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How to Read Tarot: A Modern Guide

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"[Jessica Wiggan's] words bring forward the personality of each tarot card, making the deck easy to get to know and affirming to use." ―Meg Hayertz, founder of Creative Momentum and author of Tarot for Beginners

Tarot is a powerful, mystical tool that can help you discover what's destined for you and those around you. This modern tarot book will teach you everything you need to know about this time-honored practice, how the universe speaks through tarot spreads, and how you can use tarot to improve your love, work, personal, and spiritual lives.

What sets How to Read Tarot apart from other tarot deck
Tarot basics—Begin your tarot journey learning how to use your deck; exploring the relationship between tarot, astrology, and numerology; and understanding how to perform readings for others.
Detailed card breakdowns—Tarot decks are broken up into the major and minor arcana, which represent the big and small events in your life. You'll review each of these cards and their ancient symbols to learn how they can provide guidance and insight.
Tarot card starter spreads—Learn to peer into your past, present, and future with a three-card spread; delve into a big decision with a Celtic cross spread; look at every aspect of your life with a twenty-one-card spread; and more

Connect with the cards, the universe, and your unlimited potential with How to Read Tarot. This book makes a thoughtful gift for those interested in exploring the mystical world of tarot.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

1279 people are currently reading
439 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Wiggan

6 books7 followers

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5 stars
234 (58%)
4 stars
118 (29%)
3 stars
44 (10%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Maria (Ri).
5,137 reviews14 followers
August 22, 2019
I have several books on how to read tarot. However, this might be my favorite of them because it truly is the best. It is beautiful. Easy to navigate between how to read the Tarot, and then also the meanings of the cards. I have six sets of Tarot cards including the Ryder Waite deck that is used in this book and that made this even more enjoyable. One of my frustrations with trying to learn tarot is having to bounce around with so many other books to get the meaning. I didn't have to do that with this book.

Beautiful book and one that I will definitely get in paperback.
Profile Image for amanda.
358 reviews27 followers
August 10, 2019
I've always wanted to learn how to read Tarot and the longing for it has been especially pressing recently. The only problem is that I have no idea where to start, how to start, no clue what any of these cards mean.

Sigh. My life.

This book is great however! It teaches you all of the basics of Tarot and reading the cards and also provides you pictures on which card is which.

I like how bright and witty the book is as well because it made for a nice read and a guide for when and if ever you want to dabble in some of these tarot arts.

Thank you very much Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title! Now please, settle down and get ready to have your life laid out like Yu-gi-oh cards.
Profile Image for Aline.
549 reviews
December 20, 2019
A Tarot book for beginners.

That's only my second tarot book. Previously I read one of the most known, but only now with Jess's descriptions I'm starting to get more of a feel for tarot. Her descriptions feel more lively and on the point. I'm using it daily <3
Profile Image for Elita.
34 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2025
At this pt I’ve probably read all the cards’ interpretations at least once in all the tarot readings I’ve done. Well-explained guide in my tarot journey
Profile Image for Dana.
155 reviews
December 14, 2020
Really great reference guide covering the different applications for each card as well as information on giving readings to yourself or others, if interested.
Profile Image for woodswit .
150 reviews4 followers
February 18, 2022
a really nice, really basic introduction to tarot. very straightforward! would have loved to learn more about certain spreads/card combinations but i don’t think that was quite the purpose of the book.
Profile Image for Abby.
34 reviews
August 13, 2019
*•*ARC copy was provided by netgalley.*•*
•I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.•

Great book!!

This is a tool everyone should have!!!
I’m a want to be tarot reader lol I’ve just recently decided I should take it up because it feels as if I keep getting signs. Everywhere I look lately I’ve seen something to do with tarot!! It’s always been in my mind but now I feel is the right time to do it :)
This is a book everyone should buy.
The best kind of book... you with reread this so many times it is a guild to help and when you need to remember anything it will be there!
This is great for beginners and it very easy to understand.
This has everything you need... it shows you pictures of each card and goes in depth. It shows you the spreads and what the positions mean!

A MUST!!!
Profile Image for Erin Cataldi.
2,523 reviews63 followers
August 15, 2019
The only thing that could have made this book more perfect is if it came with its own set of tarot cards. But realistically I get why it didn't, everyone has their preferred set at home; this book is meant to serve as a guide for all tarot decks. First off, this book is beautiful. The layout is wonderful, it's easy to navigate, flip through and read. The book is broken into two parts; tarot reading 101 which breaks down how tarot works, how to give readings (to yourself and others) and more; the second part breaks down card meanings. It's a wonderful guide that will really appeal to those new to tarot and those who are wanting to brush up their skills and maybe delve a little deeper. A wonderful guide!
Profile Image for Lora.
23 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2022
i bought this book in the beginning of 2021, wanting to read along as i drew different cards, which took me abt a year. i finished by reading abt 8 cards that didn’t come up for me all year in a flow to finish the book. i really like this technique as it helps to learn the meanings a lot better.

it’s really obvious that jess intended this to be a beginner friendly book and i want to put an emphasis on this as it’s not as complex as her secret circle tarot school would probably be.
all in all i really liked the book and her style of writing
Profile Image for Charisse.
247 reviews
February 1, 2021
I'm a tarot virgin, I had a lot of preconceived notions going into this book, which I read out of curiosity. I feel like this book shattered each of my preconceived (wrong) assumptions, educated me on both the supernatural and practical uses of tarot, and dove into specifics about potential card meanings.

It seems appropriate for people curious about Tarot (which actually was created by Christians for Christians - who knew), beginners, and tarot enthusiasts.
Profile Image for Alyse Thompson.
3 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2021
Very detailed and insightful book. I felt as if I were already being read to filth! Lol

My favorite things were the breakdown of each card and the meaning they can carry in each aspect of your life, what the reversal means, as well as a breakdown of different spreads to use and when/how to use them. Very happy I chose this book.

Note: if you are looking for a breakdown of all the symbols on each card, this book did not provide that, but it did not hinder my understanding of any of the cards.
Profile Image for Lauren Ward.
126 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2021
5/5⭐️

Highly recommend this book for card interpretations!

It’s my go to book for any RWS inspired deck. I usually get rid of the little white book that comes with a deck, and just use this.

It has an explanation of each card, then how to interpret the card in a love, career, and spiritual reading. Also goes over reversals for each card.

It’ll definitely be my learning companion for a long time.
Profile Image for M.J..
373 reviews23 followers
March 19, 2023
The book for me!

This is my go to but for tarot. In the last few years, I have begun to get more in touch with my spirituality,astrology, numerology, planets and the like. Started studying the book of Thoth and wanted to understand tarot. I tried other boo, but this one is only one that made me feel when I studied. I felt a connection with this book and this author .Excellent book!
13 reviews
May 28, 2024
This guidebook was the first one I started deciphering the tarot with. I've used several others over the past few years and I now do readings professionally, but I still turn to this book every now and again. It's easy to relate much of the interpretations to every day life and the modern take on many themes makes it easy to understand. I really appreciated the layout of this one as well. Highly recommend for anyone interested in a good book to start with.
Profile Image for Ann.
5,973 reviews83 followers
December 24, 2019
This is a great book for the beginner looking for a guide to Tarot Cards. The illustrations are well done and the explanations are easy to understand. Ms Wiggan uses the Ryder Waite deck in her pictures and interpretations. The book is divided into two parts; tarot reading and how to give readings and part two gives card meanings and how to explain them in readings. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
1 review
February 13, 2021
Great book!

This is a fantastic book if you're a beginner with tarot! Jess is fantastic. I've been a subscriber to her youtube (behatilife) for years now, I would definitely recommend you check her out. I have a hard copy of this book which I use all the time when I'm reading my cards. I'm still a beginner and this book has really helped me with the card definitions.
1 review
March 9, 2022
Easy to read , organized, great book for beginners


Great information in many topics from meaning for Love, Spiritual, career, etc., Tarot spreads meaning, pictures of spread, best use of spread with great simple illustrations. Great guide that I can use for reference over and over again.
Profile Image for Franck.
66 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2020
Du très beau travail. Moi qui depuis des années ai souhaité me lancer dans cette aventure me voilà servi. Je recommande sans réserve. L’idéal est d’avoir déjà un deck à portée de main et d’avancer au fur et à mesure plutôt que de lire le livre en une fois.
Profile Image for Hollidaisy.
466 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2022
Very good reference book. Clear and easy to understand. The only thing missing that I keep looking for is a clear list of questions/groups of questions that would be good for a variety of spreads. Especially a daily spread. But overall this was very helpful!
13 reviews
April 27, 2023
The BEST Tarot Book

This is the best Tarot learning book I've read! I understand so much better now than I ever have! I recommend this book for those new to tarot, as well as those who have been studying for a while!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
5 reviews
July 7, 2024
In-depth and Informative

I've been reading a lot of tarot 101 books and this by far one of my favourites.
I loved the breakdown of each card and the layout of the book.
Highly recommend!
5 reviews
January 28, 2025
It's also a Tarot 101 book but it has detailed insights about the different context and meaning in every card. You still have to continue learning but this is a great book to begin with, if you have no experience.
Profile Image for Ophelia MJ.
80 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2020
While I've only read this one, I think this is the best book a beginner could buy.
Profile Image for Alexis.
86 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2021
Really good structure. Easy to find different sections and use as a reference. It’s helped me understand the tarot better and feel more confident in readings.
866 reviews11 followers
October 24, 2021
Good basic knowledge for tarot cards.
2 reviews
December 13, 2021
Great tarot book

This is a great book for newbies on the tarot or someone who wants a refresher. It had great information and a clever table on the back for quick reference.
Profile Image for Nancy L. Sullivan.
101 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2022
Excellent guide!

I think this is an excellent guide for readers. It is concise, simple and easy to follow. I highly recommend starting with this Guide!
Profile Image for Gwen.
587 reviews
January 31, 2022
I don't like the philosophy discussed at the beginning or interjected throughout, however, it was a nice review of the card meanings.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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