The 78 tarot cards: yes, no, it depends or wait
A tarot card can offer something more useful than a bare yes or no. Sometimes it opens the way, sometimes it closes it, and often it shows that information is still missing or the timing is not right. The key is to ask a clear question and read the card’s tendency without forcing it to confirm what you already wanted to hear.
In this guide, every card is classified as yes, no, it depends or wait. The answer is not a verdict: the nuance explains what supports, blocks or conditions the outcome.
How to ask a yes-or-no tarot question
The more specific the question, the easier the card is to interpret. Instead of asking “Will things go well?”, name the situation and, when useful, add a time frame.
- Ask about one issue. Do not mix love, work and money in the same sentence.
- Set a time frame. “Over the next three months” is clearer than “someday”.
- Draw one card. The first card contains the main tendency.
- Do not redraw until you get the answer you want. If you need more detail, use a second card only for the condition or advice.
A useful question would be: “Would accepting this job benefit me over the next three months?” It defines the decision and prevents the reading from becoming so broad that any meaning could fit.
What yes, no, it depends and wait mean
- Yes: the energy moves forward and conditions favour action.
- No: there is a block, loss or direction that should be stopped or reconsidered.
- It depends: the result rests on a choice, missing information or the way you act.
- Wait: this is not the moment to close the answer; pause, perspective or time is needed.
All 78 tarot cards: yes, no, it depends or wait
This guide uses the Rider–Waite deck and a one-card reading. The “Tendency” column gives the quick answer; the final column contains the useful part: the reason and the condition.
Major Arcana
| Card | Tendency | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| The Fool | Yes | It favours beginning, experimenting or taking a leap, even without complete certainty. |
| The Magician | Yes | You have the initiative, resources and ability to set the situation in motion. |
| The High Priestess | It depends | Information is missing. Observe and listen before deciding. |
| The Empress | Yes | The situation has room to grow, be nurtured and bear fruit. |
| The Emperor | Yes | It works when you bring structure, boundaries and a firm plan. |
| The Hierophant | Yes | It favours formal routes, established methods, learning or expert advice. |
| The Lovers | Yes | There is connection or alignment, but the choice must be conscious. |
| The Chariot | Yes | Progress is possible with direction, determination and controlled momentum. |
| Strength | Yes | Patience, courage and self-command can overcome the difficulty. |
| The Hermit | Wait | Distance, reflection or an inner search is needed before acting. |
| Wheel of Fortune | Yes | A favourable change is opening, although not every part of it is under your control. |
| Justice | It depends | The answer will be shaped by facts, rules and consequences. |
| The Hanged Man | Wait | The situation is suspended and asks for a different point of view. |
| Death | No | Not in its current form: something must end before another stage can begin. |
| Temperance | Yes | The way opens through balance, patience and gradual adjustment. |
| The Devil | No | Dependency, obsession, self-deception or an excessive price is involved. |
| The Tower | No | The foundation is unstable and may bring a sudden break or revelation. |
| The Star | Yes | It points to realistic hope, healing and an inspiring direction. |
| The Moon | It depends | There is confusion, fear or unclear information. Do not settle the conclusion yet. |
| The Sun | Yes | It brings clarity, vitality and the prospect of a satisfying result. |
| Judgement | Yes | It favours answering a call, recognising the truth or making a final decision. |
| The World | Yes | It speaks of completion, achievement and integration. |
Wands
| Card | Tendency | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | Yes | There is drive, desire and energy to begin. |
| Two of Wands | It depends | The potential is there, but you must choose a direction and prepare the plan. |
| Three of Wands | Yes | Expansion is already under way and can bring results. |
| Four of Wands | Yes | It favours stability, celebration, reunion and shared goals. |
| Five of Wands | No | Competition, noise or conflicting interests make progress difficult. |
| Six of Wands | Yes | It indicates recognition, progress and visible success. |
| Seven of Wands | Yes | You can hold your ground, but you will have to defend it. |
| Eight of Wands | Yes | Events accelerate and the answer may arrive soon. |
| Nine of Wands | It depends | You can continue if you still have the strength and keep clear boundaries. |
| Ten of Wands | No | The load is excessive. Reduce, delegate or change the plan. |
| Page of Wands | Yes | It brings curiosity, encouraging news or a wish to explore. |
| Knight of Wands | Yes | It favours movement and action, provided haste is kept in check. |
| Queen of Wands | Yes | Confidence, magnetism and initiative support the outcome. |
| King of Wands | Yes | Vision and leadership can turn the idea into action. |
Cups
| Card | Tendency | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | Yes | An emotional, relational or creative opportunity is opening. |
| Two of Cups | Yes | There is reciprocity, agreement or a willingness to meet halfway. |
| Three of Cups | Yes | It favours support, friendship, celebration and collaboration. |
| Four of Cups | No | Apathy, disconnection or refusal to see an opportunity is present. |
| Five of Cups | No | Disappointment, loss or attention fixed on what went wrong dominates. |
| Six of Cups | Yes | The past, trust or a familiar connection may help. |
| Seven of Cups | It depends | There are many options, fantasies or promises; separate what is real. |
| Eight of Cups | No | The card advises walking away from what no longer fulfils you. |
| Nine of Cups | Yes | Satisfaction, enjoyment or a wish fulfilled is within reach. |
| Ten of Cups | Yes | It favours emotional harmony, belonging and shared happiness. |
| Page of Cups | Yes | A sincere gesture, invitation or emotional opening may arrive. |
| Knight of Cups | Yes | There is an approach, offer or movement guided by feeling. |
| Queen of Cups | Yes | Intuition and emotional understanding favour the situation. |
| King of Cups | Yes | Emotional maturity and balance make a sound response possible. |
Swords
| Card | Tendency | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | Yes | Clarity, truth or a firm decision opens the way. |
| Two of Swords | It depends | You are stuck between two options and need an honest decision. |
| Three of Swords | No | It points to pain, separation or a difficult truth. |
| Four of Swords | Wait | Stop, rest and regain perspective before moving. |
| Five of Swords | No | The conflict may bring a hollow victory or an unnecessary cost. |
| Six of Swords | Yes | Progress is possible by leaving a difficult stage behind. |
| Seven of Swords | No | There is avoidance, unclear strategy or hidden information. |
| Eight of Swords | No | Feeling trapped prevents you from seeing available alternatives. |
| Nine of Swords | No | Worry and fear are weighing more heavily than the facts. |
| Ten of Swords | No | The situation has reached an ending and cannot continue unchanged. |
| Page of Swords | It depends | Investigate, ask questions and verify the information. |
| Knight of Swords | Yes | Decisive action can resolve it, provided it does not become aggression. |
| Queen of Swords | It depends | The answer requires objectivity, boundaries and a direct conversation. |
| King of Swords | Yes | Logic, judgement and an impartial decision favour the outcome. |
Pentacles
| Card | Tendency | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | Yes | A tangible opportunity with room to grow is available. |
| Two of Pentacles | It depends | The result depends on organising priorities and maintaining balance. |
| Three of Pentacles | Yes | Learning, cooperation and skilled work produce results. |
| Four of Pentacles | No | Fear of loss, control or attachment prevents movement. |
| Five of Pentacles | No | It indicates scarcity, difficulty or lack of support under current conditions. |
| Six of Pentacles | Yes | Help, fair exchange or resources can be shared. |
| Seven of Pentacles | Wait | What was planted needs time; it is too early to judge the result. |
| Eight of Pentacles | Yes | Progress comes through practice, dedication and steady learning. |
| Nine of Pentacles | Yes | It favours independence, security and enjoyment of what you have built. |
| Ten of Pentacles | Yes | It indicates lasting stability, legacy or family support. |
| Page of Pentacles | Yes | A practical opportunity deserves study and attention. |
| Knight of Pentacles | Yes | The result comes slowly through consistency and responsibility. |
| Queen of Pentacles | Yes | Organisation, care and practical sense sustain the path. |
| King of Pentacles | Yes | You can consolidate a stable, tangible result. |
How to read reversed cards
A reversed card does not automatically turn yes into no. It may show energy that is blocked, delayed, internalised or taken to excess. Choose a rule before shuffling and keep it after you see the card.
Two simple methods work well:
- Keep the main tendency. The reversal changes how it operates or introduces an obstacle, but does not change the answer by itself.
- Make a positive card conditional. A reversed yes becomes “it depends” and asks what must be unblocked.
Either method can work. What makes a reading confusing is changing the rule because you dislike the card you drew.
Three reading examples
Would accepting this job benefit me over the next three months?
The Eight of Pentacles appears: yes, especially if the role lets you learn and you are willing to practise, correct and improve. The card does not promise immediate ease; it favours work that builds a skill.
Can I trust what this person is telling me right now?
The Moon appears: it depends. It is not a reason to accuse anyone; it recognises that the situation is still unclear. Observe, ask and wait for facts before drawing a conclusion.
Should I continue this project exactly as it is currently planned?
The Ten of Wands appears: no, not in its current form. The problem may be the excessive load rather than the project itself. Reducing tasks, delegating or renegotiating can change the answer.
The quick answer does not replace the reading
The tendency helps you orient yourself, but the value of the card lies in explaining why that yes, no or pause appears. A good reading does not order you to obey a word; it helps you recognise conditions, costs and possibilities.
If you already have a clear question, you can consult the Yes or No Tarot and use this guide to understand the answer in greater depth.
Tarot is a symbolic tool for entertainment and reflection. For medical, legal, financial or safety decisions, consult qualified professional sources.