Product Description

Created especially for beginners, the Easy Tarot kit is the easiest way to learn to read Tarot cards. In the Easy Tarot Handbook, author Josephine Ellershaw shares tips, shortcuts, and time-saving techniques gained from more than thirty years of experience reading Tarot cards.

Using the beautiful Gilded Tarot deck, you'll learn how the seventy-eight cards link to one another and provide insight as their unique energies merge in the Cross of Truth, the Celtic Cross, and other spreads. There is even a list of card combinations that commonly indicate specific events-such as pregnancy, a wedding, a new job, and more. Also included in the Easy Tarot Handbook:

• A quick guide to card meanings
• Sample readings, safeguards, and ethical guidelines
• Tips on keeping a Tarot diary
• Troubleshooting advice that addresses questions such as, "What if the cards don't seem to connect?"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12473 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780738711508
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Josephine Ellershaw’s (United Kingdom) personal journey with tarot spans three decades. She has sixteen years of experience with personal development and has been providing readings, healing, guidance, and paranormal advice on a professional basis for twelve years.

Ciro Marchetti (Florida) is an award-winning artist from the United Kingdom. He studied art in London, followed by a career working in Europe and South America before settling in the United States where he opened a design agency in Miami. In addition to managing his company, Ciro also gives workshops and lectures on digital digital imagery and illustration at the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute, and continues to create his own visionary art.
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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
step 1

Background

It all starts with you . . .

I feel it is important for you to understand your own reasons for wanting to learn Tarot. You may not have really considered this before. Perhaps you just feel attracted to the cards sufficiently enough to want to learn more about them. Thats fine, nothing wrong with that, but your reason is probably the main thing that will keep you going. Being able to receive personal guidance is quite a good reason-and I can honestly say, the Tarot has never let me down.

So if you can, identify your reason or reasons now-and write them down! Having a goal to aim for will help you achieve your objective, rather than aimlessly drifting along. It is your underlying reason that will encourage your perseverance. Since this is a rather one-sided conversation, I shall assume that you are a complete beginner to the world of Tarot. So forgive me if you have traveled this road before, but this way I can ensure that nothing is left out or left unexplained, leaving you dangling in mid-air somewhere.

Perhaps your first introduction to the Tarot was through actually having a reading yourself, but in whatever way you came into contact with the cards, their mysterious images resonated somewhere deep within and beckoned you to follow.

No history lesson

There seems to be an endless supply of theories over the origin of Tarot cards, and most books usually include some version of their history. However, I wont go into detail about that here, as it is an issue of continuing debate.

The history of the Tarot appears to be as mysterious as the cards themselves, with many different cultures laying claim to some connection, along with varying theories and speculation as to how they evolved. I find it most apt that their universal appeal can be traced to so many cultures. No matter which civilization, continent, or timeline we examine, there appears to be a common thread; a theory that emerges throughout-that the Tarot was created using a secret code of symbols and images, to preserve the knowledge of a secret doctrine.

Factual history traced so far leads to fourteenth-century Italy, and while the Tarot in whatever form may have existed centuries before, there is considerable conjecture (but inconclusive evidence) to support these theories at the present time . . . perhaps it will always remain so. If you are interested, many books explore the history of the Tarot in depth.

Our concern here is in learning the cards in order to receive their guidance and, thankfully, knowledge of their history wont improve your ability to read Tarot cards any better.

The most important fact is that they work! The rest of this book is laid out in such a way as to show you how they work and how to gain access to their knowledge.

About the Tarot deck

Firstly, let us consider the actual Tarot itself, how it is ordered, and what it consists of. The Gilded Tarot contains a total of seventy-eight cards, of which twenty-two are known as the major arcana, using Roman numerals 0XXI. The remaining fifty-six are referred to as the minor arcana.

The minor arcana is then broken down into four different suitswands, cups, swords, and pentacles. Each suit contains an ace through a ten, followed by a page, knight, queen, and king (known as court cards). Each of the suits represents one of the four elements:

Wands-Fire Cups-Water Swords-Air Pentacles-Earth

The cards contain archetypal images, pictures, and symbols that make a connection with ones subconscious mind. The major arcana focuses on the higher matters of life, while the minor arcana indicates situations in our daily existence. But both are important. Think of the major arcana as the bricks and the minor as the mortar that fills the spaces, holding it all together.

Introducing the Gilded Tarot

Somehow I have the sneaking suspicion that you have already unwrapped your new Tarot cards to take a peekand who could resist such a temptation?

I have purchased a great many cards over the years; in fact, my home is littered with unused Tarot decks. There is nothing more disappointing than thinking you have found the deck, only to discover that you cant work with it. There have been quite a number that have fit into that category for meonce laid out, the cards all appeared muted, with no solar plexus reaction, or the interpretations that Im happy with just didnt fit with the images.

Like most people who love Tarot, I was constantly searching for the "perfect" working deck, like the search for the Holy Grail . . . and finally I found it in the Gilded Tarot, created by Ciro Marchetti and published by Llewellyn. Now I use nothing else. I believe they are the most visually stunning Tarot cards available and they immediately became the favorite deck for many in the Tarot community, readers and collectors alike.

The Gilded Tarot is breathtakingly beautiful; the magic and mystery of its images instantly transport you into another dimension. This is really most important, for your cards should provoke an instant inner response, regardless of whether you understand it....(Continues)

Customer Reviews

Great Book and Beautiful Deck
I purchased this set a few months ago and am really enjoying both the book and the deck. I have numerous decks that I have collected over the years, one or two of which I have consistently gone back to as they have felt most comfortable for me. However, since receiving this set I very rarely use any of my other decks - I simply love the artwork of the Ciro Marchetti deck and really connect with the images.

In addition, although I've been reading for many years, I enjoy exploring others' interpretations of the cards as I feel I am often able to gain additional perspectives and insights into the images, and I believe that really understanding and connecting with tarot is an ongoing, ever-expanding journey. Josie has done a wonderful job of explaining the cards' imagery, interpretations, and inter-relationships, as well as covering other very important topics that can really benefit those students new to tarot, as well as those of us looking to deepen our knowledge.

This book has definitely reignited my enthusiasm for and connection with the cards. Many thanks to Josie and Ciro!

Learning the Cards Using the Gilded Tarot
"When the time comes and you have someone sitting in front of you for a reading, the bottom line is this--they don't care how much technical knowledge you may have. They don't want to be blinded by science or your amazing knowledge (however great it may be). What they want is an accurate reading...end of story." - From the Easy Tarot Handbook

Using the popular Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti, U.K. resident Josephine Ellershaw teaches Tarot newcomers how to learn the cards step-by-step using her own method she calls The Tarot Technique. Stressing the importance of maintaining a Tarot diary and getting to know the cards one at a time, Ms. Ellershaw leads readers by the hand in the Easy Tarot Kit, encouraging patience and focus along the journey.

Divided into twenty-two steps, the 223-page Easy Tarot Handbook bypasses the oft-customary history lesson, as well as complicated esoteric systems, in favor of simply--and thoroughly--explaining how to prepare, care and connect with the cards. Explaining, "one card does not a reading make", Ms. Ellershaw reminds readers that the art of Tarot reading relies on associations among cards, where surrounding cards influence and inform the best interpretation for a card.

For example, Ms. Ellershaw relates a story where an inconsiderate reader told a woman that she'd be getting a divorce--based solely on the 3 of Swords absent of any supporting cards (i.e. the surrounding cards showed a happy marriage and home life). Confused and distraught, this woman turned to Ms. Ellershaw for guidance. Turns out that the original reader didn't bother to take the time to find out the woman's situation--for if she had, she would have soon realized that the husband was working away from home...and the couple missed each other terribly.

The Easy Tarot Handbook introduces each card from the Gilded Tarot one by one, beginning with the Minor Arcana, then the Court Cards and the Majors last. This refreshing departure from the norm (where the Majors are presented first and the Courts are lumped with the number cards) is sensible and accessible. Ms. Ellershaw emphasizes the importance of NOT reading for others "for practice" when first learning the Tarot, instead encouraging reading for yourself first.

Ms. Ellershaw addresses reading "awkward" cards that don't seem to fit, as well as those that seem to induce a "blank"--prodding readers to look inward for the reasons some cards seem troubling. The Easy Tarot Handbook also covers ethics, health readings (she advises against them), charging (or bartering) for readings, reading for minors, why the cards remain may remain silent on pivotal issues (such as accidents) and more. The Easy Tarot Handbook also provides "cheat sheets" for the Majors and Minors (but not Court Cards).

I enjoyed Ms. Ellershaw's treatment of the Courts (she points out that character and personality traits are more reliable than astrological Sun Sign associations or hair/eye/complexion data), as well as her systematic--but personable--approach to learning the cards. I also think it's great that she emphasizes the power of thoughts and beliefs, and how hope can be found in every reading--no matter how dire the cards may look.

However, I feel that the spreads Ms. Ellershaw teaches and recommends--such as The Celtic Cross and a twenty-eight card Life Spread, may be too complicated for beginners. She also describes a complex method for reading timing in the Celtic Cross, and asserts that smaller spreads (such as 3-card spreads) are actually more difficult to learn than larger spreads. Granted, she does provide lucid explanations and sample readings, but I would think much of this might be overwhelming to new readers. (When I first learned the Tarot, I tried reading with The Celtic Cross and found it complex, vague and discouraging.)

Because the Easy Tarot kit is designed specifically for use with the Gilded Tarot, Marchetti's deck must be one that appeals to you aesthetically and resonates with you intuitively--so keep this in mind if you want to learn the Tarot with one particular deck. While gorgeous, the Gilded Tarot doesn't speak to me on any level (see my separate review of this deck).

Surprisingly, some of the card interpretations are superficial and brief. For each card, there is a description based on the Gilded Tarot image and then an interpretation. For example, here's the interpretation for The Sun:

"The Sun is one of the most positive cards in the Tarot, for it brings happiness, success, and triumphs, excellent relationships, a happy marriage, contentment, prosperity, and good health. The Sun tends to shine favorable upon any situation. When this card is present, it is important to make the most of its favorable aspects."

Ms. Ellershaw doesn't cover reversed cards or the light/shadow of each card dynamic.

Another addition to the Easy Tarot kit: a large, glossy foldout designed for laying out the Celtic Cross spread plus Ms. Ellershaw's 4-card "Readers Fan" (that she never quite gets around to explaining sufficiently.) Each rectangle is the size of the Gilded Tarot cards (approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches) with all positions labeled (e.g. Card Position 8 Environmental Factors: How Others See You).

Engaging and down-to-Earth, the Easy Tarot Handbook by Josephine Ellershaw is a refreshing introduction to the Tarot. If you love the looks of the Gilded Tarot, and feel that you'd be able to connect to the images on an intuitive level, then you may very well want to try the Easy Tarot kit for learning the cards. If you enjoy getting to know the cards via a Tarot diary as Ms. Ellershaw recommends, I think Mary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card would be an excellent addition to this kit. If you'd like a book on creating your own spreads using a central method, Joan Bunning's Learning Tarot Spreads would be a great adjunct to this kit, as well.

(To see 10 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

Easy for the beginner!/Visionaryprophetdaniel
This deck has no "Reversed Meanings"; however, the book(s) lives up to its Title:EASY TAROT with Ciro Marchetti's GILDED TAROT beautiful Deck. This is for both Beginner Initiate and Apprentice Levels. Everything to know at these levels are simply explained. Gilded Tarot follows the industry standard of Rider-Waite-Smith 78 card deck of each cards meanings and tarot interpretive readings. I recomend this kit for the tarot novice to get experience doing readings. Reversed Meanings are absent in the book for the cards; however,Novice is referred to the R-W-S book: Pictorial Key to the Tarot,A.E. Waite,USGAMESSYSTEMS.COM and The 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack to gain upright and reversed meanings of any 78 card deck. The Novice should acquire this kit and the others mentioned in this review..Good Luck!!!..