Customer Reviews

How to Read the Tarot: The Keyword System (Llewellyn's How to)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had no experience with reading the Tarot when I purchased this book. If you want to achieve the basic ability to read Tarot spreads in a hurry without much preparation time in advance, this is the book for you. Sample spreads are included. I used the book so much it finally fell apart - I held it together with a rubber band until I recently received a replacement copy as a gift. I highly recommend it.

This book completely satisfied so many aspects of the Tarot that I was completely surprised. I found the symbol dictionary so easy to use and has helped me with my dream journals. Also defining the cards both upright and reversed was quick and to the point. The physical size of this book (paperback) by far does not reveal the real potency of the material in it. I'm glad i've added it to my metaphysical library. This book is a steal at the price.

I was given my first deck of Tarot cards over 40 years ago. At that time, only Eden Gray's works were available. Those are wonderful, but require careful thoughtful study. That's not bad either, but it takes a a long time to wade through all the academe to the useful information.

I found Ms. Abraham's book about three years ago. It's delightful "key-word" system based upon the number of each card gives a quick, and reliable, reading into each card. Although I rather disagree with her treatment of the Court cards as individuals <i.e., the King, Queen, Knight, Page/Princess of each suit> my disagreement is semantical, not philosophical. Moreover, Ms. Abraham's delightful treatment will only stimulate the curiosity of the serious student to deeper readings into the field. For that, my witch's--er, I mean my "wizard's"--hat, too firmly planted around my ears these many long years, is raised in humble respect!

Ms. Abraham uses the Rider-Waite deck for her illustrations, which is, after all, the most commonly available if not the best known deck around, but her simple "key-word" definitions and explanations will give grand results to the most novice of readers! And if the reader is really serious about the art of Tarot divination, it will only stimulate his/her appetite for more in-depth books on the subject.

All of which is to the good!

"How To Read The Tarot" is a small gem, glittering and valuable, and quite possibly small enough to be overlooked. For those with more experience, pick up this diamond, and readjust your own views! For Beginners, buy it, enjoy it, use it, but don't think for even a moment that this is the last word on the subject. See Ms. Abraham's thoughtful and complete bibliography!

"How To Read The Tarot" is a sound corner-stone for your Tarot library. Buy with confidence, because you won't be disappointed. In fact, it will only whet your thirst for more knowledge of this grand art.

This is a great place to begin for those interested in learning the Tarot. Each page describes a card and its attributes, and the book gives several different types of spreads. And it's cheap!

I bought this after reviewing a number of books like it and reading the reviews.

At first it seemed like a great book. After awhile, the keywords seemed to be too narrow for the true meaning of each card. For me, it took the life out of the readings - paring it down into a flat, mechanical routine.

I recently picked up a copy of Tarot Plain and Simple - and I love it! In all fairness, it could be that I was using the wrong deck to begin with. After thumbing through the Robin Wood deck (illustrated in TPS) I found the symbolism much easier to interpret and the meanings seemed to jump out at me.

I no longer use this book.

This is a straightforward interpretation book for Tarot cards. Easy to use and understand. I have many books on Tarot cards, but for getting to the meaning of the cards without a lot of extra words, this is the best book for the money. I have used this book for years and have recommended it to many people.

Like I said this book is just right for the beginner in Tarot reading. It uses a very simple system of Keywords for each set. Which is great for a high school student whose got tons of things on his mind. I haven't finished the book yet, but so far it's GREAT!!! If you are a beginner looking for the right tarot book for you, this is it!

I would use this book to remind myself of a card's meaning if I got stuck during a reading. However, I have found that for those who are new to learning tarot, Joan Bunning's books are the absolute best. Ms. Abraham's book is more tuned to memorizing, which I cannot do, due to health problems. If you develop a relationship with each card and get to know how the cards relate to each other, which Ms. Bunning teaches you how to do, memorizing isn't necessary. Then Ms. Abraham's key word system and other books of this type are great aides to building on what you know.

THIS VERY DETAILED (YET EASY TO UNDERSTAND) BOOK HAS BOTH THE UPRIGHT AND REVERSED DEFINITIONS FOR ALL THE CARDS AND WONDERFUL IN-DEPTH EXPLINATIONS AND MEANINGS. IT IS AFFORDABLE AND VERY HELPFUL. I LOVE THAT IT HAS EACH CARD PICTURED IN ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DECKS TOO. I LOVE IT.

I began Tarot study/reading about a year ago, after becoming open minded to other spritural and self-help resourses, and refusing to prejudge the Tarot as "the devils playing cards" before finding out more about them first. This book really helped to open my eyes about Tarot, and has helped with learning and remembering card meanings. The author Sylvia Abraham has many years of experience in readings, and her book can be an excellent beginner's tool to understanding the cards. Illustrations of the Rider Waite deck are featured, but the text information can be used with most other decks(marseilles,renaissance,etc.). A great book!