Member Reviews
A perfectly acceptable guide to tarot. The descriptions were clear and concise, and would be a great book for a tarot newbie.
Elliot Adam has made Tarot reading so accessible. I appreciate his positive outlook and light hearted tone throughout the book. I enjoyed Fearless Tarot very much, and plan to take the lessons of looking at the cards in a different light to heart.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm new to tarot and found this book to be extremally helpful and plan on buying a physical copy to keep on hand.
I enjoyed this book. It’s great for beginners and I I think experienced tarot readers can get something out of it as well. You’re going to want to take notes and get a copy for your shelves to reference.
Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
An essential member of the Tarot reader's bookshelf! This is a particularly useful book for those new to Tarot reading, making each card easier to understand and, perhaps more importantly, making Tarot less intimidating in general. I particularly appreciate how every card is framed in a growth mindset, so that even the "scary" cards are valid and the reader more receptive to these messages. I am always appreciative of an author who includes context for reversals instead of just suggesting they mean the opposite of what cards are right side up, or leaving them off entirely. My one critique is that the cards are occasionally read too simply, and that a lot of nuance is lost than if they had been discussed a little more thoroughly. It does, however, encourage the reader to consider card imagery and rely on one's intuition rather than memorizing cold hard facts of traditional interpretation of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. I bought this book after reviewing it to add to my own collection.
I enjoyed looking at the tarot cards in a different light. This was a great read and a great resource. I definitely had my pen and my paper and was adding to my ever growing list of hot takes for readings. Will definitely recommend to my friends!
This is a very accessible and nurturing book. If you are new to Tarot, this is a good positive book to start your Tarot journey without fears you may find in other works or from certain other readers of Tarot. If you are an experienced reader, you can still get a lot out of this book. The card meanings are the core of the book, and they offer depth as well as new ways of thinking about the cards. For advanced readers, the book can offer new ideas about the cards that they can add to their repertoires.
As a reader and cartomancer with some steps in my Tarot journey (I am not a newbie, but I am not worthy of the "advanced" label), I found the book easy to read and the content very accessible. The author is sincere and clearly cares about his readers and clients. You see this in the writing, in the lessons and explanations, and in his positive constructive tone. I read through the book once in order to write this review, but this is one book I will revisit. I read it as an electronic review copy, but this is definitely one I would buy in print for my cartomancy reference shelf.
I also highly recommend this book for libraries that collect books on Tarot, divination, paganism, and other esoterica. I am seriously considering it for our library collection. I think once more people discover it, libraries may need more than one copy.
Overall, I'd say this is one of the best Tarot books I've read this year. I am glad to have read it, and it is one I'll gladly recommend if anyone asks for a Tarot book.
Una lectura amena, entretenida, completa, y muy fácil de seguir. Aporta tanto a los que ya saben de tarot como a aquellos que ya lo manejan desde hace tiempo. Disfruté especialmente el análisis de los símbolos de cada carta.
A pleasant, entertaining, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow reading. It contributes both to those who already know tarot and to those who have already handled it for a long time. I especially enjoyed analyzing the symbols on each card.
I have been a follower of Elliot Adam for some time on Instagram as I really like his style. I find that Elliot approaches tarot in a simple to understand, no nonsense approach and for that alone, I found myself super stoked about a book coming out by him. I have often listened to him explain a tarot card and thought "why didn't I see it this way before?". His approach is so user friendly and this book is no exception to that approach. He asks the right questions that help the reader perceive meaning absent of fear.
Although he states reversals are not the end all, he does use them and shines a positive light helping to alleviate fears that certain cards may ignite in ones' mind. He closes out this wonderful book with spreads as well as a handy guide in the appendix. I can't recommend this book enough to any reader who wants a fresh approach to understanding tarot card meanings. Many thanks to Llewellyn Publications and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reading copy of Fearless Tarot. I am grateful for the sneak peak as a reviewer and purchased a copy for my own library as well.
It is more looking into the card than what it could mean in a reading which is cool. Relates those meanings to outside of it. I like how it gives as much time to the minor cards as the major which is a good thing to me. A really good source.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great starter book for Tarot readers! I really loved the layout of this book. It was well written and easy to navigate.
Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.
Fearless Tarot by Elliot Adam is an insightful and intriguing read full of useful information. A great addition to any tarot student's collection that you are sure to read again and again.
As someone new to Tarot, this book was incredibly insightful. I can tell it was written by someone not only knowledgeable in the subject, but someone who deeply understands the connections the cards have with the universe and with the lives we lead as people in it.
Fearless Tarot, How to Give a Positive Reading in Any Situation by Elliot Adam
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Genre: Nonfiction (Adult) | Religion & Spirituality
Release Date: October 8, 2020
Fearless Tarot by Elliot Adam is a great resource for those looking for more information on tarot reading.
The book is broken into three parts: The Major Arcana, The Minor Arcana, and How to use the Cards. The first two parts detail each card in the deck, while the third part explains different spreads, as well as a new way to view the Card of the Day.
I enjoyed the perspective of reading the cards through a lens of hope, instead of the lens of fear.
I think this would be a great resource for beginners and intermediates and for those reading for others.
I'm so grateful to Elliot Adam, Llewellyn Publications, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I am not a fan of the original Rider Waite Smith images, but the symbolism discussed in this book gave me a whole new perspective. Fearless Tarot is written in plain english with a nice touch of humor and devided in digestible short chapters. A good sourcebook for beginners and intermediates alike.
Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn for the ARC.
Description
Transcend your fear of negative cards with this beginner-friendly guide to the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot. Using his engaging and easy-going style, Elliot Adam teaches you how to move through the shadows and into the light no matter what card you pull.
We’ve all been there: hoping for the best as we draw a card…but oh no, it’s the Devil! This book shows you that fear won’t prevail—every card can become something positive. Elliot helps you find the courage to tackle any reading by explaining both upright and reversed meanings in a constructive way. His approach features unique spreads and interpretations, and he encourages you to use your inner wisdom to start an uplifting dialogue with your deck. Fearless Tarot provides everything you need to read tarot without fear.
My Review
I was a bit skeptical when I requested this book thinking it might be just like all of the other books out there about tarot cards. Boy was I wrong!
This book is well written and easy to follow. A great addition to any one who wants to learn how to read the tarot cards correctly or wants to have that "perfect" book.
If you are new or even have been reading tarot cards for awhile, don't fret. Go out and buy this book. I highly recommend it and give it a 5 Star!!!!!
Fearless Tarot by Elliot Adam is a phenomenal and informative book. Personally I think it can be used for those who are beginners and experienced in the art of Tarot alike.
You learn to how to read each Tarot card in the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana in a positive way, not viewing it negatively (cue reversed cards!) and how to read them as what challenge you are to overcome and how to restore the balance as well as resding them upright.
There is just so much to learn from this book, so please I implore you to not be scared, put off or worried about reading Tarot "right", everyone has their own pace, style of layout, drawing rituals and way to read, understand and connect with their cards.
I will definitely be re-reading through this book again.
Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn Publications for the free ARC.
All opinions are my own.
*I received a copy of this book for free on from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is a great addition to any tarot student's collection. It's good for tarot readers of any experience level, but will be of particular use to new tarot readers and tarot readers looking to make the transition to reading professionally.
The book is divided into an introduction to the author Elliot Adam by "Tarot Lady" Theresa Reed, an introduction to the tarot section, then jumps into each of the 78 cards: Major Arcana, Suits of the Minor Arcana, and then a conclusion section including suggested spreads, creating your own spreads, and tips for reading professionally.
Each card is examined from several angles: A hand 1-line summary of the card (great for new tarot readers to use for memorizing), a paragraph that uses keywords and summarizes the basic concept of the card. Next, the author provides helpful questions for use in personal or professional readings, to give a personalized context to the card. The author then tackles the rich symbolism of each card, providing a detailed sense of the nuance of each card that you don't always get in a tarot book. Once the symbols are examined, the author then synthesizes each element -- keywords, questions, symbolism -- and provides real-world applications and helpful guidance for reader.
Finally, the author then devotes the same careful attention to each card's meaning when presented reversed, which is definitely an afterthought in most tarot books, making Fearless Tarot singular in its ability to take something most readers dislike (a reversed card) and provide a positive spin on how to interpret the meaning.
I also truly appreciated the way that this author examined "The Sinister Seven Card" (Tower, Devil, Swords, etc.) and provided additional interpretations of these cards, so that seeing these cards won't frighten a newbie or a client. On that note, as an advanced semi-professional reader, I was particularly interested and impressed by the way the entire Swords suit is examined in this book. Swords have always been cards that strike fear into my heart -- and as promised in the title! -- I am no longer fearful to draw these cards because of Elliot Adam's careful, measured, and compassionate examination of this misunderstood suit.
My only complaint is fairly minor -- the book could have done with a second copyedit, because the persistent use of the interrobang (?!) was distracting, and there's a minor homonym error (elicit/illicit) in the introduction to the Cups suit -- but overall, these are very, very small things as compared to the "big picture" this book offers.
Highly recommended! This book should have an honored place on your Tarot shelf, snuggled between Tarot for Troubled Times (Theresa Reed) and Modern Tarot (Michelle Tea). It's a wonderful addition to any collection, and I would definitely recommend this book to someone who was just getting into tarot, so that they can go boldly into readings with a fearless heart. Thank you for bringing this book into the world, Elliot!
Fearless Tarot presents a very nice spin on reading cards, especially those that can often seem more troublesome or problematic. I enjoyed learning about new approaches to those particular cards, and I really appreciated the entire concept behind the “fearless” and “positive” approach. Highly recommended for tarot enthusiasts!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
Excellent book on Tarot card reading. Really does make the darker cards seem less sinister and encourages you to see other perspectives and how they can have a positive slant too. I liked the way the book is organised and how each of the main cards are looked at in detail in the first part, then the second focusses on readings and spreads. It is a very informative and helpful book that makes tarot card reading feel like a useful tool rather than something fearful. Overall an excellent book.