Cards You're Dealt

Theresa Reed, also known as The Tarot Lady, is a bestselling, award-winning author with multiple books under her belt. She has worked as a professional tarot reader and astrologer for over thirty years, reading for thousands of clients from every walk of life. A classic Gemini, she is adept at juggling more than one thing at a time. Is it any wonder she is proficient at both astrology and tarot? Theresa loves sharing her knowledge and passion with tarot- and astrology-curious folks all over the world via online classes and in-person workshops. Her goal: to make this information accessible, hip, and fun. She is also a writer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac and has been featured in many publications, such as Nylon, Parade, and InStyle, and on The Today Show. Her books have been published in multiple languages. Theresa lives in the mighty fine (not horrible) city of Milwaukee with her husband.

“The Cards You’re Dealt is not a ‘love and light’ book that glosses over the shadows of death and grief. It’s a compassionate, practical, step-by-step guide to how we can truly learn to heal and help others heal. The stories that Theresa shares are vulnerable and real, sprinkled with her Scorpio Moon humor. This book is for both tarot beginners and seasoned practitioners. You will want to come back to this book over and over again—it is filled with so much wisdom and magic.”—Pamela Chen, author of Enchanted Crystal Magic and Tarot of The Owls  “Theresa Reed has never been a tarot reader that shies away from the hard questions. It is a completely admirable trait and one that I have always wondered how to cultivate it in my tarot practice. In this book, The Cards You’re Dealt, Theresa shows us exactly how to do that: look at the hard topics and be willing to read tarot on them with an unflinching but compassionate gaze . . . and always in service to the sitter. Through practice exercises, pro tips, and tarot spreads on job loss, global tragedies, and grief in all its forms, Theresa has indeed written a book that is not typical in its treatment of the taboo subjects that most tarot readers would rather avoid. Confront them we must, if we are to be well-rounded readers, and to serve our sitters in times they need us most. This book is a necessity for any professional tarot reader.”—Hilary Parry Haggerty, author of How to Read Tarot   “When life hands you lemons, pick up The Cards You’re Dealt: How to Deal when Life Gets Real by Theresa Reed. With unabashed humor, truth, and compassion, Theresa tackles tough questions that tarot readers often face, such as how to handle health readings or help those experiencing grief. She provides guidance on what to say to those who may be suffering, scared, or overwhelmed. As any tarot reader worth their salt knows, the way you deliver a reading and the connection you build with the person are just as important as the accuracy of your tarot card interpretations. Theresa Reed’s expertise makes her the perfect guide for your tarot journey, offering deep healing insights from a place of authenticity and truth. Drawing from her years of experience as a professional reader, Theresa generously shares her own life stories, making this book not just about reading tarot cards but also about fostering empathy for both yourself and others. It’s an invaluable resource for learning how to read your tarot deck when you are most apt to draw cards the most: at crossroads moments that eventually come for all of us.” —Jenna Matlin, author of Will You Give Me a Reading?   “Theresa Reed has written the exact book I need exactly when I needed it. The Cards You’re Dealt: How to Deal when Life Gets Real is a deep (and deeply personal) dive into the confusing and often isolating world of loss and grief. Far from the ‘love and light’ gloss of pop spirituality, Reed takes us through the blood and guts of mourning so we can lead ourselves and our tarot clients to the glory of acceptance and healing. Her guidance on how to communicate with grieving people is beautifully stated and universally useful. The dictionary of card meanings and collection of spreads are accompanied by examples, exercises, and tips that make this book accessible to novices and experts alike. Theresa Reed is an incredibly kind and wise soul, and this book reflects that perfectly.”—Melinda Lee Holm, author of Your Tarot Guide  “Not everything in life is easy and often when people seek out a tarot reading it’s because they are experiencing something difficult. This is one (of many) reasons why Theresa Reed’s book, The Cards You’re Dealt is essential reading—both for those who read tarot professionally and for those who wish to seek out a reading in order to address a tough situation. Theresa pulls no punches in this work as she guides the reader in a gentle and supportive way into unlocking the meanings and medicines that the tarot can provide when we experience hard stuff. Reed is not only an amazing reader herself, she is also someone, as she shares in the book, who personally navigated tough situations throughout most of her life, making her a truly exceptional guide.” —Briana Saussy, author of Making Magic