On forming your question for the cards

[Pam]

Forming the actual question for a card reading is extremely important. If your question is too vague and generalized, then the results may be very vague and generalized. Here's some tips to help our "volunteer querents" learn how to pose their questions for us student readers. (And you volunteer querents thought that just the readers were the "students"! ;)


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Is There a Specific Question to Answer?



Many times a student or client is surprised by the fact that he can ask a specific ques­tion. Many think they can only ask a general question such as, "How are things at work?" Instead, you can-and should-ask more specific questions. Here are some examples:


- "How will I get along with my boss in the next six months?" (Notice that we put a time frame in the question.)
- "Will the person I'm dating suggest we make a special romantic trip to discuss our future on the anniversary of the day we first met?"

- "Is this a good time for me to take that art class I've been considering?".
- "Can I payoff my VISA card within the next three to six months?"


You can ask any type of question, but make sure you want to know the answer. If you don't want to hear that you need to start saving money, maybe you'd better ask about your love life instead.



As for including a time frame in the question, when a reading says you'll get a new job, wouldn't you like to know when or where, or even what? The cards can answer those questions-if you phrase your question right.



Be sure to phrase your question so that you get the answer in the form you want. Many people ask when their next romance will come along. When the cards say soon, the next person who comes along might indeed be romantic, but might not be the Mr. or Ms. Right they want. Be as specific as you can, and you'll get the answer you're looking for.

-From "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tarot" by Arlene Tognetti and Lisa Lenard (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1592570666/spiritdiscove-20)


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From "LearnTarot.com" which has been mentioned by several people in the last few weeks, she has a lesson dedicated to forming your question. Here's the highlights:

- Accept Responsibility
- Keep Your Options Open
- Find the Best Level of Detail
- Focus On Yourself
- Stay Neutral
- Be Positive

The details on each of these suggestions, with excellent examples of how not to, and how to post questions are located at http://www.learntarot.com/less7.htm

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Another page that covers asking questions about advancenment on the spiritual path, health concerns, other people, and expectations, is at Forming a Question for the Tarot (http://www.tarotforlife.com/TarotQArticle.html)

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If anyone knows of any other good resources, or has tips not already included in the resources above, please do post them! :thumbsup:

[rvt2mt]

Thanks Pam, this really helps.

[Dawn]

*bump*

..also...from tarot.com: :)

How to Enter a Valid Tarot Question
Just as you would never ask an electrician about plumbing and expect a satisfying answer, Tarot is designed for certain kinds of queries. It works best when you are looking for greater insight, wise advice or an idea of which way the wind is blowing. It is NOT designed to answer questions asking for data, yes/no questions or to give exact predictions about the future.

A large enough Tarot spread can give you a very keen sense of the probabilities inherent in a situation, but the specific way that things turn out are, in the final analysis, up to you -- how well you adapt to the ever-changing conditions that your Tarot reading reflects. A Tarot reading gives a snapshot of what is going on in the Present, the time you are picking the cards. It can help you see aspects of a situation that have been invisible to your ego. In contrast to popular opinion, Tarot is a valuable form of meditation on the Present moment that returns insight and advice. Although it does reflect probabilities, it is NOT a form of fortune-telling.

Consult the Tarot as if you were asking the advice of a wise friend or teacher.

Types of questions that work well
"What is the best approach to take vis-a-vis (a given situation or relationship)?"
"What is the most skillful way to relate to (a person) at this time?"
"Give me a reflection on what is happening with regard to (a situation or relationship)"
"What is the best way to approach getting a raise?"
Types of questions that don't work well:
"Where should I go on vacation?"
"Is Bill the one for me?"
"What is the meaning of life?"
If you ask the appropriate kind of question, you will have a more satisfying Tarot experience. But you don't have to enter a question. Just enter a subject (the name of a situation or person you are in relationship with) and, to the extent that you are sincerely focused when you pick your cards, Tarot can give you a spectacularly helpful reading.