Dictionary of the Tarot [Paperback]

Bill Butler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 1987

Takes each card of the Tarot one by one, compares the various decks currently available and in use, and the readings given by standard authorities.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Takes each card of the Tarot one by one, compares the various decks currently available and in use, and the readings given by standard authorities.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Schocken; Third printing edition (September 13, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805205594
• ISBN-13: 978-0805205596
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tarot classic., November 12, 2000

By 

Uri Raz (Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dictionary of the Tarot (Paperback)

This book, which stands up to the standards of Schocken Books and which should not be out of print, is one of my favourite.

The book compares the design and interpretation of each tarot card between many decks (e.g. Rider-Waite, Thoth, Marseilles, Golden Dawn, Gringonneur, Visconti-Sforza, and B.O.T.A), giving background material to the tarot deck as well as some specific cards.

The comparison is concise and intelligent, giving insight into both the cards' interpretation, design, and historical developement, which makes it unique.

Several spreads are given (10 cards Celtic Cross, 21 cards Gypsy Method, a method from MacGregor Mather's book The Tarot, an adaptation from Crowley's Book of Thoth, etc), which make the book a complete handbook.

A useful glossary of terms and a bibliography, which is useful for anyone who wants to study the tarot in greater depth, close this excellent book.

I highly recommend this book - is worth every cent I paid for it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does not deserve to be out of print, a classic, November 19, 2003

By 

Maryanne K. Snyder "mksnyder2" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dictionary of the Tarot (Paperback)

Concise, logical, accurate summaries of Tarot card attributions by twentieth century authorities and developers of the cards. To compare and contrast their design theories against your own card experiences deepens appreciation and sharpens thought. If you see it used, grab it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful, But Not Profound, July 26, 2004

By 

Morpheus (SE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dictionary of the Tarot (Paperback)

This is a good book for referencing multiple Tarot deck card interpretations simultaneously. However, if you are looking for deeper insights into the Tarot, or are seeking a book written with flare and imagination to inspire your soul, look elsewhere.

The Dictionary Of The Tarot is a fine general purpose tarot book, and will certainly help anyone interested in Tarot to appreciate that there are multiple meanings to each card, and how that the meanings and attributes of the cards (and decks) evolve over time in a most organic way. Mr. Butler's book is also a good compliment to other similar books on the Tarot such as Tarot and Magic by Gareth Knight, and The Devil's Picturebook by Paul Huson (a truly excellent little book).

With that appreciated, in regard to Tarot (as with so many other things in life), it is best to read widely and seek contrasting points of view. Eventually obscure corroborations start to become clear and patterns begin to manifest, at which time you will be able to better judge for yourself what is true enough from what that is more false.