As a tarot reader for many years, I've been part of many transformational moments-and at the heart of the most powerful readings is a really good question. Tarot has the power to illuminate so many aspects of your life, projects, or situations-from the profound to the mundane. It's a collaborative conversation where you discover epiphanies together. I like to think of a tarot reading as a roleplaying game, where you map out scenarios in your life and the world.
There are many ways to think of a good question for a tarot reader. You could start by pulling a card to get inspiration or by asking the tarot reader "What do I need to know?". I've found that the best readings come from first asking the querent the simple question, "What's been on your mind lately that you want clarity on?".
And while some questions may fall into similar categories, each person's unique experiences and concerns shape the reading. If your question really resonates with you, you'll get more out of the reading. A good question is something that's deep for you. A recurring thought. Something that makes your brain twist.
The Essence of a Good Question
Forming the question that you are going to ask the cards is of utmost importance. In fact, if you form your question well, you may be halfway to the answer right there, because knowing what you’re concerned with often brings so many ideas to you. If you are the reader for another person, whom we call the ‘querent’, it is your job as the reader to help the querent form the question. You ask them their concerns, and then you form the question with them.
You always keep the question in mind as you are mixing, almost like a mantra, because you are mixing it into the cards, and the clearer you can be with the cards, the clearer the cards can be with you. As long as you are clear, the Tarot will answer you.
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“Asking the proper question is the central action of transformation-in fairy tales, in analysis, and in individuation. The key question causes germination of consciousness. The properly shaped question always emanates from an essential curiosity about what stands behind.
Trust me, I’d rather people ask me about phrasing their questions: it shows that they know the power of a question, rather than just answers. There’s a quote that says (roughly paraphrased), “It’s not the answers, but you asking the right questions.” because really, how can you get the best answers if you’re not asking the right questions?
Less “will/if/yes/no” questions, more “what/how/why/[timing inclusive]” questions. Tarot tends to be very focused on motivation: why people do what they do, when they do it. If you have a time-sensitive question, bake it into the phrasing of the question: “What can I do to get X job in X months?” instead of “Will I get the job?
I hope this list of sample questions helps serve you.
How to Read Tarot Card Combinations
Types of Questions to Ask
Here's real-world examples of questions querents have asked me that have sparked big 'aha!' moments during sessions. When really asked: what's that thing on your mind?-the questions are often provocative! These aren't the most obvious inquiries.
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Life Transition Questions
- I'm considering moving closer to my family. What impact would this have on my life?
- There's a potential new job I'm excited about, but I'd have to relocate. How should I make this decision?
- I just went through a breakup after a 4-year relationship, and I'm only just starting to think about dating again. How should I navigate this?
- I've had three different careers, and now I'm ready for something new. What should my next chapter be?
Feeling Stuck Questions
- I have an idea for a business. What should I consider before taking the leap?
- I’ve been working on this project for years now. What should the last piece be?
- I'm having difficulty making new friends. How can I shift things to have the social life I desire?
- I don't feel fulfilled at my current job. Should I leave? When?
Philosophical Questions
- Why do I always feel the need to be productive?
- With all the shit happening in the world, how do I actually just do my day-t0-day-life and all my responsibilities?
- What's the motivation behind all the artwork I make?
Personal Growth Questions
- I struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. How can I build my confidence?
- I've been feeling a ton of stress and burnout lately. How do I get my spark back?
- Is there another city I should live in that would be better for me? Where should I live? How will that affect my relationships, creativity, and work?
- I feel stuck and unmotivated in general. How do I get out of this rut?
Relationship Questions
- I'm starting a new collaboration and want to know, how will it go?
- I’m truly on the fence about having kids. How do I discuss this with my partner?
- My kid plays a ton of video games, and I feel like our relationship has changed. How do I better connect with them?
You might have noticed, most of these questions use the word "how" instead of "should". I like to twist should into how, what, where, and why. It's totally fine to start out with a "should", but shaping it into a "how" questions empowers you to explore different paths and possibilities, rather than seek a definitive answer. A tarot reader can help you formulate your question too!
How Do I Know What Questions to Ask?
A tarot reading is a two-way street between you, the tarot reader, and your tarot deck. No matter what answers you could potentially receive, you're the one who initiates the discussion (and has to interpret the response).
So ultimately, everyone's approach will be (and should be) a little different, no matter if I’ve got a few tips up my sleeve that I find personally to be effective. Your relationship with your deck and the style that resonates with you should always take priority (so if a question feels inappropriate or doesn't feel right for you, don't ask it).
But in my opinion, the best kinds of questions to ask tarot cards will be:
- Thoughtful & Contemplative: They leave room for exploration and experimentation, which sometimes may include preferring more open-ended questions versus reaching for the specific tarot questions. Example: How can I further my own spiritual growth?
- Fluid & Empowering: They can help you explore what the future holds but don't limit your free will or life path. You don't feel restricted to following just one "right direction" or limit your answer to only one kind of response. Example: How can I take advantage of any opportunities that the future may hold?
Phrasing Tarot Questions for Clear Answers
If you’re having problems with vague, unfocused, or off-topic tarot spreads, the question is the first thing to troubleshoot. Your guides are not your mom; they aren’t waiting around for you to finally call so they can tell you everything you’re doing wrong.
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Your guides, angels, intuition, subconscious, higher self, the Universe, the Divine-wherever it is readings come from-that Source of insight and perspective is not trying to get a word in edgewise to your busy life. However, like your favorite aunt, Source loves it when you sit down, relax, contemplate quietly, and then ask that important question. And like your favorite aunt (it’s why she’s your favorite, of course), Source is not going to launch into a litany of things you could be doing differently. She’ll also sit quietly, take her time, and at just the right moment make a simple statement that puts it all in perspective for you.
The question generates the reading. It sparks, germinates, or erupts into the reading. No spark, and the tarot reading engine won’t turn over. So, what to ask? First things first, what do you want to know? Probably a lot of things. Although you can ask absolutely anything you want of the tarot, there is definitely a most popular category. Questions about career, love, family, and money by far outnumber other topics.
Once you’ve empowered yourself to ask what you really want to know, it’s pretty easy to choose the topic. Choosing your topic is part one. Part two is what kind of response you want. Again, tarot is empowering-you get to choose. Some of the most useful answers you can get from tarot will be predictions, advice, comparing options, and understanding yourself. I’ll share ways to phrase these tarot questions.
Practical Examples of Questions
Looking into the future is the bread and butter of tarot reading. How will my plan work? This is probably the most common question format. For comparing two options, I like to do multiple short readings asking what’s the outcome if I do A, B, C, etc. I’ve done this style of reading extensively for a variety of clients with a variety of options, including young people wondering which college is best to go to, people choosing what state to live in, and a woman trying to choose a lawyer.
What’s the outcome if I do this? How will I feel about option A in the long run? What are the pros of this option? Tarot is extremely useful as a tool to help you find solutions, navigate challenges, and make good choices. But one of the best uses of tarot is to help you understand yourself, put your desires in perspective, and gain insight into your motivations. Asking self-development questions or seeing your choices mirrored in the cards is extraordinarily powerful for your personal evolution.
Questions along these lines can lead to your most transformative readings. What strengths can I bring to this? How can I release my limitations regarding this?
Lastly, consider how big of an answer you want. The spread plays a role here. Big spreads can cover a lot of territory, introducing new considerations and getting your wheels turning with fresh ideas. Even when you want to explore the big picture, it helps to put some kind of limitation on the spread. Establishing a time frame works nicely to keep this in check.
Then smaller or to-the-point spreads can help narrow down too many options, focus on what’s most important, and let the real issue rise to the surface. Ideally, one of the best ways to approach a question is with a series of readings. Combining a larger exploratory spread with smaller bottom-line questions can help you open up your question then lock down the most relevant and important answer.
Most often, people come to tarot readings with very precise questions. An opening spread might set up the basic characters involved and what each wants. Subsequent spreads can explore a variety of options and likely outcomes of specific actions.
In the end, you might find that despite the helpful insight, the actual question hasn’t been answered. This is where yes or no questions are fabulous. Once the larger situation and context have been explored, I like to bottom line a reading with a straightforward, two-card spread that answers the question that still remains in the person’s heart. It doesn’t have to be a yes-or-no question, but it’s okay if it is (there are pros and cons to such questions and this is a pro!).
What does my dating life look like over the rest of the year? What job opportunities and challenges will I face over the next three months? How do my finances look between now and retirement? What will be the outcome of trying to start a family now?
Keep in mind that getting real answers involves real emotions. If you’re not ready to hear a “no” answer or even a possibility that leans negative, please don’t ask the question! These questions are for people who in their heart want truth and are ready to hear it. As with everything in life, know yourself. Ask questions that will help you and give you clarity. Don’t ask questions if you will suffer from knowing the answer.
Questions to Avoid
If you find your clients asking a lot of questions that fall into the “don’t” category, don’t feel stressed! Oftentimes these are newbies when it comes to getting readings, who may have very different expectations of what a tarot reading means based on what we see in movies or television. It is often enough to try and rephrase their question - use your intuition and your compassion to try and grasp at what the heart of the question really is about. Many of the questions in the don’t category tend to only scratch the surface of what it is they’re truly searching for.
While it is often possible to ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no during a tarot reading, the tarot oftentimes gives us rather complex answers. Getting a clear yes or no - often involves delving deep into the cards symbolism to understand the reasoning behind that yes or no.
Other people are probably the biggest unknown we can have - and naturally, we may find ourselves tempted to ask questions about them in our tarot readings. But these questions can be both unethical as well as unproductive.
Sometimes as humans, we are tempted to place responsibility elsewhere when things don’t go as planned - making ourselves a victim of our circumstances or other people’s actions. There are times when this is true - sometimes there are very little things that we can do to change our situation. What is also true most of the time, is that we can change the way that we react and respond to those situations.
As tarot readers, we have the responsibility of steering our clients (and ourselves) towards ways of thinking that empower them, not take away their sense of agency. Despite tarot’s reputation for fortune telling, a tarot reading is actually most beneficial when it is used to focus on the present moment, and one’s journey into the future - not what the future looks like. When we think about what the future holds, we need to also remember that what we do today shapes that future.
15 Sample Tarot Questions
Here is a list of 15 sample tarot questions:
- How can I bring more love into my life?
- What is my capacity to love?
- How do I know when I am in a loving state?
- What blocks and challenges am I facing right now?
- What is my greatest asset?
- What is my purpose?
- What adventure am I being called towards?
- What wisdom does my soul want me to know?
- What is the theme of my life right now?
- What challenges am I meant to overcome?
- What intention will serve me best today?
- What is this challenge teaching me?
- What is my mind, body and spirit telling me?
- What past experiences are influencing me?
- What magic am I being called towards?
Additional Questions to Consider
- In which ways do I not see myself accurately?
- What does my heart need right now?
- What can I release from past relationships?
- What did I value in past relationships?
- What stories am I telling myself?
- What do I truly desire?
- What unique abilities do I possess?
I feel like the best way to learn is by pulling your own cards and just doing it. And be fearless - don't be intimidated by the fact that there are 78 cards holding multiple meanings. You just have to dive in and start exploring and playing. I think the best way to learn is to pull a card every day. It's a lovely way to start the morning by pulling a card and spending time with it.
I also think it's essential to get a tarot deck that resonates with you, that you can really connect with, because there are so many options now, more than ever. Find the one that lights you up, that you feel excited to pick up, and you want to work with, you want to play with, you want to spend time with.