- Book Title: Talking with the Tarot – Conversations with Your 78 New Best Friends
- Author: Samantha Rose Hicks – https://www.samantharosehicks.com/
- Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, May 2025, (US)
- RRP: USD $18.99 / GBP £16.99
- ISBN: 978-0-7387-7843-3
- Reviewed by: Mary du Plessis
In the constantly expanding landscape of tarot literature, “Talking with the Tarot” by Samantha Rose Hicks emerges as an accessible and inspiring contribution. Hicks is both a tarot reader and teacher, and crafts a work that is as much about forging personal connection as it is about divination. Over the course of this practical and evocative guide, Hicks does a good job demystifying the tarot, encouraging readers to discover their own intuitive language and approach.
From the start, Hicks establishes a warm and conversational tone. She invites readers into the world of tarot not as an authority, but as a fellow traveler who has traveled the journey of symbolism, intuition, and self-discovery. The structure of “Talking with the Tarot” reflects this welcoming stance: instead of rigid rules or dogma, Hicks offers a framework for exploration. Her chapters often open with anecdotes based on her own experiences as well as stories from her client, which grounds the tarot in lived experience. This narrative approach makes the book both engaging and relatable.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its clarity and organization. Hicks leads the reader from foundational tarot concepts such as the structure of the deck, the significance of the suits, and the archetypal resonance of the Major Arcana, into more nuanced territory that includes spreads, intuitive reading methods, and interpretation strategies. What sets her manual apart is the emphasis on dialogue: not just between the reader and cards, but with oneself and the world at large. Hicks presents the tarot as a living conversation, a set of symbols that adapts and evolves as we do.
The heart of “Talking with the Tarot” centers on accessibility. Hicks is careful to acknowledge the intimidation many feel when first approaching the tarot. Her advice is grounded and practical, encouraging experimentation and self-reflection rather than rote memorization. She includes exercises that help readers develop trust in their own interpretations such as journaling prompts, visualization techniques, and even suggested conversations with the cards themselves. The result is a guidebook that feels empowering rather than prescriptive.
Another standout aspect of this book is Hicks’s ability to bridge the esoteric with the everyday. She offers advice on integrating tarot into daily routines, whether through single card draws for reflection or more elaborate spreads for moments of confusion or transition. Her voice is consistently supportive, urging readers to ask questions, listen deeply, and honor their own inner wisdom. In doing so, Hicks reimagines the tarot as a tool for personal growth and mindful living, not merely fortune-telling.
If there is a limitation to “Talking with the Tarot,” it might be that experienced tarot practitioners seeking advanced techniques or historical analyses may find the content somewhat introductory. However, for beginners and intermediate readers, or those wanting to rejuvenate their relationship with the cards, this book is a treasure trove of insights and encouragement.
In sum, Samantha Rose Hicks’s “Talking with the Tarot” is a beautifully crafted guide that illuminates the art of tarot reading with empathy, clarity, and joy. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking to incorporate language of tarot into their daily conversations.
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