Book Recommendations for Newbie

[Locard]

I have chosen to start learning the tarot with Tarot de Marseille, starting with a short online course that uses the Rider-Waite.

From here, I'd like to continue with a book:

So what would you recommend for each of the following:

1. A first book for somebody new to tarot using a Tarot de Marseille deck?
2. If a person only ever got one book on the Tarot de Marseille, which would it be?

[HOLMES]

The qabalistic tarot by Robert Wang. 

You see how much the Marseille really is in the waite. And thoth decks as an influence. That could help in your understanding. 

Alas. I didn't know how expensive it is, it isn't on kindle.  It was gifted to me in 2002.

Edited August 12, 2025 by HOLMES

[Locard]

2 hours ago, HOLMES said:

The qabalistic tarot by Robert Wang. 

You see how much the Marseille really is in the waite. And thoth decks as an influence. That could help in your understanding. 

Alas. I didn't know how expensive it is, it isn't on kindle.  It was gifted to me in 2002.

yeah, it's over $100 on Amazon..  but it's $27.29 from World of Books.

[DanielJUK]

I've moved this thread to the TdM section. It turns out we have 2 areas! One is a study group of each card, but this is the main TdM area.

There is a sticky thread at the top with many resources for learning from our members, worth checking through it for the book ideas....

 

 

 

[Locard]

42 minutes ago, DanielJUK said:

I've moved this thread to the TdM section. It turns out we have 2 areas! One is a study group of each card, but this is the main TdM area.

There is a sticky thread at the top with many resources for learning from our members, worth checking through it for the book ideas....

 

 

 

ah excellent thanks. I had seen the more general free resources thread, but this more specific one is great thank you.
and I appreciate the move to a more appropriate area.

[WizardintheWoods]

Untold Tarot by Caítlin Matthews.  Adds no astrology, Kabbalah - it is JUST Tarot de Marseille style. My go to book for this type of deck. 

[Locard]

2 hours ago, WizardintheWoods said:

Untold Tarot by Caítlin Matthews.  Adds no astrology, Kabbalah - it is JUST Tarot de Marseille style. My go to book for this type of deck. 

this one is already on my to-read list, but I'll bump it up so I get to it sooner. thanks!

[BrunellGrian]

My favorite TdM book is The Way of Tarot: The Spiritual Teacher in the Cards by Alejandro Jodorowsky — it’s by far the most comprehensive I’ve found.

[Locard]

added. You're definitely not the first to say good things.
I unfairly ignored that one before because I felt weird about it being by a famous filmmaker; but there's no justification for that prejudice.