The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tarot and Fortune-Telling

by Arlene Tognetti

Book Overview

Irreverent in approach, these guides include tips and advice from leading authorites, aiming to help with life's big decisions and challenges, as well as hobbies and sports. This text focuses on tarot... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028627377
• ISBN13: 9780028627373
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Alpha Books
• Length: 410 Pages
• Weight: 1.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A Do-It-Yourself Tarot Workbook

I love the tarot. It is very complex and full of interpretation. Nothing worse than getting your first tarot deck and then having to buy a book written by some "tarot expert" so they can tell you the meanings of every card. Unfortunately Tarot doesnt work that way. What I love the most about this book is it teaches you how to interpret each card by allowing your innate intuitive abilities to come forth and to tell you what the cards mean. The book has you work through each card in the Major and Minor Arcana one by one and allows you to paint your own portrait of what is going on in the card and what it translates to in someone's lives. There is nothing "idiotic" about this book. If you have always wanted to "custom-make" your own tarot readings and meanings, this is the book for you.

Not for idiots only

One of the better books on Tarot currently available. I found the descriptions of the imagery used in the Universal Waite deck to be very useful, and the spreads included were fun to use, not just the same old spreads found in every book. I did find the organization to be counter-intuitive, however, what with the court cards coming before the pips. Also, I would have appreciated it if some of the examples of readings shown were more realistic--apparently, the people the authors read for have ideal lives and nothing ahead but great things, which is not generally the case for me and those for whom I read.

Clear, Informative, and Light-Hearted

This is hands-down the best book on the Tarot I've ever read. I'll admit, I was incredibly skeptical because it's one of the "Dummies, Idiots and Others Who Need Cliff's Notes on Life" books, but I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong! I have already learned so much from it and given myself two of the clearest, most on-target readings I've had. My ONLY criticism is that it's so much information, I wish it could have tabs or page markers so the reader can quickly access the various sections. Nothing a little dog-earing hasn't helped! Thanks so much for this book - I recommend it for both beginners and those who have been using other books for some time.

An excellent resource, no matter current level of knowledge

I found this book to be an excellent reference and learning tool. It is useful to anyone at any level of understanding of tarot, from the newest novice to the practitioner. The authors provide a historical understanding of the use and symbols of tarot. They then go on to show how to use the tarot to increase your self understanding or to answer questions for yourself or others. It is not a "cookbook", giving quick recipes for using the cards. Instead it is a guide to using your own intuition and ability to understand the symbols on the cards. Those looking for a black/white easy answer cook book may be disappointed. But those who are looking for an easy to understand guide to learning to read tarot on their own will find this book a must for their library. The authors combine practical use with a sense of spirituality. It is an engaging combination and it makes this a delightful and useful book.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in Tarot

Tarot has always been something I've been interested in. I loved the rich imagery and the way a reading would flow. The way a good reading touched aspects of my life that I'd been missing, or pieces of a puzzle that I couldn't fit together. I had always looked at the Complete Idiots Guides as books for the rest of us, not lectures passed down from on high. Here was a book that I could read and see how to open up to my intuition, and trust it! Arlene and Lisa have written a readable guide, adding humor and wit to tell a true story. Each card is defined with a figure I can relate too, and given relevance to my daily life. There are a variety of methods to read Tarot in the book and each one has clear instructions on how to read them. I especially like the side bars and quotes from Arlene's Classes. I would recommend you buy this book if you are interested in Tarot or Fortune-Telling. The guide has helped me to learn Tarot and calmed my anxiety over the year 2000.