"Explore. Engage your curiosity. Use your imagination. Keep an open mind and an open heart. The Tarot isn't just for answering everyday questions or telling fortunes; it is a beacon that shines light into the darkest recesses of your inner self and illuminates the vast realms that lie beyond the limits of the conscious mind." - From The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need
Written by New Age author Skye Alexander, The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need presents Tarot fundamentals in an engaging, immensely readable format. From suit explanations to numerology, color symbolism to court cards, this 184-page soft cover book published by Adams Media (2008) serves as an excellent introduction to Tarot.
The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need contains material adopted and abridged from The Everything® Tarot Book (2nd Edition 2006), also written by the author, providing the core tenets from that book delivered with tighter writing and a more accessible layout.
Here are some of the topics admirably covered by Ms. Alexander:
* Brief Tarot history
* Explanation of the Major and Minor Arcanas
* Thorough treatment of Tarot and universal symbolism
* Tracking reading progress with a journal
* Upright and reversed card meanings
* Grayscale reproductions of every Rider-Waite® card
* Numerous "Tricks of Tarot" sidebars, providing additional practical and esoteric insights
* Seven important spreads, including the Celtic Cross, Horoscope and Feng Shui Spreads
* Using Tarot for personal growth, meditation and contemplation
* Accessing intuition
* Traveling between the conscious and the unconscious with the cards
* Finding the right Tarot deck and creating your own
Even for experienced Tarot enthusiasts, The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need offers interesting tidbits about the cards. For example:
* "The Emperor is related to Zeus, the father-god of the Greek pantheon. The Romans called him Jupiter; the Norse called him Thor. All these deities were known for throwing thunderbolts, or lightning. In some decks The Emperor carries lightning instead of the ankh."
* "A spiritual teacher whose task is to connect the world of humans with that of the gods, to forge a link between the material and spiritual worlds, The Hierophant is a pontifex, an ancient word that meant maker of bridges, and that is used to designate a priest."
* "The Wheel of Fortune is linked to the three Fates. One spins the thread of life, the second weaves it, and the third cuts it. Thus, The Wheel of Fortune is a reminder of the mysterious cycle of life, death, and rebirth and of the invisible forces that measure them out to each of us."
* "The world temperance is derived from the Latin temperare, which means to moderate, blend, or mix together harmoniously. Interestingly, this card was earlier named Time, which is a key to its underlying message."
Concise, uncomplicated and affordable (it retails for under $10!), The Only Tarot Book You'll Ever Need provides a solid foundation for those wanting to dip their toes in the deep waters of Tarot but aren't quite sure where to start, as well as offering seasoned Tarotists a few fresh perspectives to consider and apply.
-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present
