yes or no answers

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Nov 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mrsjvan	17 Nov 2002
I hope this isn't going to just scream what a novice I am, and it's probably been answered somewhere else, but I need to ask. How do you get just a plain yes or no answer from the cards? I tried doing a search and couldn't find what I was looking for. If anyone knows a thread to refer me to or has an answer, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, mrsjvan

Keslynn	17 Nov 2002
There are actually several spreads that are supposed to be "yes/no," but I don't usually use them. When I have, I've found them to be fairly useless. They're based on how many out of 3 of the cards are reversed, etc. So it's not really tarot reading. It's tarot counting. If you really want a yes or no, why not just flip a coin or use a magic 8 ball? Personally, I think that you'll get more from doing a full reading on the topic. For example, you might want to ask "should I do this?" Even if you just want yes or no, a standard reading will delve into your motivations, surrounding influences, and perhaps even hidden factors. I find this a lot more valuable than just "yes" or "no." Even if you just draw one card about the subject and look at it as more than just a yes or no, then you'll be able to get loads more. In my opinion, this is what tarot is designed to do: help people to see life with more clarity and to thus make better decisions. :) Kes Edited to add: If you really do want a yes/no spread then I suggest you check out any of the number of tarot spread sites on the web. I believe this sort of spread was also in the book Power Tarot.

Celtic_Dragon	17 Nov 2002
Here's a question: Could you maybe "assign" a card as the yes card and another for the no card. (like the empress and death) As long as you know that for this reading only that's what those cards mean. ?? maybe ?? Just a thought.

mrsjvan	17 Nov 2002
thanks Kes, I wasn't really asking so much because I wanted a yes or no answer but more because I was curious how or if it was possible to get one since I can't imagine getting that little information from a card or spread. My friend asked me for a y/n and I told her I didn't think I could do that. mrsjvan

Sea Sprite	17 Nov 2002
Hi mrsjvan, You could develop your own method by deciding which card will indicate what answer. You could decide that reversals are no and uprights are yes. You could roll dice, evens are no and odds are yes. :)

divinerguy	17 Nov 2002
I don't even read for yes/no questions. There are way too many variables in life to be of any value for the querent. I prefer to explore the situation giving rise to the question.

zorya	17 Nov 2002
sometimes a simple three card spread will work. yes...........maybe/other...............no ..1....................2........................3 i hate to say that some cards are positive and some negative, but usually you can get the idea by which card falls in each place and get an idea of why or why not one is a better choice or the most likely outcome.

SlyR	17 Nov 2002
The Tarot isn't a divine oracle. It's not infallible. Don't put a lot of stock into yes/no answers. Here's a link that should be very helpful. I've found it to contain some of the best advice I've seen on forming questions: http://www.learntarot.com/less7.htm

cjtarot	18 Nov 2002
Hi, There is no such thing as a novice question, we always learn for others answers to simple questions. I don't use the Tarot for yes or no..I use a pendulum..in fact I got it in trade here on AE..it's a wonderful rose quarts with a large brass disc on other end..it balances on my finger perfectly. THEN, we go to Tarot to as WHY??? and what if I don't listen to the pen.. Blessings and keep learning Cj

zander770	18 Nov 2002
invariable, querant's will ask them: "does billy bob truely love me"" or "will i receieve that promotion at work this friday?" and "should i have become a writer of horror stories, all along?" and--usually--attempt to "rephrase" those types of questions. however, here's a link to a site that's has several answers and options regarding this question . . . http://groups.msn.com/Astronet/tarotboard.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=18421&LastModified=4675395785400414286 here's one example: Traditional 3-Card Yes/No Spread This is the spread most often seen in books, and it is a fairly deterministic spread that is mainly included here for completeness and comparison to the spreads below. Although I don't advocate using it this strictly, I do think that the overall number of reversed cards does indicate a tendency toward yes or no that can be read along with the actual meanings of the cards: All cards reversed: Definitely No 2 cards reversed: Probably No 2 cards upright: Probably Yes All cards upright: Definitely Yes ~Z~770 :T2P

pixienyc	19 Nov 2002
This is a spread I use sometimes if I am trying to choose between two options, as in "Should I ... ?" ....2......3.... ........1........ 1. Core of situation. Gives a little information as to what is really going on, why you are really asking that question. 2. Most likely outcome if I choose "yes." 3. Most likely outcome if I choose "no." This spread tells you what will most likely happen if you choose a certain course of action, without going into any detail as to how that will come about. If you just want a quick yes/no advice answer, it works great. You just choose the outcome you like best! However, if you don't like either outcome, you need to do a full reading. Likewise, if card 1 makes no sense for the question you asked, do a full reading. I hope this helps, although I don't know if that's what you were asking. If you meant yes/no question as in "Will [event] happen, yes or no?" then I'm not sure what to tell you. That kind of question, in my opinion, rules out the idea of free will, and to me the tarot is all about free will. Why bother reading the tarot if everything is fated to happen, and you can't do anything to change it? Now a question like "What is most likely to happen in this situation if I do nothing, or if nothing changes?" that can work well, but in that case I would definitely use a longer spread, like the cc, to get an idea of the bigger picture, and all of the forces at work. Hope this helps, and good luck. pixie

Keslynn	19 Nov 2002
Thanks for sharing that thread, pixie! I've seen larger spreads that explore two options, but this one is really simple. I like that because sometimes, especially when you're making a decision, there's such a thing as too much information. :) Kes

pixienyc	20 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Keslynn ...sometimes, especially when you're making a decision, there's such a thing as too much information. :) Kes Exactly! That's why I like this spread so much. Usually when I use it, it turns out to be exactly the right amount of information. Every once in a while, though, you might want to know, HOW or WHY you'll end up at that "most likely outcome," but most of the time I find that either you can figure that out on your own, or it's not really relevant. BTW, would you mind pointing me in the direction of the other decision making spread you mentioned? Some people collect decks ... I collect spreads ... Thanks, pixie

The yes or no answers thread was originally posted on 17 Nov 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.