Book Review: How to Read the Tarot

How to Read the Tarot is written by Sylvia Abraham and published by Llewellyn as a part of its How to, which promises quick and easy ways to learning various disciplines. The Tarot is the discipline under discussion here.

How to Read the Tarot is presented in a rather unusual format (the way it is written, not the book). In most Tarot Books, the Minor Arcanna are found in one section (whether in the front or somewhere in the middle is variable) and the Major Arcanna in another. In How to Read the Tarot, the cards if the same number are presented one after another. For example, the Magician card is introduced to the reader, and then comes all the Aces (which are numbered ones). Similiary, the High Priestess is then introduced, followed by all the Minor Cards numbered two.

The most unique aspect of this book is that it uses a keyword system. For example, the keyword associated with all cards numbered one is 'New beginnings' and 'No new beginnings' for the reversed cards. This is a quick way to learn the cards, simply because the different cards relate to different spheres, like Cups with Emotions so the Ace of Cups will mean a beginning in a matter of Emotions. One just needs to remember the keywords (quite easily done) and the rest of the meanings come easily.

This is also a pretty modern book, that is to say, there are a number of modern meanings which fit into our society. Meanings such as: "Fear of New Age Material" & "Discipline promotes Economic Stablity" are found in this book.

All in all, this is a valueable addition to any Tarot Reader's Library, whether beginner or otherwise.

Interested in getting this book? Click here for more details.

Card of the Month: The Magician
Mythic Tarot: The Suit of Wands
The Rôhrig-Tarot.
Book Review: How to Read the Tarot

This article is rewritten by Lysander .