Easy Tarot Handbook

[Tango]

So while wandering around the local Borders Bookstore I came upon a bundle set that included the Gilded Tarot. My own copy of the Gilded has been in dire need of replacement since I absolutely LOVE the deck to death and use it for the vast majority of my readings. Needless to say after being dragged around all over the country, brought out in noisy, chaotic college cafeterias and other such situations it has been worn out.

But I digress.

So I picked up the bundle set and brought it home. After removing the cards, I flipped through the book since I'm always up for more insight into the cards. All I can say is yuck!

I disliked this book immensely. It felt like I was being ranted/dictated too and warned of the perils of doing any thinking for myself. If this had been my first book on Tarot it totally would have put me off of the subject for awhile.

Anyone else have an opinion on this book, good or bad?

[Queen of Disks]

I got this set simply because I wanted the Gilded, and that was what was at Borders at the time. Wasn't impressed either. It was like she was saying that you had to read Tarot her way or else. And I love how she wrote that you shouldn't look at the cards first. Why the H-E-Double Hockeysticks not? That's how you know if the deck is good for you.

Wasn't terribly impressed with the Gilded either. It's pretty, but to me it was too pretty. I like my decks with flaws and grit to them. I think that if I was a beginner and got the Gilded, then maybe I would have done better with it.

But that's just me.

[Nevermore]

Hmm. I was just about to gift a friend of mine the Gilded. I think I'll look for the deck only and get her to use a journal or a simple but easy book on interpretation. For me, the only interpretation book other than LWBs is my copy of "Tarot" a Collins Gem book by Rowenna Stuart. It was simple but she stresses that. Also, while she points the reader to further reading I'm not turned off reading the book or using it with cards.

[Queen of Disks]

I think the Gilded also comes in a kit with it's own book. (I think, I'm not positive.)

[magpie9]

If you're talking about the "Easy Tarot Guide" by Marcia Masino, I agree about it being a bad beginners book. It's totally traditional, and gives no room for anything intuitive - or even the ability to think for yourself. If what you want is a very traditional RWS book as a reference on your shelf, get a copy! It does explain all of the symbolism in the RWS, but it really is dogmatic.

[Mariana]

Originally Posted by Queen of Disks

I think the Gilded also comes in a kit with it's own book. (I think, I'm not positive.)

Yep, in a kit with a book by Barbare Moore, who also wrote the book to the Mystic Faerie tarot.

[avalonian]

The book in the Easy Tarot kit is by Josephine Ellershaw. Unfortunately the Gilded Tarot is only available in that set or in the Gilded Tarot set where the book (The Gilded Tarot Companion) is by Barbara Moore. Of the two (I also bought the Easy Tarot to get a second deck) I prefer the book by Barbara Moore. More encouraging and less dictatorial.

[Margo]

I have the Easy Tarot boxset (which includes the Gilded tarot) by Josephine Ellershaw, and being a novice at tarot I can only say good things about it, as it has helped me tremendously. Working through this book, helped me to be relaxed around the tarot and I have learned a lot from it. Yes she uses her own way, but she does say you will find your own way too.