Tarot is a powerful tool for guidance, insight, and self-reflection. But what happens when the cards just don’t seem to be answering your question? Whether you’re reading for yourself or having your cards read by a professional fortune teller, there will be times when the message feels unclear, unrelated, or even frustrating.
Does this mean Tarot isn’t working? Not at all. It just means the cards are trying to communicate something differently than you expected. Here’s what to do when the answers don’t seem to make sense.
If You’re Reading Tarot for Yourself
When reading your own cards, it’s easy to get caught up in what you want to see rather than what’s actually in front of you. If the cards don’t seem to be answering your question, try these steps:
1. Check Your Mindset and Focus
Tarot works best when you’re calm, clear, and open to receiving a message. If you’re feeling anxious, impatient, or overly attached to a specific outcome, the cards may reflect that confusion back to you.
- Take a deep breath and try grounding yourself before shuffling.
- Ask yourself if you really want an answer or if you’re hoping to hear something specific.
- If emotions are running high, try again later when you feel more balanced.
2. Reframe Your Question
Some questions don’t translate well into Tarot. If you asked a yes/no question or something too vague (e.g. “What’s going to happen next?”), the cards might not be able to provide a clear answer.
Instead, try asking:
- “What do I need to know about this situation?”
- “What energy surrounds this decision?”
- “What steps can I take to improve this outcome?”
Sometimes, small tweaks in wording can make a big difference in the clarity of your reading.
3. Look at the Bigger Picture
Rather than focusing on individual card meanings, step back and look at the overall message. Consider:
- The suit and element (Cups = emotions, Swords = thoughts, Wands = action, Pentacles = material world).
- The number of major vs minor arcana (A lot of major arcana? This is a big life moment).
- Recurring themes, colours, or symbols that stand out.
Even if the cards don’t answer your question directly, they may be pointing to something more important that you haven’t considered yet.
If You’re Having Your Cards Read by a Professional
When visiting a fortune teller, whether at a Tarot Party event or a private reading, it’s important to remember that readings aren’t a one-way experience. If the message seems unclear or unrelated, here’s what to do:
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
A Tarot reading is your session, and it’s okay to ask your reader for clarification. A good reader won’t mind if you say, “I don’t quite understand how this relates to my question. Could you explain it differently?”
Readers interpret what they see in the cards, but ultimately, the message is for you. If something isn’t making sense, engage in a conversation – sometimes, a small detail the reader mentions might suddenly click for you.
2. Consider How the Message Might Apply in Unexpected Ways
The cards don’t always give direct answers – they highlight themes, emotions, and potential paths. If a reading feels unrelated, it might be because:
- The cards are addressing an underlying issue rather than the one you asked about.
- The answer isn’t about the situation, but about how you’re approaching it.
- The reading is revealing something you haven’t noticed yet but will make sense later.
For example, you ask about your career, but the reading keeps bringing up relationships – this might suggest that personal connections are influencing your work life in ways you haven’t realised.
3. Be Open to the Unexpected
Sometimes, people resist messages they don’t want to hear. If a reading feels off, ask yourself:
- Am I dismissing this because it’s not what I hoped for?
- Could this be a message I need rather than what I expected?
- Have I truly considered all the ways this might apply to my situation?
Tarot works in layers – what doesn’t make sense today might suddenly be crystal clear a week from now.
The Truth About Tarot: The Cards Tell Us What We NEED to Know
In my experience, Tarot doesn’t always give us the answers we want, but it always gives us the answers we need.
It can be frustrating when you’re seeking clarity on one thing, only for the cards to steer you in a completely different direction. But there’s always a reason. The cards reflect the bigger picture, and sometimes that means pointing out something you hadn’t even thought to ask about.
If a reading doesn’t make sense in the moment, don’t dismiss it outright – give it time. More often than not, the message will become clear when you least expect it.
So next time the cards seem unhelpful or confusing, don’t panic. Take a step back, reassess, and remember: Tarot isn’t about telling us what we want – it’s about showing us what we need to see.