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Tag Archives: Tarot

The Left-Hand Path of Tarot, by Cherry Parra

The Left-Hand Path of Tarot: Breaking Taboos, Confronting Shadows, and Achieving Self-Love, by Cherry Parra
Weiser Books, 157863878X, 248 pages, February 2025

The Left-Hand Path of Tarot: Breaking Taboos, Confronting Shadows, and Achieving Self-Love by Cherry Parra teaches that tarot is not meant to simply soothe the ego or wrap us in spiritual platitudes. She asserts that at its deepest level, tarot is a mirror that reflects what we might prefer not to see. When approached with honesty, the cards cut through wishful thinking and invite us into radical self-responsibility. They illuminate patterns we perpetuate, desires we hide, grief we avoid, and truths we sense but hesitate to claim.

This kind of practice asks for courage and the willingness to sit with discomfort rather than reaching for quick reassurance. Parra invites readers to work with the tarot in this way, demonstrating how tarot can be a tool for maturation, shadow integration, and self-catalyst. Having the agency to choose differently or act with clarity comes from the willingness to wade in the chaos, ask the tough questions, and pivot when necessary.

“First and foremost we deal in truth, and it is often uncomfortable and usually brutal. If we want the truth, we must ask true questions. Tarot is not a hiding place. There should be no room for shame, self-deception, or hide-and-seek dynamics.”1

Divided into three parts, Parra leads readers through viewing the tarot from the lens of the Left-Hand Path, interpreting the cards to offer a wider perspective (sometimes even challenging or subverting card meanings), and then how to put into practice the Left-Hand Path of tarot.

“Part 1: Welcome to the Left-Hand Path” provides an introduction to the overall topic of using tarot for confronting uncomfortable truths and reclaiming marginalized aspects of the self. Parra shows how tarot is a guide to outsiders, those who are outcast, marginalized, and nonconforming. When challenging social norms as a healer, visionary, artistic, or activist–all vital roles amid chaotic times–tarot can be used dually as a weapon and as a tool for self-alchemy. The chapters on shadow work and manifestation give insight into how readers can learn to embrace the “not positive” aspects of the cards for growth, revelation, and ultimately more personal agency.

“Part 2: Left-Hand Path Interpretations” is where Parra delves into the meaning of the cards. For each Major Arcana card, she shares about two pages of insight. While the general traditional meaning shines through, Parra definitely infuses the cards with meaning reflecting the philosophy of a Left-Hand Path journey. This is to say, she strips a lot of the BS away and gives a straight-forward message that acknowledges what’s really going on beneath the surface. What I appreciate about her approach is that there’s no doom and gloom, rather, it’s very grounded and “tell it like it is” for optimum clarity.

As for the Minor Arcana, Parra deconstructs the traditional idea of each suit corresponding to only one element. She writes, how “every Minor Arcana card, regardless of which suit it belongs to, carries wisdom from more than one element of nature.”2 This was the first time I’d ever come across this notion in my tarot studies, and the idea felt supremely liberating, a deviation with plenty of potential to explore on my own. In this chapter, Parra provides interpretations for each suit and then uses tables to provide short meanings (upright and reversed) for the Minor Arcana cards. 

In the final section, “Part 3: Walking the Left-Hand Path with Tarot”, Parra takes the information shared thus far and casts it out into the wider world. She likens the Left-Hand Path to the “Path of Doubt”3, which “deals with uncertainty, contradictions, mysteries, and even riddles.”4. Here, Parra reminds readers to embrace their own flavor of reading, embracing their “out-of-the-box”5 interpretations when they arise. Infusing anarchy, challenging the trickster, and lingering in the unknown are all aspects of the Left-Hand Path that tarot can help cultivate. She offers ideas for shuffling, dialoging with the cards, and personalizing your decks.

Plus, Parra includes so many spreads! Spreads for money and business, self love, body image, mommy/daddy issues, psychic battles, transmutation and more. It’s like Parra has attuned to the multi-faceted shadow aspects and taboo topics that could use a reading for more insight and crafted meaningful spreads to mine the information with ease. Furthermore, she covers tarot rituals, such as opening/closing the reading and protection, offering readers a well-rounded approach to doing these readings.

All throughout, I really enjoyed how Parra shares her tarot wisdom. It’s very evident she’s gained a ton of experience as a reader, both for herself and others, and does a great job synthesizing what she’s learned into practical advice. From offering tips to both beginners and pros to framing the mindset of querents to better understand their position to how to handle readings honestly when cards reveal things aren’t peachy keen, Parra provides a lot of value for those interested in reading for others. The epilogue, “The Ethics of Tarot”6, also is great food-for-thought.

I also just gained a lot of perspective from Parra’s Left-Hand Path interpretations of the cards. In addition to enjoying her liberation of the Minor Arcana from the elemental suits previously discussed, her depictions of the Major Arcana were a breath of fresh air. It was SO nice to read novel interpretations of the cards, especially from Parra’s first-hand perspective. From linking the Hierophant with personal discipline to saying sometimes the Hermit can point towards needing a good old bed-rot, her lens was modern, relatable, and still deeply meaningful.

“Very few people actually discuss and practice the art of leaning into catastrophe, of riding the lows with as much attention and enthusiasm as they surf the highs, and of finding the potential within imbalance.”7

Overall, The Left-Hand Path of Tarot offers an approach to tarot that emphasizes the nitty gritty truth. Emphasizing the shattering of social taboos and upholding personal empowerment, readers will appreciate the originality of Parra’s interpretation of the cards. Within this framework, tarot becomes a method for choice, conformation, and cultivating personal agency (and responsibility!). Accessible for tarot readers of all levels, this book is best for those ready to question their spiritual conditioning, subvert traditional tarot meanings, and discover methods to bring more active questioning into their practice.

Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow, by Shannon Knight

Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow: Magickal Tools and Tarot to Confront Your Fears and Free Your Potential, by Shannon Knight
Weiser Books, 1578638925, 208 pages, December 2025

Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow: Magickal Tools and Tarot to Confront Your Fears and Free Your Potential by Shannon Knight is a wonderful introductory text for those looking to discover more about their inner world. This book blends depth psychology with tarot to lead readers in shadow work. The framework Knight shares guides readers through the process of engaging with their hidden, repressed, or disowned self-aspects in order to integrate them and unlock greater potential.

Knight, a trained therapist and tarot practitioner, grounds her work in both psychological theory and symbolic intuition. She explains shadow (“the parts of ourselves that we suppress, deny, or repress”4) as well as the golden shadow (suppressed strengths that can be reclaimed), and uses tarot archetypes as a mirror into the psyche. Each chapter mixes concept with practice, structured around clear explanation, tarot archetypes, exercises, and journal prompts designed to deepen self-knowledge and self-acceptance.

“By inviting our shadows to the forefront for a moment, we can decrease the unconscious power they may have over us. This process isn’t about silencing or banishing these parts of ourselves, but about understanding their origins and the roles they play in our lives and how they impact our relationships, actions, and thought processes.”8

Unlike many traditional shadow work books, this one utilizes tarot as a dialogue tool with the subconscious, helping readers frame internal themes through archetypes and symbolism rather than just theoretical text. For those magically minded, this is a very appealing approach, offering a chance to deepen your connection with the wisdom of the tarot in this process.

Knight begins the book by preparing readers for their shadow work journey. Once readers have techniques to utilize and a safe space to proceed, the next chapter delves into the roots of the shadow, explaining what the shadow is, how it is formed, and the relationship to mental health. Then Knight moves into the magical tools that can be useful for shadow work, including sigils, tarot, and ritual.

“By utilizing tarot for shadow work, we can uncover the hidden parts of us that lie within these archetypes and learn how to integrate, or assimilate, these shadows so we better understand ourselves and others.”9

The chapter “Identifying the Shadow through Tarot” is very useful for understanding both the dark and golden shadow meanings of the cards. For each Major Arcana card, Knight explains the dual shadow qualities and offers four reflection questions to further engage with the energy of the card. Then there’s also an explanation of the shadow of each suit. However, there’s no information on the Minor Arcana cards or how to really integrate them into tarot shadow work beyond working with the energy of the suit. This was one area of the book I felt was a bit lacking, as it doesn’t tap into the energy of the majority of the deck.

After this, Knight covers ancestral shadows, which teaches how to overcome generational shadow patterns. She only offers a small glimpse into this topic though– it could certainly be a whole book on its own–but it’s enough information to get the introspective wheels turning, adding dimension to this practice. The final chapters focus on integration of the shadow and exercises to engage the shadow work process.

Throughout the book, there is space to pause, reflect, and write down your thoughts. The inclusion of these “journal” pages makes this book a supportive companion for your shadow work journey, allowing you to record insights, emotions, and revelations directly alongside your reading. Sometimes, there’s even a rating scale where readers can gauge their feelings, offering even more introspective prompting. Additionally, there’s space to journal about tarot readings Knight shares right in the book too, making it a good place to record what comes through.

Knight then deepens this immersive, hands-on experience for readers by offering a six-week process of reflection, offering thoughtfully crafted prompts that guide you into meaningful self-exploration. Readers can pull cards for the prompts or simply journal their feelings. Each week focuses on a specific topic, ranging from vulnerability and shame to connection and support, and Knight designed it as five prompts a week, so there’s some room for reflection and integration. I love this because sometimes when I decide to do something every day but then accidentally miss a day, it becomes hard to get back on track. This design provides structure with flexibility.

One thing I enjoyed in reading this book is how Knight often references different psychological models. For instance, she likens the shadow to the “exiles” in the Internal Family Systems model and also explains concepts using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also draws from psychoanalysis too, teaching about the ego, id, persona, and other elements of these models. Despite a focus on magical tools, Knight does pack in a lot of psychological insight too, which I feel has the beneficial effect of transforming shadow work from mysterious and esoteric exploration into a tangible, practical psychological practice.

Another aspect of this book is how Knight introduces readers to the golden shadow. Shadow work can feel really daunting and dreary, but the reminder that within this landscape lives our golden shadow too is a motivator to do this inner work. I felt relief in knowing that I might find some positive attributes long buried within, pushed aside for too long, to radiantly recover and welcome back in my life. In this way, Knight shows that shadow work is not simply about healing what hurts, but about remembering the fullness of who we are. In embracing both shadow and gold, we step into a deeper wholeness where our truest selves can emerge.

Overall, Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow is a grounded, engaging guide that encourages honest reflection and creative exploration for those interested in self-discovery, spiritual psychology, or tarot as a tool for inner work. Shadow work is often misunderstood as a journey only into our darkness, yet Knight teaches it is equally a path toward reclaiming the hidden brilliance within us. Her hands-on approach to journeying into the shadow realm invites readers to move beyond theory and into lived transformation. While I do think it could be more focused on tarot specifically, the exercises and psychological insight are useful in discovering hidden parts of the psyche and integrating them for greater awareness.

Couture Tarot, by Megan Skinner

Couture Tarot, by Megan Skinner
REDFeather, 0764369857, 192 pages, 78 cards, October 2025

In Couture Tarot by Megan Skinner, high-fashion collage art stands in for the traditional deck imagery, bringing a fresh, stylish vibe to the timeless wisdom of tarot. Fashion and tarot are both mirrors in many ways. Tarot reflects the psyche; fashion reflects identity, desire, rebellion, belonging. Neither tells you who you are, rather they show you possibilities. They invite projection, interpretation, and play with visual symbolism that cues our unconscious in certain ways, making them a potent tool for revelation.

Within this deck, Skinner has reimagined the classic 78-card tarot through the lens of couture fashion and collage art. Each card draws from meticulously cut and arranged images sourced from iconic fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle, giving the deck a look that’s at once glamorous, contemporary, and delightfully eclectic. The visual experience feels like stepping into a runway show that is unique, lush, and deeply expressive of archetypal themes in a modern visual language.

The first thing I appreciated about this deck was the very sturdy box it comes in. The box lid opens from the front, held closed by a magnet, making for easy access. The cards and guidebook are neatly secured and there’s a brown ribbon to diligently pull the cards out. The interior of the box’s lid has a quote from Yves Saint Laurent that perfectly captures the energy of the deck.

As for the cards themselves, they’re quite eclectic. I definitely think readers who are used to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) imagery will be in for a shock because there’s little resemblance whatsoever. There’s not even an image for the different suits depicted in the cards. Rather, for each one, there’s a brilliant collage bursting with energy and the name at the bottom. Skinner explains this in the guidebook, writing, “Yet, each image carries the essence of the suit and card through color and a visual story.”10

The collage art turns a tarot deck into a living conversation between symbols. By layering images, it breaks the expectation that meaning should be neat or singular. Instead, insight arrives the way intuition does: sideways, through association, memory, and mood. Additionally, the collage element holds tension. These juxtapositions mirror the way tarot itself works, holding contradiction and multiplicity. The cards feel less like illustrations of fixed meanings and more like portals, asking the reader to participate in interpretation rather than consume it.

There’s A LOT of room for subjective interpretation. For those familiar with the traditional tarot meanings, this deck becomes a fun way to engage with the archetypal energies in a new way, letting your eyes roam over the busy card imagery to see what your intuition picks out and relates to your understanding of the card.

However, for those new to tarot or not entirely familiar with each card’s essence, you might struggle a bit if you are someone who likes to use the card’s imagery as a visual prompt to cue the oracle’s message. Though, if you’re willing to go off script and let the cards lead, not worrying about “getting it right” in the by-the-book sense, there’s lots of exploration that can be done with this deck.

I think working with this deck is an exercise in intuition over instruction. You can teach someone how to piece together an outfit, but it takes a certain something to make it fashionable. This deck calls forth that certain something within that makes for an insightful tarot reading too that goes beyond just relying on the rote meanings.

A tarot card doesn’t mean the same thing in every reading, just as a garment doesn’t mean the same thing on every body or in every context. Meaning emerges through feeling, timing, and relationship. You sense when a look is right, the same way you sense when a card is speaking clearly. This is the ever-changing beauty of Couture Tarot.

This said, Skinner provides illuminating guidance in the accompanying book, which is nearly 200 pages long, so fear not if you are someone who enjoys looking up the meanings. This deck is still very approachable and engaging in this sense too. For each card, Skinner shares keywords, the planetary rule, and an explanation of her artistic choice. For instance, she writes of the Ten of Wands:

“Yet, the Ten of Wands indicates that you are carrying the past forward, feeling like you need to keep working toward some outlived goal. In a word: Baggage! Hence the designer suitcase stacked upon each other.”11

Skinner’s insights into her interpretation of each card goes a long way in anchoring the traditional meanings of the tarot. She visually describes the intention of many of the symbols, taking some of the guesswork out for those who, like me, enjoy knowing what I’m looking at. In this way, the deck skillfully balances symbolism with artistic innovation. Readers have the ability to intuitively engage with the imagery that resonates with their own psyche–the heart and soul of good artwork–while also having a solid foundation of general understanding of the artist’s intention.

Personally, I would use this deck when I want some creative energy in my life. Beyond doing oracle readings, I think this deck has a certain zest for awakening the inner genius. Working with it gets me out of my head and submerged in the feelings that arrive when I’m fully present, open, and gently alive. It’s the same transformative experience I have walking through an art museum, allowing the beautiful imagery to overwhelm my senses.

The collage art restores mystery to the tarot. As someone who gets quite bored seeing the same archetypal images repeated, this deck is a breath of fresh air. I love how little pieces of various fashion publications come together to create something entirely new. The format of discerningly collecting these little bits of visual imagery and then piercing them together reminds me that there’s always the ability to see things from a different perspective, shifting around the arrangement until the alignment feels right, which is the essence of getting a meaningful tarot reading.

Overall, Couture Tarot is a stylish, thoughtful tarot deck that is perfect for those who enjoy bold, lively imagery in their readings, especially if you appreciate fashion and aesthetic symbolism as tools for inner exploration. It’s a tool for reconnecting with creativity too. Whether used for daily draws, deep spreads, or contemplative journaling, it offers a rich, modern bridge between tarot tradition and creative expression.

Tarot in Other Words, edited by Cassandra Snow

Tarot in Other Words: An Essential Anthology by Leading Queer Tarot Writers, edited by Cassandra Snow
Weiser Books, 1578638445, 208 pages, May 2025

As a professional tarot card reader and teacher, writer, and theatre maker, Cassandra Snow is well versed in the art of creating. In this book, Tarot in Other Words, Snow has pulled together well-known queer Tarot writers with a view to showcasing their unique perspectives on tarot through essays. 

The introduction is robust, with many pages devoted to Snow talking about the hows and whys of matching tarot with queerness and providing historical links between the two. She explains, saying:

“This isn’t a history book, but I do want to bring some lesser discussed history and trivia to the table that ties queerness and tarot. One of the biggest reasons I think of tarot and queerness together is this: for a lot of cultures, such as the Romani and other oppressed groups forced into nomadic lifestyles, fortune-telling using cards and other tools was and is to this day survival work… We take it up for survival, and to feel as free as we can while we earn money to survive.”12

Snow’s dedication to showcasing queer writers in the realm of tarot is both timely and necessary, as queer voices in any context are currently undergoing a type of censorship. I’m not going to delve into my personal feelings on that topic specifically as it has no place here, but one could take my writing a review about queer voices as a hint as to where my allegiance falls. 

The anthology separates essays into two sections: in part one, we read writings about “Finding Ourselves in the Tarot” and in the second part, the writings are focused on “Finding the Tarot in Ourselves”. Snow says that she found the essays received “…fell into one of two camps: personal storytelling that highlights the powerful ways tarot can move through and transform us, and instructional materials highlighting techniques and opportunities for you to look at tarot in new and inclusive ways… Even that attempt at classification and noticing the overlap plays with the theme of fluidity, being, and what we owe to each other that are so important in both queer and radical theory.”13

Nothing excites me more in the realm of tarot than learning how others use the cards and interpret them. Of the dozens of books I have on the subject, there are a few that I consistently reach for. Snow’s book, with this amazing collection of insights and personal experiences with the cards, has been added to that short list. “The High Priestess as Black Femme Memory” by Junauda Petrus is a beautifully sensual piece devoted to the High Priestess, one of my favorite cards, and after reading it, I don’t think I will look at that card the same way. *fans self*

There are spells, card spreads, recipes, and meditation prompts. There is an in-depth how-to on building altars and suggestions on what could be included on that altar. There is an essay by Maria Minnis that links lichens with tarot, specifically the suit of Cups, and uses the symbiotic nature of lichen as a focus to illustrate how everything is connected. This book is an absolute feast for the soul and opens the cards up to new ways of thinking and viewing ourselves, no matter who/what we identify as. I have never felt so seen as I was reading this book.

I love the variety of voices in this collection, and the different ways they approach the cards. The idea of reciprocity within the craft of reading tarot is something I haven’t seen discussed so thoroughly before. The essay “Queering the Numbers” by Meg Jones Wall is one of my favorites as she tackles the heteronormative system of numbers as applied to tarot. In this essay, Jones Wall takes the reader through the usual numerology meanings and expands on them, inviting the reader to look deeper and challenge the typical meanings of the numbers. This was definitely one of the more jarring parts of this book, as I realized I was still subscribing to the traditional numerological concepts as it refers to the minor arcana. This essay gave me an opportunity to explore what information I already possessed was still relevant for me as a reader in this context, while making space for new interpretations and meanings.

Whether you identify as queer or not, if you read tarot, pick up Tarot in Other Words. There is literally something for everyone in this collection of essays and the different viewpoints illustrated within make this a fascinating read.

The Ukrainian Tarot, by Tania Andrushko

The Ukrainian Tarot: Flower of the Magic Fern, by Tania Andrushko
REDFeather, 0764370170, 192 pages, 78 cards, September 2025

The Ukrainian Tarot: Flower of the Magic Fern by Tania Andrushko is a 78-card tarot deck and companion guidebook rooted in Ukrainian legend, myth, and cultural heritage. Created with the intention of inspiring peace and love for humanity, Andrusko has imbued this deck with the soul of Ukraine. The title highlights the Magic Fern is a metaphor for illumination emerging from darkness, a theme which is carried through the imagery and wisdom of the deck.

“This magical flower is said to bloom only once a year, on the shortest night of the year, bringing good fortune to whoever finds it. As the legend goes, this flower can be found only in the darkest of forests in Ukraine, and only if your heart and intentions are pure.”14

This deck follows the traditional tarot structure (22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana) but its imagery, themes, and storytelling are firmly grounded in Ukrainian culture, history, folk lore, ritual, mythological figures, and symbolic motifs. At the beginning of the guidebook, Andrushko shares her story about what inspired her to create this deck. While it is specifically focused on Ukraine, her intention is expansive: helping others remember who they are and the valuable role they have in the wider collective.

Andrushko then introduces readers to Svarog’s Circle, a circular calendar based on Slavic mythology. With solstices and equinoxes marking key points in the year, this cosmological system is much like the Wheel of the Year in modern Pagan traditions, yet it has a deeply rooted mythology and history that is incorporated into the deck. Andrushko explains how she has reflected the directions of Svarog’s Circle within the traditional elemental suits and provides a table of the themes for each numbered or Court Card in the Minor Arcana. There’s also guidance on how to do readings and three spread options shown.

After reading the introduction information in the guidebook, I felt I had an overall sense of the deck’s structure and energy, so I was ready to dive into doing a reading! I decided to keep my first one simple and do a one-card pull in regard to the energy I should focus on for the day: Hierophant. While the traditional version of this card features The Pope or a High Priest, Andrushko’s version is a homely crone, a Ukrainian healer. Instantly, I felt a deep connection to the woman on the card; her magically infused cottage in the background of the card feels warm and inviting, while her eyes shine with acceptance and wisdom. The guidebook reads:

“The Hierophant is one who reveals the sacred mysteries. She is a healer and a shaman. Drawing from the ancient skills of her ancestors, she can come to know the past, present, and future. She can interpret dreams about life and death, warn against evil people, and ward off misfortune. These are powerful women who know God’s will and know how to speak in God’s way.”15

First of all, I just LOVE how Andrushko hasn’t followed the typical script when it comes to portraying the tarot cards. Second, I appreciate how she blends in Ukraine culture to the tarot archetype while still making the overall message applicable to all readers.

It’s interesting how Andrushko doesn’t stick to the traditional cards, changing cards to better showcase the wonder and beauty of Ukraine. For instance, Wheel of Fortune is Fortune’s Wheel, The Devil becomes a Witch, and Judgement is Call. The traditional meanings of the cards take on a new dimension with Andrushko providing an infusion of spiritual and cultural insights from Ukrainian values too. It’s always refreshing to work with the tarot from a new perspective!

For each guidebook entry, there’s an image of the card, key words for the feeling of the card, a question to ask yourself, an action to take, and the essence of the card. At the bottom, there’s even a space for notes! How cool is that? You can write in this guidebook! Plus, it’s nice and big (5.63 x 7.63 inches), so there’s plenty of space for your own thoughts.

While Hierophant happened to be more spiritual, there are a variety of aspects of Ukrainian culture that come through in the guidebook descriptions. For instance, King of Fire tells the story of Ivan Mazepa, a hetman whose passion for science, art, and education lead to many cultural initiatives. There’s also insight on sacred embroidered clothes for 2 of Air, decorative Easter eggs (Pysanka) for 9 of Water, and the significance of horses in Ukrainian folklore for 8 of Fire. From textiles to holy days, the deck shares the full spectrum of what makes Ukraine special.

As for the artwork, there’s a peaceful and tranquil quality to the essence of this deck. There’s no specific symbol that represents the suits, rather each card has its own image. The effect of this is that readings become visual stories, allowing the readers to absorb the imagery, let it flow through them, and then see how all the artwork comes together to provide meaningful insight.

Furthermore, instead of drawing from the familiar tarot archetypes, the imagery reimagines the cards through the lenses of Ukrainian mythology, cosmology, customs, history, and more. Many of the cards do have people on them, whether this be a deity or symbolic figure, as well as featuring animals or trees, or simply items important to the culture. This image makes readings feel like a journey deeper into the heart of Ukraine’s spirituality rather than abstract divination.

Admittedly, I decided to work with The Ukranian Tarot purely out of curiosity. I have no Ukrainian ancestral connections, nor do I know anyone from this region. Nevertheless, this deck has immersed me in the tapestry of the rich soul of Ukraine, teaching me all about the cosmology, history, folklore, and more. I find the readings from this deck to be very illuminating; there’s a combination of spiritual protection as well as practical realism that comes through. It’s very interesting to get tidbits of cultural knowledge alongside a divinatory reading.

Andrushko has created something truly incredible. Whether you have Ukrainian heritage that you wish to strengthen through working with this deck, or you’re simply culturally curious, this deck has a lot to offer. The reframing of the traditional tarot energies make for powerful readings, as well as spiritually infused energy of Christianity, Svarog’s Circle, and Slavic deities. I recommend it for those looking to expand their tarot readings, bringing in new spiritual insights for guidance, reflection, and growth.

Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot, by Lieselle Elliot and Sean Frosali

Lieselle’s’ Eternal Tarot: Trust Your Voice and Then Learn to Trust the Journey, by Lieselle Elliot and Sean Frosali
REDFeather, 076436975X, 224 pages, 78 cards, September 2025

With countless tarot decks now in circulation, each offering new themes, artwork, and layers of symbolism, it can be easy to forget the quiet power of returning to the basics. There is something enduring about a deck that honors tarot’s foundational structure, where meanings are clear, imagery is intentional, and the essence of each card is distilled rather than overcomplicated. In this simplicity, readings often become sharper and more resonant, allowing intuition to speak without distraction. Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot: Trust Your Voice and Then Learn to Trust the Journey is just this type of deck, reminding readers that when the core of tarot is respected, its wisdom remains timeless and deeply effective.

Created by Lieselle Elliot, a tarot reader with over 20 years of experience reading for clients, this deck taps into the heart of tarot’s eternal nature. Likewise, Sean Frosali’s illustrations capture the essence of each card’s rich symbolism and history. Together, their intention for this classic deck is “empowering you and nurturing your intuitive abilities.”16

The first thing I enjoyed about this deck is the hardy box with a lid that gently folds back to reveal the cards inside. This is one of the best exterior deck designs I’ve ever seen. The cards are slim but sturdy, making it easy to shuffle. And the gilded edges certainly add a nice touch to the overall aesthetic.

The inspiration from the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck in the Major Arcana is present, but each card is definitely imbued with the creators’ unique perspective on the cards. For instance, The Fool features a faceless jack-in-the-box floating in water, featuring a leashed dog and flowers as the design of the box. Above the sun illuminates the scene. Meanwhile, The Star shows a woman looking down into her cupped hands, which are submerged in water and holding a star. Above her seven other stars shine and there’s a vessel on each side at the top. With the imagery alone, readers familiar with the RWS would definitely be able to figure out the card. Though, each card is also labeled at the bottom and numbered at the time.

The Minor Arcana is designed in Pips style, only showing the suit symbols and no scenic artwork, with the name of the card at the bottom. To some degree, this design means the reader must know the interpretations of each card when doing a reading or be prepared to look it up in the guidebook, as there are no visual clues. However, there is a mantra at the top of each Minor Arcana card that does give some insight into the overall meaning of the card.

Reading in a Pip-style system definitely requires a different kind of engagement with the cards, and I appreciated the opportunity to try it out since it’s not my usual deck style. Without visual narratives to guide interpretation, I noticed I had to rely more on number, suit, elemental energy, and inner knowing to shape the message.

This absence of imagery strips the reading down to its basics, asking the reader to meet the cards halfway and participate actively in meaning-making rather than passively receiving it. While this approach can feel challenging at first, in the end, I felt it resulted in clearer, more precise readings, as the symbolism is distilled to its core and my own inner voice becomes an essential part of the divinatory process.

And this said, the guidebook is also a wonderful reference. It begins with a message from the creators, a brief history of tarot, and overview of numerology, sharing the numerology meaning and tarot application for numbers 1-14. There’s also a few pages on the elements of the four suits, covering the associated qualities and symbolism in tarot for each one. Initially, I was surprised there was no guidance about spreads, but later on I did find a few suggested ones at the very end of the guidebook. So take note, if you’re someone who likes to use the spread suggested by the author, that it’s in the back.

The guidebook information differs for the Major and Minor Arcana. For the Major Arcana, Elliot provides information on the card’s imagery, noting the key symbolism, and then shares the card’s meaning with a list of interpretations for its significance. There’s also an overview at the end as well as a reversed meaning provided. For the Minor Arcana, there’s the same style of providing the meaning with a list of interpretations, the numerological significance, and the overall meaning for both upright and reversed.

I really like how the guidebook is styled for the most part.  Elliot makes use of bold text to emphasize key interpretations and then further explains them. All of the explanations are pretty by-the-book common interpretations, but it’s formatted in a way that makes it easy to absorb the meaning of the card. It’s for this reason, I think the guidebook is PERFECT for tarot beginners. It lays out the message of each card with precision, making the esoteric very accessible.

The only downside of the guidebook’s format is each card entry begins on the page right where the other one left off. This makes it a bit tricky to look up the card as you kind of need to flip through to see where it’s at. I definitely prefer when an entry for a card begins on a new page, so this took some getting used to when reading.

Overall, Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot is a powerful tool for connecting with the foundations of tarot. The charcoal imagery lays the symbolism bare, allowing one’s attention to focus on the essentials. There’s no extra fluff in both the artistry and the guidebook definitions, making this a wonderful resource for those who are seeking sleek and refined readings.

I recommend working with this deck when seeking clarity. Just like the King of Swords, this deck “signifies authority, intellectual power, and the ability to lead with truth and integrity.”17 Those who enjoy the traditional RWS but are looking for a modern twist will most appreciate this deck.

The Modern Fortune-Teller’s Field Guide, by Tom Benjamin

The Modern Fortune-Teller’s Field Guide, by Tom Benjamin
Crossed Crow Books, 9781964537450, 306 pages, October 2025

The Modern Fortune-Teller’s Field Guide by Tom Benjamin is a comprehensive manual designed for both aspiring and seasoned fortune tellers. Blending traditional wisdom with contemporary practices, the book aims to equip readers with the tools, techniques, and ethical considerations necessary for navigating the world of divination today.

Tom Benjamin has more than twenty years of experience as a tarot reader and teacher. From his popular YouTube channel (TheFoolsJournal) to his online workshops, Benjamin loves to share his tarot knowledge. He has written two workbooks for tarot students: Tarot on Earth and Your Tarot Toolkit. Learn more about Benjamin on his website.

The guide is thoughtfully organized, beginning with a brief history of fortune telling and its cultural significance. Benjamin then discusses fortune telling today and how it has changed over time. Step-by-step instructions, sample readings, and troubleshooting guidance make the book accessible to novices, while deeper insights and advanced techniques will appeal to experienced practitioners.

Benjamin explains that this is not a “how to book”, but rather a book about himself as a fortune teller or tarot reader. He shares his own experiences and teaches us about reading tarot along the way. His classes are based on this same type of strategy. He says that there are lots of basic tarot classes online and he doesn’t want to compete with those. 

The book is set up as a field guide and even looks like an old tome that has been weathered and used over time. The font he uses for headlines is like an old newspaper linotype and each chapter starts with a page printed in white type on black. I enjoy these black pages for each chapter, because it makes it easy to find chapters!  However, the white type is set in a serif typeface that is a little light and hard to read on the black background.

I was drawn to this book because of the reference to fortune telling and I decided to jump right in. The chapter called “Kill Your Darlings” really captured my interest.  In this section, Benjamin discusses ideas and beliefs you may hold dear about reading cards.  He dissects them and invites the reader to ponder these questions:

“What are things you fundamentally hold to be true about divination? What would happen if you change them — even just for an experiment. You might find it alarming, but you also might find it freeing…. What things do you have to have for your readings to be successful? A certain crystal? A particular cloth or incense blend? What would happen if you changed it up or tried not using your usual thing at all?”18

In the chapter “Seeing like a Fortune Teller”, Benjamin talks about how he “started his YouTube channel by doing readings for fictional and historical figures.”19 What a great and novel approach! He then invites the reader to grab a tarot deck and play solitaire with the deck for 5 minutes. Then read the cards in front of you when the timer goes off.  Again, what a wonderful exercise!

The chapter entitled “Learn Me Something” is a great treatise on learning in general and how we can all be more like little kids by being totally open to new information and new tools and techniques. To demonstrate, he takes a deck of playing cards, makes up an entirely new spread and shares his take on numbers and suits. At the end of the chapter, he has the audacity to say that “you are capable of doing the same thing!”20

Benjamin also includes a chapter on putting your own thoughts together for workshops, including how to create it, how to share your own wisdom, and how to use visual aids. He shares a basic outline for a four-part class that is structurally sound and looks interesting.

The chapter on advice is priceless. He talks about taking on the problems of the people for whom we read and offering “advice,” even when most people aren’t going to listen or act on it.  As Benjamin says: 

“A lot of times, people just want to vent. They don’t need a list of instructions; They want to be heard. Giving unwanted advice is a sure way to cause moderate to severe rage among our friends. Again, I know because I’ve done it. A lot.”21

He ends the book with his chapter “How I Read”, and he saved the best for last! Rather than giving keywords and brief card descriptions, he provides lots of information about the history of each Major Arcana card, some myths about the card and its symbolism, and his own interpretations or feelings about each card. Benjamin then discusses the Minor Arcana suits and the meanings for numbers. He sums up how he works with the Minor Arcana:

“It’s worth knowing the primary tool I work with is its element and number. Everything else (artwork, keywords, impulse) comes after I consider the element and the number. This isn’t right or wrong, good or bad; It’s just how I do it.”22

The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making complex concepts approachable for beginners. The book emphasizes the importance of ethical practice, personal boundaries, and adapting ancient arts for contemporary audiences. I love the sample spreads and footnotes he adds to some chapters. This guide acknowledges diverse cultural traditions and encourages respect for different backgrounds and belief systems. Benjamin adds a section for further reading and reference at the back of the book, as well. 

Overall, The Modern Fortune Teller’s Field Guide is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the art of divination with tarot cards. Its blend of historical context, practical guidance, and modern sensibilities makes it a valuable addition to any reader’s library. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to refine your craft, this book offers thoughtful instruction and inspiration for your journey.

I plan to keep this book on hand for classes I teach as well as recommending it to new students for their own personal library. The information Benjamin shares is like the culmination of an afternoon spent at a coffee shop, going over his life story, getting a reading and making a new friend.

Making Tarot Magic, by Briana Saussy

Making Tarot Magic: Rituals and Remedies to Transform Readings into Action, by Briana Saussy
Weiser Books, 1578638763, 248 pages, December 2025

Have you ever done a tarot reading and found yourself wondering how to actually act on the messages the cards revealed? Maybe you journal or meditate afterward, yet the practical steps still seem to allude you. Perhaps your readings have begun to feel a bit passive, keeping you circling in the “what ifs” or lost in contemplation. Enter Making Tarot Magic by Briana Saussy, a guide that reminds us tarot isn’t just a tool for insight, but a catalyst for real transformation.

Where before there was only fate, after a good reading there should be freedom.”23

Weaving together the arts of divination and magic, Saussy reframes tarot reading as an opportunity for ritual and intention work. Readers learn how to use each tarot cards’ energy for real life healing, love, protection, abundance, and more. While many tarot books teach how to read the cards, Saussy’s focuses on what readers can do with that information to practically apply it in the world, reminding readers they can make moves to either lean into or shift the story of the cards, and use magic to do it.

“A tarot reading told you a story…and told you what you needed to do to change the story, to give it a better ending, to create more spice, adventure, and depth.”24

As an experienced diviner, Saussy has organized the book into chapters based on top topics people most seek advice about: love (marriage, romance), prosperity and abundance (personal wealth), career and business success, healing, court cases and legal issues, fertility/pregnancy and manifestation, baneful work, and protection and divine blessings.

For each intention, she provides an introductory overview, special considerations to note in regard to the Major Arcana and suits, descriptive meaning for all Major Arcana and Court Cards plus corresponding magical techniques and intentions, short meaning of the Pip cards (Ace-Ten), and then tasks for further development and relevant spells.

I absolutely LOVE how Saussy goes through each chapter and provides a different interpretation of the cards based on the specific intention of the chapter. Too many tarot books give only one general interpretation for each card, leaving it up to readers to apply the energy of the card to the specific focus of either the reading in general or the card’s placement in a spread. The way Saussy goes above and beyond interpreting each card through a different lens is both an enlightening way for readers to see the mutli-faceted nature of the cards as well as a quicker way to find a more specific answer to your question by focusing specifically on the relevant interpretation.

And on top of this there’s a magical component too, of course, which opens a whole other doorway to interacting with one’s reading too. For those new to either tarot or magic, Saussy provides a great foundation in “Chapter One: Tarot and Magic Basics”. Topics covered in this chapter include how to work with tarot cards, specifically focusing in on how they relate to magic, reviewing magical intentions, exploring different magical techniques (candles, incense, spirit work, lodestones), magical timing, color magic, how to deploy and dispose of magic, and personal concerns (things that carry the DNA of a person).

One thing I will note though is that Saussy doesn’t go too much into how to do all the different magical techniques. While she lists them in chapter one, there’s not much guidance on how to actually do textile magic; the information given more describes how it involves working with knots or fabric. For those who have no idea how to work that type of magic, me for instance in regard to textile magic and sacred vessels (witch bottles, mojo bags), I would need more specific spells with exact ingredients and instructions. So while Saussy can point readers in the right magical direction, there’s definitely going to be a bit more work to do for follow up.

This might just be because I read the books back to back, but I think Tarot Spreads by Meg Jones Wall would be a great compliment to Making Tarot Magic because it teaches readers how to intentionally structure their readings to get to the heart of their question. While I absolutely love all the different interpretations of the tarot based on the overall topic that Saussy provides, I initially felt like I could only one-card pulls that corresponded with my intention to then draw on the magical insight Saussy provides for the card in the relevant chapter.

It wasn’t until I thought to put to use what I’d learned in Tarot Spreads about creating spreads that I started to see how I could layer different topics from Making Tarot Magic (ex. Healing, romance, and divine messages) into one reading. And once I started doing this, I became enthralled with mixing together the different messages from Saussy’s perspective in this book.

Here’s an example of one of my readings I did to find a way to feel unstuck. I had been creatively blocked and worrying about money. I wasn’t in a state of flow. I crafted my own spread with the intention of reading each card from the corresponding chapter in Making Tarot Magic:

Card 1 – How am I holding back my own abundance?
Four of Coins from “Chapter Three: Money, Honey! Part One: Personal Prosperity, Wealth, and Abundance”.

“The querent refuses to give up the best part of themselves and so does not have as much security or abundance as they otherwise might.”25

Card 2 – What messages are there from the divine that can help me overcome this?
King of Pentacles from “Chapter Nine: Full of Ourselves: Safeguarding Vital Energy and Opening to Divine Empowerment and Blessings”.

“There is a need to connect to family members, ancestors, and history. Personal history, world history, history of place–any or all of these are relevant now.”26

Card 3 – How can I apply my creativity to create a new path?
Three of Cups from “What Are You Expecting? Fertility, Pregnancy, and the Work of Manifesting”.

“Female friends will come around to support and bless someone so that they may go forth and be fertile.”27

Overall interpretation: I’ve been spending too much time on my own, in my head, declining social invitations, and being a bit of a grump, which is to say I haven’t been sharing myself with others much. This reading reminded me that I light up when I am around people I love, especially my good friends who have been there through thick and thin throughout the years.

Wouldn’t you know the next day one of my good friends invited me over and I gave into a day of pure relaxation. I didn’t think about work, food prepping, or the upcoming holidays. We watched Wicked, sang and danced to Taylor Swift’s new album, and got caught up on life with each other. And I was absolutely rejuvenated! It felt like a clean slate. My reading ended up being spot-on in what I needed, and I’m glad it gave me the awareness I needed to accept my friend’s invitation instead of pushing it off for the sake of productivity.

Overall, I’ve very much enjoyed Making Tarot Magic for the variety of card interpretations. For those with a magical background, there’s a lot of room to apply your craft in regard to tarot readings. Saussy provides not just tarot insights, but a magical roadmap for creating meaningful change, gifting readings the opportunity to transform their reading into practical real-life action.

Whether readers are seeking to work magic related to their relationships, healing, manifestation, money, career, legal matters, or protection,this book gives you the tools to discern the messages of your readings more clearly and then utilize magic to pave the way forward. Saussy’s guidance helps readers move from “what the cards say” to “how I can act with the cards’ energy?”. This is truly a gift of freedom, as readers ultimately hold the cards and have the ability to do what they will with the information presented. Saussy’s lists of magical ways to work with each cards’ energy is a truly a useful addition to any magician’s book collection.

Tarot Spreads, by Meg Jones Wall

Tarot Spreads: How to Read Them, Create Them, and Revise Them, by Meg Jones Wall
Weiser Books, 1578638550, 240 pages, July 2025

What’s your reading style? Are you a spread person or more of an unstructured reader, asking questions and pulling cards as you go along? I’m definitely more of the second type, as the typical past-present-future spread has always felt too vague and the Celtic Cross feels like too much to do for most readings, unless I’m really digging into something. If I do use a spread, it’s most likely one I’ve found online, usually for a specific zodiac season or related to the Wheel of the Year.

To be honest? I hadn’t really considered the spread as a vital part of a reading, focusing on the cards themselves, until reading Tarot Spreads: How to Read Them, Create Them, and Revise Them by Meg Jones Wall, which has given me so much more agency and empowerment in structuring my layouts and reignited my excitement for tarot readings! Within this book, Jones Walls does a deep-dive into an often under-appreciated aspect of tarot reading: the spread. From discussing the way spreads work to how to read them effectively, readers get the opportunity to learn how to read them effectively, create their own, or adapt/revise spreads to best get at the heart of the question at hand.

Jones Wall frames the spread as something that can be a personalized structure, capable of being customized and amended, rather than a rigid formula. With Jones Wall’s advice, readers can move beyond copying other people’s layouts and begin designing spreads that truly serve their unique questions and reading needs.

“What I’m saying is that a well-crafted tarot spread, regardless of its length of specificity, can deliver a very accurate, powerful, and useful reading, no matter the complexity of the situation or question. It’s all about learning how to work with the structure that the spread provides, and understanding the relationship between the cards, the positions, and the overall flow of the reading.”24

Divided into five parts, Jones Wall chronologically leads through the book, beginning with a heartfelt introduction in which she shares her journey to creating custom tarot spreads. Her empathy for others and insight to some of the struggles readers face at times is evident, making her a compassionate guide on this reading journey. Throughout the book, Jones Wall does a wonderful job of assuaging concerns, acknowledging the potential for disappointment readers face, and boosting the confidence of the reader by letting them know it’s okay to experiment, make mistakes, and do what feels right, regardless of what this book or any other has to say.

Plus, much of the content is written in an answer and response style, which adds to the feeling of being in dialogue with Jones Wall. I really like her style, as it makes for an engaging read. She has an uncanny knack for knowing just what the reader might ask next, keeping the flow of the book moving swiftly and intuitively. Truly, any question that popped in my head while reading was immediately answered within a few pages!

“Part One: Before We Begin” is an overview of tarot, which answers questions like what tarot is and how it works, along with providing a short description of the Major Arcana, numerology of the tarot, suits, and more. “Part Two: Reading Spreads” covers tips for reading cards, such as what to do if you don’t understand your reading and how to read reversals. While much of these two parts is tarot basics, I still appreciated Jones Wall’s unique perspective on the topic; every reader has their own little nuggets of wisdom, and I always enjoy hearing what insights they’ve picked up through their tarot journey.

In “Part Three: Writing Spreads”, Jones Wall teaches the art of creating your own spreads. She covers topics like why and when we might choose to create a spread ourselves, what to include in a well-written spread, and provides three different methods for crafting spreads, aptly named The Way of the Magician, The Way of the Hierophant, and The Way of the Priestess. She even offers advice for writing spreads in collaboration with others.

As much as I enjoy writing, the editor in me was thrilled to see a whole next dedicated to editing your spread. In “Part Four: Revising Spreads” Jones Wall offers insight on when to revise and when not to revise, as well as sharing where editing might be needed: adding a position, removing a position, switching the wording of a position for more clarity, etc. Along the way, in both “Part Three” and “Part Four”, Jones Wall includes examples and exercises for readers to see what she’s talking about in action as well as practice it for themselves.

Finally, “Part Five: Spreads for Every Occasion” provides tons of spread ideas that readers can use for inspiration to edit, tweak, or revise on their own. Jones Wall includes one-card spreads, three-card spreads, Celtic cross, zodiac spreads, Wheel of the Year spreads, and a bunch for different themes (love, creativity, self-reflection). For those who are a bit nervous about starting from scratch in creating a spread, the spreads in chapter are perfect as a starting point!

Tarot Spreads has really gotten me back into my tarot practice, which was feeling a bit stale; the content was exactly what I needed to feel confident in my connection with the cards again. The idea of a spread as a static, unchanging, and something that must be followed precisely for the “right results” is something I never questioned before, assuming that I couldn’t deviate from the layout formation of the cards. Yet Jones Wall made me see that making your own spreads is an opportunity to use my creativity, hone my intentions for the reading, and commune with the cards more fluently. And this has me excited about tarot again after a year-long hiatus!

It might sound silly, but I honestly needed to hear that you don’t have to use the spreads “as is”. And I like that Jones Walls teaches too how to tweak layouts, adjust prompts, and make spreads your own while also emphasizing that it doesn’t need to be overly complex. It’s okay to create a layout you enjoy and then shift it as-needed depending on the circumstances. The whole process of creatively engaging with the spread through creating, revision, and focusing on what’s most important to know for the reading helps me slow down and be more intentional in my readings. This process of making the spread myself seems to have boosted my intuitive development as well as my overall reading skills.

Overall, if your tarot work has felt stuck in limited popular spreads often promoted in guidebooks or you’re tired of screenshotting card layouts content creators are putting up, Tarot Spreads offers a fresh and much-needed pivot. Jones Wall provides readers with the language, structure, and confidence to ask: “What does this reading need right now?” and “What layout will serve that question best?” For those seeking to move beyond standard spreads, stepping into more creative and personal layout designs to deepen the link between intention and card placement, this book is a must-read.

While it’s absolutely suited for beginners, even intermediate or expert readers would gain something from this book because it’s a topic that most tarot books don’t spend much time delving into. The use (or not) of a spread is something readers don’t often consciously focus on, opting for their usual spread of choice or a premade one for reference. Tarot Spreads is a gateway to discovering how to make your readings more personalized, clarifying the intentions and focus for the reading, and speaking with the cards in a way that feels resonant. There’s so much possibility that’s unleashed when you embrace creative control of the spread!

Talismans and Tarot, by Lori Lytle

Talismans and Tarot: Magical Tools to Amplify, Attract, and Manifest, by Lori Lytle
Weiser Books, 1578638755, 248 pages, September 2025

Tarot cards and talismans both serve as bridges between the seen and unseen world, one offering insight into the unknown and the other embodying mystical energy in a special object. In Talismans and Tarot: Magical Tools to Amplify, Attract, and Manifest, Lori Lytle shows how combining these two practices creates deeply personal and powerful results. Within these pages, Lytle teaches readers how to handcraft talismans to encapsulate the essence, wisdom, and energy revealed in tarot readings, transforming spiritual guidance into tangible form.

“Humans have always turned to these touchstones when fearful or in need of comfort, or when inspired and ambitious and wanting to believe that anything is possible in this life.”28

Divided into two parts, the book begins with “Part One: The Basics”. In this section, Lytle provides an overview of the foundation of talismans and tarots. She shares about amulets, popular symbols used for luck and protection, and the importance of intention when creating your own talisman. She then moves onto tarot, teaching the fundamentals of suits, structure, and numbers in the tarot, along with a bit on court cards.

A lengthy portion of this part is focused on Lytle sharing her insights on each tarot card. Moving through the whole deck, for each card there’s a picture (Rider-Wait-Smith imagery), description of the card’s meaning, talisman intention themes, affirmation, and musings to further reflect on. For those already familiar with tarot, the most novel information in this section is the guidance on cards’ themes in regard to talisman creation. For instance, intention themes for a 10 of Swords talisman include “surrender, transformation, rebirth”29, while some intention themes of Wheel of Fortune are “Good luck, good timing, risk paying off”30.

The final chapter in this part is dedicated to reading tarot cards. Lytle covers all the steps of a reading from preparing for a reading, choosing your spread, formulating questions to weaving the story that emerges together. She even shares sample readings to show readers how to interpret the cards to create a meaningful story of wisdom and guidance. While engaging, this section seems aimed for beginners, as it’s the starter information; those who have even a bit of experience reading tarot will most likely be able to move through this chapter quickly.

Once readers are familiar with the basics of tarot and what talismans are, in “Part Two: The Process”, Lytle shares how to combine the two. While I’ve worked with tarot cards for the sake of manifestation before, specifically working with the card through visualization or meditation to call in the energy of the card, Lytle’s process is different and more open to the card’s intuitive guidance. She leads readers through crafting an intention and then doing a reading about the intention. Based on the story the reading tells, whether it’s just a one card pull or a full spread, Lytle teaches how to create a talisman from “what you have discovered about your intention.”31

I love this approach because it leaves room for the wisdom and spontaneity of tarot to illuminate new information about your intention, pointing you in the best direction. Rather than someone picking the card they think is best for boosting their intentions, this method leaves room for surrender to the tarot’s wisdom, opening space for unrealized insights to emerge. Just like divination with tarot, where you don’t know what will appear but choose to trust the guidance, this process of talisman creation also lets the cards lead the way.

As far as creation of one’s talisman, Lytle shares how to choose the material that aligns with your intention. She covers a wide range of crystals for different intentions, metals, symbolic representations, animal representations, and even found objects or things with personal significance.

Once the material is picked out and prepared to be turned into a talisman, this is where Lytle brings in the tarot. She shares a spread to find clarity around one’s intention, offers multiple sample readings to study, and then details how to craft an affirmation based on the story the tarot reveals. This affirmation is then used in the ritual process to consecrate one’s talisman, which Lytle leads readers through. The final chapter then focuses on working with the consecrated talisman and what to do when it’s time to release the talisman.

While this book is filled with novice tarot information, the talisman process created by Lytle is something very unique. It invites readers to use the tarot not just for reading, but for creating, consecrating, and carrying something that extends the energy of a reading into everyday life.  By translating an intention into a physical talisman, readers anchor them in the material world, boosting the manifestation process as well as aligning their intention with the mystic wisdom of the tarot.

Overall, Talismans and Tarot is a good read for those looking to add something fresh to their magic toolkit. While the tarot content is beginner level, the talisman process is a new way to interact with the cards, making this a fun read for all levels. Many look to tarot for insights about the future, but this process of focusing on one’s intention and bringing it to life in the physical world through talismans is a way for readers to be more co-creative in the manifestation process. Plus, Lytle leaves a lot of room for personalization too, from choosing the best time for their ritual to picking out materials that feel symbolic to them, making the process both an intuitive and empowering method for creating a talisman.

I’d recommend this book to those looking for a new way to manifest their intentions. The combination of connecting with tarot and then consecration a symbolic talisman is a two-fold magical method, adding double the boost of alignment. Lytle presents an accessible  way to work tarot as a living, active magical tool. As someone with many talismans, I know the potency of being able to physically hold your imbued intentions in your hand keeps your mind focused and spirit receptive to our heart’s desires also coming into physical form.