The 9 best books for learning tarot, according to professional readers
Created especially for beginning tarot readers, this Easy Tarotkit is the easiest way to learn to read Tarot cards. In the Easy Tarot Handbook, the author Josephine shares mind-tricks, shortcuts, and valuable time-saving techniques to improve your card reading and general knowledge.
17 Must-Read Tarot Books from Beginners to Advanced
Embarking on a tarot journey, especially as a beginner, can be an exciting yet daunting experience, given the plethora of tarot books out there. Choosing the right guide to aid in learning tarot and interpreting tarot card meanings is crucial.
As a tarot enthusiast, I’ve explored countless books that helped me strengthen my bond with my tarot deck and understand the nuanced tarot system. To save you the long hours of searching, I’ve curated a list of seventeen must-read tarot books, from beginner-friendly guides to advanced texts.
In a few weeks, your bookshelf might be teeming with a wealth of tarot knowledge. So, here’s our ultimate tarot book list for 2023 to jumpstart your journey. And, feel free to share your personal recommendations in the comments!
Table of Contents
THE BEST TAROT BOOKS TRENDING TODAY REVIEWED
As starting with Tarot can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, I have selected a few of my favorite beginner tarot books and also included some of the top advanced tarot books for the more seasoned readers among us.
Please feel free to send me any book suggestions of your own because I truly love diving into new ways of looking at spreads, cards, readings, and tarot guides.
*Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. To learn more, click here.*
TAROT CARD BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS
When you’re just starting out with reading tarot cards and books, we suggest you take a look at the list below before proceeding with our more advanced tarot reading books.
I have started with outlining more introductory tarot books and then touched on some specific beginners’ card reading books, followed up with tarot spreads books, to end with a book that teaches a more spiritual introduction to tarot readings and learnings.
The Ultimate Guide to Tarot – Liz Dean
The Ultimate Guide to Tarot is definitely one of the best tarot books to start out with. I like to use this book as a guide as its easy-to-use, yet comprehensive enough.
It provides easy-to-act steps on how to begin reading and options for different card spreads, often followed by a detailed description of every card of the major as well as the minor arcana’s.
I personally return to The Ultimate Guide To Tarot Card Meanings time and time again when looking for a refresher. It’s comprehensive and accurate enough, yet easy to use.
Therefore, I believe this is one of the best tarot books for beginners on the market. You won’t regret buying this book when you are just looking out to start with tarot and want a solid introduction.
The Easiest Way to Learn Tarot—Ever – Dusty White
Do you want to have fun learning to hear what your cards are saying to you from day one? Then The Easiest Way to Learn the Tarot-Ever!! is the perfect book for you! Don’t be fooled by the lightened irreverent tone of the author.
The information in this book is solid and the hands-on exercises are top-notch. With his unique, trademark confessional style, White will teach you the meaning of each of the 78 cards.
He will not let you memorize generic keywords. Instead, he included practical hands-on exercises for learning and working with the tarot. It will deepen your relationship with the cards.
Also, it helps you develop skills for creating a system of meanings that are tailored to your unique instincts and intuition. The two exclamation points in the title are surely well earned.
Your Intuitive Printable Tarot Journal and Workbook
My personal tarot practice got the greatest boost when I was not being too hard on myself and was just having fun with the cards. And that is what inspired me to create my very own printable Tarot journal and workbook! I’ve divided this printable tarot journal into the following five sections to easily help you on your way with Tarot:
- Your Tarot Deck and You
- The Basic Tarot Spreads
- The Cycles
- Love Tarot
- Reading Tarot for Yourself
Each section in this workbook contains fun and easy spreads with plenty of space where you can either draw, paste, or write down the card(s) you’ve pulled.
Apart from the spreads, you’ll find some fun exercises that can help you to connect with your deck… things like speed dating with your cards, layouts to create your own cheatsheets (this helped me a lot when learning the meanings), and some tips and tricks for tarot newbies.
Hopefully, I sparked your interest! If I did I would be forever grateful when you would purchase this Tarot Journal on my little Etsy store right here.
I can guarantee you this will not only boost your confidence levels and skills, but most importantly it makes it so much more fun!
Tarot Cards: A Beginners Guide of Tarot Cards – Julia Steyson
Whereas the first mentioned books of this ultimate list provide a solid introduction in everything tarot, the focus in this book is more on the specific cards to enable one to be more aware and to see possibilities when normally it would be difficult.
The book explains the purpose of tarot cards and the meaning behind each specific card. Each card that is explained has a picture of that card with a clear explanation of what is to be seen, so you can recognize them when you see them, regardless of your card deck.
The book also explains in detail, how to do a reading and which spreads to use.
Especially for people with a background in eastern faiths like the Dao and Buddhism, this book is extra fascinating. Reading this beginner’s book, it becomes obvious the author has a true passion for tarot and even discusses the sacred nature of just picking the right tarot card deck for you. Definitely a must-have on your tarot bookshelf.
Easy Tarot: Learn to Read the Cards – Josephine Ellershaw
Created especially for beginning tarot readers, this Easy Tarotkit is the easiest way to learn to read Tarot cards. In the Easy Tarot Handbook, the author Josephine shares mind-tricks, shortcuts, and valuable time-saving techniques to improve your card reading and general knowledge.
This is book makes it very easy and simplified that anyone can learn with this method. This tarot book explains everything and as long as you follow the directions in the book exactly, you can learn the exact tarot reading process within a couple of days.
365 Tarot Spreads: Revealing the Magic in Each Day – Sasha Graham
Once you have mastered the basics of reading tarot, you’ll want to explore new spreads. As described in the Ultimate Tarot Beginners Guide the most given advice to beginners is to learn the tarot by pulling a daily card.
This book applies this advice also to learning new spreadsby providing a tarot spread for every day of the year.
Every spread in the book connects to a historical or magical eventthat happened on that day and is accompanied by detailed information and sample questions to focus on.
With 365 Tarot Spreads: Revealing the Magic in Each Day you will have a great journey to realize enlightenment every day of the year.
Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads – Trish MacGregor
Another great book to learn tarot spreads is Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Question. This book contains a good beginner’s guide to the tarot but also contains nearly 100 pages of tarot spreads.
These spreads are organized by how many cards they require. You can start with the single card “Yes/No” spread, but can also test your tarot skills with the comprehensive twenty-four card spread of the Double Horoscope.
Power Tarot, while not going as in-depth into the history of the cards as I would have preferred (which is great for beginners), does a very clear and concise summary of the use and origin of the tool.
There is also a good long explanation, not only of each card but how the cards can interact with each other. In addition, the authors also included empowerment meanings for each card. This is very helpful when you want to explain the usage of the cards in spells and incantations.
Seventy-E ight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot – Rachel Pollack
No tarot book list is complete without the classic Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom Often cited as one of the landmark books in modern tarot, it will help you develop a relationship with your cards and your own spiritual side.
This book draws on history, mythology, and philosophy, and delves deeply into the symbolism and meaning of each card.
In addition, it introduces common and practical spreads. As such, it is a clear and readable book. Deep and rich with information for both the beginning and advanced tarot student.
The author of this book, Rachel Pollack, is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the modern interpretation of the tarot. Rachel is not only a member of the American Tarot Association, the International Tarot Society, and the Tarot Guild of Australia but also has taught at the famous Omega Institute for the past 15 years.
Tarot Card Books for Advanced Readers
After finishing the beginner’s section of tarot card books, we can now move on to the more advanced section to build more confidence in your readings, to apply astrology and get more perspective on the history and spiritual meanings of your spreads.
Tarot Beyond the Basics: Gain a Deeper Understanding of the Meanings Behind the Cards – Anthony Louis
This is one of the first books I would recommend once you finished reading our beginner’s book list on tarot. It is truly a level-up in reading tarot that teaches you how to become an advanced practitioner.
This book emphasizes the influences of astrology and shares how-to instructions for working with reversals, number symbolism, intuition, the four elements, and the philosophical roots of tarot.
A perfect follow up to take your readings to the next level and to deepen your advanced tarot knowledge.
There is a good balance in this book between historicity, research, and personal opinion that is appealing and readable, and I know in time, I will go back and reread the chapters on the astrological influence at times when I need a refreshment.
Advanced Tarot Secrets – Dusty White
This book reveals the advanced spread techniques and trade secrets used by the top psychics, tarot readers, and mediums in this world on a daily basis.
This is an advanced how-to tarot handbook for professionals who charge anywhere from $100 to $1,000 an hour.
I really improved my accuracy and strengtheneth my intuition and reads by practicing the exercises and playing the games detailed in this book.
When you want to take your readings to the next level and be different than others, this is the book is the training you need to become a truly proficient tarot reader.
Warning: a strong foundation and trust with your tarot deck are needed before you work on the secrets in this book. Otherwise, things just won’t fall into place and this advanced tarot book will be a waste of time, energy, and money.
21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card – Mary Greer
This is also a great book to consider after you finished some of the beginner books. Just as the twenty-six letters of the alphabet can be combined to form billions of words, Greer’s twenty-one methods can be used in any combination for gaining amazing new tarot insights.
The techniques described in 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card will help you to build your confidence to read on your own without the aid of a manual or a guide.
You learn how to read at the moment, without being tied to a book to consult each card’s meaning. This will result in a more present reading in which you are more open to the messages flowing through the cards.
By mastering the 21 different methods, you will make progress to move from a beginner to an intermediate tarot reader.
Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth – Benebell Wen
This book leaves out nothing. It covers beginners topics like picking out your deck and card meanings, as well as intermediate and advanced subjects, like how to use the tarot for improving relationships, professional development, and personal resilience.
Advanced readers will also enjoy the nuanced theoretical discussions of the tarot. The book will teach you to tune with your inner self by reflecting on card imagery, meanings, and associations. As Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth is so all-inclusive. You will return to it over and over again!
Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings with the Wisdom of the Zodiac – Corrine Kenner
The science of astrology is a very important system to incorporate with your tarot readings, as it links intrinsically with tarot for six centuries.
In this user-friendly book, Kenner makes it easy to explore and learn from this fascinating intersection, even if you have no astrology knowledge at all.
She will help you start your journey by discussing both the tarot and astrology basics, the cards’ archetypal symbols and imagery, the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the planets.
Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings with the Wisdom of the Zodiac will teach you to combine tarot and astrology for yourself―and expand your tarot practice while enriching your life.
Tarosophy – Marcus Katz
Certainly, not the least book on my list is Tarosophy written by Marcus Katz. The book features a collection of all the knowledge and wisdom Katz has gained upon 30 years of studying, reading, researching, and teaching tarot. He successfully combined academic rigor with practical experiences.
With 50 unique exercises and detailed reading lists, it will give you a lot of tips and ideas that will help you explore the wisdom of the cards in a playful manner. It really is an eye-opener for tarot readers who want to go deeper.
I’ve really enjoyed reading this book and recommended it to all my tarot minded friends, so I would entice you to definitely read it too!
The Essential Lenormand: Your Guide to Precise and Practical Fortunetelling – Rana George
Not so much an advanced tarot reading book, but more so a book on general fortunetelling. I choose to include this book on the list to broaden your scope on card-readings to further improve your skills and abilities.
For over 150 years, the Lenormand deck has been a popular divination tool around the world and a must-read if you want to become a top reader.
From simple questions to critical dilemmas, the Lenormand provides a glimpse of the future when you need it most.
The Essential Lenormand includes old-school reading methods, modern techniques, tricks, and tips for working with multiple spreads, and ways to use the Lenormand within your next tarot reading.
Bonus: Best Tarot Coloring Books
Whenever I need a little break from the ‘heavy’ teachings of some of the above books, I like to switch to some mindful coloring. Below are my favorite three tarot coloring books to inspire and spark more creativity while working on mastering the beautiful world of tarot.
The Tarot Coloring Book – Theresa Reed
This coloring book is just AWESOME. Even as a beginning tarot reading you can literally color your way through every card in the deck―and go from “Tarot rookie” to “Tarot master” in no time. Talking about a fun way to learn how to tarot, right?
Created especially for new practitioners and people who’ve been intimidated by Tarot, this guide was created to help you get going immediately with a Tarot practice that will only grow and deepen.
Beautifully spiral bound it has large reproductions of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, with major and minor arcana, with suggested colorings, and ideas to spark creativity for going outside of the suggestions.
The Tarot Card Adult Coloring Book – G.C. Carter
Whether you are new to the tarot or an experienced reader, The Tarot Card Adult Coloring Book will help you discover and explore the cards in a new and playful way.
However, there is no info given about the cards so if you want to learn tarot while coloring I suggest you go with the first tarot coloring book.
This book is great if you’re looking to practice your coloring skills on all cards and give your own personal twist on a deck that’ll become truly yours.
Coloring Book of Shadows: Tarot Journal – Amy Cesari
What’s different about this tarot coloring book is that it is not focused on coloring the tarot cards but all the beauty and magic around tarot. This coloring book takes you on a magical ride of exploring richly illustrated note pages, different tarot spreads, magic spells, and so much more as you follow your intuitive path in this enchanting tarot coloring journal.
Truly one of my favorites when I need a little break from life and want to go down the rabbit hole like Alice in Wonderland.
FAQS ABOUT MUST-READ TAROT BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS AND ADVANCED READERS
WHICH TAROT BOOKS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR BEGINNERS?
For those starting their tarot journey, we suggest “The Ultimate Guide to Tarot” by Liz Dean, “The Easiest Way to Learn Tarot—Ever” by Dusty White, and “Tarot Cards: A Beginners Guide of Tarot Cards” by Julia Steyson. These books offer an easy introduction to tarot card meanings and techniques.
WHAT BOOKS CAN HELP ADVANCE MY TAROT READING SKILLS?
For experienced tarot readers looking to deepen their understanding, we recommend “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot” by Rachel Pollack, “Tarot Beyond the Basics” by Anthony Louis, and “Advanced Tarot Secrets” by Dusty White. These books delve deeper into tarot card interpretations and provide insights for complex readings.
ARE THERE CREATIVE WAYS TO LEARN THROUGH TAROT BOOKS?
Yes, there are innovative books like “The Tarot Coloring Book” by Theresa Reed and “The Tarot Card Adult Coloring Book” by G.C. Carter. These books combine the art of coloring with tarot learning, offering an interactive approach to understanding tarot card meanings.
Choosing your Tarot Book and Card Decks
I’m truly happy to be able to share these books which I also recommend to my students who are starting on their journey through tarot.
And now, more than ever, people are looking for answers within. Through our readings, cards, and books we will find more meaning and through the community, we are building online and offline we will find better ways to apply that meaning and spark more joy in those around us.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, this list is by no means complete. I revise my list (too) often because although there are some classics that are there to stay forever, there are also new books published with modern takes and stunning tarot designs from new upcoming readers and our community.
Hopefully, you can leave your thoughts in the comments below and let me know which book you like best. Once read and approved, I’ll make sure to add it to this ultimate tarot book list with kudos to you!
Will you let our community know your favorite tarot book?
About Wille
Leaving a bit of sparkle everywhere I go! My aim is to create content that inspires you, supports you, challenges you, and brings happiness into your life. Here you’ll find the tools to connect to your spirit and activate your soul.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Thankyou so much for this list – I bought dusty white’s beginner book straight away!Hey Lex, thank you for your comment! I am happy my article was helpful. and I’m super curious what you think of Dusty White’s tarot book!
Love,
Wille ✨
I have always been so interested in all the occult’s from astrology and numerology to palmistry but most of all Tarot. But i didn’t know where to start looking for a book to get me going so i like so many others i googled it and your article came up . I’m grateful to you for that cuz now i know just what to get on amazon of course… thank you so much, you really helped me so much more than i could ever say, sincerely Carol
Thank you, Carol, for your comment:) I’m super happy to hear that this article was helpful!!This was so so helpful for someone like me who has recently been introduced to this new world. At first i would watch some videos on YouTube but as i grew more fond of this world i started looking up some beginners guides and was very overwhelmed. The crystals, astrological, and tarot knowledge needed to be apart of this community were very nerve racking to a beginner like myself. This website however was very helpful to get me on the right path, so thank you very much.
Thank you for your kind comment:) That’s what keeps me motivated!!I have looked at quite a few lists of top tarot reading books and I have to say that your list comes across as the more comprehensive and more sincere than all the others. Thank you for being generous and not keeping this information to yourself, very kind of you. Now I feel I can approach my learning with confidence thanks to you.
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The 9 best books for learning tarot, according to professional readers
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While growing in popularity, tarot is often misunderstood because it’s often portrayed in pop culture as a form of predicting the future (with a tendency towards the ominous). But that’s not an accurate depiction: In fact, reading tarot cards can be a way to connect to your higher self or intuition.
“The tarot doesn’t tell you what is going to happen — it isn’t about taking away your agency — it outlines possibilities so you can take the actions you know can help bring about the future you want,” says Mark Horn, author of “Tarot and the Gates of Light, A Kabbalistic Path to Liberation,” who has taught at tarot conferences across the US and offers private readings and classes.
If you’re interested in reading tarot, one way to learn is by picking up some books to start. “Long before I learned tarot with a teacher, I started my journey with tarot books,” says Horn. “You can learn at your own pace, review when you need to, and it’s a lot less expensive to have three or four books from experts who can give you a range of thinking about the cards.”
Plus, “[books are] also helpful for those times when you get stuck, something many new readers experience a lot — psst…even seasoned pros have those moments!,” says Theresa Reed (“The Tarot Lady”), a professional Tarot card reader, podcast host, and author of “Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot” and “Tarot: No Questions Asked – Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.” “I do recommend having more than one tarot book. This way, you have different points of view, which can broaden your interpretative skills.”
Even professional readers continue to buy and use tarot books to expand their knowledge. “I’ve been reading cards for more than 50 years now and I continue to buy tarot books,” says Horn. “In some ways, tarot is like a jewel with many facets — each book, each teacher will give you another facet with beautiful insights.”
Whether you’re a true tarot beginner or already own multiple tarot decks, we have book recommendations for all skill levels, according to professional tarot readers.
The 9 best books for learning to read tarot cards:
Best tarot book for beginners
“Tarot for Your Self: A Workbook for Personal Transformation” by Mary K. Greer, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $16.99
“‘Tarot For Yourself’ is one of the best books for tarot newbies [because] it’s a workbook with exercises geared to help the readers develop their own relationship to the cards,” says Reed. “There is also a helpful appendix in the back with interpretations for every card.” Horn agrees that this book may be the most authoritative tarot book available.
Best visual tarot book
“The Ultimate Guide to Tarot” by Liz Dean, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $19.39
If you’re a visual learner and want lots of images to help you learn, consider this book. “‘The Ultimate Guide to Tarot’ is geared to beginners, but everyone will find something to love about it,” says Reed. “Liz’s writing is easy to understand, which makes the learning process non-intimidating.”
Best quick reference tarot book
“The Guided Tarot for Seamless Readings” by Stephanie Caponi, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.79
“Stephanie gives tarot readers a great way to quickly understand the numerical, astrological, and elemental meanings to better understand how everything is connected,” explains Maggie Wilson, the bestselling author of The Metaphysical Cannabis Oracle Deck. “The back of the book even has a quick reference guide to easily find the major or minor card meaning you’re inquiring about for their upright and reversed meanings.”
Best for intuitive tarot reading
“True Heart Intuitive Tarot” by Rachel True, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $26.19
“Rachel’s book discusses exactly how to use your intuition with the tarot and enhance your connection to your spirit and higher self,” says Wilson. “She reminds us that tarot is not a learned academic skill but a true connection with your own spirit and how the world communicates with you.”
According to Emily McGill, a tarot reader currently enrolled at Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia University, “You can hear her voice as she tells stories and relates to the meaning of each card, but there’s so much imagery to work with and interpret on your own that you really do get to invite your intuition to play.”
Best for learning different tarot spreads
“1001 Tarot Spreads” by Cassandra Eason, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.99
“‘1001 Tarot Spreads’ has literally every tarot spread you can think of and many you haven’t!” says Wilson. “For any issue or clarification you need, this book is my top recommendation for tarot spreads for everything from love, to travel, to how to handle pesky business associates.”
Best for understanding connections between the cards
“The Secret Language of Tarot” by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $19.49
Most tarot books cover each card individually, but this book goes a bit deeper. “It shows you the symbols that are shared between cards so that you see hidden connections and meanings that come alive when the cards show up together in a spread,” says Horn. “Every detail has a meaning, and this book is filled with these amazing hidden connections.”
Best for taking your tarot reading to next level
“Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom” by Rachel Pollack, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $16.49
“Most tarot pros consider this book their ‘bible’ and it’s easy to see why — I have three copies in my house because I refer to it all the time!” says Reed. “No matter how many times I’ve read that book, I can always find something new and brilliant.”
Best advanced tarot book
“Advanced Tarot: An In-Depth Guide to Practical and Intuitive Tarot Reading” by Paul Fenton Smith, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $34.36
“‘Advanced Tarot’ is packed with exceptional full-color details about the meanings of the cards on a master level,” says Wilson. “This book is a fantastic deep dive into the correspondences of the cards, how they relate to each other, and how you can enhance your intuition to decipher the meanings.”
Best combination tarot-and-astrology book
“Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot” by The Tarot Lady Theresa Reed and Monte Farber, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $17.62
If you’re fascinated by astrology and tarot, Theresa Reed’s book allows you to combine both passions. “It teaches you how to use the tarot to literally create a higher quality of life by understanding the strengths of your birth chart and how the tarot can be a companion with your astrological signs,” says Wilson. “I love this book because it gives you another look at the tarot from a more personal perspective with your own birth chart and getting to know yourself better, which I believe is the key to a fantastic tarot reader.”
Lauren David is a Chilean-American freelance writer. She writes about food, travel, tech, wellness, and more and has been published in various publications, including Budget Travel, Greatist, Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, and Taste of Home. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time in her garden and by the ocean. See her portfolio on her website: https://laurendavid.net/ Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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