Can I ask a yes or no question?

Yes. It suits questions you need to decide quickly, but follow up by asking what you need to do for things to go the way you want. See the yes or no tarot guide for more.

Can I ask about other people?

You can, from your own side. "How should I talk to my mother?" works better than "What is my mother thinking?", because the cards cannot read the mind of someone who is not there.

How much of the story should I tell?

Two or three sentences is enough: what the situation is, where it stands now and what you want to know. You do not need to give real names or personal details.

Can I ask several questions at once?

Ask the main one first, then ask the others one at a time as follow-ups on the same cards. That way the answers do not get mixed together.

How to ask tarot questions that work, with good and bad examples

A good question is half the answer. Ask tarot questions that are clear, open, time-bound and in your hands, with examples of what to avoid and how to fix it.

5 min read

How you phrase a tarot question matters nearly as much as how you read the cards. A question that is too broad gets a vague answer. A question that hangs the answer on someone else's heart leaves you with nothing to do next. This guide gives you 5 principles for asking and some examples of weak questions fixed.

5 principles for asking a tarot question

One topic: one question covers one subject. If you have several, ask them separately.
About you: ask about what you do or feel, rather than trying to read someone else's mind.
Open-ended: "how" and "what" ("What should I focus on?") get a more detailed answer than "yes or no".
A time frame: this week, this month or the next three months.
Context: give a short description of the situation so the reader knows where you stand.

Examples of fixing a question

Weaker answer: Will he come back?

Stronger answer: How should I handle the feelings I still have for my ex right now?

The first question ties the answer to another person's decision, which nobody can know for them. The second is within your hands and gets advice you can act on.

Weaker answer: What does this year look like for me: work, money, love, health?

Stronger answer: What should I focus on at work over the next three months?

The first is so broad that each card has to answer several topics. The second picks one topic and sets a time frame. If you really want a full-year view, use a 12-month spread on its own.

Tarot questions you can use right away

Love: "How should I show up with the person I'm talking to, so things move forward comfortably for both of us?"
Career: "If I change jobs in the next three months, what do I need to prepare?"
Money: "Which expenses should I watch especially closely this month?"
Study: "Before my final exams, how should I divide up my study time?"
Yourself: "What has been wearing me out lately without my noticing?"

Questions the cards should not answer

Diagnosing an illness, or whether to stop a medication: talk to a doctor.
The outcome of a lawsuit, or whether to sign a contract: talk to a lawyer.
Lottery numbers, or which stock will go up: tarot is not investment information.
Who stole something, or who is cheating: cards are not evidence, and you could end up accusing the wrong person.

Tip: If your question starts with "Will he...", try changing it to "Should I...". Changing just the first word turns the answer into something you can do yourself.

Summary

One topic, about you, open-ended, with a time frame and context.
Turn "Will he..." into "Should I..."
For health, legal and investment matters, tarot can help you reflect, but decide with a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask a yes or no question?: Yes. It suits questions you need to decide quickly, but follow up by asking what you need to do for things to go the way you want. See the yes or no tarot guide for more.
Can I ask about other people?: You can, from your own side. "How should I talk to my mother?" works better than "What is my mother thinking?", because the cards cannot read the mind of someone who is not there.
How much of the story should I tell?: Two or three sentences is enough: what the situation is, where it stands now and what you want to know. You do not need to give real names or personal details.
Can I ask several questions at once?: Ask the main one first, then ask the others one at a time as follow-ups on the same cards. That way the answers do not get mixed together.