The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings

Really enjoy this book. I used the online Biddy Tarot website for years to assist with interpreting tarot readings then finally decided to get a print copy in case something happens with the internet or the website. And also because I just like physical books. ;) Each card's description is set up with the following: Keywords overview for upright and reversed; Relevant quotes that pertain to the ideas and archetypes the card; Description of the card's artwork (using the standard Rider Waite deck), Upright card meanings, with sub categories for Career, Work and Finances, Relationships and Love, Spirituality, Well-being and Health and what the Personality Type would be for somebody represented by that card; Journaling prompts suggestions; Suggested Card Combinations (very useful and accurate, since I've gotten multiple specific card combinations in my readings that this book mentions!) and then the Reverse meanings, along with reverse suggested card combinations. So I love that each card description is arranged in this way, and I love how thorough each card meaning is, really drilling down on the possibilities in a way that makes sense and can teach people. Because if you just go by those little booklets that come with the standard Rider-Waite decks you're going to be lost. Those descriptions do NOT do the cards justice. This book however will really teach you so many things. The author, Brigit Esselmont, really knows her stuff. There's also an overview of the Major and Minor Arcanas at the start of those sections along with Quick Keyword Charts for both. The Minor Arcana breakdown includes a summary of what each suit is about, and an explanation about the meaning of the numbers, 1-10, and the Court cards. Then before each suit's section there's a more thorough explanation about each suit and its corresponding element. So yes, I would highly recommend this book to anybody who's interested in Tarot, including those who think they already know. It's informative, thorough, interesting, and easy for anybody to understand.

I received the first batches of print that came out, where so many were getting light printed books that were unreadable. Mine isn't so bad, it is light but can still be read without problems so I kept it. I'm a Tarot reader of 20 years and often read online for paying clients. It is very important for me to know and recall (which is awful hard to memorize) all the cards, meanings and details for a reading. I find this book the most helpful of all the other manuals I've had over the years to help me with meanings and interpretations. Yes, a true reader doesn't need a book to do a reading, but goes by memory and the feeling of the cards; or at least that is what I learned early on when I started reading. My struggle is not using the cards, as I have always been very gifted at being able to work with energy and pull the cards meant for each person I am reading, but when it comes to meanings of the cards and telling a story within the reading, especially when I am on the spot (live) it is very hard for me to recall the information I need, so relying on this book to help me, especially on some cards that are just hard to get around a meaning with, I have become much better in my readings. This book helps me to fully detail out and offer a story line to my reading. It also helps bring meaning and a personal touch (you know Brigit has read many years because her words are as if she were speaking directly you with wisdom and years of readings behind her) that helps the sitter feel and know that they are getting a valued reading. I have little tabs on each section of the cards, minor and major arcana so that I can easily flip through the book to find what I need. The margins are wide enough to add in notes if you like and the print is large enough to read fairly well without bifocals. I really enjoy the size of this book because it is large enough to hold in my hands or lay it down within reach for a reading and there are quotes at the top of each card to help you pull extra meaning from the card you're about to read. I also like the chart before each suite of cards that breaks down the meanings in just a couple words, so you are not flipping through the book looking for on the spot meanings, as you can quickly look at the chart and there they are. This is a true find and I am so happy it is available in print. I've used the Biddy Tarot website for my readings before this book was available in print and it helped me greatly in readings so I knew once this book was available (I pre-ordered) it was going to be a treasure all in its own. I would highly recommend this book to everyone from beginner to veteran Tarot reader because it is so easy to use, easy to read and has this personal touch that I find really helps me in readings. This book is the best I've come across in 20 years of readings and I can't recommend it highly enough. It is very well written and worth it

I've read a LOT of Tarot books. A lot. I've read this one so many times that it literally fell into pieces and I had to repair it, haha. This book is one of those I still read today (many years after having bought it) for further insights and that had a HUGE impact on my practice development: it helped me to develop a much more nuanced interpretation of my tarot readings; for myself first, and now for my clients. I have an approach that my clients find very interesting and thought-provoking, even with deep or difficult subjects or life situations. We have transformative consultations together, and this book had its implication with where I am today with my practice. Brigit has its unique way to help you interpreting cards in a holistic, kind, and brilliant viewpoint. If you want to learn reversals interpretations without being in a "black and white" perspective, read this book. Reversals aren't just "the negative", the "opposite" or just "the shadow" part of the upright card. There are many categories for possible different interpretations, few cards combinations interpretations per card, journaling prompts in questions forms... A pearl. To read and to re-read, again and again. There is always medicines and solutions to find, even with "difficult" cards or inconfortable readings, and Brigit proposes this idea very well in her book, to look further and to switch your outlook. This book is in my SURE top 5 of Tarot interpretations books. I don't have a lot of Tarot books I would recommand like The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings; I’ve recommended this book several times, for beginners to more advanced tarot practitioners. Thanks Brigit !!! I hope this book will be translated in French soon in the future. I can't wait to gift it to some of my friends.

Acheté en format Kindle, la traduction via Kindle est bien fichue mais sinon c'est écrit assez simplement. J'ai pris plusieurs livres dans ce format concernant le Rider Waite et tous m'ont semblé insipides par rapport à celui-ci. Ici, Brigit Esselmont détaille chaque carte dans sa scène, le symbolisme, puis un descriptif général ; ensuite, chaque carte est expliquée selon sa position (droite ou renversée). Il y a un paragraphe pour le sentimental, un autre pour les finances/carrière, pour la personnalité, puis un autre pour le spirituel, et un autre plus court concernant la santé et le bien-être. La carte propose aussi quelques questions intéressantes, une sorte d'invitation à nous poser les bonnes questions, pour la croissance personnelle comme par exemple pour le 7 d'Epée : "en qui ai-je confiance ? en qui n'ai-je pas confiance" ou "à quoi dois-je dire non ?".... ou pour la carte de la Tempérance "dans quel domaine de votre vie avez-vous en ce moment fluidité et harmonie ?" ou "qu'est-ce qui vous apporte paix intérieure ?"... Et puis bien entendu, quelques exemples d'associations de cartes. Un livre hyper complet me concernant et que je rachèterais en version papier pour peu qu'il sorte en français !

Best tarot book

Very informative, written with a light tone for card interpretations.

Absolutely love this book. I really resonated with the card interpretations that are in this book. My belief is that there are no "bad" cards, every card serves a positive intention and help us in some way. This book reflects that belief as well. Interpretations are empowering, eye opening and helpful. Inside is black and white pictures for each card with Keywords, Quotes, Descriptions, Upright and Reversed card meanings. Also, General meaning, meaning focused on the Career, Work and Finances, Personality Types, Relationship and Love, Spirituality, Well-being and Health. It contains the Journaling prompts for each card that help to reflect on the cards and understand their meanings at much deeper level. It also has some Suggested 2 card combinations to show how energy of this card could be blended together with energy of other cards. Besides tarot meanings it also contains a quick numerology guide, Reversed cards interpretation ideas and a chapter on how to read tarot for yourself. Before having a physical book, I had a PDF version, but wanted to have a physical book so I can use it as a reference. It is very good as a reference book. I also keep adding there my own meanings and keywords about each of the cards. Thank you, Bridget for this useful tool that supports me in my tarot journey! 💜