problem

When starting out in cartomancy, one might face problematic situations regarding the questions asked by the querent.

Situation 1: The querent does not ask a question.
Sometimes a querent does not want or does not know how to ask questions. They may expect you to give a general overview of their personal situation, possibly due to a lack of knowledge about cartomancy. It could also be a test: the querent wants to see which area you will focus on and how you will interpret the cards, while they already have an idea of their problem in mind. As a beginner, it is crucial to recognize this test and not fall for it. It is important to stay humble and explain to the querent that you are still learning and need a question to help them effectively.

Situation 2: The querent asks a vague or poorly directed question.
When a question is not precise enough, the answer will be equally vague. A querent may be focused on a specific aspect of their situation without wanting to see the real source of their problem. If the cartomancer does not guide the querent sufficiently to formulate a relevant question, the reading may not provide the necessary clarity. The cartomancer must avoid assuming that the question asked is automatically the right one and should engage in a dialogue to verify its relevance.

Situation 3: A misunderstanding about the cartomancer's method.
There may be a misunderstanding between the cartomancer and the querent if expectations are not clarified from the start. For example, a querent may want a predictive answer about their future while the cartomancer takes a psychological approach to cartomancy. This type of misunderstanding can lead to poorly phrased questions and thus inappropriate answers.

Situation 4: Problems in dynamic readings.
In readings with dynamic placements, if the basic question is not properly defined, the placements can be chosen incorrectly, rendering the answer inaccurate or off-topic.

Solutions to the Problem

Solution 1: Establish a dialogue with the querent.
The cartomancer must establish a clear and open dialogue with the querent to ensure that the question asked is the right one. It is essential to check that there are no hidden implications and that the question aligns with the querent's real needs.

Solution 2: Clarify your approach to cartomancy.
Before starting the reading, the cartomancer must explain their approach (predictive, psychological, etc.) and the types of answers the querent can expect. This clarification helps reduce misunderstandings and guide the questions appropriately.

Solution 3: Accept and understand remote consultations.
In written consultations over the internet, direct dialogue can be limited. Therefore, beginners are advised to prefer face-to-face consultations. However, for those who choose to perform blind readings in remote consultations, it is crucial to develop a rigorous method for handling questions posed by email and use this practice as a learning exercise (ultimately very rewarding even if very challenging).

Solution 4: Know the querent's context.
For beginners, it is often beneficial to know as much as possible about the querent before the reading. Knowing the querent's personal and social context can help in asking the right questions. This approach helps differentiate between the querent's desires and their real needs, directing the reading towards more useful and profound answers. I know some cartomancers think otherwise; they prefer to know as little as possible about the querent at the beginning. This approach mainly stems from the fact that they are more seers than cartomancers, and they fear that too much information might pollute or bias their intuition.

Solution 5: Define placements in collaboration.
In dynamic readings, it is essential to define the placements in collaboration with the querent, ensuring they are relevant to the question asked. This validation process ensures that the reading will be aligned with the querent's expectations and needs.

Origin of the Problem

Situation 1: Reading the cards for yourself in a state of emotional confusion.
When going through a difficult period, it can be tempting to read the cards for yourself to get answers. This practice is common, especially among beginners. However, being emotionally disturbed, you risk projecting your pessimism and doubts onto the cards, leading to fatalistic and negative interpretations. This can prevent you from seeing positive pathways and receiving the help you need.

Situation 2: Feeling limited and trapped in your own situation.
When you feel constrained by your own difficult situation, it can be hard to perceive new possibilities or solutions. Reading the cards in this mindset can keep you trapped in your limited view, making the card reading less relevant and useful.

Situation 3: Emotions reactivated by others' consultations.
When a querent presents a situation similar to a past or present personal experience, it can reactivate disturbing emotions in you, the cartomancer. This can influence your card interpretation, making your explanations vague, imprecise, and incoherent. Personal emotions can thus hinder the clarity and quality of the consultation.

Solutions to the Problem

Solution 1: Ensure optimal conditions for the consultation.
It is essential to conduct consultations at appropriate times when you are at your best. Avoid reading the cards under the influence of alcohol, medication, or after exhausting activities. Respect the cards, yourself, and the querent by choosing a suitable time for the consultation.

Solution 2: Recognize and manage your own emotions.
Acknowledge that the querent's situation may resonate with your own experiences and trigger emotions. Admit this reality and, if necessary, explain to the querent that you might not be entirely neutral due to this emotional connection. By demonstrating humility and transparency, you can offer a more honest consultation and suggest the querent consider a second opinion if needed.

Solution 3: Practice detachment and neutrality.
Develop the ability to remain neutral and detached during card readings, regardless of your personal connections with the querent. This detachment is not about direct or indirect relationships but about emotional mastery. Learn to separate your own emotions from the card interpretations.

Solution 4: Ritualize the consultation.
Establish a rigorous and respectful consultation protocol to help you enter a mindset of distance and neutrality. A well-defined ritual can help you focus, detach from personal emotions, and provide clearer and more objective consultations. Read my article on how to ritualize your practice to learn more.

By adopting these solutions, you can avoid the pitfalls of emotionally biased interpretation and offer more accurate and useful cartomancy consultations.

Origin of the Problem

When learning to use divinatory cards, it is natural to want to draw them often for oneself. This can be motivated by the desire to find clear answers to personal difficulties or to navigate life more calmly. The card game, seemingly simple and accessible, appears to be a good option for getting advice.

However, this practice can quickly become excessive. The temptation to use the cards for every small decision in daily life, like going out or trusting a friend, can lead to dependency. By relying too much on the cards, you lose your own ability to make decisions and act independently.

Solutions to the Problem

Solution 1: Moderation and Patience.
It is essential to learn to moderate the frequency of readings. Allowing time between readings helps validate previous interpretations and avoid illusions. Asking the same question frequently, like every week, is counterproductive, as statistically all the cards in the deck will eventually come up, and you get multiple answers to the same question. Even though I know that "it's always the same cards that come up" because with a gifted tarologist with true intuition, there are no probabilities or statistics that matter, there is no more randomness: the "right" cards come up. And even if you are in that case, and you draw the Devil card every week, and it annoys you: patience and acceptance! Do not reject the card that obsesses you. Do not draw to get the card you expect.

Solution 2: Group Readings.
Joining or creating a circle of card readers, in person or online, can be very beneficial. Group readings allow for collaborative interpretation, bringing the varied perspectives of each participant. Group readings therefore give more weight to the answers (compared to those obtained when drawing cards for oneself). This can help prevent addiction by diversifying the experience and sharing your passion with others.

Solution 3: Building Connections and Learning Together.
Maintaining connections with other card readers allows for a critical reflection on one's own practice. These exchanges and discussions can help avoid the aforementioned problems by bringing different points of view and promoting a more balanced and thoughtful approach.

Solution 4: Accepting Uncertainty and Time.
It is important to accept that not all answers will come from the cards. One must let the future come on its own and remain an active participant in one's own life. The tarot is a life companion, not an immediate solution to all questions.

Solution 5: Avoid Seeking to Confirm Desires.
Excessive practice of readings can be motivated by the desire to see one's expectations confirmed. This can lead to a biased answer, obtained only by the frequency of readings. It is crucial to understand that the true answer may not match our initial desires, and to accept it as part of personal growth.

By applying these solutions, you can avoid the excess of readings and maintain a healthy and balanced practice of card reading.