Episode 28: Yes/No Readings

Tarot Realizations by Bill Vincent

My personal use of Tarot tends to fall mainly within the self-development category. I’m always studying the symbolism from my various decks, looking for new insights. One day I discovered an exercise that inspired me so much that I wanted to share it, and I hope you find as much value in it as I did.

Recently I had a particularly challenging week at work, and by the time Friday came I was pretty beaten down, my energy was low and I needed some inspiration to finish the week on a good note. So while having my morning coffee, I decided to go through my deck face-up, looking for cards that inspired me. After picking a handful of cards, I placed them on the table and just let their positive symbols soak in. Within a few minutes I began to feel better, so much better that I knew I had discovered something really wonderful. By picking cards with symbols that were uplifting to me and meditating on them, I had redirected my thoughts. My focused attention on them caused a real change in how I felt, and as a result I had a boost of energy and good feelings which lasted my entire day.

Like anything that makes you feel good, it’s possible to do it so much that it loses it’s potency, so this may not be something you want to do every day. But, if you’re in a pattern of negative thinking or really need to recharge your batteries, doing this exercise can produce a real change in the way you feel. Good luck, and may the happiest cards be yours

Yes or No? by Ginny Hunt

In the comments section of my Confessions post, Roswila brought up yet another controversial topic in tarot: Yes/No Readings. Should we even do them? Some say that tarot just isn’t the right tool for the job, that the cards are not suited to simple, flat answers like Yes or No. They are archetypes and tell stories and dig up subconscious mysteries, so asking them a simple Yes/No question usually ends up with the cards giving you all kinds of information then leaving it up to you to decide yes or no. Still others say that the oracle is fine for asking Yes/No questions of and it can and will yield an answer and even tell you why it’s so.

TJ McKeown’s Yes/No Approach

My system for Yes/No questions (I’m not sure if you would call it a spread) requires knowledge of the Major Arcana and their order. After shuffling the deck you answer the question by dealing the cards in a pile as you count the cards.

  • Aces are Yes
  • Tens are No

If you do not get an Ace or a Ten within 22 cards then the Answer is unavailable or the Question was incorrect. As you deal the cards and count you remember which card it was when an Ace or Ten is laid. You stop dealing and Take into consideration which number it was and the suit.

The yes or no is answered by the number (Ace or 10). The Suit gives more information as does the number 1, 2, 3, … , 22). Match the number to the Major Arcana it represents and this too gives more information. So instead of just a yes or No you get a little background being the answer, perhaps a Why or Why not.

I have been using this system for a while and it has proven to be pretty accurate. I have also used it at psychic fairs.

Hermit’s Journey with Bonnie Cehovet - Symbolism of the Fool

Welcome to all of our listeners. This Pod Cast is going to be devoted to the symbolism of the Fool. The imagery and symbolism in the Tarot is what connects us to its archetypal qualities and wisdom. It acts as a gateway between our conscious and our unconscious worlds. Each deck carries with it its own unique brand of imagery and symbols. For the purposes of this discussion, I will be referring to the Waite-Smith Tarot (also known as the Rider-Waite Tarot), as it is a traditional reference, and quite often used for teaching purposes. Interpreting the imagery and symbols is done in two ways: through the intent of the author/illustrator (and here we need to remember that the background for the Rider-Waite deck is that of the Golden Dawn), and how the Seeker sees it through the veil of their own personal life experiences.”

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6 Comments to “Episode 28: Yes/No Readings”

  1. Bonnie Cehovet Says:

    Leisa:

    What an exciting Pod Cast to have the honor to be the first posted under the new banner! This Queen has a lot to say, and will continue to do so in her own inimitable manner. ;-)

    I enjoyed hearing what people had to say about the yes/no question. I will only work with such a question if the Seeker refuses to reword it (which I do encourage them to do). If they have not agreed to reword it, I then work with the answer to move deeper into the “real” question. IMHO, Yes/No questions read as such are extremely limiting.

    I will have to try TJ’s method - it is easy, and sounds like a great deal of fun! :)

    Blessings,
    Bonnie

  2. Sarah Says:

    Leisa,

    Fascinating show as always. How funny that you knit - I’m usually knitting when I listen to your podcast. You should totally check out some of the knitting podcasts - they’re a lot more interesting than you might think. Lime N Violet and Cast-On are two of my favourites, and you might like the series Cast-On did about the muses.

    I’ll definitely be trying the yes/no method in my readings, it sounds really interesting!

    -Sarah

  3. leisa Says:

    My grandmother taught me to knit/crochet when I was 5, I’m better at crocheting,though I think I have made hundreds of baby hats. In addition to knitting, I spin, weave, make lace, embroider, really any thing with textiles. I used to have a home business self publishing needlework booklets & have written for Piecework Magazine.

  4. Brad Jacobson Says:

    Enjoyed the audio segment from Bill! What an upbeat and intentional use of tarot….truly, it’s uses are endless!
    Say Bill, you wouldn’t happen to be Dr. Octavius from deo’s shadow by any chance?

  5. TJ Mckeown Says:

    I forgot to mention that after using this Yes/No system it is a good idea to place the Ace or Ten back into the deck randomly such as cutting the deck. In this way the Ace or Ten does not follow the same cards or is followed by the same cards if additional cards are used for clarification. I hope that everyone who tries this system

  6. Lisa Says:

    Thanks for another great podcast, Leisa. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; TJ’s yes/no spread is magick and I’m so glad you shared it with the world, because no other yes/no spread seems to work for me.

    I’m looking forward to more episodes on the symbolism of the Major Arcana - great job, B0nnie!

    A big thank you and hugs to everyone who participated today!

    Lisa :)

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