Tarot Plain and Simple
Rating: 
(out of 33 reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 19.50
Price: CDN$ 9.71
[wprebay kw=”tarot” num=”36″ ebcat=”all”] [wprebay kw=”tarot” num=”37″ ebcat=”all”]
Rating: (out of 33 reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 19.50
Price: CDN$ 9.71
[wprebay kw=”tarot” num=”36″ ebcat=”all”] [wprebay kw=”tarot” num=”37″ ebcat=”all”]
Review by AE for Tarot Plain and Simple
Rating:
This book gives a great overview of the meaning of the tarot. The book is thourough, easy to read, and like the title says, “simple”. There are about 2 pages of possible meanings for each card.The reader is left to infer the real meaning of the card based opon a variety of given meanings. Situation is given, as are Key Words, and associations with People.This is all well and fine, but what part of what do I read about, as a beginner? (Hypothetically) I’m not actually a beginner.. and I can figure it out. But this book is marketed for beginners. It is almost TOO broad. With all the possible meanings, which one is the one appropriate for your reading?I’d recommend this book, NOT if you are a beginner, but if you are somewhat experienced in the Tarot and want new and different insights and ideas as to the interpretations of the cards.
Review by for Tarot Plain and Simple
Rating:
Anthony Louis approaches the tarot from a different perspective, from that of someone who is a psychologist first and tarot reader second. This gives a fresh approach to the information he provides. While he doesn’t stray from the traditional symbology, he does discuss it in a new way. His writing is very easy to understand for new users, and provides interesting perspectives for seasoned readers.One thing I especially liked was his explanation of reversed meanings–for the first time, I was able to see the reversed explanations as extremes of the upright meanings.When I got this book, I felt comfortable getting rid of several of my other tarot books. I think you’ll really find this one a good addition to your library.
Review by for Tarot Plain and Simple
Rating:
I agree with an earlier post that the wide variety of meanings given for each card can be a little overwhelming for the beginner. However, I also think that this same feature helps beginners to stay open to the possibility of different interpretations and encourages beginners (as the author does explicitly) to find through experience their own meanings for the cards. I started learning the Tarot several years ago relying heavily on this book as one of my primary resources. It’s a great reference book to have on hand for its thorough card interpretations. My only two complaints are (1) There are a few typos in the section explaining the Celtic Cross spread, which could lead to confusion; and (2)There isn’t enough explanation for how beginners can learn to integrate all the meanings in a spread to give a unified and coherent reading.
Review by Bookworm for Tarot Plain and Simple
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Picking up a deck of Tarot Cards is like jumping feet first into a cold lake. It may be exhilerating, but it’s pretty intimidating as well, especially to a seeker who has no idea what he or she is about to get into. This book offers hope, practical advice, and common-sense answers to the beginner, the intermediate student, and the advanced adept alike.Lavishly illustrated with the lovely Robin Wood cards, but applicable to any deck, Louis’ remarkable observations and essays on each card are on the mark, easily understood, and readily remembered to any serious student of the Tarot.Louis seeks more than “how to read,” and instead teaches the meaning of each card as a tool of self inspection. If the reader cannot read his or herself, she or he cannot read another. Instead, Louis looks to the symbolism, the richness, and the history of each card as pertains to the reader. “Know thyself” was the inscription of the Oracle of Delphi, and Louis has tried to apply that knowledge to his interpretaion of the cards.The result is a splendid text for beginner or experienced practitioner alike. A wonderful read, a glorious illustrated guide, and a charming introduction to an art too long held too arcane for the layman. “Tarot: Plain and Simple” is the best addition to the field in thrity years!
Review by Ray for Tarot Plain and Simple
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Look no further, this is simply the best tarot introduction book. The book is really all-round, written in a clear and simple language which everyone can understand. I have several other tarot introductory books, but all of them fail to give me clear explanations of the court cards (maybe it’s just me:-)), and the court cards have been a headache to me when it comes to doing a tarot reading. Now with Tarot Plain and Simple, I finally begin to grasp the court cards and put them into my reading at ease. Most importantly, the book doesn’t skimp on the reversals. Most tarot books for beginners seldom put emphasis on reversals and tell you to neglect it. This one doesn’t. The explanation of every card’s reversal is as detailed as the upright meaning, and right to the point. I am really impressed.Five stars, no doubt.