Asking the question

Which type of question works best for Tarot readings?

In creative problem solving, the recommended way to phrase a problem is to start with How may I ...? or In what ways may I ...?

In what ways may I solve this problem?

A less formal way to start the question would be, What can I do to solve this problem?

These questions lead to brainstorming for solutions: I can think of x many ways to solve the problem.

But these are not effective ways to phrase a question for a Tarot reading. The goal of a Tarot reading differs from a brainstorming session: you want to solve a problem by understanding it, not generate a list of ideas. A Tarot reading does not brainstorm for solutions: a problem is solved by exploring a situation until the best way forward is found.

The ideal type of question for a reading is an open question where options are possible, instead of a closed question that seeks one answer only. Ask, What should I know about ...?, not Should I ...? which can be answered only with a yes or a no.

Questions that start with Why work well. For example, Why are my sister and I arguing so much lately? In a Tarot reading, this question will be answered by exploring the situation, examining various aspects of the problem such as the cause(s) of the argument, differences in the ways of approaching a problem, influences from around you, obstacles to solving the problem, consequences, what you and your sister want to achieve by arguing, and so on.

This type of question may be focused--Why are my sister and I arguing so much about religion in the last two months?--or vague--... arguing so much lately?

A focused question will more likely result in a focused solution, but a vague question may bring up more general answers about your relationship, which may be what you want.

You can even do a reading about nothing in particular (What do I need to know right now?) or specify only the area you want to explore (What should I know right not about how I handle money?).

Joan Bunning's* advice is to always take full responsibility for the answer in the way you phrase your question. You are the central character in your quest, the one who will initiate any action. For example, you can ask about your relationship with your mother-in-law (what you need to know, how to improve the relationship), but not how to persuade her to move out. The focus should be on your own role, thoughts, emotions, and actions, not on how you can get someone else to do something.

Here are examples of questions that would work well for a reading, and can be adapted for most situations:

Why …?
Why is this happening?
What do I need to know right now?
What do I need to know about …?
What do I need to understand about …?
What is the best way to approach …?
What do I need to learn from …?
What have I learned?
What is my role in …? / How did I contribute to …?
What underlies …?
What is the meaning of …?
How can I improve …?
How can I help resolve this question?
How might I …?
Give me insight into …

You will note that some of these questions, those starting with "how" or "what," for example, are suitable for either brainstorming or a reflective (Tarot) reading.

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* Bunning, J. (1998). Learning the Tarot. San Francisco, CA: Red Wheel / Weiser. Also available (for free) from http://learntarot.org/.