Customer Reviews

Dictionary of the Tarot

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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.

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.

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.

This book is a well organized and clearly written overview of the various meanings ascribed to each card in the tarot deck. It avoids the portenteous and superficial mystery-mongering which mar many books on the tarot.