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In Focus #5
In Focus Tarot: Your Personal Guide
In Focus Tarot provides the essentials to quickly get you started practicing tarot card reading. Included inside the back cover is a beautifully illustrated 18 × 24–inch wall chart of the Major Arcana tarot cards to inspire and guide you each day.
Tarot cards and readings have been used since the eighteenth century as a divination tool in seeking answers to past, present, and future events, in addition to guidance and support. Their popularity continues to this day. But how do you start? With In Focus Tarot, author and professional reader Steven Bright breaks down the essentials so you can start reading tarot cards right away.
Bright first thoroughly explains each of the Major and Minor Arcanas, outlining for each card:
The general meaning of the card
The card interpreted as a situation
The card interpreted as a person
Questions to help you relate a card's message on a personal level
Keywords that give quick and handy meanings for the card
Meanings of the card if reversed
Then learn how to put your knowledge to work using both traditional and newer tarot card placements (called tarot spreads). You'll also find professional tips and tricks to becoming a successful tarot reader.
The In Focus series applies a modern approach to teaching the classic body, mind, and spirit subjects. Authored by experts in their respective fields, these beginner's guides feature smartly designed visual material that clearly illustrates key topics within each subject. As a bonus, each book holds reference cards or a poster, held in an envelope inside the back cover, to give you a quick, go-to guide containing the most important information on the subject.
Tarot cards and readings have been used since the eighteenth century as a divination tool in seeking answers to past, present, and future events, in addition to guidance and support. Their popularity continues to this day. But how do you start? With In Focus Tarot, author and professional reader Steven Bright breaks down the essentials so you can start reading tarot cards right away.
Bright first thoroughly explains each of the Major and Minor Arcanas, outlining for each card:
The general meaning of the card
The card interpreted as a situation
The card interpreted as a person
Questions to help you relate a card's message on a personal level
Keywords that give quick and handy meanings for the card
Meanings of the card if reversed
Then learn how to put your knowledge to work using both traditional and newer tarot card placements (called tarot spreads). You'll also find professional tips and tricks to becoming a successful tarot reader.
The In Focus series applies a modern approach to teaching the classic body, mind, and spirit subjects. Authored by experts in their respective fields, these beginner's guides feature smartly designed visual material that clearly illustrates key topics within each subject. As a bonus, each book holds reference cards or a poster, held in an envelope inside the back cover, to give you a quick, go-to guide containing the most important information on the subject.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2018
77 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Steven Bright
59 books27 followersAuthor, Graphic designer, Blogger, eBook formatter; Cover designer, Publishing, and Marketing strategist, Programmer, and Blog/Website developer with expertise in Computer/Information and Communications Technology, and Engineering.
l have a passion to impact Computer, Information and Communication Technology readers. With me, expect the best always. Just be patient and focus while you read any of my books. Enjoy my Practical and step by step guides always.
Where To Find Steven Bright
Facebook page: https://mobile.facebook.com/EBookstra...
Amazon Author profile: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01GVK0YZI
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/Stevenbrig...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
D2D: https://books2read.com/author/steven-...
l have a passion to impact Computer, Information and Communication Technology readers. With me, expect the best always. Just be patient and focus while you read any of my books. Enjoy my Practical and step by step guides always.
Where To Find Steven Bright
Facebook page: https://mobile.facebook.com/EBookstra...
Amazon Author profile: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01GVK0YZI
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/Stevenbrig...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
D2D: https://books2read.com/author/steven-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 15, 2018
I'm an intermediate tarot reader for myself and my friends. I've been reading them for about 20 years, though I'm a little rusty. As the author fully admits in his book, this guide is targeted at beginner and intermediate reading levels, and I would agree with that target, as he does not delve into some of the more difficult spreads or combinations of meanings. I've read quite a few tarot books and deck booklets over the years. I will say that this book had some of the best meanings of the individual cards, outlining their meaning in general, in a situation, as a person, keywords and reversal meanings. It also had some questions for each card for you to think about. SB also talked about simple spreads and ways that the card meanings weave together a scenario. While he didn't go in depth with this, he did give a few examples to see it at work. IMO this is a solid book for newbies to tarot reading, and a good resource to intermediate readers to add some new meanings and ways at looking at already familiar cards. Overall, a tarot book that should be a great reference for beginners and intermediate tarot readers.
March 8, 2019
A great book that has all the relevant facts for a new tarot reader! I'm glad I got to experience this book. Highly recommended!💖
May 8, 2023
Very distinct and easy to use reference book for those interested in tarot. As in most tarot reference guides, this one features a two page summary for each of the cards in a regular tarot deck. What sets this one apart though is that it gives you further interpretations of each card as a person or situation in addition to a broad synopsis of the card. This is helpful in readings to give the reader a deeper look at their lives through each of the cards symbolism and placement in a layout. This book also offers various layouts for a reading, my favorite being the Celtic cross. I utilize this book in almost all of my readings. It has been ever so helpful in breaking down the art of tarot, and has never steered me wrong in personal readings or readings I may do for others. Definitely a must have in one's collection. I lost the first copy I bought and went and bought a second one because it is that good.
October 11, 2018
I’ve recently developed an interest in tarot reading, so I’m pretty much an absolute beginner. The tarot, as I discovered early on, can be beyond baffling — so many different decks, so many different interpretations — so I turned to Stephen Bright’s guide with particular interest.
It’s difficult to give a complete assessment, because — by the author’s own acknowledgment — it’s a book to dip in and out of rather than read from beginning to end, which is what I did. Nevertheless, I found it both valuable and fascinating.
It’s very clearly set out in three sections. The first is a general introduction to what tarot is, what it isn’t (that’s important) and introduces the suits. It’s not long, but it’s clear and unfussy. The second section goes through the pack and explains every single one of the cards, and how they might be interpreted in general, in relation to a situation, and with regard to the individual doing the reading. The third covers some ways of setting out the cards (spreads) and how a reader might interpret them.
I’ve dipped into a couple of other books of this nature, and this is by far the most accessible of them. It also avoids the trap of giving so much information, in particular on the different spreads, that it becomes confusing. There’s detail where we need it — on the cards themselves — and useful and relevant examples elsewhere.
All in all, a book I can see myself going back to time and time again.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
It’s difficult to give a complete assessment, because — by the author’s own acknowledgment — it’s a book to dip in and out of rather than read from beginning to end, which is what I did. Nevertheless, I found it both valuable and fascinating.
It’s very clearly set out in three sections. The first is a general introduction to what tarot is, what it isn’t (that’s important) and introduces the suits. It’s not long, but it’s clear and unfussy. The second section goes through the pack and explains every single one of the cards, and how they might be interpreted in general, in relation to a situation, and with regard to the individual doing the reading. The third covers some ways of setting out the cards (spreads) and how a reader might interpret them.
I’ve dipped into a couple of other books of this nature, and this is by far the most accessible of them. It also avoids the trap of giving so much information, in particular on the different spreads, that it becomes confusing. There’s detail where we need it — on the cards themselves — and useful and relevant examples elsewhere.
All in all, a book I can see myself going back to time and time again.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 4, 2024
3,5/5 ⭐
Moc hezké pro začátečníky - velice přehledné a srozumitelné. Plakátek je další plus.
Moc hezké pro začátečníky - velice přehledné a srozumitelné. Plakátek je další plus.
April 24, 2023
so helpful and easy to understand !
I love how he included "keywords" when discussing the meanings of each card, it is so useful !
Enough information included without feeling like you are drowning in all of it
Definitely recommend for beginners and anyone looking for a guide/reference book on tarot card meanings :)
I love how he included "keywords" when discussing the meanings of each card, it is so useful !
Enough information included without feeling like you are drowning in all of it
Definitely recommend for beginners and anyone looking for a guide/reference book on tarot card meanings :)
October 14, 2023
3,5⭐️
fajn pro všechny, co chtějí s tarotem začít, plakát je moc super
fajn pro všechny, co chtějí s tarotem začít, plakát je moc super
April 29, 2023
This book reminded me a lot of Guided Tarot, which is definitely a compliment. There was a lot I liked about this book, and if you were to pick up this + the Guided Tarot, you'd have some solid footing for your tarot studies. I feel like they'd balance each other really well, BUT if I had to pick just ONE book, I'd still go for Guided Tarot. It dives a little deeper into reading and understanding the cards, the imagery, and other details, and card descriptions, specifically of the pentacles suit, are more broad and helpful--it's a tough book to beat. That said, this book isn't bad if you end up picking up this one instead! But I'd recommend still using other resources as well, especially when it comes to the pentacles suit, to learn the cards.
So let me go ahead and address the elephant: I was definitely loving this book up until the pentacles suit, which was a huge disappointment, because the book was otherwise really well done! But having the pentacles mostly only focus on money and careers feels like it's missing a big aspect of the suit--the material realm as a whole. Your physical health, your environment, being practical, your possessions, manual activities, etc. Not every reading will be about jobs and money, so for a beginner reader, they will have no idea how to apply this suit to other situations. And even in spreads about jobs/money, having such a limited scope can also have you miss out on other answers you might not have considered. This suit was also much more spiritual than the descriptions of previous suits, where it was almost always dealing with divination, which was also frustrating.
But before I go on, let me quickly cover what you can expect with this book: The book opens up with what tarot is, what it's about, what to use it for, some explanations of the suits, court (while this book does address the gendered aspect of the cards, it is unfortunately still binary), and reversals. From there, we start with the majors, before going into each minor suit (wands, cups, swords, pentacles), all with the same information: 1.5-2 pages of information regarding what the card is, the card as a situation, a person, reflection questions relating to you + the card, and upright and reversed keywords.
In general, I really liked the card descriptions. The author covers the basic meaning, along with some darker or more positive aspects of the cards, which isn't something I always see talked about. (Usually if it's an especially happy card, like the Sun, or difficult card, like the Tower, they're almost always discussed in black and white terms.) The author does cover a couple different situations too, to give you a bit of a wider understanding of the cards in various context.
While this book leans spiritual, as a secular reader, I, for the most part, had zero issue with this book. The cards' descriptions were perfectly fine for non-spiritual readings, and you could still learn a lot if you're new to tarot. That said, like I addressed above, the pentacles suit is the exception, where the bulk of the descriptions dealt with divination in regards to finances/career.
And finally, the back of the book contains a bit of extra information about reading the cards in general, and some spreads with examples. Definitely useful information for beginners.
All in all, I did enjoy the book. It's certainly a great resource and I'm glad I picked it up. My biggest gripe, which is not something small, is the pentacles suit. Really wish the meanings were more broadly discussed there.
So let me go ahead and address the elephant: I was definitely loving this book up until the pentacles suit, which was a huge disappointment, because the book was otherwise really well done! But having the pentacles mostly only focus on money and careers feels like it's missing a big aspect of the suit--the material realm as a whole. Your physical health, your environment, being practical, your possessions, manual activities, etc. Not every reading will be about jobs and money, so for a beginner reader, they will have no idea how to apply this suit to other situations. And even in spreads about jobs/money, having such a limited scope can also have you miss out on other answers you might not have considered. This suit was also much more spiritual than the descriptions of previous suits, where it was almost always dealing with divination, which was also frustrating.
But before I go on, let me quickly cover what you can expect with this book: The book opens up with what tarot is, what it's about, what to use it for, some explanations of the suits, court (while this book does address the gendered aspect of the cards, it is unfortunately still binary), and reversals. From there, we start with the majors, before going into each minor suit (wands, cups, swords, pentacles), all with the same information: 1.5-2 pages of information regarding what the card is, the card as a situation, a person, reflection questions relating to you + the card, and upright and reversed keywords.
In general, I really liked the card descriptions. The author covers the basic meaning, along with some darker or more positive aspects of the cards, which isn't something I always see talked about. (Usually if it's an especially happy card, like the Sun, or difficult card, like the Tower, they're almost always discussed in black and white terms.) The author does cover a couple different situations too, to give you a bit of a wider understanding of the cards in various context.
While this book leans spiritual, as a secular reader, I, for the most part, had zero issue with this book. The cards' descriptions were perfectly fine for non-spiritual readings, and you could still learn a lot if you're new to tarot. That said, like I addressed above, the pentacles suit is the exception, where the bulk of the descriptions dealt with divination in regards to finances/career.
And finally, the back of the book contains a bit of extra information about reading the cards in general, and some spreads with examples. Definitely useful information for beginners.
All in all, I did enjoy the book. It's certainly a great resource and I'm glad I picked it up. My biggest gripe, which is not something small, is the pentacles suit. Really wish the meanings were more broadly discussed there.
December 31, 2018
I'm the kind of person who likes to read everything there is on a subject before I actually try it (no wonder I'm getting my PhD...#thatresearchlife). I jumped at the chance to read this via a Netgalley ARC, because I had ordered my first tarot deck and had no idea where to start. (The deck has since arrived, but I haven't touched it yet, wanting to read everything first). This guide seems super helpful, and I'm a little bummed that I can't keep the e-ARC forever to refer back to as I start thumbing through the deck. I really liked the questions it posed for each card to help with interpretation, and I think that's the thing that would be most helpful as a beginner's guide. The book was accessible and straight to the point, which was great as well. The only thing that was a little odd is that the book (at least the ARC version) abruptly ends. I would have liked a general conclusion or summary.
But, overall, if I end up liking this whole tarot thing, I may consider purchasing this one to have in my back pocket.
But, overall, if I end up liking this whole tarot thing, I may consider purchasing this one to have in my back pocket.
November 22, 2018
- Book wish granted by publisher at Netgalley UK -
Another book from the In Focus series. I used to dabble in tarot reading when I was younger but always got my sister to do the spreads instead. This is an excellent book for beginners as I find it easy to read, without being too overwhelming. I am also pleased to see basic recommendations when finding your way in tarot reading. To pick one or three cards out of a deck, that to me really is encouragement to any newbie to hone skills and understanding about the cards over time.
Seems like just the book to reignite my interest in tarot reading. Off to find my deck!
Another book from the In Focus series. I used to dabble in tarot reading when I was younger but always got my sister to do the spreads instead. This is an excellent book for beginners as I find it easy to read, without being too overwhelming. I am also pleased to see basic recommendations when finding your way in tarot reading. To pick one or three cards out of a deck, that to me really is encouragement to any newbie to hone skills and understanding about the cards over time.
Seems like just the book to reignite my interest in tarot reading. Off to find my deck!
August 29, 2022
I'm new to tarot. I mean, exploring them more closely. I never gave them much thought, really. I've known people who got excited about them, had their own deck. But I had never felt compelled to have one. In recent years, I've played with them online. Off and on. But this summer, it hit me. I wanted to learn tarot, I wanted my own deck. I bought my first. The Rider Tarot Deck. After I learn them well, I can explore other decks. Steven Bright is a name that came up somewhere in my research. This is a good, practical guide for a beginner. It's straightforward with all the pertinent information. It's a good place to start.
October 22, 2018
Wow, this is a FANTASTIC guide! Easy to read but with enough detail to really teach you something, including information on each card in a variety of perspectives (overall, as a situation, as a person, reversed, etc.). One of the best tarot books I've found so far.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2019
I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is one of the best Tarot book I read. There is nothing extremely special about it, but it's short and on point. It describes every card from the pack, how to read it as a situation or person and questions to ask.
It does have a short how-to guide on reading too, but most importantly it works great as a guide.
This is one of the best Tarot book I read. There is nothing extremely special about it, but it's short and on point. It describes every card from the pack, how to read it as a situation or person and questions to ask.
It does have a short how-to guide on reading too, but most importantly it works great as a guide.
November 28, 2019
This is probably the best and the first Tarot guide book I invested in. Im a beginner in the Tarot card readinh world and its becoming easy for me. Steve explains the structure of the deck and the cards itself extremely well without any confusion. I've also taken a little bit of notes in a notebook. I still have a long way to go with learning.
January 5, 2022
Eh, this was ok.
I’m interested in tarot and thought this would be a good starter guide. It did help somewhat but I’m somehow more confused than when I started? I know it’s supposed to be read more as a reference than straight through like I did but some of the placement of sections didn’t make sense and I felt like the author assumed that the reader knew more than maybe they did.
I’m interested in tarot and thought this would be a good starter guide. It did help somewhat but I’m somehow more confused than when I started? I know it’s supposed to be read more as a reference than straight through like I did but some of the placement of sections didn’t make sense and I felt like the author assumed that the reader knew more than maybe they did.
January 30, 2023
This book is FANTASTIC for anyone new to Tarot and looking for a very straight-forward, easily referenced guide. I always recommend it to people I meet who are interested in learning and it's my go-to for brushing up on things.
It's incredibly easy to flip through and find exactly the card you are looking for and a quick synopsis of the traditional interpretations of said card. This book is also very easy to find at most larger bookstore chains making it super accessible as far as going out and finding one.
I think most copies come with posters for reference as well which is nice.
It's incredibly easy to flip through and find exactly the card you are looking for and a quick synopsis of the traditional interpretations of said card. This book is also very easy to find at most larger bookstore chains making it super accessible as far as going out and finding one.
I think most copies come with posters for reference as well which is nice.
April 16, 2023
An easy reference for all things Tarot! I love that this book goes into detail about each individual card, with full-color images of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.
I wish this author would have made sure to mention Pamela Coleman Smith, the true artist behind the iconic Tarot imagery we know and love today.
This is a handy reference tool I will be hanging onto for years to come!
I wish this author would have made sure to mention Pamela Coleman Smith, the true artist behind the iconic Tarot imagery we know and love today.
This is a handy reference tool I will be hanging onto for years to come!
September 29, 2023
This was the first tarot book I got as I started to get interested into learning more about tarot. And I think it was a great place to start when looking into tarot and the card meanings. I like how each card can be read about a person, a situation or you.
I also love the poster that came with the book.
I also love the poster that came with the book.
February 5, 2020
I’m a total beginner, so I was looking for an introduction to the cards that didn’t feel completely overwhelming. This book is it! It’s designed to get you acquainted with each tarot card and some popular spreads. I can’t wait to build upon the knowledge I acquired from this book.
July 9, 2022
This is written so simply, for the purposes of learning at a beginners' level. It's perfect! Now that I have a basic understanding of the cards, I feel ready to start some readings and move on to another Tarot guide that's more complex.
December 12, 2019
Good basic rundown on all cards and different ways in which to read them depending on the context. Super easy to read and understand. Would 100% recommend to any Tarot beginner.
January 3, 2020
This is a really lovely basic tarot book that includes approachable card meanings.
June 25, 2020
Favorite tarot book!! Its so informative and describes many ways to look at each card and has color. Theres a few spreads in the back it shows and explains card by card. Absolutely love this book!!!
November 4, 2020
disappointing, because it was very basic. would be fine for a beginner but I'm looking for more advanced theories and this book doesn't have them.
February 28, 2021
Easy to read and understand, especially when he goes over the different card spreads. Highly recommend!
June 18, 2021
Best book ever when it comes to learning about tarot reading.
Hands down.
Hands down.
July 6, 2021
This a great book to use if you are wanting to learn how to read tarot cards. It’s very clear and easy to understand!
September 13, 2021
such a great beginners guide into tarot
January 20, 2022
This is a great book if you are looking to learn about tarot! Specifically with the Rider Waite deck. It has detailed information on each of the cards, tips, spreads and much more!
February 8, 2022
Very bland, not very in depth and truly just an "ok" read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews