It is my personal mantra to never stop learning: as a professional Tarot reader, I consider myself honour bound to my clients (past, present and future) to continue to study the cards so that my readings will always improve.
Because of this auto didactic philosophy, I usually have one or more Tarot books in a stack next to my bed which I dip into before sleeping (there’s a good tip for you – you wouldn’t believe what sinks in while you’re dreaming).
There’s one book I keep picking up that has taught me a great deal (from a new favourite spread, to extra dimensions to so many cards) and that book is…
(Drumroll, please)
Tarot Tells the Tale, by James Ricklef
The Blurb:
“Peer over the shoulder of a Tarot master as he demonstrates the art of using three-card spreads to answer a variety of client questions. Through sample readings for famous characters from history, myth, and fiction, you will discover different ways to interpret personal cards, read reversed cards, construct a good question, and even rephrase less-than-ideal questions. You will find that your own readings will become more cohesive and coherent.”
Ok, so the blurb is a little waffy, but the book itself is an absolute goldmine of information and inspiration.
Each chapter is dedicated to a three card reading for a famous character (from history to mythology and everything in between), and they’re arranged in the order of Major Arcana (so the first spread contains the Fool, the Second the Magician and so on).
This sounds potentially dull, but it really is fascinating to get an inside look into the method of an established Tarot reader. It’s satisfying to find a moment when your interpretation matches his and it’s even more amazing when his interpretation teaches you something new.
What you’ll get out of reading this book:
- Improved skills in weaving the cards together
- A better idea as to how to apply a card to a real life situation
- Tips to hone the way you ask a question
- Knowledge that you wouldn’t necessarily find in your average Tarot recipe book
What Alex got out of reading this book:
I will be honest with you, the Judgement card had left me a little chilly in the past. Yes, I knew what it meant and yes, I could interpret it in a reading but… the card itself left me a little uninspired. However, one description from this book has stayed with me: Judgement means that a situation that has been considered dead will be given a new lease of life. A cold love life might re-ignite into romance; old issues that need healing may once more rise to the surface; dreams long abandoned may insistently tap on your shoulder. Eureka! It was like the flood gates opened and suddenly I connected with the Judgement card in a way that I hadn’t managed thus far on my Tarot journey.
Delightful.
So yes, I highly recommend you buy and read this book, and play around with some of the spreads he recommends. It really will open whole new doors for you!
[Incidentally, this isn't a sponsored post - I genuinely enjoyed the book]
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