Do you know how to ask a question? If I were to ask you that personally, you would probably think, of course I do Sandra, what are you chatting about? You may even wonder if I'd forgotten my meds or had been drinking.
It seems a bizarre concept to consider, that we may not know how to do something as simple as asking a question. As a Tarot reader and mentor however, it's not uncommon at all for me to come across people with just that issue. They either do not know what they want to ask the cards for advice on or quite how to go about asking it.
When it comes to the Tarot, a well formed question can make all the difference to whether your reading is insightful and on topic or only gives vague generalisations. So what makes a great question?
In my opinion, the best questions focus on the asker and put them in the driving seat. They look at what you (or your client) can do about the situation you're asking for advice on rather than allowing you to be an observer or rely on fate. For example 'When will I get a job?' is not giving the asker of the question any responsibility or part to play in the outcome. It is a passive question that assumes things will just happen on their own. We can shift this into a more active question however by rephrasing to something like 'What can I do to improve my chances of getting a job? ' or What do I need to know about finding the right job for me?. This puts the responsibility to take action firmly in the hands of the asker and should also empower them to take that action.
Often those who seek a Tarot reading feel they are not in control of their life, they may be feeling lost and disillusioned. A reading can help them realise that they do have the power to affect change for themselves and help them to find the spark to act on it once more. Seeing a way forward from their sticking point that they can initiate themselves can make so much difference to a clients outlook on life as well as open the door to healing.
Questions that prove most helpful to the client (and ourselves in our own reads) in my opinion are those that start with 'what' and 'how' rather than 'will' and 'when'.
Some examples are:
How can I improve my relationship with 'name' ?
What do my guides/the universe want me to know about *situation' ?
Where can I best direct my energy right now?
What is the next step I can take towards my goal?
What changes do I need to make to move forward in 'x'?
How do I begin to heal 'x' ?
It is helpful to ask a little info on what is happening for the client that has brought them to the reading and then phrase the question together. Even a client asking for 'just a general' has something on their mind to be consulting a reader.
If you are reading for yourself I would suggest taking a few minutes to think about the crux of what it is you would like guidance on before you get stuck into the cards.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and how you get on if you try any of these tips,
Blessings ,
Sandra