Sam Magdaleno, The Big Book of Tarot Meanings: the Beginner's Guide to Reading the Cards. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780760373057.
This is a beginner's reference book for those interested in learning Tarot. The book is arranged as follows:
- Introduction.
- Tarot basics.
- How to use this book.
- Part 1: The Major Arcana.
- Part 2: The Minor Arcana. The suits here run 1-10 and include the court cards.
- Chapter 1: The Suit of Cups.
- Chapter 2: The Suit of Wands.
- Chapter 3: The Suit of Swords.
- Chapter 4: The Suit of Pentacles.
- Resources. It seems the book will include a list of resources. However, the list was not included in the galley, so at this time I cannot comment on sources and references the author may have used.
Each card entry includes a card illustration from the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck, a card description, and meanings for each of the eight categories upright and reversed. In addition, the category meanings also offers some small action item for readers to consider and/or implement. Each card entry is about 2 1/2 pages long. All card entries have the same structure and substance. In other words, unlike other Tarot reference books, you don't get less when it comes to the Minor Arcana.
This is a very good Tarot reference book to keep handy. It is easy to use and easy to read. Doing a love reading, and you are puzzled by cards that may represent finances? This book can help with that. For beginners this can be a very good resource for learning. For those of us at an intermediate level, it may help us expand our knowledge of the cards; it can also help for those moments you get a blank and need a little help. For the high level advanced reader, this book may be too basic. It works well for the rest of us.
The card illustrations are in full color. The book pages are printed in alternating light colors: pink, blue, and purple. It looks nice.
Overall, this is a good book for beginners and intermediate Tarot learners. It is more a reference book rather than a learning guide. It is keyed to RWS, but the meanings can be applicable to most decks with an RWS base. I would recommend it for libraries that collect Tarot and esoterica books. This may also be a good book for young adult Tarot readers. It is a simple and practical book anyone can use. I'd buy it for my personal shelf.
5 out of 5 stars.
Additional reading notes:
Why the author wrote the book:
"I wrote this book because I believe so strongly in tarot that I want to make it accessible and approachable for everyone, particularly for those with an interest in tarot who may feel overwhelmed by it. We're all busy witches, and don't have the time to be memorizing every single meaning for every single card. I get it! So, I put it all together for you here in a single guide to assist you in informed and accurate readings" (6).
I'd say the author succeeds in writing and presenting a very accessible, plainly written, and easy to read book. The author also keeps the deep esoteric to a minimum. And no, you do not have to be a witch to read the book. As the author writes, this book is for everyone.
On reading Tarot and this book:
"Contrary to popular belief, tarot is much more than fortune-telling and you do not need any special powers to read tarot cards. Anyone can read tarot! The most important tool you need when reading tarot is your intuition. This book provides you with quick hits of information for each tarot card according to the subject of your reading, but use your intuition when interpreting your cards. Remember, the tarot is a tool to connect to the inner knowing that's already inside you. Think of tarot cards as little winks from the Universe to help you connect to your innate power and wisdom" (8).
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