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Tarot for the Wild Soul: A Trauma-Informed Approach for Growth, Healing, and Grounding in the Present Moment
288 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 15, 2026
I really loved the foundational approach this book takes toward Tarot. It felt very aligned with how I’ve always personally viewed the cards, especially the ideas that there are no inherently “good” or “bad” cards, that Tarot is more invitation than prediction, and that we’re allowed to show up messy to the deck.
The author frames Tarot as something flexible, spiralic, and deeply personal rather than rigid or rule bound, which I appreciated a lot. There’s also a strong emphasis on inclusivity in interpretation and not relying on fear based readings, which made the whole thing feel very grounded and thoughtful.
One thing I especially liked was the broader overviews of the cards and systems instead of just card by card definitions. The explanations of the major vs minor arcana as macro/micro views, along with the discussions of suits and court cards, really helped deepen my understanding in a way that felt more intuitive and connected. It’s the kind of framework that helps you interpret more naturally instead of memorizing meanings.
There are also key takeaways at the end of each chapter which made it easy to reflect on and revisit concepts. The writing style just clicked for me. Clear, insightful, and approachable without oversimplifying.
I only had access to the digital copy for a short time, but I already know I want a physical copy around to reference again later.
The author frames Tarot as something flexible, spiralic, and deeply personal rather than rigid or rule bound, which I appreciated a lot. There’s also a strong emphasis on inclusivity in interpretation and not relying on fear based readings, which made the whole thing feel very grounded and thoughtful.
One thing I especially liked was the broader overviews of the cards and systems instead of just card by card definitions. The explanations of the major vs minor arcana as macro/micro views, along with the discussions of suits and court cards, really helped deepen my understanding in a way that felt more intuitive and connected. It’s the kind of framework that helps you interpret more naturally instead of memorizing meanings.
There are also key takeaways at the end of each chapter which made it easy to reflect on and revisit concepts. The writing style just clicked for me. Clear, insightful, and approachable without oversimplifying.
I only had access to the digital copy for a short time, but I already know I want a physical copy around to reference again later.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tarot for the Wild Soul by Lindsay Mack is a compassionate, grounding, and deeply affirming book that truly lives up to its promise of supporting healing in a trauma‑informed way. From the very first pages, Mack creates a sense of safety and permission—inviting readers to slow down, listen to themselves, and reconnect with the present moment without pressure or shame.
What sets this book apart is its gentle, respectful approach to trauma and growth. Rather than offering rigid steps or quick fixes, Mack emphasizes choice, intuition, and nervous‑system awareness, reminding readers that healing is not linear and that every experience is valid. The language is accessible yet profound, making complex emotional and somatic concepts feel understandable and deeply human.
The reflections and practices throughout the book feel carefully designed to meet readers where they are. They encourage curiosity and self‑compassion instead of self‑criticism, which can be incredibly refreshing—especially for those who have felt overwhelmed or retraumatized by more prescriptive self‑help approaches in the past.
Tarot for the Wild Soul is not just a book you read once; it’s one you return to. It feels like a supportive companion for anyone navigating healing, personal growth, or a desire to feel more grounded and embodied in their daily life. Lindsay Mack’s care, wisdom, and respect for the healing process shine on every page.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a trauma‑informed, soul‑affirming approach to healing that centers gentleness, agency, and trust.
What sets this book apart is its gentle, respectful approach to trauma and growth. Rather than offering rigid steps or quick fixes, Mack emphasizes choice, intuition, and nervous‑system awareness, reminding readers that healing is not linear and that every experience is valid. The language is accessible yet profound, making complex emotional and somatic concepts feel understandable and deeply human.
The reflections and practices throughout the book feel carefully designed to meet readers where they are. They encourage curiosity and self‑compassion instead of self‑criticism, which can be incredibly refreshing—especially for those who have felt overwhelmed or retraumatized by more prescriptive self‑help approaches in the past.
Tarot for the Wild Soul is not just a book you read once; it’s one you return to. It feels like a supportive companion for anyone navigating healing, personal growth, or a desire to feel more grounded and embodied in their daily life. Lindsay Mack’s care, wisdom, and respect for the healing process shine on every page.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a trauma‑informed, soul‑affirming approach to healing that centers gentleness, agency, and trust.
May 26, 2026
Tarot has been a part of my journey, sometimes more actively but never absent, since I was around six years old. I immediately connected with Lindsay Mack's words and approach for rewilding Tarot. I've always been uncomfortable with perspectives that often presented some cards as more "negative" and long since abandoned reversals because I felt the cards always had an innate quality that combined multiple aspects and intuition should guide the interpretation in a particular reading. And in addition to rewilding Tarot, Lindsay Mack approaches reversals in a manner that brings that energy and feels more synergetic than disruptive. I love the way she suggests that the major arcana invite surrender, the minor arcana collaboration, and the court cards embodied energy. Especially with the court cards, that's often the way I've interacted with them in the past. I highly recommend the book and look forward to working with suggestions, approaches, and practices from it.
And the Soul Tarot deck is gorgeous. A lot of the imagery immediately resonated with me.
Like the author, I experience and manage complex PTSD. And I've started actively working with IFS therapy this year. I don't generally read for others. Tarot is mostly a tool for self-exploration and intuitive guidance for me.
And the Soul Tarot deck is gorgeous. A lot of the imagery immediately resonated with me.
Like the author, I experience and manage complex PTSD. And I've started actively working with IFS therapy this year. I don't generally read for others. Tarot is mostly a tool for self-exploration and intuitive guidance for me.
May 22, 2026
I have been following Lindsay Mack online for many years. I have even enrolled in some of her classes, so I was absolutely thrilled that she finally wrote a book and developed a tarot deck.
Lindsay has such a unique approach to the tarot. It starts by challenging you to accept that tarot cards are not scary and able to forecast the future. They are more about your inner being, your soul. Your soul already knows the answers. The cards are just the bridge.
She is also a wonderful cheerleader, meaning she meets you where you are in your tarot journey and takes your hand and guides you gently down the path. Sure there might be cards that you think of as scary (I'm looking at you Nine of Swords), but Lindsey teaches you how to look at them in a different light and encourages you to view them all, even those scary ones, as helpers, not hinderers.
Overall this book is for beginners and seasoned readers. It is brave new way of looking at the tarot as truly a guide to what you already know deep down. I can't wait to buy this for my collection!
Many thanks to Running Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Lindsay has such a unique approach to the tarot. It starts by challenging you to accept that tarot cards are not scary and able to forecast the future. They are more about your inner being, your soul. Your soul already knows the answers. The cards are just the bridge.
She is also a wonderful cheerleader, meaning she meets you where you are in your tarot journey and takes your hand and guides you gently down the path. Sure there might be cards that you think of as scary (I'm looking at you Nine of Swords), but Lindsey teaches you how to look at them in a different light and encourages you to view them all, even those scary ones, as helpers, not hinderers.
Overall this book is for beginners and seasoned readers. It is brave new way of looking at the tarot as truly a guide to what you already know deep down. I can't wait to buy this for my collection!
Many thanks to Running Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy.
This book truly hits all the marks. It’s trauma-informed in a way that feels intentional and deeply respectful, never performative. Mack approaches tarot as a tool for self-trust and healing, and that energy is woven through every page.
It works beautifully as both a guidebook and a reference. Whether you’re pulling a single card and need a grounded, compassionate interpretation or diving deeper into your practice, there’s something here to meet you where you are. The structure makes it easy to return to again and again, which I always look for in a tarot resource.
Also, it’s just…beautiful. The writing, the flow, the care behind it all. You can feel how much heart went into this.
If you’re looking for a tarot book that centers intuition, honors lived experience, and still gives you solid, usable meanings, this one absolutely belongs on your shelf.
This book truly hits all the marks. It’s trauma-informed in a way that feels intentional and deeply respectful, never performative. Mack approaches tarot as a tool for self-trust and healing, and that energy is woven through every page.
It works beautifully as both a guidebook and a reference. Whether you’re pulling a single card and need a grounded, compassionate interpretation or diving deeper into your practice, there’s something here to meet you where you are. The structure makes it easy to return to again and again, which I always look for in a tarot resource.
Also, it’s just…beautiful. The writing, the flow, the care behind it all. You can feel how much heart went into this.
If you’re looking for a tarot book that centers intuition, honors lived experience, and still gives you solid, usable meanings, this one absolutely belongs on your shelf.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Running Press for the ARC of Lindsay Mack's "Tarot for the Wild Soul."
Lindsay Mack's "Tarot for the Wild Soul" is a good resource and guide for all Tarot users, new and seasoned. Mack opens with a basic "What are the cards?" introduction, and then breaks the deck into three major parts: the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana, and the Court cards. I read the Court cards as a part of their suit, so this was a different approach for me.
Mack groups the cards by meaning and relation to others, not necessarily by suit. She guides readers on how to apply the cards' meanings to lived situations. I found the instructions to be a little basic, but for someone who is new to the cards, a simple explanation is best.
I think this is a useful book, and I expect I will refer to it again in my own Tarot practice.
Lindsay Mack's "Tarot for the Wild Soul" is a good resource and guide for all Tarot users, new and seasoned. Mack opens with a basic "What are the cards?" introduction, and then breaks the deck into three major parts: the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana, and the Court cards. I read the Court cards as a part of their suit, so this was a different approach for me.
Mack groups the cards by meaning and relation to others, not necessarily by suit. She guides readers on how to apply the cards' meanings to lived situations. I found the instructions to be a little basic, but for someone who is new to the cards, a simple explanation is best.
I think this is a useful book, and I expect I will refer to it again in my own Tarot practice.
June 2, 2026
Reading Lindsay Mack’s work always feels like a profound sigh of relief for the nervous system, and this book beautifully brings her revolutionary Soul Tarot philosophy straight to the page. For anyone who has ever felt intimidated by rigid or traditional tarot rules, or spooked by scary card interpretations, this trauma informed guide completely reframes the deck as a gentle mirror and a vital form of medicine for the present moment. Lindsay peels away the predictive fortune telling elements to focus entirely on grounding, healing, and self compassion, transforming the cards into an evolutionary tool that meets you exactly where you are. It is an incredibly warm, inclusive, and liberating read that will permanently change how you interact with your deck, leaving you feeling deeply seen, safe, and anchored in your own inner wisdom.
June 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Tarot is completely new to me, and I have been on the hunt for an approach that felt aligned with me. Enter Tarot for the Wild Soul, I was immediately drawn to this on NetGalley both for the title and the description. I especially loved the trauma informed approach as my education and much of my work with coaching clients comes from a trauma informed perspective. I also really appreciated the focus on the present and using tarot as a grounding tool rather than a prediction of the future. I will absolutely come back and reread sections of this as I feel like I still have so much I could still learn from this since this was not necessarily written as an introduction to tarot book, but it was my introduction and I am glad it was!
Tarot is completely new to me, and I have been on the hunt for an approach that felt aligned with me. Enter Tarot for the Wild Soul, I was immediately drawn to this on NetGalley both for the title and the description. I especially loved the trauma informed approach as my education and much of my work with coaching clients comes from a trauma informed perspective. I also really appreciated the focus on the present and using tarot as a grounding tool rather than a prediction of the future. I will absolutely come back and reread sections of this as I feel like I still have so much I could still learn from this since this was not necessarily written as an introduction to tarot book, but it was my introduction and I am glad it was!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The tarot book I didn't know I needed. I only started studying tarot in late August of 2025. I'd wanted to learn it for years, but was afraid once I bought a deck it would only collect dust on a shelf. My study practice was strong... for about 5 months. I progressed to 5 card spreads before sputtering to a complete halt. It seems my fears came true; I haven’t touched my deck in weeks. According to this book: THAT IS OKAY. I may never touch my deck again (although I would prefer that not to happen) & that's perfectly all right. I read it cover to cover & feel at peace with where I am in this moment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tarot for the Wild Soul is an excellent resource! Lindsay Mack offers a compelling alternative to traditional readings of the cards. After reading through the book once, I have already come back to it as I journal my own readings.
The ideas presented and alternate views of the cards will enrich a reader's understanding of and relationship with their deck(s).
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The ideas presented and alternate views of the cards will enrich a reader's understanding of and relationship with their deck(s).
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love the author’s take in this one. There are not good or bad cards and using them to read the here and now? I love living in the present moment and this was what I needed to read right now. You can always learn something new by being open and seeing what others are doing and how they practice. This one is a great addition for anyone interested in reading Tarot and living in the moment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very lovely perspective on tarot, I found myself taking notes on new ways to interpret both some of my favorite and least favorite cards (also learning to sort of remove that label all together). I will be looking through the book for my upcoming readings for sure!!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a review!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a review!
May 30, 2026
Finally, a tarot book that I can actually connect with. I never learned tarot from a traditional RWS, my first desk was the Lilifer Tarot so I have always struggled with connecting to the traditional meanings so I read intuitively. Tarot for the Wild Soul brings a fresh perspective to how we work with our decks.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Have you taken the time to deeply study your tarot cards and notice patterns and groupings for different cards? I have to some extent, but after reading this book, I am going to deliberately take the time to do this more.
Mack introduces the reader to trauma-informed tarot, something I had not consider previously, despite being a trauma survivor. The way that Mack shares interpretations, themes, etc. for different cards has me seeing them in a new light. And it's changed the way I read cards for myself.
I will be purchasing a copy of this to study more in-depth as soon as it's released.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC!
Mack introduces the reader to trauma-informed tarot, something I had not consider previously, despite being a trauma survivor. The way that Mack shares interpretations, themes, etc. for different cards has me seeing them in a new light. And it's changed the way I read cards for myself.
I will be purchasing a copy of this to study more in-depth as soon as it's released.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC!
May 31, 2026
While I didn't agree with every interpretation, I really enjoyed having a new way to look at the cards, especially with the minors which I have the most trouble connecting to sometimes.
June 7, 2026
I love her podcast and have taken many of her courses, so I’m thrilled she wrote this book.
June 17, 2026
So much wisdom in this book, will be my number 1 rec for anyone learning tarot! Also so soothing, I wish Lindsay could narrate all of my audiobooks <3
June 3, 2026
Lindsay is tarot GOAT. Read now!
June 15, 2026
If you have struggled to connect with tarot cards and their symbolism and interpretations, I highly recommend Tarot for the Wild Soul (both this book and the podcast by the same name). Lindsay Mack’s “rewilding” approach invites readers to open themselves to the idea that “there are no bad cards,” as Lindsay often says.
This is not your average show and tell kind of tarot book. After a few grounding introductory chapters the structure becomes intuitive. Lindsay has grouped cards around central themes in a way that I have never seen in a tarot book before with a mix of Major Arcana, Minor Arcana and Court Cards.
Lindsay (they/them) writes from their own life and experience of giving readings in a way that is more valuable and relatable to read than the abbreviated packet of meanings included in a deck of cards or an extended book version. I am grateful to Lindsay Mack for helping me understand tarot after years of believing it would be too esoteric for me to ever access.
I have offered free readings to friends over zoom as a non-conventional way to catch up after the pandemic pushed us apart. Tarot for the Wild Soul has helped me navigate readings that are trauma-informed and more interested in connection than prediction. I always credit Lindsay Mack as my teacher and I’m happy this book exists so more people can access these insights.
This is not your average show and tell kind of tarot book. After a few grounding introductory chapters the structure becomes intuitive. Lindsay has grouped cards around central themes in a way that I have never seen in a tarot book before with a mix of Major Arcana, Minor Arcana and Court Cards.
Lindsay (they/them) writes from their own life and experience of giving readings in a way that is more valuable and relatable to read than the abbreviated packet of meanings included in a deck of cards or an extended book version. I am grateful to Lindsay Mack for helping me understand tarot after years of believing it would be too esoteric for me to ever access.
I have offered free readings to friends over zoom as a non-conventional way to catch up after the pandemic pushed us apart. Tarot for the Wild Soul has helped me navigate readings that are trauma-informed and more interested in connection than prediction. I always credit Lindsay Mack as my teacher and I’m happy this book exists so more people can access these insights.
June 1, 2026
This is an absolute gem of a book! It's a 5 Star Read for me. I am still savoring it and am sure I will use it as a healing resource in my Tarot work for years to come.
It has the gentle yet
powerful energy of my grandmother walking me through her garden as she holds my hand and teaches me about caring for the world under our feet and recognizing that it cares back.
Thank you NetGalley, Running Press Books, author @wildsoulhealing and illustrator @chelseairisgranger for this beautiful and thoughtful ARC
All opinions are my own
It has the gentle yet
powerful energy of my grandmother walking me through her garden as she holds my hand and teaches me about caring for the world under our feet and recognizing that it cares back.
Thank you NetGalley, Running Press Books, author @wildsoulhealing and illustrator @chelseairisgranger for this beautiful and thoughtful ARC
All opinions are my own
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews