Asking the Tarot cards what the Universe has in store for you can sometimes feel like tricky business — what if you ask the wrong question, receive dead-end information, or, in the most confusing of times, don’t even know what to ask?

　　As a tool that opens the door to an abundance of answers, the effectiveness of a Tarot reading often begins with a well-constructed question. Let’s jump into the nitty-gritty of it all, and break it down with a few quick tips.

　　

Why Does Your Question Matter?

　　Picture me this: your financial situation is feeling like a sticky, unfixable mess, and you’re concerned it’ll never pick up.

　　If you ask, “Where do I end up in a year from now financially?” the cards might still offer you something that leads you to feel optimistic about the future. On the other hand, you don’t know how you’ve achieved that outcome, and perhaps now you’re overly confident that things will turn out in your favor… and end up with the opposite outcome.

　　A stronger question might be: “How can I turn my financial situation around?”

　　The answer you receive now presents you with a series of actions that you can choose to take, even if it doesn’t feel as warm and fuzzy as seeing everything turn out okay in the end.

　　

How to Ask the Tarot the “Right” Questions:

　　

1. First, what are you not interested in learning about?

Or, in other words, what information isn’t useful to you? If, for example, I was curious about the nature of a friendship between myself and another person, but I was not interested in talking about or bringing up past situations between us, I would have to hone the question in on the present or future.

　　For troubling times of doubt and confusion where it can feel impossible to know exactly what you’re looking for, begin with what you do not want to know, and start to break it down from there.

　　

2. Consider your intentions for the Tarot reading.

Do you need advice and steps to proceed, or do you just need reassurance and the acknowledgement that you’re on the right path? If there are Tarot spreads at play, this difference can change altogether what spread you or your reader may be using, and it can help you further hone in on the kind of question that is most helpful to you and your situation.

　　

3. Leave room for the Tarot cards to speak for themselves.

Part of what makes the question formulation so difficult sometimes is the recognition that we are often shooting in the dark, asking for information that comes from… who knows where, and who knows why! Asking a question that is too targeted may yield an answer that doesn’t make sense because there’s no room for the correct one to blossom naturally.

　　For example, the question, “When will I get a job interview?” implies that there is a job interview to receive in the first place, and perhaps that isn’t the case.

　　Instead, asking, “How is my future job opportunity outlook at the moment?” would create space for the original question to still be potentially answered, but not without acknowledging the possibility that there are no jobs on the horizon for the querent.

　　

Not Convinced Your Question Will Provide the Best Answer?

　　If you’re still stumped and are in need of some question inspiration, below are some standard, thoughtful questions for general Tarot readings.

　　In my current situation, what is blocked from my vision (with my limited perspective) that I should see and consider?What is/are the source(s) of my lack of opportunity?What is it that I am currently doing right and should continue doing?What course of action should I be taking at the moment?In what ways do I have control over the situation at hand, and in what ways should I step back and let fate hold the reins?

Overall…

　　Forming your own question for a Tarot reading is always highly recommended, even if you feel as though you just want general guidance and insights. While you can try to start off a reading with a reader or your deck by asking them to begin on their own, leading the conversation in the direction that you know will be most beneficial will lead to a more fruitful experience. Pick up a pen and paper, reflect on your present needs, and start jotting down those question ideas for some practice! (And, of course, pick up a deck of cards too).

　　Related Article: Bedtime Tarot: A Tarot Reading to Help You Sleep at Night