30 of the Best Tarot Books - Must Reads
Last Updated: July 26, 2022
Are you new to Tarot and looking for some light reading to help get you started? Or, perhaps you’re a seasoned card slinger and you’re looking to deepen your knowledge pool? Whether you’ve just bought your first deck and you’re looking for guidance on how best to utilise it or you know the ins and outs of Tarot but you’re looking for a fresh perspective this is the perfect article for you. Here I share 30 of the best Tarot books which offer all kinds of divination insights.
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How Books Help with Tarot
Books can be an invaluable tool when it comes to gaining, expanding and deepening your learning.
Many Tarot decks come with their own guidebook, which usually outlines what each card means and offers some example spreads, so why would you want to invest in more books? Well, the guidebooks are great for getting started and familiarizing yourself with your deck, but you might get to a point where you want to develop your skills and strengthen your knowledge base, or you might be looking to see things from a different vantage point, and that’s where external Tarot books can come in.
Each Tarot book will have its own unique take on Tarot and it’ll contain wisdom and interpretations that may differ from your own. Learning from others is going to help you to explore and develop your own way of doing, seeing and interpreting things. It’ll also enrich your knowledge, spark your creativity, and deepen your intuition.
The process of learning the Tarot, as with life, is never-ending. There’s always more to learn! And no book contains all the answers.
Below is a list of 30 of the Best Tarot Books to sink your teeth into.
10 Books for Beginners
An easy beginners guide, with simple terms and easy how-tos, so you can quickly pick up the Tarot. Learn the structure of the deck, how to ask questions and how to create spreads. This book contains thorough, informative, insightful and historical information. And it explores and interprets the cards both visually and symbolically. Meg’s insight helps you to connect to your intuition, allowing for self-discovery and creative growth.
- Author: Meg Hayertz
- Print length: 206 pages
- Publication date: May 1, 2018
Get an overview of everything you’ll need to know about your cards, from symbols to meanings, to the connection between Tarot, astrology and numerology. This book also covers all the classic Tarot spreads and provides you with a mini-layout for each of the Major Arcana cards.
Liz honours the deep heritage of Tarot, whilst guiding the reader with practical techniques that anyone can use. Learn Tarot facts, the history and spiritual mystery of Tarot, the meaning of the cards, how to lay them out and how to harness intuitive messages.
- Author: Liz Dean
- Print length: 240 pages
- Publication date: May 15, 2015
There’s no memorising keywords or vague, archaic card meanings with this book. Oh no! This is a practical, hands-on book that offers you engaging exercises designed to get you actively working and connecting to your deck. Dusty is a firm believer that you learn by doing, so this book gets you playing with your cards immediately and starts your learning off in a proactive way
- Author: Dusty White
- Print length: 342 pages
- Publication date: March 20, 2009
A straightforward style with easy-to-follow formulas which aid in remembering card meanings. The Tarot Revealed explains the wisdom contained within each card and helps you to understand yourself and your world. Paul gives you relatable scenarios which you can apply to your own life-giving you a deeper connection to the Tarot and its secrets.
- Author: Paul Fenton-Smith
- Print length: 322 pages
- Publication date: March 1, 2008
A handbook created to break down Tarot through tips, tricks, shortcuts and other time-saving techniques. Perfect if you’re looking for a quick and simplified way to learn. Referred to as an ‘easy Tarot kit’ it gives you a quick guide to card meanings and combinations, cheats sheets with keywords, spreads, sample readings, tips on keeping a Tarot diary and advice on typical questions you might have when you’re just starting out.
- Author: Josephine Ellershaw
- Print length: 240 pages
- Publication date: May 8, 2007
This simple introduction to Tarot honours the power and mystical nature of Tarot but injects a dose of modernity into the mix. You’ll find: Tarot basics, how to perform readings for yourself and for others, detailed card breakdowns, the symbology of each card, and Tarot card starter spreads from classic spreads to a 21-card spread designed to look at every aspect of your life.
- Author: Jessica Wiggan
- Print length: 210 pages
- Publication date: August 27, 2019
Beginner or professional you’ll probably have heard of the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck, and it might even have been your first. Many decks old and new link back to this deck so if you want to discover more about one of the world’s most popular Tarot decks, this is your book accompaniment.
This guide details ten of the most important symbols contained within each and every card, including useful illustrations and explanations. They also have a brief interpretation by topic from general meaning to success to spiritual meanings. This book is a quick reference, so you can dip in and out as and when you need to. There’s also an abundance of tips, hints, facts and lore which will improve your reading.
- Authors: Johannes Fiebig and Evelin Burger
- Print length: 216 pages
- Publication date: April 8, 2013
If you’ve ever googled the meaning of a Tarot card I can guarantee you’ll have come across Biddy Tarot, a website full of easy, relatable content and this book is no different. Brigit’s interpretations are effortless and this guide offers a fresh perspective on Tarot card meanings, making your learning easy and enjoyable. You’ll find comprehensive meanings to the cards, and interpretations for every aspect of your life from relationships to career, finances to well-being, alongside journal prompts keywords, and more.
- Author: Brigit Esselmont
- Print length: 436 pages
- Publication date: April 10, 2017
Great if you’re looking for some techniques that blend traditional and modern methods together. You’ll learn through storytelling, imagery, and other imaginative exercises that get your mind creatively thinking about the cards. Mary’s 21 methods can be used in any combination, to suit any topic, area of life or question, enabling you to gain new insight and perspective. Start as a beginner and move into an intermediate Tarot reader with this book.
- Author: Mary K. Greer
- Print length: 336 pages
- Publication date: May 8, 2006
A book that helps you transition from beginner to enthusiast and beyond with a Tarot spread for every day of the year. If you’ve been doing some beginner research you’ll have noticed that lots of guidance advise you to pull a card every day to help you learn the meanings and connect to your deck. Well, this book takes that advice and applies it to the whole year, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the cards.
Each spread within the book connects you to a historical or magical event that happened on that day and provides you with detailed information and sample questions designed to help you focus. Featured are holidays, rituals, lore and magic from a variety of multicultural traditions.
- Author: Sasha Graham
- Print length: 408 pages
- Publication date: May 8, 2014
10 Books Great for Tarot Enthusiasts
This is a fun, no-nonsense interpretation of the Tarot, filled to the brim with detail, correspondences, humour and relatable content you’ll thoroughly enjoy. Each card in the deck is treated to a stripped-down overview, with keywords, quotes, personifications, occupations, modern correspondences, writing prompts, affirmations, naked advice for career, romance, parenting and spirituality and so much more.
- Author: Janet Boyer
- Print length: 472 pages
- Publication date: September 28, 2018
Self-reflective and able to be used with any deck, this book helps you to connect to your higher self through the wisdom of the cards. Full of pop culture references, humour and fun, Modern Tarot doesn’t require you to believe in the supernatural or use Tarot as Divination. It aims to guide you on a path towards transformative personal growth.
- Author: Michelle Tea
- Print length: 400 pages
- Publication date: June 13, 2017
Donned as the “Bible” of the Tarot, this book is a must-have for any Tarot reader. Regarded as an essential for beginners and a classic for masters, it provides a concise history of the Tarot, an introduction to common Tarot spreads and a clear and endlessly useful reference section for new starters and advanced users alike.
- Author: Rachel Pollack
- Print length: 368 pages
- Publication date: March 1, 2019
A book specifically aimed at those who want to learn more than the basics of this form of Divination, find insights and information that develops you as a Tarot reader with this guide. Apt for when you want to take your Tarot to the next level and you’re seeking real-world examples to relate to
- Author: Anthony Louis
- Print length: 408 pages
- Publication date: April 8, 2014
Tarot is transformative, and that’s the basis of this book. A unique look at the Tarot through the lens of modern psychology, Tarot for Change can help you to better understand yourself and align yourself with your values. Delve into the mythic imagery of the Tarot and combine it with evidence-based therapeutic concepts like mindfulness, acceptance and compassion.
- Author: Jessica Dore
- Print length: 384 pages
- Publication date: October 26, 2021
Connect the dots between Tarot and your unique personal chart. Weave Tarot, astrology and numerology together to reveal an in-depth personality profile that can assist you in your self-development and create inner balance. A personal exploration of Tarot as a learning tool that lets you explore the inner workings of your being.
- Author: Mary K. Greer
- Print length: 288 pages
- Publication date: June 1, 2021
Another book on this list is by Biddy Tarot founder Brigit Esselmont. This is a modern guide which shows you how to use the cards for self-discovery and powerful, positive change. Tap into your inner wisdom to empower and uplift. If you’re looking for a book to deepen your connection to yourself and to Tarot, Everyday Tarot can assist you in integrating this Divination practice into your routine through personal growth, actionable wellness practice and innate guidance. You’ll find exercises, sample spreads, and a quick-start guide that builds on your reading confidence.
- Author: Brigit Esselmont
- Print length: 216 pages
- Publication date: September 18, 2018
Looking for down-to-earth Tarot advice? The kitchen Table Tarot addresses all the questions and misconceptions about the Tarot. It’s a no-nonsense guide on decks, spreads, card meanings and symbols. Seek out answers to your questions, discover how to have conversations with your cards, and learn how to read with your own voice. Filled with relatable real-life experiences, personal explanations and more.
- Author: Melissa Cynova
- Print length: 288 pages
- Publication date: April 8, 2017
A pretty, illustrated, full-colour guide to the Tarot, from traditional interpretations to more modern self-reflective concepts. Sometimes you’ve read all the hefty historical Tarot books and you’re looking for something that is aesthetically pleasing, modern and incorporates self-care rituals and interactive self-reflection routines.
- Authors: Skye Alexander and Mary Shannon
- Print length: 272 pages
- Publication date: August 13, 2019
We’ve been through some stuff in the past couple of years so this is a pretty relevant book that tackles themes of healing and transformation. It’s not all doom and gloom though, but rather a book that aims to help you seek the light in darker times. Take a journey on a path to profound transformation and discover affirmations, Tarot prescriptions and other healing modalities. A book for empowerment, finding your true voice, and much more.
- Authors: Shaheen Miro and Theresa Reed
- Print length: 288 pages
- Publication date: July 1, 2019
10 Books that offer a Complete Deep Dive into Different Perspectives
Tap into deep subconscious creativity and intuition to foster positive personal development with this book. You’ll get a detailed overview of the history of the Tarot and plenty of theories on its use, including its connections with archetypal Jungian psychology and traditional Chinese Divination.
This is a complete guide to working with the Tarot, including nuanced theoretical discussions and practical advice that more advanced readers will really appreciate. Not to mention over 500 illustrations, detailed information on each card and numerous spreads to utilise. Call it a compendium of Tarot study!
- Author: Benebell Wen
- Print length: 896 pages
- Publication date: January 6, 2015
Another Dusty White book, with advanced techniques and trade secrets, is a real how-to handbook for professionals, aspiring professionals or seasoned Tarot slingers alike. Taking Tarot to the next level is a journey and this book can assist in training you to become a proficient reader. Bursting with exercises, games, advanced spreads and techniques, and including detailed information on how to use Tarot for manifestation, problem-solving, brainstorming, and so much more, Advanced Tarot Secrets picks up where The Easiest Way to Learn Tarot – Ever!! left off.
- Author: Dusty White
- Print length: 246 pages
- Publication date: August 6, 2013
The science of Astrology combined with the art of Tarot will expand both practices and enrich your spiritual path. A user-friendly guidebook designed to help you explore and integrate both practices. This book will allow you to discover the interlinking qualities of both Astrology and Tarot, combining to teach you to recognise how the Major Arcana corresponds with astrological signs or planets, how the Minor Arcana sits on the Zodiac wheel, where the Court Cards and suits connect to the four elements, and so on.
- Author: Corrine Kenner
- Print length: 312 pages
- Publication date: September 8, 2011
This book approaches Tarot in three distinct sections: basic Tarot for beginners who are entering the field, intermediate Tarot for those who want to enquire further and Advanced Tarot for seasoned readers who want to progress and perfect. Tarosophy is an expansive book encapsulating the wisdom of Tarot which lives, breathes, and divines. An intricate text weaving the secrets of the world through exercises, illustrations, expansive footnotes, and detailed reading lists to expand your mind.
- Author: Marcus Katz
- Print length: 518 pages
- Publication date: August 30, 2016
Exstatica Self-Help Essentials: Unleash the Transformative Sparkles of the Renaissance Mantegna Tarot
Hands-on, actionable and creative, this book is navigated by the Mantegna Tarot, though it’s not essential you have the deck to use the book. An artistic perspective on the Tarot shows you how to turn your own life into a masterpiece. Think personal growth meets creative spark. It’s less academic, or historic, but more philosophical and psychological, touching on the noted Four Spheres of Life: behaviour, emotions, cognition, and meaning. Getting these spheres in balance will open up your life to harmony, meaning, and potential.
A 600-year history of reading Tarot sprawls out before you in this volume where you learn to explore yourself through your cards. This is for the history seekers, the artistic expressionists, and the communicative thinkers. Place yourself in the rich history of Tarot, mysticism, and Divination, reveal the inclusive visual history, study our primal pull to dream and to nightmare, and create ways to connect to the Divine.
- Authors: Jessica Hundley, Johannes Fiebig, Marcella-Kroll.
- Print length: 520 pages
- Publication date: July 24, 2020
You may or may not recognise the name, but Pamela Colman Smith was the Jamaican British artist who helped to create the famous and wildly well-known Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Pamela’s iconic, thought-provoking artwork is known to millions but she rarely gets the recognition she rightly deserves. This book doesn’t necessarily teach you more about the Tarot, but it deep dives into the fascinating life and works of Pamela, an artist, stage and costume designer, folklorist, poet, author, illustrator of ballads and folktales, suffragette and publisher of books and broadsheets.
- Authors: Stuart R. Kaplan, Mary K.Greer, Elizabeth Foley O’Connor and Melinda Boyd Parsons
- Print length: 520 pages
- Publication date: July 15, 2018
A deconstruction of the Tarot archetypes, Queering the Tarot offers a fresh, alternative and most importantly inclusive interpretation of the meanings. If you’re looking for a reading experience that’s up-to-date, relevant, empowering and liberating this is the book for you.
We don’t need to stick to the tried and true traditional tropes of Tarot! Tarot is about self-discovery, growth, exploration, expansion and so much more. As humans we are diverse, culturally, spiritually and sexually, so why doesn’t our Tarot reflect this? Well, with this book you will explore themes of sexuality, coming out, gender, gender-queering, sources of oppression and empowerment, and many other topics that may be new to you within the realms of Tarot.
- Author: Cassandra Snow
- Print length: 224 pages
- Publication date: May 1, 2019
Many of us might have actually found Tarot through Witchcraft or vice versa, and many of us might have wondered how we can integrate the two practices to further our magical workings. So, here’s a book that delves into both practices and blends them together to divine meaningful insights and enriches spells and rituals. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate Tarot and your Witchcraft practice this book not only offers the basics of tarot but shows you how to use Tarot cards in your magical work.
- Author: Skye Alexander
- Print length: 288 pages
- Publication date: May 9, 2017
Many of us might have actually found Tarot through Witchcraft or vice versa, and many of us might have wondered how we can integrate the two practices to further our magical workings. So, here’s a book that delves into both practices and blends them together to divine meaningful insights and enriches spells and rituals. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate Tarot and your Witchcraft practice this book not only offers the basics of tarot but shows you how to use Tarot cards in your magical work.
- Author: Richard Webster
- Print length: 360 pages
- Publication date: December 8, 2017
Conclusion
As you can see there’s an endless supply of Tarot reading material out there, enough to get you started and plenty to keep you going. Whether you’re The Fool starting out with fresh eyes and a youthful optimism or you’re on top of The World harnessing a well-rounded view of things and looking to utilise that knowledge, there’s a book for every stage in your Tarot journey, and beyond.
Written by Vicky McAfee
Vicky McAfee is a witch, empath, creator, and writer. She’s a professional divination reader, dream decoder, and witchy business owner. Through her website and Instagram page Medieval Morticia she offers knowledge, guidance, and support through a variety of divination and witchery tools.
Continue your tarot journey ✨
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