Your Tarot Court: Read Any Deck with Confidence

by Ethony Dawn

Turn the Tarot Court Cards into Noble Allies for Every Reading You Do

Meet the people and personalities of the tarot in a whole new way with Your Tarot Court. This book gives you the confidence you need to tackle the trickiest part of any the court cards. You'll explore the tarot court archetypes and discover new ways to identify and work with these enigmatic cards.

Your Tarot Court is designed with contemporary readers in mind--it discusses gender as a social construct, translates the royal hierarchy for a modern world, and more. Professional reader Ethony Dawn guides you through the court, offering techniques, spreads, and interpretations that make the cards more accessible and understandable. This enlightening guide helps improve your understanding of yourself and the people around you by removing the mysteries shrouding these noble figures.

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

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2019

Reviews

[Arwen Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free pdf of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

First, I need to disclose that I consider Ethony a colleague and a friend.

This book is packed with information. I found it to be very layered with information for beginners as well as those like me (I've been a professional reader since 1985 and studying tarot since 1980.) I am not so ensconced in my expertise that I cannot learn something new.

This book is written in a very friendly voice which I prefer to the drier tones of those like Eden Gray, etc. It tackles some of the dried-up, dusty meaning by cleaning them up to offer a much more approachable POV.

To say this is a must-have, it needs to be a few things for me. One, I must learn from it. I did. Two, it needs to be approachable for all. It is. Three, it needs to bring something new to the Tarot world. It does.

For those who think they know it all or don't need to learn anything new, this book is not for them. In fact, I'd hazard a guess that any book isn't for them. Tarot, as I know it, is ripe for new criticisms and insights. Diversity and classism is not addressed to my satisfaction in older tomes.

Your Tarot Court does this for me. Ethony has given the truly authentic Tarot community (I define that as those willing to learn every day) a treasure. Even if I didn't know her on a personal level, I would be recommending this book to my students.

[ABCme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ethony, Netgalley and Llewellyn Publications for the ARC

If you're just starting out in tarot this book might be overwhelming. It goes deep and deeper and absolutely blew me away! Diving into the court cards, exploring their individual meanings, their connections to the zodiac, uncovering the elements and seasons, mixing it all up and explaining future predictions, Your Tarot Court covers it all. The writing is modern and understandable with plenty of room to breathe. I loved the introduction excercise, letting my imagination run wild and letting go of what I know already, starting afresh.
What an amazing journey, I'm still coming to terms with the wealth of information I've taken in. So far I read it only once, accompanied by a very large mug of tea and a thick writing pad. For now just touching the surface in understanding.
I will definitely return to this outstanding companion again and again to fully comprehend it all.

[☆Dani☆ ☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for anybody that ever struggles with tarot court cards! Like this book also explains, I have known people whom have even taken the court cards out of their decks! Well this is a fast paced read that explains the Tarot thoroughly and has a great guide towards the end that gives great keywords and corresponding elements that you can easily apply to your readings when dealing with court cards. I highly recommend this book to folks whom struggle with the court cards. This book will add more depth when dealing with these sometimes difficult cards!

[Temperance Tarot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading tarot for several years and have many books in my collection. I picked this one up because court cards can be problematic and because I do enjoy Ethony’s YouTube videos. While I enjoyed this book and found some useful information in it, I wasn’t blown away.

I loved the number of activities and exercises in this book that urge you to find your own way with the tarot court cards. As Ethony always says “Take what resonates with you and leave the rest.” She defines each court card with an archetype, an element, a gift, and a hierarchy (or rank). She also created a mantra for each card, which I really liked.

However, the problem I have with this book, like many other tarot books, is that it describes the tarot as a fortune telling tool with an emphasis on predicting the future and reading for other people. There is an entire chapter on predicting timing with the court cards. However, I read tarot for myself as part of my spiritual practice and for self-development, so much of the content of the book was simply not useful for me.

I was so looking forward to the pop culture references in the book. Aligning the courts with pop culture can be helpful in gaining an understanding of the cards. I was a bit disappointed here. Some were very good, but some left me flat. For example, the archetype she associated with the Queen of Pentacles was the healer. So TV doctors were listed as the pop culture references. I thought Hawkeye Pierce was a wonderful pop culture association for the Queen of Pentacles, however, the additional suggestion of Dr. House really missed the mark.

I do think this could be a very helpful book for a beginner looking to learn to read predictively for others. I did not find it that helpful on my own personal tarot journey.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, interesting, and informative book about the court cards in tarot. The exercises are helpful and I especially enjoyed the connections to cultural references for each member of the court. A wonderful addition to any tarot library.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended to tarot lovers :)

[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.

This felt more like a reference book than something you would take in front-to-back, but I enjoyed it and will definitely look back at it in the future. I enjoyed the various exercises provided as well as the wealth of information provided about the tarot court. The author also does a pretty good job at removing gender from the equation and speaking about each card more as a general archetype than anything else. I found it informative and would definitely recommend to those who partake in tarot.

[Sarah Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of information in this book that it will take me several read throughs to fully digest it all. Luckily, it's told in an easy voice so reading it is no problem. I've been a fan of Ethony's for a while, so I was excited to read this book about the cards that often mystify and make me nervous on how to read. I'm, honestly, not an adept reader of tarot. I feel like one of those that it will take YEARS for me to begin to truly understand, but I keep trying. This book helped me understand the court cards better, and I think having it as a regular reference will help me strengthen my craft.

*I received a copy 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.
Your Tarot Court contains a wealth of information! It is not a book designed to speed through - it requires more thoughtful reading, allowing time for completing the exercises and contemplating the meanings of the various cards.
I enjoyed the conversational and very readable tone of the book - it kept me from feeling overwhelmed with all the information. I will definitely come back to this book again and again to sip small bits of this encyclopedic book.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I had no idea there was so much to say (or in my case, learn) about the court cards. This book was really insightful in explaining the characteristics, archetypes, and values of each of the court cards. I liked that Dawn provided specific information about each card in all sorts of contexts, and she included spreads that I have never seen before. This was a surprising and fun find. I may buy a hard copy to keep with my cards so I can refer back to it easily.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like books about tarot and this was an interesting and engaging read.
I liked how the explanations, the examples and it was full of food for thought.
I learned something new and I thing will learn something more by rereading it.
A very good book, highly recommended!
Many thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide and Netgalley for this ARC

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a nice book. if wanting a newer book about the court cards or like Llewellyn books, this is one you can pick up. I did enjoy making my way through this book.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great tool for learning how to read tarot. It will help you with the court cards of any deck. I highly recommend it!

[frugalitymom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with great facts and thoroughly researched this book weaves together the facts to turn an interesting tale of a wonderful topic into a must read.

[Sylvia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethony Dawn’s Your Tarot Court finally made the court cards click for me. For years, they were the part of the Tarot deck that always seemed to trip me up. Were they representing people? Situations? Parts of myself? I’d stare at a Queen or Knight and wonder if I was supposed to be seeing a literal person, a quality I should embody, or something else entirely. Ethony has this incredible way of breaking down that confusion, taking these elusive cards and making them feel relatable, understandable, and, most importantly, useful in a reading.

From the first chapter, it’s clear that Ethony gets how frustrating the courts can be. What I love about her approach is how she doesn’t force them into rigid categories. Instead, she explores the fluidity of the court cards, acknowledging how they can shift roles depending on context—sometimes they’re people, sometimes they’re energies, and sometimes they’re reflections of our own internal states. That alone was a game-changer for me. It was like a lightbulb going off: I didn’t have to pigeonhole them. I could just ask, “What are you showing me right now?”

Ethony’s emphasis on seeing beyond traditional gender constructs and royal hierarchies was another highlight. So many books treat the courts like static symbols of kings and queens from a distant past, but Ethony reimagines them as archetypes that fit into our modern lives. Her interpretations made it easy to see how a Page of Pentacles might show up as a curious young coworker or as the side of myself that’s eager to learn something new. This approach made each card feel far more dynamic and alive than I’d ever experienced before.

Her spreads and exercises are fantastic for building confidence with the courts, too. I’ve tried her “Court Conversations” spread a few times, and it helped me understand how different court cards interact and show up together. Instead of feeling like I was stumbling through a maze, I felt like I was getting to know the different personalities in the deck, each with their own unique voice. I also appreciated the practical tips she offers for spotting when a court card is reflecting someone in your life versus an internal trait. I used to dread pulling multiple courts in a spread, but now I actually look forward to it.

But what really makes Your Tarot Court stand out is how deeply Ethony understands Tarot readers. She knows where we get stuck, where we overthink, and where we need that little nudge to trust our instincts. Her writing style is encouraging and empowering, and she’s not afraid to remind you that, yes, you can read the court cards with confidence. By the time I finished, I felt like I’d been through a mini workshop with a really knowledgeable friend who’s walked this path herself and figured out a way to make it clearer for the rest of us.

I can’t recommend Your Tarot Court enough if the courts have ever left you scratching your head. Ethony’s approach is practical, accessible, and full of insights that will completely transform how you see these cards. It’s not just a guide—it’s a toolkit for turning the trickiest part of the Tarot into one of the most rewarding. I finally feel like I’ve made friends with the court cards, and that’s something I never thought I’d be able to say.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get to Know the Courtly People of the Tarot

I have studied tarot for decades, and yet I am still intrigued by new tarot books that offer unique perspectives on aspects of it. Luckily, this is just such a book. I'll admit that my understanding and appreciation of the tarot court characters are not nearly as cultivated as it is for the major arcana, so when I saw this book, I thought it might be a great way to shade in some details. I was right. This book is a fantastic deep dive into all that the tarot court can mean. I liked how the author started broadly, looking at the relevance of the court characters to modern-day tarot readers before diving into associations with elements, astrology, and much more. As someone who is also interested in astrology, I particularly enjoyed those sections and that chapter. The author offered spreads and interpretations throughout, which also helped me further appreciate how to integrate the court cards better into my own readings and interpretations. I particularly like the spreads that were just about the court cards. What a better way to understand them! While this book is certainly meant to be a reference, I actually thought it was great to read straight through, but I can be a bit of a tarot nerd when it comes to books. The author's style is easy and conversational, which is always appreciated in what could be a complex topic, like the many faces of the tarot court.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Reading Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Backstory: I've been reading tarot for, oy vey, 30 years now. And everything old is new again, hurray?

There are a few trends I've noticed in publishing. Several years ago, knitting became the hip new thing, and while, as a lifelong knitter, I was excited to have so many new friends in the craft, the downside was that bookstores became FLOODED with beginner level knitting books. And all the upper level books? Few and far between and slowly disappearing entirely from anything other than specialty bookstores.

The same thing happened with Tarot. When I was in grad school, there was a great series of Advanced Topics in Tarot about all sorts of topics like spreads and court cards and reversals. They were deep dives, written by experts for advanced students. Now, Tarot is hipsterified (gentrifying, really) and so the big books everyone's excited about are...good but not great.

That's where I find this book. It's good, especially if you're a beginner and have never done ANY serious study with the Court cards (even the Court Card Party exercise from Mary Greer's Tarot for Your Self) but if you have, this book is a bit of a disappointment. It's FUN, for sure, though I do wonder how, in 10 years, her social justice aggressiveness will play, but I didn't really come away with any deeper knowledge. More confidence, perhaps, but nothing profound.

[GleeGMJournal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book to get an understanding to court cards, in which, are difficult to interpret among other cards in Tarot. The book walked you through the meanings of the cards, the elements, the zodiac sign the compability between other court cards. Examplify pop stars or fictional characters to make readers get a better picture of each court cards.

There are chapters dedicated to court card spread to explore each card personality, exercise at the end of the chapter.

An interesting thing here is this book tries to affirm that court card aren't based on your physical gender but more the personalities, for instance, even though you get King of Swords that doesn't mean that you have to be a male, though. it could imply extrovert energy or personalities that correspond to the King of Swords

The most important chapters that I think everyone's going to keep checking is cheat sheet which is the last chapter of the book. It summarized the essence takes of the book of every chapter, hence if you want to recheck a reference, this cheat sheet chapter is a quick tremendous help.

[Dodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Now there is a lot of information in this book so be continually referring back to it. Ethony has taken the time to assign archetypes to the court cards along with having serval other correspondents relating to the court cards. She also understands that there are a variety of reasons why someone might be call to the tarot. Some people may or may not have clients and some people may or may not use tarot for predictions. There is a selection in the book where she talks about the elements and astrology regards to the court cards. If people use tarot for predictions Ethony has a chapter that deals with predicting time using the court cards. If you are into pop culture you can have fun using different people in the media and how they fit into the archetypes of the court cards. Then for every court card she has designed a spread for it. I would highly recommend this book.

[Lauren Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

I’m glad to have a book that focuses solely on the court cards. It was very interesting to explore each member of the court, get to know their characteristics, and see them take shape outside of just an illustration on a card.

Ethony does a wonderful job of bringing each member to life. Her writing is casual, but very professional and informative.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the layout. There are different chapters/themes, and each court member is discussed within that theme. This is then repeated each chapter. I found this to be a bit disjointed, and was flipping back and forth to connect all the information of one court card. I would have preferred to have a full chapter on each court card, and have the subjects/themes broken down from there. It would have really developed their persona that way.

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book isn't meant for me, I read the word problematic way too much for me to take it seriously. This book is focused more to another group of people, which is fine. I still did learn quite a few things when I wasn't skipping parts. It's just way too modern for me...? The thinking is very Millennial and while I am one, I'm way more of an old soul, so it just didn't work for me in lots of areas but if you're into all this new fangled stuff and the like and you're looking for a good tarot book, this is probably for you! It does go into gender in the court cards which I liked, so not a bad book by any means, I'm just not the right audience.

[Tabitha Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of Ethony Dawn, but as I'm not huge into pop culture this is harder for me to really relate to in some parts. That being said there is some really awesome spreads (Road Map one especially) that pull you outside of your comfort zone and start to push you and how you see tarot and the court cards.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm new to tarot, so this probably wasn't the best book to read as a beginner. I'd say this is a more tarot 2.0 type of book, and although I learned a lot, I feel like I now need to go and learn the basics haha.

[Thao Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Một cuốn sách mà bắt đầu đọc 1 năm trước sau đó bỏ dở. Đọc xong cảm thấy ước gì mình đủ kiên nhẫn với đống kiến thức này vì nó cực kỳ useful và có rất nhiều thông tin bổ ích cho bất kỳ tarot reader nào.

[Sinead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the topic

[Sreemoyee Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book to understand the Court Cards

[Ami Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book, love the focus on the court cards! I especially like the chapter using characters from pop culture that reflect each court card- really helpful.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great reference book. This author explains the most difficult cards in a way that is easy to follow. Highly recommend it for anyone learning or even just wanting a refresher course.

[Tesha Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book that is great for new tarot readers as it is easy to understand and follow. It makes connecting with your cards more accessible to those who are just starting out and may be struggling to find helpful information. It explains in great detail each type of card and connects them to things that allow people to make an easier connection. For example, it connects certain cards to a type of person, allowing someone to better visualize what that card represents in a specific context. This title also lists what cards connect to different contexts and situations so that a new reader may easily learn how to use their cards.

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

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tarot and read cards and books about them frequently. Every book is different and this may be one of the best that I have read. Fortunately, I had a new set of cards that I could use. The court cards are broken down one by one. I like that the signs of the Zodiac and the cards that represents them are explained. They really tie everything together and were totally on point. The author suggests a notebook and it proved invaluable for keeping notes. There's no way I could remember everything. Tarot jargon was something I haven't studied and it was included. Great book. I received this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.