Tarot Tells the Tale: Explore Three-Card Readings Through Familiar Stories

I picked up this book in a little New Age shop while on vacation last summer, and at the time, I had not yet discovered James Ricklef, nor his delightful Knighthawk readings. I had no idea the treat which lay in store for me. As a student of Tarot for about six years, I found the familiar stories used to explore the three card readings to be both educational and very entertaining. From the Ugly Duckling, to Winston Churchill, to Joan of Arc, each reading revealed previously underappreciated depth of meaning for which these legends endure. I was particularly moved by the reading for Lady Macbeth, one of literature's most vilified women; Ricklef's three card spread gorgeously uncovered her complexity. Moreover, in this book, Ricklef beautifully articulates his philosophy that while Tarot can guide us on our journey, the future is not fixed. Although we may not be able to control what fate tosses our way, we can choose how we respond, and the cards can illuminate our path as we travel. Each story in Tarot Tells the Tale provides an opportunity for the Tarot enthusiast to learn from Ricklef's insights, while deepening our own understanding of the cards, their relationship to each other, and their relationship to the position meanings. The three card spreads are small, but often remarkably powerful-- a clear example of "less is more." For Tarot enthusiasts at all levels of expertise, I highly recommend this book.

"But whatever you consciously know about a card is only a finger pointing toward its true meaning within a specific reading. Each card in a reading has a story to tell-one that has never been told before exactly the same way-and it is a delicately intuitive process to hear that tale and to understand what it means." - From the book For most Tarot enthusiasts, learning the cards by memorizing key words is the first step towards making sense of a reading. However, interpreting Tarot cards in the context of spreads-layout positions with assigned meanings-gets a bit tricky. For example, how would you read a traditionally positive card like the 2 of Cups when it lands in a position like "what's working against you"? Or how would you read the 10 of Swords in the "what's working for you" position? Another challenge for many readers is interpreting a spread in terms of how the cards weave together to tell a unique story. No card is an island, and context is a crucial element to reading the Tarot effectively and accurately when interpreting a spread. In his book Tarot Tells the Tale: Explore Three Card Readings Through Familiar Stories, Tarot master and author James Ricklef allows readers to peek over his shoulder as he demonstrates the art of using 3-card spreads to answer a variety of client questions. Using his popular "Ask KnightHawk" format, Ricklef poses hypothetical questions from famous mythological, historical, and fictional characters and then answers them using a 3-card reading. While the author could have "cheated"-drawing appropriate cards based on hindsight or knowledge of a story-he instead deals random cards and interprets them in light of the posed question. Using a variety of decks-including the Universal Waite, Sacred Rose, Hanson-Roberts, Spiral, and Aquarian Tarot-Ricklef's alter-ego KnightHawk compassionately and insightfully answers questions posed by Thomas Jefferson, Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), Joan of Arc, Pygmalion, Marja Sklodowska (Marie Curie), Hamlet, Dr. Henry Jekyll (Jekyll and Hyde), Albert Einstein, The Prodigal Son, Cinderella, Psyche, and many more. In addition to relaying the interpretation to the "client" as if it were a "real" reading, Ricklef provides in-depth commentary on the cards that show up and why he interprets them as he does. For example, it's downright uncanny how the Magician shows up in Cinderella's reading (can you say "Fairy Godmother"?) or how the reversed Queen of Wands shows up in the reading for Marie Curie (a brilliant physicist and chemist who definitely had "problems with radiance" since she died from leukemia caused by radiation exposure). Believing that clients are ultimately seeking hope from a reading, Ricklef skillfully demonstrates how even "difficult" cards can impart advice, encouragement and hope. Countering the idea that this approach is Pollyannaish, he asserts that it is really "a reflection of the balance of life, as well as a choice to find a meaningful lesson in every exper

I have been a professional clairvoyant and Tarot reader for 17 years, so I have quite a collection of books on the Tarot.I must say, that this book is one of the best books on the Tarot that I have ever read! It is good not only for someone who is learning the Tarot, but even for experienced readers.I love the way that the author uses fairy tales to explore Tarot readings and three-card spreads.This book is chock-full of information, anyone interested in the Tarot should have it in their library!Rev. Jeffwww.revjeff.com

I just read "Tarot Tells the Tale" and it's a blast. This book not only helped me construct traditional Tarot card spreads, it did it in a fun, interesting way. The author has taught me how to interpret the cards and their meanings. As a novice card reader, the book's whimsical breezy style put me at ease, and I saw relationships and patterns in the cards that I've never seen before. But it's the NightHawk readings that are the most fun. Imagine...what if Dorothy had sought the Tarot for advice on how to get off the farm? Or what if Dr. Jekyll sought advice on how to get rid of Mr. Hyde? It stirs your imagination, and, I'm learning, imagination is the key you need to unlock insight on your own Tarot deck. It's how you see the cards and their meanings to you that is the most important lesson. The author presented the information in a such fun and fresh way...that it was a total delight to read.

This book has really helped me read the Tarot better. This book is much much more than a book of card definitions. Rickleff does readings for characters like Cinderella, Joan of Arc, George Baily from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". By doing readings for familiar characters Rickleff gives us wonderful examples of how the cards come into play in a reading. This has given me a deeper understanding of the tarot and how to do my own Tarot readings. Another great thing about this book is the section on reversals. I have found his approach on how to use reversals extremely helpful and usable.