When Tarot Cards Don't Make Sense

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction: The Confusion Moment

You pull cards for a reading and... nothing. The cards don't seem to relate to your question. The spread feels scattered and incoherent. You can identify each card individually, but together they make no sense. You stare at the layout, hoping clarity will suddenly dawn, but confusion only deepens. This is one of the most frustrating experiences in tarot—when the cards simply don't make sense.

Every tarot reader, from beginner to expert, encounters confusing readings. Sometimes the cards seem to be answering a different question than you asked. Sometimes they contradict each other. Sometimes they're so abstract or unexpected that you can't find any connection to the situation at hand. In these moments, it's easy to doubt yourself, your deck, or tarot itself.

But confusing readings aren't failures—they're information. The confusion itself is telling you something. Maybe you're asking the wrong question. Maybe you're missing crucial context. Maybe you're not ready to hear the answer. Maybe the timing is off. Or maybe the cards are actually making perfect sense, but not in the way you expected.

This guide reveals what to do when tarot cards don't make sense. You'll learn the common causes of confusing readings, troubleshooting techniques to find clarity, and how to work with confusion as a teacher rather than an obstacle.

Common Causes of Confusing Readings

Cause 1: The Question Is Unclear

The Problem: Vague or poorly framed questions yield vague or confusing answers.

Example: You ask "What about my life?" and pull cards that seem random and disconnected. Of course they do—the question is too broad.

The Fix: Clarify your question. What specifically do you want guidance on? Reframe and pull again.

Cause 2: You're Missing Context

The Problem: The cards are answering accurately, but you don't have enough information about the situation to understand them.

Example: Reading for someone else, you pull cards that don't seem to fit. Later you learn crucial details they didn't share, and suddenly the reading makes perfect sense.

The Fix: Ask for more context. "Can you tell me more about this situation?" Often, additional information illuminates the reading.

Cause 3: You're Too Emotionally Invested

The Problem: When you desperately want a specific answer, you can't see what the cards are actually saying.

Example: You want your ex back. You pull cards and try to force them to say "yes, they'll return" even when they clearly don't.

The Fix: Step back. Wait until you can approach the question with curiosity rather than desperation. Or have someone else read for you.

Cause 4: The Cards Are Answering a Different Question

The Problem: Sometimes the cards answer the question you need to ask, not the one you did ask.

Example: You ask about a job opportunity, but the cards keep showing relationship themes. Maybe the real issue isn't the job—it's how this job would affect your relationship.

The Fix: Pay attention to what the cards are actually addressing. They might be redirecting you to the real issue.

Cause 5: You Don't Know the Cards Well Enough

The Problem: If you're still learning card meanings, some combinations will naturally confuse you.

Example: You pull the Seven of Cups and the Four of Pentacles together and have no idea how they relate.

The Fix: This is a learning opportunity. Study the cards individually, then explore how they might interact. Consult resources. Build your knowledge.

Cause 6: The Timing Is Off

The Problem: Sometimes you're asking about something that hasn't crystallized yet, or the answer isn't available right now.

Example: You ask about a situation that's still in flux. The cards reflect the uncertainty because that's the actual state of things.

The Fix: Accept that "unclear" might be the honest answer. Try again in a week or month when things have developed.

Cause 7: You're Overthinking

The Problem: You're analyzing every tiny detail, finding contradictions and confusion where a simpler interpretation would be clear.

Example: You spend an hour analyzing a three-card spread, finding seventeen different possible meanings and talking yourself in circles.

The Fix: Step back. What's the simplest, most obvious interpretation? Often that's the right one.

Cause 8: The Querent Isn't Being Honest

The Problem: When reading for others, if they're not being truthful or are withholding information, the reading will feel off.

Example: You're reading about their relationship, but they haven't told you they're already planning to leave. The cards reflect the hidden truth, creating apparent confusion.

The Fix: Gently probe for more information. Sometimes acknowledging "I'm sensing there's more to this story" opens the door to honesty.

Troubleshooting Techniques

Technique 1: The Clarification Card

How It Works: Pull an additional card to clarify a confusing card or position.

When to Use: When one specific card doesn't make sense in context.

How to Do It:
- Identify the confusing card
- Ask: "What do I need to understand about [this card] in this position?"
- Pull one clarification card
- See how it illuminates or modifies the original card

Caution: Don't pull endless clarification cards. One or two maximum, or you'll create more confusion.

Technique 2: The Simplification Method

How It Works: Reduce the reading to its simplest possible interpretation.

When to Use: When you're overthinking or spiraling into overanalysis.

How to Do It:
- Look at each card
- State its most basic, obvious meaning in one sentence
- String these simple meanings together
- Often the simple version is the accurate one

Technique 3: The Fresh Eyes Approach

How It Works: Have someone else look at the reading.

When to Use: When you're too close to the situation to see clearly.

How to Do It:
- Take a photo of the spread
- Share with a trusted reader friend
- Ask for their interpretation
- Often they'll see what you're missing

Technique 4: The Time-Out Method

How It Works: Step away from the reading and return later.

When to Use: When you're frustrated or stuck.

How to Do It:
- Take a photo of the spread
- Put the cards away
- Do something completely different
- Return hours or days later with fresh perspective
- Often clarity comes with distance

Technique 5: The Journaling Method

How It Works: Write about the reading without trying to "figure it out."

When to Use: When verbal processing helps you think.

How to Do It:
- Describe each card and what you see
- Free-write about possible meanings
- Don't censor or judge
- Often clarity emerges through the writing process

Technique 6: The Question Reframe

How It Works: Reframe your question and see if the cards suddenly make sense.

When to Use: When cards seem to be answering something other than what you asked.

How to Do It:
- Look at what the cards are actually showing
- Ask: "What question would these cards be answering?"
- Reframe your original question to match
- Often this reveals what you really needed to ask

Technique 7: The Context Addition

How It Works: Add more context to your interpretation.

When to Use: When reading for others and something feels off.

How to Do It:
- "I'm seeing [interpretation], but I feel like I'm missing something. Can you tell me more about [aspect of situation]?"
- Additional context often makes everything click into place

What to Do in the Moment

If Reading for Yourself

Don't Panic: Confusing readings happen to everyone. It's not a sign you're bad at tarot.

Don't Pull More Cards Immediately: Resist the urge to shuffle and try again. That usually creates more confusion.

Document It: Take a photo and write down your initial impressions, even if confused.

Step Away: Give yourself time and space. Return to it later.

Accept Uncertainty: Sometimes "I don't know" is the honest answer. That's okay.

If Reading for Others

Be Honest: "I'm having trouble seeing how these cards connect to your question. Can you help me understand the situation better?"

Describe What You See: Even if you can't interpret, you can describe the imagery and ask what it brings up for them.

Invite Their Interpretation: "What do you see in these cards?" Often querents have insights you're missing.

Offer to Try Again: "Would you like to reframe the question and pull new cards?"

Know When to Stop: If it's truly not working, it's okay to acknowledge that and offer to try another time.

Learning from Confusing Readings

Track Patterns

Keep a log of confusing readings. Over time, patterns emerge:

- Do certain cards always confuse you? (Study those cards more deeply)
- Do certain types of questions yield confusion? (Refine your question-crafting)
- Do readings for certain people confuse you? (Boundary or compatibility issue)
- Do you get confused when emotionally invested? (Work on objectivity)

Return and Review

When a reading was confusing but time has passed:

- Look at the reading again
- With hindsight, does it make sense now?
- What were you missing in the moment?
- What does this teach you about your reading style?

Often, confusing readings make perfect sense in retrospect. This builds trust in the process.

Study the Confusion

Confusion itself is information:

- What specifically is confusing? (Helps you identify your weak areas)
- What assumptions are you making? (Reveals your biases)
- What are you resisting seeing? (Points to shadow material)
- What question are you avoiding? (Shows you what you really need to explore)

When to Trust Confusing Readings

Sometimes confusion is the accurate message:

The Situation Is Actually Unclear

If the cards are scattered and contradictory, maybe that's because the situation itself is in flux, uncertain, or contains contradictory elements.

Message: "Things are unclear right now. Don't force clarity where there isn't any. Wait and see."

You're Being Redirected

If the cards persistently address something other than your question, maybe that's what actually needs your attention.

Message: "You're asking about X, but Y is the real issue. Pay attention to Y."

You're Not Ready for the Answer

Sometimes confusion protects you from information you're not ready to integrate.

Message: "Not yet. You'll understand when you're ready."

The Answer Is "Both/And" Not "Either/Or"

If cards seem contradictory, maybe they're showing complexity rather than confusion.

Message: "It's not simple. Both things are true. Hold the paradox."

Preventing Confusing Readings

Before You Read

Clarify Your Question: Spend time crafting a clear, specific question.

Ground and Center: Don't read when scattered, exhausted, or emotionally dysregulated.

Set Clear Intention: "May this reading provide clear guidance for my highest good."

Choose Appropriate Spread: Match spread complexity to question complexity.

During the Reading

Stay Present: Don't let your mind wander or rush through.

Trust First Impressions: Your initial hit is often accurate. Overthinking creates confusion.

Read Systematically: Work through the spread in order. Don't jump around.

Connect Cards: Look for relationships and patterns, not just individual meanings.

After the Reading

Document Immediately: Write down your interpretation while it's fresh.

Don't Second-Guess: Trust your reading. Constant doubt creates confusion.

Give It Time: Some readings only make sense in retrospect.

Common Confusing Card Combinations

Contradictory Energy

Example: The Sun (joy, success) next to the Ten of Swords (ending, defeat)

Possible Meanings:
- Success comes through or after a difficult ending
- Joy and pain coexist
- The ending isn't as bad as it seems; there's light ahead
- You're experiencing both triumph and loss simultaneously

Abstract + Concrete

Example: The Moon (illusion, intuition) next to the Three of Pentacles (practical work)

Possible Meanings:
- Trust your intuition in your work
- Things aren't as they seem in this collaboration
- Bring your creative/intuitive gifts into practical application
- There's confusion or deception in a work situation

Timing Confusion

Example: The Ace (beginning) next to the Ten (ending) in the same reading

Possible Meanings:
- One thing is ending while another begins
- You're at both a beginning and ending simultaneously
- Complete the old before starting the new
- The cycle is complete; time to begin again

Conclusion: Confusion as Teacher

Confusing tarot readings are frustrating, but they're also valuable teachers. They reveal where your knowledge has gaps, where your biases cloud your vision, where you're asking the wrong questions, or where you're not ready to see the truth.

The goal isn't to never have confusing readings—even expert readers encounter them. The goal is to develop skills for working with confusion: troubleshooting techniques, patience with the process, willingness to sit with uncertainty, and trust that clarity will come when it's meant to.

Sometimes the confusion itself is the message. Sometimes it's protecting you. Sometimes it's redirecting you. Sometimes it's teaching you. And sometimes it's simply showing you that life is complex, contradictory, and uncertain—and that's okay.

Don't let confusing readings discourage you or make you doubt your abilities. Every reader has readings that don't make sense. What separates skilled readers from beginners isn't that they never get confused—it's that they've developed tools for working with confusion and trust in the process even when clarity isn't immediate.

The cards are always speaking. Sometimes we just need time, distance, or a different perspective to hear what they're saying. Trust the process. Trust yourself. And trust that even confusing readings serve your growth.

Confusion is not failure. Confusion is information. Learn to read it.