There are many software packages out there on the computer market which are for tarot card reading.  Well, ok, not *that* many.  But even so, there are enough of them that the makers of this software program make it available very cheaply in order to be competitive.  I've seen it for an average of about $9.95 in stores like Office Max and Staples.  I got my copy, sealed, online for $2.  If you decide you like what you read here, I would definitely price around.

This software comes in a PC format only.  I emailed the support department to verify that there is no Mac version and they did.  Versions for both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 are included on the disk, which tells you it is not a new program.  I am running Windows 98 and it works fine on my system.  Other system requirements are equally outdated and so the chance that someone will not have sufficient memory or hard drive space is minimal.

The program is not terribly difficult to install, so even a technical moron like myself could manage it.  So if I can do it, anyone can!  One thing I do like is that this program installs on your hard drive and then you can run it from the hard drive without needing the cd-rom again.  For people like myself who tend to lose disks this is a plus.  You could also buy one copy and install it on more than one computer.  For instance, like me, where I could install it on the computer in the store, as well as at home.  I could use it in either place.  Many programs today require the user to have the actual cd-rom in the drive before they will run.

When you start up the program, you basically are presented with a graphic of a series of cards laid out across the bottom, the way a person might fan out the deck after shuffling.  You get to pick the cards.  They are face down, but you essentially choose them.  The computer shuffles them randomly and then you select which cards to place in the spread.  You click on the card and it floats up to the position in the spread.  After you have filled the spread, you can either click on the cards one at a time to turn them over and see what you have, or you can use the "reveal all cards" option to see them all at once.

You have a choice of eleven spreads, including the traditional celtic cross and some very interesting alternatives.  You have the ability to create new spreads and save them for future use, with what is called "Free Positioning."  You can also use the Free Positioning to just draw cards randomly.  I like this package for use in inventing new spreads.  You can try them out here first and see how you like them.  The program remembers what order you place them into the spread in, and then when you use it for a reading it draws them in that order.  So you have to do it in order.

You can choose from three different tarot decks for your reading.  I found it interesting which decks they used.  The Rider-Waite was expected, of course -- except that it looks like it is the Albano-Waite variation that they are using.  They also use the Cosmic Tarot deck and the Experimental Tarot deck.  I know many people who like these decks and so this will also be a bonus.  I haven't tried it myself (yet) but there is an option in this package where you can add a new tarot deck.  It is not recommended for beginners, and when you go to add a new deck you get a warning to make sure you have the copyrights or permissions to do so.  I liked this.  It may be very appealing for those who are designing their *own* tarot decks, to see a computer program actually using their designs.

This program allows you to print out the results of the reading.  Your choice -- print the meanings of each card, or print the picture of the spread with the cards in it.  However, I did not like the way this came out when I printed it.  The meanings of each card are the stock trite little things you get in the cheesy little booklets, and they do not seem to be altered by where in the spread they come up.  Instead, you get a description of the card, and you get a description of the position of the spread, and you get to figure out how it relates.  This will not be as easy for beginners as some other programs might be.  In this respect, it is about the same as picking up a deck, laying the cards out and then looking them up in the Eden Gray book and trying to make heads or tails out of it.

It runs kind of slow, and is not big on graphics or anything.  This program is not about looks or flashy shows.  It stays very down-to-earth and works towards simple rather than complicated.  The person who would gain the most from this kind of program is a person who knows what the cards mean immediately upon looking at them in the spread, without looking them up.  This is not a program I would recommend for a tarot beginner since the meanings will only frustrate.  It does, however, make an interesting desktop "toy" for those who are more familiar with tarot.

Overall, this program has its strengths in the extra features it offers, rather than in its actual readings.  If you are thinking about buying this program, it is important that you be honest about what you are looking for the program to do.  If you want readings, there are probably better programs.  However, for spread-building, tinkering, or whatnot, this program works well and is actually easy to work with.  Not every program allows you to input a new deck, either, so that may be a recommending factor for some users.

Best Feature:  Free Positioning

Most Lacking Feature:  Card Meanings

System Requirements:

386DX or higher DOS-compatible PC with DOS 5.0 or higher
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95
256-color VGA or SVGA
4MB of RAM (8MB recommended)
CD-Rom Drive
10MB hard drive space
Windows-supported mouse and printer
Optional 8-bit or higher sound card

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Review Copyright 2000 by Gina M. Pace

Expert Tarot CD-Rom, 1997
Expert Software, Inc.
ISBN 1-57709-246-5