In its array of illustrations, tarot depicts quite the vast human experience. It’s pretty difficult to not find the highest highs, the lowest lows, and everything in between when it comes to tarot. With this large variety, how do we find a way to make our readings as empowering as possible, even when it doesn’t seem that way?

For me, tarot has been my guide during moments of doubt like when life’s been feeling like a county fair rollercoaster. I’ve used the cards when I’ve wanted to understand myself or needed something to hold my proverbial hand through unforeseen obstacles. If you’re someone who wants to read tarot for themselves, and is wondering how to get out of this “what do I do now?” mindset, this post is for you. If you’re looking for something light-hearted, this is not the post for you. We’re going to talk about self-reflection and accountability here. Below, you’ll find some steps on how to craft questions that make you feel like you’re in control of your future. Let’s dive in!

Identify your goal

What is your intention for this reading? What do you want to know? Figuring out what you would like to know from your reading is always the first step. You can start with a broad idea then narrow down your question. Let’s say you’re single and this is about finding love. With this information, we’ve inferred the topic is love, but what exactly are you looking for? Are you interested in finding a romantic partner? Is this for fun (like a part-time lover) or are you ready to find The One™? I’ve mentioned this in a previous post but the point here is to know what you want. Identifying your goal will give you a definitive target, a place you won’t stray from when you conduct your reading.

However, I won’t deny tarot’s intuitive nature. If your reading seems to diverge from your question (e.g. love reading -> self-love reading), and your gut is telling you “this is it,” follow your gut.

It is all about you

When considering what you’re asking about, make sure this is something that concerns you. For instance, if you’re wondering about a situation between John and Ally, you might ask “I want to know what’s going on with John and Ally” or “Is my aunt Linda gonna be okay?” These sort of questions will invoke a scenario that only tells you what might be happening to someone, and will reinforce the narrative that you have no control.

Part of empowering yourself is holding yourself accountable, so if you are concerned about another person, figure out how you can take action — what part do you play in this situation? We can rephrase the questions above like this: 1) How do I approach John and Ally about this situation? 2) What can I do to help or approach aunt Linda about her situation? These questions are phrased in a way that give you next steps or options.

Empowering language is your friend

When formulating your question, consider the language you’re using. We’ve touched on this in the section above, but creating questions with more context is key to getting readings that make you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat.

Yes or no questions are the kind that kick you out of it. These questions are really attractive for quick answers. They are often asked like this: “Is this going to work out?” “Are they going to show up at this party?” “Will I win the lottery?” They tend to question the state of being of something, rather than encouraging reflection.

General questions may also take you further away from what you want to know. Providing context by adding extra card positions and/or doing a bit of journaling may give you a better idea of where you want to be with your reading.

Just a note here: asking these sort of questions is not a morally “bad” thing to do. These are common questions people ask, but it’s important to be discerning if you want to make the best out of your reading. Not every question you ask may be one you want the answer to. In short, the examples above are just some things to avoid if you want to have a better understanding of your situation and have a direction to aim for by the end of your reading.

TIP: Be in a decent mood

Perhaps this is obvious (or not), but your mood can greatly affect the way you read your cards! When performing a reading, the cards become a reflection of you at the time of reading. This is why some tarot readers do a ritual before a tarot session so they can refocus and have a clean slate for their next client. Before sitting down and doing some card slinging, you want to be a clear channel, meaning you want to have a clear and open mind.

If you’re feeling bitter about something, may be picking up your tarot cards might not be the best idea. You could flip over a card and it may not be something you expected, pushing you into a further dour mood. Instead, you might want to try lighting your favorite incense or candle, or spraying a cleansing spray — anything to get you into a calm and neutral headspace.

By approaching tarot with intention, you can harness its empowering potential. Frame your questions thoughtfully, prioritize personal accountability and self-reflection all while maintaining a neutral mindset during the reading process. When you use tarot in this way, you’ll discover your ability to spin the future to your liking.