yes or no? how to get your answer with the story method of interpretation

I've been reading a lot of blog posts lately about answering yes/no questions using an image-based deck like tarot. Some say it can't be done. Some say it can. Some find ways to do it by assigning cards a positive (yes) spin or a negative (no) spin.

I say if you have an image-based deck all you need to do is look at the picture and say what you see. This is the story method of interpretation. The questioner or subject of the reading becomes the main character in the image and you simply describe what's happening.

For example, what if you are asking, Will I get a promotion? Imagine that someone is getting a promotion. What do they look like? Happy, sad, angry? Imagine the scene -- What are they doing? Celebrating? Relaxing? What kind of body language would we see? Tight and tense or relaxed and open? Now, look through the cards in your deck. What cards would verify a yes answer? What cards verify no?

Let's look at examples using Over the Moon Oracle Cards. I'm using the non-captioned version of the deck so we can see the entire image clearly.

Will I pass my test?

Status | 8 of Diamonds

Look at you! You've got your feet up, chillaxin at home with your needlepoint. I'd say you passed your test.

Rejection | Ace of Spades

You are leaving a school dragging a book on the ground. This looks more like a walk of shame than a victory march so I would say NO you don't pass the test.

Forgiveness | 6 of Hearts

Yes, you will pass the test but with a little help, maybe a tutor or study aid. Or perhaps some help from above -- divine help -- in the form of prayer!

Will my finances improve by next month?

Empty | 4 of Diamonds

You're starving! You've got no money for food so you've resorted to eating plates! It doesn't look good financially.

Fun | 5 of Hearts

You're playing and having fun, without a care in the world, so yes it looks like your finances improve.

Waiting | 2 of Clubs

You are waiting for something, perhaps a check in the mail. It looks like things will still be tense on the financial horizon but you may be in a position of expecting money.

Will I get a new job soon?

Gift | 6 of Diamonds

You are giving or receiving money. Either way, this is a good sign. It looks like you may receive a job offer or at least have enough extra money to hold you over.

Traveler | Jack of Clubs

You're getting out of the house and looking for a job. It could also mean that you will get a job that will require you to travel or move.

Security | Ace of Diamonds

 You're sitting at home by the fireplace, so no job.

Does he like me?

Interference | 3 of Spades

Since the question is does HE like me we'll focus on the male in the image. He appears annoyed at being set up. But perhaps once he gets to know you better, he'll warm up to you.

Romantic| Jack of Hearts

He definitely likes you. He's trying to win you over.

Restriction | 8 of Spades

He is more concerned with his own predicament than a relationship right now. I'd say he's just not that into you.

What if the question is posed negatively instead of positively as in the above examples? This is one of the reasons the story method works so well. If we had randomly assigned yes and no for each card, how would we interpret positive cards in a negatively worded question like the ones below?

Is my boyfriend cheating?

Commitment | 4 of Hearts

No, you two are like an old married couple and he still only has eyes for you.

Troublemaker | Jack of Spades

Well, he looks like he stole something and is trying not to get caught. So, I would say yes, he's probably cheating.

Delay | 4 of Spades

He may not be cheating but he appears disappointed with the relationship. He's not having any fun.

Is the relationship over?

Partnership | 2 of Hearts

You two are still infatuated with each other. Look at the close body language -- I'd say no, the relationship is not over.

Loss | 10 of Spades

Unfortunately, yes. Like Humpty Dumpty, it's fallen and it can't get up. As the story goes, no one can put Humpty Dumpty (or the relationship) back together again.

Rest | 4 of Clubs

Maybe, but this might just be a time out period where both of you need a break from each other.

Do you use this method of interpretation?

my weekly reading with Over the Moon oracle cards 12/28/14

Here's my reading for this week, using my 3-card spread.

Beggar | Jack of Diamonds in the first position relates to some money issues this week which I can already feel. This may relate to my bank balance falling below $25 as seen in a reading from a few weeks ago. I should be alert to this happening again. Depreciation | 5 of Diamonds under this one confirms money dwindling. I have been working on a reduced schedule and it looks like I might need to get my hours up again to prepare for the upcoming months, especially since some of the money-making projects I was expecting to complete have not been completed yet.

Waiting | 2 of Clubs suggests this week I'll be waiting for something, or perhaps just feeling cabin fever from hibernation. I may also be asking, "Should I stay or go?" Forgiveness | 6 of Hearts can relate to receiving help or there may be a need to forgive and forget. Perhaps it's showing receiving an extra boost of cash when I desperately need it.

Looking at the playing card side, things don't look so bad. After all, there are 3 red cards! The numerical theme this week is 6 which shows my energy is geared toward helping and taking care of responsibilities. I may feel a conflict between responsibility and reward however. During a 6 themed-week, I may feel resentful for helping so much or putting in so much effort and not seeing much reward.

POSTSCRIPT 1/9/15: I almost forgot to add something here. The first column showed that I did a little overspending this week, on things I hadn't planned - impulse purchases. Beggar also seems to come up when I'm really concerned about my finances as I was that week. I'm wondering if I will have enough money and projects to last for the next few months. I don't have any good associations to the second column although it did occur to me that it is an apt picture of waiting for the ball to drop on New Year's Eve. Although we were at the movies when this happened, there was considerable talk about waiting for the ball to drop and the New Year festivities we should arrange.