We’re trying something new this week! This first post is a little long as I go over the concept and deck so bear with me! Or feel free to skip the intro entirely and go straight to the cards and recommendations ♥

The Concept

Okay so I totally got this idea from Ariel Bissett! If you haven’t seen her latest video, definitely check it out, it’s amazing. But I’ve been trying to come up with unique ways to recommend books and when I watched her video, I decided to try a spin on it!

So the plan for the foreseeable future (at least while I’m stuck at home). Is to do a weekly card pull and recommend some books based off that card!

I’m planning to do this in 2 parts. I’m terrible about promoting or connecting my Bookstagram and this blog, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to mesh the two.

On Monday mornings, I’ll share a video card pull in my Instagram stories. 

I’ll do a 3 card spread and you can play along one of two ways.

1. Chose one of the 3 cards that speaks to you. Don’t over think it, just chose which ever one your gut is telling you to.
2. View this as virtual weekly or 3 card spread! A 3 card spread can be read many ways but the most common interpretations are:
   • Past, Present, Future
   • Mind, Body, Spirit
   • You, Me, Us
   • Stop, Start, Continue

Here is where I will talk in more detail about what each card means and what corresponding book I recommend.

So that’s the concept!

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The Deck

For this first one I wanted to briefly introduce the deck. I bought this when I first got into yoga & meditation (for those of you that don’t know, I’m also a part time yoga teacher).

• This is The Wild Unknown Tarot deck and it’s absolutely stunning.
• I’ve had this deck for about 3 years and it’s definitely well loved.
• I draw the Cups most often – which is fascinating since I don’t consider myself an emotional person and that suit is all about emotions.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments! I’m far (far) from an expert, but I’ll try and answer the best I can!

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But I think that’s it for the intro. Head over to my Instagram if you want to see the story where I draw the cards and choose one that calls to you. I’ll be saving the video to my Highlights in case you miss it on Monday and want to catch up! But I’ll only be saving the current week to keep things simple to find & follow!

Or feel free to skip IG and just check out the images below!

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The Spread

So if you skipped the card pull on IG now is you opportunity to pick a card! I’ll read the cards from Left to Right. So feel free to skip to the card you pick or read them all!

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Card 1: The Past

The first card is JUDGEMENT

Meaning

This card represents forgiveness or rebirth. It’s about a period of our life coming to an end and a new beginning.

“Now is the time for forgiveness and personal freedom. This card asks you to rise up and let.. fear fall below you. Expand your wings and be reborn.”

This card feels perfect for this time as it definitely feels like a “new beginning” or new normal. This card is all about embracing the change.

Recommendation

When I flipped this card, I immediately knew I wanted to recommend a romance. I wanted to chose a book that focused on change and forgiveness as it’s central theme while still being lighthearted – as I’m sure that’s what many of us are looking for right now.

So I’m recommending:

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

This book follows Gavin as his marriage crumbles and his wife asks for a divorce. Gavin is forced to reflect back on his marriage and personal shortcomings in order to prove his love and commitment. This book is all about a couple realizing they took each other for granted and harbor a lot of resentment for each other. They really need to start over and learn how to be together all over again.

This book is funny and lighthearted and has one of my favorite, quirky friend groups!

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Card 2: The Present

The second card is Five of Pentacles

Meaning

I don’t think I could have chosen a more fitting card if I sifted through the entire deck… This card represents sadness, illness, and worry. Which I think every single one of us can relate to right now.

This is a card of hard times and “above all.. there will be worry, so much worry” (preach).

Recommendation

While this card is extremely fitting (terrifyingly so), I definitely wanted to tread lightly with a recommendation. I know more of us are looking for an escape rather than to steer into this skid of fear and worry.

But the book that immediately came to mind for this was:

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

This takes place in a small college town in California where students start falling asleep. They can’t be woken but their brains show signs of increased activity. As the city is blocked off from the rest of the world, this follows a whole cast of characters and their experience this localized epidemic.

This book definitely does follow an unexplained illness, so be careful before diving head first into this. But this book is beautifully written and is more of a character exploration than a focus on the illness.

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Card 3: The Future

The final card is The Devil

The Meaning

Okay so not the greatest card… but the devil isn’t as scary as it seems.

This card is all about addiction, negativity, and materialism. It can come in the form of materialistic possessions, thoughts, substances, or relationships.

It can mean you’re living in fear, feeling dominated, or weighed down by things. It urges you to let go of what is holding you back.

Recommendation

This was by far the hardest card to find a recommendation for! I stared at my shelves for a long while before it finally came to me.

But I think this book fits perfectly:

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig

So this book is a 12 Dancing Princesses retelling. It follows a family with 12 daughters, some of whom have recently and mysteriously died. The village believes the family is cursed as more of accidents occur. But Annaleigh doesn’t believe any of the deaths are accidents at all…

The remaining sisters are sick of grieving and escape through a magical door to attend balls in their silk gowns and slippers. Meanwhile, Annaleigh doesn’t know if she should stop or join these forbidden trysts.

This book is all about materialism and curses and demons. It’s a super atmospheric and chilling read with some amazing twists and turns. Highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a captivating standalone fantasy!

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Okay so that’s it for week 1 of Tarot Card Recommendations! I really, really hope you enjoyed this!!

Let me know down below what card you chose and if you agree with my recommendation or have any other ones! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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