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The Secret Language of Tarot
Secret Language of Tarot sets itself apart from other tarot books by teaching readers how to translate the pictorial symbolism from one deck to another, strengthening the reader's ability to recognize specific icons in any deck and in the world around them. The Secret Language of Tarot can be used as both a reference book and as a series of guided meditations on the individual symbols. Each of the seven chapters contain a set of symbols that share a common theme. Extensive research provides readers with the lore and mythological meanings of the symbols to help foster intuitive powers. The explanation of imagery is both insightful and eclectic. When read from beginning to end, The Secret Language of Tarot reveals a hidden current of understanding and connection between the individual cards of the deck. Each chapter ends with an Integration Lesson and a special Symbol Spread to deepen the understanding of the cards. The Secret Language of Tarot brings imagery and intuition into a course of study of the tarot. It is a must-have for any serious tarot reader that is written in accessible language for the novice as well.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2008
42 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 22, 2022
Wow, just wow.
I stumbled upon this book at my local library and it has forever changed the way I look at the world of tarot. I've been reading tarot for my own personal use for over a decade and recently have begun a deep dive study into the history, symbolism, and applications of the cards in preparation for reading for other people.
This book is unlike any other tarot book I've seen, and although I raced through it in just a few days (because I basically couldn't put it down), the exercises, meditations, journal prompts, and additional spreads included within will take at least a few weeks to execute properly so I'll be working with it for much longer.
The authors are two of the preeminent scholars of tarot in the world and it shows. This book is a full-scale immersive course in all the various symbolic elements present throughout the deck, complete with meditations, visualizations, history lessons, self-reflections, and cross-cultural spiritual knowledge for each symbol. It's separated by groups of symbols including, but not limited to: crowns, clouds, pillars, the moon, the sun, banners, pools, rivers, trees, and coins.
I expected a course on tarot, and I received so much more. This was a full-blown comprehensive course on universal symbols in general and I recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of art, history, religion, spirituality, mysticism, the occult, or tarot. I can't wait to sit with this book and really deep dive all the exercises over the next few weeks.
I stumbled upon this book at my local library and it has forever changed the way I look at the world of tarot. I've been reading tarot for my own personal use for over a decade and recently have begun a deep dive study into the history, symbolism, and applications of the cards in preparation for reading for other people.
This book is unlike any other tarot book I've seen, and although I raced through it in just a few days (because I basically couldn't put it down), the exercises, meditations, journal prompts, and additional spreads included within will take at least a few weeks to execute properly so I'll be working with it for much longer.
The authors are two of the preeminent scholars of tarot in the world and it shows. This book is a full-scale immersive course in all the various symbolic elements present throughout the deck, complete with meditations, visualizations, history lessons, self-reflections, and cross-cultural spiritual knowledge for each symbol. It's separated by groups of symbols including, but not limited to: crowns, clouds, pillars, the moon, the sun, banners, pools, rivers, trees, and coins.
I expected a course on tarot, and I received so much more. This was a full-blown comprehensive course on universal symbols in general and I recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of art, history, religion, spirituality, mysticism, the occult, or tarot. I can't wait to sit with this book and really deep dive all the exercises over the next few weeks.
January 20, 2022
My monthly tarot group went through this book one chapter at a time. We had a member prepare a presentation based on that month’s chapter. That’s the only way I could make it through this book. It’s not written in a way that makes me want to read it. Too many words, too dry, and pedantic. Having my peers focus on the chapter and bring the information to life was very helpful. I recommend doing it that way, like a classroom assignment vs fun reading.
March 8, 2017
Some interesting historical information and interpretations about various symbols in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (e.g., crowns, paths, gardens). The book had a little too much woo for me, and felt like it lost steam (or became too enamored of its mysticisms) at the end.
December 16, 2020
I really enjoyed learning more about the symbols in the tarot cards and I definitely recommend this for anyone interested in the symbolism of tarot cards.
April 18, 2011
I really like what I have read so far and have just finished the section on crowns. I have been using and studying tarot for nine years yet this book provided with new and fresh insights on the symbolism of tarot.
September 28, 2024
Wald and Ruth Ann Amberstone’s The Secret Language of Tarot sets out to explore the symbols behind Tarot imagery in a way that’s both ambitious and intriguing, but the end result feels uneven. There’s no doubt that the authors have done their homework—the book is rich with historical context and mythological references that dig deep into the visual language of Tarot. But despite its wealth of information, it never quite finds its footing between being an academic reference and a practical guide for everyday readers. At times, I found myself genuinely fascinated, and at others, I was just overwhelmed.
One of the book’s strengths is its focus on understanding Tarot symbols beyond the confines of any one deck. The Amberstones do an excellent job of breaking down the recurring motifs and themes that appear across different decks, showing how certain icons can connect back to mythology, folklore, and even alchemical traditions. It’s the kind of material that could really open up new layers of meaning for experienced readers—if you’re willing to take the time to digest it all. The problem is that it’s easy to get lost in the minutiae, especially when they start piling on references from different traditions without fully tying them back to the cards.
The book is organized into chapters based on groups of symbols that share common themes, which works well for building a thematic understanding of the imagery. But the approach sometimes feels a little too rigid. Instead of flowing naturally from one symbol to the next, it reads more like an encyclopedia that jumps from one icon to another without giving the reader enough time to really absorb or apply the knowledge. I found myself flipping back and forth trying to keep track of all the different interpretations, which took away from the immersive quality the book seems to be aiming for.
Another issue is the writing style, which can be dense and dry. While the Amberstones clearly know their material, the academic tone makes the book feel less accessible than it could be. For a guide that’s supposed to help readers “see” the symbols in their own Tarot decks, the text often feels detached, more like reading a lecture than engaging with a tool for intuitive exploration. There are some great nuggets of wisdom here, but they’re buried under layers of historical references and mythological detail that aren’t always connected back to a practical Tarot practice. For beginners, this might be overwhelming, and even for seasoned readers, it can feel like hard work.
That said, there are moments when The Secret Language of Tarot really shines. The guided meditations and Symbol Spreads at the end of each chapter are excellent for pulling together the threads of what was covered, giving readers a chance to actually use the symbols in a reading. It’s just a shame that these exercises aren’t woven more seamlessly into the text itself. By the time I got to the end of a chapter, I often felt like I needed to go back and re-read sections just to make sense of what I was supposed to do with the information.
The Secret Language of Tarot is a book with a lot of potential that doesn’t quite live up to its promise. If you’re a Tarot reader who’s deeply interested in symbolism and willing to put in the effort to sift through the material, there’s definitely value here. But if you’re looking for something that bridges the gap between symbolism and intuitive reading in a more fluid, engaging way, you might find yourself frustrated by its structure and tone. It’s not a bad book—it just feels like it’s trying to do too much at once, leaving the reader with more questions than answers. Three stars for the depth and research, but not an easy read by any means.
One of the book’s strengths is its focus on understanding Tarot symbols beyond the confines of any one deck. The Amberstones do an excellent job of breaking down the recurring motifs and themes that appear across different decks, showing how certain icons can connect back to mythology, folklore, and even alchemical traditions. It’s the kind of material that could really open up new layers of meaning for experienced readers—if you’re willing to take the time to digest it all. The problem is that it’s easy to get lost in the minutiae, especially when they start piling on references from different traditions without fully tying them back to the cards.
The book is organized into chapters based on groups of symbols that share common themes, which works well for building a thematic understanding of the imagery. But the approach sometimes feels a little too rigid. Instead of flowing naturally from one symbol to the next, it reads more like an encyclopedia that jumps from one icon to another without giving the reader enough time to really absorb or apply the knowledge. I found myself flipping back and forth trying to keep track of all the different interpretations, which took away from the immersive quality the book seems to be aiming for.
Another issue is the writing style, which can be dense and dry. While the Amberstones clearly know their material, the academic tone makes the book feel less accessible than it could be. For a guide that’s supposed to help readers “see” the symbols in their own Tarot decks, the text often feels detached, more like reading a lecture than engaging with a tool for intuitive exploration. There are some great nuggets of wisdom here, but they’re buried under layers of historical references and mythological detail that aren’t always connected back to a practical Tarot practice. For beginners, this might be overwhelming, and even for seasoned readers, it can feel like hard work.
That said, there are moments when The Secret Language of Tarot really shines. The guided meditations and Symbol Spreads at the end of each chapter are excellent for pulling together the threads of what was covered, giving readers a chance to actually use the symbols in a reading. It’s just a shame that these exercises aren’t woven more seamlessly into the text itself. By the time I got to the end of a chapter, I often felt like I needed to go back and re-read sections just to make sense of what I was supposed to do with the information.
The Secret Language of Tarot is a book with a lot of potential that doesn’t quite live up to its promise. If you’re a Tarot reader who’s deeply interested in symbolism and willing to put in the effort to sift through the material, there’s definitely value here. But if you’re looking for something that bridges the gap between symbolism and intuitive reading in a more fluid, engaging way, you might find yourself frustrated by its structure and tone. It’s not a bad book—it just feels like it’s trying to do too much at once, leaving the reader with more questions than answers. Three stars for the depth and research, but not an easy read by any means.
June 7, 2018
Great book, I love how instead of focusing on the different cards, it instead focuses on the different symbols. Plus after every three symbols, it ties them all together, teaching spreads along the way. My only complaint (and in my opinion a big one) is that it skips some of the larger symbols, such as wands and swords.
September 9, 2022
The way the author breaks down symbolism is very useful for visual readers.
April 7, 2025
Un libro tratto da appunti per un corso tenuto dagli Amberstone, in più di un’occasione riporta l’incipit "Benvenuti alla lezione su [simbolo/i]", e fa pensare che _come minimo_ avrebbero potuto togliere tale riferimento prima di dare il testo alle stampe. Il testo in questione è inutilmente verboso, e non poi così istruttivo sui simboli nei Tarocchi. Se si cerca un libro di valore, consiglio di buttarsi su Pictures from the Heart – A Tarot Dictionary di Sandra A. Thomson.
November 17, 2011
Read this book and you will never look at a tarot card the same again.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews