“Who Are You In The Tarot” by Mary Greer is actually a reprint of “Tarot Constellations” which has been out of print for a long time.  When Weiser Books approached Greer to republish this book, she did an extensive revision of the original.

I never had the original.  So I am not quite sure what the revisions were – but I will say this: if this is the end product – bravo!

I purchased my copy shortly after attending a class on this subject with Mary at SF BATS (San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium).  I was very intrigued by the subject, so I thought I better get the book and study deeper.

Although many of us use tarot for divination and self development, this book allows us to look at our personalities through the lens of tarot.  By combining simple numerology  with the cards, you end up with a clear and informative snapshot into your potential, strengths, weaknesses and more.  This gives the reader a road map into their destiny and a powerful tool for self understanding.

Let me show you how it works with my own birthdate (June 11, 1965).  You add up your date as follows:

6

11

1965

_____

1982

Then add up the end results like this:  1 + 9 + 8 + 2 = 20

Now you take that number and find the card that corresponds to that number.  In my case, it would be the Judgment card (part of the 2/11/10 Constellation).  This would be my Personality card.  Greer provides a detailed  description of how this plays out in the personal makeup.  For example, Judgment’s theme is Cosmic Understanding and Spiritual Truth. The Judgment personality is “aware of how they can transcend personal limitations and they seek to transform and take control of things around them”.  This card also has a connection to Pluto and the Moon, which creates a highly psychic aspect as well.

Each card also has a “Hidden Factor” card which acts as a “teacher”.  In my case, it was the Justice card (very interesting as themes of justice often figure prominently in my life).  My combination of cards indicates “a devotion to world harmony” and “psychic ability”.  Intriguing.

This follows with a list of famous people who have the same personal cards which was fun to look through.  I loved seeing who shared similar traits (lots of presidents in my case!).

This is the main meat of the book but there is so much more here: name cards (a cool way to discover the significance of your name and how it affects your personality), techniques for working with the cards (I loved the dialoguing), Soul cards, yearly cards, minors (lessons and opportunities) and more.

Greer even takes time to address the 8-11 controversy. (Strength and Justice were switched in the Rider Waite deck.  The Marseilles deck had Justice as 8 and Strength as 11 originally.)

One thing I would like to add is this: her method of adding up your birthdate is different from other methods.  For example, I have also seen in some texts that you should add it up like this: 6 +1 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 6 + 5 = 29.  If I reduce that, I come to 11 instead of 20 for my Personality card – and this would change the outcome and I would end up with the High Priestess instead of Judgment for my Personality Card.  I only point that out to show that there are other schools of thought regarding the numerology part.  For this book, I am sticking with her method and interpretation, which seemed to work out fine.

This book is a great addition to any tarot collection and I had lots of fun discovering information about myself and my loved ones.  I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in learning how to use the cards to uncover more about their personality.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

If I had to sum up “Tarot Spreads and Layouts” by Jeanne Fiorini (Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN-10: 0764336290) in one sentence it would be this: do not be fooled by the slimness of this book.

When it arrived, I expected it to be a typical book on tarot spreads and I guess I didn’t anticipate anything out of the ordinary.  I was dead wrong.  This little book is so jammed full of information, tips, spreads and insights that it actually took me a long time to get through it.  It’s obvious that the author put her heart and soul (and years of teaching experience) into this.  I was pleasantly surprised by all that this book offered.

Fiorini starts the book out with a chapter called “The Art of The Question” where she gives advice on what formulates a good question.  She is quick to point out that “tarot is not about wish-fulfillment but the pursuit of information, knowledge, and awareness”.  This statement helped me to understand that the spreads I would be working with were more about self development and not predictive in nature.  Being as I am a straightforward person, I appreciated having this spelled out right from the get go.  The author continues on with examples of well worded questions and how they may help the querent get a better, more accurate reading.

She then moves forward to a chapter on “Reading Skills and Practical Matters” – this chapter is worth the price of the book alone.  All tarot readers, no matter what skill level, will find the author’s thoughts on tarot reading to be essential information.  I really liked this chapter and found myself gleaning a few insights that I hadn’t considered.

The next part is the “meat” of the book – with 17 different spreads, the author gives a lot but manages to keep things in check by not over delivering.  This was very appealing to me as it gave me plenty to work with but didn’t overwhelm or bore.  And here’s the interesting part – while 17 spreads may not sound like a lot, Fiorini provides suggestions for expanding the reading should you decide that you need to. This makes the spreads versatile and gives the reader an opportunity to choose how deep they want to go.

Additionally, she gives questions to ponder for each spread that provokes critical thinking.  This is way more than most “spread” books ever offer.  My brain was reeling from the information and I realized that this is a book to savor, to play with, to explore…and to pick up when you need a new way of looking at your tarot cards.

Although all the spreads featured are useful, my favorites were: Helper/Hindrance, Body/Mind/Spirit, The Resolution Factor and Relationship Spread.  These layouts were  fun to play with and practical.

The Reader’s Checklist in the final chapter closes the book beautifully.  Although I found Fiorini to be a very detailed writer and a bit dry,  she makes up for that by providing good, solid, useable information. Overall, this little gem was a lovely surprise.  I’m giving it a gushing Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

As a fan of predictive style tarot reading, I was looking forward to receiving my copy of Tarot Prediction And Divination by Susyn Blair-Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide, Jan 2011, ISBN 0738721727). Although there are many tarot books on the market, finding a good one on “how to predict” is always a challenge.  Most books tend to focus on explaining individual card meanings and the mechanics of tarot reading.

Interpretation is an art form that requires a good grasp of intuition as well as experience.  This is not easy to explain in a book – actually doing a reading seems to be the only way to get a handle on the prediction part.

The author attempts to bridge the gap with this book and although she presents some very good exercises, I think that the title was somewhat misleading as this book seemed to be more or less another book of “tarot spreads” rather than a “how to predict” book.  Now, that is not meant to be a harsh criticism – the spreads here will help to access your intuition.  I guess I expected this book to really lay out how to divine the future from the title alone.

The book begins by explaining the three different types of readings: divinatory, therapeutic and spiritual.  (I did like to see that the author does not shy away from the word “fortune telling”.)  She also covers free will and fate, looking at the visual cues in the deck, preparing your deck, and accuracy.  This introduction is well written and gives a good, basic introduction to tarot.

She also explains how to read for each different astrology sign (ex: use keyword “I feel” for water signs, “I think” for air signs, etc.) which some readers may find helpful.  One odd thing though that I didn’t agree with: she suggests taking negative cards out of the deck when predicting pregnancy or health situations.  I had to disagree with that as my belief is that life has struggles and we can’t just deliver only rosy messages to a client.  It’s irresponsible and leads to a less accurate reading.  For example, a negative reading on health can bring the client awareness and give them the tools to seek the proper help.  Sometimes a “warning” in a reading can be preventative if the information is delivered properly.  While the author does not discourage readers from doing readings on negative situations, I felt that this suggestion to remove cards was questionable.  (That being said, removing negative cards when reading for a child would be a situation that makes total sense.)

The rest of the book is laid out in three sections of tarot spreads: beginner, intermediate and advanced.  The spreads are unique and I found a few gems in here that I really liked.  The “Yes or No Reading” is a great one for those quick readings where the client is seeking a simple answer – but it also lends to more depth if desired.  Other spreads I liked: The Illuminating Star, The Reasons Reading, The Veil/Truth, and Past Life Spread.  I also found the “Channeling/Chalice Reading” to be an especially good spread for talking with loved ones who have passed over to the other side.  I have been using that layout with great success.

The author uses example spreads throughout the book which really helps to show how the spreads work.  This is a big help and allowed me to learn the layouts quickly.  One bummer – the images of the cards in the book are so tiny, I could not see them well.  If you do not have the decks she uses in the book, you are going to be out of luck trying to follow along.

The appendix section in the back is rock solid and chock full of additional information that will be valuable to any reader.  Blair-Hunt covers keywords, significators, card combinations, and timing.  Her insights are imaginative and novel.  I was nodding my head as I could see exactly where she got her ideas.  In my opinion, this section alone is priceless and makes the flaws in the book less important.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more spreads and/or is looking for another good tarot reference.  Because of the issues though, this is a hesitant Two Swords Up.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

As a tarot reader who uses her sixth sense when reading cards, I was disappointed that I could not find any books specifically on using your psychic skills to read tarot.  Most tarot books on the  market seem to be about the basics: what the cards mean and how to do a layout.  There were mentions about intuition but nothing in depth.  I began to think that not many of tarot readers actually use psychic abilities – or perhaps we just don’t admit it.

Then along comes this book by respected tarot reader Nancy Antenucci and co author Melanie Howard, boldly titled “Psychic Tarot”.  To say that I was excited to get this book is an understatement.  I was chomping at the bit for it to be released!  Finally, a tarot book that I could relate to!

Antenucci starts the book out with a little antidote about sitting at a table with famed tarot author Rachel Pollack and a group of readers.  Pollack asks the group if they considered themselves to be psychic and most of them answer “no”.  I found that very interesting as I have over the years encountered many other readers who shied away from the psychic word.  I never understood this nor could I comprehend why people thought having intuition was some sort of “gift”.  In my mind, we all have this ability – just some of us seem to train it, use it and trust it more.  The authors seem to agree with this and in the first chapter of the book discuss the hang ups about the word “psychic” as well as how to let go of these misconceptions.

The next few chapters give exercises for intuitively understanding the Minor Arcana, Majors and the Court Cards – building a solid foundation and structure but still encouraging the reader to look for their own clues and interpretations rather than adhering to a “strict” meaning.  This helps the reader to begin to let go of “logical” interpretations and start to trust their own intuition to “find” meanings.

Chapters on Energy Basics, Seeing the Unseen, Trusting the Sight and The Initial Image have more advanced exercises for developing psychic abilities.  These practices are serious but fun at the same time – I loved the author’s gentle sense of humor and play.  If you are the type of person who is afraid of psychic stuff, these little exercises will allow you to imbue a sense of fun as you discover and hone your sixth sense.

But for me, the rest of the book is where the real gems lie.  The authors lay out system for divination, The Six Principles, which could apply to any sort of psychic work – not just tarot reading.  This is sound, sensible advice that any aspiring psychic, medium or reader will want to read.  From grounding to integration, this solid counsel provides the reader with common sense strategies that will help them to remain with one foot firmly on the ground as they tap into the other worlds.  I find this to be so valuable as so many mystics I know seem to have trouble with their real lives when they do this type of work.

My favorite chapter is on boundaries – where once again, the authors offer up excellent guidance that no reader will want to miss.  Antenucci shares one of her own personal stories that illustrates excellently on why a reader will want to set boundaries – which includes letting go of the reading once it is done.  I nodded my head in agreement throughout this entire chapter.

Traits Of A True Reader finishes off the book nicely with this line: “A true reader is really a teacher.  A teacher helps others wake up to their own Creative Authority.”  I found that statement to be very powerful.

The appendix in the back has all the exercises mapped out so that you can find them easily once you have finished reading the book.  If you want to go back to a particular exercise, this is a nice touch and makes the book accessible and user friendly.

I think this book is especially good for those who wish to learn how to read in a more intuitive fashion.  It will appeal to beginners and intermediates alike and I hope it will encourage more tarot readers in particular to embrace their intuition and be less fearful about saying that they are psychic.

I give this book Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

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

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

Can I make a confession?  I’ve been waiting for this book with bated breath and was mighty envious that Douglas of Tarot Eon had his hands on a copy before I did. I’m usually not the jealous type but I was in full on coveting mode when I read his review.  I had to have it!  Immediate gratification!!!  Oh, the agony of waiting!  Finally the day came when the familiar Amazon smiley box arrived at my door and I got my paws around the long awaited book. 

I’m an old timer here in regards to tarot reading. I’ve been playing around with it for almost 30 years.  I’ve dealt with clients from all walks of life and answered every type of question that you can imagine.  But I still find myself learning and searching for new techniques (even though I am rather fond of my own methods!).  A few months ago, I got turned on to some excellent blogs from the UK that had some curious systems (card counting, Elemental Dignities, etc.)  that caught my eye and I’ve been intrigued ever since.  This book, “Beyond The Celtic Cross” by Paul Hughes Barlow and Catherine Chapman (two of the aforementioned bloggers) sheds light on these techniques and helps the reader to apply them in a way that can turn any tarot reading into a richer experience.

Written in a dialogue fashion between the two authors, we get to see these methods in action so to speak.  It begins with Catherine writing to Paul about a tarot reading that she was having trouble interpreting.  With Paul as her steady guide, they deftly maneuver through the different systems and demonstrate how to interpret with them using Catherine’s reading as the example throughout the entire book.

Card Counting is very new to me and it was confusing to understand – but by following along with their example, it finally begun to sink in.  And yes – it does add a new dimension to tarot reading.  I had a basic understanding of Elemental Dignities but this book cleared up any lingering questions I had. I am a very visual learner and by having Catherine’s reading to “see” what was happening, I put the pieces together and was able to understand where they got their interpretations.  This is a huge plus in my opinion. 

Not only do we get to see the methods in action but we get to see Catherine grow as a tarot reader and visionary.  This made the book a very personal experience, not just some old dry tarot book that would have bored me to tears.  I highly recommend this to any tarot reader – but especially to those who are looking to shake up their current reading style.  Trust me, you will never look at tarot the same!

Blessings!
Theresa

Learn more about the authors  and their techniques at their websites:

Paul Hughes Barlow at Supertarot
Catherine Chapman at Tarot Elements

Foreward written by:
Douglas Gibb at Tarot Eon

The Tarot Lady | © The Tarot Lady 2010 | www.thetarotlady.com