The Magic of Tarot: Your Guide to Intuitive Readings, Rituals, and Spells

by Sasha Graham

Bring Enchantment and Luminous Energy into Your Readings Tarot is more than a card trick. It's a chance to empower your intuition, dive into your dreams, and get to the heart of the matter. T he Magic of Tarot is a fantastic guide to creating your own marvelous and magical practice. With her irresistible charm and straightforward guidance, Sasha Graham shows you how to craft a divine, sparkling destiny using spreads, exercises, spells, and prompts. The Magic of Tarot opens your eyes to a richer, more enlightened style of divination. Sasha encourages you to flex your intuitive muscles, confidently use tarot magic and rituals, and perform readings for other people. She also walks you through every card meaning, introduces you to dream and shadow work, helps you interpret colors, numbers, and patterns, and so much more. This book lets you fearlessly jump in and enjoy magical experiences that you’ll never forget.

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

368 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2021

Reviews

[Indigo Crow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh... I had high hopes for this book and got let down.

The author seems far more interested in putting on a show than she is in teaching tarot reading. She goes off on tangents and wanders about the subject but really settled long enough to properly explain things. Some of the exercises are interesting concepts, but she doesn't thoroughly explain the process of them, as if she thinks we'll all know how to do them without any direction. For example, the exercises for shadow work intrigued me and I wanted to do them, but felt a little lost when I pulled certain cards that seemed all wrong for what I was doing. How would one interpret those in this type of reading? It was never explained.

The guide at the end of the book is... eh. Honestly, searching for card meanings on Google or using a guide book from the deck I'm using gave me better results than the guide at the end of this book.

And, yep, I've gotta bring it up! Wiccan dogma!

"Oh, Crow, why are you always complaining about that?" you might be asking. It's because I'm tired of it.

There are several references to the Wiccan Rule of Three. I find myself rolling my eyes any time I see such things these days. If you're like me and you're very much over the Wiccan fluff of "harm none" (all magic harms somehow; there is no such thing as fully harmless magic), you'll probably want to just skip the magic section (which isn't that long anyway) or skip the book (which I'm of a mind to recommend anyway). If you wanna check in on your lover with your tarot cards, my friend, go ahead. If your cards don't want to tell you, they'll let you know. Don't let a silly rule made up by a dude in the 50's stop you from working the way you want to. There is no tarot goblin hiding in your deck looking to send out backlash if you peek at what your neighbor is doing today.

Anyway, yeah. I don't think I recommend this book. If you're a beginner, especially, this just isn't a good book for learning tarot reading.

[sinag · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The introduction is so hard to read because most words used were annoyingly flowery and not direct to the point. I feel like there's no direction in this one and everything feels like brain dumps and I feel like I'm reading a stream of consciousness from the author & I don't like it. As an intermediate tarot reader, this book does not offer anything new and it's so hard to read because of the way it is written. Ideally, I would recommend this one for beginners, but the writing style gets worse and worse and I don't want to subject even my worse enemy to that painful experience. This definitely cemented my decision to not buy tarot with guidebooks written by the author.

[LittleRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve worked with Tarot for over 20 years and still don’t consider myself an expert, but this book is truly meant for bare bones beginners. The first portion of the book was hard to get through, but it picked up after that. Though the content is nothing new for me, everyone responds to different writing styles differently and to some this will be a great book for a beginner or someone already on their journey. But if you have read several introductory books and have a grasp on the basics, then perhaps you will be better off reading something designed for a more experienced reader.

[Lauma Llamandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came for the cover and stayed for the laid back, witty and down to earth writing style.
Ok I also enjoyed her work on the Dark Wood Tarot so picking up this book felt like a good next step.
It offers a plethora of ideas on how to approach tarot reading, where to start, what to consider (or not) etc.
And the main theme of the book is to try things and then do them your way which is usually where the real magic always is!
It has some good tips and tricks that I could implement as well as a few ideas I already knew.
Its basically a very beginner friendly book as well as a fun reminder for those who are a bit more experienced without being too in depth.
The book finishes off with a brief description of each of the tarot cards - probably not my go to summary to date, but not shabby by any means.
Overall I enjoyed the writing style, the message and the educational value of this book.
It was not necessarily revolutionary, but certainly was modern, fun and made the subject easily accessible to beginners.

[Kristin Sledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have always found myself curious about Tarot. Being taught from a young age that even allowing someone to do a reading for you would invite demons into your life, it was something I gazed at adoringly from afar. I have slowly been dipping my toes into the tarot pool and have really liked what I am finding there. This author really captures it in such a fresh way. She calls herself a story teller, which makes sense as that is really what tarot is about. It's about seeking answers while also unveiling things hidden from even yourself. It's a quest to fully understand the meanings of the cards and where their appearance can help to lead you. Four stars from this reviewer, and I highly recommend this for anyone even simply curious about Tarot or even more experienced readers.

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Llewellyn and NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Title: The Magic of Tarot: Your Guide to Intuitive Readings, Rituals, and Spells
Author: Sasha Graham
Rating: 5/5 stars
Release Date: October 8, 2021

I absolutely loved this book. I also love the author as her Tarot deck was the first one I ever got and is my favorite one. This was absolutely everything I could have asked for when looking for a book to learn more about tarot. I have read a few things on tarot and I really want to learn more, this book was the perfect thing. It is just absolutely chocked full of information that I am sure it would be amazing as a reference book to keep on hand even after an initial reading. I really can’t even begin to tell you just how much amazing information is stuffed into this book, just know that it is everything you could need to get a firm introduction to the who, what, where, when, why, and how of tarot.

I felt that this book was just so magical. Maybe that was because for the majority of my time reading I had my tarot cards out or it could have been the dream-like writing style, I don’t know. Just be aware that this book reads in a very interesting way. That could also be due in part to the massive amount of journaling prompts sprinkled throughout the book. I personally don’t journal as I just can’t but for people who do, I imagine you could fill up a whole journal with the prompts and exercises in this book. They looked really solid to me.

Another thing I loved was the comprehensive explanation of the cards and their meanings in the latter third of the book. That section has so much potential as a study aid and reference spot. For the major arcana cards, it explains each card’s: archetypal understanding, occult meaning, fortunetelling meaning, shadow side (reversal), magic, and astrological influence.

If this is not enough to convince you of this book nothing can. Go check it out.

[Rya Fenner · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the later part of this book contains some solid advice and tips, I think the first third needs to be completely rewritten. It jumps from topic to topic and then back again without any comprehensive structure. It's truly a section of the book that will give you whiplash. I worry many readers won't make it to the good part because of this first section that reads more like a collection of late-night scribbles than a book heading towards publication.

[Sylvia Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha Graham’s The Magic of Tarot is a vibrant blend of Tarot wisdom and magical practice that’s as enchanting as it is practical. Graham has a way of making even the most complex topics feel approachable, and her book is infused with a warmth and energy that invites you to really dive in and explore the cards beyond their basic meanings. What I love most is how she doesn’t treat Tarot as just a tool for readings but as a living, breathing part of your spiritual and magical life.

From the start, Graham encourages readers to embrace their intuition and craft a Tarot practice that feels personal and inspired. Her exercises and rituals are a beautiful mix of traditional techniques and creative ideas, giving readers plenty of ways to engage with the cards. I especially enjoyed how she weaves in elements like dream work and shadow work—practices that often get overlooked in beginner guides. Her focus on building a relationship with the cards and using them as a source of empowerment is refreshing and makes The Magic of Tarot stand out from other books on the same subject.

Graham’s take on card meanings is also unique. Rather than offering just straightforward definitions, she explores the symbolism and energy behind each card, inviting readers to connect with them on a deeper level. Her prompts and spells are wonderful for those looking to incorporate Tarot into their magical practice, and she presents them in a way that feels playful yet meaningful. One of my favorite sections was her approach to working with patterns and colors in the cards—it opened up a new way of seeing connections in a spread that I hadn’t considered before.

That said, The Magic of Tarot might feel a bit overwhelming if you’re new to Tarot or magic. There’s a lot to unpack, and Graham’s enthusiasm can sometimes make it feel like you’re being swept along without a clear path. But if you’re willing to take your time and experiment with what she offers, there’s a lot to gain here. Her encouragement to trust your intuition and explore different aspects of the cards makes this a perfect book for readers who want to move beyond the basics and create a practice that’s truly their own.

Overall, The Magic of Tarot is a wonderful mix of guidance, inspiration, and magic. Graham’s approach is inviting and empowering, making it easy to see Tarot not just as a divination tool, but as a source of enchantment in everyday life. If you’re looking to deepen your connection to the cards and infuse your readings with a little more magic, this book is a fantastic guide.

[Crista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I recognized the name of Sasha Graham from a few of my favorite tarot decks... and because the cover art is just amazing. I knew that the concepts she executed in her decks are moody and beautiful, and I was curious how that would translate to a stand-alone book on the subject of tarot. Plus the concept was interesting; the book looks to merge magic and tarot in a way far more overt than I've ever thought to do, and aims to do so in an approachable fashion.

First and foremost, Sarah Graham has a really fun way of talking about the tarot. Very feminine, very spunky and illustrative, and a little tongue in cheek. If you're a fan of the artful gothic flare of her decks, it translates over pretty well to her written work. The book was an easy enough read, but not designed to be read as any type of narrative; there are many journaling prompts throughout the text to help elaborate on the topics. I wouldn't call it a workbook by any means, but I think the author really hoped you would pause and do some reflection as you read. It doesn't take away from the experience if you skip them, but the ones I did were nice enhancements.

Now, I think this book would be most helpful for someone with a witchy/energy working/yoga spirituality background who is new to tarot. I came into it with more tarot experience than anything else, so I felt like I was playing a bit of catch-up. However, it does a pretty good job of explaining the basics of tarot, taking its time to establish meanings and providing reference for elaborating on those meanings, which I'm sure will be really helpful for anyone new to tarot!

Overall, if you approach the tarot from a specifically self-reflection/mundane prospective, or if you're a practitioner who already has a good grasp of the tarot, there might not for you to learn from this book. However, Ms. Graham approaches the topic with such enthusiasm and creativity that I really do think that her viewpoint will make for an interesting read regardless of your beliefs. And if you're like me, it's going to be not only interesting, but will inspire you to look into more books in this vein.

[Shadow Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Background for how I came to be reading this book in the first place: a little while ago, I picked up my first ever Tarot deck. Now, full disclosure, I picked it up as a Sailor Moon collectible more than anything else because I liked the art, especially the Sailor Mercury pieces. I did not really intend to use it as an actual Tarot deck but well, I already had it so might as well see what comes of it. So I have been slowly getting acquainted with the deck and reading things here and there. Tarot subreddits, Mary K. Greer's blog, an occasional chapter from Greer's "Tarot For Your Self" here and there. I did attempt to read "The Pictorial Key to the Tarot" but I found Waite such a frightful blowhard, I really could not take it seriously. In parallel, I have been looking at what other Tarot decks are out there because I am still not really clicking with the Sailor Moon deck on the visual/intuitive reading level. I came across the Dark Wood Tarot and I connected with the illustrations immediately but I thought it would be a good idea to see what the other part of the creative team brings to the table. It also so happens that this book specifically was mentioned as one suitable for beginners so here we are. Now, onto the actual review.

One thing I loved about the book is the idea of the storytelling inherent in divination with Tarot. It definitely resonated with me a lot more than Greer's approach that feels very calculated and mechanical because of how much it relies on numerology and astrology. Greer's frequent references to the Golden Dawn tradition did not help but that is a different kettle of fish and to be fair, there is a whiff of that here as well because Graham does mention Qabalah but only in passing and arguably, other mystical traditions are given more time. Side note: maybe trying to use a tool so deeply associated with the Golden Dawn tradition is delusional given my discomfort with the tradition itself. After all, any changes made to the original Rider-Waite-Smith formula in the clone decks are largely cosmetic. The structure of the deck remains the same as, I think, do the card meanings. I am still trying to figure out if I should even use Tarot decks at all as someone who leans towards neopaganism.

What I did not like about the book is that, underneath the polished patter, the main event is somewhat shallow and disorganized as far as the actual divination process is concerned. The clair exercises are nice but not really what I am here for, the numerology info and many of the journal prompts I have seen in various other resources already. Asking good questions is something I've noticed I struggle with because I often make them limiting/incorporate my existing biases so I intend to revisit this section of the book. The rest of the book was not particularly useful to me. It could use a tighter structure and, similar to the psychic development exercises, the sections on incorporating Tarot into spells are not relevant to me right now. The book feels simultaneously too limited and too advanced for a beginner as it does not really provide a clear and consistent framework for the exercises it would like the reader to do and the exercises themselves could be written in a more detailed, step-by-step manner.
Normally, I would give the book something like two and a half or three stars because it is not bad as such, it is just not that beginner friendly and some of the topics covered are not relevant to my purposes at this time. What brought the rating below average is the fluffy bunny dogma of the threefold law. Sasha Graham is certainly allowed to believe in it and live by it but it is presented as a universal dogma that is to be only obeyed and never questioned. Not everyone subscribes to it and I believe that there are absolutely circumstances when retribution carried out by human hands is called for, whatever the actual mechanism. I absolutely would not put myself forward as the person who decided when and how to dispense this retribution but I do not subscribe to the love and light only attitude and I am really disappointed that the author did not bother even mentioning the alternative.

[Susan Wands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ebook was provided by the Llewellyn egalley.

At last! A guide book for tarot that sets out the ethics and magic of what tarot readings can do, can't do and shouldn't do.

The Magic of Tarot by Sasha Graham illustrates how to use tarot cards and how to incorporate them into your life, whether you're using them for daily readings for yourself or for others. As someone who has used tarot cards for decades, when I am asked by a novice how to interpret or study them, I say "just use them, they will tell you." This book takes that idea several steps beyond, with prompts in learning different spreads, questions, meditations and exercises with tarot cards. It also spells out the limits and moral decisions on when, how and where to do a reading for others.

If you only have one tarot deck, or a dozen, this guide book will enliven your practice with new ideas and journeys. I especially loved the chapter with suggestions for tarot rituals because every tarot reader could use some new stimulus accessing the cards' energies. So, for the new querent or experienced reader, I highly recommend this book. There isn't anything else like it out in the market today. And I now have a fabulous new ritual to add to my routine!

[Kyle Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book for learning tarot I’ve found, hands down!
Im so grateful to have heard her interview on the”Witchin’ and Bitchin’” podcast earlier this year.

I have been so disappointed with many of the tarot books I’ve read thus far finding them to be little more than a larger version of the little booklet that comes with the pack of cards when you buy them. That was not the case here.
While there IS still that section of card meanings in the book, it’s a very minimal portion of this book. The rest of the book is spent teaching you how to think about and interpret the tarot for yourself, not just reciting rote memorizations. Sasha sews together themes and associations that helped me immensely, and her journaling prompts (the bits in italics) encouraged me to form more of a relationship with each of the archetypes in my deck, which is where the learning truly took place for me.
I’m FINALLY confident going “off script” after reading this book, which is a huge deal. I feel like a new world of understanding has been unlocked for me! I only wish she had written it sooner!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars! I’ve always been interested in Tarot and occasionally read cards, but I’m definitely a novice at it, so I always jump at the chance to review a Tarot manual. I loved the sort of conversational tone and almost intuitive approach of The Magic of Tarot. It was easy to understand the role of each of the cards, and I know I will be putting the “cheat sheet” section to good use during my studies. The author has included many journaling prompts, which even if you aren’t much of a journaler (like me) are definitely food for thought. This book is a perfect place to start for beginners with Tarot. But even if you have been reading for a while, this is still a valuable addition to your bookshelf.

I am very grateful to Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Magic of Tarot.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick impressions: I read through the book in order to write this review, but this is a book to read and take your time. In addition to the diverse amount of material, the author provides various exercises, writing prompts, and rituals to try out. You can do all of them, or you can pick and choose what works for you. If you already do magic with your Tarot practice, this book might offer a new idea or two for your repertoire. If you would like to add magic to your practice, but you are not sure how to start, then this book can be a good starting point. It offers a lot of options and ideas, certainly enough to get you started.

(Full review with additional reading notes will be available on my blog)

[Zach Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my students recently gifted me a tarot deck, which has steered me towards learning more about a practice I've always found intriguing. This is my first book on the topic, and it was a mixed bag. YouTube videos I've watched on tarot have given me a more effective macro view of the cards, and this feels all over the place, like Graham wanted to talk about everything under the sun and had no editor involved in the process. Thus, you get head-scratching detours on fairy tales and whether you are dreaming tarot or if TAROT IS DREAMING YOU.

I did like a lot of the writing on divination, intuition, and synchronicity, tools I'm trying to fit into my spiritual toolbox. Not the best, but a quick read that I did take some cool ideas from.

[bookwormnicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the arc via Netgalley!

I started to read the cards like two years ago so I am kind of new in the Tarot world and it really fascinates me.
This is one of the best Tarot books I’ve ever studied, it is really a big help to understand the cards.
The first half is information about the Tarot, and the second half goes into details about each card. I find this book very useful, it have exercises, it also teaches you to use Tarot intuitively and don’t just go by the books. It talks about magick, and so many other useful things, it is jam packed with information! I just wish it would have colored pages!

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Magic of Tarot by Sasha Graham illustrates how to use tarot cards and how to incorporate them into your life, whether you're using them for daily readings for yourself or for others. This book takes that idea several steps beyond, with prompts in learning different spreads, questions, meditations, and exercises with tarot cards. It also spells out the limits and moral decisions on when, how, and where to do a reading for others.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great beginner book and insight into tarot, I got this at Barnes & Noble by luck it was an autographed copy and I absolutely loved it. More in depth than a typical guidebook but not so much depth with like Rachel Pollack’s Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom but still I feel you can get good information from the book. Beautifully illustrated as well and organized and structured is great! Sasha Graham is one of my favorite tarot authors I love her decks definitely she knows what tarot is and how to use them respectively.

[Lolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly intrigued with the first few chapters of the book. The writing was a little too flowery for my taste and I felt like I didn't get much out of the content. It picked up after the first one third of the book, and I was making notes constantly because there were so much to learn. The content was on point and precise, and I would definitely recommend this book for not just beginner, but also intermediate Tarot Readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Author for providing this arc!

[Leilany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this book is very informative and quite advanced (but I am a beginner so who knows!). My favorite part was the last part where it goes more deep about the tarot information, the journey through the tarot, the meaning of each card, etc. For me, I would go from that point and then start working with the information and spells at the beginning of the book. I will look forward to using this book to learn more about tarot and about working with it. Overall, I think it is a great tarot book.

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Took a long time to get through, and I don't think it was really the resource for me. I was reading it before actually having any cards of my own and maybe that was part of the issue, especially since once I did the book was written by the same author and I really meshed with that guidebook.

*Received from Netgalley in return for an honest review.*

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

🟢 Good for beginners. Writing/journal practice throughout is nice
🟡 Not bad, but nothing new here.
🔴 A lot of the book turned out to be tarot meanings, but you can find those literally everywhere, don’t need another book on that. Not what I was expecting from this, there’s very little actual practice and workings

[Lazarone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems very complete book on tarot. Readings, spreads, magic, meanings... all you need is in this one book. It is always very good that the book offers new insights and here you can find plenty of them. Ideas to work with tarot cards are always interesting.

[L.A. Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for those who have no idea what to write about in a tarot journal. Full of exercises, guidance and ritual - and, of course, tarot card meanings - it's a good start for your grimoire. The only thing I didn't like? Tarot Card meanings. To me, that's always a pad for a tarot book.

[Elhoim Leafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

like all great Sasha Graham books, a must-have gem, you never know what new information she can bring you, highly recommended.

[Margaret Bruetsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really very interesting break down of tarot. I was curious about my deck and now I have some guidance on where to go.

[Jessie Radford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not agree with alot of opinions shared.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s some interesting content in here but unfortunately a lot of this books feels hyper specific to the author’s own way of doing things and it feels less universally applicable than it implies.

[Dominique · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I really wanted to love this book after I Owned the tarot deck written by the same author who collabed with one of my favorite artists, Abigail Larson, for the art for both the deck and this book.
I realized pretty quickly that this author is not for me. There’s several instances where she talks about Wicca and while I can usually ignore it I just wasn't getting great vibes from it all. I unhauled this book and the tarot deck.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top tarot books. Listened to it twice. There are some witchcraft rituals described, but the majority of the book is about tarot. Her descriptions of the tarot cards expand on traditional meetings. The meanings can be humorous, but verge into corny territory.
I wrote down some of the very clear meanings for herbs and spices used for incense and essential oils.
I was interested in some of the questions and exercises that conclude blocks of information and card meanings.