Customer Reviews

Mary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card

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"It's often assumed that the answers are in the cards and that we, as readers, should point them out. But whose answers? And what if there are no answers in the cards, only questions? My philosophy is that there are usually multiple responses to any question and that all answers lie within the person seeking them." - From the book

Mary K. Greer, author of popular books such as Tarot for Yourself and Understanding the Tarot Court, has developed a new "bag of tricks" for Tarot readers, with the intent to foster interactive, transformational, and empowering readings. In 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card, Greer offers twenty-one stimulating, interactive techniques designed to engage powers of observation, interpretation, and intuition. While many of the techniques are geared towards in-person readings and receiving real-time feedback from the querent, Tarot readers who read via email or phone--as well as for themselves--will also discover exciting approaches to the cards.

With lucid explanations and examples, Greer invites readers to stretch, embody, synthesize, and play with Tarot images, themes, and symbols. Rather than consulting the Tarot as a cosmic 8-ball with definitive answers, the author's approach coaxes additional questions from the cards, probing the psyche and revealing innate wisdom.

Among the techniques offered in 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card are:

* Emotion
* Range
* Symbols
* Numbers
* Dignity and Theme
* Dialogs
* Myth and Archetypes

Each approach has two levels of use, called the apprentice and the adept. The apprentice exercises provide a quick overview of card messages. The adept level takes you more deeply into concepts with variations and intriguing activities.

At Step 1, we're encouraged to shuffle a Tarot deck, asking, "What do I most need to look at in my life right now?" After drawing three cards, pick one. This will be the "chosen card" that you'll explore using all twenty-one techniques. After doing 99% of the activities in the book, I can guarantee that if you do most of the exercises, your understanding of a card will expand exponentially. It would certainly take a good deal of time to put each of the 78 cards through its paces using the twenty-one techniques, but the process will yield immeasurable insights.

When I began reading 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card, I selected the 7 of Cups as my "chosen" card. It seemed appropriate for me, especially since my Enneagram personality is Type 7, my numerological Life Path number is 7, and my Soul Number is 7--which means all of the Minor Arcana 7's are relevant to me. In addition, astrologically speaking, I happen to have Venus in Scorpio, which is the attribution for this particular card. 7 of cups is also among my Soul Lessons and Opportunities Cards (consult Tarot for Yourself for more information).

I received great insights on the 7 of Cups (as well as myself), and especially enjoyed the exercises on Emotion (pg.15), Story (pg. 22), Number (pg. 33), Metaphor (pg. 67), and the 3 Card "Drawing" (pg. 173). The 3 Card "Drawing", which is a technique featured in Llewellyn's 2006 Tarot Reader, proved to be intriguing. I don't enjoy drawing, but once I do this particular exercise, I'm always glad I did. I drew the Queen of Cups, 6 of Cups (my Destiny card!), and 8 of Wands. By melding some components together per Greer's suggestion (with a vast array of crayons on hand!), a Queenly godmother descends from the sky, walking on spiral steps made of the 8 wands. She offers the two children a huge bouquet of flowers, which they reach towards with smiling faces and outstretched hands. A house is in the background, a wading pool is in the foreground, and fluffy clouds, green grass, and a shining sun finish the scene.

Using the Emotion exercise, there were about 20 cards that I had difficulty ascribing information to, at first. But as I concentrated--trying to ascertain the one feeling evoked from the card--layers of emotion and psychological insight bubbled to the surface. Other books have suggested tapping into the emotion of a card, but they usually lump this in with other observational exercises. By forcing myself to isolate a sole emotion, I found new ways of looking at a card.

With 310 pages, 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card features dozens of illustrations, including card images from 25 different decks such as the Stick Figure Tarot, Shining Tribe, Shapeshifter, Quest Tarot, Robin Wood Tarot, and Motherpeace. In addition to the in-depth exercises, there are nine appendices rich with referential and practical information. These appendices feature 40 elemental dignity combinations, number and rank keyword chart, traps and solutions when doing readings, an archetypal motifs chart and more. The archetypal motifs chart lacks information on the Sun card, which is an unfortunate publishing error.

If you're interested in deepening your understanding of the Tarot, forming a personal bond with your deck, or enhancing your abilities as a reader, 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card is an excellent experiential guide for connecting with the cards. Greer offers imaginative exercises with practical applications, and the activities in the book must be done (rather than thought about) for maximum benefit. This book belongs on the shelf of every Tarot reader, in my opinion.

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

If you're familiar with Greer's other books on Tarot, this books continues her excellent tradition of continuing to provide innovative ways to do divination. If you're not familiar with her work, pick this book up as it will be all you'll need. Greer builds off her previous work quite well and elements of that previous work can easily be found in this book.

What I liked the most about this book was all the exercises she offered. This wasn't a theory book, but a book that demands work from the person. And at the same time the exercises build on each other. It's easy to incorporate them into each other as you go through the book. This not only encourages acquisition of the concepts but also allows for experimentation.

My only quibble is that she didn't include internal citations for her sources, as she did with her previous work, but this is likely a case of the publisher dictating policy on that.

If you want to improve your skills as a diviner then pick this book up, because you won't go wrong.

Mary K. Greer's "21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card" is a MUST for all serious practitioners of tarot. The information and activities will change your tarot skills from "good" to "WOW!" If you do the processes laid out in "21 Ways...", your readings will take on rich, empowering nuances that can transform your life and the lives of your clients. Get it! Use it!

Excellent book for all interested in tarot!

I have studied tarot for quite some time and recently purchased this book. It is great for revisiting information on the cards and symbolizm. It is wonderful for the "seasond" reader to streatch the mind's eye and recenter ones self, as well as broaden ones thinking with new ideas and questions.

Why I recommed this book:

It is basically an indepth home study course on card meaning, balanced with ways to use your intuition to have or give successful and meaningful readings and it does this quite well.

The book is totally inspiring at any leval. It is written with workbook sections, that enable the reader to engage in deep thought on tarot card meanings and also one's self. The book gives a wealth of knowledge about card-symbols-emotions-and thier place in the scheme of things.

I liked the fact that the book has the student pick one main card to be used through all the 21 steps, which is brilliant. I intend to do this with all cards at some leval to inhance my knowledge for myself and others. I have several decks for different purposes, and I like the fact the book encourages comparison, instead of claiming the book to one specific deck.

Lastly, there are two sections of the book (aprentice and adept) for each of the 21 steps. This is a great feature because it allows the reader choose one or the other according to ther leval and time frame. I am considered adept but I did both lessons and learned alot! I Highly recommend this book and It's author to all!

Once again, MKG has given me a book that will take a lifetime to "experience". Thru the years I continually refer back to all her works as I grow with my cards. A must for anyone who wants to take tarot reading deeper or wants to professionally read for others.

This workbook is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning tarot or improving their reading skills. It is suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced alike. I have been studying and practicing tarot for about 15 years, and really wish this book had been available to me when I started out.

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card teaches you how to look at the cards and really see what is there. It gives you a foundation in things such as deck structure, numerology, elemental correspondences, dignities, etc., and teaches you how to put it all together with your intuition. The book really helps you build confidence in your reading abilities, while teaching you at the same time. A true gift.

I approached the book by doing all 21 Ways at the Apprentice level, and then going back and doing all 21 Ways at the Adept level. Some steps come very naturally, others are more challenging, and some feel awkward, but the results of doing all 21 Steps are very rewarding.

What you learn in 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card will allow you to put down the "crutches" when you read, and let you enjoy the experience. This book is about breaking down barriers, pre-conceived notions, and "quick" interpretations. If you are new to tarot and do not have any of these habits, then it will help you develop into a strong reader without having to unlearn or break habits that create barriers to learning tarot. If you rely on "crutches" or have confidence issues it will help you overcome that. If you are already a strong confident reader, then it will give you some new ways to explore the cards and enhance what you are already doing.

This book is fantastic! I love the way the exercises walk you through all the individual detials of the cards. The authors teaching style makes it very easy to absorb AND RETAIN all that you have learned. I have several friends who have been reading tarot for years and they were amazed with how quickly I learned. I would absolutly recommend this to any beginnner or experienced reader looking to add a whole new level of depth to their readings.

Hello all

I am part of a study group going through this book. What an adventure I thought having tarot cards for years that there was no way there would be this many ways to " see" a card. But was I wrong , and gladly so.

We finished all the apprentice steps and are about to start on the adept part now and truly I am a much better reader then i though I ever could be.

One warning though it takes work and time to apply everything but the rewards are very much worth it.

((This review was written by my wife Lisa Hunt. She does not have an Amazon account but has read this book. Lisa is a tarot author/artist so is well qualified to add her thoughts to these reviews.))

This book is a tarot treasure trove that has something for everyone regardless of one's level of expertise. Even if you aren't a tarot reader or are completely new to the art of divination, Greer's book contains a comprehensive overview of the many uses of tarot. Her presentation is well thought out and stands on a strong foundation of research that parallels Greer's own journey as a tarot reader and teacher. She successfully integrates the theories and terms postulated by 20th century psychoanalyst Carl Jung, adding dimension to this fascinating text.

Regardless of scholastic influences, she never strays from her earthy voice making this book interesting and informative without being offputting. Not only does she include interesting personal anecdotes and sample readings, but she offers excellent suggestions for enhancing one's own intuitive skills. The book is replete with effective exercises that are fun and helpful and can be practiced over and over again. Some of these ideas examine themes/motifs and others help the reader to become more acquainted with symbolism and others examine more subtle elements of tarot. Greer gives us examples of how to answer tricky questions and expand on a reading by utilizing the nuances of an image or allowing the intuitive spirit to flow more freely. She also gives us tips on how to rephrase the querent's question to help free up any potential stumbling blocks during a reading.

Even if you don't gravitate to a particular activity or agree with all of her methods, Greer provides simple yet potent tools that can serve to expand one's own rapport with the cards. It's a fun-packed volume filled with Greer's unique wisdom that is sure to please tarot enthusiasts everywhere. Also included is an excellent glossary that can be used as a quick reference guide.

This is a workbook. The author introduces 21 different ways of working with/reading the tarot cards, each of which is followed by one or more "activities" for the reader to complete. Some are quite simple requiring only a few minutes to complete, while other activities require additional time and a quiet space in which to relax and relate to their cards.

Much of this book is about 'feeling' your connection with the tarot cards, which is an interactive process. While entertaining to read, its greater value is reserved for those who work with their cards along the way. And as promised, the 'cards spoke to me' revealing new concepts and meanings.

I expect anyone who follows the author's lead will discover new meanings offered by their cards. They may even discover a thing or two about themselves. And isn't that part of the reason we work with our cards?