The Elemental Tarot [Paperback]

Caroline Smith (Author), John Astrop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 1999

Use the symbology of the elements to help understand your life.

How the Tarot began is not known. Many suggest that it evolved from an ancient book containing the prototype of a perfect spiritual journey. Others see it as an extension of astrology and celestial interpretations. And some view it as merely a game with uncanny relevance to life and life events. The Elemental Tarot is the perfect distillation of all these thoughts. An extraordinary deck of full-color cards, it revitalizes centuries of mystical ideas and generations of symbolic designs. No matter how you choose to use it, may its beauty and meaning serve to heighten your own awareness of life and its possibilities.

The Elemental Tarot contains:

* Twenty-two allegorical cards representing the Major Arcana
* Fifty-six illustrated Minor Arcana cards divided into four suits
* Easy-to-comprehend symbols requiring no memorization
* 128-page instructional book featuring meanings and interpretations of each card
* Three classic card layouts plus sample readings

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Revised edition (September 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312241399
• ISBN-13: 978-0312241391
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sophisticated synthesis of Tarot, Astrology and Mythology., September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elemental Tarot (Paperback)

The Elemental Tarot is a beautiful deck. Its sophisticated simplicity and combination of ancient archetypes and mythological symbols will give advanced tarot students an abundance of information which conbines Tarot, Astrology, Myth, Equiptian symbols, and a god or goddess from diverse ancient religions on every card of the minor arcana. The Astrological meanings are often different from the classical correlations in Tarot, and I found this added a new understanding of the Tarot. The book is very easy to understand, and does not limit the necessary explanation to appreciate the cards and understand their meaning. The author(s) are excellent writers and are able to put an incredible amount of information in a short. concise, and impactful description of each card. The Major and Minor arcana are equally beautiful and sophisticated. For those who are familiar with Earth-centered religion and ritual, the cards will have a particular appeal. I do not have the most recent publication, rather the limited edition by the author, so can not comment on the quality of this printing, but am led to believe it is very similar. If you want the traditional Tarot with a new look, this is not the deck for you, however, if you want to expand and deepen your understanding of Tarot you will not be disappointed.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tarot cards for astologers..., January 5, 2000

By 

Lauren L. Banks (Suffolk, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Elemental Tarot (Paperback)

Elemental Tarot is my favorite "new" tarot deck... The cards are colorful, thought-provoking and compelling. Since I bought the first edition (hardbound book in a sleeve) from the artist (with a signed card!), I have purchased 3 more sets, and am delighted to see this deck in the stores! As an astrologer, I was naturally drawn to the astrological/tarot interpretaions of the cards, but this deck would be equally useful and satisfying to someone as yet unfamiliar with tarot or astrology. If you have a penchant for collecting tarot decks, this is absolutely a MUST HAVE! The artist conveys the essence of the card with clarity and beauty, and, fortunately, without the gothic images and single-mindedness of many of the other decks on the market. I just love the deck!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Great, January 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elemental Tarot (Book and Card Set) (Hardcover)

For those interested in learning about the tarot cards forget Rider Waite and all those cups, swords and pentacles. Switch to this. The cards are full of symbolism. Easier to understand and you get better readings from them. worked for me!