6 Books for Tarot Beginners
I took some time to compile this list for anyone looking to learn tarot or deepen the well of knowledge that they already have. I personally own all of these books and have worked my way through them. So consider this my stamp of approval post!
For those just getting started and looking for a good guide to the basics that isn't too convoluted or over your head I would recommend Tarot Revealed Beginners Guide by Paul Fenton Smith. This is a book I will always have on my shelf along with its companion, Tarot Masterclass by Paul Fenton-Smith. These two books are well written, well organized and easy to understand. He touches on a variety of topics and has great go to card meanings that really hit the nail on the head. These can both be purchased on Amazon find the links HERE and HERE!
If you are interested in out of the box thinking and exercises that get your creative tarot juices flowing I would highly recommend Tarot for Yourself: A Workbook of Personal Transformation by Mary K. Greer. This workbook is so fun and creative you will want to work through the whole book the first day you purchase! I like that it is made to be written in, I looked back at some of my work from 2007 and it was a REALLY interesting read and perspective I had back then! You can find this book on amazon follow the link HERE!
If you are looking for new and innovative ways to integrate tarot into your everyday life or thinking about reading professionally, I would turn to Tarot Face to Face: Using the cards in your everyday life by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin. This book is also full of advice regarding the development of your own unique reading style and ways to achieve more accuracy! This book can be purchased on Amazon follow the link HERE!
For my friends that have struggled with court cards of the tarot I have just the book for you! Check out Understanding the Tarot Court by Mary K. Greer and Tom Little! I just finished working my way through this book and I can honestly say I have a much deeper understanding and connection with the court cards. This is another amazingly fun and creative book that will stretch your mind and make you excited about tarot! This book is available on Amazon follow the link HERE!
My last suggestion is for anyone looking for a structured daily course to learn tarot. Its quite thick but you will not regret buying Around the Tarot in 78 Days: A Personal Journey Through the Cards by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin. It is often used as a textbook and core structure for tarot workshops and classes. This book is available on Amazon follow the link HERE!
Cheers! I hope this list is helpful if you have other suggestions please leave them in the comments!
XOXO Chelsea
Crystal Visions Tarot Deck Review
I purchased the Crystal Visions Tarot deck by Jennifer Galasso back in February and have spent my sweet time getting to know it. Crystal Visions has enchanting images and uses color in a really wonderful way! So far I have only been drawn to use this deck for my personal studies, journaling and meditation. However, I do think this would be a great deck to use with clients that are new to tarot or overly superstitious. It has gentle images and a kind energy so far as I can tell. While this deck follows the typical RWS structure, I find that it does have varying symbols and added themes which makes it a bit more fun and unique to read, but could be confusing for someone just getting started. The little white book that comes with the deck is infinitely helpful for getting to know this deck.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
* I was immediately in love with the backing image. It is a very attractive, and does not give away that the card is upright or reversed (a personal pet peeve), it reminds me of gazing into a crystal ball and the colors are gorgeous!
* At first I wasn't sure I would like how light and gentle the theme of the deck was, I like cards that shock the psyche a bit and really tell you how it is, but deck has grown on me and become one of my staple decks.
* I was really drawn to the suit of pentacles in this deck even more so than the wands which are usually my favorite suit.
* I had no idea there was an Unknown Card in this deck prior to purchase. I didn't know how I felt about it at first but now I'm on board! Its fun when it comes up and its a good reminder that there are always things that we don't know.
* I really like that many of the cards that traditionally depict men, are instead strong females! (The Chariot, The Fool and The Hermit)
LIKES:
* The imagery and imagination put into this deck are inspiring.
* It seems very friendly, open and easy to learn and work with.
* Very in tune with nature, lots of animals and beautiful scenery depicted along with the lovely people.
* Creative and gentle approach to some of the harsher cards like Death, The Devil and The Tower Card.
* For some reason I have really come to like working with the court cards of this deck even though they are not like the traditional images.
DISLIKES:
* Some of the images don't speak the meanings I'm used to, which is great creatively, but makes reading a bit harder.
* I feel like all of the people in this deck are wearing the exact same facial expression. It is hard to read their emotions and they sometimes do not line up with emotions I have grown used to seeing in tradition RWS decks.
* The cards themselves are a bit slippery and hard to keep in place when reading, not sure if that is because they are so new, but they seem to be very high gloss which I'm not sure I'm a big fan of.
* Within the first week of using the cards my cardboard box for this deck started tearing and falling apart, so much that I had to make it a cloth case.
*For some reason I do not like The Lovers card of this deck. It is too restricting and love relationship based, nothing in the imagery remotely reminds me of having to make choices.
Overall I am very happy with my purchase of the Crystal Visions Tarot and will continue to get to know it and work with it in my daily life! Hope this was helpful and if it wasn't, well at least the pictures are pretty!
XOXO Chelsea
Anointing Tarot Cards
I was chatting with my mom the other day and she decided to get her tarot cards out. As we're playing around with some spreads, she keeps going on and on about how her cards smelled like the rosemary and incense she keeps in her tarot box. It inspired me to bless and anoint some of my newer tarot cards and I wanted to share my process!
My Wild Unknown Tarot made its way to me around my birthday and things were so busy I never got around to anointing them properly! THE TIME HAS COME!
GRAB SOME OILS AND FOLLOW ALONG!
1. Cleanse and Clear your work space. I chose to sage, pick some crystals and light a rose colored candle.
2. Organize your deck into three sections: PIPS - COURTS - MAJORS
3. Pick an essential oil that vibes with each section of the deck OR decide on a single oil for the deck. I went with rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus.
4. Freestyle a blessing for your cards. I included the blessing I wrote below for reference but yours can be shorter OR longer! Whatever suits you!
5. Use a Qtip to rub the essential oils of your choice along the edges of the cards so the artwork is not effected. (A little bit goes a long way)
6. As you anoint your cards recite the blessing you have prepared.
7. Give Thanks.
Its a simple little ritual but I find it to be very effective! Let me know how you bless your cards!
XOXO Chelsea
MY BLESSING
Universe,
I ask that this rosemary cleanse and clear my pip cards. I ask that the smell of rosemary activate my third eye and allow me to see daily life clearly. I ask that timing will jump out at me and start to become natural to me.
I ask that this lavender cleanse and clear my major cards. I ask that the smell of lavender awaken my inner goddess and allow me to see the big picture clearly. I ask that past life connections draw my attention and speak to me as I continue to work with this deck.
I ask that this eucalyptus cleanse and clear my court cards. I ask that the smell of eucalyptus connect me to the many personalities of the tarot. I ask that messages come in loud and clear when court cards come up. Thank you for these blessings.
<3 Chelsea
Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot Photoshoot
I purchased this beautiful deck last weekend at The Tattered Cover here in Denver! I decided to take my new deck to the park for a photoshoot! The imagery is so dreamy and gorgeous! Enjoy ❤️
Wtf: Weekly Tarot Forecast 3/30 - 4/05/15
Beginning of the week - Death - We're starting the week off with some sweeping changes. Its time for winter to blossom into spring. From the ashes of death we are reborn. Right now we are motivated to build ourselves up bigger, better and stronger. If we embrace change this can be a supporting energy. If we reject change we can find ourselves getting swept up in the current feeling very out of control. Embrace the flow of the universe.
Middle of the week - Temperance - We need to step back from the hustle and bustle of life to find our inner peace and balance. It is tempting to run yourself into the ground this week but you must find time to replenish your cup. If you are not feeling centered and balanced it will throw off your energy in other areas! Take a cleansing bath with sea salts and essential oils if possible. Make time for yourself and honor that time by not feeling guilty.
End of the week - Ace of Coins - Wrapping up the week we have money on the mind. An opportunity to start on a fruitful path is here and it might be just the kind of change we were looking for in the Death card earlier this week. Be practical in your planning and keep a firm grasp on the inner workings of your newest endeavors.
XoXo Chelsea