Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Question [ペーパーバック]

Let me start off by saying this book provides far more than just Tarot spreads. Admittedly, the promise of 100 spreads was the reason I bought this book in the first place. As I began my journey reading Tarot, I needed spreads to practice my skills--only knowing the common Past/Present/Future spread. There were spreads online, but I wanted a resource in book form.

Suprisingly, out of 288 pages, only 84 pages contain spreads--and they're in the back. The authors show you how to do a Yes/No spread, and which cards represent yes, which cards represent no and those that represent maybe. The rest of the spreads are categorized by the number of cards, spanning from the single "Card a Day" spread to the 24 card Double Horoscope Spread.

Spreads include Birthday Spread, Child Spread, Prosperity Spread, Horoscope Spread (covering all 12 Houses of the Astrological Chart), Chakra Spread (a card for each chakra plus a meditation card), Relationship Spread, Wish Spread, Career Spread, and New Relationship Spread.

My two favorites are the Mirror Spread and the Treasure Chest Spread.

The authors have this to say about the Mirror Spread: "Quite often, the qualities we dislike in another person are qualities in ourselves we aren't crazy about, either. In this way, the Mirror Spread addresses our shadow selves as well as our projections. The fifth position, what is really there, is actually a summation of a relationship's weakness or strengths."

Mirror Spread

Card 1: The image: how you see the other person
Card 2: The reflection: how the other person sees him/herself
Card 3: What the other person represents to you
Card 4: What you represent to the other person
Card 5: What is really there

I love the Treasure Chest Spread because of its imagery and because it's so affirming to the individual.

Treasure Chest Spread

Card 1: Diamonds Where you shine. Major talents, abilities and assets that you have
Card 2: Pearls What you know. Knowledge and information that you have incorporated into your life
Card 3: Gold coins What you have. Money and material possessions currently available to you
Card 4: Emeralds Who you know. Relationships that are now part of your life
Card 5: Platinum Chains What's holding you back. Things or people in your life that you need to release
Card 6: Sapphires Where you could shine. Emerging talents, assets, and abilities.
Card 7: Quartz Crystals What you're learning. Knowledge and information that you could incorporate into your life.
Card 8: Rubies Who you may soon know. Relationships that are entering your life.
Card 9: Unpolished Diamonds Your hidden lights. Assets and talents that you can develop.

As I mentioned, however, this book is much more than just spreads. I found it incredibly helpful in learning the meanings and nuances of Tarot cards because the authors take each of the 78 cards of Tarot, and show you what each means for different scenarios. The authors devote a paragraph to each issue, explaining what the card means in a general reading and for questions related to work, romance, finances, health, spirituality, and empowerment. So, if the querent is asking a question about finances, for example, and the Hermit is drawn, you would find the section on the Hermit card, and read the paragraph under Finances to get an idea of what this means.

Power Tarot also features brief, general information on the Major and Minor Arcana, the Court Cards, personal loss cards, and the four elements. I highly recommend this book for those who are curious about Tarot, wanting to know how it works and what the cards mean, as well as beginning readers trying to put it all together. The variation of the 100+ spreads will appeal to both the beginner, and the seasoned veteran Tarot reader.

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)

I have many tarot books, but I only refer to one or two on a regular basis. This is one of those books. Originally I didn't like this volume because the Major Arcana, Court Cards, and Minor Arcana are all in separate chapters and it can be irritating to be flipping back and forth for them. In fact, I put this volume back up on the book shelf with the others. I kept taking it back down,though, because the interpretations are among the best I've read. You get not only a general interpretation for each card, but you also get detailed work, romance, finances, health, spirituality, and empowerment interpretations. It is worth the extra effort to go flipping around to find them.

I also found that I liked the idea of the many new spreads described in the back. After all, there is really nothing sacred about the celtic cross and the old past, present, and future three card....

I have been reading the tarot for quite some time now and I throughly enjoy this book. The authors' definitions of the cards are refreshing and clear. I like the way the authors conveyed the spirituality of the tarot while at the same time providing easily understandable definitions that are easy to relate to readings. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that someone just learning might want a book containing more in-depth meanings including reversed meanings. My favorite part of this book are the wonderful variety of spreads. I think the authors covered an extensive variety of questions and situations. I would definately recommend this book to the beginner and experienced reader alike. The book is worth owning for the great spreads alone.