The Easiest Way to Learn the Tarot—EVER!! (Aphrodite's Book of Secrets)

This is a no nonsense tarot guide. I no longer class myself as a total beginner, but this book takes you back to the roots, but in a good way. It is not simply a rehash of the same old format as most "teach yourself tarot" books. There is a very brief introduction to Tarot, what it is, how it works etc. But really the book jumps right into what you need in order to get started: what deck to get, info on having a tarot journal, an explanation that the cards can mean different things to different people - and this is why meanings vary from book to book, a section on different ways in which reversed cards are interpreted and a run down on what your first 30 days of learning will look like. Section two of the book is all about getting to know your cards through a series of exercises. There are no definitive meanings given here, and no mention of learning keywords. This is all about playing with the cards, looking at the pictures, and thinking about what they mean to you. The author presents some fun exercises that you can do on your own but which are also beneficial for using when working with a partner. Such a game/exercise is "this happens to me, this happens to you". The idea is to pull a card and give a scenario of what will happen to you based on the card you drew, and then the second card is what happens to the other person based on the card you drew for them. The idea is to desensitise yourself to giving both yourself and/or someone else difficult news. It is trying to remove the subjective you and introduce a more objective way of delivering the messages in the cards, therefore preparing you to read for others (and yourself). This is one example, there are 12 exercises here in total to enhance your personal connection with the cards. The aim is to work through them sequentially. The author, Dusty White, instructs you to just use the minor arcana the first few times round with these exercises. This is because the minor arcana are a bit easier to work with, they are more straightforward and describe day to day life. The major arcana can confuse the initial learning as they are quite static cards and it is not as easy to intuitively grasp their meaning. After you have mastered the exercises with just the minor arcana, you are then encouraged to go back and add in the major arcana. The book then moves on to spreads. The celtic cross is there, along with the astrological spread. But there are a number of unique spreads too that I think have probably been created by Dusty. Mirroring Dusty's general style these spreads are no nonsense, and practical to use. I have not tried everything out in the book yet but I have certainly read the book along with listening to his podcasts regularly, which brings some of the material in the book to life I might add. The book then turns into a workbook and runs through each card starting with the minor arcana. There is Dusty's explanations/views on one side and then there is questions and spaces to write your thoughts on the right hand page. We then move into the final section - section six, which inevitably begins with the question "what to do next?" The advice is to go back over the book, practice, use all the internet resources available, especially from Dusty himself, then what to do over the next 60 days, then 90 days etc. There is some great advice here and good pointers. We finally move in to the Appendix which has all kinds of great miscellaneous advice such as "troubleshooting", FAQ's (from fellow students), a brief tarot history, a bit on doing parties, some info on mystery schools, some recommended reading and finally a glossary. This book is very well put together, it is a huge well of knowledge - I wish it was one of the first books I had bought because it totally takes all the superstitions, anxieties etc out of learning and dealing with the tarot. This book talks to you on your level, like you are a normal human being; it is not elitist, it does not throw esoteric terms around willy nilly in order to confuse, all the information is accessible and written in such an engaging way. I recommend checking it out, especially if you are a beginner, but still totally relevant even if you think you are past the beginner stage I think as there is some really great info and advice here that you won't find in any other books (or none that I have read). This book strips away the confusion and teaches you in a straight forward manner without mention of kabbalah, numerology, colour theory or any other additional associations that are forced upon tarot cards and ultimately lead to confusion when you are first learning.

When wanting to learn the Tarot, there’s a zillion books on the market, it’s a huge can of worms, well you can stop your search, you’ve found “The One” .. Dusty is an amazing author, says it how it is, right to the knuckle and raw around the edges. The book is simply laid out, explains everything in great detail, it’s fun, it’s not boring, he gets straight in with practice spreads, but it’s really important to learn about your cards. Dusty doesn’t believe you should memorise the meanings off by heart, learn the cards meanings, but relate to your decks, look at the cards and let your intuition tell you the story they are trying to tell. With the book comes membership to his video tutorials, yes they are long winded, but they are funny, informative and memorable, and really help with toor learning process, and they are FREE … follow the books instructions, listen to Dusty, practice like he guides you too, and before you know it, you’ll be reading Tarot for yourself, friends, family, and once your confidence builds, and your readings come true, then you can consider getting clients. I’m just coming to the end of the training now, and I’m super excited to start to share my new found skills in Tarot, with my friends and family. Once I’ve built up my confidence, I’ll be moving into Dusty’s second book, “Advanced Tarot reading” which of its anything like this one, I can’t wait to get started. Dusty has had 4 decades of experience, he’s made the mistakes, listened to the lies, learnt the truth and is passing all this knowledge onto us, so we can spread the love of the Tarot. Please stick at it, even the boring bits (like with all skills there are some boring bits) and piece it altogether and you won’t regret it. Thank you so much Dusty for sharing everything you know so generously, and for starting me off properly onto my Tarot journey.

Pleasantly surprised with this book. Easy to read and like the lesson formats. Feels more authentic than other books of similar nature where intuitive readings are discouraged. Would recommend to beginners and experienced readers

This book was very helpful in learning the tarot in a fun way. It also inspired me read more books about the cards as well. Thank you Dusty for this book as you did inspire my love of the cards and to learn all I could.

I can't believe it's taken me so long to write this review. Two and a half years ago I was a sceptic, but became intrigued after receiving a free reading that seemed accurate. I got a deck of cards, fished for a book, and stumbled on this one. I was completely new to the cards and knew very little about them (or anything else esoteric for that matter), but Dusty explained the cards in a very down to earth way that was easy to follow. Each of his exercises helps you build a personal relationship with your cards. His explanations of the spreads are very clear. When I started the exercises, the cards were just images, just a bit more decorated than a 52 card deck. Now they're family and I often think in cards. When I'm asked a question, sometimes I think in spreads. This book, along with it's sequel Advanced Tarot Secrets (and his professional course), changed me from a resigned sceptic into a spiritual psychic and good Tarot reader. Highly recommend.

I would recommend anybody new or old to tarot to check out this book. Not only did I enjoy the exercise and his worksheet parts, but for me Dusty really encourages you to tune in with your own instinct and interpret the cards as "you" see them personally, emotionally, and not rely on the memorising the 78 standard keywords that doesn't open you up tarot, but closes you off to intuition-in my eyes. His Celtic Cross spread interpretation is also very modern compared to the traditional ones I've used over the years and having used it for a few months now, I can't imagine returning to the one I used before because the positions really help you get to grip with a reading. I left tarot for a decade and reading this book, plus listening to his fantastic, very funny tarot podcasts has revived my love for going back to it again. I would advise anybody who is unsure of their ability to pick this book because he gives you confidence in yourself and explains things in a very upfront way without all that over the top mysticism which lots of tarot teaching books seem to dwell on to much and I think just confuses people.

I would like to start off by saying this is the first time I have written a book review on Amazon, as I have been rarely moved by a book to take this time to write my views for everyone to see. Dusty White's book "The Easiest Way to Learn the Tarot-Ever!!" Is without any doubt the best book for the beginner and advanced tarot reader alike. It explores revolutionary ways to learn what the cards mean along with the so often thrown about term of "card blending" that is portrayed in so many book and from many teachers on the tarot but sadly they misunderstand how it works. For these two points alone this book is worth it, but there is more! The exercises are designed to build up your skills so you will be confident and able to interrupt and blend the cards in a variety of ways that will make the even larger tarot spreads open up for you and offer far more information than just the traditional card parameters do. What is also discussed and taught is how to gain more information from the commonly used Celtic Cross spread and Mr. Whites own Roundabout Spread, which uses the tarot to give an overall view and find answers to lead you to your goal. This book does not cover the ceremonial magic use of the tarot, (Cabalistic correspondences etc) and being honest as an initiate, this knowledge does very little to help you read the cards in the real world. In divination we are seeking facts not maybes and possibles. I was taught the tarot at an early age and I have read so many books on the tarot in order too gain a greater understanding of the cards, but none have had such positive an effect as this book in such a short a time.

This book was to be the last book on Tarot that I was going to buy. I was at the end of the road, I’d hit a brick wall and there was no getting over it – if this book didn’t help me finally get to grips with reading these 78 bits of cardboard, it was time to throw in the towel! So I paid my money and took my chance – it turned out to be the book I should have bought at the very beginning of my Tarot studies! No jargon, no superstition and no ‘flowery’ language to be found in this book, what you will find between the covers are games, exercises, spreads and a whole load of knowledge! Dusty has a unique teaching style, a quirky approach which makes learning fun. No rote learning of someone else's interpretation of card meanings here, using your intuition is allowed, in fact encouraged! If you want to READ Tarot rather than churning out individual card meanings, buy this book! One word to sum up The Easiest Way to Learn Tarot …Ever? - LIBERATING!