Easy Guide to the Tarot

Understanding the Tarot Cards and Their Meanings

By: Dayanara Blue Star

Narrated by: Adam B Crafter

The tarot is a pack of 78 playing cards used by mystics and occultists for foretelling the future as well as for giving you a peek into your spiritual and mental pathway. Tarot cards have existed since the mid-15th century in various parts of the European continent. However, at that point it was basically used to play card games such as French tarot or the Italian tarocchini.

The word itself is derived from the Italian word tarocchi, a word which has no known origin. Some believe that the word is related to the Taro River in northern Italy. Others believe that the word originated from an Arabic word, turuq, which means "ways".

The cards seem to have come from Mamluk, Egypt, in the 14th century. At that point in time, the suits were Staves, Cups, Coins, and Swords - quite similar to the suits that exist these days.

In Europe the first tarot card deck was created in Milan, Ferrara, and Bologna in Northern Italy. This was between the years 1430 and 1450. The original purpose of the tarot was to play games. In the 18th century, the tarot began to be used for divination purposes. Manuscripts from the era reveal that there was a specific way of laying out the cards, and there was a divinatory meaning associated with each card.

The tarot has four suits, but this can vary depending on the region. Jean-Baptiste Alliette, popularly known as Etteilla, was the first to create a tarot deck especially for the purposes of divination. This 78-card deck has two distinct parts.

Take advantage of this great opportunity to understand the tarot quickly and easily!

©2015 Dayanara Blue Star (P)2015 Dayanara Blue Star

Missing A Ten

While I enjoyed the book for the most part a few things were missing. Most notably was the description of the ten of swords.

Good brief

Somehow missing 10 of swords interpretation which should be easily fixed. Overall, great refresher but would like a little more depth

Good Study Guide

This is pretty good to help strengthen your knowledge of the traditional meanings of the cards. I find it helpful to have a deck in my hand and look at the cards as each one is described.

Quick and to the Point

I love that it went through each card, gave a brief description, and moved on. Exactly what I needed as a beginner to not get overwhelmed.

Fascinating and helpful

Would you consider the audio edition of Easy Guide to the Tarot to be better than the print version?

It's best to have both because there's a lot of information to absorb, and the print/kindle version can be a good reference guide while the audiobook can be used for a general overview and as a refresher.

What other book might you compare Easy Guide to the Tarot to and why?

I haven't seen other audiobooks on Tarot cards. This one is quite unique.

Any additional comments?

The information is very interesting, and Adam Crafter's narration is perfect for an instructional book. Of course, don't expect to remember everything from the first listening. Having the print/kindle book to go along with the audiobook is a good idea.