“Reading is important because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.” — Tomie dePaola
My Favorite Books on Tarot
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack
My favorite ever tarot book. A treatise and a reference. Thick and theoretical – I mean it deals with a lot of high level tarot theory.
My copy is is annotated and always nearby.
Holistic Tarot: An Integrative approach to using tarot for personal growth by Benebell Wen
Bell Wen hosts one of the best tarot sites online. Her deck reviews and detailed and insightful. This book – it’s huge! – covers EVERYTHING about tarot.
The New Tarot Handbook by Rachel Pollack
Anything Rachel Pollack writes is gold. This is her quick reference guide, or basic book of card meanings.
Around the tarot in 78 days by Marcus Katz & Tali Goodwin
There are 78 cards in a tarot deck, and this book takes you through each one. I loved this as a learning tool when I was feel overwhelmed by learning 78 entire archetypes.
The Only Tarot book you’ll ever need by Skye Alexander
Author Skye Alexander might be problematic now? Reddit said so. But I liked this book as a simple, deck-non-specific book of card meanings.
Books I Recommend Often
Existential Kink by dr carolyn elliott lovewell
Shadow work that loves the worst part of the self to abandon. One of the best books I’ve ever read.
Carolyn Elliott Lovewell is a genius.
Recommended for people stuck in uncomfortable patterns, and people seriously interested in shadow work.
Call of the Wild by kimberly ann johnson (not jack london
Nervous system support and practical somatic exercises. I often refer to Johnson’s definitions of trauma. Helped me live in my body much more.
Recommended for people who feel disconnected from themselves.
The dark side of the light chasers by debbie ford
Worked through this one with friend and we’re still talking about it… 8 years later.
Recommended for people interested in shadow work. This is very comprehensive and includes practical exercises.
Boundaries by drs cloud & townsend
Probably <the> book on boundaries. There’s a lot in here to help with a very difficult topic.
Recommended for everyone interested in or struggling with boundaries.
Caveat: This book is Very Christian, which might be nice for you, or might be bad for you. Take what you need and leaving the rest.
Codependednt no more by melody Beattie
Had a copy since it was first recommended to me (like, 20 years ago). Finally read it and I learned a shit ton of stuff about myself and this book was worth the wait.
Recommended for people whose lives feel overrun by other people.
