Bonus Cards! Clarification Cards & Jumper Cards

Let's talk about JUMPER CARDS first.

What is a jumper card? This is a card that seems to jump right out of the deck! How do we know it wasn't just the result of clumsy shuffling? If you've practiced the art of shuffling Tarot cards, you probably aren't dropping them all over the place. (If you are a clumsy shuffler, or feel nervous to shuffle in front of people, you can always fan the cards out on the table and have them select from the pile).

Ideally, don't allow your querents to shuffle your cards (unless they're a fellow Tarot reader and they know how to handle the deck). Otherwise, they may be too rough or careless or have dirty hands. There is no need to 'transfer' their energy into the deck by having them shuffle. That won't happen in a minute of shuffling anyway.

Whether you're shuffling or fanning the cards out, a card can still make its way out of the pile and onto your lap, their lap, or the floor. I always say: 'Well! Either that card wanted to be in the reading or out of the reading!' I wait until the end of the reading to consider it. Usually by then we can tell if it wanted in or out. That's for you to decide. I usually count them in but consider them an afterthought, or, a P.S at the end of a letter.

CLARIFICATION CARDS: Sometimes I ask my querent (or myself) if there are any cards in the spread that could use a little clarification. If they say yes, (sometimes they say no), I shuffle again and lay 1 card next to the card needing clarification. It's important to remember that clarification cards are not predicting another, new outcome. They are complimenting or explaining another card.

Example: Let's say they wanted clarification on the 4 of cups. The clarification card is the 3 of pentacles. The 4 of cups has 2 general meanings: something is being offered but it's being refused, or going unnoticed.

So, along comes the 3 of pentacles to clarify things. The the 3 of pentacles is the collaboration card; it's the card of working with others. Threes in general represent thinking outside the box and being creative. The 3 of pentacles could be saying: what's being offered is going to require working together with another/others. These other players may be there to help lighten the load and shine another perspective. Or, it is reminding them to think creatively about handling this offering.

Clarification cards can sometimes be tricky to weave into the reading. Just think of them as adding to the story of the first card. When in doubt about its message, turn to the pendulum or your favourite oracle deck. (See my posts on the pendulum and oracle cards to compliment Tarot readings).