The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
constantine2020's review
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Nonfiction
This was such a detailed instruction for anyone who is interested in learning about tarot reading and the interpretation of each card in a tarot deck. It is my opinion that tarot card readers of all experience levels, from novice to expert, will benefit from reading the information contained in this book.
What I appreciate about this guide is that the author has chosen language that is straightforward and easy to understand, as well as a method that makes it much simpler to comprehend by providing a great deal of practical examples that can be applied in real life. I have read the book in its Kindle edition. Still, I intend to buy the printed version as well since I would like to learn more about tarot reading, and having a book like this available to use as a reference would be a wonderful addition to my education.
megan_prairierose's review against another edition
4.0
I borrowed this from the library but o ended up buying it because I want to keep this book as a reference for different spreads.
oisin175's review
informative
fast-paced
3.0
An informative book that could go a bit more into alternative interpretations, especially with regard to reversals. There are a good number of errors in the book concerning card numbers/names, especially when referring back to cards in the discussion of relationships. An editor should have done a better job catching those glaring errors that sometimes cause confusion but are ultimately able to be dealt with.
estherbookster's review
4.0
Great tips and information for those new to tarot. This book provides explanations for all the cards, including the symbols in each image as well as its meaning when paired with other cards. Definitely a helpful resource but could use more finesse.
silvernfire's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I'm not sure this is the ultimate guide to tarot spreads—I doubt any book could ever fit that description—but publishers do get enthusiastic, and really, there are a lot of spreads in this book. Liz Dean hasn't limited the spreads to work, home, fortune, and love, either: there are also spreads for spiritual insight and creativity. In addition to these spreads with a specific focus, Dean has included some historical spreads from occultists like Etteila, Papus, and the Golden Dawn. One chapter is devoted to spreads based on books such as [b:The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity|615570|The Artist's Way A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity|Julia Cameron|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440952332s/615570.jpg|2210934] by Julia Cameron.
This book is strong in three areas. First, the sheer number and variety of spreads included will give the reader plenty to work with. Second, Dean encourages the reader to develop their own spreads. If you're not interested in any of the books that she based her spreads on, choose a book that inspired you and make up your own spread around its theme. Or choose a symbol or image that appeals to you (Dean's example is a cat) and base a spread on it. And third, this book is fully illustrated in color, with good diagrams for each of the spreads. It's slightly larger than usual, so there's enough space for the diagrams to be shown clearly.
This probably shouldn't be someone's first book on the tarot, and I doubt the author ever intended it to be, since she's got another book out called [b:The Ultimate Guide to Tarot: A Beginner's Guide to the Cards, Spreads, and Revealing the Mystery of the Tarot|23197645|The Ultimate Guide to Tarot A Beginner's Guide to the Cards, Spreads, and Revealing the Mystery of the Tarot|Liz Dean|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422811407s/23197645.jpg|42742556] which goes into the meanings of all the cards. (Plus there are other excellent beginners' books on the tarot out there.) But at some point, it's time to try spreads beyond the Celtic Cross, and that's where this book comes in. Have fun!
This book is strong in three areas. First, the sheer number and variety of spreads included will give the reader plenty to work with. Second, Dean encourages the reader to develop their own spreads. If you're not interested in any of the books that she based her spreads on, choose a book that inspired you and make up your own spread around its theme. Or choose a symbol or image that appeals to you (Dean's example is a cat) and base a spread on it. And third, this book is fully illustrated in color, with good diagrams for each of the spreads. It's slightly larger than usual, so there's enough space for the diagrams to be shown clearly.
This probably shouldn't be someone's first book on the tarot, and I doubt the author ever intended it to be, since she's got another book out called [b:The Ultimate Guide to Tarot: A Beginner's Guide to the Cards, Spreads, and Revealing the Mystery of the Tarot|23197645|The Ultimate Guide to Tarot A Beginner's Guide to the Cards, Spreads, and Revealing the Mystery of the Tarot|Liz Dean|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422811407s/23197645.jpg|42742556] which goes into the meanings of all the cards. (Plus there are other excellent beginners' books on the tarot out there.) But at some point, it's time to try spreads beyond the Celtic Cross, and that's where this book comes in. Have fun!
silvernfire's review
4.0
This is a pretty good introduction to reading tarot cards. The entire book is in full color, with large illustrations of each card, which is helpful. For every card, Dean covers the major symbols, the upright and reversed meanings, and the astrological association. For the Major Arcana, she also includes Kabbalistic correspondences, numerology, and the historical development of the images on the card. Unique to this book, Dean has created a spread for each of the Major Arcana. You probably don't need this book if you've already read other basic books—they pretty much all cover the same territory—but you may still enjoy it and/or learn something new from it. Unfortunately, it needed more proofreading: some of the errors, like mixed-up astrological associations, could confuse beginners.