What do you do when a tarot card in a spread baffles you?

What do you do when a tarot card baffles you?

Do you quickly grab the little white book (LWB) that came with the deck and use it to reference the card’s meaning?

Do you draw a clarification card from the deck to help explain the baffling card so that it makes more sense?

Do you just start describing the card and its symbols and actions out loud until it all makes sense?

Do you give the card’s meaning time to sink in if you have the time to do so?

Do you take a look at the cards surrounding the baffling card and then go back to it for a second look?

Do you try turning the baffling card upside down (reversed) for a different perspective?

Do you do like Christiana Gaudet where she asks about baffling cards, “Silently speak to the card and say, “What are you trying to tell me?” or “What are you referring to?”  ...“What happens if you blend the meanings of the original and clarifying cards?”

Do I occasionally meet with a baffling card?  Absolutely, and I do a combination of several of the above depending on the needs of the spread.  My most favorite way to contemplate a baffling card is to draw two cards and lay them to the left and right of the card that is baffling me and then read them together as a mini reading within a reading for clarification while asking the baffling card, “ What do I need to know about your meaning in this position of the spread?”

Do what works for you to unbaffle that card.  Try any of the above methods or create some of your own!