How do you ask the right question?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Pook	12 Jul 2004
I have been having a hard time lately coming up with the right question to get me the answer I'm looking for. It sort of goes like this.....I think of the question, sometimes saying it out loud as I shuffle, thinking about possible paths for my situation to follow, lay out the cards, and as I interpret, the cards are telling me something that makes perfect sense, but that doesn't answer the question I asked. I mean, I know that there is a possibility that they are trying to tell me something more important that I may be missing......, but every time, and for every question? I suppose there is also the possibility that I am mis-interpreting what they are telling me, but if that is the case, I dont really know what I'm doing wrong :confused: Is there a certain way to phrase questions that will get me the answers that I am looking for or am I just a hopeless case? :( To the moderators: I'm not sure if this thread belongs here or in talkin tarot.......feel free to move it if I'm wrong here :D

lionette	12 Jul 2004
Hi MoonDreameR ~ Have you written down your question and tried to think of other ways of phrasing your question? I try to keep question simple and straightforward, allowing the card positions to help expand what I want to know. Do you draw any clarifying cards? Sometimes that helps me. Other times if I can't see what the cards are trying to indicate, I'll ask someone else to do a reading. Another option is posting your spread in the readings forum. I've also found this to be a huge help. Others insight is wonderful for helping me clarify what I can't yet see. :)

Flavio	12 Jul 2004
Does your questions are expressed on yourself and/or querents responsibility for your acts? I mean, people have asked me "will I have a house?", "will I ever get married?" etc... in those cases I suggest them to re-express their questions as "what do I have to do/know to buy a house?","what do I have to change in myself to get married?" Another kind of trouble questions are those Yes/No as answer, you get some cards and suddenly can not understand if those cards mean the yes-no you are expecting. Hope this can help.

Imagemaker	12 Jul 2004
While specific questions help a lot, I wonder--when you say you're not getting the "answer [you're] looking for"--perhaps the Universe has other plans for you than what you're expecting. As suggestion, if you post your cards in Readings, others might give you a different perspective on the cards.

aneski	13 Jul 2004
I agree with lionette. Rephrasing the question really helps. Imagine you are sitting across from yourself, or look in a mirror and ask the question. Make it as concise as possible. For example: What does the Tarot want to offer guidance on.......(obtaining a better job position, what is going on now in my life, etc.)

tao51	14 Jul 2004
that rephrasing the question really helps. Sometimes the querent and I spend time trying to form the question so that it makes sense.--Tao

firemaiden	15 Jul 2004
I believe asking the question is the most important of the reading. I like to spend time thinking about what are the deeper philosophical questions underneath a person's question. Sometimes I pull a card to ask "what is this person really asking?" In all honesty, once you know what the real question is, you'll have an idea of the answer too, because a question which probes deeply, also implies answers with it, the same way a train engine implies a caboose...

The How do you ask the right question? thread was originally posted on 12 Jul 2004 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.