Yes/No Readings

Yes/no readings are difficult. Simple, unambiguous answers. The future isn't set in stone because we all make choices and choose our destinies. Here are some strategies for getting the most guidance possible:

• To start, the question itself needs to be very specific.
• Ask the querent to draw a single card. As soon as they see it, intuitively react. Did their spirits rise, or did their stomach sink? The stronger the feeling, the more unambiguous the answer. (Credit for this technique goes to Gina Pace.)
• Draw three cards and lay them in a row. Let the middle card serve the same way as the first suggestion, with two flanking cards serve as additional commentary.
• Same as above but five cards instead of three. The middle still is there for intuitive reaction.
• In a three- or five-card spread, count the number of upright versus reversed cards. A majority of upright cards says yes, a majority reversed says no. Give the center card the most weight. The more imbalance, the more certain the answer. Use the card meanings to add specifics and depth to the answer.
• Add an "if." For example, "Will my career improve?" Then, when you pick up the next card, you can read its message to say how to get there, how to get the yes (or no) you desire.
• The honest best tip is to rephrase the questio to not be just yes/no. Instead of "Will I get this job?" try "How will my interview go?" or "How do they perceive me as a candidate?"

The Double-Edged Sword Spread

Have a question with two options that aren't yes/no? This spread utilizes the energy of the suit of Swords to help bring clarity and discrimination to difficult decisions: between relationships, job offers, moving locations, career paths, etc.

Layout: After shuffling the cards, cut the entire deck into two piles. Assign one pile for Choice #1 and the other for Choice #2. From the first pile, draw five cards and place them in a vertical line on the table. Draw five more cards from the second pile and place them in a second vertical line, next to the first.

Interpretation: There are no specific positions assigned to these cards. Each row is a multifaceted picture of the energies and likely outcome of that path. A chronology of events may suggest itself but try to look at the five cards as a whole.

Sometimes the answer will be obvious. More often though, the options will have pros and cons, just like in real life. It'll verify things you know and point out things you don't. Compare the strengths and trouble spots for each. Also consider emotional reactions to the lines.

If there are three options, you can use three piles and three vertical rows, but any more than that would diminish the clarity of the reading.

Past Life Tarot Spread

There are tons of past life tarot spreads. You can ask who you were, what you did, your personality trait(s), your hardships, influences, and lessons, perhaps how you died, and the connection to your present life. Every person might have several past lives, so you can use this spread several times and each time get a different result. Read more about past life tarot here!

Relationship Spreads

Designate specific positions for the querent and their partner(s). One technique is to have separate rows or columns for each person. Another technique is to focus on issues that are important to the couple. Example questions:

1. What is the basis of our attraction?
2. Are our spiritual paths compatible?
3. How emotionally available is this person?
4. Can we be supportive of each other?
5. What kind of parent will my partner be?
6. How sexually compatible are we?
7. Can we laugh and have fun together?
8. How well will we deal with money?
9. How balanced will our relationship be?
10. Is my partner reading and/or capable of commitment?
11. Am I ready and/or capable of commitment?
12. How will our families interact?

New Year's Spread

It's a fun thing to do a New Year's spread, drawing one card per month, twelve total in a circular pattern. Amberstone suggests actually interpreting it three cards at a time, per season rather than month.

The Magician's Spread

One simple layout is to do four cards representing the four elements on the Magician's table. I'd lay them in a square, others say a cross (and lay them out clockwise). (1) One card represents Wands (fire): What your goal should be. (2) Cups (Water): What the emotions are in the situation. (3) Swords (Air): What you need to learn. (4) Pentacles (Earth): What you have to do.

Your Birth Cards

Here's how to calculate your birth cards: Do a numerological reduction of your birth date in the following manner: MM + DD + 19* + YY. If your birthday was March 21, 1996, it would be 03 + 21 + 19 + 96 = 139. Adding those digits together, 13 + 9 = 22. 2 + 2 = 4, The Emperor. If you had a birthdate sum that's 21 or under to begin with, it'd be 21 first (or whatever), then the sum of those digits as your second card: 2 + 1 = 3, The Empress. The Emperor is paired with Death (which reduces to The Emperor), card 13, 1 + 3 = 4.

(* = 19 if you were born in the 1900s, 20 if 2000s.)

Designing Your Own Spreads

First, before you think about shape or layout, define the positions. After clarifying the question as best you can, take a look at the components of the question and draw a card for each component (e.g. people, options, past events, current plans, known or unknown obstacles, potential futures, etc).

Layouts might include geometric patterns such as rows, circles, arcs, and stair-steps (particularly useful if seeing how to get from Point A to Point B). Another option is a picture layout, giving a graphic picture.

Some More Good Questions:

(These are related to Yule, which includes giving gifts and also celebrating the rebirth of the sun at the darkest point. The idea is these might shape how to design your own questions, using Yule as an example inspiration:)

• In what areas of my life have I been holding back?
• What do I need to do or consider to stop this contraction?
• Where in my life have I been experiencing darkness?
• What will help me bring light into this area of my life?
• What is the greatest gift I can offer the universe at this time?
• What gift will I receive from the universe in return?