Kerry Louise Ward, Card of the day Tarot: quick and easy one-card Tarot readings for love, work, and everyday life. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780760385647.
This book takes a closer look at single card readings. The author argues that sometimes multiple card spreads can get too complicated or frustrating for some folks. Nothing wrong with a spread, but sometimes one card can do the job, and this book can show you how. In addition, as the author writes in her dedication, this book can help you put some of your dusty neglected decks to use. That is some added value.
The book is arranged into two major parts:
- 12 card-of-the-day Tarot rituals. Here you find a variety of readings and rituals to try out with your cards.
- Card interpretations for one-card-draws. Here are entries with interpretations for each card.
The rituals can vary in complexity. Some may ask you to include additional materials, such as crystals. The rituals may also include activities such as meditations. Some rituals may include lists of questions you could ask the cards; I found that to be a useful feature. The card interpretation entries offer meanings based on categories such as affirmation, life lesson, do this, and yes or no. The idea is you can do one of the rituals, and a ritual may suggest you use one category or another. Naturally, you can use the meanings on their own, perhaps as another tool to help you learn and study Tarot further.
The card entries for the Major and Minor Arcana are the same in terms of content; I appreciate the author did not skimp on the Minor Arcana. The overall structure between rituals and meanings is simple, and it works. How much or how little you do of the rituals is up to you. Feel free to make adjustments as needed for your practice.
One feature I wished the book developed a bit more is how to ask and craft questions for reading the cards. This would be in addition to the lists of questions already provided in rituals. That aside, this is a very good book overall. I like the idea of using single cards to make learning and working with Tarot a bit easier. I can see myself getting some good from the book.
I would recommend the book for beginners. I'd also recommend it for some intermediate folks seeking some new card reading ideas, or as the author suggests, to bring back out some deck you may not have used in a while.
I recommend it for libraries that collect Tarot and other esoteric materials.
On a final note, the art featured in the book is very nice and evocative. If the artist made a full Tarot deck with that art I would consider buying that deck.
4 out of 5 stars.
Additional reading notes:
Spreads as a reason some folks may not persevere in Tarot and/or cartomancy according to the author:
"It's creating spreads-- using multiple questions and cards in one reading. Spreads get complicated, confusing, and challenging. You are trying to find a thread, a consistent theme, a singular answer, but with all these random cards with different suits, numbers, people and messages in the mix, it can be incredibly messy and frustrating. Not to mention time-consuming!" (7).
I can see for some folks starting out one look at a Celtic Cross Spread, which is featured in every other Tarot book, and they may get a bit overwhelmed initially. However, I think with a little effort and perseverance anyone can learn to read as well as create their own spreads. On a disclosure note, I have not created a spread of my own so far, though I have an idea or two for possible creations. In my case though I am comfortable using spreads others have created and shared for use. While I like starting out and working with single cards, I say there is no need to abandon spreads. If anything, just work your way up as part of your learning journey.
This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges:
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