The Major Arcana represents the most powerful and significant cards in the tarot deck. These 22 cards, numbered from 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World), depict major life themes, spiritual lessons, and archetypal experiences that shape our journey through life. When using tarot for yes or no readings, understanding how each Major Arcana card responds to direct questions can significantly improve your reading accuracy and interpretation skills.
Unlike the Minor Arcana, which deals with everyday situations and practical matters, the Major Arcana addresses fundamental human experiences and profound life changes. When one of these powerful cards appears in a yes or no reading, it carries extra weight and significance, often indicating that the question touches on something truly important in the querent's life path.
Cards That Strongly Indicate Yes
Several Major Arcana cards carry overwhelmingly positive energy and almost always indicate an affirmative answer when drawn in a yes or no reading. These cards radiate success, fulfillment, and forward momentum.
The Sun (XIX) is perhaps the most definitively positive card in the entire tarot deck. When The Sun appears, it brings a resounding yes filled with joy, vitality, success, and clarity. This card suggests that whatever you are asking about will bring happiness and positive outcomes. The Sun illuminates the path forward and indicates that success is not just possible but likely.
The World (XXI) represents completion, achievement, and the successful conclusion of a cycle. Drawing The World in a yes or no reading strongly indicates that your goal is within reach and that you are on the right path. This card says yes with the additional message that you have what it takes to succeed and that the universe supports your endeavors.
The Star (XVII) brings hope, inspiration, and renewed faith. This card answers yes while adding that the outcome will exceed your expectations. The Star suggests divine blessing and guidance, indicating that pursuing your question will lead to healing, peace, and spiritual fulfillment.
The Empress (III) embodies abundance, creativity, and nurturing energy. She answers yes, particularly for questions related to creative projects, fertility, growth, relationships, and anything requiring patience and care to flourish. The Empress indicates that conditions are ripe for success.
Wheel of Fortune (X) signals positive change, good luck, and favorable circumstances. While this card acknowledges that fortune can turn, when upright in a yes or no reading, it indicates that luck is currently on your side. The wheel is turning in your favor.
Cards That Indicate No or Caution
Some Major Arcana cards carry challenging energy that typically indicates a negative answer or suggests the need for serious reconsideration before proceeding.
The Tower (XVI) is one of the most definitive no cards in tarot. It represents sudden upheaval, destruction of false structures, and chaotic change. When The Tower appears in a yes or no reading, it warns that proceeding with your current plan could lead to unexpected disaster or the painful destruction of something you have built. This card urges you to reconsider your path entirely.
The Devil (XV) suggests bondage, unhealthy attachments, and being trapped by materialism or addiction. This card answers no while warning that pursuing your question may lead you into situations that limit your freedom or keep you chained to negative patterns. It asks you to examine whether your desires are truly serving your highest good.
Death (XIII) indicates endings, transformation, and the need to let something go before new beginnings can occur. While not always negative in broader readings, for yes or no questions, Death typically indicates that the current path is ending and that you cannot proceed as planned. Something must die or be released first.
The Hermit (IX) suggests withdrawal, introspection, and the need for solitude and reflection. This card indicates that now is not the time for action but rather for contemplation. The answer is no, at least for now, because more soul-searching is needed before you can make a wise decision.
Cards That Suggest Maybe or Require Reflection
Several Major Arcana cards do not give clear yes or no answers but instead invite deeper consideration. These maybe cards indicate that the situation is more complex than a simple binary response can address.
The Moon (XVIII) represents illusion, intuition, and hidden truths. When The Moon appears, it suggests that things are not as they seem and that important information may be hidden. This card advises trusting your intuition and waiting for greater clarity before making decisions. The answer depends on factors not yet revealed.
The High Priestess (II) guards hidden knowledge and mystery. She suggests that the answer lies within your own intuition and subconscious wisdom. Rather than giving a direct response, The High Priestess invites you to look inward and trust your inner knowing. The truth is available to you if you quiet your mind and listen.
Justice (XI) indicates that the outcome depends entirely on your actions and the balance of cause and effect. This card suggests that you will receive exactly what you deserve based on your choices. The answer is conditional upon maintaining fairness, honesty, and integrity in your approach.
Temperance (XIV) advises patience, moderation, and finding balance before proceeding. The answer may become yes, but only if you approach the situation with careful equilibrium rather than rushing forward. Temperance suggests that timing and proportionality are essential.
Practice Your Card Reading Skills
Now that you understand how Major Arcana cards respond in yes or no readings, try our interactive card explorer to practice identifying card meanings.
Try the Interactive DemoContext Matters in Every Reading
While this guide provides general interpretations for yes or no readings, it is essential to remember that context always influences meaning. The energy you bring to a reading, the specific phrasing of your question, and your intuitive response to the card all play crucial roles in accurate interpretation.
Additionally, reversed cards can significantly alter these meanings. A typically positive card appearing reversed might shift toward maybe or no, while a challenging card reversed could indicate that obstacles are being overcome. Many readers develop their own relationships with reversed cards over time, so consider what approach resonates with your practice.
The Major Arcana offers profound wisdom that extends far beyond simple yes or no answers. While these cards can certainly provide direct guidance, their deeper value lies in the spiritual insights and life lessons they reveal. Use yes or no readings as a starting point, but remain open to the richer messages these powerful cards wish to share.
Building Your Interpretation Skills
Mastering Major Arcana interpretation takes time and practice. Keep a tarot journal to record your readings and track how cards appear in different contexts. Over time, you will develop a personal relationship with each card that enhances your intuitive accuracy. Pay attention to which cards appear frequently for you, as these may carry special significance in your spiritual journey.
Remember that tarot is ultimately a tool for self-reflection and personal insight. The cards do not dictate your future but rather illuminate possibilities and invite you to consider your choices more deeply. Whether a Major Arcana card indicates yes, no, or maybe, its appearance is an invitation to engage more consciously with your life path and the decisions before you.