Using Tarot for Yes/No Questions - Does it Work?

Q&A
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I also hesitate to add my thoughts, but this thread totally resonated with me. I have used tarot cards to answer yes/no questions, both with the training deck and one without yes/no printed on them - the answers were the same.

I think the issue is that we are humans and have differing opinions, which is why there is no universal list of which cards are yes, no or even maybe. I think perhaps it could be one of those things which is between the deck and the Reader? As has been pointed out, some decks might not ‘do’ yes/no questions so well, whereas others might - not to mention, if the Reader isn’t entirely certain on what is yes or no then the deck probably won’t be either, any result could be questionable, perhaps? I think like with any divination tool, it requires a connection with the deck, trust in one’s intuition and ability, and an understanding between the 2 - agreeing with your deck what you consider to be a yes card and no card might be a good place to start? Also, deciding whether or not you will have a ‘maybe/unknown’ as answers too? I hate math, but if you wanted to get technical about it, there are 78 cards in the deck, so if you wanted to separate them into 3 sections, say yes, no and maybe cards, then you could do that and that would be your understanding between you and your deck.

In addition to using the 1 card method, I’ve also tried the 3 card method - pull 3 cards, if 2 or more cards are higher (or more positive), that could indicate yes, 2 or more low number (or less positive cards) could be no, and an even-looking spread is maybe. In the same way, you could agree with your deck that major arcana cards are yes, court cards are maybe and numbers are no; there are more numbered cards than any other group, so by making numbers no you’re making it (possibly) less likely to get a yes, which will be validating if you do in fact get a court card. Or, separate them (in the agreement) into major arcana, wands, cups, suits and swords to have 5 options; so you could assign a yes, no, maybe, ask later and let it go, for example.

I also prefer to double-check my results, to prove to myself that I’ve got the answer I was supposed to get; if the answers don’t match, I know that I need further insight into the situation.

x Blessed Be x

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Always a good idea to leave a little room for chaos! If we can have days off and vacation days, it makes sense to me to let the cards/runes have their days off too. Sometimes fate is in our own hands! :smile: :raising_hands:

Thank you, Tracy! :heart:

I’m seconding you on this, Nikki! It’s been enlightening hearing from you and everyone else about how you read. I do think this is another area where there is no set “right” or “wrong” answer - the viability of getting a correct yes/no result seems to vary on a lot of factors, and a big one is the particular deck and its personality/bond to the reader.

You’ve got some very interesting methods on the table, and I think the practice of backing up the answer with a second result is very clever! Thank you so much for adding these in, I’m grateful you shared them with us :pray: :blush:

Thank you again to everyone for all your thoughts, methods, advice, and experiences - they have been very enlightening!

This space will remain open for anyone who’d like to continue to discuss tarot theory and explore the potential pros/cons of using tarot for yes/no readings. I’ve opened up a separate Part II for anyone who wants to do some hands-on experimentation with spreads and methods to get a yes/no result with tarot. It can be found here:

→ Using Tarot for Yes/No Questions PART II - Tarot Spreads for a Yes/No Answer

The methods and spreads kindly shared here have been collected over there for ease of access. Regardless of your stance on tarot, if you’re in an experimenting type of mood, head on over and consider giving a new method a try - perhaps with a different deck from what you usually use! There’s nothing to lose and always experience to gain :blush:

Blessed be, tarot readers :heart:

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I’m newly out of the "broom closest":broom:…I’ve done tarot for 10+ years( just for myself).. i said yes, but using a pendulum works better for yes or no questions. Tarot can be more of an “opinion” of my deck…:wink:

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I’m not a pendulum user myself, but I know it works wonders for others - and it’s definitely a form of divination with a clear way to ask yes/no questions! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, @Hopecouture36 - may your readings continue to go well :blush: :flower_playing_cards: :pendulum:

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