FAQ
Questions from the entrance hall.
Practical answers about the series, reading order, methods, and purchase links.
What is The Tarot Codex?
The Tarot Codex is a ten-book series by François R. Bonchamp that teaches tarot as a symbolic language built from image, number, element, court, symbol, astrology, spread relationship, gesture, Minor Arcana structure, and reversal.
Is this series for beginners?
Yes, especially for beginners who do not want to memorize all 78 cards mechanically. The series begins with observation and structure, then builds toward advanced interpretation.
Is this series for professional Tarot readers?
Yes. Experienced readers can use the Codices to sharpen language, explain reasoning more clearly, and deepen spread-level interpretation.
Do I need to memorize all 78 cards?
The Codex method reduces dependence on memorization by teaching why cards behave as they do. Memory still helps, but it is supported by structure.
In what order should I read the Codices?
The strongest path is Codex I through X. Readers with a specific need can also begin with the relevant volume, such as court cards, combinations, or reversals.
Is this series about fortune-telling?
The series is about symbolic interpretation, reflective practice, and responsible reading. It avoids theatrical certainty and fatalistic claims.
Does the series use astrology?
Yes. Codex VI covers planets, zodiac signs, decans, and correspondences as an interpretive layer that supports the card without overpowering it.
Does the series cover reversed cards?
Yes. Codex X, The Reversal Key, is devoted to a practical method for reading reversed cards without relying on automatic opposites.
Can I read one Codex without reading the others?
Yes. Each Codex stands alone, but the complete series is designed to form one coherent method.
What is the best book for tarot reading?
The best book depends on how you read. For image-first reading, start with The Tarot Codex, beginning with Codex I, Tarot by Sight. It teaches you to read each card as a scene rather than a flashcard. Pair it with a Rider-Waite-Smith deck, because its illustrated scenes give every lesson something concrete to study.
What is the best book to learn tarot card reading?
Choose a book that teaches a method, not only a list of meanings, because memorized keywords fail once cards combine. The Tarot Codex series builds the skill step by step, from seeing a card through numbers, elements, court cards, and spreads. Read Codex I first, then continue in order, drawing one card daily.
What is the most accurate tarot reading?
No tarot reading is verifiably accurate the way a measurement is, because tarot is a reflective practice rather than a prediction. The most useful readings are specific, grounded in what the cards actually show, and honest about uncertainty. A reader who explains their reasoning will serve you better than one who claims certainty.
Which tarot should I buy?
Buy a Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Its fully illustrated cards, including the numbered suit cards, are the standard that most books and teachers assume. The Classic 1909 Tarot Deck, Universal Waite Tarot, and The Weiser Tarot are good choices on our Decks page. Pick the artwork you enjoy looking at, since you will study it often.
Where can I buy the books?
Each Codex page includes the available Amazon Kindle and paperback links exactly as provided in the source material.