How to Ask the Right Questions in Your Tarot Card Reading (So You Actually Get Answers That Matter)
Let's be real: You're not here for vague mystical proclamations about "your path" or generic predictions about tall, dark strangers. You're here because you want actual guidance, clarity, and direction for your life. And the secret to getting that? It's all in how you ask the question.
Here's the thing most people don't realize about tarot card readings: the quality of your question directly determines the quality of your answer. Think of tarot like Google—if you type in a vague search, you get vague results. But if you're specific, intentional, and clear? The universe (and the cards) will deliver.
So let's talk about how to ask questions that actually lead to breakthroughs, not more confusion.
Why Your Questions Matter More Than You Think
Tarot isn't a magic 8-ball that spits out yes/no answers. It's a tool for accessing your intuition, exploring possibilities, and gaining insight into patterns you might not be seeing clearly. The cards reflect what's happening energetically in your life—but they need direction from you.
When you ask a wishy-washy question, you get a wishy-washy answer. When you ask a powerful, focused question, the cards light up with clarity.
Carl Jung (the godfather of psychology and tarot's biggest fan) believed that tarot works through synchronicity—meaningful coincidences that reveal what your subconscious already knows. The cards you pull aren't random; they're reflecting the energy and patterns already at play in your life. But to tap into that wisdom, you've got to ask the right way.
The 7 Types of Questions That Lead to Breakthrough Readings
1. Open-Ended Questions (Not Yes/No)
The Problem with Yes/No Questions:
"Will I get the job?" "Is he the one?" "Should I move to a new city?"
These questions back you into a corner. Tarot doesn't predict a fixed future—it shows you the energy and potential of a situation. A yes/no question ignores all the nuance, context, and empowerment that a reading can offer.
The Better Approach:
Instead of asking if something will happen, ask how you can influence the outcome or what you need to know to make the best decision.
Examples:
Instead of: "Will I get the job?"
Ask: "What can I do to increase my chances of getting this job?"Instead of: "Is this relationship going to work?"
Ask: "What do I need to understand about this relationship to make the best choice for myself?"
Open-ended questions invite the cards to give you actionable guidance instead of a thumbs up or thumbs down.
2. Focused Questions (Not Vague Fishing Expeditions)
The Problem with Vague Questions:
"What does my future hold?" "Tell me about my love life." "What should I know?"
These questions are like asking a GPS for "directions to happiness." Too broad, too undefined, and you'll end up lost.
The Better Approach:
Get specific. The more focused your question, the more specific and useful the answer will be.
Examples:
Instead of: "What does my future hold?"
Ask: "What can I expect in my career over the next six months, and how can I prepare?"Instead of: "Tell me about my love life."
Ask: "What patterns am I repeating in relationships, and how can I break them?"
Focus narrows the lens so the cards can show you exactly what you need to see.
3. Empowering Questions (Not Victim-Mode Questions)
The Problem with Powerless Questions:
"Why is this happening to me?" "Why do I keep failing?" "What's wrong with me?"
Look, I get it. Life can feel like it's happening to you sometimes. But tarot is a tool for reclaiming your power, not reinforcing helplessness. These questions keep you stuck in victim mode instead of stepping into your badassery.
The Better Approach:
Reframe the question to put you back in the driver's seat. You're not a passive recipient of life—you're an active participant.
Examples:
Instead of: "Why is this happening to me?"
Ask: "What can I learn from this situation, and how can I use it to grow?"Instead of: "Why do I keep failing?"
Ask: "What's blocking my success, and what steps can I take to overcome it?"
Empowering questions remind you that you have agency, choice, and the ability to change your trajectory.
4. Positive Questions (Not Fear-Based Questions)
The Problem with Negative Framing:
"What should I avoid?" "What's going to go wrong?" "What am I doing wrong?"
When you ask from a place of fear or scarcity, the cards will reflect that energy back to you. Plus, focusing on what not to do doesn't tell you what to do.
The Better Approach:
Frame your questions in terms of what you want to create, achieve, or move toward—not what you're trying to avoid.
Examples:
Instead of: "What should I avoid in my business?"
Ask: "What actions will help me grow my business successfully?"Instead of: "What's going to go wrong in this relationship?"
Ask: "What do I need to focus on to build a healthy, thriving relationship?"
Positive questions focus your energy on solutions, growth, and possibilities instead of problems and fears.
5. Reflective Questions (For Self-Discovery)
Why This Matters:
Tarot isn't just about predicting what's coming. It’s about understanding yourself more deeply. Reflective questions help you gain insight into your patterns, beliefs, and motivations so you can make better decisions moving forward.
Examples:
"What do I need to know about myself right now to move forward with confidence?"
"What limiting belief is holding me back from achieving my goals?"
"How am I getting in my own way, and what can I do about it?"
"What part of myself am I not acknowledging or honoring?"
These questions turn tarot into a mirror that reflects your inner world back to you—which is where the real transformation happens.
6. Open-Minded Questions (Leave Room for Surprises)
Why This Matters:
Sometimes the cards show you something you weren't expecting, and that's often the most valuable part of the reading. If you come in with a rigid expectation of what the answer "should" be, you'll miss the deeper wisdom.
Examples:
"What do I need to know about this situation that I'm not seeing?"
"What perspective or insight am I missing?"
"What lesson is available to me right now?"
"What guidance do my intuition or higher self have for me at this time?"
Open-minded questions invite the unexpected—and often, that's where the breakthrough lives.
7. Specific Questions (Clear, Concise, Actionable)
The Golden Rule:
The clearer your question, the clearer the answer. Specificity is your friend.
If you ask a fuzzy question, you'll get a fuzzy answer. If you ask a laser-focused question, the cards will show up with precision.
Examples:
"What energy or theme is most important for me to focus on this month?"
"What's the next right step for me in my career transition?"
"What do I need to release in order to make space for what I'm trying to manifest?"
"How can I best support myself during this challenging time?"
Specificity gives the cards (and your intuition) clear direction.
20 Powerful Example Questions to Bring to Your Next Reading
Not sure where to start? Here are some of my favorite questions that consistently lead to powerful, actionable readings:
Career & Purpose:
What energy or action will help me move forward in my career right now?
What's blocking me from achieving my professional goals, and how can I address it?
What strengths or skills should I be leaning into more in my work?
What does my next career chapter look like, and how can I prepare for it?
Relationships & Connection:
What do I need to understand about this relationship to make the best decision for myself?
How can I improve my communication and connection with [specific person]?
What patterns am I repeating in relationships, and how can I break them?
What does healthy love look like for me right now?
Personal Growth & Manifestation:
What's my biggest area of growth right now, and how can I embrace it?
What limiting belief is holding me back, and how can I release it?
What do I need to focus on to manifest [specific goal]?
What part of myself needs more attention or care right now?
Decision-Making & Clarity:
What do I need to consider before making this decision?
What's the likely outcome of [specific choice], based on current energies?
What's my intuition trying to tell me about this situation?
What's the next brave step I need to take?
Challenges & Obstacles:
What lesson is this challenge trying to teach me?
How can I best navigate this difficult period?
What resources or support do I have available that I'm not seeing?
What do I need to let go of in order to move forward?
What NOT to Ask in a Tarot Reading
Let's be clear about what tarot isn't good for:
❌ Predicting exact timelines: "When will I meet my soulmate?" "What day will I get the promotion?"
Tarot shows energy and potential, not fixed dates. Time is fluid, and free will changes outcomes.
❌ Making decisions for you: "Should I take this job or that job?"
Tarot gives you insight to make your own empowered choice, it doesn't make the choice for you.
❌ Invading someone else's privacy: "What is my ex thinking about me?" "Does my boss like me?"
Tarot is for YOUR guidance and growth, not for prying into other people's thoughts or energy without their consent.
❌ Health or legal advice: "Do I have cancer?" "Will I win my lawsuit?"
I'm a tarot reader and intuitive coach, not a doctor or lawyer. Always consult professionals for medical and legal matters.
The Real Secret: It's Not About the Cards—It's About You
Here's what I want you to understand: Tarot doesn't have all the answers. You do.
The cards are just a tool to help you access your own intuition, clarity, and inner wisdom. When you ask powerful questions, you're not asking the cards to tell you what to do, you're asking yourself. The cards just help you see what you already know but haven't been able to articulate yet.
That's why the question matters so much. A good question cuts through the noise and gets straight to the truth you're ready to hear.
Ready to Ask Better Questions?
If you're ready to stop getting vague, confusing readings and start getting real guidance that actually helps you move forward, let's work together.
Book a tarot reading with me and bring your best, most focused questions. We'll use the cards to tap into your intuition, uncover what's blocking you, and chart your path forward—no mystical fluff, just practical, empowering insight.
And if you want to stay connected and get weekly(ish) tarot wisdom, manifestation tips, and behind-the-scenes insights, join my email list. I send out practical magic—no spam, just the good stuff.
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Remember: Tarot is a mirror, not a crystal ball. The better the question, the clearer the reflection.
Now go ask some badass questions. ✨
- Rachel