The Tarot Lady Blog » tarot reviews

78 Tarot Blogs and Websites Worth Checking Out

Theresa — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:47:07 +0000

My tarot students often ask me where they can get good, solid tarot information on the internet.

There’s a lot out there and sometimes it can be overwhelming to pick through the good from the bad. So I thought I would compile a list of some of the best and brightest tarot writing and information that the world wide web has to offer.

Tarot Eon (http://www.taroteon.com) My favorite tarot website, hands down. The voice of modern tarot.
Mary Greer (http://marygreer.wordpress.com/) Tarot author Mary Greer’s blog is full of all sorts of tarot goodness – from tarot history to art – and more!
Tarot Elements (http://www.tarotelements.com/) Brilliant tarot writing with a great team of tarot and astrology bloggers.
Rachel Pollack (http://rachelpollack.com/) Home to tarot author and deck designer, Rachel Pollack.
Tarot by Arwen (http://tarotbyarwen.com/blog/) Witty and compassionate tarot writing.
Learn Tarot (http://www.learntarot.com/) A great site for beginning tarot students by author Joan Bunning. This is the BEST place to start learning tarot.
Llewellyn Unbound (http://www.llewellyn.com/blog/) This smart blog features thought provoking posts by tarot luminaries such as Barbara Moore and more. A must visit.
Tarot Town (http://www.tarot-town.com) The social networking site for tarot peeps.
Tarology (http://tarology.wordpress.com/) A poetic and intellectual tarot blog by Enrique Enriquez.
International Tarot Calendar (http://www.tarotcalendar.com/) The brainchild of Amy Lamash, this is the place to find out about every world wide tarot event and announcement.
78 Notes To Self (http://78notes.blogspot.com/) Ginny Hunt’s delightful tarot blog. Smart, snappy writing.
Fool Stop Tarot Blog (http://usgs.typepad.com/) A great blog by tarot deck publishers US Games.
Owl’s Wings (http://www.owlsdaughter.com/owls-wings/) The beautiful posts of Beth Owl’s Daughter.
Melissa’s Tarot Readings (http://melissatarot.wordpress.com/) Very well written thoughts about tarot from Melissa Tarot.
Alec Satin (http://tarot.alecsatin.com/blog/) Alec has a gentle spirit and a powerful blog.
Shuffle (http://corrinekenner.wordpress.com/) Corrine Kenner’s clever tarot and astrology blog. Great tarot writing for sure.
Circle Ways (http://jameswells.wordpress.com/) James Wells makes tarot deeper and proactive with this blog. Manifest some great stuff with his guidance.
Tarot Speakeasy (http://www.tarotspeakeasy.com/) A new and fabulous blog by Tali Goodwin. Don’t miss this one.
Marcia McCord (http://marciamccordtarotreader.blogspot.com/) Author and deck designer Marcia McCord shares her personal stories and more in this very intimate blog.
Starcana Cosmic Dirt (http://starcana.com/blog/) Tarot affirmations, daily astrology and more makes this a complete stop for your regular astrology/tarot fix. Starcana gives the total low down!
Shivaya Wellness (http://shivayawellness.com/) Raven writes about things I wish I wrote about. Tarot and healing for those who are really seeking.
That’s Totally Tarot (http://thatstotallytarot.com/) Angelo Nasios’ fresh, modern and cheeky approach to tarot. Tarot with guts.
The Tarot Room (http://thetarotroom.com/) Delightful tarot thoughts from Georgianna Boehnke.
The Tarot School (http://www.tarotschool.com/) Correspondence classes, degree programs, coaching, and Readers Studio – the biggest tarot conference around!
Aeclectic Tarot (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/) Deck reviews with plenty of images so you can see what you are buying before you hit that “buy now” button.
Gaian Soul (http://www.gaiansoul.com/) A beautiful blog from the creator of the Gaian Tarot, Joanna Powell Colbert.
Dream World (http://www.ciromarchetti.com/) Gorgeous decks and art from artist Ciro Marchetti. Simply stunning work.
Tarot For Life (http://tarotforlife.com/) An eclectic tarot blog with lots of info for all tarot lovers!
Priestess Tarot (http://www.priestesstarot.co.uk/) Louise Underhill is a talented writer and she uses the Wildwood Tarot – great insights from an interesting deck.
Just Enough Tarot (http://justenoughtarot.com/) Mike Hernandez is a warm and lovely tarot reader with lots to share.
Diary of a Tarot Reader (http://tarotspell.blogspot.com/) A fantastic blog from the talented Hilary Parry. A smart cookie with a real down to earth attitude.
Donnaleigh’s Tarot (http://donnaleigh.com) Home to Beyond Worlds host Donnaleigh and her snappy blog. Check out the Speed Blog posts.
Tarot Notes – Major and Minor (http://tarotnotes-majorandminor.blogspot.com/) Helen Howell and Zanna Star never disappoint their readers with this lovely blog.
Tarot Broad (http://tarotbroad.com/) This sassy blog by Debbie Burke is full of tarot brilliance. I love the way this woman thinks!
Sasha Graham’s Tarot Diva Blog (http://tarotdiva.wordpress.com/) Magic and tarot collide in the Tarot Diva’s fun blog.
James Ricklef’s Tarot Blog (http://jamesricklef.wordpress.com/) An empowering blog with a deep philosophical flair.
New Paths Tarot (http://newpathstarot.com/) A newer blog by Koneta Bailey, there is a lot here to digest. She blogs well and often.
Tarot Explorer Blog (http://tarotexplorer.com/blog/) Nancy Hendrickson shares tarot wisdom in a down to earth, practical blog.
Kris Waldherr News and Blog (http://kriswaldherr.com/blog/) Get the news and scoop from artist and tarotist Kris Waldherr.
Carrie Paris (http://carrieparis.com/blog/) Spiritual and passionate, this blog gives you “tarot with a twist”.
Daughters of Divination (http://www.dodivination.com/) Get the scoop on Thalassa and all her teachings – plus SF BATS – the oldest tarot conference!
The Tarot Reader Blog (http://thetarotreader.wordpress.com/) All the way from down under, Stella Luna shares her grounded wisdom and plenty of tarot news!
Tarot Passages (http://www.tarotpassages.com/) The site of Diane Wilkes. It’s not updated much any longer but there is a wealth of info and deck reviews.
Bonnie Cehovet (http://www.bonniecehovet.com/) Enter the world of tarot author and reviewer, Bonnie Cehovet. This is a VERY content rich site.
Cat ‘N Owl (http://catnowl.com/) A blog that pushes the boundaries beyond tarot to include reiki and more!
Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com/) If you want a tarot deck, this is the place to get ‘em. Every deck imaginable shows up here!
Voyager Tarot (http://www.voyagertarot.com/) The creator of the Voyager Tarot, James Wanless. Smart man with some great tarot concepts.
Dynamic Dreamer ~ Art Weaver (http://lisahuntart.com/blog/) A nice blog by artist Lisa Hunt. I love it when she shares her latest art work.
Biddy Tarot Blog (http://www.biddytarot.com/blog/) Biddy Tarot shares tarot wisdom plus a weekly tarot card. Sometimes they are scarily accurate!
Tarot Bomb (http://tarotbomb.blogspot.com/) This blog by Andy Matzner gives thought provoking questions for each card. A therapeutic and novel approach to tarot.
Coneflower Tarot (http://www.coneflowertarot.com/) A lovely and colorful blog with Wordless Wednesday, new ways to use the tarot, and more. Lots to explore here.
Art of Change Tarot (http://artofchangetarot.wordpress.com/) Smart and therapeutic ways to work with the tarot from Carolyn Cushing.
Punk Rock Psychic (http://punkrockpsychic.com/blog-2/) OMG – I LOVE this blog. Sassy, bright and full of attitude – this is tarot 2.0.
Amethyst Tarot (http://www.amethysttarot.com./) I recently discovered this tarot blog and I am impressed by the writing. Well done and lots to ponder.
Tarot Guidance (http://tarotbycher.blogspot.com/) This blog by Cher Green has some interesting insights. Definitely worth poking around – good stuff indeed.
Readings By Dale (http://readingsbydale.com/) Dale Howard has some great stuff to share – be sure to check out her Card of the Day and her “Raise Your Glass” spread.
Tarot Dame Blog (http://tarotdame.blogspot.com/) Tarot reader Kiki shares some interesting spreads and interpretations on this cool blog. Book and deck reviews too!
Alchemical Egg (http://thealchemicalegg.com/Main.html) The site of Robert Place, tarot artist and historian. This is a smart and talented man with much to share.
A Girl Called Woo (http://agirlcalledwoo.blogspot.com/) A tarot and witchcraft blog by the coolest tarot chick, Courtney Weber – the brains behind the sizzling Tarot of the Boroughs.
Personal Tarot With Matt (http://personaltarotwithmatt.com/blog/) Matt Williams may be a “regular guy” but his tarot is anything but regular. He’s new to blogging but his writing is top notch.
The Tarot Game (http://thetarotgame.com/) I love the Tarot Game! This fun new product by Jude Alexander will enlighten, entertain and delight! And it takes tarot from simple divination to a true bonding experience.
Tarot Hermeneutics (http://tarothermeneutics.com/) Paul Nagy brings a wealth of knowledge and depth to tarot. This is the “thinking man’s tarot”. Smart stuff.
Practical Tarot Blog (http://practicaltarotreadings.com/blog/) Can’t get enough Barbara Moore? I can’t. If you want more of Barbara’s great tarot thoughts, visit this site (pun intended).
One Witch’s Way (http://onewitchsway.com/) Tarot thoughts and more from pagan writer Rowan Pendragon. An enjoyable blog for all (not just pagans)!
The Tarot Connection (http://tarotconnection.net/) Great tarot podcasts and more from Leisa ReFalo.
Practical Astrology & Tarot (http://practicalastrologyandtarot.com/astrology-and-tarot-blog/) Astrologer and tarotist Ellen Zucker gives you the scoop on what’s happening in the cosmos as well as some juicy tarot tidbits.
Big Tarot (http://www.bigtarot.net/) A fantastic and fun site. There is a lot of information here so savor slowly.
Super Tarot (http://supertarot.co.uk/) Tarot lessons with the Thoth deck from professional tarot reader and author Paul Hughes-Barlow.
World Tarot Day (http://www.worldtarotday.org/) The official site for World Tarot Day. Created by Den Elder, May 25th is the day when people the world over celebrate all things tarot.
Tarotpedia (http://www.tarotpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page) The online encyclopedia of tarot. This wiki is jam packed with everything tarot that you could imagine. A good place to begin tarot research!
Tarot Tribe (http://www.tarottribe.com) Podcasts focused on tarot education. Excellent interviews with tarot luminaries and more!
Tarot Pathways (http://tarotpathways.com/) This site features podcasts, deck reviews, tarot news and so much more. Great writing and lots to offer all those who love tarot!
Tarot Journaling (http://www.tarotjournaling.com/) I am a big fan of keeping a tarot journal. Corrine Kenner wrote the book on it – this companion site will get you started.
Tarot Journals (http://www.tarotjournals.com/) More info on tarot journaling plus Ari Stone’s GORGEOUS and very useful tarot journals. I love mine!
In Touch Tarot (http://intouchtarot.com/blog-posts/) Up and coming tarot blogger Karen Borusiewicz just started sharing her thoughts. I can’t wait to read more!
Tarot Teachings (http://www.tarotteachings.com/) Avia Venefica’s fantastic site for learning tarot. Beginners and seasoned pros will find something here.
Tarot Lovers (http://www.tarot-lovers.com/) An online guide to tarot cards and meanings. This site has a lot of content to explore!
Tarot Dude (http://tarotdude.com/) Book and deck reviews and lots of tarot goodness from Roger Hyttinen. (Plus you just gotta love the name!)

Of course, this list is by no means the final word. There are many other worthy sites that you may discover in your tarot journey. But I hope this gets you on your way with a big ole tarot world to peruse, ponder and delight!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

http://blog.thetarotlady.com

PS In case you are new to tarot, the reason why there are only 78 sites listed is because the traditional tarot deck has 78 cards. :)

The Deck and Book Nook – Tarot of the Boroughs

Theresa — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:34:49 +0000

I’m a sucker for anything cool. And in my mind, tarot is extremely cool. So is New York. Put them together and it’s like peanut butter and chocolate combined – irresistible! Being that this is my mindset, you are probably not surprised to hear that I love the “Tarot of the Boroughs” by tarotist Courtney Weber and photographer George Courtney, a contemporary tarot deck based on the heartbeat and imagery of New York City.

This vibrant deck is a visual masterpiece comprised of stunning original photography. The deck stays true to the traditional Rider Waite format but don’t be fooled as this deck is anything but traditional. The pictures are a fresh, hip take on the usual tarot images making this deck absolutely unique and a good antidote to the accepted standard. Many of the people featured in the deck are well known artists and writers (techno musician Moby!) as well as typical native New Yorkers. This captures the spirit of modern New York better than any painted deck could.

Moby as the King Of Coins!

The titles for the Majors are the norm with the exception of the Fool who becomes the Seeker. Suits are Cups, Wands, Swords and Coins. The Court cards remain as King, Queen, Knight and Page. The cards are printed on a glossy card stock that seems to be pretty sturdy. Borders are black all the way around and the back is black as well with a reversible image of the city in a little circle (sweet!). They shuffle well and feel good in my hands – another plus. It is obvious that the authors took pains to make this a quality deck.

It comes with a small book but there isn’t much in there. They give short, pithy explanations for the cards but encourage the reader to come up with their own meanings. The interpretations provided are sometimes hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud over a few:

5 of Cups: Country music required

Queen of Swords: Don’t piss her off

Knight of Swords: Asses will be kicked

Some of the images are simply amazing (Be sure to visit the website for bios on each of the models – I loved this clever feature.):

The High Priestess becomes a Santeria goddess in full regalia, lighting her cigar on a votive:

The Hermit is a homeless man sitting by candlelight outdoors (this card reminded me of a homeless man that my husband befriended in San Francisco named Zeus who would sometimes be given to brilliant and deep spiritual babbling – a wise hermit indeed):

The 3 of Swords shows a purse snatching in progress and the look on the victim’s face suggests pain and fear clearly (My favorite suit is the Swords in this deck, by the way.):

The 5 of Cups shows a man bowing his head sadly towards a half finished glass of liquid:

The details are eye catching and I found myself developing whole new concepts for the cards. It definitely will inspire you to get creative with the meanings – making this deck a good one if you are in a “tarot rut”. This deck will also appeal to deck collectors, photography fans, New Yorkers and anyone who is looking for a more modern twist on tarot tradition. This is not your mama’s tarot!

I asked tarot what I need to know about this deck – I pulled the Queen of Wands. The book gives this interpretation: Creative power; enterprise. I think that perfectly sums up the energy of Tarot Of The Boroughs as it is one of the most creative decks I have seen in a long time.

I give this deck an enthusiastic Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady

http://www.tarotmentor.com

The Deck and Book Nook – The Tarot Game

Theresa — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:42:21 +0000

Just when you thought that tarot has become rather ho-hum, along comes an innovation that makes it fun again. I love to play games – especially Boggle because I have never lost a game yet! (This is important to an admitted “sore loser” like myself.) So I was pretty excited to get a copy of Jude Alexander’s “The Tarot Game” (published and sold by Schiffer Books) . I wasn’t sure what to expect but I will say for the record: this game rocks!

There are many ways that one could use this game: learning tarot, storytelling, meditation, problem solving, intuition building, fortune telling, personal sharing with loved ones or just plain fun.

The game comes in a handsome, sturdy box with a magnet closure. There are many pieces and parts to the game including:

Game board

Instructions

Major Arcana question sheet

Reading sheets (Novice, Enthusiast, Adept)

36 Activity Cards

90 Blessing Coins

9 Game Pieces (all beautiful tumbled stones!)

3 dice

It also includes a Keyword Tarot Deck for beginners but you can use your own deck instead. Everything is high quality and made from premium materials – from the box right down to the stone game pieces. The board is especially stunning – it is bright and colorful and features a winding snake as the path the playing pieces move along. Alexander put a lot of effort into making this game appealing to the eye and built to last.

The object of the game is to roll the dice, moving your piece along the snake and as you land on a segment, you act according to the rules provided on that space. For example: if you land on a Star, you pick a card from the activity card with the star on the back. Then you simply follow the instructions provided (ex: Shuffle your deck and draw a card. Spontaneously create a story inspired by the imagery on the card. Record this card on reading sheet.).

If you land on a Major Arcana, you will need to pull out the card that matches the space on which you’ve landed. You will then pick a number from 1 to 5 and the player on your right will ask you a question that corresponds with the number you have chosen on the Major Arcana question sheet. And then you answer this question as completely as you can. (Insights and ah-ha moments often come during this part!)

Land on an Infinity symbol and you can pretty much do whatever you feel like: stretch, dance, chill out, eat a snack, group hug, hand out a blessing coin - basically whatever you want to do. This imbues the game with creativity and invites playfulness.

The first time I played the game, it took a little time to set up and figure out the rules. But once I got the hang of it, I realized it was actually simple to set up and play along. All you need to do is divide your tarot deck into Major Arcana, Suits and Court cards and put them on the designated places (the Majors need to be in numerical order). Place the activity cards in their spots. Select your game piece and pick a reading sheet for each player (you must choose according to the player’s experience level). Then, each player will choose 5 Blessing Coins (The Blessing Coins have words on them such as “fun”, “loyalty”, “gratitude”; these can be handed out throughout the game to each other – and this creates lots of bonding!). Next, one person will read the simple grounding meditation and then the game begins!

While playing with a group is fun, I also find this to be a lovely meditative tool for any questions you may be pondering or for those who want a fun way to explore the tarot. I can’t say enough good about my experiences with this game. It’s educational, inspirational, emotional, entertaining and thought provoking all at once. All ages can find great pleasure in The Tarot Game and I feel this also helps to give tarot a friendlier face to those who may be unfamiliar with it.

I heartily recommend this game and give it an enthusiastic 2 Swords Up!

My Boggle has been officially retired to the back of the game closet in favor of The Tarot Game. (My days as a sore loser have also been retired as everyone who plays this game walks away a winner!) Get your copy today at Schiffer Books: The Tarot Game. Visit the author’s official website at: The Tarot Game

Blessings!

Theresa

Tomorrow, I am posting an interview with Jude Alexander – be sure to learn about the woman behind the game!

And recently on Beyond Worlds, we played The Tarot Game live on air with the creator, Jude Alexander. Here is a link to the show if you’d like to listen:

Listen to internet radio with Beyond Worlds Tarot on Blog Talk Radio

Best Of Tarot 2010

Theresa — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:16:59 +0000

Welcome to my first annual “Best of Tarot”!

As the year comes to a close, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on how much the world of tarot had to offer in 2010. This year was diverse, hot, innovative and certainly not boring! Here are my picks for the absolute Best of Tarot 2010 (please be reminded that these are my opinions only):

Best Tarot Blog – Tarot Elements (http://www.tarotelements.com/) Catherine Chapman and her hard working crew of awesome writers continue to delight, inspire and educate with this fabulous blog. You’ll find lots of great tarot writing plus astrology and more. This is my “can’t miss blog”. A close runner up is Tarot Eon (http://www.taroteon.com/), which I call the “voice of modern tarot”. The site is not updated as frequently as Tarot Elements but this is the blog I go to when I need to get my tarot brain unkinked.

Best Tarot Deck – The Sun and Moon Tarot. (http://www.usgamesinc.com/product.php?productid=1101&cat=0&page=1) by Vanessa Decort. This unassuming deck is full of color and originality. The artist takes ancient symbols and classic tarot to a new level in this playful deck. Don’t underestimate this deck – it gives powerful readings.

Best Tarot Artist – Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. (http://www.shadowscapes.com/) The artist behind the Shadowscapes Tarot and the 2011 Llewellyn Astrological Calendar has a unique, otherworldly style that stands out from all the other artists. Her stunning work is full of detail and whimsy without being cheesy. A big nod to Ciro Marchetti as well, who is simply amazing. His work is breathtaking and The Legacy Of The Divine is a favorite amongst tarot readers everywhere.

Best Tarot Book – Tarot For Beginners by Barbara Moore. (http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738719559) Do we really need another tarot book for beginners? Yes! This clear and concise book spells out tarot and makes it accessible for all. Anything that encourages more tarot love is a good thing in my book.

Best Tarot Site – Tarot Town. (http://www.tarot-town.com) This is THE social media networking dream site for all tarot lovers! The brainchild of Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin, Tarot Town allows all of us tarot freaks to connect, no matter where we live. Tarot Town is full of educational materials and lots of good fun. Won’t you be my neighbor?

Best Tarot Event – Reader’s Studio 2010 (http://www.tarotschool.com) There are a few tarot events out there but the Reader’s Studio is the granddaddy of them all. 2010 was a banner year with presentations by Robert Place, Dr. Elinor Greenberg and Mary Greer. The Amberstones continue the tradition next year with a line up that is guaranteed to please your tarot lovin’ mind. Save your pennies and get there!

Best Tarot Newsletter – The Tracker by TABI (http://www.tabi.org.uk/) I subscribe to plenty of newsletters and The Tracker is the best one of the bunch. Great stories, awesome writing, and all done in a manner that is crisp and concise – and never obnoxious and “salesy”. Which is why I actually read this one.

Best Tarot Podcasts – Beyond Worlds (http://www.tarottribe.com) is THE premier podcast for tarot education. Bringing the best that tarot has to offer, week after week host Donnaleigh continues to grow her show to dazzling new levels and help us to stretch our tarot wings in the process. If you want to learn how to read, this is the first place to pull up a chair. Another nod to Psychic Friends Live (http://www.stormonair.com) where host Storm Cestavani tackles tarot, astrology and more in a raucous, intense, intelligent – and sometimes scandalous – manner. He’s the most entertaining tarot personality out there today. (I’m lucky that these two have brought me on board the last few months to co-host – but that is not why I made my decision. I base my decision on the fact that these are the only shows I listen to consistently and without a trace of boredom, no matter what they discuss.)

Best Tarot Magazine – Tarosophy International – (http://stores.lulu.com/farawaycentre) This beautiful magazine showcases the best tarot writing in the field today. You can purchase this digitally or via print. Whatever format you choose, you will not be disappointed. Superb articles and stylish art. Every tarot reader needs to get their hands on it!

Most Underrated Blog – Tarot Notes Major and Minor (http://tarotnotes-majorandminor.blogspot.com/) This wonderful blog states that it is about the “the mysterious, mystical deck of cards called Tarot”. It is all that and more. I find this blog to be unpretentious, original, warm and welcoming. The writers speak in an engaging manner that leaves the reader feeling as if they are having a good tarot chat with an old friend.

The Tarot Reader to Watch – Mike Hernandez (http://www.justenoughtarot.com) When I was at RS10, Mike Hernandez caught my eye. There was something about his demeanor – the genuine smile, the twinkle in his eye that said he was someone special. Mike has been gathering steam in the tarot world with his blog and radio appearances. I think he may be making some great contributions to the tarot world in the future. Keep an eye on him.

Best Tarot Reviews – Aeclectic (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/) Whether you are looking for a new deck or simply want to add your 2 cents about one that you currently own, Aeclectic is the place for good, honest reviews. Whenever I want to purchase a deck, this is the first place I visit. I am especially fond of the images which gives me a clear idea of what I am actually getting. There are plenty of good reviewers out there but Aeclectic puts the tarot stuff under one roof and saves the need for jumping around.

Best Tarot Product – Coventry Creations Tarot Magic Candles (http://www.coventrycreations.com/index.php?cPath=69_84&osCsid=47e8955b33fb2571fdce7ca9ee223f3a) Candle maker Jacki Smith teams up with Storm Cestavani to produce tarot centered candles that REALLY work. No matter what your problem, they have the candle for it! Tarot readers will appreciate the Tarot Deck Blessing Kit and the Querent Caller candle.

Hottest Tarot Topic – Predictive Tarot Readings. It seems prediction and “fortune telling” have fallen out of vogue in the tarot industry. But some of us are still actively doing it. Will it make a comeback or are we destined to shove it under the rug and make readings more therapeutic? We discussed this on Beyond Worlds (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beyondworlds/2010/07/27/tarot-tribal-dance-your-4-hosts-predicting-with-ta) and I think this subject will continue to ruffle feathers. Second hot topic – Certification made the rounds again. There are many differences of opinion regarding this subject and I doubt we’ll ever get full agreement on it.

Most Creative Use Of Tarot – Tarot Affirmations by Starcana (http://astrologycreepsandtarotfreaks.blogspot.com/2010/11/tarot-affirmations-devil-dependency.html) I’m a huge fan of affirmations and meditation. When you combine it with tarot, I’m hooked. Nobody does it better than Starcana. Second place – Danielle Baskin’s Tarot Helmets. Painting the tarot on helmets is just plain cool. Riding around town with the Hermit protecting my skull rocks!

Trend I’d Like To See in 2011 - With the majority of professional tarot readers starting to grow older, I’d like to see more young people start picking up the cards and going pro. How can we reach a younger audience to inspire them and help them to see tarot reading as a valid profession? That is one thing I’d like to start promoting in the years ahead.

The Tarot Reader Who Most Impacted My Life This Year – I had a reading at RS10 that completely changed my life and affected me deeply. I won’t share the details but I’d love this reader to get the attention that he deserves. His name is Andy Matzner and he has a humble blog, Tarot Bomb (http://tarotbomb.blogspot.com/). Andy is a humble guy too – but his words are powerful. I am still processing that reading. Thank you, Andy.

I hope you enjoy my choices for the year. What do you think? Who would have you chosen? I’d love to hear your choices in the comment section below!

Blessings!

Theresa

special thanks to taoxproductions for the adorable image!

The Deck and Book Nook – Tarot Dynamics

Theresa — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:28:25 +0000

I consider myself to be a very straightforward woman. I’m the type that won’t mince words and will tell you if your breath smells like cat litter. It’s just how I roll. And I happen to like books that have an honest and no b.s. tone as well. You’ll find that here in Tarot Dynamics, which I found offers a very straight up approach to tarot reading.

This book is different than the rest in that it combines numerology and Tarot in a way that simplifies yet adds depth to the meanings of the cards. While that may sound like a contradiction, trust me, the author Anna Burroughs Cook manages to lay a foundation that is solid yet open for interpretation.

The author chooses simple keywords for each card, based on the numbers and the suit, or in the case of the Major Arcana, one word to symbolize that particular card (ex: Hanged Man = Tranquility). This breaks the tarot down to manageable bites – which is incredibly helpful especially for those who are just beginning to explore the cards. She then adds depth by giving different interpretations for the cards based on whether the reading is negative, positive, reversed, or romantically focused. She also adds information for what the card could mean if it was surrounded by less reassuring cards. This gives the reader a lot to work with.

There is a picture of each card from the Universal Tarot but this book is not limited to any one deck. With Burroughs’ method, you’ll get a solid grip on the tarot that can be used with whichever deck you prefer to work with.

In the final chapters the author covers timing, which I consider one of the most difficult aspects of tarot reading. She once again offers a simplified method (based on astrology) that anyone can use – even if you do not have a background in astrology. Burroughs then includes a few tarot spreads using her methods as well as sample readings which clearly paint a vivid picture of her techniques in action. (I only wish she would have had visual images to go along with the samples as I am lazy – but after laying out the cards myself, it brought the impact of her formula to life!)

The thing I enjoyed the most about this book was her section on do’s and don’ts and FAQs. This part was full of practical advice, written in a manner that felt like my “tarot mom” was giving me the straight talk I needed so that I could avoid the pitfalls and problems that many tarot readers struggle with. I nodded my head often in agreement and enjoyed her down to earth approach to these issues.

If you are new to tarot or just looking for a new perspective, you cannot go wrong with this book. I give it Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

Learn more about the author Anna Burroughs Cook at her website: http://tarotdynamics.com/

The Deck and Book Nook – Tarot For Beginners

Theresa — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:05:03 +0000

Even though I have been reading tarot for many years, I still read a lot of tarot books. And you may be surprised to hear that I read plenty of beginner’s books. The reason why is this – each author has a different take or method for learning tarot and I am always finding new ways to understand the cards. A beginner’s book often will be written clearly without some heady esoteric mumbo jumbo (which I enjoy on occasion) and this lends to clear, practical insights.

Barbara Moore has delivered such a book with her newest offering, Tarot For Beginners. The writing is crisp and easy to follow – there is no arcane murky language here to contend with, making this book ideal for anyone who wants to delve into tarot but felt intimidated.

She sets a great foundation by covering all the basics without hard and fast tarot “rules”. This creates an energy that allows the reader to have a strong base but still room to be an individual with their own unique voice. Moore offers interpretations for each card along with a “core concept” – which is a short, pithy statement that defines the core meaning of the card. This is a great idea and gives a beginner a simple easy to remember sentence, which makes it simpler to grasp and retain the basic interpretation. I love the extended interpretations as well but the core concept is a brilliant idea – and ideal for budding tarot readers.

Moore also lovingly covers all the basics – numbers, Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, suits, elements, Court cards, spreads, history, different readings styles and more. This is a lot of information to digest, but once again, her friendly relaxed tone makes it easy to understand.

My only critique: There are three different decks featured in the book – Rider Waite, Shadowscapes, and Legacy of the Divine. Some readers will appreciate it (especially those who do not read with the Rider Waite deck) but I felt this was a bit unnecessary and somewhat distracting for me (my brain prefers to focus on one thing at a time – too many things to look at makes me a bit dizzy). However, this is simply a matter of taste and not a major issue.

I do a lot of teaching and I especially like working with beginners. I am going to heartily recommend this to all of my students. It makes a great manual! But even old hats like me will find something useful here. So don’t let the “beginner” title hold you back from grabbing a copy.

I give this book 2 Swords Up. Get it, devour it and start shuffling!

Blessings!

Theresa

The Deck And Book Nook – Paulina Tarot

Theresa — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:20:36 +0000

The Paulina Tarot is one of those decks I had high hopes for but unfortunately for me, this one fell a bit short. Paulina Cassidy is a remarkable artist and her talent shines through in this deck - but that being said, I found this deck to be utterly impossible to read with. Let me break it down so you see how I came to my conclusion.

The deck is the standard 78 cards and printed on very quality stock paper. I am a high volume tarot reader so I need a sturdy deck – and US Games never skimps on quality. Like their other offerings, the Paulina tarot has a nice glossy finish that provides the right “slip” for shuffling. The back has a reversible image of two birds (they are kind of vintage looking, which I like).

The artist uses a pen and watercolor method that gives the cards a delicate and ethereal feel. Some of her inspirations for the deck were the Rider Waite and New Orleans. The Mardi Gras vibe can be seen clearly in the festive way some of the characters are outfitted (The Fool is a perfect example).

The colors are muted pastels and at first glance, they are quite pretty and detailed. However, many of the finer details are hard to see in these cards – I had to wear my glasses and look very closely to see some of the images clearly. If you have vision troubles like I do, this is a problem. Unlike some other decks (Rider Waite being an example), the images do not “pop” – nothing stands out and this forces me to have to look very carefully at these cards to find meaning. That may not be a problem to some readers but I need to feel “grabbed” and inspired when I read tarot – I did not get that from these cards.

While the Rider Waite influence is strong in this deck, sometimes the artist formed her own ideas for interpretation. This didn’t always work out so well – for example, the 6 of Swords had a muddy feeling to it, which seemed depressing to me. Normally, I interpret the card as moving away from troubles – but in this case, the image seemed mired in muck at the bottom of an ocean. Now that could be a new interpretation for this card, but as a traditionalist, I found this to be confusing and distracting.

Much like that 6 of Swords image, I started to feel like a stick in the mud with this deck. Was I being too harsh? The only way to figure that out is by doing a reading with it. I asked the tarot “How will this deck work for me?”. The cards I picked were Knight of Pentacles, The Hermit, The King of Wands. At first glance, the murky colors seemed to blend each card together in a jumbled and cloudy mess and it didn’t evoke any meaning for me. I felt frustrated and decided to turn to the little white book included with the deck.

Using some of the interpretations provided by the artist in the book, this combination suggests: reliable and steadfast, deep understanding and a time for self reflection, self-assertion and confidence. In other words, this should be a deck that I can rely on for deeper understanding and perhaps if I put more effort into it, I will develop more confidence in working with it. The lantern on the Hermit cards shines brightly, an indication that there is a message in these cards but I have to look a bit harder to find it.

I have no doubt that some will find this deck to be enchanting and whimsical. I would recommend the Paulina Tarot to tarot collectors for it’s beauty or to anyone who likes finely detailed art work. But as a workhorse deck, this is not one that I feel is useable. It’s too distracting and not much stands out clearly. A tarot reading needs to flow – and for me, I had to spend too much time squinting to make out the images and this lent to choppy readings. Perhaps spending more time with the deck will cure that problem but for now, it’s going back in the box and into my tarot drawer.

I’m giving this deck one sword up, one sword down.

Blessings!

Theresa

If you feel the same way or have a different opinion on this deck, please share it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

The Deck And Book Nook – Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set

Theresa — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:33:00 +0000

I have to admit, I am a sucker for kits. I like anything that is smartly packaged with lots of parts and frills. Naturally, any sort of tarot set makes me a very happy camper and I was giddy as could be when I recently acquired the Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set. This gorgeous box set is well done and any tarot lover will want to add this to their collection.

The contents are packaged in a sturdy double sided box that folds out to reveal many lovely treasures inside. There are lots of tarot goodies including:

A Smith Waite Centennial Edition Tarot Deck with a baby blue organza bag for storage

Two books: The Artwork And Times of Pamela Colman Smith by Stuart R. Kaplan and The Pictorial Key To The Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite

Three 5×7 pictures of Smith’s art, suitable for framing

1 black and white photo of Pamela Colman Smith

A supplemental fold out with a few tarot spreads

6 postcards picturing Smith’s art work

The deck is a reprint of the original 1909 deck, with dreamy muted colors and a “vintage” finish that adds an authentic retro feel. There are many versions of the Rider Waite deck with different color schemes (Radiant Rider Waite comes to mind with its bright, energetic colors) but there is something about this version that grabs my attention and pulls me in like no other. Perhaps it is because the turn of the century is one of my favorite eras or maybe the softer color scheme is simply easier on the eye. Either way, I really find this faithful reproduction quite appealing. I especially liked the reversible image on the back of the deck – a white rose framed by Colman Smith’s signature. There is a little blue organza bag included for storing the deck – another nice little touch that made this set very special.

“The Pictorial Key To The Tarot” by Arthur Edward Waite is a familiar book on many tarot lover’s shelves – in fact, this was one of the first tarot books that I owned when I began my own journey with the tarot. I had lost my copy and was happy to be reunited with this classic! Even more exciting was the other book, “The Artwork and Times of Pamela Colman Smith” by Stuart R. Kaplan. This biography was small but did not lack details. Her life and family history are thoroughly covered and many images of Colman-Smith’s work are lovingly displayed throughout the book with notes that help the reader learn about the mediums that Colman-Smith worked with throughout her life (watercolor, ink, pencil, etc.) as well as all the different places where her work was featured (book illustrations, sheet music, magazines, and more). I was saddened to learn that even though she had great talent, she still struggled financially throughout her life and died penniless due to bad business decisions. I found myself wondering if her work would have been forgotten if not for the tarot. How grateful I am to know that at least one aspect of her artwork is still revered, recognized and treasured!

Lastly, U.S. Games included a fold out with tarot spreads as well as some postcards and pictures, making this kit a treasure trove and well worth the $35.00 price tag! This is a bargain considering all that you get. I highly recommend this set for any tarot lover or fan of Colman-Smith’s work. This would also be a lovely gift for any of the tarot fiends in your life.

I give this boxed set an enthusiastic 2 Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

PS Do you have this set? I’d love to hear what you think about it!

The Deck And Book Nook

Theresa — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:43:24 +0000

I’m excited to reveal a new feature that I’ve been working on: The Deck And Book Nook. This will be a bimonthly post with reviews of different tarot books and decks. I’ve got a huge appetite for books and you’ll usually find me at home with my nose in one. I’m more choosy with tarot decks but always open to new perspectives that each unique deck offers . I aim to offer an honest, unbiased, and detailed description of each deck and/or book that will guide you, the consumer, in making informed choices.

I’ll be posting images to illustrate and will also include links to the authors websites if available. I also have a “grading” system that will further define my viewpoint (a tongue and cheek nod to Siskel and Ebert):

Two Swords Up – This is an enthusiastic YES! Buy the product!

One Sword Down/One Sword Up – This is a neutral response – some praise, some criticisms. May only appeal to some.

Two Swords Down – A big NO. Too many issues to make it a worthwhile investment. Pass.

I hope that you will find these reviews to be a trusted resource before you open up your pocketbook. Look for the first review tomorrow!

Blessings!

Theresa

PS If there are any decks or books you’d like to see featured here – please email me your requests and I will try to honor them. If you are a deck or book author and would like to have me review your creation, please email me to discuss. I may already have it in my collection! You can reach me at tarotlady@wi.rr.com.

images courtesy of TaoXproductions