This is an interesting incident I would like to relate.
Back in early 2006, I used to have this camera bag turned into a bag for keeping my deck. And one day, a lady came in for a reading. I took my cards out, and began.
Throughout the reading, I kept feeling as if something was missing. I kept on telling her stuff to do with the Ace of Cups and the lesson in that card. And the whole time I kept feeling that the card will show up in the reading. It never did.
I have had such experiences often where I feel that the next card is going to be so-and-so card, and it turns out that way. But not this time!
Guess why?
When the lady left, I opened the bag to put my cards back into it, and noticed that there was one card left inside the bag – the Ace of Cups.
Interesting, huh?
The cards really are one family, and they work their magic when they are all together – mixed up or not – they are speaking to you together.
After that experience, I always double-check if I have all the cards with me before I begin my reading.
Have you ever had such an experience? Post your comments and share!
Since my last reading ive felt out of sorts and decided to take a break from reading due to feeling something was missing from both of my decks. I use the Mother Peace Mini and The Universal decks and weird enough im missing the Sun from BOTH decks. I was thinking of re creating them myself instead of buying a replacement card since im a cheapskate. Would you recommend this?
How interesting! From both decks! The same, Sun card! Wow! What are the odds of that, huh!
Honestly, you can make your own card – after all you’ll be giving it energy and life, so if you are OK with it, I don’t see why it isn’t such a good idea…
Although, I’ve never done something like this…
And also, from a purely design and ‘look’ point of view, would you be OK with having just one card looking like that?
If you can, then by all means go for it!
Good luck! ?
I bought a new deck a while a go that a felt really good about, however when I opened it the king of pentacles was missing. Since this was a brand new deck sealed in packaging my family told to email the manufacturer. They never responded and I can’t seem to find a suitable replacement card. Do you think this would mean anything or is it just a bad company mistake?
It’s just a company mistake. I’ve had this happen to me too, a couple of times. ? Usually the companies are good and replace the deck. Maybe you could try contacting the website or store where you bought the deck from? I’m surprised that they haven’t replaced your deck already…
I did a reading last night and it was only until I finished and started wrapping up the set that I realized one card was left in the box. So the deck was not complete. Does that invalidate the reading?
Ouch! Discovering the card in the box after the reading sure makes one feel uneasy, right?
To be honest, I don’t think that the reading was invalidated, because I feel like the other cards sort of make up for that missing card sometimes.
Still, it all depends on what you feel about it. Did the reading feel right while you were doing it? Or did it suddenly start feeling off after you discovered the card in the box?
If it felt right, then its valid. On the other hand, if you kept feeling like something was off even while you did the reading, then by all means do another reading.
Otherwise, you are just giving in to your mind’s conflict.
Hope this helps.
~ M
Thank you for replying!
I started feeling uneasy after I discovered what had happened but not about the reading. I will follow your advice. Love your page btw, looking forward to many more updates and articles, extra helpful!!
Aww! Thank you! Glad I could help! ??
Hello 🙂 this is a great thread!
I was introduced to the Tarot some years ago now. And I have a very ‘active’ deck! I have lost 3 so far. I’m not sure when or how. I am very careful with my cards. I read, cleanse, wrap them up then they go back in their box.
Tonight I got my cards out and did a reading, I haven’t done one in quite some time. After the reading, I felt the deck wasn’t complete. I knew straight away the card that had gone missing.
The 3 of pentacles!
The interesting thing is… I’m quite certain I lost my first card on a trip to Hong Kong in 2002.
It was the Ace of pentacles.
The second card I lost was on a trip to Bali.
The 2 of pentacles.
Now, the 3 of pentacles – I have no idea where this card escaped to..
What do you make of my cards getting lost in order??? All from the same suit?
When I lost the first card I purchased a new deck, I couldn’t let go of my old deck, so I did a ritual and introduced the card… They seemed happy. I did this with the 2 as well, and now in the process of doing it for the 3…
There is something going on – I think I may just be too close to see?? I have often thought about it over the years, but this is the first time I’ve found somewhere to discuss.
Also I thought I wondered how it would bode for the person who found the ‘holidaying’ cards (:
Look forward to hearing your thoughts about my active little pentacles 🙂
Thank you!
Hmmm… This is quite interesting! Losing the Ace, then the 2, and now the 3 of Pentacles one after the other! It is quite interesting, when you see that sort of thing happening.
First off, I am glad you got a replacement card. Maybe you need to just get a spare deck and keep it with you so you can replace other cards if you lose them late on, eh! 🙂
Jokes apart, the Pentacles is all about manifestation of all the elements into something tangible and real. And then, the Ace is all about receiving a bundle of these gifts from the Universe, the 2 is about balancing these gifts, and then the 3 is about finding a way to use them constructively and practically.
I want you to think back to all those times when you lost each of those cards — I feel that every time it happened, you may have either gained or lost these gifts / abilities / energies in your life. How was it for you?
I suppose the same thing must have happened for the person who found those cards…
What do you think?
~ M
Thank you, that is so helpful! It has really got me thinking. And yes! I have an entire deck just waiting ☺️
Funny as I had my NEW 3 of Pentacles bathing in the full moon last night, but it’s not ready to go in with the other cards just yet. This coincides with me trying to figure out ‘how’ to use my gifts/learning from all these years in a practical and tangible way..
So fantastic of you to respond. Thank you! ✨
?
Good luck with the journey of discovery!
Might I suggest that you try meditating on the card for guidance, or better yet, pull a card (or more) after asking the question: “How can I use my gifts and learning in a practical and tangible way?”
You might get some truly interesting answers!
Madhavi, thank you so much! I’ve just seen your comment. I will definitely do this. I have been struggling with ‘how to’ use my gifts and learning in a practical way for years now! I will do a reading on this and see what unfolds… I lost my first card, the Ace after completeling a 2 year diploma in energetic healing. I’ve never done anything with it, just kept on studying… And studying…and studying! Hmm maybe it’s time? To turn my learning into doing 🙂
Thanks so much, your response means more to me than you might realise -and has come at the ‘perfect’ time ??
Oh Anne! This is perfect! Context always helps make sense of the card messages. Yes, of course! What you think is right! You must truly consider all aspects of your gifts (Ace of Pentacles) and then perhaps while you juggle study and work and life (2 Of Pentacles) , you can plan out and implement your next steps for turning your learning into doing (3 Of Pentacles). I think this makes a bunch of sense now, doesn’t it? Wo! Good luck! ?
i fpund someone online who will replace certain cards… do you recommend this or will it mess up energies to my deck?
Honestly, I don’t know because I’ve never tried it. So I can’t really say.
You could give it a shot, get the replacement card, and then do a deck cleansing ritual before you start using it. Try it and see if it works for you. And let me know. It would be interesting to see how that works.
Good luck!
What does it mean if I missed placed a card the 9 of swards
Honestly, I don’t think it means much unless there’s some context in which this happened. Either way, unless you find that card soon enough, it means you’ll need to get a new deck. ?
I came across your site because I have 2 cards missing out of my deck. I have been using tarot for a long time. This has never happened before. As far as missing cards go. I had a strange feeling that something was a miss. So I organized my cards by suit and in order. To my surprise the king of pentacles and the world are missing. Just gone. I really can’t find anything besides your site. What does this mean?
It means you have a strong connection with your cards – string enough to sense when the deck isn’t complete.
Look for them in and around your house or the places where you usually read or store your cards. If you can’t find them, it’s sad, but just get a new deck. Keep these cards safe somewhere – I have a feeling that you’ll find them later on when you’ve stopped looking for them, and then your deck will be complete again. ? Hope this helps…
~ M
Hi a while ago I wanted to learn to read tarot cards and I bought a small sized deck from Barnes and Noble and It came with a little book to help you understand but I didn’t like it much and wanted to move on to normal sized cards. I bought tarot of the hidden realm deck and book set also at Barnes and Nobel and I really liked the artwork but when I got home I looked through all of them and read about them and I noticed I had a card missing so I brought it all back to the store and I got a new deck and book set of the same kind. I went home and made sure I had all of the cards, I did a couple of readings and it went fine. So I gave away my small deck and book to my cousin he really liked them. So later that year my family and I found out we were moving and I chose to have them packed instead of having them in my luggage and when we unpacked everything they were nowhere to be found. This was all about a year and a half ago and I wanted to know if I should buy a new deck and if so could I buy the same cards and book or go for something different?
Hmmm.. Moving homes is a very old culprit for losing decks. You never know, though, you may just find that deck stashed away somewhere …
But to address your current and immediate question, I would suggest this: If you really liked working with the images of that deck, then by all means get a new copy of the same deck. But if you feel as if that deck has served its purpose in your life, and that you are now ready to learn from another deck, then go for it and get a new deck.
And here’s my best suggestion: get a new copy of the old deck, and get a new deck anyway. It doesn’t hurt to have many decks. After all, as a legit Tarot Card Reader, you can totally have more than one deck! ?
I understand that the last post was some time ago, but just in case: I have had my Thoth deck for years (I had an original white box, with wonderfully textured cards that had deep rich colors) its been a personal treasure to me. I felt that a card was missing for some time, but continued to read with it regardless. Came to find out I’m missing the two of cups (which was some how in my head, and also the card they chose to put on the front of modern boxes of the deck). My theory is I don’t “need” the card, I don’t tend to read cards in a strict by the book way, I go with my intuition fueled by the colors and how they speak to me. This still sucks though. I’m wondering what your thoughts are, I’ve been trying to replace the deck, but the new thoth decks just don’t feel right in my hands, they don’t have any serious draw to them, and just aren’t made as well. Do you think there could be significance in the loss and do you have any tips or tricks on what I should do? Thanks in advance.
Hi Cole,
Don’t worry. I haven’t abandoned this site. ? Just got busy working on other things…
You’ve certainly had quite an experience with your deck.. And yes, I can totally understand your attachment to your deck (I still have all my old Rider-Waite-Smith decks too!).
Here’s what I think: Since you say that you don’t seem to “need” that card, and that no other card can “fit in and feel good” in that deck, then don’t get bothered by the missing card. Until you find a “complete” deck which feels just right in your hands, don’t bother with switching either. Perhaps this deck is perfect for you, just the way it is. And what others may perceive as “flawed” or “missing” may not necessarily be the case for you.
What I also sense is that both you and this deck have already learned to function without that card present. In fact, it may be using other ways to convey the meaning of the 2 of Cups whenever that was what was to be told to you in a reading. That’s how you and the deck have connected, so why change it? So, until you find another deck which feels right, don’t bother finding a replacement.
Does this make sense? ?
~ M
Thanks!! Just fell upon this, and your advice is spot on!!!!
Thank you! 🙂
Does it mean anything if I bought a tarot deck, but it came missing 3 cards? They weren’t there when I first opened it. Temperance, Devil, and the Page of Wands. I figured it was just the manufacturers had a slip up in packaging, but the strange thing is, after counting what I did have, there were 76 total. Which means if I did have the three, it woukd make 79- one extra. Where did the extra card come from? And is there a way to complete my deck (i’ll probably just contact them and have them send replacements), because I want to practice but can’t until the deck has its total energy coming from all the cards.
Yup. It just means that there was a mix up while the deck was being packed. I’ve had this sort of thing happen to me once or twice. Sometimes, there’s an extra card or two as well… Just a packing glitch.
Usually, just returning that deck to the website and ordering a replacement does the trick!
Hello Madhavi.
My name is Pao, and I am from the Philippines in Manila and I have been practicing Tarot Card reading for 7 years.
I just passed by your page looking for answers on what to do if you were missing a card. I just got my first opinion from someone who also do Tarot. And he just told me to replace the card while doing a transfer ritual. I do agree with him but I also feel to keep the card in the box and maybe replicate the missing card for momentum sake and just hide the deck for good.
Now I am going to ask you for a second opinion on this one. What should I do in this situation where I lost a tarot card? What is the implication of losing the card (I just lost 2 of Pentacles btw)?
Hmmm… With the cards, any ritual that feels right is the right one! So do what feels good in your heart, because that will ultimately feel settled for you later on…
Now for the 2 of Pentacles : what does that card mean for you? Traditionally, that card talks about juggling between various choices, and not necessarily having the ability to just focus on one. Still, what does that card mean to you, personally? Have you found yourself focusing more on one thing now that the juggling from the 2 of Pentacles is gone? ?
From a very practical point of view, what I would do in the case of a lost card is replace the lost card (if that is possible, coz that would be cost effective), or I’d just get a new deck.
And of course, say goodbye to the old deck with a ritual that is meaningful to you… ❤❤❤
Hi, there. I am a beginner and bought my first deck of rider waite tarot cards a few months ago. Things are well and good. I have been making sure that it is cleansed by using crystals and hematite to ground it.
Now, about 2 months ago, I was cleansing it by placing it on direct sunlight on my window sill. After that, I started to count them only to find out my Death Card was missing. I don’t know if i lost it because of the wind or it could have fallen somewhere when I was getting a reading.
I am terribly saddened by this. I cannot seem to get over it despite the fact that I bought a new deck. I’d like to ask if this means something. And yes, like a small part of me was missing and am just waiting to have it back.
Have this perpetual feeling of knowing IT IS somewhere but out of my sight.
Your thoughts would truly help.
Hi Emmylou,
Its quite an interesting experience!
As you may be aware, Death is the card of gradual change. It talks about letting go of stuff that’s been accumulating for a while now.
Maybe, just maybe, you may want to clean up some accumulated stuff out clutter in your house? Maybe, you’ll find the list card then?
This was the feeling I had as I read your story…
Let me know how it goes…
M
Seems like it. It was worth it to give something like that to a friend. 🙂
Best-
Amy
Thank you for responding so quickly!
I have to admit I was not able to see the positve attributes to the card because of the reading I received in regards to something occuring that will make me drop to me knees. I was blocked.
It makes perfect sense that the sign was meant for my friend.
Her first question was if her loved one (her Grandmother who raised her) was with her. No coincidence the Queen and King of Cups revealed themselves, so I told her not only is your Grandmother with you, but your Grandfather is as well! 🙂
The thing that still bothers me is that the card was damaged. It looks as if it was pushed in the center from the back of the card, so if it lays in your palm the front of the card is raised. Thanks for the sign Grandma, but did you have to ruin the card? 🙂
Again, thank you for the insight.
I’m glad that you found my thoughts useful…and that they made sense to you…
Looks like you might have to buy a new deck though… 🙁
Hi Madhavi! I have recently began reading cards again, but can be considered a beginner. I have always been drawn to the cards and consistently told that I have abilities and have experienced clairaudience mediumship. I am still coming to terms with this.
I was practicing readings with a friend and something happened that scared me a bit. During the reading we took a break and I placed the deck under a cloth. We returned to the reading and I swear I picked the deck up from the bottom.
Later that evening I found the 5 of Cups under the cloth (a blanket at the end of my bed) and it was damaged.
I am confused because I feel like the card was meant for me because I was recently told by an experienced reader that something is going to bring me to my knees. 🙁 However, the last question my friend asked was for a sign from a deceased loved one.
I know the card was a sign, I feel it. I think I am too biased to feel whom it was meant for….
Any ideas or guidance would be forever appreciated!
Hi Amy,
You certainly have an interesting story to share…
The way I see it, the message is often within the card that you’ve discovered… The 5 of Cups is a card that talks of sorrow over things that are now lost. But it also tells us that there are things that the person still has with him, if only he turns and looks at them. Maybe that was the message for your friend from her deceased loved one? Perhaps, while she may be feeling sad, there is still something worthwhile that your friend still has with her – if only she looks in that direction.
As for you, the card may be talking to you about something along the lines of its message as well.
What do you think?
Hello Madhavi, if I may call you that, I am new and always interested in reading and tarot. I rarely do reading and don’t think I understand how it works, but after moved out to new place, I decided to try to learn reading again, but i feel something missing and when i count, my major arcana, the moon has lost. I do not know what to do, and should I buy a new card for this, because for sure the card is not on my new place.
Yes, it makes sense that you buy a new deck. Since you’ve moved,the chances of finding the card are less.
To my dismay, it seems that I have lost my card of Strength, which is something that I have been struggling with for a while now. I don’t recall when I actually lost it because I haven’t done a reading in a long time and only noticed tonight when doing a simple path for a friend. It makes me sad to think that its lost, and I hope that it will come back. But in the meanwhile, I am tearing up my apartment to find it!
Hope you find it! Good Luck!
I may have that card in my extra deck, if you prvately message me I can mail it to you
You know I don’t think i have ever joined a blog that I enjoyed so much, I mean 2013 is just around the corner and I have belonged to this blog a while and the updated posts still come to me since my very first post here, nearly three years ago. Sure i have belonged to other blogs but they either close down, you respond to something and they have changed their email address a hundred times since then…so you get no response or replies. This blog is so cool cause I responded to something Madhavi posted in 08 and she is STILL in the conversation years later. What a wonderful spiritually committed bunch we have here, Im proud to belong with all of you!
Thanks so much for your comment Maria… I do try my best … My secret weapon is the WordPress app on my iPhone 🙂
Actually, I have moved to a new site.. It’s at http://www.taroticallyspeaking.com and I post blogs regularly over there… So you might just want to check that out… I would love for all if you to post your comments / thoughts / suggestions over there as well..
I just met a guy who was showing up heavy in my cards before I met him…. I ran my cards the day he broke up with me and got a fairly accurate reading. I kept trying to do my reading a day/two days later and kept feeling like the deck was light and wasn’t getting a true reading…. The card that is him is missing totally from the deck now. I remember taking a picture of it because of how much it was coming up but can’t find it now!
How interesting! One card shows up representing a guy. Then the guy breaks up with you and exits your life… And that card goes away too!
Maybe you just need to get yourself a new deck? (and maybe a new guy as well?) 🙂
Haha! I found it, I had put it up on my fridge. BUT I can’t believe that I could tell my deck was light without trying.
Ya, isn’t it amazing how the cards can speak to you! 🙂
Glad you found the card though!
Thank you, Madhavi! I think and hope you’re completely right! I did move to attend medical school, so it’s a major turning point in my life. It has been a positive experience so far. 🙂
Maria, your story touched me too! I wish you the best for your move!
Wow Pheonix, thanks for the share….Although I did not lose my Star Card, I did enjoy the story and i am planning a pretty move soon….the story touched me.
Hi Madhavi,
I actually had a really weird experience.
I lost my Star card a couple months ago. Looked everywhere for it (separated the deck at least three times, looked in the box, in my silk bag, underneath all the furniture of my room,etc) and could not find it.
I recently just moved to a different country and have a brand new place.
This morning when I went to separate my cards, the Star card was there! Right in the middle of my deck like it’s been there the whole time.
I’m completely baffled to how it got there.
I just wonder if it means something.
What do you think?
Seriously! I imagine you must’ve freaked out! ‘Coz I know I would’ve!
Still, I have to wonder though… The card was the Star card, which is the card of hope and good news and new beginnings… And then it showed up when you moved to a new place, right as if hadn’t been lost at all!
Coincidence? I think not. Perhaps it is a sign..a beacon, as it were, of some major positive changes that are coming about in your life… What say? Am I getting warm?
🙂
I have a situation that I was wondering if anyone could provide some assistance on. I recently purchased my first deck in years, and when I opened it, I found that the six of pentacles is not there. I know I have not lost it, as it was not in the pack when I took it out of the plastic wrapper. My issue is that I am wondering if I should read with this deck (is there a higher meaning to it being missing) or should I buy another deck that is complete?
Nikole, I suggest that you take the deck back to the shop and get a new one – with all cards present! I wouldn’t suggest reading with a deck with one card missing, because the deck is not complete and the readings would be off. It happens sometimes – it could just as well be a fault on the part of the company that packages the deck.
As for the higher meaning – well, the 6 of Pentacles talks about getting just enough money to get by… it often links to loans or payments that were due to you. Have such payments stalled in the duration that you have had this deck? If so, the best remedy would be to get the deck replaced asap! Alternatively, the card also refers to you making payments to other people – could be repayment of any loans you might have taken, or payments that you have to make etc. Have those payments stalled recently? Either way, just get a new, replacement deck.
Most shops would give you a replacement deck for no extra cost.
Hope this helps…
All the best!
i had a missing card from a deck i had for over 20 years, i was so upset! it happened when a bottled water leaked all over my purse in a rental car. i laid the cards out in the back seat to dry before i returned the car, i packed them all up and i guess i missed one.
i later bought a new deck and boy did i have to do some serious stuff to that new card to make it a part of the old deck. i had someone suggest that i “turn the deck” (randomly grabbing a section and twisting that portion upside down… multiple times) i dont remember how many times they suggested but i did it probably 5x as much as they said, i also went over that card with smoke from burning sage and all sorts of oils, incense….i left it out in a full moon over night…i tried to cleanse it in many ways.
it finally became a part of the deck and i started to get readings that made sense.
now here i am years after that incident and my 2 yr old niece found her way to my purse and all my cards were spread out on the floor along with my drivers license, credit cards, make up, keys, cell phone….urgh!
the four of swords is missing! i still have the replacement deck to pull one from but i dread what i am going to have to go through to get the deck to make sense again.
oddly enough i have traveled to spend time with my little niece while her parents are away skiing. i basically volunteered my time with her to be close to her but also to get solitude and distance from all the fires i have had to put out back home, the 4 of swords is the card of “rejuvenation and recuperation” and also indicates “the card commands rest and solitude despite pressing, stressful factors”
the card also states “seclusion can help to combat feelings of frustration, worry, panic, or anxiety” which i had boat loads of!
….the card also illustrates behind the tomb, a stained-glass portrait showing a woman and a child-wow!
i guess the deck is screaming at me while this one card is missing!
i do hope i find it, it will take a while to mean something before the new replacement card is implanted into this old deck.
i am interested i hearing from others about their missing card as to the relation of what was going on in their life at the time and if it correlated in any way.
Hey Maria,
Looks like you have had quite an experience with losing cards from a deck!!
If you are losing cards from a deck a lot, and finding it tough to integrate the card in your old deck, then perhaps it is time for you to just go for a new deck?? Dunno… just my 2 cents.. 🙂
Madhavi
Hey Madhavi
just like fleur i have lost one card from my deck ‘two of swords’…..and the image of that card keeps popping in my head …does it mean something ?? i have rider waite deck
Also i know i have to buy a new deck but what should i do of this one ?? can i just use the major arcana ??/ or is it that with one card missing the whole deck is like kind of incomplete ??
Hey Ruchika,
Interesting! 2 of Swords huh! Are you going through a phase in life where you have to make a choice, but then you don’t want to? Or perhaps you are feeling as if you don’t have much of a choice in the matter?
Either way, the 2 of Swords card is all about choices and choosing – and in both cases, the outcome is something that is hidden or unknown to you…
Yup, you can go and get yourself a new deck….
And as for the old deck – you can either keep it safe somewhere in the house OR I read somewhere that you can bury the deck in your back yard…
Hope this helps….
Thanks for writing in…
Madhavi.
Hi Fleur,
First off, sorry for the late reply….weekend 😛
Now to answer your question:
Honestly, I think that you may have simply misplaced the card somewhere – think back to the last time you did a reading or handled the cards…where was it? What happened before, during and after that time? Was it in any way possible that the card might have been misplaced?
If you can’t remember, then perhaps it is simply the time to buy a new deck!!
As for your question, I think that once you get that new deck, or if you have another deck, just ask the cards and they should give you an answer…post it back here and we can both think about it together….
And if you look around and do find the card, then I think that it simply means that you won’t have to go buy a new deck after all…. 🙂
The High Priestess relates to the unconscious mind and to inner secrets. Perhaps losing that card means that you have to really look deep within yourself and you will find the answer to where the card really got left behind….Also, in my experience, the High Priestess card talks of being still and remaining in that stillness for some time – so I guess when you lose it, you are going to lose some stillness in your life and some movement is coming towards you, and quite soon….
Do let me know what happens though….
Madhavi
Hello,
Last night I discovered that the High Priestess card is missing from my pack. I am mystified as to how it could be missing.
I have had my pack of cards for several years, I always carefully wrap it in a silk scarf when I’m not using them, no-one else touches them (to my knowledge anyway).
I don’t even know how long it has been missing.
Does anyone know the significance of discovering a lost card?
Is the message from my cards something like ” I have lost my inner High Priestess, & that which relates to this card is what I need to concentrate on at this time”?
Any opinions gratefully considered, thanks.
Isn’t it funny how a card can feel “present” in a reading without ever coming up in a spread? I haven’t had a missing card story, but I definitely relate to what you say here.