3 Tarot Spreads for When You Don’t Know What to Ask
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Because sometimes, the cards know what you need before you do.
How many times have you sat down for a reading only to realize, you don’t know what you want to know? Well, it's not just you. Many tarot readers—even professionals and experts—have moments like this. Good news is, you don’t need a specific question to have an impactful reading. A more seasoned reader can generally draw cards and know what area of life the cards are referring to, even without a question. However, if you’re a beginner or still doubting your Seer skills, it might be useful to have some sort of structure.
So in this post, I’m sharing three thoughtfully crafted spreads that don’t require a clear question from you or clear understanding of what you want to know about. But, these spreads are structured in a way to still give you real, meaningful insight.
Why It’s Okay to Not Know the Question
I will die on this hill—tarot is a mirror, not a crystal ball. It cannot predict the future. I have found the people who are most disappointed with their tarot practice are the ones who still think tarot cards will tell them when they’re going to get married, what their partner will look like, will you get promoted next year and the like. Hard truth: it's not going to tell you that. It will reflect what’s present in your world right now and that’s what’s beautiful about not needing a question. Tarot will show you what you can’t see even when you aren’t consciously seeking anything.
Future aside, times of uncertainty, confusion, transition or overwhelm are often an invitation to explore deeper truths. The confusion is there for a reason and you may not know what that reason is but the cards can help translate what you’re feeling.
Finally, more open spreads like this help you to access deeper truths that are unbiased or influenced by your question. A specific question will lead to a specific answer but a more open-ended one allows more space for your subconscious to share. You don’t know what you don’t know which means, there could be intuitive truths you just don’t have the conscious knowledge to access about. Using spreads like these, even periodically, will you check in with those parts of you that aren’t being heard, allowing for more growth and awareness.
Spread #1: Cutting Through Fog Spread
Purpose: To cut through a tangled or overwhelmed mind, opening space for clarity and restoration.
Card 1: Why does my mind feel so cluttered and clouded?
Card 2: What truth or moment of clarity is hiding just beneath the fog?
Card 3: What do I need to do to clear this fog from my mind?
This is a great spread to include in your journal as it can bring up some intense or unusual feelings that you might want to work through. Keep interpretations gentle and kind. This spread is more about noticing why you’re in this state rather than trying to fix anything.
If you like, consider using your non-dominant hand to pull cards as doing so is believed to reach deeper into your subconscious.
Spread #2: Something Feels Off Spread
Purpose: When something feels off, wrong or like a storm is coming and you can’t quite name what you’re feeling.
Card 1: What energy have I been picking up on that’s weighing on me so heavily?
Card 2: What part of me or my life is this energy trying to warn me about?
Card 3: What do I need to do to make the most of this information?
We all have times when something feels slightly off but we can’t seem to put our finger on it so this spread is perfect for times of energetic tension, especially when it doesn’t seem to have a source. Consider engaging in breathwork or meditation before and after this spread to quiet any panic or emotional overwhelm.
Spread #3: The Invitation Spread
Purpose: An all purpose guidance spread for when you don’t know what to ask but still want some spiritual advice.
Card 1: What’s the most important thing for me to know right now?
Card 2: What energetic state am I in right now?
Card 3: What’s coming into my life behind the scenes?
This is a great spread for seasonal transitions which includes shifting the sabbats, zodiac signs and the moon phases. A great rule of thumb is to use this spread for the full and new moon to check in with your spirit and see what’s coming up next for you. It's especially useful for empathic readers who may need a gentle spread or container to work with.
If desired, pull one additional card asking how you can “solidify” what’s coming into your life right now.
Tips for Reading Without a Question
Ask yourself “What does this card awaken in me?” instead of asking what the card means. This is a tip in general for reading intuitively. Think beyond the traditional meanings and start accessing how a card makes you feel, what it inspires in you, and what catches your eyes.
Allow some space for silence. Don’t assume you have to understand everything about what the cards are telling you right away. Sometimes a reading will unfold hours or even days later once you’ve had time to think about deeper insights.
Don’t focus on getting the answer right. Instead, let your intuition go where it wants to. If something feels like it means something then let that be the answer. Don’t be afraid to let your experiences and connections come through your readings.
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