Learning the Tarot, and Learning Tarot Reversals
by Joan Bunning
While I was reading this book, it seemed that every time I put it down my daughter swooped in and picked it up. We made sure not to lose each other's place, as we shared it and discussed it together. And pretty soon I am sure it will find its permanent home in her room, on her shelf of tarot books and decks.
If only Joan Bunning had been writing books when I was first learning the tarot ... I would have been spared many archaic and negative card meanings, and would have realized sooner that the tarot can be a straightforward tool for honest self-reflection. Anyone new to the tarot who selects Bunning's books to accompany their studies will be making a wise choice, and will be ensuring themselves a good foundation.
Learning the Tarot, as a comprehensive tarot course, is an introduction to using the tarot on a regular basis. It will be of great benefit to all tarot enthusiasts, especially those who are just starting out.
The book is divided into five sections: Lessons, Exercises, Suggestions for Exercises, Card Descriptions, and The Celtic Cross Spread. In the first section, Bunning presents nineteen succinct lessons covering topics such as one-card daily readings, writing questions, interpreting individual cards as well as card combinations, and reversed cards. After finishing the lessons, the reader moves on to corresponding Exercises that are interesting and thought provoking. Bunning offers "answers" to each exercise in the Suggestions for Exercises section, which is helpful for readers who want to compare their own answers to those of the author. She makes it clear that there are no right or wrong answers, but readers will learn more from Bunning's answers. Card Descriptions presents every card of the tarot in a straightforward and well-organized format. Cards are introduced with key words and phrases - which are categorized for even greater understanding, a list of cards that might oppose the card's meaning in readings, and a list of cards that may reinforce the meaning of the card. Several descriptive paragraphs follow, with explanations that are easy to understand but insightful. The final section of the book teaches the Celtic Cross in detail. The book includes eight helpful appendices, a bibliography, index, and section about the author.
Learning the Tarot is a perfect first book for the new tarot student. ... A perfect second book for the new tarot student is
Learning Tarot Reversals, which closely follows the style and format of
Learning the Tarot, with a slightly more expansive approach. Reversed cards are commonly intimidating - not only to new tarot students, but even to those who have been reading tarot for many years. They often trigger uncertain questions - does a reversed card indicate the opposite of the card's upright meaning? Does a reversed card mean something bad? Does a reversed card give a "No" answer? There are few negatives in Bunning's card interpretations. She describes reversals as having the same core meaning as upright cards, with a different energy. She teaches an uncomplicated method of understanding the energy of reversed cards.
Learning Tarot Reversals has many things in common with
Learning the Tarot, including lessons, exercises, card descriptions with keywords, and Bunning's suggested answers for exercises.
Reading these books, one following the other, will offer a new tarot student all she needs to get started. Understanding the basics of tarot couldn't get much easier.
Read user reviews or purchase online at Amazon:
Learning the Tarot at Amazon
Learning Tarot Reversals at Amazon
All writing © N.Levine - Illumination Tarot, unless otherwise noted.
Peruse the site 