Essential Guide to the Tarot

by David Fontana

The Tarot is one of the richest of all Western mystical traditions, used for centuries for divination, meditation and self-discovery. This book offers a brilliant practical overview for the modern seeker who wishes to use this system to explore their hidden anxieties, desires, tensions and contradictions. Destiny is not a set of circumstances dreamed up randomly by fate but a path that unfolds from self-understanding. This book shows how the Tarot can be used to illuminate that path. The author describes the history and symbolism of the Tarot, and then goes on to clarify in detail the meanings of the individual cards of the Major and Minor Arcana and the special characteristics of the four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles). An original and very helpful section explains how to deal and read the cards in tried-and-tested formats, such as the Horseshoe and the Celtic Cross. To illustrate the book David Fontana has chosen a much-acclaimed, specially devised deck, using traditional symbolism rooted in medieval and Renaissance practice. However, the text applies equally well to other popular decks in modern use, such as the Rider-Waite deck. An invaluable feature of the book is the selection of special workshops - readings and interpretations, based on the circumstances of individual seekers.

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Witchcraft, Divination

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

David G.J. Fontana FBPsS was a British psychologist, parapsychologist and author. He was Professor of Psychology at Cardiff University. He was also visiting professor at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Algarve.

Reviews

[Kjersten · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like a mediocre college paper, complete with inaccurate information (i.e. reversing the elements for Wands and Swords). Additionally, the deck created to accompany this book objectifies the female body, using nudity where it is unnecessary (see the Princesses in the court cards).

Fontana does include some interesting info in the book, such as some history on the creation of tarot, variations between different traditional decks, and some classic spreads. However, not even these are completely accurate. The Celtic Cross, a classic ten card spread, is misrepresented in this book, including only the six cards of the cross and ignoring the four cards of the staff.

I was excited when I started reading this book; the beginning pages were interesting and seemed promising. But overall, I just ended up disappointed.

[Caty Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best parts about this book were the history of Tarot and the examples of spreads. This book would have been a lot better if the pictures of the Tarot cards were just based off the Rider-Waite deck (since it is the most commonly used slash THE stereotypical deck and the book just ends up telling you the differences between its pictures and Rider-Waite's anyways!) or if it came with a deck featuring the cards depicted in the book. The interpretations don't match up to some decks because of that (not even to the stereotypical Rider-Waite).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the focus on the history of tarot and how he focused on tarot not as fortune-telling but as a way of reflecting and discovering mental associations. The focus on the psychology of tarot was very welcome in a world where tarot is associated with a lot of woo.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the comparison between the different variations of decks, as well as the focus on meditation and the example readings. Otherwise, this didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, and I'm not terribly advanced in Tarot.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book discusses tarot from a psychology standpoint and is informative. Unfortunately, certain parts of the explanations do not adapt well to other tarot cards, such as the Thoth deck (which is my main deck).

At the end of the book it discusses how to do three different types of readings: Seven-card horseshoe, Celtic cross, and tree of life. He then provides various examples of different reading scenario's and interprets what the cards might mean to help you understand what the cards might be telling you.

[Kate Wyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The elements are incorrect for Wands and Swords. I think it's stupid that the breasts are out on all the Princess cards.

The intro is pretty good, but the rest is lacking.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

David starts the book by Introducing the Tarot (historic decks, modern decks, symbols, archetypes,divination, self development and The Tree of Life) then goes on to The Major Arcana, The Minor Arcana, Working with the Tarot (meditation, readings and layouts, 7 card horseshoe, celtic cross, the tree of life, sample readings) this book has a lot of detailed information.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource for Tarot cards.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read. Great store of information.