The Essential Tarot Kit: Book and Card Set

I chose this item out of curiosity, because it sounded interesting, and did not cost a lot. I liked that in included: a Tarot deck, a guide book, and a box to contain it all in....for $15.22. It arrived within 2 days of ordering, and was all that it claimed. The decorative box is covered with images from the cards, and has a magnetic closure, as well as an internal molded tray which contains the book in one area, and the deck in another. The cards come in a flimsy cardboard container, and are the 'Hanson-Roberts' deck...which is an interpretation of the RWS format. The artwork on the faces, and design on the backs, of the cards will appeal more to some, and less to others.The book is about the size of a european pack of cigarettes, and hardbacked, with a dust jacket. It has 111 pages which contain illustrations, and explanations, of the cards. Each 'chapter' is a couple of short paragraphs long,; one on the upright meaning of the card, and one on the reversed meaning of the card...for each of the 78 cards. As such, the book is a basic introductory guide to...not a full y detailed study of...the cards. The book also explains the basics of giving a reading, using both the ten card Celtic Cross spread, and the 7 card Horseshoe spread. The book is limited, but well written, and easy to understand. The title of the book is The Essential Book of Tarot. It is copyrighted 2002 by Peter Pauper Press, and illustrated by Mary Hanson-Roberts. The ISBN is: 978-0-88088-238-5. It is printed in China. The cards are copyrighted by U.S. Games System Inc. Whether they are a US firm, or a Chinese one, or whatever, is not revealed. The ISBN of the package-cards, book, and decorative box, is: 978-0-88088-248-4.The cards are flimsy, and difficult to shuffle, and easy to bend. I would not use these cards as my main Tarot deck, on a regular business, for fear of bending them beyond the point of usability. For occasional readings, with gentle handling, they can be used. My pack contained all 78 Tarot cards,and two non-Tarot cards used as advertisements, or mere decoration. This kit provides a good basic (very basic) introduction to the tarot, but is not an in-depth study of it. If you are not familiar with the Tarot, consider getting it. If you are already a Tarot adept, you may want a more detailed book, and sturdier cards, as you will probably already know what is is this book, and be prone to give frequent readings. This kit is worth the price I paid for it. The cards could have been sturdier, and the book more in-depth, but also could have cost more. I'm satisfied with it. As a book, and card deck, plus container, kit with 2 day delivery, for just $15.22 it works for me.

About me and Tarot. Right now, I am a re-beginner. I used to be a very advanced Tarot reader in the mid to late 1960's when Tarot was making resurgence in popularity. I had the gift of being able to get the meanings from the card and tell the story the layout foretold for the questioners and doing it accurately. The deck I used at that time was a standard Rider-Waite and was a decent product for its time. I stopped reading the cards and haven't even thought about them for the past 50 years. My original deck is long gone. For some reason, almost a month ago I decided to start again. A detailed search led me to believe I would be unhappy with the basic Rider-Waite decks of today. I am fussy about the card stock being at least decent and I will not put up with shabby lithography with today's ability to print nice images.In my search, I found this Hanson-Roberts deck geared toward beginners. And here are the meat and potatoes of my review.This is the perfect deck for beginners. The images and colors are clear and crisp and the coloring stays within the lines. Although there is some of the small detail missing, I believe this is actually an advantage to someone just starting to learn. The images are close up and scream their story to the novice reader. As far as someone more advanced, they would work fine as a travel deck or a casual circumstance deck to do a reading. The box they come in is very sturdy and has a magnetic latch. So as the beginner grows and learns, another deck might get chosen later on, but this one will stay in use over time. The artwork is beautiful.The card stock is decent and should last for a long time. The card size is a little smaller than average but that makes shuffling easier. The images are less intense and will not frighten off the questioners you read for in the beginning who might not be all that well aquatinted with Tarot readings.The little book that comes with this deck is made very well. But it is not useful to learn Tarot reading from. You will still need a good teaching book or two. But once in a while, especially at the beginning, the key word approach of the little book can jog you into reading a particular card when you get stuck. As you progress, you will find little use for it.I was surprised how fast my reading abilities came back to me. Now that I have done a few good readings for people with this deck, I still appreciate it's qualities. I still have the gift and the ability to read the cards came flooding back. I still need to practice to get to the level I used to be at, but these particular cards were a great point to start again from.I have no doubt I will still be using them a lot.If you are a beginner looking for a quality product that you can learn to read from, I highly recommend this deck. Even after you learn, you will come back to them again. And again. And Again.

The Essential Hanson-Roberts Tarot Kit is an exceptional set for tarot enthusiasts. The beautifully illustrated cards capture the essence of each archetype, making readings insightful and visually engaging. The accompanying guidebook is comprehensive, offering clear interpretations and guidance for both beginners and seasoned readers. The sturdy box ensures the durability of the cards, making it a valuable addition to any tarot collection. Overall, a fantastic choice for those seeking a reliable and aesthetically pleasing tarot experience.

The media could not be loaded. For the price, I want to say if you have made it to the reviews as your deciding point… go ahead and buy this. This is an excellent set for someone just starting out, or who is generally curious. The cards are smaller so easier to handle, but as other reviews mentioned, the card stock isn’t all that great. I’ve had these less than a year, and haven’t actually used them as much as others, and the edges are starting to damage. It’s hard to tell in the pictures. They bend easily, but I haven’t had issues with that factor as much, I have limited hand function and they bend pretty easy, so with stronger hands, it might damage them . They shuffle well, just like poker cards. The book actually isn’t bad, for the price and level. This is definitely a beginner set, and that sincerely needs stressed, because more experienced readers likely will be underwhelmed by this as a whole. I like the molded tray in the box too, it makes things stay organized, and it allows room under it for other items you may want to keep in your box like crystals, herbs, or a pendulum. I can’t give a full five stars because of the quality of things leaving a little to be desired, but for a beginner, I would absolutely recommend this. I’m not a beginner, but I can appreciate its use for sure.