Have you ever found yourself sitting with your tarot deck, a burning question on your mind, and all you really need is a simple yes or no? I completely understand, dear one. After more than four decades of reading the cards, I can tell you that some of the most powerful readings I have ever done came down to a single card and a straightforward answer.
Yes or no tarot readings are one of the most accessible and beautiful ways to connect with your intuition. Whether you are wondering about love, a career move, or simply whether the universe is giving you the green light — the cards have answers. And today, I am going to walk you through exactly how to read them.
A yes or no tarot reading works best when you ask a clear, specific question and trust the very first card you draw. Your intuition is your greatest guide.
How Yes or No Tarot Readings Work
The beauty of a yes or no tarot reading is in its simplicity. You focus on your question, shuffle your deck with intention, and draw a single card. The energy of that card — whether it feels open and flowing or heavy and blocked — gives you your answer.
Most tarot readers, myself included, assign each of the 78 cards a general leaning: yes, no, or maybe. This is based on the card’s traditional meaning, its imagery, and the emotional energy it carries. A card like The Sun radiates such unmistakable joy and success that it is always a resounding yes. Meanwhile, a card like the Ten of Swords carries a heavy finality that leans firmly toward no.
But here is what I have learned after all these years — the card is only half the story. Your own gut reaction when you see it matters just as much. If you draw a card and immediately feel a wave of relief or excitement, that tells you something the book meanings never could.
Asking the Right Question
The single most important step in a yes or no reading happens before you even touch the deck. You need to ask the right question, and I cannot stress this enough.
Your question should be closed — meaning it can genuinely be answered with yes or no. Instead of asking “What will my love life look like?” try “Will I meet someone special within the next three months?” See the difference? The more specific and time-bound your question, the clearer your answer will be.
I also encourage you to frame your question positively. Rather than “Will I fail this interview?” ask “Will I succeed in my interview on Friday?” The cards respond to your energy, and hopeful, focused energy produces the clearest readings.
Avoid “should” questions entirely. The tarot is not here to give you permission to act — that power lives inside you. It is here to reflect the energy surrounding your situation and help you see clearly.
Frame your question positively, be specific, and include a timeframe when possible. The clearer your question, the clearer your answer.
Major Arcana Yes or No Meanings
The Major Arcana cards carry the weightiest energy in the deck. When one of these appears in your yes or no reading, pay close attention — the universe is speaking loudly.
Clear Yes Cards: The Fool, The Magician, The Empress, The Emperor, The Chariot, Strength, Wheel of Fortune, The Star, The Sun, Judgement, and The World. These cards radiate forward momentum, success, and divine alignment.
Clear No Cards: Death, The Devil, and The Tower. These signal that something must end, transform, or be released before you can move forward.
Maybe or Conditional Cards: The High Priestess, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Hermit, Justice, The Hanged Man, Temperance, and The Moon. These cards are asking you to pause, reflect, or gather more information before the answer becomes clear.
Minor Arcana Yes or No Meanings
The Minor Arcana cards reflect the day-to-day energies flowing through your life. Each suit carries its own elemental personality, and understanding that makes yes or no readings feel almost effortless.
Wands — Fire and Action
Yes: Ace, Two, Three, Four, Six, Eight, Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The Wands are passionate and action-oriented — most of them are cheering you on.
No: Five, Seven, Nine, and Ten. These cards point to conflict, defensiveness, exhaustion, or being overburdened.
Cups — Water and Emotion
Yes: Ace, Two, Three, Six, Nine, Ten, Page, and Knight. These are the cards of love fulfilled, wishes granted, and emotional joy.
No: Four, Five, Seven, and Eight. These speak of apathy, regret, illusion, or walking away.
Swords — Air and Intellect
Yes: Ace and Six. These represent breakthrough clarity and moving past difficulty — a light at the end of the tunnel.
No: Three, Five, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten. Swords are the suit most likely to say no — they deal with heartbreak, anxiety, deception, and painful endings.
Maybe: Two, Four, and the Court Cards. These require a decision, rest, or a particular mental approach before clarity arrives.
Pentacles — Earth and Stability
Yes: Ace, Three, Four, Six, Eight, Nine, Ten, Page, Knight, Queen, and King. Pentacles are the most grounded and affirmative suit — if you are willing to put in the work, the answer is almost always yes.
No: Five and Seven. These speak of hardship, financial struggle, or waiting too long for results.
Maybe: Two. This card reflects juggling priorities and indecision — the answer depends on how you balance things.
What About Reversed Cards?
This is a question I get asked constantly, and my answer might surprise you — it depends entirely on how you read. If you already work with reversed tarot cards in your practice, then absolutely include them in your yes or no readings.
As a general rule, a reversed card shifts the energy toward no, or at the very least, a delay. A reversed Sun, for example, does not mean misery — but it might mean that the happiness you are seeking will take a little longer to arrive. A reversed Devil, interestingly, can actually become a yes — it suggests you are breaking free from something that was holding you back.
If you are new to tarot, I would suggest starting with all upright cards first. Get comfortable with the basic yes and no energies before adding the complexity of reversals. There is no rush, sweetheart — the cards will be there when you are ready.
If you are just starting out, work with upright cards only for your yes or no readings. Add reversals once you feel confident in your intuitive responses.
Yes or No Readings for Love
Love questions are by far the most common reason people reach for a yes or no tarot reading, and I completely understand why. When your heart is on the line, you want clarity — not a ten-page essay.
Some cards are absolute powerhouses for love questions. The Ten of Cups is perhaps the ultimate yes for relationship fulfillment and long-term happiness. The Ace of Cups signals new love blooming. The Lovers card, naturally, is a beautiful yes when asking about romantic connection — though it can mean maybe in non-love contexts.
On the other side, the Three of Swords is a clear no for love — heartbreak is present or approaching. The Five of Cups suggests regret and loss, and the Eight of Cups indicates someone walking away.
When asking love questions, be honest with yourself about what you truly want to know. “Will he come back?” and “Should I move on?” are very different questions, and the cards will answer exactly what you ask.
Tips for More Accurate Readings
After thousands of readings, here are the practices I have found make the biggest difference:
- Cleanse your deck first. Whether you use sage, moonlight, or simply knock three times on the deck — clear the energy before you begin.
- Ask one question at a time. Do not try to bundle two questions into one draw.
- Trust the first card. If you keep pulling cards because you did not like the answer, you are reading your wishes, not the cards.
- Include a timeframe. “Will I find love?” is broad. “Will I meet someone special by summer?” gives the cards something to work with.
- Write it down. Keep a tarot journal of your yes or no readings and revisit them. You will be amazed at how accurate the cards truly are.
- Read in a peaceful space. Your environment affects your energy, which affects your reading. Light a candle, take a breath, and be present.
What to Do When You Get a Maybe
Maybe cards are not the universe being vague — they are the universe being honest. Sometimes the answer genuinely is not yes or no yet. The situation is still unfolding, a decision has not been made, or there are factors outside your control that need to shift first.
When I draw a maybe card for a client, I always say the same thing: “The door is open, but it is up to you to walk through it.” Maybe cards are an invitation to look deeper — to ask yourself what needs to change before a clear yes or no can emerge.
You can also try pulling a clarifying card alongside your maybe. This second card does not replace the maybe — it illuminates the condition. Perhaps you drew the Hanged Man (maybe) and then the Ace of Wands (yes). That combination tells me the answer will become yes once you let go of trying to control the timing and allow a fresh burst of inspiration to guide you.
Trust the process, dear one. The cards always tell the truth — sometimes that truth is simply “not yet.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really get a yes or no answer from tarot cards?
Absolutely. While tarot is a beautifully complex system, it can also provide clear and direct answers. By assigning each card a yes, no, or maybe meaning based on its energy and traditional interpretation, a single card draw can give you the straightforward guidance you are looking for.
How many cards should I pull for a yes or no reading?
One card is all you need for a standard yes or no reading. The power of this method lies in its simplicity. Some readers pull three cards for added nuance, but I find that a single card drawn with clear intention gives the most honest answer.
What if I get a card that could mean both yes and no?
Some cards, like The Lovers or Justice, can lean either way depending on context. When this happens, pay attention to your very first gut reaction — that initial flash of feeling is your intuition speaking. You can also pull one clarifying card to shed light on the condition behind the maybe.
Is the Nine of Cups always a yes?
The Nine of Cups is traditionally known as the wish card, and in upright position it is one of the strongest yes cards in the entire deck. If it appears reversed, however, the answer shifts to suggest that your wish may take longer to manifest or that what you think you want may not be what truly serves you.
Can reversed cards change a yes to a no?
Yes, they can. A reversed card generally shifts the energy toward no or indicates a delay. However, some traditionally negative cards like The Devil can actually become more positive when reversed, suggesting liberation and breaking free. Context always matters.
How often should I do yes or no tarot readings?
I recommend limiting yourself to asking the same question once. Repeatedly pulling cards for the same question muddies the energy and reflects anxiety rather than genuine seeking. If you get an answer you do not like, sit with it before asking again — usually at least a week.
Do I need to be a professional reader to do yes or no readings?
Not at all. Yes or no readings are actually one of the best ways for beginners to start developing their tarot intuition. Start with upright cards only, keep a journal of your readings, and over time you will build a deep personal relationship with each card’s energy.
What is the best tarot deck for yes or no readings?
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is ideal for yes or no readings because its imagery is rich and intuitive, making it easier to quickly sense whether a card feels positive or negative. That said, any deck you have a strong personal connection with will work beautifully.
The tarot has been my companion for over forty years, and yes or no readings remain one of my favourite ways to connect with spirit quickly and clearly. Whether you are a seasoned reader or just beginning to explore the cards, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to trust what the cards — and your own beautiful intuition — are telling you.
Remember, the cards do not tell you what will happen. They show you the energy of what is happening right now. And with that awareness, you have the power to shape what comes next. Trust yourself, dear one. The answers are already inside you — sometimes you just need a card to help you see them.
About the author
What do you think?
Lets login and you can leave your thoughts