The Mystical Tarot (Signet) [Paperback]

Rosemary Ellen Guiley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2001 | Series: Signet

From the bestselling author of The Encyclopedia of Dreams comes the perfect Tarot user's guide. Includes: Easy-to-understand diagrams and illustrations ¥ Instructions on laying out, reading, and interpreting the cards ¥ A history of the Tarot ¥ A glossary of symbols ¥ An appendix to crystals and stones ¥ Advice on Tarot meditation ¥ Differences and implications of various Tarot decks ¥ The relationship between Tarot and Kabbalism ¥ Tarot interpretations by experts ¥ and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451168003
• ISBN-13: 978-0451168009
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,708,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars useful as casual, quick reference book, September 4, 2002

By 

A. Murrill (Atlanta, GA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystical Tarot (Signet) (Paperback)

The first section of the book, an extensive 80 pages, deals with numerology, kabbalism, and different theories on the origin of today's various tarot decks. It is rather dry reading and I found my attention wandering.
However I bought this book for the next section: a card-by-card explanation of major and minor arcana, including pictures of each standard Rider-Waite card. It was the only tarot book I could find that had the cards laid out one to a page, making it easy to thumb through. I added colored tabs to the sections (major arcana and the four suits) and have thus made it into a quick reference guide.

I did not read any online reviews or other opinions before purchasing this book, and I think there may be better guides out there. Although the book contains a lot of technical information, it is difficult to absorb and retain.
Seeing as how I only use my deck sporadically the book works for me as a fast reference, but for a more intuitive, working understanding of the cards I would look elsewhere.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on the topic, May 29, 2008

By 

R. Wensil "Second2None" (CHICAGO, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystical Tarot (Signet) (Paperback)

This book is well written and easy on the eyes. There are pictures of the cards. The meaning is explained as well as the symbols on the cards. There are also example spreads and a directory of symbols in the back. This was one of the first books I read 10 years ago when I was learning to read the cards. I recommend this book for anyone looking to get started in reading the cards. Anyone looking to master this art would do well to read this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic Information For Beginners, April 14, 2011

By 

J. H. Minde "Everything I need is right here" (Boca Raton, Florida and Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Mystical Tarot (Mass Market Paperback)

This is an excellent resource for novice students of Tarot. The author, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, presents each card of the "standard" 78-card Rider-Waite Tarot deck with a brief description in order to assist in interpretive readings.

This book DOES NOT delve into great detail; nor does it deconstruct the dense, often obscure esoterica which appears on the Rider-Waite cards. But for someone just familiarizing themselves with Tarot, this book makes an indispensable first reference guide.