You can, but tarot isn't the best tool for it. Tarot excels at nuance, narrative, and complexity. Forcing it into a binary yes/no framework is like using a novel to answer a multiple-choice test — it works, but you're discarding most of the value.
If You Must
The simplest method: draw one card. Upright = yes, reversed = no. If you don't use reversals, assign yes to Major Arcana and odd-numbered Minors, no to even-numbered Minors and court cards. These systems work, but they're arbitrary conventions, not intrinsic to tarot.
Better Alternatives
If you genuinely need a yes/no answer, use a system designed for it:
- Geomancy — The Judge figure in a shield chart gives a clear yes/no with astrological nuance. This is literally what geomancy was designed for.
- I Ching — While not strictly binary in output, the hexagram system gives much clearer directional guidance than forced tarot yes/no methods.
- Lenormand — Three-card pulls read as sentences that give practical yes/no with context.
Reframe the Question
Usually, a yes/no question is better asked as "What do I need to know about X?" or "What happens if I pursue X?" These open-ended questions play to tarot's actual strengths and give you information you can act on, rather than a coin-flip validation.