For those familiar with Tarot cards, you know the deck is based on a question – answer system. The more focused your question, the more focused is the answer. And questions that are empowering or based on the why’s and how’s of life seem to get more elaborate in-depth answers rather than questions which rely on simple Yes-No answers or specific time frames. However, as extensive as the question answer format can be, there are some questions which the Tarot will not answer, partly due to the nature of the question and partly due to its philosophy.
Here are a few examples:1. Should I marry this man/woman? The Tarot believes we are responsible for our lives, and the choices we make. Ultimately we are the masters of our own destiny and we need not and should not rely on others to make our decisions. However, what the cards can give us is additional information, for example, if we rephrase the question to “If I choose to marry X what will my marriage be like?” 2. When will I die?Death though predicted by many, is a subject that I believe should reside only in the hands of God. Ultimately no card and no card reader has the power to predict something that’s truly beyond our control. I’ve had people asking me when their in-laws will die so they will inherit the property and they’ve been turned away or refused on ethical, moral grounds. 3. Will I win a lottery?Lotteries are based on chance and if Tarot card readers could predict massive windfalls and gains like these, we wouldn’t be reading cards, and instead relaxing in our beach houses in the South of France, don’t you think? The Wheel of Fortune does predict good luck for a short period of time and has popped up in readings related to investments and stocks and shares, but that’s about it. 4. Is my ex-boy/girlfriend happy with his new love?Third party readings should be avoided especially without their permission. Not only is it an invasion of someone else’s privacy, if the answer was “yes your ex boyfriend is much happier with her” imagine how the querent would feel. A little sensitivity and tact is required and sometimes the answers can be misleading, implying the cards do not want to delve into the territory.5. I am pregnant. Is it a boy?Yes, the Pages can represent young boys. But, ethically speaking, especially in our country, such questions should be avoided gently. A man came to me once saying he had 3 daughters and wanted a son now, what were his chances. I remained silent and so did my cards. 6.Where should I live?Location-based questions cannot be answered by the Tarot cards alone. And besides what if they could and answered a location that was completely unfathomable, like The Antartic? 7.Asking the same question over and over again until you hear what you want to hear. Remember, the first answer is always the “right” one, even if it’s not pleasant at times.
8.Medical Related QuestionsNot qualified medical professionals, Tarot readers and their cards should avoid complex medical questions. A woman came crying to me once saying another reader had said she was barren. Without medical tests, without consulting a gynaecologist, the woman reacted and without proper knowledge of the cards and her limitations the reader told her she was infertile.
There are many more questions which have been deemed inappropriate for a reading. And as readers ultimately we need to follow what feels right. If a question doesn’t come across as clear, rephrasing helps. And, if a question just doesn’t feel right, just say no.
Here are a few examples:1. Should I marry this man/woman? The Tarot believes we are responsible for our lives, and the choices we make. Ultimately we are the masters of our own destiny and we need not and should not rely on others to make our decisions. However, what the cards can give us is additional information, for example, if we rephrase the question to “If I choose to marry X what will my marriage be like?” 2. When will I die?Death though predicted by many, is a subject that I believe should reside only in the hands of God. Ultimately no card and no card reader has the power to predict something that’s truly beyond our control. I’ve had people asking me when their in-laws will die so they will inherit the property and they’ve been turned away or refused on ethical, moral grounds. 3. Will I win a lottery?Lotteries are based on chance and if Tarot card readers could predict massive windfalls and gains like these, we wouldn’t be reading cards, and instead relaxing in our beach houses in the South of France, don’t you think? The Wheel of Fortune does predict good luck for a short period of time and has popped up in readings related to investments and stocks and shares, but that’s about it. 4. Is my ex-boy/girlfriend happy with his new love?Third party readings should be avoided especially without their permission. Not only is it an invasion of someone else’s privacy, if the answer was “yes your ex boyfriend is much happier with her” imagine how the querent would feel. A little sensitivity and tact is required and sometimes the answers can be misleading, implying the cards do not want to delve into the territory.5. I am pregnant. Is it a boy?Yes, the Pages can represent young boys. But, ethically speaking, especially in our country, such questions should be avoided gently. A man came to me once saying he had 3 daughters and wanted a son now, what were his chances. I remained silent and so did my cards. 6.Where should I live?Location-based questions cannot be answered by the Tarot cards alone. And besides what if they could and answered a location that was completely unfathomable, like The Antartic? 7.Asking the same question over and over again until you hear what you want to hear. Remember, the first answer is always the “right” one, even if it’s not pleasant at times.
8.Medical Related QuestionsNot qualified medical professionals, Tarot readers and their cards should avoid complex medical questions. A woman came crying to me once saying another reader had said she was barren. Without medical tests, without consulting a gynaecologist, the woman reacted and without proper knowledge of the cards and her limitations the reader told her she was infertile.
There are many more questions which have been deemed inappropriate for a reading. And as readers ultimately we need to follow what feels right. If a question doesn’t come across as clear, rephrasing helps. And, if a question just doesn’t feel right, just say no.
Mita Bhan
Celebrity Tarot Reader
Astroyogi.com
