Yes No Tarot Spread: How to Get Clear Answers
- Jo Burke
- Jul 5, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Have you ever asked the tarot a question and wished for a simple yes or no?
Sometimes life feels uncertain, and while your intuition whispers one thing, the mind still craves clarity. This is where a Yes No Tarot Spread can be so helpful.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with different methods — from treating all upright cards as yes, to using a list of “positive cards” that confirm a yes. One system I often come back to is the 5-card Yes No Tarot Spread, popularised by Susyn Blair-Hunt in Tarot Prediction & Divination and shared by Barbara Moore. It’s simple, effective, and surprisingly insightful — while still leaving room for your intuition to guide you.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how the spread works, share my own recent reading, and unpack what happens when intuition and method don’t quite agree.
What is a Yes No Tarot Spread?
A Yes No Tarot Spread is a quick way to get an answer to a clear question. Instead of a full Celtic Cross or 3-card reading, this spread is designed for decision-making when you want a direct yes, no, or maybe.
For this 5-card version:
Shuffle your deck while repeating your question.
Lay 5 cards horizontally in a row.
Count how many “yes” and “no” cards you receive.
Here’s how the system works:
YES = Major Arcana & even-numbered Minor Arcana
NO = Court Cards & odd-numbered Minor Arcana
Aces = In this system, they’re counted as No — but for me, they’re always a Yes, especially upright!
Because you’re pulling 5 cards, there won’t be a tie.
5 of one side = clear yes or no
3/2 split = conditional yes/no, or “maybe”
From there, you can read the cards as a story. The spread doesn’t assign positions, so you’re free to interpret left-to-right, or start with the card that feels most influential.
Watch: Yes No Tarot Spread Explained
If you’re more of a visual learner, I’ve also recorded a video where I walk you through the 5-card Yes No Tarot Spread step by step. In it, I explain the rules, how I adapt them to my own practice, and how intuition weaves into the process.
You can watch it right here, or on YouTube.
My Example Yes No Tarot Reading
Recently, I asked the tarot:
“Should I book a stall at the Rainbow Wellbeing Expo?”
Here’s what I pulled using the Light Seers Tarot:
The Chariot
Page of Wands
Ace of Pentacles
The High Priestess
Queen of Cups
Right away, my intuitive hit was a strong YES. These felt like five incredibly positive cards. But when I applied the method’s rules, the results were different.
Using the System’s Rules
Chariot = Yes (Major)
Page of Wands = No (Court)
Ace of Pentacles = No (Ace, counted as odd)
High Priestess = Yes (Major)
Queen of Cups = No (Court)
Result: 3 No / 2 Yes → a Maybe leaning No
Using My Personal Rules (Aces = Yes)
Chariot = Yes (Major)
Page of Wands = No (Court)
Ace of Pentacles = Yes (Ace upright)
High Priestess = Yes (Major)
Queen of Cups = No (Court)
Result: 3 Yes / 2 No → a Maybe leaning Yes
So which is right? The cards or my intuition? Let’s explore both sides.
Reading This Spread as a Yes
Here’s how I would interpret the spread if I trust my initial gut feeling of Yes:
The Chariot → Forward momentum, determination, breaking free from feeling stuck. A green light to move ahead.
Page of Wands → Excitement, creative play, saying yes to passion projects. (Perfect, since I plan to offer psychic art at the expo!)
Ace of Pentacles → A grounded opportunity waiting to blossom — a seed worth planting.
High Priestess → Alignment with spirit, being a clear channel, and trusting divine timing. She feels completely at home in the energy of a psychic fair.
Queen of Cups → Emotional depth, intuition, and sensitivity. Sitting beside the High Priestess, she speaks of embodying my psychic gifts and sharing them with others.
This reading feels expansive, supportive, and aligned with what I love to do.
Reading This Spread as a No (or Maybe)
If I follow the spread’s stricter method, the story shifts:
The Chariot + Page of Wands → Momentum paired with recklessness. Am I rushing into this without enough planning?
Ace of Pentacles → A reminder that opportunities need careful nurturing, not impulsive action.
High Priestess → Reflection and inner guidance before outward action.
Queen of Cups → Deep sensitivity, which could also suggest being overwhelmed in the busy energy of an expo.
From this lens, the message feels more like “not yet” — or “yes, but only if you prepare and ground the energy first.”
Intuition vs Method
The real beauty of a Yes No Tarot Spread is that it shows us both sides. The method provides structure, but your intuition is always your compass.
In this case, my heart says Yes — and the cards echo that when I listen to their essence rather than the strict counting system. Still, the method reminds me to check in with practicalities (like travel and energy management) before leaping.
Sometimes the answer isn’t a neat yes or no. Sometimes it’s an invitation to dig deeper.
Key Takeaways for Your Yes No Tarot Practice
Always start with a clear, specific question.
Use the system’s rules — but adapt them if something doesn’t resonate (like Aces!).
Trust your intuitive first impression.
If the answer is a “maybe,” pull another spread for guidance.
Remember: the cards don’t just predict — they offer advice on how to shift energy and create change.
Try the Yes No Tarot Spread Yourself
Play with this spread and see what unfolds for you. Do you get a clear yes/no? Or do you, like me, find layers of meaning and intuitive nudges between the lines?
I’d love to hear how it works for you — feel free to share your experiences with Yes No Tarot in the comments.
Watch My Yes No Tarot Video Series
If you’d like to go deeper, I’ve created a video series on different ways to work with Yes No Tarot Spreads:
You can also watch the full playlist here: YouTube playlist link
Ready to Go Deeper?
If you’re feeling called to strengthen your connection with tarot, intuition, or your psychic gifts, I’d love to support you.
✨ Join the Self Mastery Mentorship (Sept 2025 intake now open) — an intimate online group for self-empowerment, energy mastery, and intuitive development.
✨ Book a 1:1 Spiritual Mentoring Session — receive guidance tailored to your path.
✨ Book a Psychic Reading — clarity, insight, and connection with spirit.
✨ Spirit Art Sessions — meet your Spirit Guide or commission a personalised piece.
Trust yourself, trust your cards, and most of all — trust the journey.
With love,
Joanne 💜
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