How to Ask Tarot a Question (With 30 Examples)
The question shapes the reading more than any card. A vague or loaded question gets a confusing answer; a clear question about something you can influence gets an answer you can use. Here is how to phrase one, with examples you can borrow.
Open questions or yes or no?
Open questions start with “what,” “how” or “where”: “What do I need to understand about this relationship?” They suit spreads, because each card adds a piece of the picture. Closed questions can be answered yes or no: “Is this a good week to ask for a raise?” They suit a single card in Yes or No Tarot, where every card leans toward yes, no or maybe.
If you aren’t sure which you need, start open. Yes or no is best when you’ve already thought the matter through and want one last nudge.
Ask about yourself, not about other people
The most common beginner question is some version of “What are they thinking?” or “Will they come back?” Tarot can’t read another person’s mind, and readings that pretend to tend to leave you more anxious than before. Turn the question around to what you can see and influence: “What do I need to know about how I feel in this relationship?,” “How can I look after myself while I wait for an answer?.” You’ll get a reading you can act on.
Keep it to one topic
“What about my job and my relationship and moving?” is three questions. Split it, and do a separate reading for each, or choose the one that matters most today. A single, focused question makes the cards much easier to interpret.
Avoid questions tarot shouldn’t answer
Don’t ask the cards to diagnose a health problem, decide on a medical treatment, predict a legal outcome or pick investments. Our yes or no reading deliberately gives no yes or no answer to health questions. If a question feels urgent and frightening, talk to a professional or someone you trust; in the US and Canada you can also call or text 988 at any time.
30 example questions
Love: What do I want from a relationship right now? What is helping this relationship grow? What is blocking me from opening up? What should I keep in mind before I text my ex? How can I tell if this connection is good for me? What do I need to let go of to move on?
Work: What would help me feel more motivated at work? What should I focus on this month? Is this a good moment to ask for more responsibility? What is my biggest strength in this situation? What am I not seeing about this job offer? How can I make this decision with less fear?
Money: What is my relationship with money teaching me? Where could I spend more mindfully this week? What would help me feel more secure? Am I spending to change my mood? What would a calm money decision look like here? What small habit would help me save?
Personal growth: What do I need to hear today? What habit would support me right now? What am I ready to leave behind? Where am I being too hard on myself? What would make this week feel lighter? What lesson is this situation offering me?
Decisions: What do I gain and lose with each option? What is my intuition telling me? What would I choose if I weren’t afraid? What is the next small step? What do I need to know before I decide? What would make this choice feel right in a year?
Try it now
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask the same question twice?
It’s better not to repeat a question right away. If the answer doesn’t sit right, rephrase it, try a different spread, or come back in a few days.
Should I say the question out loud?
You don’t have to. Many people type or write it down, which also helps to make it precise. On Ask the Signs your question never leaves your device.
What if I don’t have a question?
Draw a card of the day and read it as a theme for the day. You don’t always need a question to get something useful from tarot.
More guides: How to Read Tarot Cards: A Beginner’s Guide, The Tarot Deck Explained: Major Arcana, Minor Arcana and Court Cards, Reversed Tarot Cards: What They Mean and How to Read Them, Yes or No Tarot Card Meanings: The Full List of 78 Cards, Tarot Card Combinations: How Cards Change Each Other, Tarot Spreads for Beginners: Which One to Choose, How to Keep a Tarot Journal (and Why It Helps).