rephrasing the question

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Aug 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

GeminiLady	30 Aug 2001
I'm seeing a lot lately about rephrasing the question. I was wondering if this is pretty much accepted at the norm, or if when a sitter asks a question do you just go with it and see where it takes you. I definitely noticed a difference on the quality of the answer when I rephrase. I usually tell the sitter that I am rephrasing the question so that I can give them better insight and so far it's gone pretty well. So...how's it work for you..? Love and Light, Gem

tiger lily	31 Aug 2001
Since I mostly swap readings with other tarot enthusiasts, I rarely have that problem. I always try to use the original question, because, obviously, changing the question changes the answer, and then it´s probably not answering the querent´s original intention anymore. The only questions I would rephrase are yes/no types, since Tarot isn´t suited for those (a pendulum would be better) and I would split up either/or questions in two questions.

Rhiannon	31 Aug 2001
I try to rephrase the question if I need to clarify what the querent is asking. I've found that people want to ask more than one thing at a time. Like: "If I go to work for this place will that be good for my career and will I meet a new person there that will turn into a relationship and will I be able to find good daycare for my kids..." I just go "Whoa! Slow down! One thing at a time." And then we work together to find a question that is suitable. Rhiannon :)

tarotbear	31 Aug 2001
Rhiannon is discussing what I call the 'run-on' question: ' How many children will I have and where will I meet my mate and what will their names be and will it have a picket fence?" - FOCUS! FOCUS! Tarot does NOT deal well with yes/no questions, frivilous, or open-ended questions. Tarot deals best with questions dealing with situations, challenges, improvements, and outcomes. This is why the question 'Do I have what it takes to get this promotion?' is a better question than 'Will I get the job?' Actually 'Will I die?' is an open-ended question, and the answer is 'Yes, we all have to die someday.'

Kiama	01 Sep 2001
I nearly always have to rephrase the questions: I find the deck I use (Robin Wood)takes me for my words. So if I make a stupid statement, and ask it that, it will answer that, usually with a stupid answer. My deck vales the word, and it'll hold me to it if I'm not careful. For instance, it won't read for me if I break my promise that I'm gonna buy a new silk wrap for it... I suppose the deck is a bit like a spouse in that sense! Kiama

The rephrasing the question thread was originally posted on 30 Aug 2001 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.