The “So What?” Moment
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’m indebted to a fellow r/tarot contributor for expanding my vocabulary of exclamatory responses to the surprising things I encounter in tarot readings (although this one may be more routine than exceptional and will understandably evoke a dismissive “Ehh”).
We’ve all heard of the “Aha!” moment, the instant during a reading when an epiphany jumps out at us so clearly and compellingly that we are moved to express our delight (if only with the sudden insight and not always with its portent). Certain cards can produce this reaction when they are impeccably aligned with the sought-after answer (see my previous post on the subject of “exclamation-point” cards.) While writing that essay I was inspired to coin the phrase “the Oh No! moment” (aka the “Ugh!” moment or the “Eww!” moment, although I was once scolded by a client “You’re not supposed to say that!”) to describe distressing revelations of the same caliber. But what about those run-of-the-mill predictions that aren’t the least bit dramatic, the kind that give the querent no cause for either celebration or hand-wringing?
The stereotypical reception is a shrug and an unspoken “So what?” The obvious thought is that there must be something the reader is missing, otherwise the session would be a waste of time. But this doesn’t have to be true; despite any anxiety the sitter may have brought to the reading, the situation could legitimately be at a standstill with no visible momentum in any direction. This may not be a bad thing, and it could elicit a heartfelt sigh of relief. Most often, though, it amounts to a head-scratcher that provokes a quizzical “Why am I feeling so stressed if nothing discernible is going on to cause it?”
This is where we as readers must earn our fee. The “So what?” reflex could be feigned indifference that the cards are picking up from the shuffle when in reality the querent is a maelstrom of doubt and indecision but decides not to to share their consternation (not even subliminally). I prefer to think of it as a subconscious defense mechanism rather than a veiled attempt to discredit our divinatory abilities. I’ve never understood that covert “testing” attitude when someone has paid in advance for the reading unless they’re angling to get their money back and cadge a free forecast.
The only way to get to the bottom of this is to ask questions, drawing the sitter out to the extent they’re comfortable. (I’m supposing that we’re in a face-to-face setting where this is practical although it can succeed in remote reading scenarios with a little patience and some back-and-forth communication). Of course, it may not work and we will part company dissatisfied on both sides of the table. But in my experience people love to talk about themselves and are willing to engage in a dialogue once they warm up to the occasion. This doesn’t mean that the narrative will immediately become more exciting or revealing, just that the reasons for its lackluster character will be understood. It will also (not incidentally) fill up the time slot with a productive exchange instead of idle patter or a yawning silence.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on September 15, 2023.
