Framing Your Question for a Consultation
Tarot is a tool which answers questions. The way a question is asked is very important. A well-worded question can provide a more specific answer. Vague questions can lead to vague answers. I have suggested a process for constructing a question and offered some examples of well-phrased questions.
Framing a question is a wonderful tool that focuses your intention for the reading by clarifying what you really want from the session. Writing a question usually takes no more than three or four minutes, but, for that small investment in time, you will reap bigger rewards. You understand your situation better and can interpret your consultation with more insight.
Here are five tips to use when framing a question:
1. Review and Clarify your situation
2. Craft an empowering question
3. Keep Your Options Open
4. Be specific
5. Focus on yourself
6. Be Positive
1. Review and clarify your situation
Review your situation thoroughly. Think about all the people involved, directly or indirectly. Go over your options for the future. Let your mind wander freely and jot down anything that comes to mind. You want to look at your problem without judging or censoring any part. I suggest writing one page without concern of coherency, just let it flow. You might be surprised at what comes out.
2. Craft an empowering question
You want to use your intuition, not logical analysis, so when writing your tarot question, frame it so that you accept responsibility for your situation. Start your inquiry with “What” or “How” as this type of framing will empower you with knowledge you can use to take action. I find it more useful than asking “When “ or “Will” something happen and then waiting around for it to materialize.
Consider these two questions:
a. Will I win the lottery?
b. How can I improve my financial situation?
In the first question, the writer gives up her responsibility for making a decision or taking action. In the second question, she is simply asking the cards to give her more information. She knows the decision and actions lie with her.
Avoid questions that deflect responsibility, such as:
Questions to be answered "Yes" or "No"
* Will I get the job at the ad agency?
* Can I stick to my budget this month?
* Am I able to create a successful business?
Questions asking only about time
* When will John ask me out?
* How long will it take to find a new job?
* When will I get my promotion?
Don’t "Should" all over yourself…
* Should I move?
* Should I break up with John?
* Should I look for a new job?
Instead, begin your questions with empowering phrases:
* What do I need to understand about ...
* What is the meaning of ____ in my life?
* What is the lesson or purpose of ...
* How can I improve my chances of ...
* What am I currently not seeing in ___ area?
3. Keep Your Options Open and Remain Neutral
Write your question to show that you are keeping your options open.
You want to stay as neutral as possible when writing your questions. It is easy to begin a reading convinced that your position is the right one, but if you truly want to receive guidance, you need to be open to other points of view. Consider the following questions:
a. Why am I the only one doing any work?
b. How can I foster a spirit of cooperation concerning work?
In the first question, the writer feels her position is the correct one - others are not getting with the program! The second questions are more neutral and open-ended.
4. Be Specific
Seek the fine line between wording that is too vague and too detailed. It is important to keep in mind when you are framing a question, the more precise the question, the more relevant the feedback, just like a Google search.
Here are two questions on the same topic:
a. How can I improve my work situation?
b. How can I improve the flow of work between Tom and me?
The first question is unfocused. It doesn't specify which work area is of interest. The second question is best because it finds the balance between the two. Include only the details necessary to make clear what you want to know.
5. Focus On Yourself
When you do a reading for yourself, you are always the central character. Your question should focus on you and not invade someone else’s privacy. Sometimes you may not realize you are orienting your question around another person.
Consider these:
a. How can I make John come back to me?
b. What do I need to work on within myself to encourage a healthy relationship?
In the first question, the writer is not keeping her options open. She has decided on one solution - having John return. In addition she is trying to manipulate another person. What about John's free will? Her deeper desire is for a loving relationship.The second question is more open-ended and she focuses on her own experience.
Consider these:
a. What is behind Bill's gambling problem?
b. What can I do to stop Bill from gambling?
c. What role do I play in Bill's gambling problem?
The first question focuses totally on Bill and his problem. In the second question, the writer is included, but her attention is still on Bill and imposes her desires on him. The third question is best because it is grounded solidly in the writer's own experience.
6. Be Positive
Be positive when wording your questions. Consider these:
a. How come I can never get my writing published?
b. How can I locate the ideal forum/publisher to publish my writing?
a. Why can't I overcome my fear of public speaking?
b. How can I improve my ability to speak to groups effectively?
a. Can you help me understand why I never complete a project on time?
b. Can you help me find a way to complete projects on time?
The first questions have an air of defeat. The second questions are more confident. The writer knows success is possible given the proper use of her talents.
Tarot is a tool which answers questions. The way a question is asked is very important. A well-worded question can provide a more specific answer. Vague questions can lead to vague answers. I have suggested a process for constructing a question and offered some examples of well-phrased questions.
Framing a question is a wonderful tool that focuses your intention for the reading by clarifying what you really want from the session. Writing a question usually takes no more than three or four minutes, but, for that small investment in time, you will reap bigger rewards. You understand your situation better and can interpret your consultation with more insight.
Here are five tips to use when framing a question:
1. Review and Clarify your situation
2. Craft an empowering question
3. Keep Your Options Open
4. Be specific
5. Focus on yourself
6. Be Positive
1. Review and clarify your situation
Review your situation thoroughly. Think about all the people involved, directly or indirectly. Go over your options for the future. Let your mind wander freely and jot down anything that comes to mind. You want to look at your problem without judging or censoring any part. I suggest writing one page without concern of coherency, just let it flow. You might be surprised at what comes out.
2. Craft an empowering question
You want to use your intuition, not logical analysis, so when writing your tarot question, frame it so that you accept responsibility for your situation. Start your inquiry with “What” or “How” as this type of framing will empower you with knowledge you can use to take action. I find it more useful than asking “When “ or “Will” something happen and then waiting around for it to materialize.
Consider these two questions:
a. Will I win the lottery?
b. How can I improve my financial situation?
In the first question, the writer gives up her responsibility for making a decision or taking action. In the second question, she is simply asking the cards to give her more information. She knows the decision and actions lie with her.
Avoid questions that deflect responsibility, such as:
Questions to be answered "Yes" or "No"
* Will I get the job at the ad agency?
* Can I stick to my budget this month?
* Am I able to create a successful business?
Questions asking only about time
* When will John ask me out?
* How long will it take to find a new job?
* When will I get my promotion?
Don’t "Should" all over yourself…
* Should I move?
* Should I break up with John?
* Should I look for a new job?
Instead, begin your questions with empowering phrases:
* What do I need to understand about ...
* What is the meaning of ____ in my life?
* What is the lesson or purpose of ...
* How can I improve my chances of ...
* What am I currently not seeing in ___ area?
3. Keep Your Options Open and Remain Neutral
Write your question to show that you are keeping your options open.
You want to stay as neutral as possible when writing your questions. It is easy to begin a reading convinced that your position is the right one, but if you truly want to receive guidance, you need to be open to other points of view. Consider the following questions:
a. Why am I the only one doing any work?
b. How can I foster a spirit of cooperation concerning work?
In the first question, the writer feels her position is the correct one - others are not getting with the program! The second questions are more neutral and open-ended.
4. Be Specific
Seek the fine line between wording that is too vague and too detailed. It is important to keep in mind when you are framing a question, the more precise the question, the more relevant the feedback, just like a Google search.
Here are two questions on the same topic:
a. How can I improve my work situation?
b. How can I improve the flow of work between Tom and me?
The first question is unfocused. It doesn't specify which work area is of interest. The second question is best because it finds the balance between the two. Include only the details necessary to make clear what you want to know.
5. Focus On Yourself
When you do a reading for yourself, you are always the central character. Your question should focus on you and not invade someone else’s privacy. Sometimes you may not realize you are orienting your question around another person.
Consider these:
a. How can I make John come back to me?
b. What do I need to work on within myself to encourage a healthy relationship?
In the first question, the writer is not keeping her options open. She has decided on one solution - having John return. In addition she is trying to manipulate another person. What about John's free will? Her deeper desire is for a loving relationship.The second question is more open-ended and she focuses on her own experience.
Consider these:
a. What is behind Bill's gambling problem?
b. What can I do to stop Bill from gambling?
c. What role do I play in Bill's gambling problem?
The first question focuses totally on Bill and his problem. In the second question, the writer is included, but her attention is still on Bill and imposes her desires on him. The third question is best because it is grounded solidly in the writer's own experience.
6. Be Positive
Be positive when wording your questions. Consider these:
a. How come I can never get my writing published?
b. How can I locate the ideal forum/publisher to publish my writing?
a. Why can't I overcome my fear of public speaking?
b. How can I improve my ability to speak to groups effectively?
a. Can you help me understand why I never complete a project on time?
b. Can you help me find a way to complete projects on time?
The first questions have an air of defeat. The second questions are more confident. The writer knows success is possible given the proper use of her talents.
