You understand the value of open-ended questions, the magic feeling of using your intuition to decipher messages from the universe. However, sometimes you just want a goddamn simple answer!
In this article you will find easy techniques for answering specific questions, an extensive tarot list of yes or no cards, and best practices for giving accurate yes or no tarot readings.
Easiest Methods For Yes or No Tarot Answer
If you’re a beginner looking for quick answers, this is a simple method you can memorize for easy yes or no tarot readings.
The first is the 3, or 5 card draw. Shuffle your deck, ask your yes or no question, and pull an odd number of tarot cards. Every major arcana card indicates a yes, court cards indicate a no. Even numbered cards indicate yes, odd numbered cards indicate no.
From the 5 (or 3) cards in front of you, you can determine clearly if your answer is yes or no. Also, you get a sense of ‘the why’ behind your answers by looking at the tarot spread. 5 cards will give you a more complex tarot spread, with actionable advice.
For example, let’s say you ask if you should move to a certain location. You flip over the sun card, the lovers reversed, the 9 of wands, the 6 of swords, and the knight of pentacles. The definitive answer from this reading would be yes (2 major arcana & one even numbered card). However, the extra insight suggests that while you would be happy if you moved (sun & six of swords), taking your time with your future move, not rushing (knight of pentacles) is a more harmonious course of action. (lovers reversed & 9 of wands)
How to Obtain a Yes or No Answer with Reversed Tarot Cards
Some tarot readers use the incredibly simplified method of upright means yes and in reverse means no. This is easy, and great if you’re a total beginner at tarot reading.
For example, if you draw the fool upright, you would say it’s a yes, fool in reverse you would say it’s a no.
However, it lacks the nuanced wisdom of each card. I highly recommend when you’re starting out to pick one of these easy methods. As you start to get familiar with the card meanings, stretch yourself to use a more complex understanding. Your tarot readings will become more meaningful and give you more insight for your life.
Yes or No Tarot Cards – Tarot List
Understanding the tarot card meanings, and drawing one single tarot card, offers a clearer picture of the answer. Answering with one card gives straightforward advice and doesn’t leave you wondering if you’re right. Also, some cards that would be a yes or no, using the above method, can throw your intuition off as they feel like a different answer. Understanding tarot card meanings also lets you use reversed cards more effectively. Below is an extensive list of each tarot card’s yes/ no meaning, to understand them deeper check out the details of each individual card.
Bookmark this page for easy reference.
Major Arcana Cards
The Fool – Clear Yes upright, Clear No in reverse
Magician – High energy card indicating Yes in any position (manifestation of what you’re asking about)
High Priestess – Upright Yes, in reverse No (don’t make any moves if reversed high priestess appears)
Empress – In any position, the Empress is a Yes answer (Learn more about the empress here)
Emperor – Yes, in any position
Hierophant – sits between a Yes or No answer, more guidance is often needed
Lovers – Yes, upright, in reverse indicates disharmony, No
Chariot – Indicates a Yes
Strength – This tarot card is a Yes, either a strong (upright), or weak (reversed) yes
The Hermit – Generally a No, unless the question is related to seeking spiritual guidance or enlightenment
Wheel of Fortune – Upright a Yes, in reverse a No
Justice – Indicates a Yes, either a fair & honest yes or unfair & dishonest yes, depending on position
Hanged man – A solid maybe, often the hanged man asks you to surrender to not knowing
Death – interpretation of death is based off your question, if your question is related to life change, or endings it’s a Yes, if it’s related to reconciliation, or continuing an old pattern, it’s a No
Temperance – most likely Yes, especially if balance is involved
Devil – Upright the devil is a Yes, reversed a No, be cautious the devil indicates negative energies in either position
Tower – Indicates a No answer
Star – A Yes in any position
Moon – Indicates a No
Sun – The tarot card of Joy usually a Yes, in reverse sometimes a No
Judgment – a neutral card shuffling and drawing another card will clarify your answers
World – Indicates a Yes
Court Cards
Pentacles – All Yes, except Knight No
Swords – Page Yes, Knight No, Queen Maybe, King Maybe or No
Cups – All Yes, Some believe King & Queen are Maybe
Wands – All Yes
Numbered Minor Arcana Cards
Suit of Cups – Ace Yes, Two Yes, Three Yes, Four Maybe, Five No, Six Yes, Seven No, Eight No, Nine Yes, Ten Yes
Suit of Wands – Ace Yes, Two Maybe, Three Yes, Four Yes, Five No, Six Yes, Seven No, Eight Yes, Nine Maybe, Ten Maybe
Suit of Swords – Ace Yes, Two Maybe, Three No, Four Yes, Five No, Six Yes, Seven No, Eight No, Nine No, Ten No
Suit of Coins – Ace Yes, Two Yes, Three Yes, Four No, Five No, Six Yes, Seven Maybe, Eight Yes, Nine Yes, Ten Yes
How to Determine Yes No Tarot Cards to Suit Yourself
If you want to create your own tarot list, based on your personal explanation of the tarot cards, you can! The above list is based off the traditional meanings of the tarot cards, though intuition is highly personal. On top of that, if you’re using a tarot deck that’s not Rider Waite, you may notice a difference in what the cards say.
My advice is to spend a bit of time with each card, decide what it feels like to you. Focus on your idea of the card, choose if you want to take into account card position and jot it down on a piece of paper, or in your tarot journal.
Wait a bit and test out your ideas. You can come back to your list and edit it if new wisdom or insight comes to you.
Divination is an amazing tool, because the universe uses the language you’ll most understand. Each person will interpret a tarot card differently. A great tarot reader goes off their intuitive nudges above all else.
How to Get the Best Responses From a Yes or No Tarot Reading
Below, you’ll find some simple tips to get the most out of your yes or no tarot readings. For every one of your tarot answers, always remember to take into account the context of your reading, and the magic of your unique tarot deck.
Asking an Effective Yes No Tarot Question
Clearly define what the yes or no tarot question is to yourself. If you’re emotionally invested in the matter of your tarot reading, it will be harder to gain clear wisdom from the cards. Balance your emotions, hopes and expectations. You must be open to either answer to gain clarity.
It can be easier to do a yes or no tarot reading for another person, because than you’re not invested in the answer. If you have friends, you practice tarot reading with, consider asking them to shuffle and draw for your questions and vice versa.
Some tarot readers insist on saying the full name of the person they are doing the yes or no tarot reading for, before asking the question. If I don’t know it, I simply visualize their face and say their first name in my head.
Specific questions will work best in your tarot readings, there should be some space for depth in your question. As each tarot card has more guidance for your life than simple yes or no.
When you’re ready to being your tarot reading, ask out loud or in your head your question and shuffle your deck.
Check out this article for tips on how to ask the perfect tarot question.
Choose Your Method Before Asking
Make sure you’re clear on the method you will use for interpretation, to avoid confusing answers. Do you want to pull multiple cards for a more complex tarot reading, or do you want to keep it simple with a one card pull?
Draw a Yes or No Card From Your Tarot Deck
Once you’re certain on your question and technique, shuffle your tarot deck and flip over your card(s).
Including Time Frames in Your Yes No Tarot Questions
You can include a time frame in your tarot reading, to discover exactly when something will happen in your life. You can either ask your question with time involved, or consider the timing of the tarot cards you flip over on your table.
For an in depth understanding of how to predict timing with tarot, check out this page.
True or False Tarot Readings
To accurately do a true or false tarot reading is not as straight forward as yes or no. First, you must understand which cards show truth and honesty, and which show deception and dishonesty.
Here is a simple list of cards indicating truth, and deception in your deck.
A Word About the Sun and the 9 of Cups
In tarot reading, the sun and the 9 of cups are considered highly positive. Often, we equate positivity to yes answers.
It’s important to consider the excessive expressions of these energies in your reading. Too much 9 of cups, equals indulgence, passivity and lack of movement in your life. Too much sun can be childish, neglecting important priorities for pleasure.
To understand the nuances of when these cards can mean No, which while rare, does happen. You need to pay close attention to the context and feelings surrounding the reading. Let your intuitive sense tell you, if something is out of balance when one of these two cards appears.
Free Tarot Readings
There are many places you can get a free yes no tarot reading online! Websites where you can choose a card, and it will flip over an answer. These can be good sometimes.
I find the answers are often unsatisfying, and I feel drawn to clicking them over and over again, gaining no clarity. If you find yourself doing the same, asking a question repeatedly, take rest. You’re missing the point of tarot reading. It’s unlikely a satisfying answer will come, do something that gives you joy instead.
The Empress Tarot 