Alexander tells mbg she uses the aces of the deck (the ace of cups, wands, pentacles, and swords) to signify a yes, though if you have personal connections or intuitive feelings toward certain cards, maybe your yes cards will be different. As with any tarot reading, so much of it comes down to your intuition, so you can be relatively flexible. And while these spreads aren’t meant to give you the finer details but rather a simple yes or no, they’re still a great option if you’re looking for clarity around a particular subject. She notes it can also be a good idea to write your question down, just to make sure you pose your question in a clear and direct way. Yes-or-no readings tend to be specific, so you want to be specific with your question. When that’s done, you can go ahead and give your cards a shuffle while focusing on your question, Alexander says. “Then, when I feel ready, I cut the cards and start laying them down,” she notes. Read on for her step-by-step yes-or-no reading process. “When I read for other people, I ask them to shuffle and lay out the cards—I don’t do it for them because it’s important that they imbue the cards with their own energy,” she adds. “Ask about what’s most important or pressing,” Alexander notes, adding to avoid asking about something that’s far off in the future. “Limit the time frame for your question to no more than a couple of months,” she says. “For example, if you asked whether you’ll get a job you applied for and only one ace showed up, the top card on each of the other two piles could offer advice that might help you improve your chances or guide you to another job,” she explains. You’ll also want to store them somewhere they’ll be safe and kept in good condition, such as in a velvet pouch or a box or drawer. “Also, I find it helpful to keep a tarot journal where I record my readings and what transpired afterward,” Alexander adds. (For more information on cleansing your tarot cards, check out our full guide.)
