Tarot Elements: Five Readings to Reset Your Life

by Melissa Cynova

Five astonishing tarot readings for untangling life's messiest problems from Melissa Cynova, author of the bestselling book Kitchen Table Tarot

Author Melissa Cynova noticed that clients often turn up for readings with extremely complicated problems. She developed the five readings in Tarot Elements as a program for hitting the reset button on life. Whether you're reading for yourself or for others, this book can help you work with any tarot deck to clarify complex issues, unstick the stuck parts, and move forward to a better place.

The five elements are powerful factors in assessing which areas of life need the most attention. Tarot Elements shows you how to use the elemental structure that shapes tarot to focus on one aspect of a problem at a time and resolve the tangled issues that are holding you back. The earth reading is about home. Air is about mind, fire is about body, water is about heart, and the spirit reading is about your soul and your spiritual practice. With hands-on exercises, sample readings, and fascinating insights, this book invites you to pick up your cards and begin the process of transformation.

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

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2019

About the author

Tarot cards are pieces of paper with a series of symbolic art on them. That's it.

Tarot READERS, though, now there's some magic.

I've been reading tarot cards for 30 years and I can tell you that they're not magical, mystical or otherwise. The cards are cards, and you're the one who makes them amazing.

I live in St. Louis with my husband, Joe (who is my favorite), my kiddos, five black cats, two dogs, and our tortoise, Phil. I really, really like superhero movies and when I'm not reading or writing, I'm hanging out with my friends. I'm a lucky girl.

Reviews

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read (most of) Cynova's Kitchen Table Tarot, I was pretty excited to have the chance to read this new release of hers, but I have to say I didn't love it quite as much. Don't get me wrong, it's still a great guide to some really cool tarot spreads, and I loved the whole idea behind focusing on your energy and all in certain levels related to the elements, but the writing itself didn't pull me in as well. I think my biggest complaint was that it felt like this book would've benefited tremendously from being a lot shorter. It felt like Cynova spent a pretty solid portion of the book bulking up the page count with repetitive anecdotes, and at times I started skimming for pages on end because it was just kind of like, Okay, I get the point, can we move on to the next thing?

That said, this is still a solidly cool and unique look at using tarot readings to improve your life, and I will absolutely be taking away some exercises and spreads to use in my own daily life—starting with the 'Earth' spreads and exercises to get my home in order for the first time in far too long!

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I've read Kitchen Table Tarot and loved it. The information inside to the author's voice. She adds wit to her writing that I just love, she has me laughing while teaching me things and I love the combo. She adds wonderful examples before every spread, making it easy for people to pick up quickly. I love the way she ties the elements into the readings and I can't wait to try them.

Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read many tarot books, because I prefer just developing a relationship with the cards on my own, but Melissa Cynova has won me over with full, trusting heart. I did not follow her advice (sorry Melissa!) and read the whole book rather than work through each section. But this allowed me to see the progression of the readings, get a feel for the gentle strength required for the homework, and frankly work up the courage to dive into the fire reading. Oh boy, was it worth it.

[Sarah A-F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found on my blog.
disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for review consideration. All of the opinions presented below are my own.

I’ve been meaning to read Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa Cynova for ages now, so when Destiny let me know that Tarot Elements was available for request on NetGalley, I was stoked. The spreads all seemed immensely helpful and Melissa described their purposes very well in addition to providing some exercises to help you stay in the proper headspace for each element. My only complaint is the specific examples given for each spread. While these were helpful to a certain extent in understanding how the spreads worked, they felt quite repetitive and I ended up skimming through most of them. Regardless, I did enjoy reading through this and will definitely use these techniques in the future!

[Naava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Llewellyn for the ARC which I received in exchange for my honest review.

Melissa Cynova seems like an awesome person (I know, this is a BOOK review, not an author review, but let me go on). Her sense of humor, her intelligence, her warmth – it all came through the text and made me want to devour the book. Now, her style might not be for everyone, but that's ok. I enjoyed it.

I also enjoyed how Cynova has used the ages-old method of using the elements in addition to the cards and made it something new-ish. I'm sure the method isn't new, per se, but it's new-ish. We'll go with that.

I have yet to do any of the readings myself due to personal reasons (mentally, I'm not ready to face some hard truths and I know it)... and the fact that I wanted a complete overlook of the book before I started doing the readings.

Why four and not five stars? I found myself skimming through the examples. Yes, they're important to make sure the Tarot readers understand just how to interpret cards in each position of the spread, but it got quite boring after a while.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love the way the information is laid out in these books. Making it simple to understand and always learn something new. A great 5 spreads for intuition and guidance

[Anna Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa's book makes tarot accessible for everyone from the novice to the pro. I loved this book because I've been looking for follow up spreads for "weightier" readings and Melissa delivered.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide for the ARC!

I read another book by this author, "Kitchen Table Tarot", and I really liked it.
I was looking forward to reading "Tarot Elements", since I'm still trying to learn more on the subject.

I think the author does a great job capturing the meanings behind each card while simultaneously encouraging the reader to give his own interpretation. We can see she knows a lot! She's not just trying to sell a book, she really knows what shes talking about.

I also think it's very important how she shows that Tarot can't fix people, they have to fix themselves. It's not a replacement for therapy or medicines, but I'm sure it can help lots of people to find inspiration and rekindle with themselves.

The reason I'm only giving it 3 stars is because I got a little bored reading all those examples. I know they're necessary to show the process, but after a while it got a little too repetitive for me.

I appreciate the list of books recommended by the author at the end. I'll definitely add them to my TBR list.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are expecting something similar to her book Kitchen Table Tarot, this is not it. This is not so much a book to learn Tarot. It is more a self help book that uses specific Tarot card readings to provide the self help. If you like self help books and books that claim they can help you fix your life somehow, this may be for you. If you are looking for a book to learn Tarot or a Tarot reference book, this is not it.

(Full review on my blog).

[Sylvia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Cynova’s Tarot Elements is like a deep breath of fresh air for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life’s complexities. Unlike other Tarot books that dive into card meanings or general spreads, this one stands out by offering a structured, yet deeply intuitive approach to tackling the messiest parts of life head-on. Cynova’s five elemental readings are exactly what you need when everything feels tangled, and you’re not sure where to start. It’s the ultimate “get unstuck” guide, and Cynova’s no-nonsense wisdom makes it feel like you’re sitting down with a friend who knows exactly how to help you find your way out.

The brilliance of Tarot Elements lies in its simplicity and focus. Instead of throwing endless card combinations or theories at you, Cynova zeroes in on five essential areas: home, mind, body, heart, and spirit. She frames each one through the lens of the elements—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit—and builds an entire reading around each aspect. I loved how clear and direct her approach is; it’s almost like working through a spiritual check-up, focusing on one part of your life at a time. And yet, despite the straightforward structure, the readings themselves are powerful tools for transformation.

Cynova’s writing is what really makes this book shine. She’s got this grounded, practical voice that somehow feels warm and funny, even when she’s walking you through the heavier stuff. There’s no sugar-coating, but there’s also no judgment—just encouragement and clear advice. When she talks about using the Earth reading to untangle issues around home, money, and stability, you feel seen and understood. She gives you the questions to ask yourself, the spreads to use, and then steps back, letting you dig into the cards and uncover your own answers. It’s a rare balance of guidance and autonomy that makes the book feel empowering rather than prescriptive.

I also really appreciated the way Cynova handles the emotional aspects of the readings, particularly in the Water and Fire elements. The Water reading, which centers on the heart, isn’t just about relationships. She pushes you to explore your own emotional landscape, to question where you’re giving too much or not honoring your own needs. Likewise, the Fire reading, with its focus on the body, isn’t limited to physical health—it’s about desire, drive, and how we’re showing up in the world. It’s a level of depth that goes beyond surface-level advice and gets to the core of what’s really holding you back.

One of the best parts of Tarot Elements is that you don’t have to be a Tarot expert to get value from it. Cynova provides enough context and instruction to make it accessible for beginners, but her insights are layered enough to resonate with experienced readers, too. Even if you’re familiar with elemental correspondences, she offers new ways of looking at them that feel fresh and meaningful. I’ve been reading Tarot for years, but her elemental spreads gave me a new framework for approaching personal readings and connecting with the cards in a more holistic way.

The hands-on exercises and sample readings are fantastic, too. Cynova isn’t just talking at you—she’s inviting you to jump in and try these spreads yourself. I found myself going back to the book multiple times to revisit a particular element whenever I felt stuck or uncertain about a situation. The spreads aren’t just about problem-solving; they’re about understanding the why behind the problem, which makes the book as much about self-reflection as it is about Tarot.

Tarot Elements is more than just a book of spreads—it’s a practical guide to resetting your life, one element at a time. Cynova’s honesty, humor, and deep understanding of the human experience make this book feel both accessible and transformative. Whether you’re facing a major life upheaval or just want to gain a clearer sense of where you’re heading, Tarot Elements will give you the tools you need to get unstuck and move forward. It’s quickly become a go-to in my Tarot library, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re looking for a book that combines the wisdom of Tarot with real, actionable guidance for personal growth, this one’s a gem.

[Allie Marini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! This book is the intersection of a tarot technique/craft book, a self-help book, and a life coaching book. The book is organized into five sections, each of which corresponds to an elemental theme, includes an introduction to the element and the theme, a tarot spread/program, case studies of the spread in action, and an exercise or "homework" to use with this spread to transform a tarot reading into a tool to implement real, tangible, sustainable change in the life of the person being read for (or for using yourself.)

This tarot writer's style is welcoming, knowledgeable, and shows the reader how to use these techniques, spreads, and exercises to enhance client readings and tailor them to the reader's own unique reading style. There's no gatekeeping, everything is written in an easily understandable, friendly and conversational tone and it takes an approach unlike any other I've seen in a book before. If you're a fan of Jen Sincero's Badass books, you'll probably find much to appreciate here.

I especially appreciated the inclusion of case studies for each spread, and the fact that there was more than one case study presented so that you can see how to tailor a spread reading and interpretation to different circumstances and situations. This is great for professionals or those looking to go professional, because it demonstrates how to use the same groundwork to build very different reading structures, which can instill a sense of confidence and autonomy.

The elements and themes included are: Earth, which deals with issues of home and hearth, kind of like a spiritual and physical "Marie Kondo" approach; Air, which deals primarily in matters or career, specifically being bored or feeling stuck in a job or profession; Fire, dealing in issues of the body (burnout, ignoring physical health); Water, addressing issues of love, romance, and friendship; and Spirit, addressing issues of faith, religion, and spirituality. There's a supplementary chapter that includes additional spreads for clarity, building on the groundwork of each elemental spread, as well as one dealing in self-care, which is important not only for the tarot reading but for all the hard work that should follow these readings.

There's an index of tarot meanings, and an introductory chapter on how to perform the readings, so I would say that while this book is appropriate and accessible for readers at any level of experience, it's more likely that advanced and professional readers will get the most value from the information included in it, because there's a lot of shadow work and heavy emotional labor involved here. However, because it straddles three worlds -- tarot, self-help, and life-coaching -- it might be perfect for a new tarot reader who isn't set in their ways because it definitely takes a hybrid approach to using the cards, which is both interesting and refreshing.

All in all, I've never seen a tarot book quite like this before, and I've definitely not seen too many self-help or life-coaching books that embrace tarot as a tool for personal growth. Let's hope this book starts a trend! I'm already looking forward to Cynova's next book, to see what direction she takes next.

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Melissa Cynova's second book. I didn’t do every exercise in the book but I did the major of them. You can read the book from the beginning or skip around depending on what element you would like to explore first. The book is explores earth, air, fire, water and spirt. First let ‘s talk about the first four. Each element was aligned to a different aspect of a person’s life. For an example the element earth was like to home life. When it comes to the tarot spread for these four elements the tarot spread questions where generic for example, what is holding you back, what can you bring forward etc. so yes the same questions for the spread where repeat for all of the elemental spreads. What was different for each spread was the design of the spread either pyramid was facing up or down, correspondence with the written symbol of the element.

After you are done the spreads for each chapter there are additional exercises and homework relating to the element that you are working with. Earth for example talks about how you feel about your home and individual rooms and physically and energically cleaning your space

The spirt tarot spread is in a circle to correspondence with the written symbol for spirt. There are a couple more question but follows the same format for the spread, additional excises and homework.

There is a chapter with follow up spread to do if you want clariftion, self care chapter and a nice summary of all of the elements near the end of the book. I liked the suggested reading, some where tarot book some where book that corresponded to the elemental themes of the book. Also don't skip over the difention of the cards. Melissa tweaked them a bit to fit the overall theme of the book with some actives you can do for healing.

[GruelCarp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands-down my favorite tarot author, Cynova is like the big sister you want on your side. She's the one you go to when your boyfriend is a puke or your career is at a standstill or your life is just falling apart.

Like any human, Cynova has seen her share of bad times and life crises. As a tarot reader, she mostly sees people who are at their worst where it isn't one thing usually but about 10 things.

This book is about how to shift through all that's going on in your world. Most people who are into tarot do a celtic spread. But it's so damn long and can be confusing if your whole life is in upheaval. Cynova sorts through different elements in tarot and creates straight forward spreads that read much more smoothly and address specific problems in specific areas of life as opposed to everything in one spread.

The ONLY reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that I still have a hard time understanding when I read tarot spreads how to read various interpretations. Cynova makes it look easy, but I'm still constantly finding myself asking silly questions like, "WHO IS THE EMPRESS? IS IT ME? IS IT MY MOM? A FRIEND? A STRANGER?" This isn't a shortcoming in this book in particular, but it was frustrating to read the sample spreads, because I'm still like, "How did she do that?" She's psychic too though, so maybe I'm just not tapped into the universe as much.

Lastly, she includes mental health resources for people who need extra help, more than a tarot spread can provide.

Sidenote: I also recommend her classes. Her Tarot 101 class was fantastic.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Melissa Cynova’s first book, Kitchen Table Tarot, I was excited to pick up this one and see what new readings she would present for tarot readers. This book focuses on the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, spirit) and paring them with areas in your life that need attention. She teaches us to use the elements and tarot spreads to focus on different parts of our bodies and life and slowly fix ourselves.

I think this book was a nice addition to Kitchen Table Tarot. It allows you to take what you initially learned about tarot and apply it to parts of your life with these five specific spreads. I did some of them as I was reading through the book but not all of them. If done correctly, it forces you to face your life and your problems with it so expect for these spreads to be emotional and hard to face.

Cynova also provides exercises to do along with the spreads that can also help you work through your problems and anxieties. My only real issue with this book was that the specific examples provided for each spread did get a little repetitive as the book went on so I started skimming them.

Overall, I look forward to her next book and will continue to reference this book (and her other one) in the future.

This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.

[ABCme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn Worldwide for the ARC.

Interesting take on the tarot, exploring the being through the elements of air (mind), earth (home), fire (body), water (heart) and spirit (soul), providing insight into moving towards your most authentic self.
The five seperate element spreads can be done in order or at random, but supposing the reader naturally loves slinging the cards, the book conviently starts with a small spread to make you decide where to start.
My outcome was water. All chapters come with a sample story and my reading was spot on. Really, I could have taken a page from my journal!
I then continued with the other elements. Right now I'm in a good place and the cards confirmed this.
Tarot Elements is written in clear, uplifting language, with anecdotes, exercises and practical tips that everyone can relate to. It also has a section dedicated to the meaning of the cards and their reversals.
I was thinking of a way to combine my readings upon finish, but the writer saw that coming and offered a conclusion-spread to round up the sessions. Thank you!
I read the Kindle version in which the few illustrations got twisted in format. No biggy since the text was fine. But if you prefer picture-perfect and maybe need to go back and forth as you please, I would recommend the print version.

[Marcello Tarot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro del quale non c’era bisogno.
Cerco di spiegarmi meglio: l’autrice scrive che questo è un libro di auto-aiuto New Age e che dovrebbe aiutare a spingere il pulsante di reset della propria vita quando questa va a rotoli.
Ha cercato di mantenere semplice la struttura di ciascuna stesa presentata, tutte basate sui simboli alchemici degli Elementi, e tutte con le stesse domande di fondo: “A che cosa posso aggrapparmi?”, “Che cosa mi può spingere ad andare avanti?” e “Che cos’è che m’intralcia?”
La struttura è sempre la medesima. E il tutto avrebbe potuto benissimo essere contenuto in un capitolo di un libro sui Tarocchi. Non c’era bisogno di introduzioni prolisse, così come non c’era bisogno di esempi prolissi (di esempi sì, ma che fossero prolissi no, e per di più con parti di testo “copiate e incollate” dall’appendice, già di suo poco chiara), così come non c’era bisogno dei fin troppo lunghi racconti personali.
Per questo scrivo che è un libro del quale non c’era bisogno: ciò che ci serviva, al massimo, era _un capitolo condensato_, di certo non un intero libro che, alla lunga, risulta pure ripetitivo. A suo favore, però, ha lo stile fluido e frizzante della Cynova, che scorre che è un piacere.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the concept of using this set of spreads to focus on problem areas of your life. I don't always agree on what kinds of problems go with which element, but that's easy enough to customize. And I'd read Cynova's earlier book Kitchen Table Tarot: Pull Up a Chair, Shuffle the Cards, and Let's Talk Tarot, so I knew I enjoyed her writing style. But I got a bit frustrated that the five spreads consist of the same three questions (the Spirit spread gets two more). The questions vary in their order and in how many cards each gets, but that's it. Also, the explanations of the example readings is longer and more detailed than I need, and I got a little bored. But overall, these readings are a great idea, and the book is a clear and practical guide to using them.

[Lashette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. This was my first Melissa Cynova book or encounter at all since to my knowledge I've never come across her online anywhere. I like her style. Down to earth and modern. It makes me more interested in picking up Kitchen Table Tarot than before.

The readings are simple and good for the average Joe to do at home for themselves. Backed up by examples, homework and exercises, they form a good foundation for self care and figuring out where you need to focus it. I love all the anecdotes and how she is showing and suggesting rather than telling you what do to.

I do disagree with some of the associations for the elements and therefore the focus of each reading but that's on me. Its more like a shirt off the rack that just doesn't fit quite right, than anything bad or wrong. The only confusing part is how there's a different amount of cards for each question. How decided that is not clear to me in her explanation. Overall, a good, enjoyable and useful book.

[Sarah Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Cynova's easy voice and style with Kitchen Table Tarot and so when I saw her posting about this book, I got really excited for it. Even more so when I found it on netgalley and got approved! This jumped ahead of all other books in my cue and I DEVOURED it. Now, I have not actually done any of the pulls yet, because I wanted to give it a read through before I started doing those. It reads easy, the instructions are clear, and as always, Cynova makes you feel like you're chatting at a table rather than being lectured. Each section contains some wonderful, helpful tips on how to work on each area...it really is a tarot/pagan "self-help" book!!

**I received a copy free via netgalley. All opinions are my own.**

[Darcysmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Llewellyn for free in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! Melissa Cynova's conversational tone worked 100% for me. I liked how straightforward and honest she was. She also made me laugh more than once.
The layout of the book was great - it was easy to read straight through or skip around for specific information. I enjoyed the way she tied the elements to the cards. The specific readings and interpretations were fascinating.
I especially enjoyed the tarot meanings appendix - the tone and clear, simple, direct language was right up my alley.
I know I will enjoy working my way through the readings and exercises as I need them.

[Sambath Meas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone needs a mentor in their life. If you find yourself stuck and is unable to move forward and you’re spiritual in a card-reading-kind of way, then Melissa Cynova’s Tarot Elements is a perfect book for you.

The author not only teaches you how to read tarot cards but goes through her hard life experience and those of her clients to inspire and motivate you to get to where you are going in life. However, it is up to you to take that step. Like the author says, “Use your drive and devotion to get out of the rut. You’ve got stuff to do. Remember that you’re in charge of you. Move forward. Don’t stop. The two steeds in front of the chariot will do what you ask, but you have to ask. Otherwise, they’ll just start wandering down the paths of habit and take you where you’ve already been.”

[Tesha Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title has great explanations and in-depth descriptions to understand the way of using elemental tarot readings. It explains different layouts and which element to connect with for different situations. This book has practices and homework that make it easy to understand and follow what the author is explaining. A great title for new tarot readers.

I received a free ARC copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and working through the elemental readings. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the list of card meanings in the back which I can see as being helpful but they are a repeat of her book kitchen table tarot that I already own. Each element not only has a spread for you to work through to discover more about yourself and actions or feelings but exercises for each one as well. This is a great learning tool to add to your collection.

[Tabitha Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you're unfamiliar with tarot and the elemental factors how how to read them, this is a great place to start. if you're struggling with some personal aspects of your life and need to do some deep searching for yourself also a good place to start. those that have experience in both these aspects, this will be more of a rehashing or refresher course on what you already know, which may be exactly what you're looking for.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful! Each chapter is so insightful with stories that I can definitely relate to, Melissa’s wit is right up my street and her interpretations of each card are worth the price of the book alone! I will be constantly referring to this as I make my own tarot journey and hope I can make as much sense of my life using these wonderful cards as this brilliant author!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the idea this book presents, and I think it is sincere, but I'm knocking a star because it requires an expert reader to truly pull the information you need from these spreads. The chapter lead up is great, the interpretations in the back are fun, but I think it promises too much. It could just be me and my inexperience though!

[Melody Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is an easy read, but it isn't a book that you just read. There is practical application and spreads for you to work through. I will likely be referencing it over and over. Melissa does a great job presenting the information in a way that makes it easier for the reader to apply.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent this morning at a tarot + writing workshop with the author (and then the afternoon at an attached writing workshop with Maggie Stiefvater) and read this on the train back to Chicago.
.
A very practical problem-solving tarot book. Now which reading to start with first...

[Holly Booms Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and cool "alchemical" approach with useful tarot spreads to investigate in depth each area of your life (home, career, love, health, finances). Not a Tarot 101 book, though conversational and approachable. I prefer Kitchen Table Tarot overall but glad to have it in my collection.

[Anna (Bananas) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like element readings already so this was a good fit for me. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Kitchen Table Tarot but it’s a solid read. The spreads for each element are helpful and interesting. I’ll definitely be using them.