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Tarot for Your Self: A Workbook for the Inward Journey
The tarot classic that first promoted the practice of reading the cards not just for others but for one's own personal insight and self-transformation
“Tarot for Your Self was ground-breaking when this book was first published and is still radically significant today.” —Benebell Wen, author of Holistic Tarot“Deciding to work with the Tarot is like embarking on a long, inward journey.”—Mary K. Greer
This tarot classic by Mary K. Greer was the first book to promote reading the cards for your own insight, revolutionizing tarot through a combined emphasis on self-teaching techniques and personal growth. Tarot for Your Self uses meditations, rituals, spreads, mandalas, visualizations, dialogues, charts, affirmations, and other activities to help you establish your own relationship with the cards. All the information is presented using the best in traditional knowledge and know-how. This powerful breakthrough process will turn all your readings into truly transformative experiences.
Tarot for Your Self covers interpretations for the major and minor arcana, reversed card meanings for all 78 cards, and enlightening information on your shadow/teacher cards.
“Tarot for Your Self was ground-breaking when this book was first published and is still radically significant today.” —Benebell Wen, author of Holistic Tarot“Deciding to work with the Tarot is like embarking on a long, inward journey.”—Mary K. Greer
This tarot classic by Mary K. Greer was the first book to promote reading the cards for your own insight, revolutionizing tarot through a combined emphasis on self-teaching techniques and personal growth. Tarot for Your Self uses meditations, rituals, spreads, mandalas, visualizations, dialogues, charts, affirmations, and other activities to help you establish your own relationship with the cards. All the information is presented using the best in traditional knowledge and know-how. This powerful breakthrough process will turn all your readings into truly transformative experiences.
Tarot for Your Self covers interpretations for the major and minor arcana, reversed card meanings for all 78 cards, and enlightening information on your shadow/teacher cards.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
497 people are currently reading
2400 people want to read
About the author
Mary K. Greer
54 books145 followersMary K. Greer is a scholar, writer, teacher and professional tarot consultant. With more than forty years experience in tarot as an author and teacher, she advocates a revolutionary approach to learning and using the cards that emphasizes personal insight and creativity. As an expert tarot reader, she works as a ‘midwife of the soul,’ using techniques that are interactive, transformational and empowering.
Mary is the founder of Tools and Rites of Transformation (T.A.R.O.T.) and is a member of many international tarot organizations. She is a featured speaker at tarot conferences and symposia around the world.
The author of nine books on tarot and a biography of four female magicians, Mary’s latest book is Who Are You in the Tarot? (RedWheel/Weiser, 2011). Her previous book, 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card (Llewellyn, 2008) won the COVR award for best divination book.
Mary is the proud recipient of the 2007 International Tarot Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2006 Mercury Award from the Mary Redman Foundation for “excellence in communication in the metaphysical field.”
With an M.A. in English literature, Mary was a faculty member and administrator of a college in San Francisco for eleven years. She is an Arch-Priestess/Hierophant in the Fellowship of Isis. As a world traveler, she has lived in Japan, Germany, England, Mexico, six states in the U.S., and currently resides in Northern California.
Mary is the founder of Tools and Rites of Transformation (T.A.R.O.T.) and is a member of many international tarot organizations. She is a featured speaker at tarot conferences and symposia around the world.
The author of nine books on tarot and a biography of four female magicians, Mary’s latest book is Who Are You in the Tarot? (RedWheel/Weiser, 2011). Her previous book, 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card (Llewellyn, 2008) won the COVR award for best divination book.
Mary is the proud recipient of the 2007 International Tarot Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2006 Mercury Award from the Mary Redman Foundation for “excellence in communication in the metaphysical field.”
With an M.A. in English literature, Mary was a faculty member and administrator of a college in San Francisco for eleven years. She is an Arch-Priestess/Hierophant in the Fellowship of Isis. As a world traveler, she has lived in Japan, Germany, England, Mexico, six states in the U.S., and currently resides in Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 11, 2008
Not to ruin my business as a card reader and Tarot teacher, but.... This is it. All you need. If you are wondering what book to buy to truly understand Tarot, this is where to go. No more memorizing - instead delving into your imagination and personal intuition with a great guide.
I have heard of people buying their first deck and then flipping through this perfect book and whining "I don't like workbooks." My opinion? "If you won't do the work to understand the cards, then just memorize the deck's booklet in that little box it came in and forget ever being talented as a reader."
She covers everything, and has more books for where you may be weak for later learning. This book you can work with for your whole career. As you get better as a reader, you find more depth in each exercise as you do it years later.
I teach Tarot and when the apprenticeship is over, I have the students buy this work to continue staying in an open, self-affirming space.
I have heard of people buying their first deck and then flipping through this perfect book and whining "I don't like workbooks." My opinion? "If you won't do the work to understand the cards, then just memorize the deck's booklet in that little box it came in and forget ever being talented as a reader."
She covers everything, and has more books for where you may be weak for later learning. This book you can work with for your whole career. As you get better as a reader, you find more depth in each exercise as you do it years later.
I teach Tarot and when the apprenticeship is over, I have the students buy this work to continue staying in an open, self-affirming space.
May 15, 2012
In my 13 years of voraciously studying all things witchery, there are a handful of books that I find myself constantly coming back to. This is one of them. I don't think I'll EVER get rid of this book as it is just TOO useful. When it comes to learning the art of Cartomancy then this book is carte blanche THE authority on the subject in my opinion.
June 13, 2020
A brilliant book for beginner and those with more experience of working with cards. Helpful advice at the beginning about how to choose a deck and care for it, as well as how to bond with it. The numerology part fascinated me, and I also loved the 5 year plan spread. This isn’t a book on how to read cards, it’s more of an in-depth work on how the cards can illuminate and help in our own lives. Take the time you need to work through it, or browse it, as I did and work on the exercises you’re drawn to. Happy tarot’ing!
June 10, 2012
Hi,
I got this book after reading a lot of positive reviews, though this book does have positive points, it failed to make any sense to me due to the exercises and badly organized chapters. Every tarot book is helpful and have it's own pros and cons, but in comparison to other few tarot books I feel this book didn't live up to it's rating. Maybe this is my point. I feel Tarot and Simple & Tarot for Beginners much easy and reader friendly.
I got this book after reading a lot of positive reviews, though this book does have positive points, it failed to make any sense to me due to the exercises and badly organized chapters. Every tarot book is helpful and have it's own pros and cons, but in comparison to other few tarot books I feel this book didn't live up to it's rating. Maybe this is my point. I feel Tarot and Simple & Tarot for Beginners much easy and reader friendly.
May 6, 2009
Sell? Swap? No Way! They'll have to pry this one out of my cold, dead hands. I have nearly worn out my copy. I use it every day. I have been keeping my tarot journal since 1979, and this book has been my constant companion since I discovered it in 2005. I use it in my journaling, I use it in my practice, and I use it in my classes. This is a GREAT book. I recommend it to one and all!
March 6, 2017
Excellent book for self exploration. I really enjoyed reading this book and doing the exercises. Greer provides very detailed information on how you can use the tarot for self exploration. The exercises are fun and offer very deep insights into the workings of your subconscious mind. Some of the exercises are very involved and may take a while to complete. But it's very interesting and fun at the same time. This is one of the most in-depth books on self exploration I have ever come across. The exercises guide you to know more about yourself than you ever have before. If you are interested in learning more about yourself, this is the book for you. If you follow the exercises you will learn some deep insights about yourself.
May 16, 2016
I love, love, love this book! The best thing about it is that it is interactive. The activities seem more fun to me and make me more interested in learning the cards. This was the fourth book I bought for my tarot journey and out of all my book this is definitely in the top 3. If you are needing some structure for you Tarot learnings, then this is the book for you. You can also fill out the information inside the book or write it in a notebook. The information is deeply insightful and I could tell the information was good because so many other Tarot practitioners have referenced this book in their own books.
September 6, 2016
A really interesting book. Greer essentially uses the Tarot as a form of depth psychology. No messages from magical realms here, just messages culled from within using a system of symbols and archetypes. It's a unique approach to exploring your own life and self.
August 7, 2020
Absolutely marvellous tarot workbook worth its weight in gold. If you are looking for a workbook to develop your relationship with tarot, this is a must-buy. My relationship with tarot is for the self. I don't use it for telling the future - this is not my strength or desire. I love the affirming truths tarot reveals about ourselves. I see it as a tool of intuition to help me tap inwards, and it has been useful for meditation and journalling. Therefore, Tarot for Your Self by Mary K. Greer is everything I want!
Greer provides the reader with so many wonderful visualization, journalling and writing prompts to get better acquainted with the cards. One of my favourite exercises early on was creating my tarot profile. I'm not into numerology but it was pretty cool. I had several powerful visualizations, memorably with the High Priestess but also with the Temperance card, which I chose. One meditation with the Magician that was written by one of her students was so lovely. I also loved the exercise to get to know the different suits by representing each energy of the suit and listening to a meditation.
There are amazing three-card spreads that can become complicated through permutations as well as grandiose spreads based on spiritual concepts (Kabbalah, chakras). I was surprised, however, that the Kachina Knife was not mentioned as a spread even though a whole chapter is devoted on the Celtic Cross. There are chapters focused on certain themes such as relationship or prosperity, and every chapter has additional resources to read. I love that Greer cites where she's getting her information and how much she encourages a personal relationship with tarot - from doing readings, creative writing exercises or designing your own spreads or tarot deck.
The only drawback is that there isn't enough space to write more than a few sentences.
Greer provides the reader with so many wonderful visualization, journalling and writing prompts to get better acquainted with the cards. One of my favourite exercises early on was creating my tarot profile. I'm not into numerology but it was pretty cool. I had several powerful visualizations, memorably with the High Priestess but also with the Temperance card, which I chose. One meditation with the Magician that was written by one of her students was so lovely. I also loved the exercise to get to know the different suits by representing each energy of the suit and listening to a meditation.
There are amazing three-card spreads that can become complicated through permutations as well as grandiose spreads based on spiritual concepts (Kabbalah, chakras). I was surprised, however, that the Kachina Knife was not mentioned as a spread even though a whole chapter is devoted on the Celtic Cross. There are chapters focused on certain themes such as relationship or prosperity, and every chapter has additional resources to read. I love that Greer cites where she's getting her information and how much she encourages a personal relationship with tarot - from doing readings, creative writing exercises or designing your own spreads or tarot deck.
The only drawback is that there isn't enough space to write more than a few sentences.
January 12, 2020
I can see how this book was amazingly unique when it first came out. Most of it was waaay too spiritual for me, so I glossed over the parts about crystals, pendulums, Higher Selves etcetera. If you're into all that, this book is a gold mine.
For me, a few concepts and spreads were useful. I liked her tone, and her hands-on approach. This is a good book, it just really wasn't for me.
For me, a few concepts and spreads were useful. I liked her tone, and her hands-on approach. This is a good book, it just really wasn't for me.
October 30, 2025
I’m both fascinated by but also very skeptical of witchy new age practices. I wanted to read about the tarot to find out a little bit about the history of it and how it can be used for self reflection. This book fit the bill.
Some cons: it’s a little older (1980s originally with updated editions). I guess it not being a book from this decade made me feel like it might be more sincere, or at least possibly less commodified. But being from the ‘80s, it suffers from things I find outdated such as scientific “facts” that have been disproven, such as how we only use 10% of our brain, and the way masculine and feminine energy is addressed. You’ll find this in self help book nowadays too, of course—if you’re wary of self help fallacies, you can navigate this book just fine. I skimmed through the chapter about illness and healing.
What’s really great about this book is the framing of the tarot as a personal tool. This is a workbook, and it’s basically a guide on how to use the tarot as a journaling practice. The charts! The tables! The fill in the blank reflections! I loved that. According to this book, Greer is supposedly the first to publish a tarot book about doing readings for yourself or as a practice for yourself. A lot of the reflection here (especially in the first half) reminds me of diy therapy. These exercises encourage you to take the time to think deeply about who you are, how you exist in the world, and how you can be a better person.
There’s also prompts for using the tarot for art and creative writing at the end. The appendices have more historical and interpretive information.
Some cons: it’s a little older (1980s originally with updated editions). I guess it not being a book from this decade made me feel like it might be more sincere, or at least possibly less commodified. But being from the ‘80s, it suffers from things I find outdated such as scientific “facts” that have been disproven, such as how we only use 10% of our brain, and the way masculine and feminine energy is addressed. You’ll find this in self help book nowadays too, of course—if you’re wary of self help fallacies, you can navigate this book just fine. I skimmed through the chapter about illness and healing.
What’s really great about this book is the framing of the tarot as a personal tool. This is a workbook, and it’s basically a guide on how to use the tarot as a journaling practice. The charts! The tables! The fill in the blank reflections! I loved that. According to this book, Greer is supposedly the first to publish a tarot book about doing readings for yourself or as a practice for yourself. A lot of the reflection here (especially in the first half) reminds me of diy therapy. These exercises encourage you to take the time to think deeply about who you are, how you exist in the world, and how you can be a better person.
There’s also prompts for using the tarot for art and creative writing at the end. The appendices have more historical and interpretive information.
August 3, 2020
A pesar de que es un workbook y que me quedan algunos ejercicios por hacer, lo marco como leído porque la parte teórica la he leído toda.
Es un libro que está bien, porque como ya he comentado me gusta el estilo de Mary K. Greer. Sin embargo, como me he leído sus otros libros más centrados en temas específicos (que es cierto que fueron escritos después de este, pero que yo he leído primero), pues me he encontrado muchos mensajes repetidos.
Si no has leído nada de la autora, es un buen libro para empezar, aunque a mi me gustan más sus libros temáticos.
Es un libro que está bien, porque como ya he comentado me gusta el estilo de Mary K. Greer. Sin embargo, como me he leído sus otros libros más centrados en temas específicos (que es cierto que fueron escritos después de este, pero que yo he leído primero), pues me he encontrado muchos mensajes repetidos.
Si no has leído nada de la autora, es un buen libro para empezar, aunque a mi me gustan más sus libros temáticos.
June 16, 2025
È un’opera decisamente sopravvalutata. Non fraintendiamoci: non sto dicendo che sia pessima! Ma personalmente non l’ho trovato il GRAN libro che molti altri invece dicono. Ha sicuramente i suoi pro – in primis la spiegazione della tecnica della Permutazione Personale – ma in diversi altri punti parte anche un po’ troppo per la tangente e risulta dispersivo.
Contiene anche i rudimenti delle “Carte di una vita intera” che l’autrice espanderà poi nel suo “Tarot Constellations” e che rivedrà anni dopo nel suo “Who Are You in the Tarot?”, e pregevole è l’Appendice A (di 42 pagine, nonostante il nome) che contiene i significati interpretativi delle singole lamine.
È comunque, nel complesso, un buon libro.
Contiene anche i rudimenti delle “Carte di una vita intera” che l’autrice espanderà poi nel suo “Tarot Constellations” e che rivedrà anni dopo nel suo “Who Are You in the Tarot?”, e pregevole è l’Appendice A (di 42 pagine, nonostante il nome) che contiene i significati interpretativi delle singole lamine.
È comunque, nel complesso, un buon libro.
December 14, 2018
Pick your form, then study
Any path that leads to self-awareness, enlightenment is to be taken seriously. Tarot, like most of its ilk, leans heavily on introspection for most of its magic and purpose.
Any path that leads to self-awareness, enlightenment is to be taken seriously. Tarot, like most of its ilk, leans heavily on introspection for most of its magic and purpose.
July 25, 2020
There are lots of typos/grammatical errors and wrong page references due to this just being a reformatted version of her original. Otherwise it was a great read and really takes you in depth with reading tarot. I learned quite a bit even after doing tarot for 20+ years.
August 10, 2014
A great introduction to the tarot and how you and it inform each other. Well done Miss Greer!
October 13, 2014
This is one of the better and more original tarot work books. It is a good starting place for the beginner also. I would recommend it to others.
June 29, 2015
Indispensable tool for self discovery and flawless education on the intuitive/metaphysical arts and sciences.
September 28, 2024
Mary K. Greer’s Tarot for Your Self is more than a classic—it’s the book that forever changed how we think about Tarot. Originally published in 1984, it was revolutionary for its time, introducing the concept that Tarot could be used not just for fortune-telling or reading for others, but as a profound tool for personal insight and transformation. This book didn’t just carve out a new niche in Tarot literature; it created a paradigm shift, redefining what Tarot could mean for individual self-development.
What makes Tarot for Your Self so groundbreaking is its hands-on, experiential approach. Greer was one of the first to suggest that the cards could act as a reflective mirror, guiding us through our own stories and inner landscapes. Her workbook format—complete with guided meditations, rituals, affirmations, and interactive spreads—was utterly unlike anything else available at the time. Exercises like creating Tarot mandalas and engaging in dialogue with the cards allowed readers to form a deeply personal relationship with the deck. This was Tarot as a tool for self-exploration, not just prediction.
Greer didn’t just write a guide—she introduced a whole new way of using the cards, and the influence of Tarot for Your Self can still be felt in nearly every modern book that explores Tarot for self-reflection. From the most basic three-card spread to her powerful “breakthrough process” technique, Greer’s methods remain timeless. It’s no exaggeration to say that without this book, the landscape of Tarot literature would look entirely different. Greer gave readers permission to turn the lens inward, making Tarot for Your Self the foundational text for what we now consider the “Tarot for self-discovery” genre.
If you’re serious about using Tarot as a tool for personal growth, this is the book that started it all. It’s as relevant today as it was four decades ago, inviting each reader to create a practice that’s deeply personal, transformative, and entirely their own. Tarot for Your Self didn’t just shift Tarot history—it set the stage for a revolution in how we approach the cards.
What makes Tarot for Your Self so groundbreaking is its hands-on, experiential approach. Greer was one of the first to suggest that the cards could act as a reflective mirror, guiding us through our own stories and inner landscapes. Her workbook format—complete with guided meditations, rituals, affirmations, and interactive spreads—was utterly unlike anything else available at the time. Exercises like creating Tarot mandalas and engaging in dialogue with the cards allowed readers to form a deeply personal relationship with the deck. This was Tarot as a tool for self-exploration, not just prediction.
Greer didn’t just write a guide—she introduced a whole new way of using the cards, and the influence of Tarot for Your Self can still be felt in nearly every modern book that explores Tarot for self-reflection. From the most basic three-card spread to her powerful “breakthrough process” technique, Greer’s methods remain timeless. It’s no exaggeration to say that without this book, the landscape of Tarot literature would look entirely different. Greer gave readers permission to turn the lens inward, making Tarot for Your Self the foundational text for what we now consider the “Tarot for self-discovery” genre.
If you’re serious about using Tarot as a tool for personal growth, this is the book that started it all. It’s as relevant today as it was four decades ago, inviting each reader to create a practice that’s deeply personal, transformative, and entirely their own. Tarot for Your Self didn’t just shift Tarot history—it set the stage for a revolution in how we approach the cards.
September 26, 2024
Tarot for Your Self by Mary K. Greer is an absolute classic and a must-have for anyone looking to explore tarot as a tool for personal transformation. Originally published in 1984, it was the first book to really emphasize the idea of using the cards for self-reflection and personal insight. What I love about this book is the wide variety of exercises and activities—whether you’re working through meditations, rituals, affirmations, or spreads, it really helps you build a personal connection to the cards in a meaningful way.
Greer provides an in-depth look at traditional tarot spreads like the Celtic Cross, but she also teaches you how to move beyond standard interpretations and make the readings truly your own. The focus on using tarot as a transformative tool is what sets this book apart. The "breakthrough process" Greer introduces is a powerful method that deepens every reading, making it much more than just a surface-level experience. This workbook format makes it perfect for individual use or group study, and it’s filled with hands-on activities that make learning interactive and engaging.
If you’re serious about making tarot a part of your personal growth journey, Tarot for Your Self is a timeless resource. Greer’s approach to using tarot for self-discovery is both practical and empowering, giving you the tools to turn every reading into a transformative experience. Whether you’re a beginner or have been reading for years, this book offers a fresh perspective on how to deepen your relationship with the cards.
Greer provides an in-depth look at traditional tarot spreads like the Celtic Cross, but she also teaches you how to move beyond standard interpretations and make the readings truly your own. The focus on using tarot as a transformative tool is what sets this book apart. The "breakthrough process" Greer introduces is a powerful method that deepens every reading, making it much more than just a surface-level experience. This workbook format makes it perfect for individual use or group study, and it’s filled with hands-on activities that make learning interactive and engaging.
If you’re serious about making tarot a part of your personal growth journey, Tarot for Your Self is a timeless resource. Greer’s approach to using tarot for self-discovery is both practical and empowering, giving you the tools to turn every reading into a transformative experience. Whether you’re a beginner or have been reading for years, this book offers a fresh perspective on how to deepen your relationship with the cards.
November 30, 2025
I LOVE all the information this book has and I haven't even finished it yet. I feel like its already improved my readings. I was searching for a self help book on how to learn the tarot and this is exactly what I was looking for!
HOWEVER.
I am really struggling to follow her examples and making graphs as she explains because.... the math is bad? Unless im not understanding it quite fully. For example on the Lifetime Year Card graph she lists 22 major arcana cards, but doesnt start with a 0. She ends with 22- is this where the fool is supposed to be? Or am I not supposed to follow the number ON the card, but instead the actual number in the deck order...
Besides that there was poor addition that led to the right card but the wrong number (11 she wrote was the wheel of fortune, but its actually 10. Her equation was 10+14+2011=2036. Thats not right, its 2035 which is broken down to make 10 which is wheel of fortune which she wrote down but I am SO confused about how she managed to get there with that math)
And finally so far all the graph page numbers are incorrect after however many additions so you kind of go on a wild goose chase to find the graphs that are being referred to, but thats the easiest thing to manage so im not even going to complain.
The book is *invaluable* its just infuriating trying to follow the examples given so I had to take away 1 star as a person coming to this book to LEARN something and am finding it difficult to do so. Im terrible at math as it is, so this is a real roadblocker for me.
HOWEVER.
I am really struggling to follow her examples and making graphs as she explains because.... the math is bad? Unless im not understanding it quite fully. For example on the Lifetime Year Card graph she lists 22 major arcana cards, but doesnt start with a 0. She ends with 22- is this where the fool is supposed to be? Or am I not supposed to follow the number ON the card, but instead the actual number in the deck order...
Besides that there was poor addition that led to the right card but the wrong number (11 she wrote was the wheel of fortune, but its actually 10. Her equation was 10+14+2011=2036. Thats not right, its 2035 which is broken down to make 10 which is wheel of fortune which she wrote down but I am SO confused about how she managed to get there with that math)
And finally so far all the graph page numbers are incorrect after however many additions so you kind of go on a wild goose chase to find the graphs that are being referred to, but thats the easiest thing to manage so im not even going to complain.
The book is *invaluable* its just infuriating trying to follow the examples given so I had to take away 1 star as a person coming to this book to LEARN something and am finding it difficult to do so. Im terrible at math as it is, so this is a real roadblocker for me.
July 20, 2022
I've been working through this for around three months and finally finished it today. I think this is probably going to be the primary recommendation for both beginner and intermediate readers. Greer not only breaks down the fundamentals of tarot reading but also utilizes so much creativity and out of the box concepts that really expand one's understanding of tarot reading and it's many uses. I've never been one for visualization but her practices and scenarios absolutely transformed my relationship with visualizing as a personal practice and a magical one as well and is one of the main things I will be taking in my own practice. I also enjoy both her interpretations of the cards as well as the dissection of the spreads. This is the type of workbook where you can pick and choose what chapters you're interested in without losing the overall value of the book. I read through most of the early chapters but then became a little more selective in later ones based on my own personal needs and experiences. Incredible resource and one I will be buying for my own library. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who wants a greater understanding of tarot or an experienced reader who wants a new direction or insight into how to expand their practice. 4 stars.
January 11, 2026
Another one that took me a really long time, but that's a good thing because I wasn't just reading it, I was working through it. This is a true workbook and most of it is great. I love the exercises that involve intentionally picking cards that evoke a certain feeling or represent something in particular and combining that with random draws to interpret. I feel like I got to know my deck really well and also learned a lot of different ways to interpret cards and things to look for in a spread like looking at the number of each suit and looking for obstacle cards and helper cards. Healing with tarot is not something I am interested in, but that was just one section of the book. The keywords and meanings for the cards seemed to be attempts at comprehensive lists of everything a card could mean to anyone ever, including contradictory meanings, which made them boring to read and not very useful, but this was just in the appendix and not what this book is for anyway. The bulk of the book, the workbook section, was pretty much exactly what I wanted it to be. If you are looking for structured tarot exercises that have some variety and aren't just journal prompts I highly recommend Tarot for Your Self.
November 9, 2024
Imagine tarot as less of a tool for predicting the future and more of a passport to your inner world. That’s the vibe Mary K. Greer brings to Tarot for Your Self, a book that practically begs you to roll up your sleeves and dive into some serious self-reflection. Greer was way ahead of her time with this book—she’s one of the first to show that tarot isn’t just about reading for others; it’s a way to read yourself, to peel back your own layers and get to the heart of things.
This isn’t a book you just read; it’s a workbook, a journal, and a mirror, all rolled into one. Greer gives you everything from spreads and affirmations to exercises that feel like conversations with the cards. She’s also crafted a "breakthrough process" that adds depth to every reading you’ll ever do for yourself. This book is about bringing tarot into your daily life as a transformative practice, and you don’t need to be a seasoned reader to appreciate that. Whether you’re fresh to the cards or have worn out a deck or two, Greer’s got something here for you. If you’re ready to make tarot personal, this is where to start.
This isn’t a book you just read; it’s a workbook, a journal, and a mirror, all rolled into one. Greer gives you everything from spreads and affirmations to exercises that feel like conversations with the cards. She’s also crafted a "breakthrough process" that adds depth to every reading you’ll ever do for yourself. This book is about bringing tarot into your daily life as a transformative practice, and you don’t need to be a seasoned reader to appreciate that. Whether you’re fresh to the cards or have worn out a deck or two, Greer’s got something here for you. If you’re ready to make tarot personal, this is where to start.
June 3, 2018
This is a great book if you you are new to tarot. As a workbook, this is going to be more of a companion in your tarot studies than a guide of learning the cards. Greer does give card interpretations at the end of the book, but it is not as extensive as others out there. This book is meant to be a place to document your psychological understandings of yourself as you use the tarot. There were some prompts and styles that I didn't follow: like reading court cards as other people or certain spreads. These prompts I skipped because I don't read tarot in these ways. But many other prompts were extremely helpful. This is also not a book that I just sat down to read cover to cover. The prompts in these books are meant to cover a lot over a long period of time. There were some prompts that I didn't do, and some I still need to do. With that said, most of what I got out has been really helpful.
July 8, 2023
Wow. So many useful exercises packed into a small space.
The purpose of this book is not to learn the meanings of each tarot card (although the appendices are very excellent if you do want to use it for that purpose). Instead, the book fosters meditation and self-discovery for those that have a working knowledge of the Tarot.
It wasn't until I read this book that I realized how mentally lost I was coming out of the COVID pandemic. The exercises gave me the tools to dream about my future again, get excited about it, and plan how I want to live my life.
10/10, buying a hard copy to keep on my shelf for years to come as a reference.
P.s. - if you liked Mat Auryn's Psychic Witch, you will enjoy this book too. Similar workbook style with a focus on cultivating your intuition and knowledge through imagination (clair- senses).
The purpose of this book is not to learn the meanings of each tarot card (although the appendices are very excellent if you do want to use it for that purpose). Instead, the book fosters meditation and self-discovery for those that have a working knowledge of the Tarot.
It wasn't until I read this book that I realized how mentally lost I was coming out of the COVID pandemic. The exercises gave me the tools to dream about my future again, get excited about it, and plan how I want to live my life.
10/10, buying a hard copy to keep on my shelf for years to come as a reference.
P.s. - if you liked Mat Auryn's Psychic Witch, you will enjoy this book too. Similar workbook style with a focus on cultivating your intuition and knowledge through imagination (clair- senses).
April 20, 2021
This book is a must have for any Tarot reader. It helps you dive deeper for your own spiritual journey. It took me 3 years to finish this book. I started it with a book club which eventually folded so I put it aside to work on other things. As time permitted and I felt the need to work on the next chapter. You could easily sit down and work through this in a week or two or focus on one chapter a month.
July 3, 2022
best tarot book…EVER!
Tarot for your self is full of tarot knowledge. I’ve learned more from this one book then I did from the 50 others I’ve read. (Not sure of the exact number if tarot books I’ve read. Lol) Mary K Greer really knows what she’s talking about. This book shows you how to find our soul card, shadow card, etc…..LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I’ll be rereading it. It’s that good.
Tarot for your self is full of tarot knowledge. I’ve learned more from this one book then I did from the 50 others I’ve read. (Not sure of the exact number if tarot books I’ve read. Lol) Mary K Greer really knows what she’s talking about. This book shows you how to find our soul card, shadow card, etc…..LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I’ll be rereading it. It’s that good.
September 17, 2025
This book is perfect for getting started with understanding tarot. It balances tradition and book knowledge with intuition and exploration. It allows the reader to understand the context and framework while delving into it hands on at a detailed, personal level. This is not a comprehensive guide, and must be filled out/engaged with to achieve its full potential, as a tool for getting the reader's feet wet with tarot as a Reader/Practitioner and a Seeker/Querent.
October 18, 2019
Sampled as library book intending to take notes/do exercises but there’s just too much. Purchasing my own copy and digging in. Most tarot books are formatted around some theme and the use that theme through with authors story and examples going g through each card. This book is a blank slate for an individual to develop their own relationship with the cards without others’ ideas influencing.
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