BOOKS (continued)
Illustration (above): Cover from The Crowley Tarot (copyright � 1995 U.S. Games Systems).
The Crowley Tarot: The Handbook to the Cards by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris (U.S. Games Systems, ISBN 0880797150) by Akron and Hajo Banzhaf, is a good introduction to interpreting cards, especially those of the Thoth Tarot, with which it is illustrated and best used. The authors explore each card methodically, including description, introductory discussion, analysis, commentary, interpretations, and much more. To a lesser extent, Akron and Banzhaf explore reversed cards, spreads, and how to learn card reading. Their writing is clear and they have a knack for shedding valuable light on the Thoth Tarot, an important deck that some beginners might otherwise find confusing. On the other hand, some readers will find their approach weak with regard to traditional Occultism or Western Esotericism and it is not completely faithful to Crowley’s intent as described in his challenging, highly recommended study, The Book of Thoth.
Illustration (above): Cover from Spiritual Tarot (copyright � 1996 Echols, Mueller, & Thomson).
Spiritual Tarot: Seventy-Eight Paths to Personal Development (Avon Books, ISBN 0380782065) by Signe E. Echols, Robert Mueller, & Sandra A. Thomson, is a good introduction to divination by Tarot, including interpreting the cards, choosing a deck, framing questions, and using spreads. The authors explain each card, including a concise discussion of its symbolism and imagery, lessons it may hold, divinatory meanings (upright), and what they term its “shadow aspects”. To a lesser extent they explore reversed cards and using Tarot for meditation. Their writing is clear and direct. Each card is illustrated from three decks: a RWS deck, The Morgan-Greer Tarot, and The Aquarian Tarot. It is best used with these decks; however, it may be adapted for use with other variations on RWS.
Illustration (above): Cover from Living the Tarot (copyright � 2000 Jayanti).
Living the Tarot: Applying Ancient Wisdom to the Challenges of Modern Living (Revised Edition) (Wordsworth, ISBN 1840225130) by Amber Jayanti, explores in detail how you can relate each Major Arcanum to your everyday life. Jayanti cogently discusses the cards from philosophical, spiritual, and psychological perspectives and, to a lesser extent, relates them to traditional Occultism or Western Esotericism. For each Major Arcanum, she provides divinatory questions, relates personal experiences of herself and her students, and suggests practical ways to learn and integrate the wisdom of these cards into your everyday life. However, sometimes her observations and suggestions are simplistic and repetitive. The author does not discuss the Minor Arcana. The book is illustrated with the Major Arcana of the Builders of the Adytum [BOTA] Tarot, which are similar, but not identical, to those of RWS decks. Therefore, it is best used with the BOTA Tarot; however, it may be adapted for use with RWS decks, or a variation on RWS.
Of the many other introductory books, only a few can be listed here: Dictionary of the Tarot (Schocken, ISBN 0805205594) by Bill Butler; Easy Tarot Guide (ACS, ISBN 0917086597) by Marcia Masino; Tarot as a Way of Life: A Jungian Approach to Tarot (Red Wheel/Samuel Weiser, ISBN 087728878X) by Karen Hamaker-Zondag; The Element Tarot Handbook: An Initiation into the Key Elements of the Tarot (Element, ISBN 185230488X) by Namoi Ozaniec; and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot (Barnes and Noble, ISBN 0760714576; HarperCollins, ISBN 0007131151; Element, ISBN 1862042128) by Rachel Pollack.
The guide continues with more about books . . . click here.
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Copyright � 2002 James W. Revak. All rights reserved. (12/10/02).
