Do I Need Permission to Read Tarot?

What is it about tarot that makes people shy?

Well, there's the mystery. The poetic images seem both familiar and foreign. What messages are they hiding? What do they mean? And how can one lean about them?

There's also the mysticism. Tarot comes with a lot of history, lore, and superstition that, depending on who you ask, means everything or nothing. Are the cards a tool of the devil? An inscrutable magical system only understandable after years of study and an elaborate initiation? Both?

No wonder tarot can seem overwhelming to new learners. 

While I've yet to encounter any wild tarot initiation ceremonies or tarot-related demons, I have encountered lots of anxiety around getting tarot "right," especially from people just starting out.

It's interesting how when we want to learn something new we throw out a lot of obstacles for ourselves. For example, getting caught up with the sheer number of cards - it's too much to memorize! I'll just buy that deck I've had my eye on later...

This is especially true for things we're deepy interested in or areas that reflect a part of ourselves we may be afraid to express. Tarot gets at all these tender spots. As a system it excels in teaching us more about ourselves and encouraging spritual expression. Unfortunately, these aren't always valued by our culture and often it's easier to push our curiosity for the cards aside, directing our focus to more "serious" matters.

I think that's a shame.

I always tell anyone I read for that if they have even the slightest interest they should pick up a deck for themselves and get to know it. Whether you're going to be reading professionally or simply drawing a card a day for personal inspiration, the tarot has so much to offer each and every one of us. You can even buy a deck and ignore it! When the time's right, I bet you'll start shuffling through it.

So if you're looking for permission or some sort of calling, I'm happy to give it to you. Here it is, nice and official: you have my enthusiastic support and permission to embark on the study of the tarot. You are blessed in your jouney wherever it may take you and you are absolutely qualified to add the wisdom of your interpretations to the practice of tarot. We need you. Welcome!

And as for the calling, if you're reading this you've probably already heard it within yourself.

Now get out there and snag yourself your first tarot deck. 

And if you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out. I love to help people along their tarot journeys in any capacity, whether it's through a class, card meanings, this blog, individul mentorship, or a simple email. I'd love to hear from you.

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When a Tarot Card Just Doesn't Make Sense

We've all been here before. You've laid out your cards, looked at their meanings and connections, and spun them into an insightful reading. The catch? One of them just doesn't seem to fit. It could be a rogue major arcana, a pesky minor, or a theme that won't tie in no matter how you look at it. Either way, its meaning won't reveal itself to you.

This can be frustrating and a bit of an ego blow. We all know there's nothing like a smooth, free-flowing tarot reading. It's exhilarating and illuminating. We get the insight we want and the satisfaction of pulling it all together.

What would you say if I told you that my favorite part of reading tarot is not knowing what a card means?

Over the years I've done a lot of readings. When I first stumbled on a tricky card I was upset. No matter how many books I consulted it just didn't gel with the rest of the reading. And then I let it sit (definitely more out of frustation than wisdom!) I simply didn't know what to do.

And then the magic happened. 

All the times I've encountered a difficult card it was for a reason. Sometimes a card doesn't reveal itself because it has a larger message that needs time to unfold in real life. These instances have always stuck with me as the most powerful moments in tarot.

An example: I was doing a reading about an opportunity I was going to pursue. Everything was looking peachy and about as "logical" (or understandable, rather) as a tarot reading can be. Then I drew a card that represented "something to watch out for." It was the six of cups.

Now this is perhaps one of the rosiest tarot cards in the decks. It represents connection, innocence, and tenderness. I couldn't for the life of me see how it related to my situation, especially since what I was asking about had very little to do with friendship or relationships.

Fast forward two days and I found myself in a sticky situation involving a friend trying to take advantage of the situation I had been doing the reading for. Suddenly, I understood what the card had been trying to tell me. In the left corner of the six of cups there's an often-ignored figure. It appears to be walking out of the frame and holding a spear and can refer to moments when you let your guard down.

I had been letting my rose-colored vision of this relationship cloud my judgment, choosing to ignore my doubts and "let my guard down." It was an exciting a-ha! moment that drew me deeper into the card and cemented a facet of its meaning with a real life experience.

These tarot moments are unique and special - I never forget them when they happen and they've led me to embrace the times when I can't seem to make a card fit. It may seem counterintuitive, but give it a try for yourself. When you encounter a tricky card let it rest. In time, it will reveal its meaning in your life and leave you with a magical tarot experience and story. 

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Notes from a Tarot Reader: On Tarot & Time

When we get tarot readings we often want to know exactly when all the messages in the card will show up in our lives.

The temptation for certainty is real. If I’m asking about my love life, I’m probably secretly hoping to hear that I’ll meet someone special soon.

And when emotions run high? Details are even more alluring. For example, I’m sick of my job and the cards suggest that a new job opportunity might be heading my way. Well does that mean next week or in a month or two?

I’m feeling stressed and impatient, I want answers now!

It’s funny, really. We often look to tarot to shake us out of our regular patterns of thinking. When our favored methods of analyzing fall short the evocative world of the cards looks wise and promising. But what do we do when we get there? We expect logical, analytical, and specific answers.

Sometimes we get frustrated with tarot for the very traits that we seek it out for.

Certainty, set dates, and specific timelines? Tarot doesn’t speak that language. It does, however, show us what energies are most powerful and how we can move forward when we embrace them.

In other words, if we’re looking for a new approach we’d better be prepared for new ways of thinking.

In my approach, I view time and Tarot as occasional friends. They might get together for coffee once in a blue moon, but they don’t spend every waking moment together.

We must learn to read between the lines when looking for timeframes in our tarot readings, and when times does show up it’s in a much more diffuse and flexible form: energies, tendencies, and trends rather than deadlines, dates, and guarantees.

Below are some things you can look for in your tarot readings to get a grasp of the timeframe. And remember, follow your intuition and keep a flexible outlook. You might be surprised by what you find.

1.     Major vs Minor Arcana

Look at the outcome positions in your spread. Are they major arcana cards or minors? Majors tend to depict larger events unfolding that usually have to do with personal development. These cards tend to show events that take longer while Minor Arcana cards come to pass more quickly.

2.     Numbers

In Minor Arcana cards, look to the numbers. Smaller numbered cards depict earlier stages of a cycle while larger numbers show the end stages. In readings, the card itself depicts a leg on the journey; however, its number shows us how many more stages are left before the cycle is completed.

For example, say we have the Three of Pentacles. This tells us that the querent will soon be collaborating on a project. The project itself, however, is relatively new, and it will be some time before it reaches its full potential (X of Pentacles.)

3.     Immediate Cards

There are some cards in the deck that quite simply depict immediate actions and events such as The Tower, the Eight of Wands, and the Aces. Other cards such as The Wheel of Fortune and Death indicate that a change is arriving soon.

4.     Long Term and Rest Cards

Then there are tarot cards that indicate slower paced action or periods of rest such as the Four of Swords, the Four of Cups and The Hanged Man. Cards that depict journeys also tend to take longer to play out such as the Five and Eight of Cups and The Hermit.

5.     Seasonal Cards

As I mentioned in my Tarot Cards for Spring post, some cards have a distinctly seasonal vibe. In my practice, I look at the suits as the seasons: Wands for Spring, Cups for Summer, Pentacles for Fall, and Swords for Winter.

In the Major Arcana, I see The Fool as Spring, The Empress as Summer/Early Fall, and The Hermit as Winter.

How about you? How do you see time depicted in the tarot? What cards do you see as long term and short term cards? Share your ideas in the comments below.

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Choosing Your First Tarot Deck

Choosing a tarot deck can seem daunting when you’re just starting. With so many options out there (Bohemian Cat Tarot, Steampunk Tarot, even Lisa Frank Tarot!) the choices become epic, fast.

Add the nerves around the system itself – it’s so complicated, how am I ever going to learn all 78 cards, do you mean I can read tarot? – and you’re on the fast track for overwhelm.

In a way, I’m eternally grateful for the limited options I had when I started. In the new age bookstore in my town there were probably only three decks, and among those only one really jumped out to me. It was the classic Rider-Waite-Smith, and it has been my go-to deck ever since.

Now, thanks to the magic of the internet, my collection has grown exponentially. Spending a great deal of time in the tarot-verse has me stumbling on beautiful decks often (with disturbing consequences for my budget!) So with those new to tarot in mind I’ve compiled my tips for choosing your first deck.

Let’s get things started…

1. Go Classic

I’m not one for giving direct instructions, so this is as close as I’ll get: If you want to start off learning from the source, get yourself a copy of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (or the other OG decks of the other two major systems – the Marseille or the Thoth.)

As a reader who primarily uses the RWS, I’ll speak about that tradition. Not only does it resonate with me the most, but it also serves as an excellent jumping off point for learners.

This deck, published in 1910, is the basis of many modern tarot decks. Known somewhat creepily as “RWS clones,” they’ll be a snap to use after you’ve acquainted yourself with the original. The layout, 22 major arcana cards and 58 illustrated pips in four suits, is full of imagery and symbolism you can read so many ways. Think incorporating astrology, numerology, esoteric traditions such as kabbalah, or simply your intuition.

Personally, I adore the illustrations done by Pamela Coleman Smith. For those not taken by the original, there are many other versions available, mostly with retouched colors. Try the Radiant if you want a vibrant pop or the Universal for a more soothing look. The Albano-Waite even has psychadelic colors if you’re feeling trippy.

And conveniently enough, most tarot books address this system, so you’ll have no shortage of resources at your fingertips. With this in mind, I suggest grabbing a copy of this deck even if it’s not your #1 tarot true love - you can use it as a cross reference when using RWS books and other resources.

2. Shop Around

But say you’re not drawn to the classic, Medieval-style illustrations of the RWS and want to find something more exciting. Maybe you’re curious about a modern deck like The Fountain Tarot or a classic feminist deck like the Motherpeace Tarot.

This is where the internet is truly our friend. Google around and find decks you’re interested. Read reviews and look at as many photos as you can get your paws on. See how the cards are grouped and whether the illustrations resonate with you. You can find plenty of reviews on forums like Aeclectic and on tarot blogs. Keep it light – you don’t need to compile a treatise on why you’re choosing a certain deck. Just follow your curiosity and browse away.

3. Find a Hard Copy

There’s nothing like experiencing the real thing. If you have a metaphysical shop or even a bookstore that carries tarot, stop in and see if they have an opened copy of the deck you can see. Hold the cards, even give them a shuffle if you can. You’ll be handling your deck frequently and how they feel in your hand – the weight of the cardstock, the quality of the printing – is an important part of your experience with a deck.

If you have a friend who reads tarot, ask to see their collection. (I love showing off my cards, and there’s nothing more fun that connecting others with tarot. Plus, it’s fascinating seeing what decks people are drawn to!)

But fear not if you can’t see a deck in person – the quality of printing today is excellent and many reviews address the tactile side of cards. If you’re simply feeling drawn to something, go for it and trust your intuition. Which leads us to my final tip…

4. Follow Your Instincts

Tarot can be used practically and even analytically, but at its root it’s an intuitive tool meant to tap into our subconscious. It’s natural then that how you feel about a deck is the most important thing to keep in mind when making a choice. Your first tarot deck should resonate with a deep part of you, inviting you into its world with captivating images and mystery. Otherwise you won’t be called to work with it and your practice will be a slog when it should sing.

I know people who’ve started with decks outside of any major tarot tradition and developed a lush and personalized reading style with them because they feel deeply connected with the cards. For example, I had a student who resonated deeply with the natural imagery of the Wooden Tarot; as a former naturalist she was immediately able to craft profound and moving readings with the cards because of her natural connection with them. And that’s what’s most important.

Are you finding yourself being strongly drawn to the cards and you’re not sure why? Follow this instinct and get the deck.

I chose the RWS when I was 12 because I was absolutely fascinated with it. I saw the deck and knew I wanted to learn tarot. I was curious, nervous, and in awe of the magical world shown in the cards. Find a deck that does that for you and you’ll be enjoying the world of tarot for years to come.

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Tarot Cards for Spring

Last week we had a visit from the Ace of Wands. It was a very on the nose tarot reading: a waxing moon (increasing energy) with a sprouting branch emerging from the clouds. To me, this was Tarot-ese for “Spring is coming!” And it had me thinking, what other cards personify Spring?

The way I read, time shows up as a feeling instead of a moment. So we might see a certain feeling emerging where we feel energized and refreshed, ready to start anew and cultivate different paths. To me, all these qualities reflect Spring, while more enclosing, hibernating energy suggests Winter.

Below I’m sharing the four cards that I find refelct all the balmy goodness of Spring, along with my takes on each of them. 

VI of Cups

Innocence, blossoming, tender memories, meaningful traditions.

This card radiates the fresh innocence that comes with Spring. It’s young children playing at a family picnic, chicks hatching from their eggs, and the warm bashfulness that comes with new romances and friendships. It also embodies the rose-tinted nostalgia that can float in on the warm breeze. The feeling of looking back with fondness on old memories, perhaps looking to rekindle them in our lives through traditions and reaching out to family members and friends. When I look at this card I envision flowers blossoming, fragile, bright, and dewy.

Ace of Wands

New growth, emerging into a new state of being, energy, vitality.

The Ace of Wands shows us the determined exuberance of Spring. Every year buds from on tree branches and bulbs send out shoots to burst through the soil. It’s inevitable and massively energetic. You can’t stop Spring. The Ace of Wands embodies power of the season. It’s a time of creativity, production, and a certain amount of extravagance. Flowers and plants don’t hold back – it’s their time to set the stage and enter the world. In reading, this ace asks us to embody this passion, embracing boldness and brightness.

Four of Wands

Celebration, new romance, appreciating bounty

I know this card is usually interpreted as cozy and traditional, but I get a decidedly more sensual vibe here. If the Four of Wands is all about celebration and romance, I see no problem expanding this to life itself. The delicious feeling of warm air on your skin, walking barefoot and feeling the grass on your toes after months of being stuck in fuzzy socks, reconnecting with your body (and your lover(s)’s). It’s a card that brings pleasure and love front and center, celebrating them for all their giving, joyful glory. Radiate your pleasure outwards, share it with others, and give it a central place in your life.

VII of Pentacles

Cultivation, plenty, joy through work

The Seven of Pentacles brings the bustle of Spring down to earth. Here we see how the work we put in during this season can grow into plenty and prosperity. It’s about getting down into the dirt and planting the seeds you want to see grow in the month to come. Spring, it tells us, is the season to cultivate the traits, projects, and situations we want to see in our lives. It’s hands on work we can get absorbed in, smelling the dirt on our hands and feeling the satisfaction of sore muscles.

What about you? What tarot cards do you find full of Spring energy? Share in the comments below.

How Many Cards Should I Use in a Reading?

So many cards! (From the Fountain Tarot)

A lot of people ask me how many cards they should draw for a reading. Conventional wisdom suggests that more is always better. The reading will be more in-depth! You’ll get more details! More information!

But tarot is a detailed, ever-shifting system. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t read with reversals: Each card has almost endless information. With all the magic of the illustrations and symbolism, it's easy to get plenty of information.

Case in point: the weekly forecasts. Three cards might not seem like a lot, but I spend a lot of time winnowing them down to a readable length. My goal is to make them concise and helpful instead of spazzy and rambling. (Believe me, this can be a challenge with my tarot enthusiasm.)

As you can see, three cards gives me more than enough information to fill three pages, and more if I let myself go wild (see this week's add-on to the forecast, for example!)

I like to approach readings with detail in mind. If I want to focus on my intuition and see where it takes me I'll start with just a few cards, say anywhere from 1-3. After really exploring them I'll draw more for clarification or expansion into whatever came up.

This is a great method for when you don't have a clear-cut question or situation in mind, as is often the case when I read for myself. Using my first smaller draw I'll identify what I need to focus on and then build from there. It's also an approach I use in a lot of my client readings to see where the cards want to take us.

Larger spreads are just divine for situations you're well aware of like "I'm at a crossroads with my career what do I need to know moving forward?" or "What should I foucs on in my relationship?" These questions give structure to all the cards you pull and put them into easily identified contexts.

Larger spreads also give you lots of information, so if your'e looking for a ton of input or feeling adrift they're helpful and exciting. They can serve as a map where you can survey the scene and make plans to move forward. 

And, of course, the're magical and beautful to look at. I often spend weeks revisiting and digesting the large readings I do for myself. There's nothing more satisfying than watching the messages of the tarot emerge in your life in real time. 

So to end on a short and snazzy note, start small and follow your heart when it comes to tarot readings. The cards can be taken in many different directions. Think about where you'd like to go and plan accordingly. There's no need to limit yourself, but know that each card packs quite the punch of insight. 

How to Get out of Your Head when Reading Tarot

Cards from the Fountain Tarot

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a tarot newbie, it's easy to get stuck in a rut with reading tarot, especially if you're doing a lot of reading for yourself. If you're anything like me, you may find yourself fixated on reading tarot "the right way." As I can personally attest, staying in your head and focusing on getting it "right" is the fastest way to cut yourself off from the magic of the cards.

Reading tarot is an intuitive practice that requires a special headspace. You don't need to have a permanently furrowed brow and uber-serious dedication to the original meanings of any deck. (However, if this is your preference, go for it!) It may, however, limit what you're able to see in the cards.

Personally, I've found that the best readings allow plenty of space for the unexpected to pop up. This can be a message you may not directly see in the card's imagery or traditional meaning, but feel coming through nonetheless. As an intuitive tool, Tarot is meant to access parts of our minds that don't make logical sense. Maintaining total control actually stifles the potential of a reading.

Embrace the uncertainty and see what you can teach yourself about the cards. You may be surprised at what you find. A sense of play and exploration are actually essential to quality, insightful, and accurate readings. 

Here are my favorite ways to break free of the "doing it right" mindset:

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1. Transition to a Different Headspace before Reading

Yes, I am telling you to ground/meditate/center before you read. Going into tarot readings for yourself or another person "cold turkey" is the perfect recipe for an overly-analytical reading. You're basically jumping straight into things without allowing your mind to transition into a different space. And I think we'd all agree that ideally our tarot readings should be different from a standard conversation.

This is a good time to mediate on your purpose for the reading and open yourself up to the meaning of the cards. It even helps to directly address your mind/thinking brain or whatever you'd like to call it. Direct your analytical thoughts to take the backseat and invite your intuition in. This can be done directly, through ritual, or simply through a brief meditation session. Do whatever feels best to you.

2. Step Outside of Yourself

Sometimes ego can take over a tarot reading without us even knowing it. Rather than read as yourself (or your idea of yourself) take the time to shift into a different headspace. If I'm reading for a client, I mentally shift gears, reminding myself that I am here to interpret the cards and transmit their readings. It's not about me, my ideas, or any of my ideas about what I think "should happen." Simply acknowledging this allows for more fluid, accepting readings that also honor the individuality of the querent. 

3. Set the Stage

Ritual and ambiance are an amazingly effective way of shifting the energy of a reading. Yes, those candles and crystals serve a purpose. You can get as woo as you want to with this, but I believe at the very minimum, taking the time to create a magical space for your reading results in more powerful readings. You get out what you put in. And who doesn't enjoy a little candlelight?

4. Be Playful

Yes, tarot can be fun! Run with things that pop up in readings. Do you see a story emerging? Does a figure remind you of a person or a story or event? A dream? A song? Follow it and see where it leads you. Don't give your mind time to cut your inspiration and excitement off. Often these seemingly random threads lead to powerful insights.

The magic of Tarot is that it uses the language of symbols to access our own subconscious. Taking the time to explore your client's or your own symbolic language is absolutely priceless. Explore why the color blue makes you sad or why The Fool's costume reminds you of a dress your mother wore. This is one of the fastest ways to move tarot out of the realm of pre-determined meanings and into a place of great personal transformation.  

5. Explore New Insights

With the last suggestion in mind, don't be afraid to incorporate these insights into your understanding of a card. This is how readers develop their own unique styles and deep reservoirs of tarot knowledge. The best advice I can give here is "if you can feel it, follow it." Does the Page of Cups make you feel a sadness about your relationship with a friend? You're probably on to something. Gently explore what it could mean to you and give it plenty of time to percolate. Just because it doesn't match up with a card meaning doesn't mean it's not valid. 

4 Ways to Interpret Reversed Tarot Cards

Topsy-turvy adventures: reading reversals can add depth to your practice. Cards: Wild Unknown

Pick up any tarot book and you’ll find two meanings for each card: upright and reversed. With 78 cards in the typical deck, that brings the tally up to 156 meanings to familiarize yourself with. 

Worried you'll spend your readings with your nose buried in a book? Fear not - once you get to know the upright major and minor arcana meanings, you'll be able to put the book aside and experiment with reversals on your own. And, naturally, you can return to the written interpretations as you enrich and grow your tarot practice. 

There are lots of ways to look at reversals and many are tied to the upright meaning of the card and/or intuition. That's to say, there is no one way to read reversals, and you certainly don't need to commit a definition to memory in order to gain proficiency.

The more you read, the more you practice, and the more techniques you try, the closer you get to mastery and discovering your own personal style.

Here are some ways to explore reversals as you get started:

1.      Energy Coming In/Energy Receding

With the meaning of the card you’ve learned so far in your mind, look at the position. If upright, consider the energy coming into your/the querent’s life. If reversed, see it as receding in influence.

2.      Strong/Weak Forces

Look at upright cards as traits, people, or factors that have a powerful sway on the situation at hand. Reversed, the card signifies something with a weak influence.

3.      Stable Areas/Places to Improve

Consider upright cards as fully developed aspects of a situation, topic, or personality. Reversed cards indicate a facet of life or the personality that needs development.

4.      Smooth Sailing/Sticky Spots

Upright cards tend to speak to the positive areas of life that are proceeding with little effort. Reversals can indicate troubled areas or challenging aspects.

Things to Keep in Mind When Looking at Reversals

• The Topic: Reversals often act to clarify the situation at hand. For example, if you're doing a reading for self-improvement, consider interpreting reversals as places you need to work on or traits you need to encourage.

• The Context: Look at the surrounding cards. What supports the card in question and what detracts from it?

• The Position: Is the reversed card in a position that indicates the past or future? Or a quality to embrace? Use this information to guide your interpretation.

• Suits: Is there a dominant suit in the reading? What might that say about the reversed card(s)?

What is your experience with reversals? How do they fit in with your tarot practice?

Share your experience in the comments below or hop over to the Incandescent Tarot Mighty Network to start a new conversation. Curious about my current stance on reversals? Check out my post Why I Don’t Read with Reversals. (Yes, I realize that title is quite the spoiler!)

When Not to Read Tarot

Reading when you're not ready can lead to ill-advised sneakiness & wishful thinking

Tarot is a tool that can be used in countless situations. There are hundreds of spreads for almost anything imaginable, and you can create your own if you want something even more specific. With all these options, however, it’s important to remember that tarot is best used with an open mind, curiosity, and flexibility. Here are some situations when, no matter how tempted, you should put down the deck and try something different:

1.      In an Emotional Crisis

You’re really upset about a recent breakup. Understandable! You may want to see what the cards have to say about it, or whether there’s a change you will get back together. But now is not the time. When emotions run high it is easy to miss the message of the cards. This is not to say that you have to be beaming with sunshine to read, just that if you can’t see the cards through the tears (or are consumed with rage, frustration, you name it) wait a bit. Take a walk, journal, nap, and return to the cards when you are centered and calm.

2.      When You Want a Certain Outcome

To continue with the scenario above, say you want to read cards and are hoping they will tell you you’ll get back together with your ex. In fact, you want this so much that when you do a reading, you only see what you want. There’s a three of swords in the outcome position? Well, that’s not so convincing. Why not draw another card? The two of cups? That’s more like it! We’re definitely getting back together. (See photo above.) As you can see, you’re not ready to hear what the cards have to tell you. Maybe you need to process your breakup more, maybe you need to try and get back together. Either way, it’s clear tarot is not the right tool for this moment.

3.      When You’re Impatient

There’s a reason the stereotypical image of the tarot involves a solitary fortuneteller in a dark room with candles and incense. Tarot doesn’t do well when rushed. Throwing down cards in a hurry won't get you any closer to enlightenment. Much like the example above, when you’re impatient you can’t interpret and assimilate what the cards have to tell you. Wait until you feel more settled to buy a reading or throw cards for yourself.

4.      When Your Judgement is Clouded

Also known as don’t get a reading when you’re drunk. Simple, yes, but often ignored, as I can tell you from my time reading tarot at a bar. And remember, any reader worth their salt will refuse to read for you if you’re too tipsy. Soul-searching is best done sober.