I actually picked up one of those coloring books last year, and I think it changed how I connected with the cards.
Physically engaging with each image makes the symbolism stick in ways that just memorizing never did. The act of choosing colors forces you to really sit with each element (why would the Fool’s bag be green versus red?) and before you know it, you’re internalizing meanings without the pressure of “studying.”
Pro tip: use colored pencils instead of markers so you can layer and change your mind as your understanding evolves - I’ve gone back and added new colors to cards as I’ve discovered deeper meanings over time.
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I’m not big on colouring books myself, but I can see why people use them for dealing with stress or mindful studying of the cards. I was gifted one on my birthday and actually found myself really enjoying it.
The Theresa Reed book is probably the most obvious one you’re looking for. Really good-quality book.
That would be my suggestion, but if you’ve already done that one then this isn’t quite as good it’s a little more mass-produced. The paper quality isn’t as good, but the images are nice enough.
I went through three sets of Prismacolors, working through Reed’s book, and loved how the little bit of wax would slowly build on the pages over time, adding a tactile feel to flipping the pages.
Choosing the colors you want to use for the court cards (if you’re not following the cards perfectly) might be harder than you expect.
I think there is something to this. I also just started doing it for a bit of fun in the evening, but maybe it was spending so long with each card, that it did help me understand them more. Better intuitive hits.
When I do an RWS spread now, I remember coloring each one, what I was thinking about, what mood I was in. Each card has its own little story from when I worked on it. Takes forever though. Some cards I’ve spent hours on just getting the colors right.
Physical engagement is a great way to study the Tarot and improve your practice. It really does create a different kind of memory. I think it helps build a relationship with the figures on the cards. You spend so much time with each one, they start to feel like familiar characters in a story you’re co-creating.
Plus… It’s very relaxing for anyone who is neurodivergent.
The colored pencil tip is right. I did my first few pages in marker and regretted it. The paper on some of these books just can’t handle it, and you lose the ability to layer, like you said. Coloring during different moon phases can change the vibe and how you read the page. New moon: I lean into darker shades. Full moon: I go brighter.
Oh, hey, I’ve got one of those tarot coloring books. Bought it on clearance maybe 2-3 years ago? Still sealed up in my craft drawer. Reading your post makes me think I should probably open it already.
That layering tip with colored pencils is good to know.
I do something similar with the chakra colors, I put down a thin base layer before the main coloring.
I bought one of those kits where you color the cards and then cut them out to make your own deck. It felt a little slow at times, especially with the pips, but doing readings with it now is incredible. Every card pull feels so personal, like my own energy is baked right into the cardstock.
I found a great set for coloring the deck cards themselves. You don’t get a big book to color but you can do readings with the cards afterward. Might not be quite what you wanted but in some ways this is better.
My therapist actually suggested coloring tarot cards for my anxiety and just by chance a friend mentioned there were Tarot ones. I’ve been adding motion lines and gradients to my coloring book deck, which helps me see the connections between cards better when I lay them out.
Also started marking the edges with seasonal colors in pencil. Spring gets lime, summer orange, autumn rust, winter indigo. Makes timing reads quicker.
This seems perfect for anyone in that reading Tarot with synesthesia thread. Picking your own colors for the cards rather than just copying the deck closest to your hand could be fantastic.
Or, maybe even more interesting…
You could color in the traditional RWS artwork, but use something like the Dark Wood Tarot deck as your reference. Help you spend more time mindfully with the deck and really understand where it’s different (and where it’s the same) as the RWS.
Has anyone had issues with the paper quality? I got one book and my pencils barely seemed to make a mark, it was too glossy. The next one I tried bled through with even light markers. I’m using Derwent Inktense pencils now with a water brush, which works better, but I had to put a spare sheet of paper behind the page I was working on.
That’s such a good idea using a different deck and coloring the RWS. I’ll get one of these better quality ones @Sploots suggested and give it a go with my Modern Witch.
Rider-Waite has its own specific color symbolism, like yellow for intellect or blue for subconscious thought. I’ve been trying to follow that to learn the traditional system, but sometimes I just really want to give the Queen of Swords a green dress because it feels right.
Fun balance between tradition and personal intuition.
There are some digital ones out there that you could use something like Procreate for. Tried it briefly once on the iPad but I really like the tactile feel of pecil on paper and it means less screen time.
