Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot: A Comprehensive Guide

Llewellyn's Complete Book Series #8

by Anthony Louis

Comprehensive and easy to use, Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Tarot contains everything you ever wanted to know about tarot. Join Anthony Louis as he explores tarot history, shares card meanings and spreads, and provides detailed guidance that educates and inspires, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced reader.

Discover basic reading techniques for a wide variety of systems, including Marseilles, Rider-Waite, and Thoth. Identify the meaning of associations, correspondences, reversals, and dignities, and experience the ways that tarot interacts with astrology and personal spirituality. Combine tarot reading with Kabbalah, numerology, Jungian psychology, journaling, and storytelling while exploring card selection, creativity, tarot ethics, and specialized spreads. Focusing on the use of tarot for insight, empowerment, self-understanding, and fortunetelling, Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Tarot provides centuries of accumulated wisdom that will enable you to make optimal use of one of the most powerful spiritual tools ever developed.

Genres: Tarot, Divination, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Occult, Reference

309 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Tabitha Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have to admit that i was slightly disappointed by this particular book. i was hoping for a decent collective reference guide.

the up shots of this book, very good for someone who is completely new to tarot or hasn't used the cards in years. it's well organized and does have a large collection of tarot "add ins" ie: astrology, numerology, and dignities (which the latter is rare to find). interesting and also unusual is the Christian symbology found in tarot.

down side to this, too much information but not enough detail in some aspects...applying certain things to a reading like numerology or Kabbalah. also the end section of the book details each card of a deck, unfortunately it gives at least four different views of the card before getting to the meaning. for someone who is new to tarot this could be overwhelming and frustrating.

i found the writing to be a bit dry and a bit hurried in places, overall though i think it would be a good starter or newbie book as long as they don't suffer from information overload.

[Jaymi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley in exchange for a review. I also purchased a copy for my library.

If it's one thing I know in reviewing books it's "don't judge a book by it's cover." I've said this before and I'm saying it now. Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot by Anthony Louis is a great book, filled with wonderful tarot tidbits for all tarot enthusiasts. However, this is NOT a complete guide. Louis even states this very clearly in his preface. Instead, this book takes the approach of guiding readers of all types into the broad spectrum of topics tarot contains. Louis sees the book as a complete course in tarot. He covers why study tarot; tarot history; tarot structure and the differences between RWS, Marseille, and Thoth; card uses; and the various meanings and correspondences the cards have.

What I liked: Louis has a great voice in his writing. There are many areas in the book that he made me laugh with his vernacular. The chapters are chock full of good information. As I read through the book, I found myself thinking about how "scientific" Louis makes tarot sound. He captures the essence of why we use the cards and has answers for many questions people ask about the origins. Louis isn't afraid to talk about the cards' Christian influences either (very few books touch on this subject). While describing each individual card, most books stick with meanings laid down by AE Waite or Aliester Crowley. Not in this tome, Louis includes a history of interpretation that dates back to Etteilla. Which is great for those of us who love doing meaning comparison and want to know how card meanings transitioned over time. Another aspect I enjoyed was the fact that Louis references many other authors and their works in the book. It's like you are also getting to know the wider tarot community while learning about the cards.

What I didn't like: There is so much in this book that it's a quick catalogue of topics. Louis doesn't go too deep with any one subject. Which is fine because otherwise this book would be huge. So, if you were looking for a true "Complete" guide to tarot, then look elsewhere.

BOTTOM LINE: Llewellyn's Complete Guide to Tarot is a great starter guide to the world of tarot. There's a lot of good information in this book. I loved how it went towards the sciencey side of the divination tool. Louis. Anthony has a friendly voice which invites you into learning tarot and becoming a member of the tarot tribe.

[AK · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an overview than a comprehensive guide, leavened by Anthony Louis's engaging narrative voice throughout.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like Tarots? Do you want to start to read them? Are you curious about one of the most important kind of divination in this world? You read tarots but you want to learn something else?
So, this book
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot - A Comprehensive Resource -

cover87117-medium
is for you!
Written by Anthony Louis, his author has previously written other books for Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. about this topic.

Louis is a great estimator, passionate and of tarots reader since he was little.

Maybe he told in the book, because he studied in a catholic reality where of course this stuff was not seen very well, the little boy started to develop a big curiosity about astrology and occultism, later falling in love for tarots.

In this book Louis will tell us how we should read tarots, with a long story of tarots, born in Italy many centuries ago. A real cult for Italians. Very important families created wonderful, stunning tarots in late 1400 most of them unfortunately gone forever.

Tarots will read Louis will be the one of the common italian playing cards with the four seeds of Swords, Coins, Cups and Wands.

I was a tarot reader and I am still a passionate one although I loved to read this book also because I hadn't never learnt how to read our italian playing cards, the most common ones. I have the Egyptian tarots, the Native American tarots. Being a Sagittarius maybe that's the answer.

Maybe.

Anthony tells that some friends of him have more than 100 different kind of tarots. Wow!

Reading tarots can be more simple for some people than not for others.
What Louis says is that practicing and intuiting what the tarot wants to say to the person in front of us the first condition. We mustn't think a lot. When we have the first intuition we know that it is the one for the person in front of us.

We should be free of every strong emotion when we read tarots, Louis says and our mind open to the divination. We mustn't read tarots under stress. Tarots wouldn't speak.

What the reader should do with her/his client?

He/she must be honest with the client because of course it means also to be honest with the spirits and Superior Entity that are telling to us what it will happen to that person in the following months.

Louis has also written a special Hippocratic Oath for Tarot Readers in this sense.
Sometimes tarots can clarify and help also people in need. In real need of answers. Journaling, keeping track of what the tarots wants to say to us become fundamental. Tarots should be read two times per year and reader should always be paid because a payment means that the reader is a serious person.

An interesting section interests the zodiac signs.
And then: a long long section you will fall in love for all dedicated to the meaning of all the most important Major Arcane and common seeds.
Enjoy it, and start to read Tarots!
Oh: and Happy Journey into the Souls!

Thanks to Netgalley.com! for this book.

[Elusive Insights · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight-forward and basic book (primarily) on the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot.

The book starts with brief sections on the benefits of tarot and the history of the tarot. It then moves on to correspondences and associations; this section doesn't go into anything in depth but gives a nice overview. There is no clear way to incorporate most of the correspondences into a reading, but it's helpful to have as a reference.

The next chapter is a welcome one on tarot card reversals and dignities. It explains multiple different ways of interpreting reversed cards in a reading, and it explains the Golden Dawn system of card dignities, which is an interesting system for determining relative importance/strength of a card.

There are also two brief, but helpful, chapters on what questions are best to ask of the cards and how to ask them, and how to interpret the cards in a general sense. Really, how to think about the process of interpretation.

There is also a decent section on tarot spreads that cover the most useful and common spreads.

The main section that takes up most of the book is the one containing keywords and descriptions for all the cards. I found this section of the book particularly useful as it lists keywords from authoritative sources, such as Etteilla, Samuel Mathers (founding member of the Golden Dawn), Arthur Waite, and Crowley, for all the cards, in addition to the authors own suggested keywords. The keywords are given in multiple, comma-separated lists that are easy to quickly reference

I got less use out of the authors own suggested "prose" interpretation of the cards and keywords. It is clear that the author and I have a different interpretation of most things. This is not a real problem for the book however, since the descriptions only take up a small amount of space for each card, with most of the space dedicated to correspondences and keywords.

Another helpful feature of the book is a separate section on typical usage and meaning for the court cards. The court cards are sometimes lumped together with the pip cards without further explanation, which is unhelpful for the beginner.

Overall a good overview for the beginner, containing all the essentials. The book is particularly strong in giving keywords from multiple sources for all the cards. It does this in a comma-separated list that is easy to quickly reference (something the beginner will be doing often); there is no need to read paragraphs of prose each time you want to interpret a card.

[Denisse Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the tarot

The author offers a good amount of information in a single book, from the history of the cards, to how to use them, what they mean, and many ways to spread them. I like that he offered multiple interpretations by different experts and a lot of detail for each one. I didn't read all of them because I still don't have a deck, so I'll wait until I have one to begin studying them.

One thing that could be a negative point for some is that some of the more complex esoteric topics related to the tarot, like astrology, Kabbalah, numerology, etc., weren't discussed in depth. I understand that the author didn't want to spend too much time on them because this is an introductory book, but at some points they feel more like a distraction and would have been better to leave them out, imo. Nevertheless, in most instances the information, although superficial, provided an idea of the vast world that the cards live in, leaving the reader wanting to know more. The author provides a bunch of references in case someone wants to delve into the more complex topics at the end.

Something that I didn't find particularly interesting were the examples of readings that he used. From all the stories, only 2 stood out for me, and served the purpose of why they were added in the text. It's not that the others were bad readings, but because the author didn't talk about the outcome of the reading in real life and all the examples were given before I knew any of the cards in detail, they added little value to the overall text. I didn't feel compelled or motivated to use tarot after reading most of them. If he didn't want to give details of the life of he clients he could have given more powerful personal experiences instead and that would have been more immersing.

The Kindle format of the book is bad. Most tables look terrible and are hard to read, and the images are too small. If you want to use this book as reference, do yourself a favor and buy a physical copy.

Still, I think it's a good book for beginners like me and serves as a good reference for the meaning of the cards.

[Beautifulday4makeup The-book-and-Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a good encyclopedia when you want to start with tarot readings. There is history, reading patters and the definition of the cards. I would have pulled the definitions forward though, because they're giving examples, without the reader having knowledge of the significance of each card.

[Steven Wendell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference material

Good book for the beginner or intermediate tarot reader. Can easily pick this book up and feel comfortable with basic spreads and the interpretations of the cards. The images on the cards will vary with whatever deck you are using so those interpretations are up to the reader, but the basic concept of each card and it's meaning are somewhat standard.

[Carla Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book as a quick reference tool. It gives quick basic interpretations of upright and reversed, as well as keywords. I’ve tabbed each section for finding the card I’m looking for easily. The way the sections are organized is a little less intuitive than how I would put together a tarot reference book.

I don’t like the artwork. I’m guessing a Lewellyn deck is what they were licensed to use. The cards depicted in the book just don’t speak to me, which is how I feel about most lewellyn artwork. I think I would like this book better if it was based on the Rider Waite deck.

Additionally, the descriptions of the card are VERY simple. In a way, it’s useful for me to stretch my more in depth and intuitive knowledge of the cards by not having everything in this book. I much prefer biddy tarot’s descriptions and explanations.

I feel a lot of the books pages aren’t useful for me, specifically the first 1/3rd of the book.

I have contemplated several times giving this book to a friend who’s more of a beginner to tarot, however I keep it around because it’s the only quality reference book I have right now.

[Solita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information, makes for an an excellent reference to keep on my shelf. It's the second book on tarot that I feel compelled to purchase. I am new to studying tarot. I never gave it a second thought, first time I saw a deck of cards. Maybe twenty years ago, someone showed me her cards. She was excited about them. I looked at the box, and said, "Oh. Hm. Cool," and handed them back. Of course I found them interesting, but not enough to open the box and look at them. I never considered they might be useful to me. I am not a witch. She was into the wicca thing. Then early last summer, I suddenly felt compelled to own a deck, and to learn about tarot. IDK why. Maybe it's a zeitgeisty thing. What I have discovered is how they can tap into the subconscious mind, and that is the thing that interests me. That is where the "magic" is. As a beginner, this book works for me. It has information I want and need. It feels well written and organized.

[Louisa Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to Tarot, which covers the history, different meanings behind the cards, and the differences between the three main types of Tarot decks. I bought this book mainly as it went into detail for each individual cards, even the pips, which was what I was looking for. I found it a bit dry in some places (perhaps because I read it cover to cover rather than just using it as a reference for readings), but I will definitely refer back to this book for gaining greater insight into my future readings.

[Azazel Alhazred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very instructionl. My physical copy was destroyed in a hurricane. I never got to finish it. But by far they most educational book on tarot to date. I strongly 5this book if you are learning, want to learn, or still want to learn more than you thought you knew. It covers everything you need to know and more.

[L.A. Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing spectacular here. Three layouts which I knew already, and the bulk of the book is the history of the meaning of the cards. Good thing it was 50% off. Doesn't replace any of the other books in my library.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide, in depth, debunks a lot of myths and lays guidelines, many spreads. Love it, both Thoth/Crowley and Rider Waitte

[Taylor Chouinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive reference guide with great attention to detail. I use it often.

[Kelsey Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening

[Dunc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction, comprehensive, but not overwhelmingly so. I'd recommend for someone starting who wants to take it seriously.

[Tyler Gianluca Laos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful! I loved how it showed the meaning behind every card, every card, every symbol. Very resourceful if you ever need to check something to clarify something during your readings.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book to skip through every now and then. I enjoy having it and don't regret buying it. It's more like an overview of Tarot.

[Lis - The Indigo Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

See full review @ The Indigo Quill

You know when Llewellyn publishes a "Complete Book of" it's bound to be good, and Lewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot does not disappoint. This comprehensive title is filled with endless amounts of fascinating and useful information that it will be your go-to reference for tarot.

In the beginning, Louis provides his disclaimer. When asked to write this book, he was not only honored, but also noted that he would have to approach it from a non-bias platform. This automatically intrigued me, as I tend to tread lightly with my spiritual reading for this very reason. Anyone can make a subject be what they want it to, based on their own opinions, uses, experiences, or version of history. Louis' respect for the reader playing the role of his student makes him a more credible teacher.

The next set of business is the history of the tarot card and many misconceptions that come with it. Honestly, this was probably one of my most favorite parts. I'm still fairly new to the practice, and I learned so much about where tarot came from (originating from the Italian Renaissance as playing cards). There is so much depth to this section that I didn't want to stop reading for fear of missing information. I was very impressed with Louis' knowledge and the execution was very easy to understand. This is also where he covered several myths and replaced them with facts...all very interesting to read!

The rest of the book covers the application of tarot. In my opinion, it was well organized and Louis did a very good job of encouraging his student to follow their intuition. He ties in astrological significance, so be prepared for a lot of planetary and zodiac references. I had to take all of this a little bit at a time, because once you get into all the lists and charts it can get a little overwhelming. But the information is rich!

This is most definitely my new go-to book for tarot. Louis is a mindful teacher, and that is obvious in his writing. Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot is a great choice for the beginner and advanced readers alike.

[Senna - The Library Witch Is In · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when Llewellyn publishes a "Complete Book of" it's bound to be good, and Lewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot does not disappoint. This comprehensive title is filled with endless amounts of fascinating and useful information that it will be your go-to reference for tarot.

In the beginning, Louis provides his disclaimer. When asked to write this book, he was not only honored, but also noted that he would have to approach it from a non-bias platform. This automatically intrigued me, as I tend to tread lightly with my spiritual reading for this very reason. Anyone can make a subject be what they want it to, based on their own opinions, uses, experiences, or version of history. Louis' respect for the reader playing the role of his student makes him a more credible teacher.

The next set of business is the history of the tarot card and many misconceptions that come with it. Honestly, this was probably one of my most favorite parts. I'm still fairly new to the practice, and I learned so much about where tarot came from (originating from the Italian Renaissance as playing cards). There is so much depth to this section that I didn't want to stop reading for fear of missing information. I was very impressed with Louis' knowledge and the execution was very easy to understand. This is also where he covered several myths and replaced them with facts...all very interesting to read!

The rest of the book covers the application of tarot. In my opinion, it was well organized and Louis did a very good job of encouraging his student to follow their intuition. He ties in astrological significance, so be prepared for a lot of planetary and zodiac references. I had to take all of this a little bit at a time, because once you get into all the lists and charts it can get a little overwhelming. But the information is rich! This is most definitely my new go-to book for tarot. Louis is a mindful teacher, and that is obvious in his writing. Llewelyn's Complete Book of Tarot is a great choice for the beginner and advanced readers alike.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide for providing an ARC via NetGalley!

This is the first book I read about this subject. In my opinion, it's a very complete guide indeed. I had no idea how to read tarot cards, but I definitely learned a lot with it. Even to those who don't plan to become readers, I think all this information is still interesting.

[ash (mymodernrenaissance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tarot book has been such an amazing resource for me when I forget the meanings of cards (aka most of the time because my memory sometimes fails). I pull it out for so many readings to decode what’s being said.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Both me and my mother are long time Tarot readers and we both found this book very basic. Probably good for people who are new to Tarot, but bad for people who already know what they are doing.