Tarot Plain & Simple

No need to buy anymore books on tarot right now for this book is complete. I was so pleasantly surprised and it’s got nice paper for pages. Great information right off the bat. It’s as complete as one could want

I didn't buy this book because I needed yet another tarot book. I bought it because I had Anthony Louis' horary astrology book, and loved it. Unlike horary astrology, though, tarot--as presented here--really is plain and simple. This book doesn't mire itself in the sort of occult esoterica or pseudo-psychobabble new age gibberish that many tarot books do (good ones, too). It is aimed at the beginner who wants to use the cards for divination. Louis doesn't spend time deconstructing the symbolic minutiae of tarot--and given the deck he chose to illustrate the book (Robin Wood), that's a good decision. Instead, he gives an abundance of interpretive descriptions for each card in both upright and reversed positions, something I wish I had when I started reading cards as a kid, and even later in life. Dr. Louis must like the Robin Wood deck--after all, he chose it. I've never been crazy about it, although I admit the naked babes depicted in some of the cards are hotties! Hey, it's a reason. I've always been partial to the Thoth deck (you can't beat the striking, sometimes disturbing artwork) and the Rider-Waite deck, and to books that use them. But the Wood deck is pretty similar to the Rider-Waite deck in terms of interpretive symbolism, and to others based on the Rider pack, so unless you are using a deck that really bastardizes the traditional symbols (like the hilarious atrocity that is Motherpeace, or the trippy Voyager), Louis' interpretations should go well with your deck. (They don't go particularly well with the Thoth deck, which is a traditional deck, flavored here and there with Aleister Crowley's unique and unfortunate view of things.) This is, arguably, the perfect book for the beginning tarot reader. I would tell a rank beginner to get this one first, then Rachel Pollack's 78 Degrees of Wisdom, before moving on to other books like Mary Greer's or some of the Thoth-oriented books.

I own many, many tarot books, but this is the one I keep next to my deck when I need to check something or get confused on a meaning. It's well laid out and the card descriptions are sorted by number rather than suit. There's also a bit of information on astrology and numerology as it relates to tarot. I'm not a fan of the Robin Wood deck used for illustration (although this deck is extremely popular) but since it's a Rider clone, it will give you a good idea. Overall, a well written book good for both the beginner and the more experienced tarot reader.

This is my number one favorite book on the Tarot, and I have bought many copies to give as gifts to my friends. Someone gave me the Spanish translation for Christmas ("Aprenda Como Leer el Tarot") and I actually enjoy it more in Spanish than in English. I love this book no matter what language I read it in.

Los siguientes comentarios son del "Llewellyn Trade Catalog" (1999): Usted se pregntará ¿para qué leer el tarot? y la respuesta es ... porque al hacerlo usted activa una herramienta fascinante que despierta sus habilidades intuitivas. Este magnífico libro-guía contiene métodos prácticos y fáciles de usar para quienes se interesan en aprender como realizar lecturas del tarot. El autor Anthony Louis, médico psiquiatra, basado en un profundo entendimiento por la naturaleza humana y sus conflictos psicológicos, desarrolla un excelente estudio sobre el tarot. Los expertos descubrirán que su acercamiento Jungiano transportará al lector a niveles más profundos de la transformación personal. Lea este libro y ... * Aprenda el significado y los consejos de cada carta y obtenga una lista con el tipo de personas que representan cada una de ellas, * Descubra cómo seleccionar el mazo de cartas ideal, * Obtenga un completo entendimiento sobre la Aracna Mayor a través de los arquetipos Jungianos, * Utilice el tarot como sistema de meditación, solución de problemas, toma de decisiones, auto-entendimiento y crecimiento espiritual.

I'm serious. This book is incredible. I have bought a ton of books on tarot that claimed to be for beginers and plain and simple. They ALWAYS left me confused. But not this one. It is really plain, I mean really easy to understand. I love the section on the use of numerology and astrology in the book as well. Truely opened my eyes, and a lot of the time I could be heard stting in the corner reading it going,"Oh, okkkk now I understand." I must say a million praises to the author for the clarity and ease in which in this book reads. If you a beginer- GET THIS BOOK AND SAVE YOURSELF A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY AND TIME.