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Tarot for One: The Art of Reading for Yourself

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Courtney Weber has been teaching Tarot and speaking at Tarot symposia around the country for a decade. In response to the numerous requests she has received over the years, Weber created Tarot for One, a personal workbook and resource guide designed to help form interpretations directly applicable to self-readings.

In Weber s clean, clear style, this book explores the Fool, the Major Arcana, the Court Cards, Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles, as well as what she calls the tough cards, reversals, practice spreads, and next steps. She includes common associations as well as extensive exercises to unlock readers own interpretations for connecting personal journeys with the archetypical Tarot. Readers will learn to let the voice of the Tarot come through without overlaying too much of their own stuff during a reading.

Tarot for One includes dozens of original Tarot spreads and layouts, which have been repeatedly proven both fun and effective in Weber s classes and workshops. It also contains tips on finding a deck, honing a Tarot practice, and avoiding common self-reading pitfalls. This is the essential guide for your personal journey with the Tarot.

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256 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2016

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Courtney Weber

17 books128 followers

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5 stars
56 (40%)
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48 (34%)
3 stars
27 (19%)
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5 (3%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Scott Hensley.
108 reviews7 followers
December 15, 2016
Very well planned out and easy to follow. Very helpful. I liked this book
Profile Image for Emma.
137 reviews69 followers
January 27, 2021
One of the best tarot books I’ve read... and I’ve read quite a few. The layout is great, the way Courtney likens scenes or plots in books or films to the cards is a master stroke.
There are plenty of layouts to try, and her section on court cards is truly inspired and incredibly helpful. Whether you’re new to Tarot, or read for years, you will gain from this great book.
Profile Image for Anita.
69 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2016
One of the better tarot books.

The book focuses on learning to communicate with your cards, instead of just analysing them.
It helps you to do readings for yourself.
I enjoyed the exercises. They were simple and effective, not too complicated and time consuming.
( I have used tarot for 25 years, i wish this book was around when I started)
Profile Image for Amanda.
74 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2017
There wasn't as much information about reading for yourself as I had hoped. It seemed as though it was added as an afterthought near the end of the book. There were a lot of interesting spreads at the back though.
Profile Image for Nyx Vera.
72 reviews5 followers
October 7, 2019
A great guide to figuring out your own meanings and relationship with tarot. Inclusive of LGBTQIA+ folks and polyamorous relationships!
Profile Image for Sylvia Moore.
73 reviews
September 28, 2024
Courtney Weber’s Tarot for One feels like it was written just for me and anyone else who’s ever wondered how to read for themselves without getting tangled up in second-guessing. I’ve always found self-readings to be tricky—there’s that constant temptation to either see what you want to see or get completely lost in overanalyzing every card. But Weber understands that challenge intimately, and she’s created a guide that feels like a reassuring nudge, helping you find your own clarity and confidence when you’re the one shuffling the deck.

What I immediately loved is how Tarot for One goes straight to the heart of what it means to read Tarot for yourself. Weber doesn’t just list off meanings and leave you to piece them together—she walks you through how to step out of your own way and really listen to what the cards are saying. Her tone is practical and encouraging, like a teacher who knows exactly where you’re likely to trip up because she’s been there herself. The book is packed with exercises that gently push you to get comfortable with interpreting the cards without relying on canned meanings. After working through her practice spreads, I found myself seeing the cards with fresh eyes, picking up on nuances that I’d often overlooked before.

The way she handles the “tough cards” really stood out to me. When you’re reading for yourself and a card like the Ten of Swords or the Devil comes up, it’s easy to spiral into worry or dismiss it as something negative. But Weber offers solid advice on how to sit with those cards, understand what they’re pointing to, and use that insight constructively. Her approach helps you break out of the mindset of fearing “bad” cards and instead see them as guides to what needs attention. It’s a shift that’s made my readings feel a lot more balanced and less stressful.

I also have to say, her section on reversals was a game-changer for me. I’ve always struggled with reversals—whether to use them, what they really meant, or if they just complicated things. Weber’s straightforward, no-nonsense breakdown helped me see reversals not as “opposite meanings” but as subtle shifts in the card’s energy. It made such a difference in my readings, making the cards feel more dynamic and layered rather than just flipping the meaning upside-down.

What makes Tarot for One really stand out is how it feels like more than just a guide—it’s a workbook, a personal journal, and a teacher all rolled into one. Weber’s exercises aren’t about memorizing meanings but about building a real, authentic relationship with the cards. Her spreads are innovative without being complicated, and they actually get you thinking about the cards in the context of your own life rather than keeping everything theoretical. I especially loved her "tough love" spreads for when you need a clear, no-BS answer. It’s like having a brutally honest friend who’s not afraid to tell you what you need to hear.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated trying to read for yourself or worried that you’re not interpreting the cards objectively, Tarot for One will change that. It’s like Courtney Weber is sitting there beside you, reminding you to take a breath, trust yourself, and see what’s really there. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone wanting to deepen their self-reading practice—it’s become a book I reach for again and again, each time finding new insights and techniques that help me read with more confidence and less self-doubt.
Profile Image for Charles.
98 reviews14 followers
April 15, 2024
This is a great book for learning tarot and especially learning to read for yourself. I think it may be one of the only specifically for self-reading. Courtney Weber is an experienced teacher who expresses her ideas in a way that is both easy to understand and fun to read. As is often the case for me when a book requires me to do exercises, I fell off partway through. This would have been more useful to me if I'd stuck with it. I'm hoping to come back to it when my priorities shift again.

Note that, like most, Tarot for One uses the Rider-Waite Smith system for cards and interpretations. Using it with a non-RWS deck will make it less useful, but many of the exercises and bits of advice will still be worth reading.
Profile Image for Awkward-ness.
127 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2024
Practical, accessible, and very down-to-earth. In my opinion, a must-read for most tarot self-practitioners. Ever had trouble getting the court cards straight in your head? Have you ever wondered if you're reading what you want to see? Weber's book answers these questions and many more we've all wondered when we did our own tarot readings. It's great for beginners, though I think most experienced readers can skip this one. For myself, it was invaluable, and I'll be sure to refer to this as I grow in my own practice.

5/5
Profile Image for Jai Rahim.
2,120 reviews
July 25, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. As a Tarot newbie, it helped to finally clear up my confusion over whether I should read for myself. Several books advise against it, and while I can understand the validity of the concerns with this dichotomy, I feel that practicality tips the scale, for me. So I’m going for it!
1,481 reviews38 followers
December 3, 2016
I kew nothing about tarot before I read this book. Not only does it have detailed explanations but it gives the reader examples. I cannot imagine another tarot book with this much detailed information.
Profile Image for gabriela tavares.
38 reviews
February 19, 2024
livro muito bom pra quem está se aproximando do tarot pela primeira vez, são apresentados vários exemplos e dicas importantes para se desenvolver melhor a experiência com as cartas. confesso que a infinidade de interpretações me deixa confusa, mas uma verdade não é uma só.
Profile Image for Lilaaaum.
119 reviews
August 2, 2025
Great book if you read tarot for yourself. Very straightforward and the explanations are very clear.
Profile Image for Enfys.
Author 9 books27 followers
December 31, 2016
This book is simultaneously an excellent primer for those new to Tarot and a fantastic guide to deepen the knowledge of someone who has read Tarot for decades. Personally, I've been studying and working with Tarot for 3-4 years now, and almost every single page of this book had a wonderful "aha!" moment for me, with new ways to interpret, new ways to read, lessons on how to trust one's instincts while listening to the "voice" of their deck, and more. Most importantly, this book shows that you CAN read for yourself - it just takes practice and some special techniques. The exercises in this book will guide the Tarot reader towards a better relationship with their cards and help them confidently read for themselves, as well as others.

Some particularly helpful sections include:
-Several types of spreads designed for reading for yourself, designed for various scenarios
-How to interpret tougher cards
-Various ways to interpret reversals
-Exercises to help you identify your own associations with all the cards
-Exercises to deepen your relationships with all the cards - I found the exercises for the court cards particularly helpful, as those have always vexed me
-Exercises to compare your life's journey with the journey represented in the Major Arcana
Profile Image for Meredith.
32 reviews
April 13, 2024
This is the perfect book for both seasoned and new Tarot readers. Tarot has never felt like something I could connect with, though it does intrigue me. I thought reading this book would be a great introduction, to help me develop a better understanding of such a prolific yet mysterious craft. I’m so glad I did.

The book clearly breaks down card archetypes and explains various approaches and interpretations. Overall, however it reads less like a handbook and more like gentle, self-aware coaching from a seasoned card reader. The author imbues both reverence for the tradition and levity in its different applications.

The last two sections were my favorites. I liked seeing the purposeful design behind the different card spreads, which I had never before given much thought to. The “When Not to Read Your Own Tarot” was the really authentic spiritual pep talk we all need, regardless of how we categorize ourselves. In fact, this entire book provides spiritual nuggets throughout. Even a non-Pagan such as myself can recognize the value of self-reflection and introspection, and how it can deepen any spiritual practice.
Profile Image for Arwen Lynch.
Author 5 books60 followers
October 19, 2016
I did a video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxFLb... As a professional Tarot reader, I highly recommend this book. It effectively shows anyone how to get out of their own way when reading for themselves.

Weber has a no-nonsense approach that is tempered with humor. She addresses issues that many books gloss over such as gender-bias in Tarot. With this book in your hands, you will be able to dive into the world of Tarot and learn.

This is one I wished I'd written. I'm glad Weber did. It's one that should be on the shelves of all those interested in Tarot on any level.
Profile Image for Catarina Marchon.
12 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2022
Muito bom. Explica em detalhes e abre a mente ao longo da leitura.
Confesso que me permiti discordar em alguns momentos, pois interpreto algumas cartas de maneira diferentes. Interessante que a autora enfatiza que está tudo bem errar, se permitir aprender sempre e confiar em nossa capacidade. Recomendo muito!
Profile Image for L.A. Jacob.
Author 19 books11 followers
April 19, 2017
Good for beginners, and the spreads in chapter nine look interesting and direct. Nothing else really new for advanced readers, unfortunately, since 5/6 of the book consists of learning the cards.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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