“Tarot cards offend ‘common sense’, that is, the image of the world we hold in common, which is usually the image taught to us by society. We can call this image ‘scientific’,,,meaning the view propagated by officially recognized scientists. …But accepting science’s achievements does not require us to banish all other contributions to human knowledge.” ~~Rachel Pollack, 78 Degrees of Wisdom
First of all, it’s entirely possible to get a “yes” or “no” from the Tarot but, in the end those simplistic answers may not be satisfying.
By the same token, even though fortune telling and looking into the future are often what people think Tarot can give them, trying to determine the future may also not provide a very satisfying answer to your question. I say this because I believe that most events in our lives aren’t set in stone. Oh, sure, you may have agreed to certain experiences when you entered into this lifetime but, for the most part, you have the ability to change an outcome. So, unless you believe that your fate is your fate and there is no changing it, foretelling the future becomes something you can change if you don’t like the direction you’re going or the situation you’re in at the moment.
The key to asking good questions of the cards, is to take responsibility. The answers can guide but not do the work for you. Sometimes you will receive an answer that gives you a path to follow, steps to take and you may not actually like those steps. For example, you are NEVER going to get that cute guy you see at the bus stop to notice you (he’s happily married) but the barista at your coffee shop is another story. And, if you’re asking questions and getting answers that Mr. Right is actually Mr. Totally All Wrong, the cards may tell you that now is the time to admit this to yourself and walk away.
Tarot can help you:
- In the decision making process
- clarify an issue
- figure out the next right step
Ask open-ended questions that ask for details. Such as:
- What do I need to know about (name the situation) for my highest good?
- What will be the result if I take this particular action (name the action)?
- What do I need to change in order to improve (relationships, work, etc.) ?
- How can I improve my situation (specify the situation you need help with)?
Keep in mind that the answer might not always seem positive but it should guide you to a positive outcome.
It’s not always necessary to ask specific questions. You can ask for general information. Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know and the cards can help uncover that. Questions like:
- What do I need to examine in my life right now?
- What are the energies for today/this week/this month?
The process of crafting the right question can sometimes give you as much insight into the answer you are seeking as the reading itself. Really giving yourself permission to think about what you want to know can help you clarify the issue at hand.
The best way to hear the answers Tarot can give you, is to ask the questions. If you don’t get it exactly right, no worries. The cards are forgiving.
One final thought to keep in mind—as Barbara Moore says in the Little Book of Tarot, “don’t ask if you don’t want to know.”
What great questions have you asked of your cards? Leave me a comment below.