Bernice
I learned, in the Lenormand threads, just how very important the question is. It's gotta be clear-cut.Shebelle: ...And you're right: how you phrase is everything since the cards WILL answer, but may address the question you SHOULD HAVE asked!
Sometimes people ask an involved question that is really 3 questions in one, similar to yours. Unless you're going to use a spread that will address the various parts of such a question (which means that the 'reader' has got to sort it out before choosing a spread and laying the cards), it would be a struggle to give a sensible response with a simple 3-card spread. Especially this one!
So, best bet is to try and discern exactly what the person really wants to know, then re-phrase it for the card spread. If necessary break the question up into it's parts and do a reading for each part.
But the cards find us outFYI, I spy all the time
Also FYI, I drew these cards while I was studying the spread by Little Baron. I asked a bunch of questions, reviewed some old 3 card spreads I did, etc. And I asked this one, thinking I was being clever by wording it "What do I need to know" so that I understood who the message was for and wasn't just asking my deck for, essentially, a free spying session...
Like I said, I desire to spy at most times. I try to temper my urges by being clever. )
Bee
P.S. The way cards are read isn't set in stone. The querent can be whoever or whatever you want it to be.