Designed for beginning as well as experienced tarot readers, Holistic Tarot offers a fresh and easy-to-follow approach to the use of the tarot deck for tapping into subconscious knowledge and creativity. The tarot deck has been used as a divination tool for more than two centuries; while the tarot is still most commonly thought of as “fortune telling,” the true power of the tarot lies in its ability to channel a clear path for our deep intuition to shine through. Consulting the tarot can help clear creativity blockages, clarify ambitions, work through complex decisions, and make sense of emotions and relationships. Whether used for simple decision-making or an understanding of your life’s purpose, learning tarot can be an indispensible tool for being more mindful of the factors that can assist or weaken your efforts toward success.
In Holistic Tarot, author Benebell Wen provides a complete guide to using the tarot to foster personal development. Wen gives a comprehensive overview of the history of the tarot and a wide array of theories on its use (including its relationship to Jungian archetypal psychology and traditional Chinese divination practices) before digging deeply into one of the best-known tarot systems, the Rider-Waite-Smith. Beginners will find a complete guide to working with the tarot, including choosing and caring for a deck, how best to learn and remember the attributes of the major and minor arcana, the interpretation of cards and spreads, the role of meditation in a tarot practice, and how to use the tarot for improving relationships, professional development, and personal resilience. More advanced practitioners will appreciate nuanced theoretical discussions of the tarot as well as practical advice about reading others’ tarot cards and setting up a practice. Containing over 500 illustrations and detailed information on each card as well as numerous spreads, Holistic Tarot is a complete compendium of tarot study that every practitioner should have in their library.
“A modern alchemical achievement.”—Barbara Moore, author of Tarot Spreads
“Will become one of the jewels in the crown of tarot literature.” —Anthony Louis, MD, author of Tarot Beyond the Basics
“A tarot classic.”—Sasha Graham, author of Tarot Diva
“A magnificent, intelligent, comprehensive overview and innerview of the Rider Waite Smith system of tarot! This is the only guide you need to have. Bravo!” —James Wanless, PhD, author of Voyager Tarot
“A huge accomplishment … likely to become the essential guidebook for serious students of the tarot.”— Joan Bunning, author of Learning the Tarot
“No tarot enthusiast should be without this book!”—Chic and Tabatha Cicero, authors of The Golden Dawn Magical Tarot
“Arguably the most comprehensive guide to tarot on the market today. It’s also innovative: it deftly combines Eastern mysticism with Western metaphysics. It’s an impressive tome that presents a wholly modern, rational approach to tarot practice while preserving notable elements of tradition.”—Corrine Kenner, author of Tarot and Astrology
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20 reviews for Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth
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Roseanne Schmidt –
OH MY GOD !! I simply LOVE THIS BOOK. I do own quiet a few books on Tarot but I’ve not found anything like this. This is truly amazing. This is quiet an achievement if I would say so myself. There are just so many reasons as to why I love this book and I would recommend it to any one who is interested Tarot. I like the contents of this book, its division and subdivision is neatly put.
Chapter One – Tarot Analytics, a chapter where she tells What is Tarot? and describes her approach to tarot.
Chapter 2 – A Concise History Lesson, now it is very difficult to sketch the history of Tarot and to do so more accurately is a challenge in itself. I had no idea that the earliest playing cards are said to have originated in China, Tang Dynasty, 618AD to 907AD. And where do I get the info, that’s right Holistic Tarot and not only that, she beautifully describe it origins and how we have along so far with the Tarot right in the modern days. I should comment that her research on this is just flawless.
Chapter 3 – Allaying Fears and Offering Theories, Oh my! this is one of my favorite chapters, as I don’t think there are many tarot books that talk about this, of course not the ones I know. However, there are many people who are afraid of Tarot cards and especially with certain cards like Key 13 DEATH, Key 15 THE DEVIL, Key 16 THE TOWER and so on and really that is only because of fear resulting in ignorance. I would like to quote her here – “The tarot represents the spectrum of the human condition, the good, the evil, the light, and the dark. Do not fear the darker aspects of the human condition. Understand them. The tarot is a storybook about life, about the greatness of human accomplishment, and also the ugliness we are each capable of… So confront your fears. Start by studying the Major Arcana cards…”
She discusses the various theories of how tarot works.
Chapter 4 talks about Choosing Your Deck like Which deck to use?
The book contains a lot of diagrams, illustrations, charts and it’s neatly done. Chapter 6 a chapter dedicated to maintaining a tarot journal.
Chapter 9 Cyclopedia of Card Meanings, great chapter on Tarot meanings, you have chunky paragraphs and pages on card meanings including reversals. Key words and reversal key words.
Chapter 10 talks about Signifier or Significator cards.
From Cutting, Shuffling lay out the cards to Tarot spreads and numerology t’s all here. From Astrological association to elemental dignitaries all in this massive book.Tarot ethics to foot notes. This book is a must to own it and read it. ‘Opening of the Key’ to ‘First Operation’ all in this gigantic book. I could just go on and on. It’s a great book.
Luiser –
Livro Excelente 😸💜 Já é um Clássico Contemporâneo ❤😄🤩
Karen Smith –
perfect for new tarot users or old, I have so many bookmarks in this thing because I find myself referencing it a lot in the best of ways. It has more than enough information to get anyone started with tarot and understanding tarot on a deeper level. The writing is very academic though, not as entertaining as some other books, so keep that in mind!
Mat Auryn – Author Of ‘Psychic Witch’ and ‘The Psychic Art of Tarot’ –
So far, I love the book. Benebell Wen is a role model for tarot reading beginners.
Mat Auryn – Author Of ‘Psychic Witch’ and ‘The Psychic Art of Tarot’ –
Holistic Tarot is an exceptional resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive guide to the practice of tarot. At almost 900 pages and with over 500 illustrations, the book provides a thorough examination of every aspect of tarot study. Wen’s attention to detail is exemplary, with every facet of tarot explored in-depth, from the basics of choosing and caring for a deck to advanced techniques for reading and interpreting the cards. What sets Holistic Tarot apart is its thoroughness and its approach to tarot as a complete system. The book provides an immersive journey through the history, theory, and practice of tarot, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to understand the complete scope of tarot. Wen’s writing is precise and scholarly, and her explanations of complex topics are clear and concise. Holistic Tarot is a true masterpiece of tarot literature, offering something for everyone from beginners to seasoned practitioners. Its comprehensiveness, attention to detail, and scholarly tone make it a must-have for anyone interested in the practice of tarot.
Andrew Sethekau –
Every Tarot reader needs this book. Has all that you can possibly need in this excellently written book with depth, clarity and loads of information
elsnc –
I started getting into tarot about February of this past year. I have been using several websites, including the author’s, to learn about the tarot and it was going fairly well. However, I am a fairly methodical person and like a very structured, more academic approach, to learning things. Once I saw Wen’s companion course on her website, I ordered the book. It was exactly what I wanted. She is very methodical and structured in her approach to learning tarot. I love her appendix and endnotes. When she makes a statement, be assured that it was thoroughly researched. This is not a book you just read through. It is a book that you use a highlighter with, use page markers, take notes on, buy other books, and could probably launch an entire thesis off of for a PhD program, just saying… Please don’t get the wrong idea though, all of that is optional and her book isn’t stuffy in the least, it’s just not a “sitting at your neighbor’s table throwing down the cards” sort of style. While I enjoy all of the woo-woo stuff associated with tarot, I didn’t want it to interfere with learning the tarot. Wen has removed all the mystical stuff and has provided a distilled version of tarot so that after you have a very solid understanding of the tarot, you are free to use it however you want and she encourages you to do so. Her analogy to learning the violin is exactly what she provides in Holistic Tarot. That being said, I don’t think this book is perfect for everyone. I started with Biddy Tarot’s website and it helped me feel like I couldn’t mess things up. Once I got comfortable, it just wasn’t enough and Wen’s approach was exactly what I needed. If you are all about intuition, you didn’t enjoy school, you hate journaling/recording things, etc., then I would probably recommend looking elsewhere. It’s not that you wouldn’t understand her work, it’s just that you probably wouldn’t enjoy the process and that kind of defeats the purpose of learning tarot, in my opinion.
Things I particularly like: she touches briefly on the history of tarot and then recommends other authors to pursue to further develop your understanding of how tarot developed and why it is still relevant. I appreciated this because I have since paused in the companion course and am reading a few other books on the history of tarot that are definitely drawing on the art history and history classes I took in college, making this a thoroughly enjoyable research experience for me. I like that she includes planetary references, numerology, elements, and a whole bunch of other things to create a complete rabbit hole experience that will keep me occupied for months. I had forgotten how much I had enjoyed the research aspect of being at university and this has just made me completely happy. I have expanded on the journal template she provides in the companion course and downloaded Xotero to organize my notes and other books I’m using as references while I read hers. I like that the companion course really breaks the book down into buildable chunks so that it isn’t overwhelming when you receive this massive tome at your front door because it certainly isn’t fitting in your mailbox. She genuinely covers everything.
For those of you who do want to incorporate tarot into Craft, I would recommend checking out her online courses. She does offer a course that deals with using tarot for Craft that is inexpensive and goes in a completely different direction than her book.
Bottom line: if you genuinely are interested in getting a solid understanding of the tarot AND like structure, then do not hesitate to purchase this book.
Raymund Yapp –
Aunque es un libro bastante grueso, es de muy fácil y rápida lectura y va al punto en cada sección. Benebell Wen es muy bien organizada en su forma de exponer su método de aprendizaje del Tarot. El Tarot en general puede parecer un tema oscuro y subjetivo, pero con este libro se aclaran y aterrizan muchos puntos que lo convierten en una herramienta verdaderamente útil para conocerse a uno mismo y a su entorno, para conectarse con el Universo y alcanzar a ver un poco más allá de lo cotidiano, sin comprometer las creencias personales.
Este libro basa su análisis de simbología y significados en el Tarot Rider-Waite, pero creo que no es difícil aplicar varias de las propuestas y metodologías a otras tradiciones de Tarot como Marsella o Thoth.
En su página personal, la autora publica actualizaciones al texto y en su canal de YouTube hace videos que acompañan y extienden las explicaciones de este libro, con su personalidad generosa, ligera, sencilla y muy organizada. Lo cual hace a este texto aún más útil y rico como material de estudio. Sin lugar a dudas es una excelente opción tanto para los que quieren empezar a leer el Tarot, como para quienes quieren adentrarse un poco más en sus estudios.
Maggie Percy –
I am relatively new to tarot, having used the Zen tarot cards for myself for some years, but the Rider Waite deck not as often. As a professional dowser, I have many interests in intuitive techniques. I always wanted to learn to use tarot better, so I purchased this book. I am an information junkie and very analytical, although also very intuitive. This book is just what I needed. Some people might find it overwhelming, but just do one chapter at a time and take it slow. I’ve gotten through about 1/4 of the book at this point. I have not read straight through, but mostly. I have consulted the appendices and found the numerology summaries for Life Paths to be more useful to me than those in a book I have on Numerology. It’s like you get these little surprise gifts as you go through the book.
This book includes lots of useful information for practitioners who intend to read for others. I think if you ever intend to read for others, you must learn ethics, how to present what you’ve ‘seen’ in the cards and develop your intuition as fully as possible, since intuition is a key to reading. This book will help you do all those things. She also includes suggestions about things that aren’t tarot, but will help you, like different meditation techniques and why she recommends them.
I love the detailed explanations for the cards both upright and reversed. I’m not yet confident enough to read cards reversed, so for now, I’m sticking with all cards being upright. But she gives detailed meanings for reversed cards.
The only thing so far that I haven’t been able to find, and maybe it’s me just missing it, is how you get reversed cards in the deck in the first place. She tells you about dealing and preparing yourself for a reading and all kinds of other practices, even cutting cards, but I can’t find how you introduce a certain number of cards in reversed position. In fact, I haven’t really found anything useful on that topic online or in the other book I have. It would seem to me that it matters which cards are reversed. For example, a Three Aces spread relies on mainly the aces, and it matters whether they are upright or reversed, yet I can’t find how she says to compose the deck to make sure all your aces aren’t one way or the other. I imagine it doesn’t matter that much, but it’s a lingering question I have. That said, it’s the only thing I have been able to think of that she doesn’t answer in detail. And I may just be overlooking it. It’s a minor thing.
This book is the one book I’d get if I only got one book on tarot. It will take me years to fully learn everything she teaches. If you are not an information junkie, or you are easily overwhelmed by deep, analytical explanations, maybe this isn’t a good starting point for you. But it seems to me that in any skill or technique like this, if you want to master it, at some point you have to dive in deeply, think deeply and practice seriously. This book is not only loaded with the basic information you need to start using tarot for self-improvement; it has everything you need if you intend to master it completely.
I have plans to order her I Ching book which comes out in 2023, because I am sure it will be equally complete and useful. I give this book my highest recommendation, and I have written over 20 books with my husband on dowsing and intuitive techniques, so I have experience teaching and presenting information and have experience in evaluating books like this. I’d be really proud if this were my book. It’s a major accomplishment.
rabid reader –
The Holy Grail of tarot. This book is the definitive book on tarot. Everything and anything you want to know, or didn’t know you wanted to know, is in this book. Highly valuable resource, learning tool, inspirational tome. Don’t overlook the Appendixes! Acceptional information! Recommended!
Sharon –
Holistic Tarot is an exceptional resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive guide to the practice of tarot. At almost 900 pages and with over 500 illustrations, the book provides a thorough examination of every aspect of tarot study. Wen’s attention to detail is exemplary, with every facet of tarot explored in-depth, from the basics of choosing and caring for a deck to advanced techniques for reading and interpreting the cards. What sets Holistic Tarot apart is its thoroughness and its approach to tarot as a complete system. The book provides an immersive journey through the history, theory, and practice of tarot, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to understand the complete scope of tarot. Wen’s writing is precise and scholarly, and her explanations of complex topics are clear and concise. Holistic Tarot is a true masterpiece of tarot literature, offering something for everyone from beginners to seasoned practitioners. Its comprehensiveness, attention to detail, and scholarly tone make it a must-have for anyone interested in the practice of tarot.
Karen Smith –
I came across Tarot by accident, had a gut feeling that there might be something more to this, and quickly thought ‘Why is everyone using this method as a “voodoo” fortune-telling trick when there is this actually a psychological application where the cards enable one to see unconscious childhood behavioral patterns?
Luckily I came across this author who takes the same common sense, realism-based approach to Tarot without theater acts or magical/religious cult thinking. It’s about learning to consciously see what we do every day and what the short-, middle- and long-term life consequences will be, simply based on logical action and reaction. This is where it really becomes apparent, what the damage and loss of not having psychology in school, really is.
Additionally, the book contains everything one needs to know to get started without overburdening a learner with complex mathematical or psychological concepts (and omitting all overcomplicated concepts that only sound rational but are there for people to believe in them without questioning them). It’s all straightforward and easy to follow with common sense, logic, and rational thinking. It just makes sense. Also the book is incredibly complete. Everything is mentioned that one would need to know.
I’ve been practicing reading for myself for a couple of weeks now, always referring back to the book to understand the psychological concept behind it. I agree with many, that it simply works, and while we wait for science to get over its own ego and start serious investigation and research, we might as well use this method to navigate our own psychological layers in the meantime.
BTW, ‘it works’ means, that when something happens in life, the cards enable one to start to understand one’s contribution to the web of dependencies of action and the resulting action of oneself and others. It’s like solving a mathematical calculation where before you only had fragments that made no sense, and now you can actually put formulas together that are always the same, work in correlation, and allow to calculate a predictable outcome in your own life. It’s fascinating and raises the daily question of how great the middle age style fear and superstition mindset of ‘modern day’ people really is, to miss out on such a tool to understand one’s own mind, while pretending that certain predictable elements of reality simply don’t exist. If one ever wondered how superstitious people without school education acted in the middle ages when they came across a broken bone or infection, this is pretty much it. Only now related to the mind. How people react to a “broken bone or infection” issue in the mind nowadays is as brutal and naive as back then. Thankfully we are not killing people anymore for applying common sense to the world and using tools like the Tarot to solve common sense life problems. Or writing excellent, analytical books like this without having to fear to be burned alive. At least something has improved.
Tiffany –
Aunque es un libro bastante grueso, es de muy fácil y rápida lectura y va al punto en cada sección. Benebell Wen es muy bien organizada en su forma de exponer su método de aprendizaje del Tarot. El Tarot en general puede parecer un tema oscuro y subjetivo, pero con este libro se aclaran y aterrizan muchos puntos que lo convierten en una herramienta verdaderamente útil para conocerse a uno mismo y a su entorno, para conectarse con el Universo y alcanzar a ver un poco más allá de lo cotidiano, sin comprometer las creencias personales.
Este libro basa su análisis de simbología y significados en el Tarot Rider-Waite, pero creo que no es difícil aplicar varias de las propuestas y metodologías a otras tradiciones de Tarot como Marsella o Thoth.
En su página personal, la autora publica actualizaciones al texto y en su canal de YouTube hace videos que acompañan y extienden las explicaciones de este libro, con su personalidad generosa, ligera, sencilla y muy organizada. Lo cual hace a este texto aún más útil y rico como material de estudio. Sin lugar a dudas es una excelente opción tanto para los que quieren empezar a leer el Tarot, como para quienes quieren adentrarse un poco más en sus estudios.
rabid reader –
Great author, great book. Takes a complex subject breaks it down into its elements. It’s an easy read and informative.
christine –
OH MY GOD !! I simply LOVE THIS BOOK. I do own quiet a few books on Tarot but I’ve not found anything like this. This is truly amazing. This is quiet an achievement if I would say so myself. There are just so many reasons as to why I love this book and I would recommend it to any one who is interested Tarot. I like the contents of this book, its division and subdivision is neatly put.
Chapter One – Tarot Analytics, a chapter where she tells What is Tarot? and describes her approach to tarot.
Chapter 2 – A Concise History Lesson, now it is very difficult to sketch the history of Tarot and to do so more accurately is a challenge in itself. I had no idea that the earliest playing cards are said to have originated in China, Tang Dynasty, 618AD to 907AD. And where do I get the info, that’s right Holistic Tarot and not only that, she beautifully describe it origins and how we have along so far with the Tarot right in the modern days. I should comment that her research on this is just flawless.
Chapter 3 – Allaying Fears and Offering Theories, Oh my! this is one of my favorite chapters, as I don’t think there are many tarot books that talk about this, of course not the ones I know. However, there are many people who are afraid of Tarot cards and especially with certain cards like Key 13 DEATH, Key 15 THE DEVIL, Key 16 THE TOWER and so on and really that is only because of fear resulting in ignorance. I would like to quote her here – “The tarot represents the spectrum of the human condition, the good, the evil, the light, and the dark. Do not fear the darker aspects of the human condition. Understand them. The tarot is a storybook about life, about the greatness of human accomplishment, and also the ugliness we are each capable of… So confront your fears. Start by studying the Major Arcana cards…”
She discusses the various theories of how tarot works.
Chapter 4 talks about Choosing Your Deck like Which deck to use?
The book contains a lot of diagrams, illustrations, charts and it’s neatly done. Chapter 6 a chapter dedicated to maintaining a tarot journal.
Chapter 9 Cyclopedia of Card Meanings, great chapter on Tarot meanings, you have chunky paragraphs and pages on card meanings including reversals. Key words and reversal key words.
Chapter 10 talks about Signifier or Significator cards.
From Cutting, Shuffling lay out the cards to Tarot spreads and numerology t’s all here. From Astrological association to elemental dignitaries all in this massive book.Tarot ethics to foot notes. This book is a must to own it and read it. ‘Opening of the Key’ to ‘First Operation’ all in this gigantic book. I could just go on and on. It’s a great book.
Mat Auryn – Author Of ‘Psychic Witch’ and ‘The Psychic Art of Tarot’ –
So this book is a brick. I was not expecting it to be so thick. But upon looking into it, it’s no surprise why – it’s incredibly comprehensive, factoring in multiple traditions, interpretations, and cultural histories. To me it is THE book on tarot. However, I had to knock a star off because this book is too darn big for its flimsy binding. It didn’t take too long for it to come apart and I have to keep the separated sections and loose pages all together in a plastic bag so I don’t lose any of it. I wish there was a sturdier hard-cover version.
Askona –
I’ve been doing tarot for almost 7 years now professionally. I have a few books in my collection, but this one is the icing on the cake. I have some that are about the Jewish mysticism, but I love her approach to tarot since it was mine. My only complaint is that she didn’t use her OWN deck in depth this way PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do one for the Spirit keepers tarot that is in this type of writing. I don’t care how thick she is. I would love to have a book detailing the whole process of making her tarot deck and how each one is designed like the book of maps but more catered towards it being its own system. I recommend this to everyone.
Update: I finally read this through for the most part, it’s still a work in progress. But it’s so good I’m getting a copy for my student. She’s starting to take an interest in the tarot so I bought her, her own deck and this book. One thing I really wish she would have added because I’m going through her book of readings which you can only get a copy of if you purchase her tarot deck. Is the music theory, she named the book Holistic tarot, she has a whole section on which tarot suits correspond to specific parts of the body as per astrological correlation. So, why she didn’t add that information into this book I have no idea, she talks more in depth about the Kabbalah and the angels, and the days of the week associated with sound frequency’s and how to work with them to relieve anxiety and such. it would have been a gem to add into this book for those who are wishing to add a healing practice in with their tarot even though their going through other forms of therapy. I wish she would come out with a companion book to this book and add that information in so people could use it as well. Still such a good book. I will buy it again for anyone who is interested if I have the finacial means to that is ha, ha.
Mat Auryn – Author Of ‘Psychic Witch’ and ‘The Psychic Art of Tarot’ –
Holistic Tarot by Benebell Wen is an absolute treasure for anyone seriously interested in learning the tarot. It’s comprehensive, insightful, and incredibly well-researched. Wen manages to combine traditional meanings with intuitive and psychological approaches, making it a must-have for both beginners and experienced readers. The book is thoughtfully structured and filled with practical exercises, charts, and detailed card descriptions—it’s truly a full course in one volume.
I also want to thank the seller for their excellent service. The book was carefully packaged and arrived much faster than expected. Highly recommend both the book and the seller!
Rayarmond Yap –
Every Tarot reader needs this book. Has all that you can possibly need in this excellently written book with depth, clarity and loads of information
Luiser –
perfect for new tarot users or old, I have so many bookmarks in this thing because I find myself referencing it a lot in the best of ways. It has more than enough information to get anyone started with tarot and understanding tarot on a deeper level. The writing is very academic though, not as entertaining as some other books, so keep that in mind!