The Complete Book of Tarot: A Step-By-Step Guide to Reading the Cards

by Juliet Sharman-Burke

Tarot cards are like mirrors that reflect unsuspected knowledge buried deep in the unconscious mind. This teach-yourself guide to reading the cards is designed to help activate and stimulate your innate sensitivity as a first step in developing intuition-the hallmark of the serious Tarot reader.

Written by an expert Tarot teacher and trained therapist, The Complete Book of Tarot takes you through the cards, uncovering clues to the historical, mystical, and psychological spirit of this ancient system of revealing past, present, and future. Juliet Sharman-Burke teaches you how to read them and interpret their divinatory significance.

Whether you want to interpret the cards for others, or use them to help gain a much deeper understanding of yourself, you will find The Complete Book of Tarot both instructive and inspiring.

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Wicca, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 1985

Reviews

[S.L. Baron]

This has been a valuable introduction to Tarot for me and one I know I’ll consult in the future.

Sharman-Burke clearly defines card meanings and offers great exercises to gain a deeper understanding of the cards.

I feel like it’s a good starting guide for anyone who wants to study Tarot.

[Andrea Howarth-Salazar]

I love Juliet Sharman-Burke's more psychological approach to the tarot, which makes the experience more like therapy than fortune-telling. I always find that it helps me to clarify issues in my own head.

[Claire]

This is the most helpful guide to learning the tarot that I've read so far.

[Danielle Eden]

Author has issues with consistancy and it shows everywhere in the book. They also approach the Tarot from a strictly eurocentric point if view even going as far as incorrectly recounting Egyptian mythology. The author also omits reverse readings due to their own bais.

The storyline method of teaching via a Greek storyline and detailed card descriptions is commendable except they failed to do this for every card. They also mentioned Tarot's connection to the zodiac, but failed to link the entire zodiac with their corresponding cards.

The book is also difficult to read and some places due to wordiness and poor editing. There's also a place in the book where the pages are out of order.

There is a revised version of this book. however I would not recommended and I will not be using my time to see if they made any improvements to the original text.

[Claire]

I appreciated the historical context at the beginning of the book, but my interest waned with the description of the cards as my own set are quite different.

[˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Hatool - Semi-Hiatus˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚]

This is exactly what I want from a tarot book. I love it so much, that I don't know how I haven't read it earlier. I almost don't feel as bad that I have lost my Thoth book, although that one was equally as cool - and a lot edgier, which is always a blessing in things like these. Telling people the story of Crowley is one of my favorites.
Anyways, great book. Loved it a lot.

[Roxanne Bodsworth]

Best book I found on tarot, helping me learn the cards through telling the story of the Fool's Journey, it all makes sense and allows the use of intuition instead of technicality. Because it uses the Rider-Waite, provides a good foundation for being able to rea any other decks.

[Brenda Brewer]

I'm still learning. A basic but very thorough introduction and ongoing reference to the Tarot...carry it around with me everywhere I go!

[Ilana Waters]

One of my original Tarot books, this volume has been invaluable in my learning the cards. A clear, sensitive approach to a complex system of divination.

[Michelle]

The most useful book I have ever read and referred to for my personal readings for myself and friends. Absolutely amazing!

[WillowRaven]

Excellent book, easy to follow, I would recommend for those just starting out w/the tarot.

[Teleri]

A good basic primer. Definitely skip Waite & Eden Grey and grab this instead.