It’s understandable why querents often ask for a “Yes or No” tarot reading. Will I get that job? Should I move? Is he/she THE ONE? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and lost, why wouldn’t you want a simple answer to a simple question?
While a simple yes-or-no answer may give you a momentary sense of certainty, the truth is that you could be missing out on deeper insights and advice.
The tarot isn’t something that tells you the absolute, most certain outcome of your current situation. A tarot reading gives you a clearer view of your current situation and a probable outcome. When you limit the tarot’s deep insights with a simplistic yes-or-no question, you’re closing yourself off to the context, advice, and wisdom the universe is trying to offer you.
“Yes or No” tarot readings can take away your agency
The moment you ask a ‘Yes or No’ tarot question, you eliminate your agency. For example, what if you ask: “Will I get a promotion next month?” If the cards say ‘No,’ you have no idea why not, what obstacles are in the way, or what you can do to change the outcome. You’ll be left feeling discouraged and powerless, which is the very opposite of what a good tarot reading should achieve.
The true magic of the Tarot lies in the journey, not the destination. It is a roadmap that offers guidance on how to navigate your path, recognizing that you hold the power of free will to change the course at any time.
You can unlock more insights with open-ended questions
Instead of asking the tarot to dictate your fate, ask it to empower your actions. The key is to keep your queries specific yet open-ended.
Instead of asking the tarot to dictate your fate, ask it to empower your actions.
Let’s go back to the career example. Rather than asking a closed question, we can transform it into a powerful, insightful request for guidance:
- Instead of: “Will I get promoted next month?”
- Open up the question and ask: “What do I need to know about my career right now?”
- Or reframe it to ask for specific, actionable advice: “How do I improve my performance at work and get the recognition I deserve?”
See how simple shifts can change everything? With an open-ended question, the cards can guide your path forward rather than just give you a fixed outcome. They might show the Ten of Wands and warn you against the burden of burnout, or the King of Swords, instructing you to seek guidance from a sharp-minded mentor. This kind of information is actionable and empowers you to make choices that can shape the outcome to your liking.
Here are a few more examples of how to pivot closed questions into open-ended guidance:
| Closed (Limited) Question | Open (Empowering) Question |
|---|---|
| Is this relationship going to last? | What is the current underlying dynamic of this relationship, and what is the next step for us? |
| Should I accept this invitation to move abroad? | What personal growth or challenges should I anticipate if I accept this invitation? |
| Will I ever feel better about my current situation? | What can help me find healing and peace? |
There are other tools for your yes-or-no questions
Asking yes or no questions using divination tools isn’t inherently WRONG, but maybe you just need to consider a different tool besides tarot. Divination coins can give you the precise yes-or-no answer you’re looking for. Pendulums can offer a bit more nuance, depending on how you program it or what board you’re using. Some boards don’t just have “Yes” or “No” directions; they can include answers like “Maybe” or even “Rephrase [the question]”.
Remember: tarot is designed to be intricate and deeply insightful. Don’t limit that wisdom by only asking yes or no tarot questions! Embrace the complexity of the cards, ask bigger questions, and watch your readings transform from simple fortune-telling into profound life guidance.