What is a “Deep Card” in Tarot? What does the Tarot card at the bottom of the deck mean? What does it mean if a card flies out?

If you’ve been around Tarot readers long enough, you’ve almost certainly heard references to “The Deep Card.” This is a relatively new phenomenon in Tarot reading (older books don’t really mention it), so don’t feel like you’ve missed something if you’re not familiar. A Deep Card can offer some excellent insight into your overall reading.

Intermediate Tarot begins May 17.

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What is a “Deep Card”?

A deep card is usually the card at the bottom of the deck, which is pulled after all other cards are laid out. “Deep cards” can also refer to cards that fly out of the deck while shuffling.

What Does the Deep Card Represent?”

Again, there is no official interpretation, but the Deep Card is commonly thought to represent:

  • The overall theme of the reading
  • Something the querrent needs to know or pay attention to
  • A spiritual message

To better determine what the Deep Card might mean, it’s best to assign its meaning before pulling it.

Do I have to use a “Deep Card?”

There are no absolutes in Tarot, so no—you do not HAVE to use a Deep Card. Deep cards can, however, provide powerful insight that enhance your readings. See the example below:

A Sample Reading With A Deep Card: “Will I Get The Job?”

This three-card Yes/No spread is enhanced by a Deep Card. When pulling for this hypothetical querrent, I picked the Deep Card to mean “Something the querrent needs to know or pay attention to.”

In my Yes/No system, I pull three cards. Two upright indicate “Possibly, but…” In this reading the querrent is likely to get the job, but there’s a few things they need to know.

The Devil Upright: There is likely some toxic energy in the workplace.
The High Priestess Reversed: While they may get offered the job, the work is not their specific calling.
The Hermit: They may find more success if they go solo or keep looking.

The Deep Card: Strength. This deep card wants the querrent to know that they are in a stronger position than perhaps they imagine. Perhaps they don’t need to take the first offer that comes along. It’s a reminder for them to remember their worth

To Go Further With The Deep Card:

This spread builds upon your Deep Card. See the example using the previous reading’s Deep Card below.

The Code…

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