What are some good tarot guide books, written for beginners? I am thinking of buying one for my cousin who shows interest in tarot but not sure how to start her journey with tarot. Recommend me some good beginner tarot books.
While we are at the topic, recommend me some intermediate and advanced tarot books as well. This is mainly for myself. Thanks.
Hey @tarotgal33 
Kind of surprised nobody has done a good list for this already, seems like an obvious one. Weâre slipping guys! We did have this thread on Tarot books which have the two main ones I think.
For beginners, this is the one I would suggest. Would give them an active practice to work through, it doesnât just hit them with a bunch of scary data. Plenty of âbeginnerâ books are just lists of card meanings. This actually holds their hand a bit more.
Mostly made for traditional Tarot decks, but they could get value using any kind of deck, really.
The other Tarot books on that list are more abstract, really. More about using the deck as a self-improvement practice than a practical way to use them for spreads, so it really depends on where their interest is.
If they donât have a deck yet, you might want to check out the beginner Tarot deck thread. Some decks come with booklets, which wouldnât replace a workbook like this, but itâs enough to get them started, and they can get a taste for it.
Plus, that way, they already have the physical cards. The old tradition was that your first deck should be gifted. Itâs an outdated idea but it still makes for a nice gift.
For your cousin, get them Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa Cynova.
Iâve recommended this to probably 30 people at this point and itâs the one they actually finish reading. Itâs like 288 pages, doesnât talk down to you, and the humor makes card meanings stick.
Cynovaâs been reading professionally since â89 so she knows what actually matters when youâre starting out versus all the stuff that just confuses people.
The other option is The Ultimate Guide to Tarot which @Sploots already linked above. Fantastic if they want something more visual and comprehensive. Shows cards in different life contexts, which helps when youâre trying to figure out if the Three of Cups is about your friend group or your work team.
Itâs got zodiac and numerology stuff too that they can ignore at first, then come back to later.
Skip anything that starts with Qabalah or says âadvancedâ on the cover for beginners. Theyâll just feel dumb and quit. You want them doing actual readings within the first week, not memorizing correspondences.
For you at intermediate level - Holistic Tarot by Benebell Wen is basically the encyclopedia.
900 pages. Wouldnât get that one for a beginner unless they like strong coffee. Itâs technically marketed as beginner, but thatâs crazy. You need to already know your cards to get anything from it.
It has everything. though. Astrology for all 78 cards, spread design, and professional stuff if you ever go that direction.
21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card by Mary K. Greer is also a great staple for anyone.
More about technique instead of meanings. It teaches you to trust yourself and read without constantly checking a book (which is usually the intermediate-term goal). Thatâs the bridge from beginner to someone able to give consistent readings.
Another vote for Kitchen Table Tarot. Itâs really good. I bought it for my sister and she was doing readings for her roommates within like 2 weeks. The tone is perfect for people who are intimidated by the mystical stuff.
How has nobody not suggested this one?
A solid starting point. Covers quite a lot without being overwhelming. Also, check out free resources like Labyrinthos for card meanings. Theyâre good for quick reference when youâre learning.
I personally prefer a physical book too but some people are more used to working with digital apps at this point so it might be easier.
The problem with beginner book lists is that they always include like 8 books, and nobody reads 8 books.
Pick ONE. Read it cover to cover. Do the exercises if it has them. Then read it again. Then (and only then) get a second book. I wasted so much money buying everything at once and just skimming through them all.
Other than that, all you need is a guide like the beginner Tarot reader tips. You donât need to be buying anything extra.
For your cousin, Iâd suggest âHow to Read Tarot: A Practical Guideâ by Adams Media. Itâs around $8 and covers upright and reversed meanings pretty well without being too much for a beginner.
For your cousin, Iâd suggest Tarot: Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. It is lesser known but of really good quality. Good mix of everything you need to get started.
Iâve used it for years, and itâs been really helpful because it doesnât just list card meanings like most books do. It walks you through actual readings and shows how to adapt spreads based on what comes up.
There are also sections on psychic health and clarity work, which I found useful when I was starting out.
Kitchen Table Tarot is both conversational and funny, feels like your best friend teaching you tarot. Good for someone just starting because it doesnât get too esoteric or overwhelming. That or YouTube channels like The Simple Tarot helped me when books felt too dense.
Holistic Tarot by Benebell Wen is incredible but massive, maybe better for you than your cousin. Itâs basically a tarot textbook. The Tarot textbook.
Iâd recommend â78 Degrees of Wisdomâ for your cousin - itâs a classic that breaks down the cards in a pretty accessible way. I know some people donât see it as a beginner book, but I think it might be one of the best for beginners who want to get into it seriously.
For a psyche-centered path: Sallie Nicholsâ Jung and Tarot, Arthur Rosengartenâs Tarot and Psychology, and Jessica Doreâs Tarot for Change. Good for archetypes, shadow work, and journaling.
Match the book to whatever deck sheâs using. If itâs Thoth, Lon Milo DuQuetteâs Understanding Aleister Crowleyâs Thoth Tarot is good, or Gerd Zieglerâs Tarot: Mirror of the Soul. For Marseille, Yoav Ben-Dovâs Reading the Marseille Tarot.
Iâd suggest sticking with one deck and one book for like a month, so the meanings donât get confusing.
