Knowing the Question

Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin always have something interesting to share. Their ideas range from connections based on intense research and solid scholarship to innovative, modern techniques. They also have a way of asking interesting questions. In the excerpt below, from Tarot Face to Face, they ask questions about questions.

Asking Questions Out Loud—Yes or No?

Whilst some readers have told us they do not need to actually hear the client’s questions, they are somewhat struck when we ask them how they know that they are not performing a reading for a question that is against their own ethics, e.g., “Should my four-year-old brother stop taking his medication?” You can see why clarification in such a case would be useful, and you may make a policy choice that you want to always have the question stated.

You can also tell the client that even if you do not know the question before starting, the reading will probably home in on it anyway. Some clients wish to withhold the question because they are testing the reader, which is a game that should not be encouraged. If the reading is indeed a game from the client’s point of view, it should be stated so, which gives the reader the opportunity to play or refuse the game.

In some cases, the question is so personal or difficult to articulate that it is reasonable not to force clients to reveal it when they have stated that they do not wish to. These cases should be taken on an individual basis, and in our experience it is usually apparent when it is not a control issue or a game. These are often the readings that provide the most memorable and life-affecting results.