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Seeking Recommendation Helpful books on tarot
- Thread starter infinity4
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Seeking recommendations for books.
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- Feb 17, 2026
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What deck will you use?
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Honestly The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is a good starting point, as Arthur also did translations of Eliphas Levi's work's on the topic of tarot such as the doctrines of high magic, and also worked with Crowley who was responsible for the Thoth tarot deck. So Arthur is just a good point to branch in really any direction from there.
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Not orthodox, but still I'm suggesting the Way of Tarot from Jodorowski for a more personnal, creative and intuitive approach of the cards.
If not you can have a look of the dedicated chapter about tarot in Quareia from Josephine McCarthy, it's free online.
If not you can have a look of the dedicated chapter about tarot in Quareia from Josephine McCarthy, it's free online.
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I am not a Tarot expert, but I highly highly highly recommend that you check out Tarot - The Open Reading by Yoav Ben-Dov
About the book:
"Ben-Dov studied with Alejandro Jodorowski in Paris in the 1980s, where he learned the “open reading” method presented in the book. In this reading style, memorized card meanings and associations with systems like the Hebrew alphabet, astrology or numerology are kept to a minimum. This is a very fluid method, with no spread positions and no fixed card meanings; where the spread is read as a whole rather than card-by-card. Card meanings emerge from the image itself and depend on the context of the surrounding cards and the question. The book gives numerous illustrations of three-card spreads with interpretations which clarify how to use this method. The author’s extensive experience reading and teaching tarot shines through in his discussions on interpreting spreads and conducting a reading.
The Open Reading isn’t entirely about spontaneous free-association. We’re given useful divinatory meanings for each card that are refreshingly devoid of metaphysics and abstract theory. Chapters on the symbolism of suit ranks, color, number, and suit symbols keep us grounded in the reality of each card image. In the back of the book there’s a quick reference guide to consult during readings."
My thought in recommending this is that its a great way to dive right into the cards. If you find you really like Tarot you'll find yourself getting into all different methodologies and decks that might be a lot more specified later on
About the book:
"Ben-Dov studied with Alejandro Jodorowski in Paris in the 1980s, where he learned the “open reading” method presented in the book. In this reading style, memorized card meanings and associations with systems like the Hebrew alphabet, astrology or numerology are kept to a minimum. This is a very fluid method, with no spread positions and no fixed card meanings; where the spread is read as a whole rather than card-by-card. Card meanings emerge from the image itself and depend on the context of the surrounding cards and the question. The book gives numerous illustrations of three-card spreads with interpretations which clarify how to use this method. The author’s extensive experience reading and teaching tarot shines through in his discussions on interpreting spreads and conducting a reading.
The Open Reading isn’t entirely about spontaneous free-association. We’re given useful divinatory meanings for each card that are refreshingly devoid of metaphysics and abstract theory. Chapters on the symbolism of suit ranks, color, number, and suit symbols keep us grounded in the reality of each card image. In the back of the book there’s a quick reference guide to consult during readings."
My thought in recommending this is that its a great way to dive right into the cards. If you find you really like Tarot you'll find yourself getting into all different methodologies and decks that might be a lot more specified later on