Base Card in Reading

[tarotbear]

I think I am going to break off a splinter and start a thread about 'Tarot Terms'. Perhaps it could become something that might become a sticky at the top of the forum ....

 

[starrystarrynight]

I always look at the base card, too. For me, I often tend to see it as giving a hint of any underlying issue or intention that exists which, perhaps, the querent hasn't articulated--or hasn't articulated as well as s/he intended. [i.e. querent asks X but what s/he really wants to know is Y...or s/he is holding back information for whatever reason...]

But I do think that it can amplify whatever issue or question a reader wants it to--as long as that premise is predetermined by the reader before throwing any cards.

 

[Sibylline]

I do quintessence and base cards, but I'm just the kind of reader who likes to keep things simple.

Bottom card of the deck = theme of the reading. It might be an element that needs special attention in the actual spread. But usually, my bottom cards are really blunt: cups for love reading, pents for work readings, etc. I don't bother with "shadow cards" or anything because that's too vague for me.

The other reason for glancing at the bottom card is mundanely functional. I use reversals so, if I'm picking up and putting down the deck during the reading, I'll look at the bottom card to make sure the deck is facing the right way.

Quintessence = The "bigger picture" or the "bigger lesson" for the querant. I'll do all that adding and subtracting if I'm REALLY stumped about a reading. Usually, I'm able to see it in the spread. On the rare occasion when I can't, then out comes the calculator.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I've only calculated the quintessence in my own readings. Like a lot of readers, sometimes it can be difficult to read for myself. But since I'm not a numbers gal, I try to avoid it like the plague.

 

[G6]

I believe the "sum card" is the same as the Quint card (Quintessential) and you work it out by adding the cards in the reading together.

Thanks, Danieljuk! This seems clear and perhaps agreeable to everyone?

Do you do the adding of all the cards regular or the way you add in numerology?

Would this be right for a quint/sum for these cards?

Strength, Nine of Pentacles, 10 of Cups rx

11 + 9 + 10 = 30, which reduces to 3, so the quint or sum is The Empress?

 

[G6]

Now that I'm thinking about it, I've only calculated the quintessence in my own readings. Like a lot of readers, sometimes it can be difficult to read for myself. But since I'm not a numbers gal, I try to avoid it like the plague.

Right, it seems like you would only bother if you need the additional insight or if numbers are breezy for you and you can figure it in your head with ease.

 

[G6]

I think I am going to break off a splinter and start a thread about 'Tarot Terms'. Perhaps it could become something that might become a sticky at the top of the forum ....

This sounds really helpful, Tarotbear! I like your quote too about it taking a computer to really screw things up, lol!

 

[Barleywine]

Thanks, Danieljuk! This seems clear and perhaps agreeable to everyone?

Do you do the adding of all the cards regular or the way you add in numerology?

Would this be right for a quint/sum for these cards?

Strength, Nine of Pentacles, 10 of Cups rx

11 + 9 + 10 = 30, which reduces to 3, so the quint or sum is The Empress?

If you do it by "casting out nines" (subtracting nine at a time until you get below 21), you come to 12 before you get to 3. Lately I've been thinking of looking at both to see what they have to say.

 

[G6]

I always look at the base card, too. For me, I often tend to see it as giving a hint of any underlying issue or intention that exists which, perhaps, the querent hasn't articulated--or hasn't articulated as well as s/he intended. [i.e. querent asks X but what s/he really wants to know is Y...or s/he is holding back information for whatever reason...]

But I do think that it can amplify whatever issue or question a reader wants it to--as long as that premise is predetermined by the reader before throwing any cards.

Is the base card for you the one on the bottom of the deck, which is different from the quint or sum, but essentially the same thing, right?

Looking at the base card as what is on the bottom of the deck is an easier way to accomplish the same goal of adding up the cards to calculate the quint or sum.

Or do some differentiate by the card on the bottom of the deck is the shadow something hidden, which is different from the quint or sum as the essence if you calculate?

Is this how you all see it?

 

[nord_drache]

WOW. . .
This is a new concept for me but as I read the thread it turns into a new set of tools for a more insightful reading . . .

Being a curious dabbler I have looked into some pared down bare bones numerology that might be either just enough for inspiration or dangerous . . .

I see the usage of quintessence and sums required and definitely an option to clarify and unify. Now if you were to reduce the quintessence down to a single digit wouldn't this then relate to the meaning of that number -might even relate to the querent's birth number - and therefore wouldn't one stop at not reducing 11 or 22.

I never knew about the possible relationship between the spread and the shadow/base card on the bottom of the deck. If there was a relationship between this card and the quintessence - might it not be related between the card's number and the quintessence.

OK . . . am I just over thinking things . . .
Jim

 

[Amanda]

Thanks, Danieljuk! This seems clear and perhaps agreeable to everyone?

Yes, the Quint is the formal term of Sum. I use to call it the sum all the time, until I realized that most people are probably searching the forums utilizing the term Quint, so I started using that term.

Would this be right for a quint/sum for these cards?

Strength, Nine of Pentacles, 10 of Cups rx

11 + 9 + 10 = 30, which reduces to 3, so the quint or sum is The Empress?

I'm one of the odd balls that would do this differently:

8 + 9 - 10 = 7/Chariot

Additionally, if I do look at the base card, I sometimes view it as something that will happen next that the querent is not aware of.