Why I Read the Guidebook
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Join me for a chat about why I always read the guidebook before working with a new deck (and why I continue to use them with old favorites.) Plus we’ll take a look at a couple of my favorite Tarot guidebooks along the way!
Guidebooks & Decks Featured:
Forest of Enchantment Tarot - amzn.to/2LKJ7bS
Tarot of the Hidden Realm - amzn.to/2UUnQOS
The Tarot of Light - amzn.to/2Md5idh
Star Tarot 2nd Edition - amzn.to/3iJ6Oi3
Witches Wisdom Tarot - amzn.to/3nA3AR2
The Spacious Tarot - thespacioustar...
Moonchild Tarot - www.themoonchi...
Ember + Aura Tarot - www.emberandau...
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This video is for entertainment purposes only and intended for audiences 18 and over.
For me, the guidebook is one of the most exciting parts of the product. I rarely ever buy small tarot decks becos I prefer the big gorgeous guidebooks.
In my unique understanding, the guidebook, descriptions and meanings of the cards are almost like spells to me. I use them I guess like sacred text.
There is something profoundly magick in the exact use of words that the author has chosen that creates a certain type of energy, that Im able to use as keys to unlock something within myself.
And even though that may seem to set the meanings in stone if followed word for word (without the use of intuition) the words never limit the possibities for me.
It's as if the words are the key to my subconscious, and the information I receive from my clairs help me to locate the door within billions of internal doors.
I have no idea if that makes sense to anyone else, but it's certainly a form of magick that works for me 💖
What a wonderful way to look at the guidebook, I love that! Thank you so much for sharing that thought! I'm going to have to keep that in mind next time I read through a big beautiful book. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
As the author of the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, I really enjoyed this video and your thoughtful observations. I always want deck users to be able to work with the cards without ever cracking the book (because I know a lot of people won't!), but as you say, knowing the creators' intentions can open your eyes to additional meaning and symbolism in the artwork. Meraylah's art in particular is jam-packed with detail and secrets, so the more you know, the deeper you go!
By the way, you might also enjoy my Mystical Cats Tarot, illustrated by Mickie Mueller. The book is written by a cat (I just took dictation) and gives advice for both cats and humans. The cards on their own are delightful, but peeping into the book completes the experience. =^..^= Thanks again for this video!
I am so glad you enjoyed it. Reading the guidebook is an important part of my process, particularly when I'm getting to know a new deck. But I often dive into them during my regular readings as well. Thank you for the recommendation, I'll check out the deck. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I agree with reading the guidebook. It's important to see where the author is coming from. It gives a better understanding for sure.
I think so too, even if I don't always agree with it, I like to know what the intention for the deck or card. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Very thorough video, thank you. I am a guidebook first reader, too!
How wonderful, I love a good guidebook. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I always read the guide book, it helps me to understand the “personality “ of the deck, and how I will use it for different readings.
Same here, it's really a big part of how I get to know a deck. 🙂 Thank you for watching. ❤️
Loved this. Please do more videos about some aspect of the tarot or you practice.
Don't get me wrong, I love "deck watching", but this is much more interesting - also takes me away from the mere consumption mindset, into going deeper with what I already have. Thanks!
I'm glad to hear that because I am working on more videos that focus a little bit more on different aspects of my practice. I will still have deck showcases, but I am planning to incorporate more of how I work with my decks over the next few months. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
@@DawnMichelleTarot That's great news. If you take requests: I'd love to hear more about how you interpret different cards.
You've sometimes mentioned that particular card illustrations work / don't work well for you because you interpret the particular card (like 3 of swords) differently. I'd love to hear the details of how you interpret / see all the cards. Especially where you go in a different direction from RWS, but also what aspects of the fairly broad general RWS view you focus on most where you are pretty much aligned.
Forest of Enchanted Tarot is one of the only books I read front to back and I'm so glad I did! I'm such a fan of that deck and mostly because of that book.
I agree, it's a fantastic guidebook, one of my favorites! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I don’t use guide books myself but, having said that. I hate it when the deck itself is completely different, and then the guide book is just a typical R/W standard meanings. The Wild Unknown comes to mind, I was very disappointed with that guide book. One of the best guide books I have is Ian Daniels Phantasmagoria for his Vampyre deck. Absolutely brilliant, explains every tiny detail in the cards down to the different coloured roses 🌹 if all guide books were written like that I would tend to use them.
Agree!, phantasmagoria is a very well done guidebook!
I agree, sometimes the guidebooks are so disappointing and don't offer anything of value to the deck, the Wild Unknown being in that category for me too. His is one guidebook I have yet to read, but it's on my list because I have heard so many wonderful things about it. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I just bought The Tarot of Vampyres mainly because of Phantasmagoria. I'm starting shadow work and Daniels' guide book and deck kept coming up in all the videos I was watching related to doing tarot for shadow work.
Ooh I hear that's a fantastic guidebook. I haven't had a chance to read it yet. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I now read the guidebook.
Wisdom of the Oracle has some pretty specific instructions (guidance/warnings) here is an example of one. “ be careful not to get fixated on one subject, for the Oracle will become a trickster and send you down the rabbit hole and confuse you the minute she senses you’re giving your power over to her.” The author goes on to talk about how the Oracle herself has no control over you and that you are accountable and responsible for your life. There is more but I wanted to give an example. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with this deck (probably 😊) but there are 52 cards, each card has five meanings, the artwork is collage and some of the cards are very whimsical and others quite beautiful. The guidebook is almost as thick as the deck. I haven’t worked with it much yet but I look forward to diving in.
Great 👍🏻 video. 😁
Just had to say I hope you love this deck! I have been using it lately and it has been absolutely prophetic, actually predicting things - I didn’t expect that at all! The wisdom in it has truly been awesome as well, and it has guided me through some difficult situations with good advice.
That's fantastic, what a great example of a good guidebook. I did have that deck for a while and I really enjoyed it. A friend of mine borrowed it and it hasn't made it way back to me yet. But it's a really great deck. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Love this, it's refreshing to hear someone praise the guild book!
Sadly, there are some guidebooks that don't live up to their decks, but I think it's important to mention the ones that do and bring really value to the work as a whole. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
The book for the Star Tarot is simply amazing - honestly better than some of the other published tarot books out on the market.
I totally agree!
I agree, it's definitely one of my favorites. Such an amazing book, and the deck is one of my favorites. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Loved your example of the 9 of swords from 3 different decks. So illuminating as a way to show how the artists and creators approached their meanings differently.
I am so glad you enjoyed it. It was so fun to explore the same card through different decks, I might have to do that again some time! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I always enjoy going through the guidebook for the author's perspective. A great way to learn something new and connect more deeply with the cards. ❤️
I agree! Not everything they have to say resonates with me, but I like to at least have a good idea of where they are coming from. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Completely agree we should use the guidebook. Many decks have a different artist and writer. I feel sometimes if I just look at the art I'm ignoring half the experience. I would tend to read the book alongside the deck for a period of time and then read without it. If I need to reference the guidebook every time, because its own system has overtaken the tarot, then it's a bit more oracle like to me.
This is such a fantastic point, especially with mass market decks. Often the deck creator and deck illustrator are two different people and it's helpful to see both sides of the story. I don't often return to the guidebooks again and again, once I get a feel for the deck, I go my own way with it. And like you said, if I keep having to go back to the book, then it ends up being more oracle-like for me too. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Oh my gosh....that shadowy tree looked like a scary monster! So cool. I do like the artwork of this deck. I do enjoy the guidebooks and have learned so much about tarot and other esoteric things from the guidebooks. I think the creator of The Star Tarot is brilliant and the guidebook is fantastic.
I agree, the Star Tarot is such a wonderful deck. I was in awe of the book when I first got it and it was so helpful in making a deep connection with the deck. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
If there’s a guidebook, gimme!! And if commentary is included from artist, even better. A well done guidebook is like a treasure map. It doesn’t limit my interpretation, it enhances it. Agree with many of your comments. Good content is great; well designed aesthetically pleasing AND good content is a lovely surprise in a guidebook. Nothing more frustrating than a juicy deck with lots of symbolism, and the guidebook mentions or explains nothing about the symbols. If you illustrate a plant, tell me what it is and why you\artist chose it for the card, esp. if not a RWS clone. Good video!!
I completely agree! There are a couple of decks that I think the guidebook really let the deck down because it didn't include any explanation about what was going on in the art. But when I find a book that really goes into detail, it's such a wonderful treasure! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I normally read the general information about a deck before I work with the cards (to see if there are any major changes) but I read the card meanings after I have looked at the cards and tried to get what I can get intuitively. I find that this way I get more out of a deck because I get a chance to assign my own meanings before I get influenced by the guidebook (which can then add an extra layer as you said). Thank you for sharing your way, as always a very inspiring video! xx
yes, i do a similar approach. depending on what feels right, i read the intro before or after going through the deck card by card. but i need to see all the cards before i read any card meanings. i like to find the story in each card intuitively with the image and traditional meaning, then i can add that layer of creator's intention. i love having a strong guidebook because i feel like i have a full picture/strong foundation for reading - the traditional meaning, my own meanings, and the creator's meaning. i feel like i'm missing something without knowing the intent behind the cards.
@@8888zod Totally agree! :)
That used to be my preferred method for many years as well, I wanted to form my own opinions about the deck before I read the actual card meanings. In a way, I still do a little bit because when I get a new deck I often do a quick flip through the cards and then go to the book before I dive into working with the deck. So I do form a little bit of my own connection first there I suppose. Thank you so much for sharing that approach as well, I think that's a really great way to work with the guidebook. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I agree with you in the main...however.....there are always exceptions, I've recently received the 2nd edition Tyldwick tarot. There is no guidebook but so much to see and interpret in the images depicted and I have found that to be so rewarding.....there is definitely something to be said for letting your intuition guide you.....occasionally......😁
Oh for sure! The Tyldwick is a great example of a deck that I think really benefits from intuitive reading. Ooh, maybe I should do a video on decks that I don't use the guidebook! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
You definitely should, I'd be really interested in what you had to say about it! 😊
I love that you started with Forest of Enchantment! One of my favorite guidebooks. I always read them prior to using a deck. For oracle decks, I do go back to the guidebook to see if any details add to my initial intuitive interpretations. For tarot, I don’t use the guidebook other than with Osho Zen and Forest of Enchantment.
I don't often return to the guidebooks for Tarot, but I defiantly love to give them at least one initial read so that I can see where the creator is coming from (when applicable of course, because not every deck comes with the good guidebook.) 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Love this! When i read, i journal my thoughts and then I look at the guidebook. You can appreciate guidebooks and still find it valuable even if in that moment it doesn't align with your messages. It is super cool the hidden layers you can find in the books. Thanks for making this.
I think that is very true, I often find a lot of value in the guidebooks, even when they don't completely align with my reading or my reading style. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Yes I like reading the guidebook for all the reasons you mention. I would hold off on using the deck until I get an understanding . I will be reading the guidebook first when I receive the Witches Wisdom Tarot in a few days. Awesome video . Thank you 💜
I am so glad you enjoyed it! I think the Witches Wisdom is one you kind of need to read the guidebook because it takes the tarot in such a different direction. I do hope you enjoy it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I always read the guidebook.
How I enjoyed your video! ❤️
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Some of the guidebook are better than others, but I like to at least give them a read at least once. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
I love Guidebooks whether LWB, pamphlets, fold outs, whether an E-book or a full on guidebook .. It helps to get an understanding on the foundations, the roots of the deck creation.. and also an understanding of the cards, the imagery on some level, a starting point to develop own comprehension of the cards.
Yes, totally agree! I love giving them a good read when I get a new deck (or coming back to an old favorite) because it allows me to connect with the original intention for the deck. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
@@DawnMichelleTarot Welcome
Excellent I love LWB even Lo scarabeo Decks, there is often little nuggets of meaning that I may never think of.I read the guide book but for some I read as I pull because the Book of Maps is too intimidating to do it one sittings.
There are some guidebooks that I have to read as I go too, so I know what you mean there. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
i love reading the guide book.
Me too, it really helps me understand where the creator is coming from. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Thank you for making this. I looked for content about card differences, and comparisons when I first started learning tarot from UA-cam. I didn't understand how some decks could be so different, and yet mean the same thing (more or less). While I have come to better understand the way different art brings different ideas, this was the one I really hoped to find. And thanks for being so clear about guidebooks and their value.
I am so glad you found it helpful and that my thoughts translated into something that made some sense. Sometimes I feel like I am just rambling. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
OMG! Dawn love this video and super excited you connected with this deck. 💖🥰
I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Thank you. I too read from the guidebook.
I do love a good guidebook. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
@@DawnMichelleTarot welcome
Not exactly the same, but I make time (sooner or later) to read it. I'm impatient :D but a really good guidebook can add so many layers to the card, it's a waste if it's not well written.
I totally agree, I have come across many guidebooks that didn't add anything to the experience with the cards. When I come across the ones that do, it's a treasure. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
This was such an insightful video!! Thank you!
Awesome as always! Thank you!👍😃❤️
I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Exactly the sort of content I love! Thank you Dawn Michelle!
Oh good, I'm glad to hear it because I have more in store! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Hey Dawn! Hope you're doing well! I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE it if you could make a video on your favourite tarot guidebooks!
That videi is on my list for this year. There are some wonderful ones out there and I'd love the opportunity to discuss them. Thank you for watching. ❤️
@@DawnMichelleTarot thank you soooo much, Dawn! So so looking forward to it! Thank you! ❤️
Great video!!! I always read the guidebook too:)
I am so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
yes , i love this because im looking for guide book review.
I am so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
Bonjour Michelle, j'ai beaucoup aimé les jeux et les livres que tu as présentés, ils sont très beaux et cela donne envie d'acheter etsurtout les livres qui donnent envie de lire....difficile de trouver le tout en français..., merci pour ton partage 💙
I am so glad you enjoyed it. I think some of the mass market ones might be available in French. A lot of the bigger publishers have international distribution agreements to make them available in other languages. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
@@DawnMichelleTarot oi tu as raison, merci :-)
Sorry if you’ve covered this before but what’s a good beginner tarot deck? I’ve recently gotten into oracle cards and love those but intimidated by tarot.
I personally think a lot of the decks by Llewellyn publishing make great beginners decks. I would find one in a theme that interests you. I love the ones with guidebooks written by Barbara Moore as I think her books are really easy to understand and she follows the traditional Waite-Smith system pretty closely most of the time. Kelly over at the Truth in the Story here on UA-cam put out a video not too long ago about great beginner decks, that was a fantastic video that you might find helpful as well. As for my personal recommendations, I think the Druidcraft Tarot (although not from Llewellyn) makes an excellent beginner deck as it sticks very closely to the RWS but with a Pagan/Druid approach. If you like witchy decks, then the Everyday Witch or the Green Witch are fantastic. For more fairy/fairytale I'd recommend the Mystic Faerie Tarot or the Forest of Enchantment Tarot.... hmm, maybe I should make a video. :) 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
@@DawnMichelleTarot thank you I’ll
Love into those and her video! Appreciate you taking the time to reply!
I honestly don’t read much of the guidebooks, because they are other ppl’s interpretations.
I find natural intuition is better for me. The guidebooks also have a tendency to load so many meanings, it’s confusing
That is very true, I can still remember my first experience trying to work with a guidebook back in the day. I didn't know how you'd tell which interpretation applied! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️
do you read both for oracles and tarot deck guidebooks or only tarot?
For oracle it really depends on the guidebook. I always read through the guidebook at least once just so I get a feeling for the creation of the deck and the intention, but most of the time I don't use the guidebooks for oracle a ton. It has offer something really in-depth or unique for me to return to an oracle guidebook again and again as I tend to use oracle more intuitively. But I do always read through them at least once so I can familiarize myself with the deck. I hope that helps. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️