Meaning
The Real Reaction appears when a first response tempts you to draw a conclusion too quickly.
A reaction is only a moment.
It is not the whole picture.
This card invites you to give yourself, the situation, and other people enough time before deciding what something means or is.
Reflection
A first reaction may be real, but it is not complete.
If you have drawn The Real Reaction, pause before deciding.
Give the person time.
Give the situation time.
Give yourself time.
The first moment is not always the clearest one.
Understanding often comes after the reaction has passed.
Not every first impression deserves the final word.
Created in the Wor(l)d of Gloria by Gloria & The Machine, at TarotMelodies.com.
[Verse 1]
The Real Reaction comes and goes
Before there’s time to really know
A flash of doubt, a sudden fear
A quick response that feels sincere
I’ve seen a moment passing by
And thought I knew the reason why
But first impressions fade away
When given more than just a day
[Chorus]
The first reaction can be wrong
What seems uncertain may belong
I give it time before I decide
In case there’s more than meets my eye
The first reaction can be wrong
What seems uncertain may belong
I give it time before I decide
In case there’s more than meets my eye
[Verse 2]
I’ve turned away from things too soon
And changed my mind a week past noon
I’ve judged a face, a word, a tone
Then learned how little I had known
What felt so certain in that space
Was only one brief passing phase
The picture grew as time went on
And what seemed right was often wrong
[Chorus]
The first reaction can be wrong
What seems uncertain may belong
I give it time before I decide
In case there’s more than meets my eye
[Bridge]
I can let the moment be
Just wait and see ….
[Final Chorus]
The first reaction can be wrong
What seems uncertain may belong
I give it time before I decide
In case there’s more than meets my eye
The first reaction can be wrong
What seems uncertain may belong
I give it time before I decide
In case there’s more than meets my eye
[Outro]
The first reaction can deceive
Don’t be too quick to turn and leave
Archive – earlier versions
[Verse 1]
Before I spoke,
before I knew —
a shift inside
already grew.
[Verse 2]
No logic came,
no reason ran —
just something real
beneath the plan.
[Verse 3]
It wasn’t loud.
It didn’t last.
But still it moved
before I asked.
[Bridge]
Not a thought.
Not a claim.
Just the part
I couldn’t name.
[Verse 4]
I almost missed it,
called it small —
but it was first,
and said it all.
[Outro]
First to rise.
Last to lie.
The part of me
that doesn’t try.
© Wor(l)d of Gloria — created by Gloria & The Machine.
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