How to phrase a question for the tarot cards

Asking the right question for a tarot reading is an important step in helping to create an accurate, and helpful tarot reading.

First things first- if you don’t want to know the answer, don’t ask! It may seem simple, but its worth bearing in mind that some answers really don’t help in life.

Next- how do you think time/fate/the future work? I do not believe the future is fixed. Perhaps somethings are, certainly some things are on our “soul path” and will keep cropping up until we face them, or learn from them. But in general I believe the future is fluid, tarot is picking up on likelihoods, mindsets, patterns. So for me I always like to leave room for advice in a reading- why not help the best possible future to unfold, rather than just predict the most likely one.

Checking accuracy. The problem with pure predictive readings is as they are all set in the future we have no way of confirming if they are accurate. I always like to start a reading either in the past or present so that I (or my client) can validate my reading as accurate.

Creating the right question is important, and worth taking time over....

I have found that often a question that has a fixed expectation of the future can cause confusion in the cards, because your expectation of the future may not match the actual future! So asking “when will I get promoted at work?” may cause a “garbled tarot message” because the real answer may not fit the question- you may be offered a promotion, and take a different job. Or be offered a promotion but fall pregnant and decide not to take it, or you may decide to move areas due to your partners’ work. You may not actually achieve the promotion you are expecting.

There are times we need to ask simple questions- but if the cards seemed muddled you may be asking the wrong question, and the cards are struggling to communicate.

Questions that are too open ended though can cause just as many issues. I was asked at a tarot fair by an older lady “will I move home?” She had a good sense of humour and I could reply “You will move home, but in may be in a box. When would you like to move home, and why?” By asking “when is it best for xxx to plan to move” we were able to find the best timeframe for her. I think otherwise her exhaustion and apprehension would have meant she kept putting off selling her home, and she would probably have never moved.

When it comes to timing (such a complicated topic) I like to include it in my question if its relevant- by adding a timeframe I allow the cards to be really focused, and if the answer is not what I hoped for I can play around with different timing questions to better understand what is going on. “will my house sell before this Christmas” (negative answer suggesting not) “Is it best that I put my house on the market in January” now the reading shows movement and money coming in.

Including timing can allow you to repeat spreads, really finding the best way forward.

Yes No questions are really useful sometimes. But beware, often the answer doesn’t fit in a yes/no answer… so if your cards aren’t making sense with a yes/no answer then the answer may be a “possibly” “probably” or “a bit of yes, and a bit of no” "yes to both" "no to both" etc....

Always include room for advice… I have seen readings that spell doom and gloom- but by including advice cards or “what do I need to know” cards, you can navigate the difficulties with a lot more ease.

I have had clients come to me from other readers who predicted terrible outcomes. Looking at the cards I could usually see why. By focusing on advice I can usually help a client to make different decisions, or navigate in such a way that the outcome isn’t as bad as first seemed. I have seen marriages, jobs, and homes saved in this way. I’m not saying its always possible- but it really is worth including advice cards.

I usually work on a simple equation (it doesn’t always fit, but it’s a useful baseline)

1/3 of the cards to understanding the current situation, allowing me to validate the reading.

1/3 of the cards for advice, and looking at what needs to be understood about the situation.

1/3 of the cards looking at likely outcome.

So… after all the ins and outs (not really all, just some….) phrasing the best question..

Its often good to include “advice” or the potential to improve the situation

“how should I best” or “what do I need to know”

You can define to topic or situation “about my marriage, my work, finances, booking a holiday to France, applying for the promotion”

And it is often useful to set a general timeframe, unless that is explicit in the situation.

“What do I need to know about the relationship between me and xxx focusing on the lead up to Christmas”

“How should I best sell my property, this year”

“what do I need to know about my finances in 2021”