Customer Reviews

Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Question

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Let me start off by saying this book provides far more than just Tarot spreads. Admittedly, the promise of 100 spreads was the reason I bought this book in the first place. As I began my journey reading Tarot, I needed spreads to practice my skills--only knowing the common Past/Present/Future spread. There were spreads online, but I wanted a resource in book form.

Suprisingly, out of 288 pages, only 84 pages contain spreads--and they're in the back. The authors show you how to do a Yes/No spread, and which cards represent yes, which cards represent no and those that represent maybe. The rest of the spreads are categorized by the number of cards, spanning from the single "Card a Day" spread to the 24 card Double Horoscope Spread.

Spreads include Birthday Spread, Child Spread, Prosperity Spread, Horoscope Spread (covering all 12 Houses of the Astrological Chart), Chakra Spread (a card for each chakra plus a meditation card), Relationship Spread, Wish Spread, Career Spread, and New Relationship Spread.

My two favorites are the Mirror Spread and the Treasure Chest Spread.

The authors have this to say about the Mirror Spread: "Quite often, the qualities we dislike in another person are qualities in ourselves we aren't crazy about, either. In this way, the Mirror Spread addresses our shadow selves as well as our projections. The fifth position, what is really there, is actually a summation of a relationship's weakness or strengths."

Mirror Spread

Card 1: The image: how you see the other person
Card 2: The reflection: how the other person sees him/herself
Card 3: What the other person represents to you
Card 4: What you represent to the other person
Card 5: What is really there

I love the Treasure Chest Spread because of its imagery and because it's so affirming to the individual.

Treasure Chest Spread

Card 1: Diamonds Where you shine. Major talents, abilities and assets that you have
Card 2: Pearls What you know. Knowledge and information that you have incorporated into your life
Card 3: Gold coins What you have. Money and material possessions currently available to you
Card 4: Emeralds Who you know. Relationships that are now part of your life
Card 5: Platinum Chains What's holding you back. Things or people in your life that you need to release
Card 6: Sapphires Where you could shine. Emerging talents, assets, and abilities.
Card 7: Quartz Crystals What you're learning. Knowledge and information that you could incorporate into your life.
Card 8: Rubies Who you may soon know. Relationships that are entering your life.
Card 9: Unpolished Diamonds Your hidden lights. Assets and talents that you can develop.

As I mentioned, however, this book is much more than just spreads. I found it incredibly helpful in learning the meanings and nuances of Tarot cards because the authors take each of the 78 cards of Tarot, and show you what each means for different scenarios. The authors devote a paragraph to each issue, explaining what the card means in a general reading and for questions related to work, romance, finances, health, spirituality, and empowerment. So, if the querent is asking a question about finances, for example, and the Hermit is drawn, you would find the section on the Hermit card, and read the paragraph under Finances to get an idea of what this means.

Power Tarot also features brief, general information on the Major and Minor Arcana, the Court Cards, personal loss cards, and the four elements. I highly recommend this book for those who are curious about Tarot, wanting to know how it works and what the cards mean, as well as beginning readers trying to put it all together. The variation of the 100+ spreads will appeal to both the beginner, and the seasoned veteran Tarot reader.

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)

I have many tarot books, but I only refer to one or two on a regular basis. This is one of those books. Originally I didn't like this volume because the Major Arcana, Court Cards, and Minor Arcana are all in separate chapters and it can be irritating to be flipping back and forth for them. In fact, I put this volume back up on the book shelf with the others. I kept taking it back down,though, because the interpretations are among the best I've read. You get not only a general interpretation for each card, but you also get detailed work, romance, finances, health, spirituality, and empowerment interpretations. It is worth the extra effort to go flipping around to find them.

I also found that I liked the idea of the many new spreads described in the back. After all, there is really nothing sacred about the celtic cross and the old past, present, and future three card....

I have been reading the tarot for quite some time now and I throughly enjoy this book. The authors' definitions of the cards are refreshing and clear. I like the way the authors conveyed the spirituality of the tarot while at the same time providing easily understandable definitions that are easy to relate to readings. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that someone just learning might want a book containing more in-depth meanings including reversed meanings. My favorite part of this book are the wonderful variety of spreads. I think the authors covered an extensive variety of questions and situations. I would definately recommend this book to the beginner and experienced reader alike. The book is worth owning for the great spreads alone.

After reading the glowing reviews on Amazon for this book, I knew I had to check it out. And I'm really glad I did check it out--out of the library, that is, instead of buying it. This book failed to live up to the promise of all of these good reviews.

Here is the book I thought I was getting (this book would get five stars): A detailed explanation of a large number of spreads. This explanation would include suggestions for choosing a spread and the strengths and weaknesses of various spreads. The spreads would be organized by theme, cross-referenced in any of a number of ways (number of cards used, spreads using whole decks vs. partial decks, spreads to use with unique decks, etc.). Each spread would include one or two sample spreads that would give you a flavor of what it could do.

Unfortunately, here is what "Power Tarot" is: A book of card meanings that just so happens to have a large listing of spreads. The first (and larger) portion of the book is dedicated to card meanings while the spreads (ostensibly the focus of the books) are relegated to the back. The spreads are organized not by theme but by number of cards in the spread, making it rather difficult to locate a spread you might want to use in a given situation. Most importantly (and most disappointingly), beyond the name of the spread no information or analysis is given as to why you might choose a given spread. There are no tips for reading the different spreads, no comparisons between spreads, nothing.

It is true that there are more than 100 spreads in the book, which is an impressive collection. This feat is the only reason I give the book two stars instead of one.

This book works on the premise that you can interpret a card slightly differently depending on what subject you inquire about. So the sections are divided under subjects like Romance, Finances, Health, Work, Spirituality, and Empowerment. There is also a general interpretation for each card. Court Cards are treated differently to examine how the type of person represented by this card affects your life. The interpretations of the Major Arcana often involve a mention of Greek Gods or Astrology so that the reader can see the larger influence of a card.

There are over 100 spreads in the rear of the book. Many are very specific (Money Spread, New-Relationship Spread, Pet Spread). Others are very general, allowing you to choose any topic (Magic Star Spread, Timing Spread, Ladle Spread). Some arragements are esoteric like the Chakra Spread or the Past Life Spread.

I definately recommend this book for beginners and intermediates. Professionals may like the spreads included, but the information will not be new for you.

I like the "He, She, It" spread which gives insight into the dynamic of a relationship. It explains what you want vs. what your partner or the relationship wants and what you need vs. what your partner or the relationship needs. This is great when you are helping a client understand a relationship after a significant event. I am also fond of the "Should You or Shouldn't You Spread" which explores the consequences of taking a new action or continuing in the same way.

One thing I appreciate in this book is at the end, the authors discuss finding your personal power and how to take the information from a reading and use it to create what you want through visualization or working on your attitude. There is a great spread for people who like to change the future based on what they've gotten in a reading. It's the Visualization Spread. This spread has you lay out a reading and then gives you a chance to replace cards you do not like and meditate on them so that you can call in what you DO want to achieve. After that, you are to look at the chosen cards again so that you reinforce the new energy.

I take it everywhere I take my cards. This books is absolutely amazing. It covers every possible question you might have. Over 100 different spreads. Differeniates the meanings of every single card according to the category of the question: financial, relationship, work, family, spiritual .. everything. Perfect for a beginner and for a pro.

I have used several tarot books throughout the years, but I am thrilled to have bought this particular book. Although I think I know the cards well, before this book, I feel that I have been misguided. I learned all sorts of easy tricks and am happy to report that they all panned out perfectly. I was also able to answer questions that have been forever hanging in the Universe....never quite a yes and never quite a no..... I have those answers now. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is of the intuitive realm and who takes time to understand how the Universe speaks and how it works intimately in all our lives. The tarot spreads are interesting and remarkably accurate. I have released a great amount of weight off my shoulders by just pulling a few cards and tuning into the answers.... I wish this for everyone.... Whether it is positive or negative.....knowing the answer is always the POSITIVE path. Thanks for putting this work out there....much appreciated....Blessings my tarot talkers........Cheers, Kiwi

This is not a book for beginners. Those interested in learning the meanings of the cards would be better served by Louis' TAROT PLAIN AND SIMPLE or Kaser's TAROT IN TEN MINUTES. However, for the more experienced reader of the Tarot, POWER TAROT offers challenging and intriguing new spreads. Beyond the traditional Celtic cross readings, the spreads and layouts are challenging, interesting, and fresh approaches to this ancient art of divination. While there is a section on the meanings of the individual cards, it is too breif, and supposes some knowledge on the part of the reader. But for the reader comfortable the Tarot symbols and interpretation, the spreads in POWER TAROT offers innovation and room for growth. Well written, easy to read, and lavishly illustrated, POWER TAROT is an excellent addition to the divination library

I love Power Tarot because not only does it include quick references to the general meaning of the cards, but it's also easy to read and understand! Power Tarot is unique. I've yet found a tarot book (until now) that includes specific card meanings according to various types of situations and issues that may come up in our daily life - plus it includes a section on many wonderful spreads. Power Tarot is a must have tarot book. Beginner's as well as advance Tarot readers will not be disappointed.

This is my favorite tarot book, unlike any other on the market. Many of the spreads are completely original--I've never seen any like them anywhere else. They fit a vaste range of situations and questions. The book is also one of the best on intepreting the meaning of the cards that I've found.

I would highly recommend it to any and all interested in tarot.