Should You Stay or Leave? A Love & Work Tarot Decision Guide

Standing at a crossroads in love or work can feel overwhelming. Should you stay in that relationship that feels stagnant? Should you leave the job that no longer brings you joy? When your mind races with doubts, a tarot spread designed specifically for this decision can provide the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

A « stay or go » tarot spread helps you examine both paths objectively, revealing insights about your current situation, the potential outcomes of each choice, and the emotional impact of your decision. This guide will walk you through a powerful tarot reading technique for difficult relationship or career transitions.

What Is a « Stay or Go » Tarot Spread?

The stay or go tarot spread is a specialized card layout designed to help you make decisions about relationships or work situations. Unlike a simple yes-or-no reading, this spread provides nuanced information about multiple aspects of your situation. It examines not just the practical considerations, but also the emotional and spiritual dimensions of staying versus leaving.

This type of tarot spread typically uses five to six cards, each positioned to reveal specific information about your crossroads. The cards work together to paint a complete picture, helping you understand what you truly need to know before making your final decision.

Many tarot readers and oracle enthusiasts turn to this spread when they feel stuck or unsure about which path to choose. The beauty of this layout is that it doesn’t tell you what to do – instead, it provides guidance by revealing hidden aspects of your situation.

Step-by-Step Card Walkthrough

Card 1: Your Current Situation

The first card in your stay or leave tarot spread reveals where you are right now. This card shows the energy surrounding your relationship or work situation at this moment. For example, if you pull the Queen of Cups in this position, it might indicate that you’re in a place of emotional depth and intuition, carefully processing your feelings.

Card 2: Why You Should Stay

This card highlights the potential benefits of choosing to stay. It shows what you might gain by continuing in your current relationship or job. The card might reveal opportunities for growth, hidden blessings, or reasons to give the situation more time and attention. Pay close attention to this card, as it often brings to light aspects you might be overlooking.

Card 3: Why You Should Leave

The third position reveals the advantages of leaving. This card speaks to what you might gain by walking away and the new possibilities that await. Cards like the 6 of Swords in this position often indicate that leaving could bring you to calmer waters. The 7 of Swords might reveal that the situation involves deception or that you need to follow your own path.

Card 4: Emotional Impact of Staying

This card reveals how you’ll feel if you decide to stay. Will you experience peace of mind or frustration? The emotional impact matters just as much as practical considerations when making a decision that will affect your life significantly. Understanding these emotions helps you prepare for that path and shows whether staying aligns with your need for fulfillment.

Card 5: Emotional Impact of Leaving

This position shows the feelings you’ll experience if you choose to leave. Will you feel liberated, or will you struggle with guilt? This card helps you understand the emotional journey that comes with walking away. The information this card provides is essential for decision making.

Card 6: Overall Advice (Optional)

Some versions of the stay or go tarot spread include a sixth card for overall guidance. This card synthesizes all the information and offers final wisdom. It might reveal a specific action you should take or a perspective you need to adopt. If you’re using a tarot deck and feel you need additional clarity, adding this card can provide extra insight.

Interpretation Tips: Combining Intuition and Symbolism

Once you’ve laid out your cards, take time to look at the spread as a whole before diving into individual card meanings. Notice patterns, repeated symbols, or dominant suits. Are most of your cards from the Cups suit, suggesting emotional considerations are primary? Or do you see many Swords cards, indicating mental clarity is key?

Consider how the cards in positions 2 and 3 compare. Are they similar in energy, or is one path clearly more favorable? Think about whether the emotional impact cards align with what you truly want for your life. Major Arcana cards carry particular weight. The Death card doesn’t necessarily mean you should leave, but it indicates major transformation is necessary. Cards like the Tower reveal that change is inevitable.

Case Study: Example Reading for a Relationship Decision

Let’s look at how this spread might work in practice:

• Current Situation: Queen of Cups (reversed) – Feeling emotionally drained and unable to give or receive love
• Why Stay: 4 of Wands – The foundation and history you’ve built together has real value
• Why Leave: 7 of Swords – You’re not getting the honesty and communication you deserve
• Emotional Impact of Staying: 5 of Cups – Continued disappointment
• Emotional Impact of Leaving: 6 of Swords – Transition to calmer, more peaceful circumstances
• Overall Advice: Ace of Swords – Cut through confusion with clear thinking

In this example, the cards reveal that while the relationship has good elements, there are significant issues. The reading shows staying might mean continued disappointment, while leaving could bring relief and better things. The Ace of Swords advises approaching the situation with clarity and truth.

Applying the Results: Journaling and Practical Reflection

After completing your reading, take time to reflect on what the cards have revealed. Consider these journaling prompts:

• What surprised me most about this reading?
• Which card resonated most strongly with my intuition?
• Are there aspects I’ve been avoiding that the cards brought to light?
• How do I feel when I imagine following this guidance?
• What practical steps can I take based on this information?

Remember that tarot readings provide guidance, not commands. The cards help you access your own wisdom. Trust yourself to know which path is right, even if it takes a bit more time to decide. If your spread reveals conflicting information, you might want to wait a few days and read the cards again.

When to Seek Professional Tarot Guidance

While reading your own cards can be helpful, there are times when working with an experienced tarot reader provides better clarity. Professional readers bring objectivity and expertise that’s hard to achieve when you’re emotionally invested in the outcome.

A skilled tarot reader can help you understand subtle card meanings, identify patterns in your spreads, and ask questions you might not think to consider. They can also provide follow-up readings as your situation evolves. If you’re facing a major life choice about relationships or work, professional tarot readings offer valuable support and peace of mind.

Ready to Gain Clarity on Your Decision?

If you’re standing at a crossroads and need help navigating your stay or leave decision, our experienced tarot readers are here to guide you. We offer in-depth readings that provide the insight and clarity you need to make confident choices about your love life and career.

Whether you’re unsure about a relationship that no longer feels good or considering a major career change, tarot spreads designed for these specific situations can reveal the information you need. Our readers combine traditional tarot wisdom with intuitive guidance to help you understand both paths clearly.

Don’t let indecision keep you stuck in a place that no longer serves you. Schedule a reading today and receive personalized guidance for your unique situation. Your clarity and peace of mind are worth it.