When consulting the tarot seeking answers to life’s big questions, it pays to spend some time wording your questions clearly. Ambiguous questions usually lead to confusing answers. When most of us say we have only one question, we in fact have only one issue.

Sometimes it is necessary to ask three or four specific questions around one important issue to gain the clarity we need to make sound decisions. In my tarot practice up to a third of my time with a client can be spent helping the client to carefully word his or her questions. This is time well spent if that client is no longer confused at the end of the session.

In a recent reading a client arrived and explained that her issue was love relationships. Miranda was confused about James, who didn’t want a long term commitment yet didn’t disappear either. I listed the nine basic love relationship questions for Miranda, as laid out below.

  1. What does the future hold for me in love relationships generally?
  2. What does the future hold for my current love relationship?
  3. What can I do to improve our relationship?
  4. Is it wise for me to pursue this relationship?
  5. Is it wise for me to pursue a love relationship with . . .?
  6. What is the underlying lesson for me in this relationship
  7. What do I need to do in order to lay my past relationship with . . . to rest?
  8. What is the gift for me in this love relationship?
  9. What do I bring to this relationship?

These are by no means the only love relationship questions you can ask but they cover most of the possibilities. Miranda began with question 4 to clarify whether it was wise to put more energy into resurrecting her fading relationship with James. The cards pointed to an end to that relationship, indicating that fulfilment was not to be found by pursuing James. Miranda sighed, as she already knew the answer deep within. Sometimes clients already know the answers, but they need a stranger to tell them that their perceptions are correct.

She then asked question 7 as she wanted to close the door on her fading relationship with James, in order to be ready and emotionally available for someone new. The cards suggested that she write James a letter, and that she be prepared for him to court her again for a few weeks before he disappeared for good. She phoned a week later to tell me that the house was filling up with flowers from James and I pointed out that this was the reward for all her lonely nights awaiting his calls.

Miranda then asked question 1 as she had no one else in mind for possible relationship. I described a less adventurous man that she had previously dated, but someone who was loyal and committed.

“I can go skiing if I want adventure. This time I want someone who’ll actually be there,” she stated and laughed.

Although some clients believe that in a one hour session they can cover all the important areas of life and walk away with complete clarity, there is a limit to the ground you can cover effectively in a single session. The more time you spend preparing for your next tarot reading the more you may cover in the session. Think carefully about what you which issues are important to you a few days before the reading, in order to prioritise your questions.

Sometimes I find clients hastily scribbling a list of questions at the last minute as they sit in the waiting room. To assist unprepared clients I have a questions menu available containing 54 questions on relationships, career, finances, family, health, spirituality, travel, happiness and children. These are the questions I’d be asking a tarot reader if I sought a reading.

Although being prepared for your tarot readings is essential, being flexible is also important. If ten minutes into the reading you feel overwhelmed with grief or loss as a past issue is raised, you may burst into tears. Priorities change as the reading proceeds, especially when emotional issues surface. If you need to spend half of your reading time crying, then allow yourself this opportunity to release your grief. In our hectic lives sometimes the only opportunity we have to express ourselves is before strangers behind closed doors.

Even if you don’t prepare specific questions, list your important issues so that the reader can help you to prepare clear questions.

When Sally arrived recently she was confused about what to study at university. Her interests were diverse so she had a list of possible courses which included science, the arts, music and research. By asking a series of clear, concise questions she departed knowing which course would lead to fulfilling employment in her career path. Receiving a clear reading was the difference between fours years studying something she loved or abandoning a course which she later found to be unsuitable.

So what do you want to know, and how will you ask your questions for the clearest answers possible?

 

(c) Copyright 2012 Paul Fenton-Smith.