Q is for Questions in Tarot Readings

Hello everyone! Today's "Q" post is about questions in tarot readings.

Many tarot clients ask me "Do I need to ask a question?" The query is a valid one, and the simple answer, for me at least, is "No." Every tarot reader is different, of course, but I don't believe you need to have a "question" to have a great tarot reading.

Let me explain. When I started learning tarot, I preferred questions that were more specific, because the book I was using--Nancy Garen's Tarot Made Easy, since you asked--was set up in category style so you could easily find the insights you were looking for. But I never had a philosophical conflict with open-ended readings.

Nowadays, my clients fall into two categories: Those who are looking for specific information on a particular area--love and work are my two most popular areas to work in--and those who want me to tell them what I "see" without any restrictions. Both types of readings are equally effective. It really depends on what your own needs are. If you choose not to use a question, you may find at the end that you don't get the answer you're really looking for.

Unfortunately, one other possible reason some clients--especially first-time clients--ask me to tell them what I see without a question is because they are trying to test my ability as a reader. They want to see if I'm any good or just full of shit. These are folks who will often not answer any questions I may ask them, either, because they feel like I should "know" already. 

Here are a few other pieces of advice regarding tarot questions:

• Don't ask the question if you don't want the answer! I don't read for people who "only want to hear good news" because life doesn't work that way.

• A lot of clients ask me questions without asking those in their lives for answers. I'm happy to provide guidance, of course, but don't be afraid to ask for what you want. For example, if you're asking me if your marriage is stable, I'm guessing 1) you already know the answer to that question and 2) did you talk to your spouse?

• I don't answer questions with "ever" in the title; the tarot reading is a snapshot in time and as such those types of questions won't work.

Finally, let's talk tarot question ethics for a moment. You may have heard the old joke about the two psychics who call each other on the phone and one of them answers the phone saying, "Hello! You're fine. How am I?" Well, it's my ethical responsibility to only provide information about you and any other topic you like that pertains to YOU during the reading. Ethical questions may include things like:

• [PERSON] and I are fighting right now. What can I do to resolve it?

• I just started dating [PERSON] and want to know how it's going to go.

Unethical questions involve people that are unrelated to the matter at hand, and may include items like these:

• Is my ex-boyfriend dating someone else already?

• I'd like to know about my mother-in-law. What's that bitch up to?

Before you ask, the unethical "example" questions are real ones that I have received and did not answer. I have found, however, that once people know they have crossed a line, they seem to understand why I won't answer particular questions.

Hopefully this gives you some insight into tarot questions.

Thanks for tuning in! Come back tomorrow for my "R" post.