Tarot is more than answering questions.
Seasoned readers know to listen for what the querent wants to know but may not be asking. Perhaps the querent is nervous to ask it. Perhaps they don’t yet realize what it is they truly want to know.
Answering the “Unasked” question is one of the best ways to offer a satisfying, supportive reading.
There is a skill to this, and it’s one I’m pleased to offer during my Advanced Tarot Intensive. This virtual class is open to only 14 participants, but the application as well as other information can be found below. Application closes on September 15.
Apply For Advanced Tarot Intensive
Practice The “Unasked” Question
“Jenny” wants to know how her job is going:
6 of Swords Reversed: Things not going anywhere. It’s possible Jenny has gone as far as she can go in this position.
Page of Wands Reversed: What might have been exciting at first has lost its spark. Jenny is likely feeling some burnout.
10 of Pentacles: The job pays well. Given its position as the “last” card, as well as the only upright card, it shows that this job is a “means to an end.”
According to these cards, while the job pays well, it doesn’t offer much opportunity for growth. Also, it suggests that Jenny is disinterested in the job. Which leads me to wonder, as a reader, what is Jenny truly asking?
To find the Unasked Question, begin by look at what’s missing:
No Cups. Cups represent emotional investment. Jenny may be curious about her job’s future, but she has no true interest in her work. If no water is present, perhaps she’s feeling drained?
No Swords. Swords can represent conflict, but also challenge. This job isn’t offering Jenny the kind of challenge that would be good for her.
No Upright Court Cards. The only court card is Reversed. Without an upright Court Card, Jenny likely feels that she doesn’t have much power in her company.
No Major Arcana Cards. The Major Arcana cards can represent major elements in a person’s life, as well as purpose. With a lack of these cards, Jenny is likely missing feeling a sense of purpose in her work.
Jenny’s Unasked Questions
As Jenny’s reader, here are some questions I would suggest she explore:
“What do I want from this job?”
“What would make me happier at this work?”
“What is my best course of action?”
Let’s pull another card for each of these:
“What do I want from this job?” – The Sun. Jenny wants to love her work. She wants to feel good about what she does. Frankly, she wants to WANT to go to work!
“What would make me happier at this work?” 6 of Wands Reversed. This suggests a change of direction. Perhaps Jenny is hoping for too much joy from one single job. It may help her to look for more joy outside of her work and manage her expectations about how much joy the job would ever bring to her.
“What is my best course of action?” Queen of Cups. The Queen of Cups is a card of emotional honesty. Jenny would do well to first sit and ask herself what she truly wants not just from her job, but from her life. What would make Jenny happy? And once she identifies what would make her happy at the job, it might be a good idea to ask for it, as well as more responsibility which would give her a greater sense of purpose.