Answer Deck Reading

Well it is the start of a new year, and the start of a new creative project, so it seems like as good a time as any to get some practice with the Answer Deck! 

Talent/Confusion/Anxiety

This combination tells us straight away that this is a period of self doubt, and a lack of confidence in one's own abilities. There is a sense here of being afraid to go wrong, afraid of not measuring up somehow, and of being unsure of how to proceed. As the first card drawn, Talent places the emphasis of the reading on natural ability and creative pursuits - very fitting, for the current situation.

Strength/Troubleshooter/Heartbreak

The Troubleshooter makes for an interesting center card, and suggests that the key to everything here is in how you approach, that sometimes you must be resourceful and willing to adapt. Where you find this card, the solution is near, if you are only willing to try. The trick with this card combination is to learn to manage negativity, to turn a weakness into a strength and pain into power. 

Battle/Fame/Truth

This combination can be interpreted in many ways. it could indicate a struggle to make the truth known, or a situation in which you are struggling to make people believe you. On the flipside, it could also indicate a situation in which notoriety comes at a price - that positive attention comes hand in hand with negative attention, and one must be prepared for both eventualities. Certainly, the theme here is revelation, realisation, and the struggles which inevitably follow. 

Talent/Strength/Battle

Again, the message here is to utilize strengths, and turn them into a weapon - that the querent possesses the skills needed to succeed already, and it is just a manner of learning to wield them efficiently. Increasingly, in this reading we are seeing an overall theme of self belief and capability, suggesting that the problem is really more a matter of attitude and perspective. 

Confusion/Troubleshooter/Fame

The advice here reminds me of a quote I once heard: "Ask, and you are a fool for five minutes, but don't ask, and you will be a fool forever". It is best to clarify the situation rather than quietly wonder, to ask questions and voice concerns rather than allowing doubts to fester and grow.

Anxiety/Heartbreak/Truth

There are surely some difficult things to accept, where this combination is found. The truth can hurt, and it can be tempting to turn away from it in an attempt to protect oneself from hurt and damage. But this is only an illusion - in reality such actions often only serve to prolong suffering, rather than end it. To live in denial is a dangerous thing, and these cards remind us that even if it is not the easiest path to follow, honesty is still the right choice.

Anxiety/ Troubleshooter/ Battle

While anxiety is indicated, a solution is also offered here, in the form of the battle card. This suggests a need to stop running and stand firm, to actively challenge oneself by confronting fear. By owning the problem, it is possible to regain some form of control over it, turning hindrance into motivation. 

Talent/Troubleshooter/Truth

This last combination sums the reading up quite nicely. Sometimes the only way to alleviate doubt is to face it head on, to be true to yourself and utilize your strengths while being honest about your limitations. Sometimes, the only way to find out whether or not you can do something is to try.

The Answer Deck Arrives!

Today, my newest deck arrived: Nicky Zann's Answer Deck!

The 73-card deck comes in a boxed kit, with an instruction booklet and foldout mat for placing the cards. The booklet explains only the cards that the creator felt were not obvious enough: The Master, The Fool, Woman of The World, The Lady and The Troubleshooter. Anyone with Tarot experience will quickly realise the meanings of these cards correspond roughly to The Emperor, The Fool, The High Priestess, The Empress and The Magician.

The cards are red-bordered, with black and white illustrations. Along with the Tarot inspired cards - ones like Justice, and Strength, but also simplified Court Cards like the Fair/Gray Haired Woman - the deck uses cards with simple pictures and keywords, such as Doubt, or Journey.

When arranging the cards, I had a bit of a weird experience. I wanted to get a nice shot of them, so I could show the deck on this site. Anyway, I shuffled them, selected three at random, set them down and spread the other cards in a fan above. I thought it would make a nice photo for the blog.

Then I looked at which three cards I had drawn, and since this was my first interaction with the deck, I have to admit I shivered:

Dark Haired Woman/ Journey/ Truth! Weird, right? I will be very interested to see whether this is a fluke, or a sign of things to come from the Answer Deck...