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Tarot for Beginners: A Guide to Psychic Tarot Reading, Real Tarot Card Meanings, and Simple Tarot Spreads
Everything You Need to Know to Begin Working with the Tarot For centuries, Tarot cards have been used as a method of divination by those seeking answers and guidance on matters of love, wealth, home life and more. The cards have the power to offer hope, reassurance, and reflective support to readers as they meander through the ups and downs of life. In fact, the Tarot has often been credited with illuminating solutions to major dilemmas, and even helping people avoid future misfortunes!
Of course, like anything in the Occult realm, the Tarot is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Many people fear that they might discover bad news about their future fate and prefer to be "kept in the dark." What they don't realize is that nothing revealed by the cards is set in stone-the Tarot is a reflective tool rather than a predictive one. By seeking a reflection of your current situation, the past circumstances that have led up to it, and the possible actions you can take to change your course, you can actually break free of old patterns of worry, fear, and feeling "stuck" in life.
If you've ever wanted a Tarot reading, or wondered what it takes to become a Tarot reader, Tarot for Beginners offers an informative first look into this long-trusted tradition. Best-selling author Lisa Chamberlain lets you in on the "secrets" of the art of Tarot. You'll learn what you need to know about the history of the cards and the components of a standard deck, as well as the general meanings of each card, instructions for two common types of readings, and guidelines for approaching the reading process. You'll also find tips for choosing your own deck and creating ideal conditions for powerful reading experiences.
Most guides to the Tarot are centered on a specific deck, such as the Waite-Smith, the Tarot of Marseille, or other decks ranging from the well-known to the rather obscure. While many of these books are very useful, their card interpretations tend to be restricted to the particular deck they focus on. Tarot for Beginners takes a different approach, offering a broader perspective on the Tarot as a whole, with basic card descriptions that can be applied to any deck, and used in tandem with any descriptions that accompany the deck you've chosen to work with. So no matter which Tarot deck you use, the information in this guide is relevant, providing a solid starting point for a skill you can carry with you for a lifetime.
Foundations of Oracle Reading There is a myth that you need to have "psychic powers" to read Tarot cards, but all you really need is determination and a willingness to hone your natural intuition. Reading the Tarot is a talent you can develop by following instructions, listening to your inner voice, and making educated leaps of thought. Seasoned Tarot readers would say that it's a natural habit-something that, over time, becomes second nature. You too can reach that level of experience and comfort with the Tarot, through practice and patience. Tarot for Beginners will get you well on your way, with plenty of valuable information:
The evolution of the Tarot, from 15th-century Italian playing cards to profound oracle A comprehensive overview of the deck, covering the roles of the Major, Minor, and Court Arcana Individual descriptions of each card Beginner tips and exercises for developing your Tarot reading skills A breakdown of the basic 3-card spread and the 11-card Celtic Cross, two of the most widely-used spreads in contemporary Tarot Tips for choosing your first deck and getting acquainted with your cards Suggestions for creating a conducive space for successful readings It takes time to become a fluid reader of the Tarot, but it's a fulfilling journey. Let Tarot for Beginners, along with your own intuition, be your trusted guide!
Of course, like anything in the Occult realm, the Tarot is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Many people fear that they might discover bad news about their future fate and prefer to be "kept in the dark." What they don't realize is that nothing revealed by the cards is set in stone-the Tarot is a reflective tool rather than a predictive one. By seeking a reflection of your current situation, the past circumstances that have led up to it, and the possible actions you can take to change your course, you can actually break free of old patterns of worry, fear, and feeling "stuck" in life.
If you've ever wanted a Tarot reading, or wondered what it takes to become a Tarot reader, Tarot for Beginners offers an informative first look into this long-trusted tradition. Best-selling author Lisa Chamberlain lets you in on the "secrets" of the art of Tarot. You'll learn what you need to know about the history of the cards and the components of a standard deck, as well as the general meanings of each card, instructions for two common types of readings, and guidelines for approaching the reading process. You'll also find tips for choosing your own deck and creating ideal conditions for powerful reading experiences.
Most guides to the Tarot are centered on a specific deck, such as the Waite-Smith, the Tarot of Marseille, or other decks ranging from the well-known to the rather obscure. While many of these books are very useful, their card interpretations tend to be restricted to the particular deck they focus on. Tarot for Beginners takes a different approach, offering a broader perspective on the Tarot as a whole, with basic card descriptions that can be applied to any deck, and used in tandem with any descriptions that accompany the deck you've chosen to work with. So no matter which Tarot deck you use, the information in this guide is relevant, providing a solid starting point for a skill you can carry with you for a lifetime.
Foundations of Oracle Reading There is a myth that you need to have "psychic powers" to read Tarot cards, but all you really need is determination and a willingness to hone your natural intuition. Reading the Tarot is a talent you can develop by following instructions, listening to your inner voice, and making educated leaps of thought. Seasoned Tarot readers would say that it's a natural habit-something that, over time, becomes second nature. You too can reach that level of experience and comfort with the Tarot, through practice and patience. Tarot for Beginners will get you well on your way, with plenty of valuable information:
The evolution of the Tarot, from 15th-century Italian playing cards to profound oracle A comprehensive overview of the deck, covering the roles of the Major, Minor, and Court Arcana Individual descriptions of each card Beginner tips and exercises for developing your Tarot reading skills A breakdown of the basic 3-card spread and the 11-card Celtic Cross, two of the most widely-used spreads in contemporary Tarot Tips for choosing your first deck and getting acquainted with your cards Suggestions for creating a conducive space for successful readings It takes time to become a fluid reader of the Tarot, but it's a fulfilling journey. Let Tarot for Beginners, along with your own intuition, be your trusted guide!
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2015
4993 people are currently reading
1995 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Chamberlain
80 books274 followersLisa dispels all the common misconceptions about this diverse religion, giving her readers the perfect foundations for taking their first steps on their Wiccan journey.
Unlike other Wicca guides, Lisa's books provide information that's found across many Wiccan traditions, rather than coming from just one person's perspective. In fact, she writes the kinds of books she wishes had been available when she was just starting out in the Craft all those years ago.
When not writing or experimenting with spellwork, Lisa loves to read, play piano, and spend time surrounded by nature.
Unlike other Wicca guides, Lisa's books provide information that's found across many Wiccan traditions, rather than coming from just one person's perspective. In fact, she writes the kinds of books she wishes had been available when she was just starting out in the Craft all those years ago.
When not writing or experimenting with spellwork, Lisa loves to read, play piano, and spend time surrounded by nature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
March 30, 2017
My interest in tarot stemmed from a writer's video I saw on Youtube that demonstrated using tarot to try to figure out the next stage in your story or a character's arc, etc. I was a little hesitant about picking up a tarot deck, however, cause the 78 cards and their different meanings were a little daunting to me. However, this book helped me understand the basics of tarot and get a feel for what each card, traditionally, is supposed to represent. It also underscores the importance of intuition and understanding that the cards have more to say when you interpret based on your own feelings and instincts. I really enjoyed this brief introduction to tarot and feel like it gave the confidence to try something new!
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January 22, 2025this is a very different read for me, but i just wanted to try something new for the new year and learn something i’ve been interested in for years. now, if i actually keep up with practicing reading tarot cards is a whole different story.
no rating because a book like this feels very subjective based on whether you find this guide helpful or not. personally, as a complete beginner to tarot i found this helpful and easy to follow along with. it’s very informative while not being too long. i think anyone looking to learn tarot that has little to no prior knowledge would benefit from reading this.
i will definitely predominately be sticking to my fiction reads but it’s interesting to shake things up every now and then. (plus i made it a goal to read at least a couple nonfiction books this year, so here’s to achieving that!)
no rating because a book like this feels very subjective based on whether you find this guide helpful or not. personally, as a complete beginner to tarot i found this helpful and easy to follow along with. it’s very informative while not being too long. i think anyone looking to learn tarot that has little to no prior knowledge would benefit from reading this.
i will definitely predominately be sticking to my fiction reads but it’s interesting to shake things up every now and then. (plus i made it a goal to read at least a couple nonfiction books this year, so here’s to achieving that!)
February 26, 2021
Nice basic.
This was a short read that went into the basics of tarot cards. Some history and then basic interpretations of each card in a traditional deck. Nicely formatted for beginners.
This was a short read that went into the basics of tarot cards. Some history and then basic interpretations of each card in a traditional deck. Nicely formatted for beginners.
June 10, 2024
very easy to read and lots of beginner info with context/history which I appreciate! will def keep her in my kindle library and refer back
July 30, 2019
"Tarot is also a great way to deepen the connection with yourself and your intuition. They'll also teach you stronger ways to tap into the resources that you have locked away inside of you."
I love Lisa Chamberlain's books - they're clearly written and accessible. This was a great introductory or supplementary guide, with good information about tarot cards' meanings. It will work nicely with most decks.
I love Lisa Chamberlain's books - they're clearly written and accessible. This was a great introductory or supplementary guide, with good information about tarot cards' meanings. It will work nicely with most decks.
January 18, 2016
I found this book to be great and very imformative. I can't wait to get my cards & apply what I've learned from this book.
November 1, 2022
I started casually reading tarot for myself about six months before ordering this book, and I found it really interesting! It's pretty short, but it has a sufficiently comprehensive description for each card in the deck, plus explanations about the suits, court cards, and numerology. Before reading this book, I interpreted the cards based on the little guide book that usually comes with a deck (and my intuition), but I think it's good to have the knowledge spread out before you in a more neutral way, since the guide books are tailored to the vibes and aesthetic of the deck.
10/10 would recommend to a beginner.
10/10 would recommend to a beginner.
September 28, 2021
Excellent Tarot for Beginners Guide!
If you have ever been interested in learning all about Tarot, its history, how to do a reading, and what each card means, this is your book! It’s and easy, interesting read and one that can serve as a go-to reference as you’re learning. I can’t wait to get started with my first reading!
If you have ever been interested in learning all about Tarot, its history, how to do a reading, and what each card means, this is your book! It’s and easy, interesting read and one that can serve as a go-to reference as you’re learning. I can’t wait to get started with my first reading!
July 30, 2023
A lot of this book was just the meaning of the cards and may I add the meanings were very redundant. The introduction and history of tarot and its definitely helpful for beginners in that sense. Overall, I would recommend reading the first half if this interests you.
February 14, 2021
I’ve had my cards read every so often for several years and I even like to do pick-a-card readings on a couple of my favorite YouTube channels quite regularly, so naturally… It's time that I learn a few things of my own before I purchase my first deck. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? SO, I skimmed through several books that cover the basics and when I landed on this one, I just knew it’d be a fit! Luckily, I was right, and I loved it! There was a bunch that I already knew, but a bunch that I didn’t and I soaked it up like a sponge. I bookmarked a bunch of places and highlighted a bunch of passages that I’ll surely be returning to later to study a bit better. I know that most decks of cards have their own reference guide, but I really enjoyed this one.
It’s broken down into three parts. The first tells the origins of Tarot including Myths, religious twists, and the ever evolving aspects of Tarot reading practices as well as the cards themselves. The second part gives a breakdown of the numerology and suits of the cards. This is the section where I spent the most time, and will likely re-read again. The third part gives a page or two description of every single Arcana cards. A lot of these I’m already familiar with but there was still much to learn. All in all it was a great learning experience! I have my first deck all picked out and look forward to getting to know it. 5 stars for me!
It’s broken down into three parts. The first tells the origins of Tarot including Myths, religious twists, and the ever evolving aspects of Tarot reading practices as well as the cards themselves. The second part gives a breakdown of the numerology and suits of the cards. This is the section where I spent the most time, and will likely re-read again. The third part gives a page or two description of every single Arcana cards. A lot of these I’m already familiar with but there was still much to learn. All in all it was a great learning experience! I have my first deck all picked out and look forward to getting to know it. 5 stars for me!
July 26, 2020
I don't remember how this book ended up in my library, but it was a solid read. I would definitely gift this to someone who was just beginning their tarot journey. In fact, it would be a very good accompaniment to a new deck (or even before a new reader picks their deck, since there are a few pages dedicated to how to pick a deck, how to clear a decks energy, & how to charge a deck.) For intermediate to advanced Tarosophy students, there's not much in this book that you haven't seen before, but it's a great way to keep your knowledge fresh, and there were a few cards that had a different interpretation than the one I'm most familiar with. Each card has as much page space dedicated to reversal meanings as it does to upright meanings, which is nice. The intro section on the history of tarot was well-researched, and there were a few tidbits that were new to me. This book goes into the right amount of depth for a beginner without being overwhelming, but it also doesn't condescend, so an advanced reader can enjoy it as a refresher read.
August 2, 2022
The Tarot deck has not always been a divination tool. It was originally used for a card game called "Tarocchi". Before studying Tarot, I knew how to guess on an ordinary deck of cards. This was passed down through the female line in our family, my mother taught me when I was 15 years old. At one time I was very fond of magic, spells, divination - among other things, I decided to study Tarot. This book was a revelation to me in the world of tarot. Then I started looking for different articles about tarot. For those who have read the book and want to study it further, I advise the site click . The therapeutic function of Tarot and other esoteric practices is another reason for their growing popularity. Tarot as a system is rich in archetypes.
February 28, 2019
I enjoy Lisa Chamberlain’s books. They’re not massively in-depth but they are well researched, well presented and give you a good flavour of the topics at hand. If you like what you’re reading, she always gives you a book list of where to go to read more into the subject and continue your studies. She advocates lots of learning, lots of practice and to follow your own path and not be dictated to by what other people tell you is the right and wrong way to do things, as with esoteric subjects such as Wicca, witchcraft and divination your own intuition is important and another person’s truth may not necessarily be yours. I think she has a great approach and even when I already know quite a bit about what she’s presenting, there’s always something new and fascinating to learn from her books.
January 16, 2023
I enjoyed listening to her interpretation of the cups which was highly informative and insightful as well as the swords. I do believe this book is a worthy addition to my tarot library as a physical copy of the book. So, I purchased the physical copy and I am now relistening to her take on the cups, swords and pentacles again! I originally was resigned to a 3.5 rating but then felt a 4.2 was a little more accurate. For a beginners book the meanings she gives is a little bit advanced when it comes to the cups and as a professional reader and teacher myself I would certainly say she is actively using the cards and her own interpretation of them which is different in the sense that a good portion of her meanings of the cards are not parroted which is refreshing!
October 15, 2019
Welcome Beginners
This book offered a bit of everything. The history of tarot was covered as well as the card meanings and how to a reading. Overall, this is aimed at beginners in tarot reading. As someone who's read them for a couple of years, this was a great refresher.
The only issue I had came from the audio book edition. It was distracting when a word was misspoken or slurred. I recommend this as something to listen to but if you are studying the cards, consider getting the actual book as it is a pain to find the exact cards in the hour-long chapter discussing the meaning of each card.
This book offered a bit of everything. The history of tarot was covered as well as the card meanings and how to a reading. Overall, this is aimed at beginners in tarot reading. As someone who's read them for a couple of years, this was a great refresher.
The only issue I had came from the audio book edition. It was distracting when a word was misspoken or slurred. I recommend this as something to listen to but if you are studying the cards, consider getting the actual book as it is a pain to find the exact cards in the hour-long chapter discussing the meaning of each card.
August 20, 2022
Je mets quatre étoiles parce que j'ai apprécié ma lecture, mais je ne suis pas très objective vu que c'est le premier ouvrage du genre que je lis.
J'ai commencé à tirer les cartes pour moi-même avec un jeu qui n'a pas de livret, alors je cherchais de l'aide pour l'interprétation. Ce guide m'en a apportée, sans pour autant m'enfermer dans des conceptions étroites des cartes. Mais il m'a surtout permis d'apprendre l'histoire du tarot de manière plus large, de comprendre comment faire un tirage. Certains conseils, notamment autour de la purification, ne me parlent pas du tout, mais dans l'ensemble je me sens plus sereine dans ma pratique après cette lecture.
J'ai commencé à tirer les cartes pour moi-même avec un jeu qui n'a pas de livret, alors je cherchais de l'aide pour l'interprétation. Ce guide m'en a apportée, sans pour autant m'enfermer dans des conceptions étroites des cartes. Mais il m'a surtout permis d'apprendre l'histoire du tarot de manière plus large, de comprendre comment faire un tirage. Certains conseils, notamment autour de la purification, ne me parlent pas du tout, mais dans l'ensemble je me sens plus sereine dans ma pratique après cette lecture.
August 22, 2018
A practical and sensible book.
A nice little book which gives some interesting information for the absolute beginner at reading the tarot.
Unfortunately this was not really what I wanted as I'd have preferred some more advanced information on giving readings.
That said, this author is essentially a practical and overall sensible person. There's no New Age nonsense and the pure practical sense of the tarot is explored in detail.
I'd recommend this book to any beginner reader - even before buying your first set of cards.
A nice little book which gives some interesting information for the absolute beginner at reading the tarot.
Unfortunately this was not really what I wanted as I'd have preferred some more advanced information on giving readings.
That said, this author is essentially a practical and overall sensible person. There's no New Age nonsense and the pure practical sense of the tarot is explored in detail.
I'd recommend this book to any beginner reader - even before buying your first set of cards.
December 29, 2018
Very helpful
I'm new to purposeful divination, but I have a powerful reason to believe I'm being lead to develop this skill. This book is exactly what I was looking for to learn the basics of Tarot; simple to follow, not elaborate and confusing. Lisa Chamberlain is always straightforward in her explanations and never condescending. Nothing is worse than authors that make you feel stupid for needing guidance; with that attitude why write a guide? Not all of us have access to personal mentors; although Lisa makes us feel like we do with her guides.
I'm new to purposeful divination, but I have a powerful reason to believe I'm being lead to develop this skill. This book is exactly what I was looking for to learn the basics of Tarot; simple to follow, not elaborate and confusing. Lisa Chamberlain is always straightforward in her explanations and never condescending. Nothing is worse than authors that make you feel stupid for needing guidance; with that attitude why write a guide? Not all of us have access to personal mentors; although Lisa makes us feel like we do with her guides.
October 16, 2021
⭐: 5
I absolutely love this book! I read it for free on amazon prime and I'm going to buy a physical copy as soon as I finish this review.
It was well written and easy to understand. It had clear and straightforward wording and allowed complete beginners to gain a firm foundation in Tarot. The layout was splendid; a nice simple history of tarot cards before delving into information on the major and minor arcana before finishing off with information on individual cards and their reverse.
I think anyone who is interested in Tarot should give this book a read.
I absolutely love this book! I read it for free on amazon prime and I'm going to buy a physical copy as soon as I finish this review.
It was well written and easy to understand. It had clear and straightforward wording and allowed complete beginners to gain a firm foundation in Tarot. The layout was splendid; a nice simple history of tarot cards before delving into information on the major and minor arcana before finishing off with information on individual cards and their reverse.
I think anyone who is interested in Tarot should give this book a read.
May 30, 2022
Great addition to my cards I was just given
Wanted to know a little bit more about the tarot history feelings I need to get a little deeper into the process I am a massage therapist by trade and do a lot of energy work and understand the process of The ether healing energy works on the same plane as all of that makes complete sense to me.
Part of the evolutionary process as this has been part of the process for centuries.
Thank you for the very informative book and history of tarot readings.
Wanted to know a little bit more about the tarot history feelings I need to get a little deeper into the process I am a massage therapist by trade and do a lot of energy work and understand the process of The ether healing energy works on the same plane as all of that makes complete sense to me.
Part of the evolutionary process as this has been part of the process for centuries.
Thank you for the very informative book and history of tarot readings.
May 16, 2017
When novel research brings you into contact with unexpected books :P
Overall, it was a simple and easy going introduction into the topic, though I found the majority of the meanings related to the suits to contradict what I'd already learned from the guide which accompanied them, though the book does acknowledge that there is no right answer, and that things are to be disregarded as one sees fit. Just a bit annoying when that's a large part of the book.
Overall, it was a simple and easy going introduction into the topic, though I found the majority of the meanings related to the suits to contradict what I'd already learned from the guide which accompanied them, though the book does acknowledge that there is no right answer, and that things are to be disregarded as one sees fit. Just a bit annoying when that's a large part of the book.
August 5, 2017
Concise
The author gets right to the point. After a brief history of the tarot the meaning of each card is explained. She doesn't bog down the reader with symbolism until she gets to the end of the book and gives an "exercise" of how to read a card. She gives the 2 most popular layouts with a brief explanation of each. As a starting reference, this book is a quick read and gives the beginner a good place to start
The author gets right to the point. After a brief history of the tarot the meaning of each card is explained. She doesn't bog down the reader with symbolism until she gets to the end of the book and gives an "exercise" of how to read a card. She gives the 2 most popular layouts with a brief explanation of each. As a starting reference, this book is a quick read and gives the beginner a good place to start
November 29, 2020
Great beginners guide
Highly recommend for beginner tarot readers or people wanting to learn about tarot in general. Lisa goes into the history of tarot, as well as explanations on how to ask questions to the tarot for readings on yourself and others. She also explains easy spreads to help you on your journey.
There is an explanation of each card in the deck with their reversed meanings also. A great resource.
Highly recommend for beginner tarot readers or people wanting to learn about tarot in general. Lisa goes into the history of tarot, as well as explanations on how to ask questions to the tarot for readings on yourself and others. She also explains easy spreads to help you on your journey.
There is an explanation of each card in the deck with their reversed meanings also. A great resource.
August 15, 2020
Excellent little book with a great practical and user-friendly approach. The book is a perfect introduction to the world of Tarot and offers beginners a step-by-step walk through each card, it's meaning and then how the card(s) interact with each other in a spread.
Although written primarily for the beginner, I think this book would be of benefit to the more experienced reader too.
Although written primarily for the beginner, I think this book would be of benefit to the more experienced reader too.
February 2, 2021
Comprehensive summary
This is a great beginners guide to pique ones interest. It is a guide I would go back to. The info was easy to understand and not intimidating at all. I would say it is definitely for beginners as it states. If you are more knowledgeable in Tarot reading you might be bored with this book.
This is a great beginners guide to pique ones interest. It is a guide I would go back to. The info was easy to understand and not intimidating at all. I would say it is definitely for beginners as it states. If you are more knowledgeable in Tarot reading you might be bored with this book.
July 7, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book on Kindle and will be buying the physical book to use as a reference guide. I made flash cards with the keywords of each card and it has helped me learn the suits pretty well. My next challenge is learning the meaning behind the numbers of each card but it will take more time.
May 28, 2024
I read the whole book in an hour. Lisa Chamberlain's 'Tarot For Beginners' is easy to read and offers some background on the history of Tarot cards, basic explanations and examples of the various ways in which the cards can be use along with a guide to the meaning of each of the 78 cards. I would recommend this to anyone who is new to divination and Tarot.
September 18, 2018
Clear, simple, concise
This guide is exactly as advertised, but thorough enough to convey meaning and create understanding. It also includes an excellent appendix for further reading. This is a great primer and reference guide.
This guide is exactly as advertised, but thorough enough to convey meaning and create understanding. It also includes an excellent appendix for further reading. This is a great primer and reference guide.
January 2, 2019
I couldn’t sleep last night so I sat up and read this until 4 am so it’s technically my first read of 2019 hahahaha. It was brilliant though, I can’t wait to keep using it for my one tarot card a day and readings in the future (way way way in the future)
April 27, 2019
Solid instruction for the beginner.
It gives basic knowledge, but basing it on tradition. You don't really feel that your "playing cards" but rather learning to read and feel the cards
It gives basic knowledge, but basing it on tradition. You don't really feel that your "playing cards" but rather learning to read and feel the cards
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews