- Author: Shavonne Readus (also known as V. of RedLight Readings)
- Publisher: Red Wheel/ Weiser
- Publication Date: July 6, 2026
- RRP: US$16.95 / UK £14.99
- ISBN: 9781578638598
- Reviewed by: Amy Bowker
It’s pretty hard to overstate the importance of self-confidence in basically any endeavor, let alone cartomancy. So, when a book promises to help boost this superpower, it’s going to get my attention. Tarot for the Flawed & Fearless is one such book and it’s designed to help you tap into the energy of the 22 Major Arcana cards to build confidence. Through a variety of lessons that explore the cards in unique ways, author Shavonne Readus provides an inspiring and accessible guidebook for readers of any level.
Building Confidence Through the Major Arcana
The 176-page book includes 22 “lessons”, one for each of the cards in the Major Arcana. Readus exclusively uses traditional Rider Waite Smith images throughout each lesson, highlighting keywords, energies to embody, aids to self-confidence based on the images in each card, astro influences, and finally a section on how to put each card to work in building confidence. A wide variety of active suggestions can be found in each lesson, such as journal prompts, affirmations, meditation prompts, and card spreads. I found these action plans to be easily do-able and also distinctive and original.
The energies highlighted for each card cover a range of traditional associations that are reinforced by clever symbolic focal points. Likewise, some of the card associations themselves are delightfully unexpected. The Death card, for example, can be interpreted in a whole new light when we focus on receiving gratitude, optimism, and identity shifting. Since this card indicates change and rebirth, it’s interesting to focus on all the eventual positives of that change rather than solely lingering on the upheaval of the shift itself. To me, this is what the book does so brilliantly, it illuminates a wider understanding of some of the most familiar cards. And this allows us to bond with the cards of the Major Arcana in a deeper way.
Pick Your Own Tarot Adventure
The book bills itself as a kind of pick your own adventure experience because there are so many different avenues of exploration offered here. That’s definitely how reading this book felt to me. I especially enjoyed the aids to self-confidence sections, which offered symbolic insights that felt fresh. For instance, the cloak on the Hermit card is likened to the protective energy of Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility. And the wand clutched in the hand of the figure on The Chariot reminds us of the magical power of intention in helping you move toward your goals.
Overall, I felt the book did a wonderful job of bringing each card to life. As I explored the energy of each card through the exercises and reflections, I felt a boost in my self-confidence as a card reader. But I also felt a greater understanding of each card, as though a veil was being lifted from some of the cards I find a bit elusive. (I’m looking at you, Hierophant.)
Building Self-Confidence in Practice:
I tried a variety of exercises throughout the book and appreciated the range of options. I especially liked the “Crowned and Connected” meditation in the High Priestess lesson that embraced the crown symbolism on the card. I also enjoyed the 4-card “Spread for Renovation: Demolition and Destiny” found in the Tower lesson. It’s a helpful spread to guide you through difficult transitions and toward healthy growth. Temperance offered a fun balancing exercise, and the short-and-effective affirmation in the Magician lesson (“The magic is in my voice”) resonated with me.
This book will appeal to:
Beginners and experts alike will find something to help them tap into the energies of the Major Arcana cards. If you’re new to reading the tarot, the keywords and symbols will be especially helpful in building an intuitive interpretation for each card. And if you’re not new to reading tarot, the insights still felt unique to me, and the exercises will help strengthen your relationship with each card.
More About the Author:
Shavonne Readus (also known as V. of RedLight Readings) is a professional reader, teacher, and author who has presented at national and international tarot conferences. She is a former speech and language pathologist and feels passionate about helping others communicate effectively.
Tarot for the Flawed and Fearless can be purchased here https://redwheelweiser.com/book/tarot-for-the-flawed-and-fearless-9781578638598/ and from all good bookstores from 06-Jul-26 onwards.
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