The Contemplative Tarot: A Christian Guide to the Cards

by Brittany Muller

“This insightful book will help you to see both the cards—and Christian spirituality—in surprising new ways."
— Carl McColman, author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Eternal Heart

In the chaos of daily life, many Christians long for the time and mental clarity to reflect on scripture, to worship, and to pray. The Tarot can become an unexpected tool in this journey, inviting us to pause, contemplate, and find insight and wisdom in our walk. In The Contemplative Tarot, author Brittany Muller draws deeply on Christian tradition and theology to create a tarot practice built on spiritual reflection, prayer, and worship.

The Tarot has held countless meanings to countless readers over the course of its existence, but The Contemplative Tarot offers a uniquely Christian interpretation of the cards, including Bible verses and meditations on each of their spiritual meanings. Brittany provides practical guidance on how to use the cards in a Christian context, whether as prompts for personal prayer, daily reminders of spiritual truths, or as part of a more structured practice such as the Ignatian examen.

The Contemplative Tarot offers a thoughtful, introspective new interpretation of the Tarot and an invitation to create powerful moments of reflection and worship in your daily life.

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, Reference, Divination

367 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Kate The Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thanks to St. Martin’s Essentials for my ARC of Author Brittany Muller’s September 2022 release of “The Contemplative Tarot” for my honest review. 📚 ❤️
I was super thrilled to have won this Goodreads book (who doesn’t love to win a great book you’d pray to win?!!!) and I just knew this strangely unique and fascinating book would open unforeseen doors for me in my daily struggles to find direction and truth, and it did so much more than that. Had I been rummaging around in a bookstore, this title would have immediately intrigued me because I’ve never heard of combining Christianity with tarot cards—how could that be?!!!. The Author gives you a bit of background that led her to the tarot cards and her uses, plus a brief tarot history and what our potential uses might be plus how to pray with tarot cards before diving into specifically the cards with fantastic reflections for takeaways that focus on knowing you in such a different way, almost like a diary and therapy combined. This book is beautifully written and just so absorbing that you’re not the same after reading it. Not many books do you finish feeling so much more content and grounded, but you will after reading “The Contemplative Tarot.” Definitely one of the Best Books of 2022–right when we all NEED this. Best medicine ever. Highly recommended. 💕

[Lauren Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because this is the only book I've seen addressing Tarot as a Christian contemplative practice. I'm glad it was written and was excited to read it. That being said, I really wanted more from this book.

As mentioned in another review this functions more as a Christian devotional, with reflections and questions for contemplation for each card. The reflections seemed more like personal musings, often disconnected from the history, symbolic language, and meaning of the tarot cards themselves. The most glaring example for me was in the description of the High Priestess card. The author talks specifically about the J and B on the two pillars depicted on the card as representing Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The B and J actually stand for the pillars of Boaz and Jachin in Solomon's temple, described in the Old Testament. These pillars have rich esoteric *and* biblical connotations that are pretty easily researched. It just seemed like super lazy biblical and tarot scholarship. As a Christian, a Bible reader, and a Tarot reader, I found these types of casual, ungrounded, personal associations throughout the book to be super frustrating and unsatisfying.

Overall I expected more depth, more serious scholarship and more carefully considered connections when describing each card. I think my expectations as a reader could have been managed better if the book were marketed and formatted as a light devotional for Christians who are interested in or appreciate tarot, or for curious Christians and tarot beginners, instead of "a Christian guide to the cards."

My criticism of the card descriptions/devotions aside, I did appreciate the introduction and historical overview of the tarot. I appreciate the author's point of view and the much-needed perspective (that Christians can and do read tarot and oracle cards as a devotional, spiritual practice) that she has brought forward. I do own this book and would recommend it to others to use for a light devotional or for reflection/meditation prompts.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a really unique take on Tarot and how Christians can use it in their daily devotions, even including bible verses. This is the first time I have seen a book like this and I just had to read it.

I am so tired of people claiming that Tarot is new age and who avoid it. My Bible thumping friends will be getting a copy of this book for Christmas this year. Christianity was based on many Pagan traditions, so this book is a most welcome read. This is a great one and you need to read it too!

[Ruby Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brittany Muller does a great job of detailing how Tarot cards can be used to enrich a persons' contemplative practice. She also presents reflective questions to use with cards, many which seemed creative and useful. Recommended for anyone interested in deepening their spiritual practice using Tarot cards. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate book for anyone that wants to get into a unique interpretation of Tarot cards using mental clarity to reflect on scripture, to worship and to pray. The Tarot can be useful in this spiritual journey without some of the stigmas & views that are placed on the Tarot.

The creation of this guide lets you see the cards in a whole new light, in a way that is Christian-like and offers prompts for personal prayer, daily reminders of spiritual truths & the structured practices such as the Ignation examen.

I personally loved reading this guide and being able to use the cards in a whole new way and have the ability to share with others the positive aspects of Tarot that many people tend to think negatively upon.

[Jenna Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Contemplative Tarot by Brittany Muller is an insightful and thorough book on the topic of Tarot from a Christian P respective.
As a Christo-pagan reader and tarot lover it was incredibly refreshing to read an author engaging with and the cards and their imagery from this stand point. Some sections did feel slightly drawn out to me as a long term tarot user but serve to make the book more approachable for a beginning student.
The Contemplative Tarot has much to offer for both tarot beginners looking for a grounded approach to tarot history/application, and seasoned readers looking for a novel perspective on this divination tool.

[Deena B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited about this book! The Contemplative Tarot is another way to pray, for me. I am a Christian, and I've always wanted to learn Tarot reading, so - BONUS!

I WON this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to the author Brittany Muller, Goodreads, and St. Martin's.

[Savannah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for those seeking deeper, spiritual understanding. 😇

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

This was an interesting subject and I found it intriguing. I am always searching for ways to ignite my faith and have always been interested in the tarot. I learned a lot reading this book and recommend it to anyone who is searching for new ways to express their faith

[Callie Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picking up this book and reading it has felt like a funeral of sorts. I have finally put to death any remaining notions that my relationship with Christ and tarot can play nicely together. And believe me I get it! A church kid who studied art history in college? I’m prime real estate for heresy like this to flourish.

We started off strong in the second chapter with the quote “A quick glance through the Bible is enough to show us that God speaks to his people through image.” While it might be accurate that Moses witnessed a burning bush, Peter had visions, and Jesus used visual metaphors, I think a correct version of the above quote would be “a quick glance at the Bible shows us that God speaks to us through the Bible.” The irony of using God’s written Word as an example of how we should experience Him through visio divina is not lost on me.

Muller goes through each card in the deck with a corresponding Bible verse, meditation on the card’s imagery, and finally, some discussion questions/journal prompts. Card number zero: the Fool. And oh how foolish Muller is! She uses the verse 1 Corinthians 3:18 and immediately describes the fool as a “Holy Fool” who is “about to joyfully step off a cliff to fall into the abyss of God.” Never you mind that the word for fool is nearly always talking about an unbeliever in the Bible.

Skipping forward to card five: the Hierophant, Muller shows clearly what she believes about religion, for really she believes in religion, not God. She says, “The Hierophant of the tarot is particularly associated with religious tradition and the way that structured religion…can help us to reveal holy things. A hierophant is a revealer of mysteries, but the tarot’s Hierophant doesn’t just pull back a curtain to reveal the open face of God.” Muller shows here that she doesn’t believe that God has adequately revealed Himself to us, but requires our help in pulling back some curtain. She goes on to say “religion can give us a language to explain the pieces of our lives for which we have no other words. It’s an inadequate language, to be sure, because God is beyond language…” I seem to remember John 1:1 saying otherwise. She finishes this description by essentially denying the Holy Spirit’s purpose in our lives, saying, “it’s a gift to have others’ prayers to fall back on when we can’t make our own.” I agree that the prayers of others can be an encouragement to believers, but has she forgotten that the Spirit Himself intercedes for us in groanings too deep for words? (Romans 8:26)

Muller continues through the major arcana, telling the truth twice a day with her broken clock heresy, into the minor arcana, assigning meaning to the aces through tens cards in each suit seemingly randomly, and finishes up spectacularly with the court cards, which are now representing saints.

I’ll leave off with what Muller says of herself in the author’s bio in the back, “[I am] a writer, mother, wife, and enthusiastic believer in the beautiful strangeness of Christianity.” I am so saddened that her belief rests solely in the beauty she can wrangle out of Catholicism rather than the beauty of a relationship with the Savior.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating way to experience the tarot. I will admit that I knew a couple of the facts from the history the author presented but the majority was entirely new to me. I particularly appreciated the in-depth look at each card as archetypal images for self-reflection and how those images reflect the Christian and, even more importantly, humanitarian values so many of us strive to model in our everyday lives. This book has given me a new way to view the tarot and its symbols; a how-to guide to use it as a tool of self-reflection in a personal “hero’s journey”. This is something I will be coming back to reference many times in the future.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

[Summer D Clemenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was getting into when I began reading this book. My friend gave me this book to read and I read it to learn the history of tarot. But this book went so much more deep than I expected. Although I don't intend to add tarot to my life, I have a new understanding of this ritual and a better walk with God. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to know their Creator better.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle and very readable book that makes a great case for the Tarot within a Christian framework. I particularly like the inventive association of the Court cards with various saints. I would challenge the author on her rejection of the word "divination". I think divination has a wide spectrum of meanings, just as "prayer" does within Christianity. I've heard neo-pagan descriptions of divination that sound no different to Christian discernment. Unfortunately I didn't like several of the theological points made, particularly the idea that we are not made for this world and heaven is our true home, and the repeated exhortation to vulnerability. I'd have liked a clear explanation as to what makes being vulnerable distinct from allowing yourself to be a doormat. The book would have been far more engaging if the author had shown more vulnerability herself and told us about her own journey with each card. - 2.5*

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I must be a sucker for stories about finding Jesus in the most unlikely of places. The talented and very personable writer, Brittany Muller, grew up in a Christian household, having migrated through two or three denominations before finally renouncing her religion in search of something else. For a while, she found some meaning in the occult, being especially drawn to tarot reading. But having never fully landfilled and smoothed over the God-shaped hole within her, she found herself gradually, eventually coming back to the Christian faith, where she embraced Catholicism in all its colourful, messy, joyful splendour.

This book serves firstly as a personal testament of sorts, explaining her prodigal return to the faith, and how she has formed a personal combination in religious practice that marries traditional Catholic spirituality with that murkier but not necessarily sinister new-age spirituality that tarot can be broadly categorised under.

I personally am not a tarot reader, or even an enthusiast. And I’d still have major qualms about ever being involved in real life with the practice, even as just a passive participant. Aside from where spiritualism and spirit communication overlaps with it, I try to keep my interests safely outside the occult. But in saying that, I have, of late, found myself surprisingly mellowing in my former aversion towards tarot readers, so-called witches, modern pagans and the like. Having held a curious but sceptical affinity for Reiki for several years now, I have come across a range of its practitioners, including those who profess to being bona-fide witches, shamans, druids, and whatever else. I lose track.

Suffice to say that while I have no positive regard for any occultists who engage in their esoteric fancies for explicitly anti-Christian reasons - including all forms of Satanism, whether genuine or of the merely provocative, secular kind - I can perfectly sympathise with those who find a source of joy or hope or any kind of meaning by embracing some hybrid form of post-Abrahamic spirituality. So, naturally, my approach to tarot has been that of a cautious, doubtful but generally open mind.

Therefore, I found Muller’s personal story very interesting, touching and somewhat relatable. Probably I did not love the second aspect - which is the primary focus - quite as much. But as a thoughtful and imaginative exercise if giving the cards a Christian interpretation, the book still works as a beautiful, spiritually enriching devotional that I think should quickly put any wary Christians at ease, since by and large, the overall angle feels much more like a Christian examination of tarot and how said religious can seek out the light of Christ in its imagery, rather than a neo-pagan examination of Christianity that attempts to lure Christ’s children into what traditionally has been held as deeply oppositional to the Truth - however right, wrong, or complicatedly unresolvable that might be.

I also had a look at some of Muller’s blog posts, where she writes about Catholic mysticism and things of that nature, and I very much appreciated her open, compassionate yet fervently orthodox perspective. I hope that she finds herself called to write more books, wherever exactly her head is at now.

[Erin Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. I think a lot of Christians are apprehensive of tarot, and I completely understand why. But this book completely changed my perspective on the usefulness of tarot cards as a tool for Visio Divina and prayer for those who struggle to pray without some sort of tangible thing to do as part of their practice.

[Jamie Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reference book.

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Proselytizing and cultural appropriation.

The book itself: the graphic design is quite nice and it is a complete book regarding the tarot. It does not come with its own card deck and the illustrations are not specifically designed for what it’s trying to teach. It feels like it’s just very lazy. The literally the entry for “The lovers” is a cut and pasted Bible verse about love. Its so cheap and uninspired. The book is just trying to teach people about Christianity by using a magical item that's important to other established beliefs and practices.

I don't understand man, the history of Christianity is just literally setting fire to women who practiced anything esoteric and then here we are in the 21st century with book companies trying to claim it as their own or teach their “proper way”.

Some people may like this book who are practicing and don't want to separate themselves from their own religion. You can practice Witchcraft and be Christian, I'm not here to gate keep but at the same time you do have to understand your religion’s past and the implications of the practice. Other people might enjoy this book to help them better understand the craft and its history (especially how tarot has connections to many religions and cultures). But if you’re viewing it through the lens of your own dogma to bend it to your will, then open your mind and seek more literature.

—

1 Timothy 2:12

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

[Oakley C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in an odd place spiritually--but that has been the story of my life. Tarot has, in some way, always interested me. Cards with enigmatic imagery which evolved from rectangles of play to sources of divination and self-examination. What is that all about, really? Just new-age nonsense? Satanic temptation? Idle time wasting? Clever re-branding in an ever-evolving market of commodities?

So, I'm finally investigating tarot because I refuse to simply NOT KNOW what this is all about. And so far all I can say is that this book has been a spiritual bombshell. I imagine that there are many, many detractors who feel that Brittany Muller is misappropriating this tradition or being "eisegetical" by reading into the cards and not out of them. I don't care. So what if Christmas really is just "repackaged Saturnalia?" The Lord made all things--He may do with them what He pleases.

First and foremost Muller makes these images of the Rider-Waite possess immense allegorical power. What she sees in the cards FITS and what they might speak towards a believer are not the garden variety messages of evanjellyfish coffee mug spirituality, nor fundamentalist desiccation wherein everything is either IN or it is OUT. Rather, every true contour of spiritual life, formation, disappointment, struggle, and temptation is played out on these cards. It's not that these are simply "archetypes" or another version of a prayer card. Instead, the tarot as Muller perceives it is a confrontation with spiritual truth that should make us do one thing and one thing only--question our spiritual state in light of the promises of the Gospel. And this is the Gospel as fully realized, not the "Romans Road" sales pitch but the fact that Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life for God Himself has become king of His Creation and His Creation, while not eternal, reflects the eternal (and you are part and parcel of that selfsame reflection).

Oh special note was the final section detailing the court cards of the minor arcana wherein Muller provides miniature spiritual biographies of various saints which are CLEARLY illustrated therein. I mean...it just seems so obvious now after reading her interpretations. I might have wished for more Eastern saints or more pre-schismatic (being Eastern Orthodox) but I'm also not one of those member of the EO who feels a compulsive need to think that there are no saints outside of the gates of Byzantium. Branding anyone post-1054 as suffering from Prelest if they had a vision which was not identical to the Desert Fathers simply doesn't hold water in my book.

Perhaps what I appreciate best is this is not a "comfortable" read let alone some form of self-help. Again, there are harsh, real, necessary truths proclaimed in the tarot.

I shall read more books on this subject but I doubt few will reach levels this sublime.

[Shirley Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

Brittany Muller provides some very interesting information in this book, beginning with the history of how tarots was introduced in England. The author states that William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers founded the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn toward the end of the nineteenth century. She states that the founders, Freemasons, founded the Golden Dawn in response to a set of documents calledThe Cipher Manuscript, which gives an outline of a series of magical initiation rituals, contains information on magical theory, and offers a sort of magical curriculum that encompasses ideas relating to Kabbalism, astrology, alchemy, and tarot. She, further, states that the Golden Dawn’s teachings drew from these ideas, synthesizing many of the esoteric threads of the day, and as a result, the Golden Dawn became the crowning glory of England’s occult revival.

Additionally, the author states that it was the Golden Dawn that truly introduced tarot to England, and Mathers wrote the first guide to tarot in England, The Tarot: Its Occult Signification, Use in Fortune-Telling, and Method of Play, and he published it in 1888, the same year the Golden Dawn was founded.

However, the author also states that this guide was really nothing more than a regurgitation of Éliphas Lévi’s ideas on tarot, but, all the same, it established tarot in England as a magical tool and primed England for further ideas on tarot.

How, fantastic to know the back story.

She discusses choosing a deck of tarots to pray with, ways to pray with tarots and using them in your daily prayer life. She discusses indepth each card of the Major and Minor Arcana decks of tarots, with ideas for reflections.

Brittany Muller states that being a first-time author is difficult and one with such an unusual book idea is doubly difficult. However, I admire her for taking such of leap, and doing such a great job in writing this book of valuable information.

Thank you. Highly recommend.

[Jessica Serrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, this book is so bravely written and I’m disappointed about the criticism. I have always been fascinated by tarot cards, and have been drawn to them from an artistic perspective as well.

I recently googled, “Christian + tarot” assuming the search engine would literally laugh at me, and instead I was met with this book recommendation. As someone who worried that Jesus would smite me for even shuffling a deck of tarot cards (and oh the irony of the superstition in that concept) I assumed there was no peaceful intersection of the two. But Ms. Muller’s book, in all its uniqueness, stands alone as a guide to using tarot as a tool for deeper self-reflection in a way that can draw any Christian (or curious soul) closer to God. After all, He makes all things work together for good… why not tarot too?

The book offers a card-by-card devotional of sorts which provides Biblical discussion and thoughtful questions for each unique image in the deck. As the author explains, if you are Christian who is worried about the potential “impropriety” of using tarot cards, consider whether the cards are a resource, or a replacement of your faith.

To those of you who did not read the book, but who gave a one-star review because you think “cards are the devil,” you didn’t understand the assignment. Also, it seems ironically un-Christian to leave a dishonest review for a book you didn’t read, just to harm the reputation of the author (and turn off the ability for others to comment on your review…). The book provides a notable history of tarot, specifically outlining how it did not start out as distinctly pagan. Christianity is not one size fits all, so if you’ve read this far, I hope you consider taking a chance on this book.

[Franchesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is neither religious nor very familiar with the tarot deck and card reading, I found the idea of this book intriguing. The author uses the Waite-Smith deck in this book as it is the most popular and widely used, and the NRSV translation of the Bible, as it is the one she is most familiar with, but you can use whatever works best for you. Begininning with "a brief history of tarot" we learn a bit about its origins and many uses over the centuries, to why and how the author uses tarot not to predict the future but to pray and reflect and contemplate, and then on to the cards and how you can interpret them to work in your own rituals of prayer or meditation, with questions for reflection at the end of each one. A well-written and thoughtout guide for using the tarot in a prayerful and meditative way.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

This was such a surprising and delightful book! I was very skeptical going in… how can Christianity and tarot cards go together? Reading the history of tarot was interesting in and of itself- and then to see the cards used merely as artistic jumping off points for prayer, reflection, and meditation was a really thought-provoking idea. I’m still slightly torn, knowing that this notion could be a slippery slope for some, but using this book as a devotional provided some interesting perspectives and opened my eyes and mind to some historical Christian writings I might someday want to read. Overall, an extremely well written and thought-out book. Very impressive ideas. Would recommend!

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters I really appreciated and felt were both well-researched and well-presented. As someone who grew up in Christianity (not Catholicism specifically) and used tarot while still within it, I love the practical and factual teaching of the history of the cards and various ways they can be used, including ways that don't contradict the Bible. I want more Christians to feel free enough to pick up a deck without shame or fear, and I think Muller makes a good case.

That being said, the latter part of the book wasn't as relevant to me as I don't subscribe to Christianity any longer; it felt like a devotional and I ended up skimming to finish it. If you're a Christian and curious about tarot, I think this book is a great, safe-feeling introduction!

[Sarah Privette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful guidebook for Christians who are curious about the tarot or may already be using tarot as part of their spiritual practice. Or tarot fans curious about meditating deeper on the Christian symbols in tarot cards. Not a book that you read cover to cover but instead one to pick up and read bits of each day. No woo-woo magic or divination. Just beautifully written stories about the connection between Christian theology and the modern (mainly Waite-Smith) card deck as used for personal reflection.

[RedWych · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really trying with this book. I come from a very Catholic and Wiccan upbringing. Moms side being Heavily Wiccan and Dads side Extremely Catholic. So believe me when I say I truly gave this book a shot. However I stand by what I will say next...
I was flabbergasted! This was awful. It felt like another sect of Christianity taking and bastardizing yet another Pagan tradition. LIKE Xmas or Easter. This book has so many tabs and corrections and it bleeds misapprehension. My copy will never see another humans mind to breed misinformation like this. Shame.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very lovely book. It’s not quite the type of book to read in one go. It invites one to reach for it on a daily basis as part of a daily practice.
Brittany has a gentle voice, wise beyond her years. Brittany Muller Her work exposes tarot as historically Christian art… and absolutely fitting for contemplative christian practice, as much or as little as one wants.

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. I did get a little bored at times, as much of the book was simply quoting scripture or old books written by saints, and then some suggestions of questions for contemplation. I listened to the audiobook. Probably if I had a tarot deck and took it one day at a time, using the suggested questions as I went, it would have been wonderful instead of getting dull. Interesting thoughts she had.

[Emily Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS RATING ISN’T TRULY A 5-STAR REVIEW

———

I was always wondering on the Christian aspect of the tarot deck. This book gave me that insight but with that, I realized that the book wasn’t for me. My views in Christianity doesn’t mix with my tarot views. Thank you though Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book. I really enjoy this insight beyond belief!

[Abigail Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I'm marking this as finished bc I'm working through the cards section as I go, meditatively, not reading them in order from beginning to end***

A really lovely introduction to making tarot part of a Christian spiritual practice. Suitable for both tarot and prayer beginners, with plenty of accessible prompts for interpreting cards and praying on possible interpretations.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. I have always been interested in tarot. This book is a Christian guide to the cards and what the cards mean. I found it to be very informative and a great book to review and to get in touch more with my Christianity.