Supportive and Blocking Cards: How To Interpret a Question

The Great Arcana

The Fool card inherently does not provide an answer, making it a blocking card by nature. It represents freedom, the ability to choose, and is both the beginning and the end of the journey. It serves as a warning and embodies an insight that cannot be explained with words, only felt. The card doesn't offer a clear answer because the individual is at the start of the process and often hasn't yet discovered the right question to ask.

The Magician is a supportive Tarot card. All four elements are balanced within the individual, meaning that their plans, desires, needs, emotions, and thoughts are all aligned with the universe and existence. The person’s intuition is accurate, and all they need to do is bring their ideas into action, turning potential into reality.

The High Priestess card, by its nature, does not provide a direct answer, making it a blocking card. It represents the journey into the subconscious, the walk along an unfamiliar and unknown path. The focus should be on learning the way, rather than seeking the end goal. This card encourages the exploration of the hidden and darker aspects of one's personality, to recognize the habits that hinder spiritual growth.

The Empress is a supportive card, symbolizing unconditional giving and the empowerment of others. It encourages giving, especially to those for whom it is difficult, as this is where the true lesson lies. The key questions to consider are: Why is it challenging to give in this situation? Why is there a lack of desire to give unconditionally here? The Empress empowers those around her, providing them with the ability to grow and thrive. Fertility and abundance represent the universe’s reward for the ability to give without asking or expecting anything in return.

The Emperor card symbolizes the number eight. The lower part of the eight is associated with order, organization, work, livelihood, management skills, and building a home—foundations that are essential for spiritual development. The number eight represents leadership and authority. Therefore, this card signifies success in material matters and symbolizes stability. However, there is a challenge in expressing emotions, making this card supportive in areas of career and finance, but blocking in matters of relationships and romance.

The Hierophant is a supportive card. The querent acts from their inner truth, staying true to themselves and their actions. This authenticity attracts others to follow their lead. The environment supports the querent's endeavors because people sense that they are operating from a place of purity and light.

The Lovers card is a blocking card. The querent is overwhelmed, operating on many levels and making numerous promises that they may not be able to keep. They are in a state of confusion regarding the issue at hand. Once they clear their life of all the limitations and burdens that are causing this overload, they will find the answer within themselves.

The Chariot card is a blocking card because it places the querent in a situation where they are compelled to take action on the matter at hand. The querent is asking the question because they know they must fight to achieve their goal. The decision is difficult, but it’s now or never. Only the charioteer—the querent—can lead the sphinxes to their destination, despite each one pulling in a different direction.

The Strength card is a supportive card, indicating that the querent is in the right place at the right time regarding the question at hand. The querent has found their inner strength and is acting from that place. They possess internal self-control, stemming from confidence in their abilities and powers. The solution to the querent’s question lies within themselves, as do any obstacles. To resolve the issue, they must believe in themselves and their capabilities. This card also symbolizes sexuality.

The Hermit card is a supportive card for both internal and external learning processes. The querent is searching for truth and insights that will enable personal growth. The process is underway—the querent has conceived an idea, planned their actions, and brought them into reality. Now is the time of the Hermit, a time for patience, as the results will come. All the answers to the querent's questions already exist within them. In the quiet solitude of the Hermit, they can access these answers. The Hermit, in his solitude and need to connect with his inner truth, does not support romantic relationships.

The Wheel of Fortune card neither blocks nor supports; it does not provide a direct answer. Instead, it urges the querent to look within and understand that internal change will lead to external transformation. When this card appears in a reading, the message to the querent is that they have lost their balance and are allowing the wheel to spin uncontrollably. They need to pause, go inward, create change within themselves, and regain control over their situation.

The Justice card is a blocking card, symbolizing a situation where the querent has chosen a path but is facing obstacles that hinder their progress. This is the moment to remove those barriers and not allow anything or anyone, whether material or emotional, to stand in the way. The sword of justice must be wielded by the querent to act in their favor and clear the path ahead.

The Hanged Man is a blocking card because it requires the querent to change their perspective on the matter at hand. To succeed in their query, the querent must adopt a new approach, develop new habits, and embrace different thinking. Success in the situation will require the querent to sacrifice something else in their life.

The Death card is a supportive card in processes of change. As Richard Hooker said, "Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better." Death arrives to allow the old to depart and the new to grow. The Death card serves as a reminder that life has an unknown endpoint, and now is the moment to truly live.

The Temperance card is supportive in mediation and reconciliation processes. It symbolizes the ability to blend opposites, like oil and water. This card empowers the querent to shape their reality, as long as they believe in themselves and their abilities.

The Devil card is inherently a blocking card, appearing in situations where the querent has strayed from their true path. Desires and temptations lead the querent down a path likely to result in failure. It represents a challenging test for the querent, urging them to recognize the dangers of following impulses that conflict with their beliefs and values.

The Tower card is a blocking card, urging the querent to stop and examine all the details related to the question at hand. The tower collapses because it is either built without foundations or on shaky ones. This is the time to pause, assess, and make necessary corrections. In questions regarding spiritual development, the card indicates the need to develop something new that will enhance the querent's sense of self.

The Star card is both supportive and blocking. It is supportive because the querent has the potential to reach a new and better place concerning the question at hand. However, to reach this new place, the querent must approach it with the purity and innocence they had as a child, free from the scars accumulated over time. The blockage may arise because it can be difficult for the querent to delve into those painful areas and cleanse themselves energetically from them.

The Moon card is supportive in therapeutic questions but acts as a blocking card in other areas. It serves as a warning to the querent that unconscious past habits and old scars are influencing their current life. The querent is going through a period that requires them to seek help for themselves, and to truly heal, they must seek professional assistance.

The Sun is a supportive card, encouraging the querent to embrace and love what they have, with all its strengths and flaws. It urges the querent to live life to the fullest. The Sun represents life, joy, and happiness. However, it also serves as a warning regarding potential addictions, reminding the querent to maintain balance and avoid excess.

The Judgment card is a blocking card, representing maturation and a process that takes time. The querent has been in a state of inaction or quiet, with internal processes maturing within them. Upon receiving this card, they begin to apply these internal developments to their life. The verse from Daniel 12:2, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt," reflects this stage where the querent must awaken and grow concerning the matter at hand. This process cannot be rushed; just as a birth occurs when the baby is ready to enter the world, so too must the querent allow this process to unfold naturally.

The World is a supportive card in processes of completion, carrying the promise of a new beginning. It represents wholeness and perfection, where the querent concludes a cycle of learning and action. This ending embodies the challenge of continuing to grow and face new experiences from a higher spiritual level.

The Ace of Wands is a supportive card in any initial process, symbolizing new beginnings. It represents the spark of inspiration, be it falling in love, starting a new job, or beginning a course of study. It's important to remember that while the initial spark is exciting and warming, fire can also consume. Progress is essential; one cannot remain in a perpetual state of beginnings.

The Two of Wands is somewhat of a blocking card because it signifies the start of a journey toward realization or learning. The querent may not yet fully know themselves; they need to discover their strengths and challenges. The tools required for fulfillment in the matter at hand are not yet fully developed or accessible to the querent.

The Three of Wands is a supportive card, representing success in the journey and recognition of abilities. The environment appreciates the skills and achievements gained along the way, which allows the querent to choose the path they wish to follow. This card signifies the positive outcome of efforts and the collaboration of others in support of the querent's goals.

The Four of Wands is a supportive card, as it signifies embarking on a journey once again. The path is now clear, and while the outcomes may be uncertain and less important, the journey itself is what truly matters. The process of learning and growth along the way is a key part of the success, making the experience and the journey the true focus.

The Five of Wands is somewhat of a blocking card because it indicates a situation of complacency where the querent might believe they can win easily. This is where the card serves as a caution, reminding the querent to be careful and recognize that victory will only come if they seek and accept help from their surroundings. It warns against underestimating challenges and encourages collaboration.

The Six of Wands is a supportive card for those who have not yet achieved their goal, as it indicates that success is on the way. For a querent who has already attained their desire, the card serves as a warning not to rest on their laurels. It encourages continued effort and vigilance to maintain and build upon their success.

The Seven of Wands is a blocking card because the querent may struggle to differentiate between what is important and what is not, getting lost in the details and losing sight of the bigger picture. This card warns against becoming overwhelmed by minor issues at the expense of overall progress.

The Eight of Wands is a supportive card, representing the peak of the series. It emphasizes the importance of acting quickly and decisively on the matter at hand to achieve success. This card encourages swift action and momentum to capitalize on opportunities.

The Nine of Wands is a blocking card, indicating that the time to act has passed. The querent now faces difficulties that have arisen due to a lack of timely action. This card can be likened to a cake left in the oven for too long—what could have been successful is now overcooked, and the querent must deal with the consequences of delayed action.

The Ten of Wands is a blocking card, indicating that the time to act has passed. The querent is now dealing with the difficulties that have arisen due to a lack of action. This card can be compared to a cake that has been left in the oven for too long.

The Page of Wands presents a question or challenge and is inherently a blocking card due to the Page’s youth and tendency to make mistakes. The querent has a need to seek new challenges and excitements. In the context of studies, this card is supportive.

The Knight of Wands is somewhat of a blocking card due to the demand for maturity. The querent is waiting for a spark from the Wands element, hoping that the fire will ignite and drive them forward in relationships, work, or any other aspect of the question. Maturity comes when the querent understands that life is a continuous process of action that builds a journey.

The Queen of Wands presents a question or challenge and fundamentally supports the improvement of the immediate environment, whether in family or work. It supports personal growth and self-fulfillment. However, it is slightly blocking due to the need to be at the center and because the querent is acting from a place of ego.

The King of Wands presents a question or challenge and fundamentally supports progress, as it embodies the initial energy needed to move forward in any area of life. The challenge lies in expressing oneself effectively while being cautious of impulsiveness and passivity as the process continues.

The Ace of Pentacles supports an existing process, marking the stage where foundations are laid and progress is made in areas such as establishing a home, family, or career. It represents a moment of simplicity and the distinction between desire and necessity.

The Two of Pentacles is a blocking card as it indicates that the seeker is looking for answers externally, despite knowing that the answer lies within. The seeker may use the presentation of uncertainty as an excuse to avoid moving forward, which is the true blockage.

The Three of Pentacles is a supportive card, indicating that the seeker has completed their studies, training, or established a relationship. They are now receiving recognition, partly material and physical, for their efforts. This may manifest as finding a job that matches their skills, a promotion or bonus at work, or moving in together in a relationship.

The Four of Pentacles is a blocking card, indicating attachment to the past in relation to the question. It reflects emotional and financial stinginess, with responses being misaligned and extreme, rather than adjusted and realistic.

One of the three most challenging cards in the deck, the Five of Pentacles signifies a harsh and destructive response from the querent, leading to broken relationships and burned bridges with no way back. As a future card, it serves as a warning that the querent is currently in the stage of the Four of Pentacles and should carefully assess the situation, examine themselves, and respond with caution.

Six of Pentacles: A supportive card representing abundance, the Six of Pentacles indicates that the querent is receiving rewards or compensation that exceed what they might typically expect. It is essential for the querent to wisely leverage this favorable situation to advance themselves effectively.

Seven of Pentacles: This card is somewhat blocking as it indicates disappointment. The querent has followed a certain path and, upon seeing the results, realizes it was not the intended outcome. Despite the disappointment, the querent has learned a valuable lesson, which now allows them to make more informed choices about what is right for them.

Eight of Pentacles: This card supports processes where the querent needs to get accustomed to routine and work through learning, understanding that there is a long journey before achieving their goal. In questions related to internships or apprenticeships, this card offers full support.

Nine of Pentacles: This card supports and arrives after hard work, indicating that the querent has achieved their goals, along with material abundance and success.

Ten of Pentacles: This card is supportive, representing the culmination of hard work where the querent has achieved their goals, resulting in wealth and material success.

The Page of Pentacles presents a question or challenge. It is supportive in the context of work (but not career). In other areas, it represents a blockage. The querent is seeking security and stability, so any change can destabilize them and make it difficult to address the issue at hand.

The Knight of Pentacles is somewhat of a blockage due to the demand for maturity. The querent is waiting for confirmation regarding the question at hand. They need to take action to determine if they are on the right path.

The Queen of Pentacles presents a question and challenge. By nature, she represents a blockage due to a strong attachment to maintaining simplicity, security, and stability—similar to the Knight of Pentacles. When change occurs, it disrupts the entire system. This card supports themes of motherhood and emotional stability towards children.

The King of Pentacles presents a question and challenge. By nature, he supports career ambitions, as the querent seeks personal and financial independence. To achieve this goal, the querent focuses solely on their career, making the card a blockage in matters of relationships or romance.

The Ace of Cups is a supportive card that symbolizes the release of blockages. It follows a process in which the querent gains insights and, with them, abundance. It represents trust in oneself and in the environment. When the plug is removed from the bathtub, the water flows freely, symbolizing emotional release and the beginning of a new, fulfilling phase.

The Two of Cups is a blocking card in its essence, as it indicates passivity in the querent's approach to the question. This passivity prevents progress. The querent needs to actively engage with the topic, whether it's approaching a potential partner or preparing for a job interview. By understanding the details and taking initiative, they will be able to achieve results.

The Three of Cups symbolizes success and celebrates the achievement. It represents the joy of celebrating success with others, enhancing the positive outcomes. It's a card of genuine celebration after receiving results, emphasizing the importance of sharing and enjoying the success with those around you.

The Four of Cups is a blocking card, as it indicates that the querent is experiencing fear and a loss of trust in relation to the question. The process that reached a peak with the Three of Cups has come to a halt. This pause results from a misinterpretation of reality. To move forward, the querent needs to go inward and examine where they have lost trust or become ensnared by fear.

The Five of Cups is a blocking card, as the sense of loss and distrust from the previous card has now turned into despair. When one believes long enough that things will be bad, it often ends up being so. The lack of communication exacerbates the situation. It is important to remember that as a future card, the querent is in the Four of Cups stage where doubt is only beginning to seep in. If the challenge from the Four of Cups is addressed, despair can be avoided.

The Six of Cups can be either a blocking or supporting card depending on the querent's approach to the question. It represents a challenge from the past, allowing the querent to address the same lesson in a different way. If the querent has learned the lesson, the card supports their progress. However, if they have not yet dealt with the challenge, the card becomes a block.

The Seven of Cups is a supportive card for the querent's dreams related to the question. It encourages turning dreams and fantasies into reality. The transition from dreams to reality requires transforming plans into concrete actions and real-life outcomes.

The Eight of Cups supports the querent who knows how to let go and understands that not everything is within their control. It is a card of moving on from situations where things are not working out, allowing events to unfold naturally. The card becomes a blockage when the querent tries to control the situation excessively. The message lies in quiet reflection, looking at the situation from a detached perspective, and finding answers within the heart.

The Nine of Cups is a supportive card, often regarded as one of the most fortunate cards. It represents the fruition of wishes and desires. When this card appears, it indicates that the querent has succeeded in believing in themselves and their abilities. As a result, they achieve happiness, abundance, and the fulfillment of their dreams.

The Ten of Cups is a supportive card representing joy, abundance, happiness, family, children, and deep love. Unlike the Ten of Pentacles, which signifies material success, the Ten of Cups reflects success derived from personal fulfillment and emotional contentment. It embodies the achievement of emotional and relational harmony, marking a time of peace and satisfaction in personal relationships and life overall.

The Page of Cups presents a challenge and is supportive for artists and healers. It can be obstructive in situations where the querent struggles to manifest their emotional world into the material realm and does not support financial matters. In any question asked, the querent must express their feelings, as their surroundings may not understand their inner emotional world.

The Knight of Cups can be somewhat obstructive due to the need for maturity. The querent may be waiting for things to fall into place on their own regarding the question. While things are indeed likely to align, the issue is that when they do, the querent might hinder the process and prevent it from unfolding smoothly.

The Queen of Cups presents a question and challenge: whether the change is correct or if the querent is thinking in binary terms of good versus bad. This card encourages the querent to rise like a phoenix from their own ruins. It represents transformation stemming from understanding rather than impulsive action. It also embodies aspects of sexuality.

The King of Cups presents a question and challenge within the realm of family. It is a supportive card as the querent seeks emotional stability. However, the fear of loss causes the querent to underperform in other areas of life, making this card a block in career matters.

The Ace of Swords is a supportive card emphasizing the importance of thought, planning, and execution. While there may be a sense of blockage, the universe will assist the querent in moving forward. A querent who succeeds in implementing their ideas will gain the full benefit of the process. Conversely, a querent who relies solely on external help without executing their plans may miss the lesson of the Ace of Swords. Planning alone is not enough; execution is also crucial to achieving goals.

The Two of Swords represents a blockage resulting from a refusal to acknowledge reality as it is, without embellishment. The querent is metaphorically closing their eyes to the truth, as depicted in the card. If the querent does not stop and thoroughly examine all potential issues, they risk failure.

The Three of Swords is one of the most challenging and difficult cards in the Tarot deck. It signifies failure resulting from the querent's own actions. This card symbolizes betrayal, whether the querent has betrayed themselves by ignoring and not addressing emerging issues, or whether they have been betrayed by someone in their environment. As a future card, it suggests that the querent is currently in the situation represented by the Two of Swords and should wake up and act swiftly.

The Four of Swords is not a blocking card but rather a delaying card. The time is not yet right for action. It suggests that despite a strong desire to act and respond, it is important to wait and allow more time for the situation to develop.

The Five of Swords is not a blocking card but rather a delaying card. It presents a situation where the querent must choose between two options but is not inclined to accept either. This creates a state of indecision. However, in life, one cannot remain in a state of indecision indefinitely. The card's advantage is that once the querent makes a choice and moves forward, they will know if it was the right decision. If the choice turns out to be wrong, they have the opportunity to make corrections.

The Six of Swords represents a situation where the querent is in a blocked place. This card opens up the possibility of taking a break or going on a vacation to refresh and return with renewed energy to the same blocked situation but with a sense of calm brought by the time away. In some cases, the card can also signify a block if the querent has forgotten to return from a break or vacation.

The Seven of Swords is a supportive card, indicating that the querent is at a peak moment where they are in an active and logical state. Emotions are kept at bay from decision-making, allowing the querent to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. This card signifies a stage of planning and execution regarding the question at hand, with a transition from theory to practice.

The Eight of Swords is a blocking card, reflecting a situation where the outcome of the Seven of Swords has manifested. The querent is currently immobilized and constrained, allowing emotions to take precedence over logic. This emotional interference prevents them from executing their plans related to the question.

Nine of Swords is one of the challenging cards in the Tarot deck, symbolizing a blocking situation in the querent's life. It represents a difficult scenario that the querent is emotionally attached to, despite it causing significant distress and sleepless nights. The card indicates that even though the querent knows they are heading into a harmful situation, it is time to leave and distance themselves. Continuing in this scenario will only lead to more suffering and pain.

The Ten of Swords is a supportive card for a querent who has gone through a period of hardship and challenge. It signifies that the querent has learned from their struggles and is now ready for recovery and a fresh start, reflecting the proverb "the fall and rise gain a step." As a future card, it represents a block, indicating that the querent has not yet fully moved past their crisis and needs to complete the lesson before they can proceed on their path.

The Page of Swords represents a challenge or a blockage due to the youthful age and inexperience of the Page. The fundamental feeling associated with this card is that "the grass is greener on the other side," suggesting that the querent is constantly searching for something better elsewhere instead of deepening their current situation. The Page's tendency to make mistakes and lack of maturity can hinder progress and lead to dissatisfaction with what is currently available.

The Knight of Swords represents a challenge or a partial blockage due to the demand for maturity. This card suggests that the querent prefers others to arrange things for them, rather than taking initiative themselves. The Knight of Swords indicates that the querent needs to understand that they must take action on their own and determine what is right for them.

The Queen of Swords presents a challenge, as it highlights the querent's high abilities and focus in their work. The querent is skilled at implementing numerous ideas in their professional domain, which makes this card supportive in terms of career. The energy is directed outward toward the external environment, such as the workplace, which can lead to neglect in the home environment.

The King of Swords presents a challenge as it underscores the need for balance across all areas of life. The querent is driven to avoid conflicts and maintain peace, often at the expense of their own needs and opinions. This desire for harmony can lead them to consistently accommodate others, potentially leading to internal frustration and eventual outbursts. The ability to compromise makes this card supportive in relationships, where peace and cooperation are valued.

Supportive Cards and Blocking Cards in Tarot

The Great Arcana