A Keeper of Words: Accompanying Book to Legend: The Arthurian Tarot (book only) [Paperback]

Anna-Marie Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2003

There are actually several myths associated with King Arthur. Perhaps you have in mind the beautiful lords and ladies of the round table. Or maybe you think of the Quest for the Holy Grail. Perhaps you think of the early Celtic legends about him. Whatever you associate with the stories that surround this legendary king, you are sure to agree that these myths have fascinated Westerners for up to 1500 years.

The Tarot has been popular for only half that time, but it, too, has caught the fascination of people in the West. Now you can see how easily these two spiritual paths can be combined thanks to Anna-Marie Ferguson's A Keeper of Words.

Although designed to accompany and enhance her Legend Tarot deck (available separately), this book is also a great way to get to the core of both the Arthurian myths and legends and the Tarot. The book is based upon Ferguson's amazing seventy-eight watercolor Legend illustrations (all are reproduced here in black-and-white). Each of the Tarot cards is associated with an event or person in the Arthurian legends. By combining the two you will have a new perspective on the Tarot and a deeper understanding of the mythic symbolism of the tales of King Arthur.

For example, the book associates the Major Arcana card the Hierophant with Taliesin. The image shows Taliesin introducing children to "his lady," the harp. You will learn that Taliesin encourages questions from all and fosters their creative, artistic talents. Thus, the meaning of the card is "A person with experience he or she is willing to share. An authority. A kind and generous mentor who nurtures spiritual awareness." Reversed it means "Rigid thinking with no room for growth."

The description and symbolism for this and all seventy-eight images, as well as the meanings of the images in a Tarot reading, go into far more detail. In this way your readings become deeper, more intuitive and multilayered.

For anyone interested in the Tarot (especially the Legend Tarot), or King Arthur, this book is a must.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

I think it is important to keep learning. But some subjects seem to have a finite amount you can learn about them. For example, the Tarot. If you learn the meanings of the cards and lots of spreads and you may think you've got it.

Humans are creative and continue to find inspiring, new ways of looking at the Tarot. In this way a person's understanding of the cards can continue to expand.

In A Keeper of Words, Anna-Marie Ferguson actually brings something old to the cards: the Arthurian legends. She created images for each of the seventy-eight Tarot cards (you can get her deck that is the focus of this book, Legend: The Arthurian Tarot, separately). Each image is a scene or character from the Arthurian myths. These images (reproduced in the book in black-and-white) can add to your knowledge of the ancient legends as they deepen your interpretive understandings of the Tarot.

The book has everything you need: An introduction to Tarot cards; an introduction to the Arthurian legends; and instructions on how to read the cards with three spreads and a sample reading. Then it examines each and every one of the Legend deck images.

For each one you will discover the meaning of the card (both upright and reversed) as well as a description of her watercolor painting and the meaning of the symbolism. By learning from the symbolism of the card you will find that your interpretation of the Tarot becomes even better and your appreciation and understanding of the Arthurian legends will grow.

If you have an interest in either the Tarot or legends of Camelot and Arthur, this book is a must. Linked together in this book, they can increase not just your knowledge, but your wisdom in both areas. Your Tarot readings will be better, Your understanding of Arthurian symbols and archetypes will be more instinctive, and you will find guidance in the wisdom of these two great spiritual systems. Pick up your copy today!

About the Author

Anna-Marie Ferguson, a Scorpio, was born November 10, 1966, in the heart of the New Forest, Hampshire, England. When she was ten years old her family emigrated to rural Alberta, Canada. Anna returned to England in 1982 to undergo training in graphic design. She eventually returned to Alberta where she continued a career in design, devoting her spare time to developing her illustrating skills, ably assisted by her three cats.

Anna's fascination with Celtic legends and the Tarot began when she was a child in England. The atmosphere of the New Forest was steeped in history, and faithful readings of the legends cultivated an appreciation of "the romantic" in Anna. Such formative influences have inspired Anna to keep this bygone age alive through her art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 2nd edition (June 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567182666
• ISBN-13: 978-1567182668
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The legend of Arthur lives on!, December 30, 1999

By 

"starrwalker" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Keeper of Words: Accompanying Book to Legend: The Arthurian Tarot (book only) (Paperback)

This 250 page book is the companion for the Arthurian Tarot Deck. For those who own the deck I am sure this is a long-awaited book. The charm of the legend is undeniable as it retells the history of the goddess in a romantic fashion. Ms. Ferguson relates the legends of Arthur as she details the meanings of each card which is why this book is so detailed. Incredibly she does this with the entire deck. It represents allot of hard work and thought on her part as she extends to the reader her visions of the legend taking them well beyond the ordinary meaning of the tarot cards, into the realm of fantasy and mythos. Ms. Ferguson is an incredible storyteller!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative!, August 11, 2002

By 

PaganDeva2000 "pagandeva2000" (Queens, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Keeper of Words: Accompanying Book to Legend: The Arthurian Tarot (book only) (Paperback)

The cards as well as the book are artistic, and strike the imagination. You can compare the meanings to the cards as well as the story lines of the Arthurian Legend for further insights along with the Tarot. While I think that the author should have been a bit more accurate with the elements relating to the cards, I still think that one can certainly begin to appreciate the art, imagination, and accuracy of the Tarot.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great On Its Own, October 21, 2009

By 

Christina Paul (Anamosa, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Keeper of Words: Accompanying Book to Legend: The Arthurian Tarot (book only) (Paperback)

It was because of this book that I was inspired to purchase the Legend: Arthurian Tarot Deck. I have just ordered the Tarot deck, and the only way that it was available without having to resort to getting a used deck was as a boxed set. Even without the cards, I have gained a great deal of insight and value to the Arthurian legends and folklore that I didn't know about. This particular book makes these 1500 year old legends that are so integral to Western culture much more accessible than the accompanying book that was provided by the Arthurian Tarot created by John and Caitlin Matthews. Without their book "Hallowquest Complete Tarot Course" which is completely seperate from the deck and it's accompanying book in that boxed set, these legends seem distant and honestly, rather boring.

This is definitely not the case with Ms. Ferguson's book, "A Keeper of Words". She has successfully overlaid the Tarot's symbolism onto the Arthurian legends and folklore and made them resonate to the reader - both of the book and the cards. I was very impressed with her knowledge about the folklore surrounding Avalon, the Fortunate Island and the myths of Morgan le Fay, the Lady of the Lake and the transitions between the old pre-existing Pagan Celtic culture toward England and the Isles going toward Christianity. Anna-Marie Ferguson does not bash Christianity, nor does she overglorify Pagan / Goddess tradition to the point where the history gets lost or convoluted into something that those who think that Spirituality and history can coexist without one excluding the other. It's a very balanced perspective, which is decidedly rather rare in a Llewllyn book.

The Tarot descriptions, though brief are fairly good and are geared more toward beginning readers of the Tarot. The real value comes in the mythologies and the backstories for the illustrations on each of the cards - which were painted by the author herself. These are absolutely stunning. The card on the cover is the "Judgement" card and show the Four Queens bearing Arthur to his rest on the Isle of Avalon. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in Tarot or Arthurian lore. Of course it is better when you own the Legend deck, however, it is just fine as a stand-alone product.