Whether a professional tarot reader or complete tarot beginner, asking a thoughtful, effective tarot question is harder than it seems.

The questions you ask your tarot cards can make or break the accuracy of your tarot reading. Beginners and professional tarot readers alike all struggle with this (myself included), as we assume that answers are what we come for and the questions should come naturally.

Realistically, it's never quite that simple.

How Do I Know What Questions to Ask?

A tarot reading is a two-way street between you, the tarot reader, and your tarot deck. No matter what answers you could potentially receive, you're the one who initiates the discussion (and has to interpret the response).

So ultimately, everyone's approach will be (and should be) a little different, no matter if I’ve got a few tips up my sleeve that I find personally to be effective.

Your relationship with your deck and the style that resonates with you should always take priority (so if a question feels inappropriate or doesn't feel right for you, don't ask it).

But in my opinion, the best kinds of questions to ask tarot cards will be:

1. Thoughtful & Contemplative

They leave room for exploration and experimentation, which sometimes may include preferring more open-ended questions versus reaching for the specific tarot questions.

Example: How can I further my own spiritual growth?

2. Fluid & Empowering

They can help you explore what the future holds but don't limit your free will or life path. You don't feel restricted to following just one "right direction" or limit your answer to only one kind of response.

Example: How can I take advantage of any opportunities that the future may hold?

3. Crystal Clear

This means there's no room for your tarot reading to stray far from what you intended, even if you offered your tarot reading some room for exploration and open-ended contemplation.

Example: In the next few weeks, what are some words of advice or messages I should keep in mind regarding my career?

26 Questions to Ask Tarot Cards

While this isn't exactly the ultimate list, this is a compilation of tarot questions (just some favorites) from my Tiktok tarot question series.

Whether you want to use these tarot questions as a springboard for your own tarot card questions or go right ahead and use them yourself, this can ideally give you an idea of what some tarot questions (that I've personally found to be effective) can look and feel like.

These questions also center self-improvement and embrace your free will (so you can gain clarity, seek deeper meaning to any situation, and still be the one to captain your own life without too much stress over what’s out of your control).

General & Situational Questions

What approach best ensures success?
How can I avoid undesirable outcomes?
What’s something gained regardless of outcome?
What does my intuition already know about this situation?

Work & Career Path Questions

What work environments do I operate best in?
What red flags should I look for in finding work or a career path?
What am I meant to be gaining from my career?
What approach will help me find the right opportunities?
What unrealistic expectations do I hold myself to in my career?

Love Life Questions

General Love Life Questions

What version of myself do I project to others?
What kind of person do I currently attract?
How can I cultivate self-love in my life right now?
What qualities help me identify my ideal match?
What steps will prepare me for a long-lasting relationship?
How can I become a better friend?
What most hinders my ability to attract a new relationship into my life?

Examining a Current Relationship

What attributes do I project around [person]?
How can I fortify a more meaningful connection between us?
Why do I value this person’s opinion?
What are our strengths and weaknesses as a unit?
What are potential pitfalls to look out for?
What approach ensures we get the most out of our connection?

Separation & Distance

What obstacles prevent me from being with [person]?
What do I gain from separation?
What unfinished business can I work through right now?
How are my actions influencing the connection?

Keeping the Curiosity

When it comes to question crafting, ore than constructing the “perfect question,” the important thing is to remain open to constant change and iteration. We are constantly growing and changing as readers, and tarot should ultimately be a practice that reflects our growth and encourages our change and curiosity. So don’t lose sight of why you’re asking either — is it just to achieve the perfect all-knowing answer, or is it also to embrace the cool, curious mind that was capable of asking it?

(Personally, I like the latter better).