The card at the bottom is usually called the Shadow Card. People often use it as a kind of check-in, a quick confirmation of what the spread is about. So if a 10 of Cups is at the bottom, it’s pointing to family, close relationships, or maybe the end of an emotional journey for the querent.
Honestly, I don’t find Shadow Cards all that useful and they can be distracting, especially for beginners. I’ve seen readings that scream breakup or conflict — 5 of Swords, Tower, 8 of Cups — and then someone spots a 2 of Cups at the bottom and goes, “So does that mean they’ll get back together?” No. It just reinforces that the reading is relationship-related, not that things will resolve happily.
That said, some readers love using the bottom card and feel it adds nuance. If you’re curious, try it out and see what you notice. For me, though, it usually feels like it takes attention away from the main message.
