Holistic Power

Everything You Need to Know to Begin Working with the Tarot

For centuries, Tarot cards have been used as a method of divination by those seeking answers and guidance on matters of love, wealth, home life and more. The cards have the power to offer hope, reassurance, and reflective support to readers as they meander through the ups and downs of life. In fact, the Tarot has often been credited with illuminating solutions to major dilemmas, and even helping people avoid future misfortunes!

Of course, like anything in the Occult realm, the Tarot is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Many people fear that they might discover bad news about their future fate and prefer to be “kept in the dark.” What they don’t realize is that nothing revealed by the cards is set in stone—the Tarot is a reflective tool rather than a predictive one. By seeking a reflection of your current situation, the past circumstances that have led up to it, and the possible actions you can take to change your course, you can actually break free of old patterns of worry, fear, and feeling “stuck” in life.

If you’ve ever wanted a Tarot reading, or wondered what it takes to become a Tarot reader, Tarot for Beginners offers an informative first look into this long-trusted tradition. Best-selling author Lisa Chamberlain lets you in on the “secrets” of the art of Tarot. You’ll learn what you need to know about the history of the cards and the components of a standard deck, as well as the general meanings of each card, instructions for two common types of readings, and guidelines for approaching the reading process. You’ll also find tips for choosing your own deck and creating ideal conditions for powerful reading experiences.

Most guides to the Tarot are centered on a specific deck, such as the Waite-Smith, the Tarot of Marseille, or other decks ranging from the well-known to the rather obscure. While many of these books are very useful, their card interpretations tend to be restricted to the particular deck they focus on. Tarot for Beginners takes a different approach, offering a broader perspective on the Tarot as a whole, with basic card descriptions that can be applied to any deck, and used in tandem with any descriptions that accompany the deck you’ve chosen to work with. So no matter which Tarot deck you use, the information in this guide is relevant, providing a solid starting point for a skill you can carry with you for a lifetime.

Foundations of Oracle Reading

There is a myth that you need to have “psychic powers” to read Tarot cards, but all you really need is determination and a willingness to hone your natural intuition. Reading the Tarot is a talent you can develop by following instructions, listening to your inner voice, and making educated leaps of thought. Seasoned Tarot readers would say that it’s a natural habit—something that, over time, becomes second nature. You too can reach that level of experience and comfort with the Tarot, through practice and patience. Tarot for Beginners will get you well on your way, with plenty of valuable information:

• The evolution of the Tarot, from 15th-century Italian playing cards to profound oracle
• A comprehensive overview of the deck, covering the roles of the Major, Minor, and Court Arcana
• Individual descriptions of each card
• Beginner tips and exercises for developing your Tarot reading skills
• A breakdown of the basic 3-card spread and the 11-card Celtic Cross, two of the most widely-used spreads in contemporary Tarot
• Tips for choosing your first deck and getting acquainted with your cards
• Suggestions for creating a conducive space for successful readings

It takes time to become a fluid reader of the Tarot, but it’s a fulfilling journey. Let Tarot for Beginners, along with your own intuition, be your trusted guide!

U.S. Games Systems has proudly reissued the Hermetic Tarot deck in recognition of its historical and artistic importance. The details and symbols in each card reveal many of the esoteric workings of the Secret Order of the Golden Dawn, which flourished around the turn of the century.

Godfrey Dowson s subtle black and white designs emphasize the Golden Dawn s astrological attributes with further sephirotic, angelic, geomantic, numerical, and kabbalistic elements. All 78 cards feature an exquisite level of detail that highlights the powerful symbolism.

The 70-page instruction booklet includes an introduction by Stuart R. Kaplan and card meaning written by Godfrey Dowson and Stuart R. Kaplan. The booklet also gives instructions for the classic ten-card Celtic Cross layout and presents a chart of the elemental and astrological symbols, and a diagram of the ten spheres and 22 Hebrew Letters of the of the 22 Paths of the Tree of Life.

Price: $21.95

The beloved literary iconoclast delivers a fresh twenty-first century primer on tarot that can be used with any deck.

While tarot has gone mainstream with a diverse range of tarot decks widely available, there has been no equally mainstream guide to the tarot—one that can be applied to any deck—until now. Infused with beloved iconoclastic author Michelle Tea’s unique insight, inviting pop sensibility, and wicked humor, Modern Tarot is a fascinating journey through the cards that teaches how to use this tradition to connect with our higher selves.

Whether you’re a committed seeker or a digital-age skeptic—or perhaps a little of both—Tea’s essential guide opens the power of tarot to you. Modern Tarot doesn’t require you to believe in the supernatural or narrowly focus on the tarot as a divination tool. Tea instead provides incisive descriptions of each of the 78 cards in the tarot system—each illustrated in the charmingly offbeat style of cartoonist Amanda Verwey—and introduces specially designed card-based rituals that can be used with any deck to guide you on a path toward radical growth and self-improvement.

Tea reveals how tarot offers moments of deep, transformative connection—an affirming, spiritual experience that is gentle, individual, and aspirational. Grounded in Tea’s twenty-five years of tarot wisdom and her abiding love of the cards, and featuring 78 black and white illustrations throughout, Modern Tarot is the ultimate introduction to the tradition of the tarot for millennial readers.