Cartomancy is an intuitive art form. A typical tarot reader intuits the meanings of the cards in a myriad of ways but it is often chucked to psychic knowledge. It is fair to say that you can read the cards using purely your intuition, however, it is more common for people to learn the “meanings” or style of reading the cards. The most accessible way of learning to read cards is through reading books on the topic.
“Isn’t vibes and intuition the source of tarot knowledge?”
Honestly, yes and no. Yes, cartomancy is predominantly intuitive by nature since the art itself is man-made and was determined by assigning meanings to these cards. However, tarot knowledge also draws from the system, school, or process you’d adapt into your practice. Reading up on the type of cartomancy tool you’ll be using could help establish the necessary basics and “rules” of the system you chose, especially if you’re a beginner.
However, your path to cartomancy is still your own. In my opinion, I believe that it is crucial for beginners to have a good understanding of the basics and nuances of your chosen system before you solely rely on your intuition. It is also a terrific idea to learn about different perspectives on cartomancy from different authors. In my personal experience, reading widely helped me better understand the archetypal and symbolic meanings of the tarot cards, while it also expanded my vocabulary to interpret the cards. By reading cartomancy guidebooks, you will be exposed to the processes and worldviews of the authors you consume. Then you will have a good foundation to pave your own way and to find your own style.
That’s why I wanted to talk about a few book recommendations (which aren’t by the great tarot masters Rachel Pollack and Mary K Greer, which are great in their own right). These three books have helped shaped my way of reading the cards, and I hope it could also help you on your journey to interacting with the tarot.
If You Want a Modern & Spunky Tarot Guidebook…
WTF is Tarot?… & How Do I Do It? by Bakara Wintner (illustrated by Autumn Whitehurst)
If you’re look for a sassy beginner’s guide to tarot then look no further than this book. The way that Bakara talks about the tarot is both irreverent and reverent, which means that her tone is very casual but there is still depth in the way that she explores the archetypes of the tarot. Her perspectives on tarot are grounded in tradition, but delivered in a fresh and straight-forward manner. I appreciate the way that she speaks to the reader like a friend. The sass and spunk is through the roof, which I believe is part of the charm of this guidebook. However, it doesn’t compromise on the quality of knowledge you’ll be able to gain from it. It has a certain depth to it that warrants ones attention and it has opened up my eyes to correlations that I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.
“To live a magical life is not synonymous with living a flawless life, or even a righteous one. Rather, it is accepting, embracing and surrendering to all of it. To the beautiful mess of being a human with a body and also a soul.” – Bakara Winter, WTF is Tarot?… & How Do I Do It?, p. 18
If You Want a Tarot Guidebook that is Heavily Influenced by Psychology…
Tarot for Change: Using the Cards for Self-Care, Acceptance, and Growth by Jessica Dore (illustrated by Xaviera Lopez)
This book offers a beginner-friendly look at the tarot archetypes in different psychological frameworks and modalities. The way that Jessica Dore weaves together tarot symbolism and psychology was impressive and informative. I was introduced to different psychological modalities (i.e mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, etc.) and it sparked my interest in exploring this aspect of reading tarot. It is one of the books that shifted my worldview on this tool from only a divinatory system to something that could be used for self-development and reflection.
“Pulling cards places us back in space and time as part of something greater than ourselves and reminds us that whatever we’re experiencing, we are not alone.” (Jessica Dore, arot for Change: Using the Cards for Self-Care, Acceptance, and Growth, p. 7)
If You Want to Learn the Old-Style of Tarot Reading….
Untold Tarot: The Lost Art of Reading Ancient Tarots
Reading tarot cards is an age-old craft and this book is a great primer for reading Tarot de Marseille style decks as well as cartomantic techniques that could be used to enhance your readings. In this compact book, you’ll get historic correspondences based on different sources, and it sets up a the reader to learn skills that aren’t as prevalent in the contemporary practices of tarot, such as looking at the increasing and decreasing value of the pips, turning the cards face up (i.e. finding a significator and looking at the clusters of cards that surrounds it), colour, etc. You may not be interested in learning to read the Tarot de Marseille, but the advice and methods presented in this book could enhance your skills as a tarot reader and cartomancer.
“The tarot is a great mirror to our world, allowing us to see the landscape at one glance.” (Caitlín Matthews, Untold Tarot: The Lost Art of Reading Ancient Tarots, p. 215)
There are hundreds of tarot books on the market right now and it can be overwhelming to navigate it. I hope that this short list of recommendations could help you in your learning journey and that you find value in the work of these incredible authors.
Arcane Senses 
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