20 Questions That Actually Work in a Tarot Reading

There’s something I’ve learned after reading extensively: the cards always answer exactly what is asked of them—no more, no less. If the question is vague, the answer will be vague as well. If the question is focused, the cards reveal themselves with surprising clarity. And that places a very specific responsibility on the person seeking guidance: to learn how to ask the right questions.

I’m going to share 20 examples of questions that work especially well in a Tarot reading, as well as some guidelines to help you formulate your own questions more precisely. Because at the end of the day, a good question is half the battle when it comes to a good reading.

Why Is This Question So Important?

The Tarot doesn't function as an oracle that predicts the future. At least, that's not how I see it. It works more like a mirror: it reflects the energy of whatever is being asked and provides insight into that specific situation. If the question is clear, the reflection is clear. If the question is vague, the reflection will be too.

Another important thing to understand is that the cards work with the energy of the present moment. They aren’t designed to predict future events with precision, but rather to show you how energy is moving right now and what possibilities are opening up or closing based on that.

Open-Ended Questions: The First Secret

If I had to choose just one piece of advice to help your questions work better, it would be this: ask open-ended questions. Questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" are the least effective in Tarot readings, because they limit the depth of insight the cards can provide.

A question like "Will I get the job?" leaves very little room for interpretation. On the other hand, "What do I need to keep in mind to get that job?" opens up a whole new perspective. The cards can show you your strengths, your blind spots, the obstacles you're facing, and the actions you should prioritize.

The words that work best at the beginning of a question are "what," "how," and "why." These are words that invite explanation, demonstration, and deeper exploration. And that is what the Tarot does best: explain and demonstrate, not pass judgment.

Focus on Yourself, Not on Others

There’s a very common mistake: using the Tarot to pry into other people’s lives. “What does he or she think of me?”, “What is he or she going to do?”, “Is he or she thinking of coming back?” These questions don’t work well for a very specific reason: information about others doesn’t belong to us.

The Tarot can reveal a lot about a relationship, your role in it, and what you can do about a situation. But it’s not a tool for probing another person’s mind or heart. When questions are asked from that perspective, the cards often respond ambiguously or redirect your attention back to yourself.

A good way to reframe these kinds of questions is to flip the perspective. Instead of asking, "Does he love me?", ask, "What do the cards reveal about the energy of this connection?" Instead of asking, "Will he come back?", ask, "What do I need to understand about this separation process?"

20 Sample Questions for a Tarot Reading

Here’s a selection of questions that work especially well in a Tarot reading. They’re organized by theme so you can more easily identify the ones that fit your current situation. Use them as inspiration: ideally, you should adapt them to your specific circumstances.

• What do the cards reveal about my current job situation?
• What steps can I take to find a new job or improve my current one?
• What should I consider before investing my time or money in this opportunity?
• What do the cards reveal about my finances, and how can I manage them better?
• What should I know about this project I'm about to get involved in?
• What can I do to improve my relationship with (person's name)?
• What do I need to know about the relationship I'm building with (name)?
• What areas should I focus on to strengthen my relationship?
• What lessons can I learn from the challenges I'm facing in my relationship?
• How can I improve communication with my partner, family, or friends?
• What do the cards suggest about this decision I'm considering?
• What should I consider before moving or changing my place of residence?
• How can I best cope with this change in my life?
• What can I do to get my motivation back at this stage?
• What insights do the cards offer me about the direction my life is taking?
• What do I need to let go of so that something new can come into my life?
• What is this recurring situation trying to show me?
• What aspect of myself needs the most attention right now?
• What opportunities am I missing out on without realizing it?
• What attitude should I adopt in light of the situation I'm currently facing?

One Topic per Question

Another important point: it’s best not to mix several topics into a single question. If you ask something like, “What’s going on with my job and my relationship?”, the cards get confused. They don’t know where to focus, and the answer ends up being vague for both topics.

The most effective approach is to keep them separate. If you want to ask about your work and your relationship, ask two separate questions—one for each area. Each question will have its own reading and its own interpretation, and the information you receive will be much more insightful and practical.

This also applies within the same area. If you're thinking about your job, don't ask, "What's going on with my job? Should I quit?" Instead, ask a single, clear question that addresses the aspect that interests you most.

Questions the Tarot Doesn't Answer

There are certain types of questions for which the Tarot isn't the best tool, and it's good to know this before you start your reading. Questions about specific dates ("When will I meet my partner?" "When will I get a job?") rarely have precise answers, because time on the spiritual plane doesn't work the same way as it does on the physical plane.

Health-related questions are also not appropriate to address in a Tarot reading. If you have a medical concern, you should consult a healthcare professional. If you want to know whether you’re pregnant, the right thing to do is take a test. The Tarot isn’t the tool for answering those kinds of questions, and forcing it to do so can only lead to confusion.

And as I mentioned earlier, questions about other people’s intentions or thoughts are also beyond the scope of the Tarot. That doesn’t mean you can’t ask about your relationships—it just means the focus has to be on what you can do, understand, or decide.

How to Prepare for Your Reading

Before reading, I recommend taking a few moments to calmly think through your questions. You can do this with a pen and paper, or simply by sitting down and reflecting. That time spent beforehand is already part of the process, because it helps you clarify what you really need to know.

If, after thinking it over, you still don't know how to phrase your question, don't worry. During my readings, I can always help you put it into words. Often, people give me a general overview of their situation, and together we find the best way to frame it so that the cards can provide a clear answer.

If, after reading this article, you have questions that you feel are worth exploring, you can learn more about my online Tarot readings, where I explain in detail how I work and what you can expect from a session.

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