Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth Paperback – Illustrated, 11 Feb. 2015

I bought this in the paperback form, as I find reference books difficult to use on a Kindle. When it arrived, I groaned a bit, because it is huge. Huge as in 2 inches thick and 873 pages! However, if you're at all interested in working with the tarot, don't hesitate to order this book.I've been reading selected chapters, and I must confess I think this is probably the best overall 'how to' book on tarot that I've ever read--and I personally own about 20 of them. The author's tone is matter-of-fact, and focused on getting a person up to speed on reading, rather than the more ethereal view of tarot. Her attitude seems to be that this is less a predictive tool, and more a tool for people to understand a situation, cope with problems or re-envision their future. While the ability to see things that might happen is part of the tarot-reading process, Ms Wen is more concerned about making connections between cards and their positions in the spreads and relationships to one another. She uses these connections to think about issues, and help the 'seekers' get to grips with their lives.She uses the Rider-Waite deck, and her examples are often illustrated, and very easy to work with. I am totally impressed, actually. Every single question that arose in my mind as I was reading was immediately answered, and almost always illustrated as well.I have been especially impressed with the way she deals with the court cards, which, as any semi-experienced reader knows, can be difficult to work with. Do they represent people? Astrological signs? Ages? Sexes? Personality types? Situations? Her answer is 'all of these.' However which version you choose depends on the question being asked and the relationships of the other cards. This is the first book I've read that deals with odd groupings of court cards as well. There is something to consider if you get more than one of the same suit, or more than one of the particular levels, such as three Pages, or four Knights.I also read, with interest, her sections on card-reading ethics, which goes into much more detail about who should be sent elsewhere, for medical, legal or psychological counselling instead of a tarot reading. This is hard-hitting, level-headed stuff.I don't normally review a book until I've finished it, but this one is unique. Everything I've skimmed or read in detail has been totally impressive. I do believe one of the blurbs on the back cover, which says, basically, this is the only tarot book you will ever need. I agree.This is really good, helpful and enlightening stuff, and I look forward to absorbing it all, in time!UPDATE: 9 years later, I am still of the same opinion. This book is nothing short of fantastic. I refer to it frequently. Highly recommended.

This is the ultimate book on Tarot, just holding it you have a timeless sense that the information held within is far superior than that of any Tarot book ever written in the history of time. A highly intellectual book that teaches and supports you on a journey of learning tarot, as well as a wealth of facts and reference, it is THE book for all levels. Benebell’s knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm shines so brightly, I treasure this book.

I want to thank Benebell, not just for this amazing book but for all the work she has done to help all of us expand our knowledge of the Tarot. Benebell's generosity in providing free courses on her website and her youtube videos, all presented with good humour and in a way that's easy to engage with. I just don't know how she's managed to achieve all that she has. Holistic Tarot is a very thick book, you certainly get your money's worth with this and it's a pleasure to work through, I'm using it alongside the courses on the website and the videos. I can't praise this book enough.

Just received it in the post. It’s a thick, heavy book (which I wasn’t aware of) but I’m not fussed about. seems to be condensed with important info.As a tarot reader myself, this will help me to expand my approach in reading the cards alongside fortifying my intuition by using this guidebook.Will update this review later on, but so far so good.EDIT/ UPDATE: WOW! There’s a lot of valuable information within this book, from spreads to diff cultural perspectives to other insights on how to read and interpret the cards which I hadn’t considered in the past, this is THE book you MUST buy if you want to get into tarot 🙌🏼

I know nothing about tarot, perhaps drawn by an intellectual curiosity to its multifaceted aspects of art, science, psychology, history, culture, mystique etc. Two chapters in, I'm hooked. I can tell this is a brilliant book, charting a path through all of the aforementioned facets, wonderfully well written, intelligent, informative, learningful. And after I finish it, I have a strong sense that I will come to the tarot in a truly holistic way - but nevertheless, in away that is very much my own. Glad I happened upon this book. What a find.

A must have for any tarot reader. This is like the Bible of tarot. Lots of info and spread ideas.

This is the very book I’ve been looking for!!When I first seen the size of this Cyclopedia my first thought was “this is going to be a hard and long read”BUTOnce you open it and see what’s on offer!! Your heart doesn’t only smile “It Sings!!” The content is amazing and I can already tell that this is going to be the best education.I’m not saying this is the only book! As you can never have enough material. But this is a MUST HAVE and I would consider “Essential!”

What can I say? It's a perfect scholarly book about tarot and will last you a lifetime. I dare say this might be the only book you'll need from an academic standpoint but for a purely practical (and slightly thinner) volume centred on positive change and self-care, there's also "Tarot for Change": https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/178817710X/ and the Little Red Tarot's "All of Our Stories" if inclusivity is important to you.