Quick Answer
Good tarot questions are open-ended, focus on your own actions/perspective, and seek guidance rather than yes/no answers. Instead of asking 'Will I get the job?', ask 'What should I know about this career opportunity?' or 'How can I best prepare for this interview?'
Why Your Question Matters
Tarot works as a mirror—it reflects back insights about what you ask. A vague or poorly-formed question yields a vague reading. A thoughtful, specific question opens doors to deeper understanding.
Think of it like asking for directions:
❌ Vague: "Which way should I go?"
Response will be general and unhelpful
✓ Specific: "What's the best route to downtown that avoids highway traffic?"
Response will be targeted and actionable
Your question shapes the lens through which the cards are interpreted. Better questions = better insights.
Good Questions vs Bad Questions
Let's look at the fundamental differences between effective and ineffective tarot questions:
1. Open-Ended vs Yes/No
❌ Bad:
"Will I get the promotion?"
"Does my partner love me?"
"Should I move to a new city?"
✓ Good:
"What do I need to know about my promotion prospects?"
"How can I strengthen my relationship?"
"What should I consider about relocating?"
2. Self-Focused vs Other-Focused
❌ Bad:
"What is my ex thinking about me?"
"Will my boss give me a raise?"
"Does my friend like my gift?"
✓ Good:
"How can I move forward from this breakup?"
"What can I do to demonstrate my value at work?"
"How can I be a better friend?"
3. Growth-Oriented vs Prediction-Seeking
❌ Bad:
"When will I meet my soulmate?"
"Will I be rich someday?"
"What will happen next month?"
✓ Good:
"What should I work on to attract a healthy relationship?"
"How can I improve my financial situation?"
"What energy should I focus on this month?"
4. Specific vs Vague
❌ Bad:
"What's going on?"
"Tell me about my love life"
"What should I do?"
✓ Good:
"What's affecting my energy levels lately?"
"How can I navigate this transition in my relationship?"
"What should I prioritize in my career search?"
Types of Tarot Questions
Different question types serve different purposes. Choose the type that matches what you're truly seeking:
1. Guidance Questions
Ask for direction and advice on how to approach situations.
Examples:
- • "What guidance do I need for [situation]?"
- • "How can I best handle [challenge]?"
- • "What approach should I take with [decision]?"
2. Understanding Questions
Seek clarity about situations, patterns, or dynamics.
Examples:
- • "What do I need to understand about [situation]?"
- • "What's the underlying energy in [relationship]?"
- • "What am I not seeing about [issue]?"
3. Perspective Questions
Look at situations from different angles.
Examples:
- • "What perspective would help me most with [situation]?"
- • "How does [situation] serve my growth?"
- • "What opportunity exists in [challenge]?"
4. Action Questions
Focus on concrete steps you can take.
Examples:
- • "What action should I take regarding [situation]?"
- • "How can I improve [area of life]?"
- • "What's my next step with [project]?"
Question Frameworks
Use these proven frameworks to structure your questions effectively:
Framework 1: "What... about..."
Perfect for gaining insight and understanding.
- • "What do I need to know about [situation]?"
- • "What is the lesson in [challenge]?"
- • "What energy surrounds [decision]?"
- • "What am I not seeing about [relationship]?"
Framework 2: "How can I..."
Empowering questions that focus on your agency.
- • "How can I best navigate [situation]?"
- • "How can I strengthen [area]?"
- • "How can I release [pattern]?"
- • "How can I align with [goal]?"
Framework 3: "What should I focus on..."
Directs attention to priorities and key areas.
- • "What should I focus on to achieve [goal]?"
- • "What should I prioritize regarding [decision]?"
- • "What deserves my attention in [situation]?"
- • "What aspect of [problem] should I address first?"
Framework 4: "What's blocking/supporting..."
Identifies obstacles and resources.
- • "What's blocking me from [goal]?"
- • "What's supporting my growth in [area]?"
- • "What obstacle should I address in [situation]?"
- • "What strength can I lean on during [challenge]?"
Question Examples by Category
❤️ Love & Relationships
- ✓"What do I need to work on to attract a healthy relationship?"
- ✓"How can I improve communication with my partner?"
- ✓"What's the deeper lesson in this relationship challenge?"
- ✓"How can I set better boundaries in my relationships?"
- ✓"What do I need to heal from past relationships?"
💼 Career & Work
- ✓"What should I know about this career opportunity?"
- ✓"How can I showcase my value at work?"
- ✓"What's blocking my career progress?"
- ✓"What skills should I develop for career growth?"
- ✓"How can I find more fulfillment in my work?"
✨ Personal Growth
- ✓"What pattern should I work on releasing?"
- ✓"How can I develop more self-confidence?"
- ✓"What's my biggest growth opportunity right now?"
- ✓"How can I better align with my authentic self?"
- ✓"What should I focus on for my spiritual development?"
🔮 General Guidance
- ✓"What energy should I embrace this week/month?"
- ✓"What message do I most need to hear right now?"
- ✓"What's asking for my attention?"
- ✓"What perspective would serve me best?"
- ✓"What opportunity am I overlooking?"
Questions to Avoid
Some question types consistently lead to unhelpful or problematic readings:
❌ 1. Health/Medical Questions
Avoid: "What's causing my symptoms?" or "Should I have this surgery?"
Why: Tarot isn't a substitute for medical advice. Consult healthcare professionals for health concerns.
❌ 2. Legal/Financial Decisions
Avoid: "Should I invest in this stock?" or "Will I win my lawsuit?"
Why: These require professional expertise. Use tarot for mindset/approach, not specific financial/legal decisions.
❌ 3. Questions About Others' Feelings/Thoughts
Avoid: "Does [person] love me?" or "What is [person] thinking?"
Why: You can't read others' minds. Focus on your own experience and actions instead.
❌ 4. Test Questions
Avoid: "Tell me something only I would know" or "Prove tarot works"
Why: Approaching tarot skeptically blocks insight. If you're testing it, you won't receive meaningful guidance.
❌ 5. Repetitive Questions
Avoid: Asking the same question multiple times until you get the answer you want
Why: This defeats the purpose of guidance. If you got an answer you didn't like, reflect on why rather than seeking a different answer.
Refining Your Question
Use this step-by-step process to refine vague questions into powerful ones:
Question Refinement Process:
Start with your initial thought
Example: "I want to know about my relationship"
Get specific about what aspect
"I want to know about communication in my relationship"
Shift from "What is" to "What can I"
"How can I improve communication in my relationship?"
Make it actionable and growth-oriented
"What should I focus on to create more open communication with my partner?"
Quick Refinement Checklist:
- ☐ Is it open-ended (not yes/no)?
- ☐ Does it focus on me (not others)?
- ☐ Is it specific enough?
- ☐ Does it seek guidance (not prediction)?
- ☐ Is it growth-oriented?
- ☐ Can I act on the guidance I might receive?
Final Tips for Better Questions
- •Write it down: The act of writing clarifies your question
- •Be honest: Your real question might be different than your surface question
- •Trust your first instinct: Don't overthink after you've refined your question
- •Stay open: The answer might address your question in unexpected ways
- •One question at a time: Don't combine multiple questions into one reading
Ready to Ask Better Questions?
Put these techniques into practice with a free tarot reading. Formulate your question and see what insights emerge.