Yes or No Tarot: Every Card's Answer, With How to Ask

A yes-or-no tarot reading is the quickest kind there is: one question, one card, one answer. It works best when you treat the answer as a starting point. Each card says why it leans yes or no, and that reason is usually more useful than the word itself.

Across the 78 cards, 46 lean yes, 16 lean no and 16 are maybe. The strongest yes is The Sun; the clearest no cards are The Tower and the Ten of Swords.

This page gives a yes, no or maybe answer for all 78 cards, with a one-line reason for each. Above the table you will find how to ask a good yes-or-no question and how to handle reversed cards.

How to ask a yes-or-no question

The answer can only be as clear as the question. A few rules help:

• Ask about one thing. “Will I get the job and should I move?” is two questions. Split it.
• Ask about yourself or your own actions. “Should I message him first?” is easier to read than “Is he thinking about me?” You can act on the first one.
• Add a time frame if it matters. “Will this resolve before the end of the month?” gives the card something to answer.
• Avoid questions you are not ready to hear “no” to. If a “no” would crush you, ask an open question instead: “What do I need to know about this situation?”

How to do a one-card yes-or-no reading

1. Shuffle while you hold the question in mind. Say it out loud or write it down.
2. Draw one card.
3. Look it up in the table below. Read the reason as well as the answer.
4. If the card is a maybe, look at the reason: it usually tells you what the answer depends on.

Some people draw three cards and count the yeses and nos. That works too. If the result is split, read it as “maybe” and look at which card is in the middle.

What “maybe” means

A maybe usually means one of three things: the outcome is not decided yet, it depends on something you do, or the question is too broad. The reason column tells you which.

Reversed cards in yes-or-no readings

There is no single rule, so choose one before you draw:

• Simple rule (recommended): a reversed card means “not yet” or a weaker version of its upright answer. A reversed yes card is “yes, but slowly or with obstacles.” A reversed no card is “no, but the difficulty is easing.”
• Strict rule: reversed flips the answer. A yes card reversed becomes no, and a no card reversed becomes yes.
• Upright only: many people keep every card upright for yes-or-no readings to keep things simple.

Major Arcana

Card	Answer	Why
The Fool	Yes	A new start; go ahead, but look before you leap
The Magician	Yes	You have what you need to make it happen
The High Priestess	Maybe	The answer is not visible yet; trust your instinct
The Empress	Yes	Growth, care and abundance
The Emperor	Yes	Yes, through structure and steady effort
The Hierophant	Maybe	Yes if you take the conventional, approved route
The Lovers	Yes	Yes, if the choice matches your values
The Chariot	Yes	Yes, through drive and focus
Strength	Yes	Yes, with patience and a calm hand
The Hermit	Maybe	Not yet; you need time alone to decide
Wheel of Fortune	Yes	Things are turning in your favour
Justice	Maybe	A fair outcome: yes if you have acted fairly
The Hanged Man	Maybe	Wait; a pause or a new angle is needed first
Death	No	Something ends; the old way is closing
Temperance	Yes	Yes, slowly and with balance
The Devil	No	An unhealthy pull; this is not good for you as it stands
The Tower	No	Sudden upheaval; not the way you planned
The Star	Yes	Hope and healing
The Moon	Maybe	Unclear; there is information you do not have yet
The Sun	Yes	The strongest yes in the deck
Judgement	Yes	A call you are ready to answer
The World	Yes	Completion and success

Wands

Wands are the suit of energy, ambition and action, so they lean yes.

Card	Answer	Why
Ace of Wands	Yes	A spark of new energy or inspiration
Two of Wands	Maybe	You are still planning; decide first
Three of Wands	Yes	Progress; what you started is moving
Four of Wands	Yes	Celebration and stability
Five of Wands	No	Conflict and competition get in the way
Six of Wands	Yes	Success and recognition
Seven of Wands	Maybe	Yes, if you hold your ground
Eight of Wands	Yes	Fast movement; news on the way
Nine of Wands	Maybe	Yes, if you keep going despite fatigue
Ten of Wands	No	Overloaded; you are carrying too much
Page of Wands	Yes	Curiosity and a fresh start
Knight of Wands	Yes	Bold action, quickly
Queen of Wands	Yes	Confidence and warmth
King of Wands	Yes	Leadership and vision

Cups

Cups are the suit of feelings and relationships.

Card	Answer	Why
Ace of Cups	Yes	New love or emotional fulfilment
Two of Cups	Yes	A mutual connection
Three of Cups	Yes	Friendship and celebration
Four of Cups	No	Apathy; what is offered does not appeal
Five of Cups	No	Loss and regret
Six of Cups	Yes	Kindness, nostalgia, the past returning gently
Seven of Cups	Maybe	Too many options or illusions; get clear first
Eight of Cups	No	Walking away from something
Nine of Cups	Yes	The “wish card”: what you want is within reach
Ten of Cups	Yes	Lasting happiness and harmony
Page of Cups	Yes	A sweet message or new feeling
Knight of Cups	Yes	An offer, a romantic gesture
Queen of Cups	Yes	Compassion and emotional support
King of Cups	Yes	Emotional maturity and calm

Swords

Swords are the suit of the mind, conflict and truth, so they lean no.

Card	Answer	Why
Ace of Swords	Yes	A clear breakthrough
Two of Swords	Maybe	A stalemate; you are avoiding a decision
Three of Swords	No	Heartbreak and painful truth
Four of Swords	No	Not now; rest first
Five of Swords	No	A hollow win or a conflict nobody wins
Six of Swords	Yes	Moving on to calmer waters
Seven of Swords	No	Deception or a plan that will not hold
Eight of Swords	No	You feel trapped, at least for now
Nine of Swords	No	Anxiety; fear is louder than the facts
Ten of Swords	No	A painful ending, and the worst is over
Page of Swords	Maybe	Gather more information first
Knight of Swords	Yes	Fast and direct, though possibly rash
Queen of Swords	Maybe	Yes, if you are honest with yourself
King of Swords	Yes	A decision backed by facts

Pentacles

Pentacles are the suit of money, work, health and the body.

Card	Answer	Why
Ace of Pentacles	Yes	A new practical opportunity
Two of Pentacles	Maybe	Juggling; it depends on how you balance things
Three of Pentacles	Yes	Teamwork and recognised skill
Four of Pentacles	Maybe	Yes to keeping, no to letting go or spending
Five of Pentacles	No	Hardship and feeling left out
Six of Pentacles	Yes	Generosity; help given and received
Seven of Pentacles	Maybe	Not yet; the harvest needs more time
Eight of Pentacles	Yes	Steady work pays off
Nine of Pentacles	Yes	Independence and comfort
Ten of Pentacles	Yes	Long-term security
Page of Pentacles	Yes	A promising start, slowly
Knight of Pentacles	Yes	Yes, through patience and routine
Queen of Pentacles	Yes	Practical care and abundance
King of Pentacles	Yes	Material success and stability

When a yes-or-no reading is not enough

If you keep getting maybes, or the answer does not sit right, the question probably needs more room. Try a three-card reading instead: what shaped this, where I am now, what lies ahead. It gives the answer a reason and a direction, which a single card cannot.

And keep the limits in mind. A card cannot know what another person will decide, and it should never be the only thing behind a decision about your health, money or safety. Use it as a mirror for your own thinking.