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Fearless Tarot: How to Give a Positive Reading in Any Situation
Transcend your fear of negative cards with this beginner-friendly guide to the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot. Using his engaging and easy-going style, Elliot Adam teaches you how to move through the shadows and into the light no matter what card you pull.
We've all been there: hoping for the best as we draw a card...but oh no, it's the Devil! This book shows you that fear won't prevail--every card can become something positive. Elliot helps you find the courage to tackle any reading by explaining both upright and reversed meanings in a constructive way. His approach features unique spreads and interpretations, and he encourages you to use your inner wisdom to start an uplifting dialogue with your deck. Fearless Tarot provides everything you need to read tarot without fear.
We've all been there: hoping for the best as we draw a card...but oh no, it's the Devil! This book shows you that fear won't prevail--every card can become something positive. Elliot helps you find the courage to tackle any reading by explaining both upright and reversed meanings in a constructive way. His approach features unique spreads and interpretations, and he encourages you to use your inner wisdom to start an uplifting dialogue with your deck. Fearless Tarot provides everything you need to read tarot without fear.
336 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2020
About the author
Elliot Adam
5 books10 followersElliot began his professional tarot career at the age of 16. At the age of 20, he opened his own tarot shop, Athena’s Oracle, in Milwaukee. He received a Doctoral Degree in Classical Oboe before deciding to return his attention to his spiritual business roots. Elliot established his website, ElliotOracle.com and has since attracted a substantial international clientele including Hollywood scriptwriters, high-profile journalists, actors, doctors, and entrepreneurs. His success is rooted in his unique descriptions of traditional tarot symbolism as vehicles for personal empowerment.
Elliot’s Card of the Day blog has attracted a huge following and is currently among the first tarot definition search results on Google (especially for reversals). He’s currently completing a book based on his popular tarot interpretations and believes in taking tarot out of the realm of fear and into a place of understanding and empowerment.
Elliot also loves ancient Greek history, religion, and language and has many classical poems and hymns memorized in their original Greek.
Elliot’s business, ElliotOracle.com, offers tarot readings for clients. Tarot is a language of pictures depicting universal archetypes. Our inner selves speak in the language of myths and symbols. As an oracle, Elliot reads the story of a client’s life based on the symbols from the tarot cards.
By viewing individual situations through this lens, clients gain safety and distance from their fears and can detach from specific outcomes. Elliot uses the imagery to help clients examine what’s potentially blocking them from moving forward, but also to view where their energy is flowing to a clearer path towards success.
Elliot’s Card of the Day blog has attracted a huge following and is currently among the first tarot definition search results on Google (especially for reversals). He’s currently completing a book based on his popular tarot interpretations and believes in taking tarot out of the realm of fear and into a place of understanding and empowerment.
Elliot also loves ancient Greek history, religion, and language and has many classical poems and hymns memorized in their original Greek.
Elliot’s business, ElliotOracle.com, offers tarot readings for clients. Tarot is a language of pictures depicting universal archetypes. Our inner selves speak in the language of myths and symbols. As an oracle, Elliot reads the story of a client’s life based on the symbols from the tarot cards.
By viewing individual situations through this lens, clients gain safety and distance from their fears and can detach from specific outcomes. Elliot uses the imagery to help clients examine what’s potentially blocking them from moving forward, but also to view where their energy is flowing to a clearer path towards success.
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May 10, 2026Source of book: KU
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.
***
Skippable Preamble
So, I’ve done tarot all my life, ever since my grandmother taught me way way back when (God I’m old). From late teens to early twenties, I sat in the back of tiny shops reeking of incense pretending some pieces of cardboard could tell strangers their future, I worked Oxbridge balls and bullshit corporate events, and pretty much everything in-between. But let’s also make one thing very clear: my grandmother was a prize bullshitter.
Since then I’ve sort of been figuring out my own extremely secular practice, one that uses the cards reflectively, and challenges perspectives rooted in assumptions of gender, heteronormativity, and hierarchy. But, like most things that’s been a taken-for-granted part of your life since childhood, it never occurred to me to kind of look outwards with it. To be honest, I think I’m pretty good, in general, at failing to notice entire industries that exist round a thing I’m doing (like moving my newsletter Substack has been illuminating in just how much writing about writing there is out there). But, anyway, I suddenly realised I’d never, like, read a single book about tarot. So, being me, I decided to address this by reading every book on tarot. At least, every book about tarot I could get my hands on from the local library or Kindle KU (tarot books are expensive enough I’m not buying one for keeps until I know I actually like it).
So here’s brief thoughts on every book about every book about tarot I read in the last month. And this preamble is going in front of every review to give it context.
***
So, I kind of appreciated that this book had a point of view? But the point of view ended up not quite working for me. Like, I know there’s cards that are deemed “scary” in the tarot deck and part of your job, when you’re reading for others, is to make those cards feel as accessible and hopeful as any other. But I think this went so far in the positive and uplifting direction that, for me personally, I found it bordering on toxic positivity at times. Like, I think one of the things a reflective tarot secular practice can do for both you, and the people you read for, is allow you to confront--in a safe and contained way--difficult things you’re having trouble acknowledging.
On the other hand, I’m aware this is a slightly unfair takeaway from a book where the whole deal is explicitly attempt to de-scary the tarot deck. I might not agree with every interpretation, and I might downright resist several of them, but I appreciated the nudge to re-consider some of my relationships to some of the cards. Obviously you can’t capture the nuance of every experience every reader is ever going to have with every card (for example, I think if you work too hard at dragging an empowering “just reach out and grab that cup being offered!!!” message from the four of cups, you’re missing the mental and emotional stagnation that card points towards. Sometimes we just can’t grab a cup, no matter how easy it seems for the people who are telling us to grab it) but I did appreciate the invitation to re-consider my relationship to several cards and broaden my understanding of them.
I think this is basically what I’m looking for a tarot book at this point. Anything that isn’t the same six keywords about the chariot representing ambition or whatever.
He also strays a bit too close to the Jungian anima/animus, masculine/feminine aspects of selfhood at times which isn’t extremely not for me. I get that talking about male and female aspects of selfhood as divorced from gender and gender identity is … y’know … better than talking about all “womanhood” and “manhood” as an explicitly definable set of qualities that can be attributed to all AFAB and AMAB people respectively. But I still don’t enjoy the inherent binary of male aspects and female aspects, even if it’s claimed that everyone contains some measure of both. This is from the description of The Lovers card:
He concludes that The Lovers card is about finding inner peace, united male self and female self, with our spiritual (angelic) aspect. But I think there’s ways to talk about those ideas--alignment, harmony, choices of selfhood and self-love--without leaning so hard on gender and gender binaries. Like, for many people, this is going to be a completely alienating approach to this card, either because they’re agender, gender-fluid, or nonbinary, or because they’re a binary trans person for whom ideas of embodying certain gender tropes, even on a spiritual or figurative level, may well triggering AF. I mean, I have a tarot deck where The Lovers card is two intertwined trees (very A Prayer For the Crown Shy). There’s plenty of ways to talk about this card (even the RWS version with two naked cishet people below an angel with a trumpet) that don’t require you to assume a cishet framework.
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.
***
Skippable Preamble
So, I’ve done tarot all my life, ever since my grandmother taught me way way back when (God I’m old). From late teens to early twenties, I sat in the back of tiny shops reeking of incense pretending some pieces of cardboard could tell strangers their future, I worked Oxbridge balls and bullshit corporate events, and pretty much everything in-between. But let’s also make one thing very clear: my grandmother was a prize bullshitter.
Since then I’ve sort of been figuring out my own extremely secular practice, one that uses the cards reflectively, and challenges perspectives rooted in assumptions of gender, heteronormativity, and hierarchy. But, like most things that’s been a taken-for-granted part of your life since childhood, it never occurred to me to kind of look outwards with it. To be honest, I think I’m pretty good, in general, at failing to notice entire industries that exist round a thing I’m doing (like moving my newsletter Substack has been illuminating in just how much writing about writing there is out there). But, anyway, I suddenly realised I’d never, like, read a single book about tarot. So, being me, I decided to address this by reading every book on tarot. At least, every book about tarot I could get my hands on from the local library or Kindle KU (tarot books are expensive enough I’m not buying one for keeps until I know I actually like it).
So here’s brief thoughts on every book about every book about tarot I read in the last month. And this preamble is going in front of every review to give it context.
***
So, I kind of appreciated that this book had a point of view? But the point of view ended up not quite working for me. Like, I know there’s cards that are deemed “scary” in the tarot deck and part of your job, when you’re reading for others, is to make those cards feel as accessible and hopeful as any other. But I think this went so far in the positive and uplifting direction that, for me personally, I found it bordering on toxic positivity at times. Like, I think one of the things a reflective tarot secular practice can do for both you, and the people you read for, is allow you to confront--in a safe and contained way--difficult things you’re having trouble acknowledging.
On the other hand, I’m aware this is a slightly unfair takeaway from a book where the whole deal is explicitly attempt to de-scary the tarot deck. I might not agree with every interpretation, and I might downright resist several of them, but I appreciated the nudge to re-consider some of my relationships to some of the cards. Obviously you can’t capture the nuance of every experience every reader is ever going to have with every card (for example, I think if you work too hard at dragging an empowering “just reach out and grab that cup being offered!!!” message from the four of cups, you’re missing the mental and emotional stagnation that card points towards. Sometimes we just can’t grab a cup, no matter how easy it seems for the people who are telling us to grab it) but I did appreciate the invitation to re-consider my relationship to several cards and broaden my understanding of them.
I think this is basically what I’m looking for a tarot book at this point. Anything that isn’t the same six keywords about the chariot representing ambition or whatever.
He also strays a bit too close to the Jungian anima/animus, masculine/feminine aspects of selfhood at times which isn’t extremely not for me. I get that talking about male and female aspects of selfhood as divorced from gender and gender identity is … y’know … better than talking about all “womanhood” and “manhood” as an explicitly definable set of qualities that can be attributed to all AFAB and AMAB people respectively. But I still don’t enjoy the inherent binary of male aspects and female aspects, even if it’s claimed that everyone contains some measure of both. This is from the description of The Lovers card:
The male part of the self wants to mentally figure everything out with a rational explanation. He fears the unknown and yet is strangely attracted to the mysteries embodied by the female on the card. Status, strength, and reason matter to him. However, by himself, he is incomplete. He needs to connect with something much deeper than what he finds in the world. He sees this in the female. He gazes at her beauty and is mesmerized by her. She is the part he is missing. She is very precious to him and reminds him of what really matters in life. The male looks to the female for clues on what kind of person he should present himself as in the world. If the female is wounded, it alters his perception of his value.”(And it keeps going on from here)
He concludes that The Lovers card is about finding inner peace, united male self and female self, with our spiritual (angelic) aspect. But I think there’s ways to talk about those ideas--alignment, harmony, choices of selfhood and self-love--without leaning so hard on gender and gender binaries. Like, for many people, this is going to be a completely alienating approach to this card, either because they’re agender, gender-fluid, or nonbinary, or because they’re a binary trans person for whom ideas of embodying certain gender tropes, even on a spiritual or figurative level, may well triggering AF. I mean, I have a tarot deck where The Lovers card is two intertwined trees (very A Prayer For the Crown Shy). There’s plenty of ways to talk about this card (even the RWS version with two naked cishet people below an angel with a trumpet) that don’t require you to assume a cishet framework.
July 22, 2020
*I received a copy of this book for free on from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is a great addition to any tarot student's collection. It's good for tarot readers of any experience level, but will be of particular use to new tarot readers and tarot readers looking to make the transition to reading professionally.
The book is divided into an introduction to the author Elliot Adam by "Tarot Lady" Theresa Reed, an introduction to the tarot section, then jumps into each of the 78 cards: Major Arcana, Suits of the Minor Arcana, and then a conclusion section including suggested spreads, creating your own spreads, and tips for reading professionally.
Each card is examined from several angles: A hand 1-line summary of the card (great for new tarot readers to use for memorizing), a paragraph that uses keywords and summarizes the basic concept of the card. Next, the author provides helpful questions for use in personal or professional readings, to give a personalized context to the card. The author then tackles the rich symbolism of each card, providing a detailed sense of the nuance of each card that you don't always get in a tarot book. Once the symbols are examined, the author then synthesizes each element -- keywords, questions, symbolism -- and provides real-world applications and helpful guidance for reader.
Finally, the author then devotes the same careful attention to each card's meaning when presented reversed, which is definitely an afterthought in most tarot books, making Fearless Tarot singular in its ability to take something most readers dislike (a reversed card) and provide a positive spin on how to interpret the meaning.
I also truly appreciated the way that this author examined "The Sinister Seven" (Tower, Devil, Swords, etc.) and provided additional interpretations of these cards, so that seeing these cards won't frighten a newbie or a client. On that note, as an advanced semi-professional reader, I was particularly interested and impressed by the way the entire Swords suit is examined in this book. Swords have always been cards that strike fear into my heart -- and as promised in the title! -- I am no longer fearful to draw these cards because of Elliot Adam's careful, measured, and compassionate examination of this misunderstood suit.
My only complaint is fairly minor -- the book could have done with a second copyedit, because the persistent use of the interrobang (?!) was distracting, and there's a minor homonym error (elicit/illicit) in the introduction to the Cups suit -- but overall, these are very, very small things as compared to the "big picture" this book offers.
Highly recommended! This book should have an honored place on your Tarot shelf, snuggled between Tarot for Troubled Times (Theresa Reed) and Modern Tarot (Michelle Tea). It's a wonderful addition to any collection, and I would definitely recommend this book to someone who was just getting into tarot, so that they can go boldly into readings with a fearless heart. Thank you for bringing this book into the world, Elliot!
This is a great addition to any tarot student's collection. It's good for tarot readers of any experience level, but will be of particular use to new tarot readers and tarot readers looking to make the transition to reading professionally.
The book is divided into an introduction to the author Elliot Adam by "Tarot Lady" Theresa Reed, an introduction to the tarot section, then jumps into each of the 78 cards: Major Arcana, Suits of the Minor Arcana, and then a conclusion section including suggested spreads, creating your own spreads, and tips for reading professionally.
Each card is examined from several angles: A hand 1-line summary of the card (great for new tarot readers to use for memorizing), a paragraph that uses keywords and summarizes the basic concept of the card. Next, the author provides helpful questions for use in personal or professional readings, to give a personalized context to the card. The author then tackles the rich symbolism of each card, providing a detailed sense of the nuance of each card that you don't always get in a tarot book. Once the symbols are examined, the author then synthesizes each element -- keywords, questions, symbolism -- and provides real-world applications and helpful guidance for reader.
Finally, the author then devotes the same careful attention to each card's meaning when presented reversed, which is definitely an afterthought in most tarot books, making Fearless Tarot singular in its ability to take something most readers dislike (a reversed card) and provide a positive spin on how to interpret the meaning.
I also truly appreciated the way that this author examined "The Sinister Seven" (Tower, Devil, Swords, etc.) and provided additional interpretations of these cards, so that seeing these cards won't frighten a newbie or a client. On that note, as an advanced semi-professional reader, I was particularly interested and impressed by the way the entire Swords suit is examined in this book. Swords have always been cards that strike fear into my heart -- and as promised in the title! -- I am no longer fearful to draw these cards because of Elliot Adam's careful, measured, and compassionate examination of this misunderstood suit.
My only complaint is fairly minor -- the book could have done with a second copyedit, because the persistent use of the interrobang (?!) was distracting, and there's a minor homonym error (elicit/illicit) in the introduction to the Cups suit -- but overall, these are very, very small things as compared to the "big picture" this book offers.
Highly recommended! This book should have an honored place on your Tarot shelf, snuggled between Tarot for Troubled Times (Theresa Reed) and Modern Tarot (Michelle Tea). It's a wonderful addition to any collection, and I would definitely recommend this book to someone who was just getting into tarot, so that they can go boldly into readings with a fearless heart. Thank you for bringing this book into the world, Elliot!
July 22, 2020
*I received a copy of this book for free on from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is a great addition to any tarot student's collection. It's good for tarot readers of any experience level, but will be of particular use to new tarot readers and tarot readers looking to make the transition to reading professionally.
The book is divided into an introduction to the author Elliot Adam by "Tarot Lady" Theresa Reed, an introduction to the tarot section, then jumps into each of the 78 cards: Major Arcana, Suits of the Minor Arcana, and then a conclusion section including suggested spreads, creating your own spreads, and tips for reading professionally.
Each card is examined from several angles: A hand 1-line summary of the card (great for new tarot readers to use for memorizing), a paragraph that uses keywords and summarizes the basic concept of the card. Next, the author provides helpful questions for use in personal or professional readings, to give a personalized context to the card. The author then tackles the rich symbolism of each card, providing a detailed sense of the nuance of each card that you don't always get in a tarot book. Once the symbols are examined, the author then synthesizes each element -- keywords, questions, symbolism -- and provides real-world applications and helpful guidance for reader.
Finally, the author then devotes the same careful attention to each card's meaning when presented reversed, which is definitely an afterthought in most tarot books, making Fearless Tarot singular in its ability to take something most readers dislike (a reversed card) and provide a positive spin on how to interpret the meaning.
I also truly appreciated the way that this author examined "The Sinister Seven Card" (Tower, Devil, Swords, etc.) and provided additional interpretations of these cards, so that seeing these cards won't frighten a newbie or a client. On that note, as an advanced semi-professional reader, I was particularly interested and impressed by the way the entire Swords suit is examined in this book. Swords have always been cards that strike fear into my heart -- and as promised in the title! -- I am no longer fearful to draw these cards because of Elliot Adam's careful, measured, and compassionate examination of this misunderstood suit.
My only complaint is fairly minor -- the book could have done with a second copyedit, because the persistent use of the interrobang (?!) was distracting, and there's a minor homonym error (elicit/illicit) in the introduction to the Cups suit -- but overall, these are very, very small things as compared to the "big picture" this book offers.
Highly recommended! This book should have an honored place on your Tarot shelf, snuggled between Tarot for Troubled Times (Theresa Reed) and Modern Tarot (Michelle Tea). It's a wonderful addition to any collection, and I would definitely recommend this book to someone who was just getting into tarot, so that they can go boldly into readings with a fearless heart. Thank you for bringing this book into the world, Elliot!
This is a great addition to any tarot student's collection. It's good for tarot readers of any experience level, but will be of particular use to new tarot readers and tarot readers looking to make the transition to reading professionally.
The book is divided into an introduction to the author Elliot Adam by "Tarot Lady" Theresa Reed, an introduction to the tarot section, then jumps into each of the 78 cards: Major Arcana, Suits of the Minor Arcana, and then a conclusion section including suggested spreads, creating your own spreads, and tips for reading professionally.
Each card is examined from several angles: A hand 1-line summary of the card (great for new tarot readers to use for memorizing), a paragraph that uses keywords and summarizes the basic concept of the card. Next, the author provides helpful questions for use in personal or professional readings, to give a personalized context to the card. The author then tackles the rich symbolism of each card, providing a detailed sense of the nuance of each card that you don't always get in a tarot book. Once the symbols are examined, the author then synthesizes each element -- keywords, questions, symbolism -- and provides real-world applications and helpful guidance for reader.
Finally, the author then devotes the same careful attention to each card's meaning when presented reversed, which is definitely an afterthought in most tarot books, making Fearless Tarot singular in its ability to take something most readers dislike (a reversed card) and provide a positive spin on how to interpret the meaning.
I also truly appreciated the way that this author examined "The Sinister Seven Card" (Tower, Devil, Swords, etc.) and provided additional interpretations of these cards, so that seeing these cards won't frighten a newbie or a client. On that note, as an advanced semi-professional reader, I was particularly interested and impressed by the way the entire Swords suit is examined in this book. Swords have always been cards that strike fear into my heart -- and as promised in the title! -- I am no longer fearful to draw these cards because of Elliot Adam's careful, measured, and compassionate examination of this misunderstood suit.
My only complaint is fairly minor -- the book could have done with a second copyedit, because the persistent use of the interrobang (?!) was distracting, and there's a minor homonym error (elicit/illicit) in the introduction to the Cups suit -- but overall, these are very, very small things as compared to the "big picture" this book offers.
Highly recommended! This book should have an honored place on your Tarot shelf, snuggled between Tarot for Troubled Times (Theresa Reed) and Modern Tarot (Michelle Tea). It's a wonderful addition to any collection, and I would definitely recommend this book to someone who was just getting into tarot, so that they can go boldly into readings with a fearless heart. Thank you for bringing this book into the world, Elliot!
January 17, 2021
This is an excellent Tarot book. I've got several but often find the mesnings in the books difficult to apply, whereas in this one the meanings aren't just dictated but its explained in a way that shows ~how~ to read the card. This means its far easier to apply to multiple situations.
Its written in a way that makes it enjoyable to read, and sounds as if its a friendly discussion between the author and reader
I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads and enjoys Tarot!
Its written in a way that makes it enjoyable to read, and sounds as if its a friendly discussion between the author and reader
I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads and enjoys Tarot!
July 30, 2020
Fearless Tarot by Elliot Adam is a phenomenal and informative book. Personally I think it can be used for or those who are beginners and experienced in the art of Tarot alike.
You learn to how to read each Tarot card in the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana in a positive way, not viewing it negatively (cue reversed cards!) and how to read them as what challenge you are to overcome and how to restore the balance as well as resding them upright.
There is just so much to learn from this book, so please I implore you to not be scared, put off or worried about reading Tarot "right", everyone has their own pace, style of layout, drawing rituals and way to read, understand and connect with their cards.
I will definitely be re-reading through this book again.
Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn Publications for the free ARC.
All opinions are my own.
You learn to how to read each Tarot card in the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana in a positive way, not viewing it negatively (cue reversed cards!) and how to read them as what challenge you are to overcome and how to restore the balance as well as resding them upright.
There is just so much to learn from this book, so please I implore you to not be scared, put off or worried about reading Tarot "right", everyone has their own pace, style of layout, drawing rituals and way to read, understand and connect with their cards.
I will definitely be re-reading through this book again.
Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn Publications for the free ARC.
All opinions are my own.
October 31, 2025
would totally recommend if you're interested in tarot! the readings always make you feel hopeful and more connected to yourself <3
February 27, 2025
Elliot Adam has written a fantastic tarot book that will make you look at the card meanings in a different way than you do now.
I have used it in my tarot studies since november 2024 and I will continue to do it. It's a book that I would recommend everybody to have on their bookshelf.
I have used it in my tarot studies since november 2024 and I will continue to do it. It's a book that I would recommend everybody to have on their bookshelf.
December 1, 2022
Este libro es una joya, sobre todo por el análisis simbólico que realiza a cada carta, incluso de detalles que suelen pasarse por alto (como por ejemplo los múltiples ibis que aparecen en los arcanos mayores). Independiente de la excelente información que entrega, tiene gran mérito el significado que detalla cuando las cartas aparecen invertidas, alejada de catástrofes (como lo indica el título) y con muchos consejos prácticos. Muy recomendable.
June 26, 2020
I have been reading tarot cards now for over 20 years, mainly for myself, sometimes for friends. And even after all these years, the negative cards still give me a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. I found this book to be an excellent source book for any tarot reader, beginner to advanced, to have in their library. The author has an easy-going style and makes it simple for even the most beginner to understand. Elliot Adams shows you how to move through the darker cards and help see the light in every situation, regardless which card you pull. The author does an excellent job explaining both the upright and reverse meanings of each card in an excellent and constructive way. The book is filled with unique spreads and interpretations and you are encouraged to look into yourself and trust your inner voice and knowledge when reading the deck. Wonderful guide book. I definitely recommend.
I would like to thank Elliott Adam, Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I would like to thank Elliott Adam, Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 1, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but after giving it a closer look, I realized how many of the card meanings are just variations of "trust yourself, don't let other people bring put you down, set boundaries, do the right thing no matter what other people say, stand your ground," etc.
It seems to me like this was written by and for someone who is uncomfortable with conflict and/or has confidence issues. And that's not meant to be passive-aggressive--it's a genuinely sad fact that so many people feel badly about themselves or lack confidence. This is the perfect book for folks who sometimes need to be reminded of their worth.
But, as someone with a healthy (sometimes TOO healthy) ego, after a while I felt like I was reading an old Saturday Night Live script from the 90s for Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!"
It seems to me like this was written by and for someone who is uncomfortable with conflict and/or has confidence issues. And that's not meant to be passive-aggressive--it's a genuinely sad fact that so many people feel badly about themselves or lack confidence. This is the perfect book for folks who sometimes need to be reminded of their worth.
But, as someone with a healthy (sometimes TOO healthy) ego, after a while I felt like I was reading an old Saturday Night Live script from the 90s for Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!"
September 9, 2020
I am not a fan of the original Rider Waite Smith images, but the symbolism discussed in this book gave me a whole new perspective. Fearless Tarot is written in plain english with a nice touch of humor and devided in digestible short chapters. A good sourcebook for beginners and intermediates alike.
Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn for the ARC.
March 9, 2021
I asked the universe for the perfect Tarot book for me. Went from book store to bookstore checking out tarot books but none resonated with me. Smehow one day I came across Elliot's webpage and found he had a book. This was the book I was looking for! It is so spot on it freaks me out sometimes.
This book has been life changing and I am so grateful to Elliot for writing it.
This book has been life changing and I am so grateful to Elliot for writing it.
December 27, 2021
I read this book on Scribd and loved it. I was worried it might be too butterflies and roses for meanings of cards but it’s more about highlighting the positives that can come out of the negatives than ignoring them. This book is well written, easy to read and navigate.
May 21, 2023
One of my favorite tarot books ❤️
August 6, 2020
Description
Transcend your fear of negative cards with this beginner-friendly guide to the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot. Using his engaging and easy-going style, Elliot Adam teaches you how to move through the shadows and into the light no matter what card you pull.
We’ve all been there: hoping for the best as we draw a card…but oh no, it’s the Devil! This book shows you that fear won’t prevail—every card can become something positive. Elliot helps you find the courage to tackle any reading by explaining both upright and reversed meanings in a constructive way. His approach features unique spreads and interpretations, and he encourages you to use your inner wisdom to start an uplifting dialogue with your deck. Fearless Tarot provides everything you need to read tarot without fear.
My Review
I was a bit skeptical when I requested this book thinking it might be just like all of the other books out there about tarot cards. Boy was I wrong!
This book is well written and easy to follow. A great addition to any one who wants to learn how to read the tarot cards correctly or wants to have that "perfect" book.
If you are new or even have been reading tarot cards for awhile, don't fret. Go out and buy this book. I highly recommend it and give it a 5 Star!!!!!
Transcend your fear of negative cards with this beginner-friendly guide to the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot. Using his engaging and easy-going style, Elliot Adam teaches you how to move through the shadows and into the light no matter what card you pull.
We’ve all been there: hoping for the best as we draw a card…but oh no, it’s the Devil! This book shows you that fear won’t prevail—every card can become something positive. Elliot helps you find the courage to tackle any reading by explaining both upright and reversed meanings in a constructive way. His approach features unique spreads and interpretations, and he encourages you to use your inner wisdom to start an uplifting dialogue with your deck. Fearless Tarot provides everything you need to read tarot without fear.
My Review
I was a bit skeptical when I requested this book thinking it might be just like all of the other books out there about tarot cards. Boy was I wrong!
This book is well written and easy to follow. A great addition to any one who wants to learn how to read the tarot cards correctly or wants to have that "perfect" book.
If you are new or even have been reading tarot cards for awhile, don't fret. Go out and buy this book. I highly recommend it and give it a 5 Star!!!!!
November 15, 2020
I have been a follower of Elliot Adam for some time on Instagram as I really like his style. I find that Elliot approaches tarot in a simple to understand, no nonsense approach and for that alone, I found myself super stoked about a book coming out by him. I have often listened to him explain a tarot card and thought "why didn't I see it this way before?". His approach is so user friendly and this book is no exception to that approach. He asks the right questions that help the reader perceive meaning absent of fear.
Although he states reversals are not the end all, he does use them and shines a positive light helping to alleviate fears that certain cards may ignite in ones' mind. He closes out this wonderful book with spreads as well as a handy guide in the appendix. I can't recommend this book enough to any reader who wants a fresh approach to understanding tarot card meanings. Many thanks to Llewellyn Publications and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reading copy of Fearless Tarot. I am grateful for the sneak peak as a reviewer and purchased a copy for my own library as well.
Although he states reversals are not the end all, he does use them and shines a positive light helping to alleviate fears that certain cards may ignite in ones' mind. He closes out this wonderful book with spreads as well as a handy guide in the appendix. I can't recommend this book enough to any reader who wants a fresh approach to understanding tarot card meanings. Many thanks to Llewellyn Publications and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reading copy of Fearless Tarot. I am grateful for the sneak peak as a reviewer and purchased a copy for my own library as well.
December 29, 2020
An essential member of the Tarot reader's bookshelf! This is a particularly useful book for those new to Tarot reading, making each card easier to understand and, perhaps more importantly, making Tarot less intimidating in general. I particularly appreciate how every card is framed in a growth mindset, so that even the "scary" cards are valid and the reader more receptive to these messages. I am always appreciative of an author who includes context for reversals instead of just suggesting they mean the opposite of what cards are right side up, or leaving them off entirely. My one critique is that the cards are occasionally read too simply, and that a lot of nuance is lost than if they had been discussed a little more thoroughly. It does, however, encourage the reader to consider card imagery and rely on one's intuition rather than memorizing cold hard facts of traditional interpretation of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. I bought this book after reviewing it to add to my own collection.
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August 29, 2020Actual rating: 4.50 stars
It took me quite a while to finish this but I'm glad I did. I have been fascinated by tarots for years, and reading this guide is truly a nice and easy way to start learning about them. From the point of view of a beginner, I can say that the guide covers well the major meanings of tarot cards and how to use them.
My only (small) complaint is that I would have preferred if the meaning of some cards was explained deeper and in a sightly clearer way, and in others I would have preferred if the author's personal advices were shorter.
But as I said at the start, this is a very very helpful guide for beginners.
It took me quite a while to finish this but I'm glad I did. I have been fascinated by tarots for years, and reading this guide is truly a nice and easy way to start learning about them. From the point of view of a beginner, I can say that the guide covers well the major meanings of tarot cards and how to use them.
My only (small) complaint is that I would have preferred if the meaning of some cards was explained deeper and in a sightly clearer way, and in others I would have preferred if the author's personal advices were shorter.
But as I said at the start, this is a very very helpful guide for beginners.
January 10, 2026
There is a lot I liked about this book. But once it hit the Minor Arcana, it started to feel really repetitive and like no matter what card you draw, it all means the same thing. More than that, the meanings felt very generalist and superficial, aimed at readers who use tarot for fortune telling. I don't. I see tarot as a spiritual tool for self-reflection and personal development. Therefore, I disagreed with many of the card interpretations. Also...sometimes things ARE just bad, and it's important to acknowledge such moments. I don't agree with the idea of every card having one or two simplistic, uplifting meanings.
October 21, 2024
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
As a reader I like to continually expand my practice and discover new outlooks and perspectives of fellow tarot users. I have a philosophy in life to be open and curious which leads me to explore topics I enjoy and use in my practice.
This is a book I would recommend to students and attendees at courses and workshops I hold as lovely approach, intuitive encouraging and lots of information and details to consider and learn from.
Really well narrated and conveyed.
As a reader I like to continually expand my practice and discover new outlooks and perspectives of fellow tarot users. I have a philosophy in life to be open and curious which leads me to explore topics I enjoy and use in my practice.
This is a book I would recommend to students and attendees at courses and workshops I hold as lovely approach, intuitive encouraging and lots of information and details to consider and learn from.
Really well narrated and conveyed.
October 28, 2020
This book is so important and so well written! Elliot understands tarot and has put a positive spin on even the most terrifying cards:) this is how divination should work. He engages his audience to look within and step into their power of creating a life worth living! We can all gain insight from this magical book of positive twists to an age old divination tool. I highly recommend this book for all who own a tarot deck!
November 23, 2020
Una lectura amena, entretenida, completa, y muy fácil de seguir. Aporta tanto a los que ya saben de tarot como a aquellos que ya lo manejan desde hace tiempo. Disfruté especialmente el análisis de los símbolos de cada carta.
A pleasant, entertaining, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow reading. It contributes both to those who already know tarot and to those who have already handled it for a long time. I especially enjoyed analyzing the symbols on each card.
A pleasant, entertaining, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow reading. It contributes both to those who already know tarot and to those who have already handled it for a long time. I especially enjoyed analyzing the symbols on each card.
December 1, 2020
This book is brilliant for anyone who has ever been intrigued & wants to learn more about tarot. I’ve had other books before that aren’t very user friendly & seems to complicate it, but i really rate this book. Theres a handy notes section at the back which i love! If you are tempted to buy it please do you will not be let down! Easy to read & understand & a fun read at the same time. Brilliant *****
April 19, 2024
Very Informative
This is a more modern approach to reading Tarot cards. It helps break down card meanings to make the information you get in a reading into something you can apply to your own life or the lives of people you read for. Don't expect traditional tarot meanings in this book, but instead a more intuitive way to read the cards to allow people to make their lives better. This includes you as well.
This is a more modern approach to reading Tarot cards. It helps break down card meanings to make the information you get in a reading into something you can apply to your own life or the lives of people you read for. Don't expect traditional tarot meanings in this book, but instead a more intuitive way to read the cards to allow people to make their lives better. This includes you as well.
May 12, 2021
By far one of the best books on tarot. The fear of several cards prevented me from doing daily readings (which are best to learn tarot in my opinion) I mean who wants the Tower, or 3 of Swords pulled when you are asking how my day is going to go. However this book takes that fear out. The tarot began to become a tool in my healing and self discovery. I cannot wait for Adam's new book.
August 11, 2023
This book has really helped me get more confident reading for myself and others! Elliot is a sweetheart, uplifting, and so positive. I would recommend this book to anyone and it will stay next to my decks forever. I find myself rereading his words on certain cards, especially the ones that always have kind have freaked me out like The Hanged Man and the nine of swords.
March 20, 2025
I love this guide because it’s wildly comforting, realistic, and still educational. I recommend it for anyone at any stage of reading tarot cards. It’s a beautiful take on the classic interpretations and offers a modern, heart-led perspective on how they can be read. There’s a lot of simple wisdom in this book!
October 25, 2020
It is more looking into the card than what it could mean in a reading which is cool. Relates those meanings to outside of it. I like how it gives as much time to the minor cards as the major which is a good thing to me. A really good source.
December 7, 2020
Quick impression: Overall, I'd say this is one of the best Tarot books I've read this year. I am glad to have read it, and it is one I'll gladly recommend if anyone asks for a Tarot book.
(Full review on my blog)
(Full review on my blog)
January 22, 2021
I’ve studied and practiced Tarot for over 20 years, and this book still taught me something new! I appreciate the fresh perspective on the cards while maintaining the traditional vibe. This is an excellent guide for beginners and advanced readers alike! Thank you, Elliot Adam.
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