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Psychic Tarot: Using Your Natural Psychic Abilities to Read the Cards

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Learn to read tarot cards using your own psychic skills, and gain new levels of inspiration, guidance, and insight This friendly tarot guidebook features a wealth of creative exercises that are compatible with any deck, plus sample readings, spreads, and compelling firsthand accounts from a seasoned reader and teacher to start you on the path to trusting your intuition in reading the cards. Along the way, you'll learn a variety of original intuitive exercises designed to awaken your psychic abilities, such as Light and Shadow, Turning Point, and Hidden Question. Also included are simple techniques for doing energy readings, plus instructions on keeping a synchronicity journal and using tarot as a tool to communicate with spirit guides or loved ones on the other side.

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

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Nancy C. Antenucci

2 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro.
1,493 reviews245 followers
July 14, 2019
Superfluous and superficial

Nancy Antenucci may or may not be a good psychic Tarot reader. She is definetely a shitty author. Her "book" is like a blog post. Superficial, using coloquial language, with lengthy examples the reader could have done without. On 200 pages, a wide array of topics are discussed - badly. For instance, even though this book is called psychic Tarot, a lot of spreads are discussed at length. still, even this - being one of the largest sections in the book - is done better by Dusty White in his book "Advanced Tarot Secrets".
She blabs about boundaries and stuff, but while her advice is sound, it is no more indepth than what you would find on the website of a selfhelp organisation. Too short, and not even that focussed on "psychic" tarot reading.

After finishing this book, I am not convinced that Nancy Antenucci is a fully sane, intelligent person. To be honest, her writing suggests that if she does experience these visions, she does not have the capacity to put her methods and experience into a sensible context. Than again, a fraud would probably try somewhat harder to be convincing? I don't know.

this is a bad book for beginners, because it does not explain tarot. It is a bad book for more advanced readers who want to ne psychics, because you could probably find more information about psychicness on the internet on a random witchy blog. It is a poor book in general beckause it does not know what its main mission is.

I would recommend Holistic Tarot and Advanced Tarot Secrets for most of the subjects adressed in this book. For more magical aspects, the website "Quareia" is an excellent resource.
Profile Image for Amber.
38 reviews14 followers
May 29, 2019
A lot of great information here, certainly not your run of the mill Tarot book. I would recommend this text primarily for more intermediate or advanced readers. While the contents will not suit everyone, it fills a good niche for readers whose style the book appeals to. There are plenty of other books on traditional and intuitive reading styles. There are also many books which cover psychological or archetypal Tarot readings. Where this book shines is for aiding readers who read intuitively but guided by some higher power, purpose, or Spirit.

As a mostly agnostic reader, I do not feel as if I absorbed as much of what the author had to share as others may. Though I did still find this Tarot book enlightening and useful.
Profile Image for Kerri.
49 reviews
March 26, 2020
There were some statements here which really clicked my brain into understanding but I was very distracted by the Donnie Darko ‘fear and love’ element and kept imagining Jake Gyllenhall screaming that life isn’t that simple.

“He told me to forcibly insert the life line card into my anus!”
Profile Image for John Of Oxshott.
115 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2024
This book takes a weird turn on page 71, which is the beginning of Chapter 7 ‘Energy Basics.’ It moves away from asking you to do exercises with your tarot deck and starts talking instead about tuning in to strangers in public places, guessing the contents of envelopes containing random pictures and contacting the dead.

I buy a lot of tarot books and I’ve noticed a growing trend in recent years to downplay the divinatory aspect of tarot cards and to present them instead as a tool for self development. They are still seen by some as divinatory tools or even as components in spell-casting but even practitioners who use them in this way often try to appeal to a wider audience by saying things like “there are many ways to use the cards and you are free to choose your own.” Even the ones that mention divining with the tarot often provide caveats such as “this is only a suggestion as to what could happen if things continue as they are and is not a definite prediction.”

This book, ‘The Psychic Tarot,’ dates back to 2011 but is still relatively recent so I was a bit surprised by this sudden turn away from the tarot itself and towards more general psychic exercises.

My sister is a psychic so I am accustomed to weirdness, if I can call it that, but I was expecting the book to focus purely on the tarot.

I’m not ready to contact the dead. I can wait until I’m ready to join them. Even with the psychic exercises, though, there are caveats.

“You aren’t going to be right all the time. You may not even be right half the time.”


The authors advise novices to “avoid being tested.”

“Psychic work is a collaborative process, not a firing line. In some respects, it demands not only a suspension of disbelief on your part, but also on behalf of the person working with you.”


The phrase “suspension of disbelief” was first used by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his book about philosophy and poetry ‘Biographia Literaria,’ published in 1817. Coleridge introduced the concept to describe our willingness as readers to drop our guard and accept the implausible elements of a narrative poem so we could enjoy it as a work of imagination. He suggested that if a writer could infuse enough “human interest and a semblance of truth” into a story, the audience would simply go along with it no matter how fantastical it gets.

The idea that a tarot reader and querent are involved in a mutual suspension of disbelief turns the experience into theatre. The result is pure fantasy.

It seems the authors, like so many modern tarot experts, want to have their cake and eat it. Their method of reading the cards is neither accurate nor reliable and can lead to “loopy and obsessive thinking,” after which you are advised to take a rest.

There is quite a lot here on “synchronicity” and you are encouraged to keep a synchronicity journal. Many modern tarot books introduce this concept and cite the work of Carl Jung, as if to give their own practice a more solid and respectable foundation. However, many of them water down the concept. If you look at what Jung actually wrote about synchronicity and the examples he gave, synchronicity is not commonplace. It is, rather, something rare and strange that can signal a breakthrough in a patient suffering from psychosis. Also, it’s important to remember that modern psychology often views these events with scepticism, attributing them to confirmation bias.

That’s not to say that synchronistic events or tarot cards themselves can’t be powerful and transformative. In saying this perhaps I want to have my cake and eat it too but there are some exercises in this book that I enjoyed and found useful.

Chapter 9 is called ‘The Many Selves,’ and this introduces another concept that is quite popular at the moment. I’m reading a more recent book devoted to this idea which I’ll review separately. In ‘Psychic Tarot’ it’s touched upon very briefly and probably doesn’t give enough detail for you to really get to grips with it.

In summary I don’t recommend this book for those who want to learn more about working with tarot cards. It’s not a beginner’s book and doesn’t explain the cards well. But it’s too superficial and eccentric for anyone who has already worked with the cards a lot. It might be a good starting point if you are interested in developing your psychic abilities. It could get you thinking about how seriously you take yourself as a psychic and it’s an appropriate book to read if you see tarot cards as a way of exploring your psychic ability.
Profile Image for Thomas Pinneck.
66 reviews6 followers
October 24, 2024
I approached Psychic Tarot: Using Your Natural Psychic Abilities to Read the Cards with high hopes of delving into the integration of psychic development with tarot reading. Unfortunately, the book falls drastically short of its promise, feeling more like a vanity project than a substantive guide. It seems as though the author was more invested in the idea of having written a book than in providing genuine value to readers seeking to enhance their psychic abilities through tarot.

The content is only vaguely intuitive and lacks any profound exploration of psychic phenomena. The title suggests a focus on developing natural psychic skills, but the material barely scratches the surface. After reading, I found myself questioning the depth of the author's own psychic insight. The guidance offered is nebulous at best, consisting mostly of personal anecdotes that don't translate into practical advice for readers. There is a noticeable absence of concrete techniques or exercises that would help someone genuinely tap into or hone their psychic faculties. Much of the book regurgitates standard information found in countless other tarot guides. The sections on card meanings, spreads, and basic interpretations are uninspired and offer nothing new to the seasoned reader—or even to a beginner who could find more comprehensive resources elsewhere. The repetitive nature of the content made it feel like I was reading filler material rather than original thoughts or innovative approaches to tarot reading.

The few exercises and suggestions provided are vague and lack detailed instruction, making them difficult to implement effectively. For instance, when discussing methods to connect with spirit guides or loved ones on the other side, the author offers little more than superficial commentary without delving into the complexities and necessary precautions of such practices. This omission is particularly concerning given the sensitivity and potential risks associated with spirit communication. Additionally, the book suffers from a lack of depth in its exploration of intuition versus psychic ability. While intuition is an essential aspect of tarot reading, conflating it with psychic prowess without clear definitions or distinctions does a disservice to readers hoping to develop both skills. The nuanced differences between being intuitive and being psychic are glossed over, leaving readers without a solid understanding of either.

For those truly interested in expanding their psychic abilities within the realm of tarot, there are far better resources available. I highly recommend Mat Auryn's "Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation" for a comprehensive and practical approach to developing psychic skills that genuinely enhance tarot readings. Auryn's work is filled with actionable exercises, thoughtful insights, and a depth of knowledge that is both accessible and profound. If you're seeking spiritual depth and a more mystical exploration of tarot, "The Forest of Souls: A Walk Through the Tarot" by Rachel Pollack is an exceptional choice. Pollack's book delves into the soul of the tarot, offering readers a journey through the cards that is both enlightening and transformative. For those interested in an in-depth study of traditional tarot meanings and their correspondences, Benebell Wen's "Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth" is an indispensable resource. Wen provides a thorough and scholarly examination of the tarot, combining historical context with practical applications that cater to both beginners and advanced practitioners.

Psychic Tarot fails to deliver on its central premise and does not provide the substantive content that readers interested in psychic development and tarot deserve. The reliance on personal anecdotes without practical guidance, the lack of original material, and the superficial treatment of complex topics make this book a disappointing addition to the genre. Your time and resources would be better invested in the works of authors like Mat Auryn, Rachel Pollack, and Benebell Wen, who offer meaningful insights and valuable instruction in the art of tarot and psychic development.
Profile Image for Julie McConnell.
23 reviews3 followers
April 7, 2020
I decided to read this book because awhile ago, I decided that I wanted to see if any books existed about using your psychic abilities in conjunction with tarot. I got this book out of curiosity, I found that while a lot of information was repetitive, there was some material that I found that was useful and that I’m willing to share. The author was saying that the idea for writing this book started at an annual conference hosted by the Tarot School called The Readers’ Studio. During a breakfast roundtable, Rachel Pollack, the author of Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, decided to ask everyone present a question and ask the tarot readers if they considered themselves to be psychic. Surprisingly, most of the tarot readers said “no” and this inspired the author to have people be open to their own psychic abilities. According to her, she says it is completely possible to be a tarot reader and not necessarily use psychic abilities to do this. Many tarot readers do their work from different perspectives and it could be possible to do tarot and use numerology, astrology or even psychology to interpret the cards.

The word “psychic” itself can be very misunderstood. People think that it is the ability to read thoughts, see directly into the future or see bad things occurring such as death. When using psychic abilities in a reading though, it is based more on where someone currently is now and what is likely to happen if they maintain the same thoughts or actions. It means that free will is a factor when it comes to the future, everyone has the power to decide and create their future. Tarot can be used as a tool for self-growth because it can be used to obtain more clarity or a better understanding of how one can live a happier life.

Some aspects of what I liked about this book is when she described “spirit space” which is what happens when you connect more deeply with whatever you believe “source” to be and become more aligned with your spirit. It means the process of letting go of ego, judgment, linear thoughts in general and be in a space of more compassion and receptivity. The author explains that is a similar place that you go to when you are in meditation and moving past the space of logical “right” or “wrong.” It is an internal shift from the logical to the more creative part of the mind.

She also recommended another method that I liked which is asking for an initial image for the person you’re reading for before doing a reading. To get yourself into a more psychic space before doing a reading for someone, close your eyes and ask yourself for a picture of what is going on with the person’s life. Before pulling out any cards, pay attention to what you sense or see if any pictures come up. Even if you don’t understand what it means, keep this in mind throughout the reading.

An example she used in the book is that when she did this for one of her clients, she got an image of her client singing on-stage. When she asked the client why she was there that day, she explained that she was looking to figure out what to do to fix an unhappy marriage. When you examine the two things together, the initial image was giving clues about the client’s creativity and personal voice. It could be a clue about how focusing on how creativity could improve her marriage, a clue for the client to take more life risks, a call for recognition, etc. There is the choice of whether you would like to share this, but it’s an exercise to get the psychic flow moving.
Profile Image for Sylvia Moore.
73 reviews
September 28, 2024
Nancy C. Antenucci’s Psychic Tarot wants to offer a fresh, intuitive approach to reading Tarot, but it falls short of its potential. The premise of using your natural psychic abilities to enhance your readings is solid, but the execution feels scattered and lacks real depth. There are some creative exercises sprinkled throughout, but the structure is loose, and I found myself struggling to connect the techniques in any meaningful way. It’s as if the book is trying to be too many things at once—part how-to guide, part psychic development manual, part personal reflection—and ends up feeling disjointed.

The intuitive exercises, like “Light and Shadow” or “Hidden Question,” sound intriguing at first glance, but they’re explained in a way that’s too vague to really be useful. I kept wanting more concrete guidance or specific examples, something to ground the practices and show how to actually apply them. Antenucci’s writing style is friendly enough, but it leans too heavily on encouragement without offering much substance. If you’re already familiar with basic psychic development, there’s nothing here that really stands out or deepens your practice.

I also felt that the book promises more than it delivers in terms of connecting with spirit guides or using Tarot for energy readings. These sections are more like brief overviews than actual instruction. It’s frustrating because I could see the potential for these techniques to be powerful if they were fleshed out with more detail. Instead, they end up feeling more like filler, leaving me wanting a deeper dive into the actual process of working with these abilities.

What’s more disappointing is that the book doesn’t quite achieve what it sets out to do: teach readers to confidently trust their own psychic instincts in a reading. The exercises might be helpful for absolute beginners, but there’s not enough here to sustain long-term growth or inspire new ways to work with the cards. It’s more of a cursory exploration than a comprehensive guide, and by the end, I was left feeling like I’d only scratched the surface without gaining anything concrete to take away.

Psychic Tarot has flashes of inspiration, but they’re overshadowed by a lack of depth and coherence. It’s like the book skims across the surface of intuitive Tarot without diving in, which is a shame given how rich this topic could be. If you’re just starting out and want some quick exercises to try, it might be worth a look—but if you’re hoping for a book that really pushes your psychic skills to the next level, this one doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Profile Image for Julia Dolinish.
150 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2021
Great and informative book! Was a lot to handle as someone who had just bought some tarot a month earlier but coming back to it after a year to finish it it did really seem full of great (and different) info and exercises.

I like how it really encourages you to figure out meanings for yourself. I also appreciate the list of activities in the back , it makes the book more applicable. I would like to return to this book in a few months to record some of the main ideas in my tarot journal and start making my way through the list of homework at the back!
Profile Image for Mandy.
Author 1 book10 followers
April 4, 2021
This is an excellent book that I can’t recommend enough. I’m glad I stumbled upon it. I especially loved the example readings. Lots of good exercises for further study. I’ll be returning to this one again and again, I’m sure.
Profile Image for Cathy.
15 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2022
At first, I thought this book was like all other tarot books that I had read. However once I delved deeper into it, I discovered that it gave me information that I truly needed and hadn't received from other books.
Profile Image for Jendi.
Author 15 books29 followers
May 30, 2015
3.5 stars for this one. When she stuck to the topic of tarot, there were a lot of helpful ideas about the imaginative and psychological layers of the cards. The sections on boundaries and psychological parts (inner child work) were especially useful, as were the suggested card spreads. But for me, there were too many detours into spooky and irrelevant topics like communicating with the dead and predicting the contents of envelopes.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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