How to Do a Yes/No Tarot Card Love Reading for Yourself

Tarot is renowned for giving in-depth advice on relationship issues. But what if you simply want a quick answer? What if your issue can be reduced to a yes or a no? Well, tarot cards are good for that too. Unsurprisingly, I like to call it yes/no tarot.

The Lovers from the Every Day Witch Tarot. Photo by author.

Note: this article originally published at Discover by the author.

How Do You Read "Yes" or "No" in Tarot?

Ask a question. Formulate your question very carefully (see below for guidance on phrasing your question well).

Pull a card. Yes/no tarot readings require only a single card, and that answer has to be accepted. You can’t keep drawing cards until you get one that gives you the answer you’d like. Believe me; I’ve done that too. If you want to learn more about how to shuffle the deck, choose a card, and other tarot basics, read How to Deal or Spread Tarot Cards.

Look up the card's answer below. Having read the cards for so many years, I have developed my own instinctive system for questions that require a yes/no answer: See the charts below. It varies, though—a card that says ‘yes’ for a question about finances may not be a ‘yes’ for a question about love, so the charts below will only help you interpret answers for relationships and romance. Also bear in mind that some cards are non-committal; they may sometimes suggest ‘maybe.’ In other words, give it time.

With all that said, here is my quick guide to tarot for love: yes/no answers. So if you have a question about love, get clear in your mind what it is you are asking, grab your deck, and pick out a card.

How to Formulate Your Question

Remember, you are looking for a yes/no answer, so make sure your question is suitable and not open-ended. There's no point asking who, when, where, why, or how. You won't get insight into the circumstances that led up to the current situation... but you can get a yes, no, or maybe.

Examples of unsuitable questions: Where and how did our relationship go wrong? Why won't he open up to me? What are the biggest obstacles to our togetherness?

Examples of suitable questions: Is there chemistry between us? Should I try to talk to her and work things out between us? Is this relationship going to last?

The Major Arcana from the Every Day Witch Tarot. Photo by author.

Yes or No: The Major Arcana

Fool: Yes, take a chance on love. Go with how you feel.

Magician: Yes, you have the power to make this relationship work.

High Priestess: Perhaps. You must take it slowly and follow your inner guidance. (But you knew that, right?)

Empress: Yes. Go for it with passion, but don’t forget birth control.

Emperor: No, there are external pressures to deal with first.

Hierophant: Maybe. Seek advice from one who has a neutral perspective.

Lovers: Hell, yes! But wait ...if this is a life-changing choice, then make sure you consider all possible outcomes.

Chariot: Maybe. You are in control here and need to navigate your way forward carefully.

Strength: Yes. You may have to use your powers of persuasion to get your erstwhile lover to come around to your way of thinking.

Hermit: No. You must spend some time working through your issues alone before you can share your life with another. Learn to love yourself first.

Wheel of Fortune: Yes. No. Maybe. Choose another card. (Yes, I know I said never to choose another card, but in this case, feel free.)

Justice: Yes, if the person is available: No, if they are not.

Hanged Man: No, it’s not happening yet, but give it time. Things change.

Death: No. Something has to end before a new relationship can begin.

Temperance: Yes, the chemistry’s right. You are a good match.

Devil: No. You have to let this go. It’s not good for you.

Tower: No. This could be a destructive relationship.

Star: Yes, love is all around. Feel it permeate your whole being.

Moon: Maybe. There is much confusion. Let some time pass, and you will know more clearly what you want.

Sun: Yes, all is well. Have fun, enjoy it. It might be temporary.

Judgment: Yes, you are being strongly called forward.

World: Yes, though you may feel you are stuck in a holding pattern. That’s okay; all is happening for your benefit. You are exactly where you are meant to be.

The Wands from the Every Day Witch Tarot. Photo by author.

Yes or No: Wands

Ace of Wands: Yes. Yes! Yeeesss! I’ll have some of what she’s having.

Two of Wands: No, not yet. Possibly not ever. Circumstances are not in your favor.

Three of Wands: Possibly. You’ve done all that you can. Now you have to wait and see.

Four of Wands: Yes, and have fun with it all. There is cause for celebration.

Five of Wands: No. There are challenges to be dealt with. You may have competition.

Six of Wands: Yes, everything is in place. Go for it.

Seven of Wands: No, there’s too much at stake right now.

Eight of Wands: Yes, but you must set your priorities right from the start.

Nine of Wands: No. You are not ready to go back into the romantic arena. You are hurting too much.

Ten of Wands: No. Either you have too many responsibilities, or you need to heal first.

Page of Wands: Yes, life’s an adventure; don’t let this one go.

Knight of Wands: Yes, if you want a quick fling. No if you want a long-term relationship. This one's a butterfly.

Queen of Wands: Yes, be your gorgeous sexy self.

King of Wands: Yes, but don’t let the other person push you around.

The Cups from the Every Day Witch Tarot. Photo by author.

Yes or No: Cups

Ace of Cups: Yes, your cup of love floweth over.

Two of Cups: Yes. This is it!

Three of Cups: Yes, but you have to find the right balance between your romance and your long-standing friendships.

Four of Cups: No. Heal your heart.

Five of Cups: No, wait until you feel better.

Six of Cups: Yes. This could be unconditional love.

Seven of Cups: Maybe...once you can make up your mind.

Eight of Cups: No. You have to walk away from this one, even if it breaks your heart.

Nine of Cups: Yes, if you feel it’s a positive thing. No, if you don’t. You are in the right place for you. It’s all good.

Ten of Cups: Yes, this one is a keeper.

Page of Cups: Yes, although there may be some soul-searching required.

Knight of Cups: Yes, but the romance may not last. This one’s all show.

Queen of Cups: Yes, but the emotional commitment may be one-sided.

King of Cups: Yes, this person is your harbor in a tempest.

The Swords from the Every Day Witch Tarot. Photo by author.

Yes or No: Swords

Ace of Swords: Maybe. Wait a day or two, and you may receive a revelation that will affect your decision.

Two of Swords: No. You are not seeing things properly. Don’t let yourself be blinded by desire.

Three of Swords: No, you have some thinking to do. There could be a communication issue going on.

Four of Swords: No. You need time to heal and recuperate.

Five of Swords: No, this person is not being honest.

Six of Swords: Yes, you are moving towards a better future. Take it slowly.

Seven of Swords: Yes, possibly, but check his or her history before you move forward.

Eight of Swords: No. You have got yourself into a situation, and you must get out of it. There is a way forward.

Nine of Swords: No. Beware of using this relationship as an escape route.

Ten of Swords: Yes, perhaps this is what you need to move on with your life.

Page of Swords: Yes, but be prepared for it to be fiery and feisty.

Knight of Swords: Yes, as long as you can live with their intense focus on their missions and goals.

Queen of Swords: Yes, and know that both partners must be transparent and honest.

King of Swords: Yes, this might be a meeting of formidable intellects.

The Pentacles from the Every Day Witch Tarot.

Yes or No: Pentacles (or Disks or Coins)

Ace of Pentacles: Yes, this is a new beginning. There may be nest-building ahead.

Two of Pentacles: Yes, if you have time for this.

Three of Pentacles: Yes, but you might need help to attract his or her interest.

Four of Pentacles: No, it’s not going to happen unless you get out more.

Five of Pentacles: Maybe. Life is tough at the moment, so perhaps this person will help you through.

Six of Pentacles: Yes, but do be careful that you are not being taken advantage of.

Seven of Pentacles: Yes, it’s what you’ve been patiently waiting for.

Eight of Pentacles: No. You need to focus on your education or career right now.

Nine of Pentacles: Yes, you are ideally placed to take this forward. On the other hand, you might not even feel the need for anyone else at this time.

Ten of Pentacles: Yes, everyone approves. Bring them into the family.

Page of Pentacles: Yes. This will be a journey of discovery.

Knight of Pentacles: Yes, this person has hidden depths. Enjoy the dive.

Queen of Pentacles: Yes, if you are ready to settle down.

King of Pentacles: Yes, this one has a lot to give and is very generous. Keep your feet firmly planted and be realistic.

A Note About Reversals and Clarification Cards

When drawing a single card, you can ignore reversals. After all, you might have been holding the deck around the wrong way. The 78 cards of the tarot cover all aspects of life perfectly without the need for reversals in any case.

So, if you flip a card for a yes/no question (or for any one-card reading), and it comes out upside down, just turn it around.

Drawing a Card for Clarification

I would suggest never drawing clarification cards. All they do is add confusion and doubt to the original card. I know this from experience. I used to draw clarification cards for the clarification card. Just silly. The only time I would draw an extra card would be if I had turned over the Wheel of Fortune.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't like the answer I get?

This is just the risk you take when you ask, isn't it? When you ask, you have to be ready to hear the answer you're given. Instead of refusing to hear the answer, take this as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Can I ask the same question again?

As I said before, it's important to take the answer you get seriously, so there should be no need to ask again. If necessary, you can ask again in a couple of weeks to see if anything has changed.

Can I simply focus on the person I'm interested in instead of asking a specific question?

No. To get a definitive answer, you should always have a well-formed question. Otherwise, you risk being left confused.

If I draw the Lovers, does that mean the person I'm thinking about loves me for sure?

The Lovers card has many layers. It means a deep, connected love, but it's also associated with the sign of Gemini, the twins, so it can also mean facing a life-changing choice between two different things. So it could be a strong yes, but it could also be a strong indication that you really need to make this decision yourself because it's very important.

What if the card is upside-down?

This is what we call a reversal, but when you're only drawing one card, it doesn't matter if it's right-side-up or not. So if you flip a card for any one-card reading (including a yes/no question) and it's upside down, just turn it around.

An important point to remember is that each tarot card holds all the meanings for that card. Think of it as a sliding scale from negative to positive. An experienced reader will take the whole scale into consideration, which is why a lot of professional readers only read with upright cards. They have no need for reversals.

What is the name of the tarot deck in the photos?

It's the Every Day Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake, illustrated by Elisabeth Alba. I love it as it is cute and quirky. The images are relatable to modern life unlike some traditional decks. It is, however, based on the Rider-Waite deck so is easy to use.

Did You Get Your Answer?

I hope the above was useful and you got your question answered. If not, leave a question by clicking on the link below.

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