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Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners Paperback – October 1, 1998

by Joan Bunning (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 744 ratings
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Learning the Tarot, Joan Bunning offers a complete course in 19 lessons that covers the basics and then gradually goes into more advanced concepts.
 
First published in 1998, Joan Bunning’s Learning the Tarot has become a tarot classic. Written in a confident and natural style, the book communicates the basic depth and beauty of each card, shows how the cards trigger psychological projection, and enhances intuition.
 
Learning the Tarot is a thorough (but never overwhelming) invitation to the beginner. The book focuses in detail on:
 
  • the actual process of discovering meaning in the cards
  • how to consider one card by itself, how to look for card pairs
  • how to create the "story" of a reading
 
The book includes a convenient reference section that contains two pages of information for each card, including a picture from the popular Waite-Smith deck, a description, keywords, action phrases, and suggestions for cards with similar and opposite meanings.
 
The author first presented this course online at learntarot.com, which continues to attract over one hundred thousand visitors per month. “When I first created my website in 1995,” writes Joan Bunning, “I never dreamed how much interest in the tarot I would find. People from all over the world began writing to tell me about their experiences with the course and their adventures with the cards. This response was music to my ears! I knew from my own experience that the tarot is a wonderful tool for personal guidance and inner exploration.
 
“My goal with this book was to give you the basics you need to begin working with the tarot on your own. I try to make this inner process understandable by breaking it up into a series of steps that are simple while still doing justice to the depth and beauty of the cards. I concentrate on the everyday, showing how the tarot makes real, practical sense in the modern world. The tarot is a living system that adapts creatively to each user. Rather than rules, I offer guidelines. While reading my book, I want you to feel that you have a teacher sitting next to you who is introducing you to this special tool, but also encouraging you to go on to discover your own unique approach to the cards.”
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Weiser Books
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1998
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 0.88 x 8.98 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1578630487
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1578630486
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Tarot, tarot reading, tarot for beginners, beginning tarot, how to read tarot, tarot deck
learn tarot, about tarot, the tarot, tarot decks, Rider-Waite deck, Rider Waite

Learning to read the tarot can be a powerful tool for personal growth and insight.

The main purpose in this course is to show you how to use the cards for yourself. The tarot can help you understand yourself better and teach you how to tap your inner resources more confidently. You do not have to have 'psychic powers' to use the tarot successfully. All you need is the willingness to honor and develop your natural intuitive abilities.

This approach to reading tarot cards is simple and natural. It shows that tarot cards are not dark and mysterious, but wonderful tool for self-discovery. In fact, using the tarot can expand your spiritual awareness in many positive ways.

The tarot is a mirror that reflects your own consciousness back to you.

As you learn, that mirror becomes clearer, as you perceive at deeper levels. A tarot practice is based on the understanding that wisdom from some Source will come through the cards. At first, you may have to accept this on faith, in time you'll receive the proof you need in the results in your life experiences. If you can approach the cards with trust, your tarot practice will take off.

Good Luck!

Learning the Tarot is divided into five simple sections:

  • Section I includes 19 lessons geared toward beginners on the elements of the Tarot
  • Section II contains practice activities that reinforce the concepts presented in each lesson.
  • Section III consists of sample responses to illustrate some of the possible interpretations.
  • Section IIII encompasses detailed information on each of the tarot cards.
  • SeSection V contains the Celtic Cross Spread, a popular card pattern along with sample readings.

Tarot cards are not difficult to learn, but there's always more that can be learned. They're deceptively simple, but surprisingly rich.

major arcana, minor arcana, tarot decks, tarot cards

ace of wands, ace of cups, tarot cards, how to read tarot cards, tarot card meaning

celtic cross, celtic cross spread, reading the tarot, tarot reading,

minor arcana, tarot suits, deck, tarot deck

Begin with tarot deck which consists of 78 cards divided into two sections, the major and minor arcanas.

While the major arcana (22 cards) expresses universal themes, the minor arcana brings those themes down into the practical arena to show how they operate in daily events. The minor arcana cards represent the concerns, activities, and emotions that make up the dramas of our everyday lives.

There are 56 cards in the minor arcana divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.1 Each of these suits stands for a particular approach to life.

Self-paced series of 19 lessons

Learning the Tarot is a self-paced series of 19 lessons that begin with the basics and gradually into more detailed aspects of the tarot. The lessons are geared toward beginners, but experienced tarot users will find useful techniques. For each lesson there are exercises that reinforce the ideas presented. The Cards section contains information about each of the tarot cards. You can refer to this section as you go through the lessons and later as you continue your practice.

Celtic Cross spread

The Celtic Cross is probably the oldest and most popular pattern for reading the tarot. It has survived so long because the layout of the cards is simple, but powerful. A strong energy has built up around this spread due to its use by so many people over the years.

You can think of the Celtic Cross as divided into two sections: the Circle/Cross (six cards) on the left, and the Staff (fOur cards) on the right.

8 additional appendices for easy reference

There are 8 additional appendices for taking your tarot readings deeper: The Fool's Journey, Tarot Suit Qualities, Suit Pair Meanings, Court Card Rank Pair Meanings, Shuffling Methods, The Question Reading: A Step-by-Step Procedure, The Other Reading: A Step-by-Step Procedure, and The Open Reading: A Step-by-Step Procedure.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

When I first created my Learning the Tarot website in 1995, I never dreamed how much interest in the tarot I would find. People from all over the world began writing to tell me about their experiences with the course and their adventures with the cards. This response was music to my ears! I knew from my own experience that the tarot is a wonderful tool for personal guidance and inner exploration. Now I was finding out that others felt the same way too.

The tarot is a set of 78 intriguing picture cards that tend to trigger personal insights, enhance intuition and deepen awareness. My goal in Learning the Tarot is to give you the basics you need to begin working with the tarot on your own. I try to make this inner process understandable by breaking it up into a series of steps that are simple while still doing justice to the depth and beauty of the cards. I concentrate on the everyday, showing how the tarot makes real, practical sense in the modern world.

The tarot is a living system that adapts creatively to each user. Rather than rules, I offer guidelines. While reading my book, I want you to feel that you have a teacher sitting next to you who is introducing you to this special tool, but also encouraging you to go on to discover your own unique approach to the cards.

From the Inside Flap

When I first created my Learning the Tarot website in 1995, I never dreamed how much interest in the tarot I would find. People from all over the world began writing to tell me about their experiences with the course and their adventures with the cards. This response was music to my ears! I knew from my own experience that the tarot is a wonderful tool for personal guidance and inner exploration. Now I was finding out that others felt the same way too. The tarot is a set of 78 intriguing picture cards that tend to trigger personal insights, enhance intuition and deepen awareness. My goal in Learning the Tarot is to give you the basics you need to begin working with the tarot on your own. I try to make this inner process understandable by breaking it up into a series of steps that are simple while still doing justice to the depth and beauty of the cards. I concentrate on the everyday, showing how the tarot makes real, practical sense in the modern world. The tarot is a living system that adapts creatively to each user. Rather than rules, I offer guidelines. While reading my book, I want you to feel that you have a teacher sitting next to you who is introducing you to this special tool, but also encouraging you to go on to discover your own unique approach to the cards.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Weiser Books; First Edition (October 1, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1578630487
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1578630486
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.88 x 8.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 744 ratings

About the author

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Joan Bunning

Joan Bunning

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Joan Bunning received her B.A. in Social Psychology from Cornell University and has worked as a writer, editor and computer programmer. Since 1995, her ""Learning the Tarot"" website has helped thousands of people worldwide discover the personal value of the tarot. She lives in Virginia with her husband.

Customer reviews

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Top reviews from the United States

gypsygirl
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect first Tarot book, and possibly the only one you'll ever need.
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
Like most students of the Tarot, I've bought many books on the subject. My favorites for their spiritual feeling are the Tarot books by Eileen Connolly, but my favorite hands-down book for nuts-and-bolts learning is this book by Joan Bunning. The structure of the book is just perfect. The author has kind of a layered approach to her method. There are 19 very manageable lessons, each taking only a few minutes to read. At the end of each, you have the option of doing exercises that help you get your hands on the cards. Those are in a separate section so they don't interrupt the flow of the lessons or make you feel overwhelmed or like you can't move on without doing the exercises. I find that I usually do one or two of them, but not always. Separate sections of the book give you the author's "take" on the meaning of each individual card, as well as each suit. I like that these are, again, separate from the lessons and are there as a resource; some of the exercises have you dipping into these sections, but there is no memorization required before one starts using the cards. The author has you using the cards right from the second lesson or so. This is a refreshing change from some books that make you wade through descriptions of each individual card and memorize them before you ever get to do even a simple reading. In short, the lessons give you the "big picture" on a variety of topics, while the exercises and other sections give you a chance to go in deeper to whatever extent you want and need to. The illustrations are from the Universal Waite deck, almost identical to the Waite-Rider deck, so it's not one of those books that requires you to get the author's own deck. She uses one spread: the Celtic Cross, which makes things beautifully simple. Is everything in this book? No, and that's a good thing. Topics like the Qabalah, numerology, astrology, etc. are mentioned just so the reader knows there is more to explore if desired, but there is no attempt to cover that here. The degree of spirituality in the book is such that anyone from any spiritual path will be comfortable with it, even those who are not on a spiritual path. Really well thought out and executed.
58 people found this helpful
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Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable tool
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2008
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This is one of the best beginners' guides for Tarot that I have come across. Nowhere else will you find a more comprehensive yet simple approach to putting together the Celtic Cross. Ms. Bunning gives key words for each position, and she looks in detail at the pairs within the Celtic Cross. Her detailed descriptions of both the positions and position pairs is a great way to learn the individual position meanings and how they relate to each other.

Ms. Bunning uses a lesson format, with lessons that slowly build on each other as you learn. It's a very non-pressured approach. The lessons are fairly short, yet comprehensive, and you can work at your own pace. The exercises are helpful as well, and encourage intuitive interpretation rather than rote memorization. For the individual cards, she provides key words that sum up the card, as well as a more detailed look at each card, but as always she encourages you to find meanings that are unique to you.

Another one of the most valuable lessons I took away from this book was "how" to pose a question. She goes way beyond the simple "yes or no" answer, and explains how to use the Tarot as a tool for deeper understanding. The way she encourages you to ask a question opens up the answers for a greater scope of understanding, giving you the opportunity for a broader look at your answer.

My only criticism would be that her organization did not always make sense to me. For example, I feel the Fool's Journey in Appendix A should be read before delving into the interpretations for the Major Arcana, as it gives a good feel for the Majors as a whole. Also, the pairs within the Celtic Cross in Lesson 16 should not be put under a microscope until the Celtic Cross itself is looked at, which is in the back of the book in Section V. However, there's not much to criticize here. These sections, while, I feel, are out of order, are each quite comprehensive.

I have found the  Universal Waite Tarot Deck  she uses for illustrations to be an excellent learning and reading deck. The engaging pictures drawn by Pamela Colman Smith encourage creative intuition and profound insight. I would highly recommend buying this deck to use with this book. The backs are a completely reversible indigo and gold star field, so if you decide to move on to reversed cards, this deck will grow with you.

After you have been working with your deck for a while, go back and reread the first half of the book, the fool's journey, and the detailed instructions for the Celtic Cross and its pairs. You will find you get even more insight from it the second time around. I would highly recommend this book as one of the best for beginners.
16 people found this helpful
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jpkgo
5.0 out of 5 stars The hands-down best book for Tarot beginners
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023
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I'm no Tarot espert but I've read a number of books on the topic and have pulled daily lesson cards for almost 20 years. The book is the only book I still use. I read a long interview with Joan Bunning in which she said she has never done a reading for money and I believe it. The woman is not only tuned in but knows how to communicate what she knows in way that both makes sense to beginners but incorporates untold layers of deeper complexity. I can not recommend this book highly enough to anyone who has a sincere interest in learning what the tarot has to offer.
2 people found this helpful
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Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative. I Use it Only as a Reference Book.
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2022
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I've bought two tarot books from notable authors. This one is more descriptive about the cards. It's easier to understand and gives reasons for the meanings of the cards. For example, a card has one main theme; and the rest of the meanings diverge from that theme. My other tarot book didn't explain this.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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I'm pleased with my order. So informative. Thank you so much. 😊👌🏽
5.0 out of 5 stars This book has so much information to get you started on the right path.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
The book is so helpful, will help you to understand the cards in more details. The only downside for me is I wise the description of the cards were in colour. But in all a really good book 😊👌🏽
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Ana sofía
5.0 out of 5 stars Recomiendo para principiantes
Reviewed in Mexico on April 16, 2020
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Estoy empezando a leer tarot. Y puedo decir que estoy muy feliz con este libro porque explica a detalle lo necesario para empezar. El distribuidor se me hizo bueno, ya que llegó completo el libro y sin rayones. Recomiendo
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UP
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute must buy for tarot beginners
Reviewed in India on August 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
Must read for every tarot beginner. I disagree with some of the negative feedbacks given here. Maybe it's a matter of perspective. I found the book very insightful and detailed. The concepts and methods on how to do readings are given clearly. Even the meanings of the cards are elaborate. They give psychological insights.. clearly shows that the author has good grasp over intuition and meaning of inner self. One of those books which clearly proves that tarot helps us know ourselves better and can be a good guidance. This book is my personal go to whenever I do my reading.

However, the book is in black and white.. it has no coloring. This was the only major disappointment. Colors are required to understand hidden meanings. That could have been avoided by the seller.
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ShelLuser
5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get more honest than this!
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 6, 2020
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If you practice Tarot or if you're interested in Tarot then this is a book you should seriously consider buying. ... or maybe not. Fun fact: Ms. Bunning also provides the book for free on her website, which is what gained her so much respect from me. True story: I own the book in paper form and I just bought the book again for my Kindle. Even though I know of ways how to put it on my Kindle myself. I didn't because I think Ms. Bunning deserves as much.

What you get: Ms. Bunning explains the Tarot in a "down to earth" kind of way, she doesn't try to make things more exciting than they are but instead provides you with a solid explanation what each card represents, within what context some cards should be read (some cards can provide different meanings in combination with others) and how to get a good overal result. Which brings us to: this book isn't only awesome for learning the Tarot, it's also _one heck_ of a reference guide.

And the best of all.... it also explains some very commonly used spreads which, when used properly, will really help you in your journey. And it does more: this book also inspired me to experiment and set up a few spreads of my own.

See: this book can teach you the very basic understandings to appreciate the art of Tarot some more. And that gives you the option to use that basic foundation and build further upon that yourself. This book wasn't sold because the author wanted to make a nice buck out of a popular topic (like so many others do...). Instead it was written out of passion for Tarot. And it clearly shows.

If you're interested in learning and/or practicing Tarot then I honestly believe that this book is one of the few "must haves".
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Leyre
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro indispensable
Reviewed in Spain on September 25, 2018
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Un gran libro si sabes inglés. El mejor que he tenido. De hecho, diría que en castellano no hay libros de este nivel. Entra al grano sin perderse en divagaciones sobre las cartas. Tanto si quieres aprender como si ya sabes pero quieres profundizar, lo recomiendo. Eso si, está en inglés.
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Leyre
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro indispensable
Reviewed in Spain on September 25, 2018
Un gran libro si sabes inglés. El mejor que he tenido. De hecho, diría que en castellano no hay libros de este nivel. Entra al grano sin perderse en divagaciones sobre las cartas. Tanto si quieres aprender como si ya sabes pero quieres profundizar, lo recomiendo. Eso si, está en inglés.
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