Nancy Shavick's Tarot Universe (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Billed as the "Linda Goodman of the Tarot," Shavick is skilled at presenting the traditional insights of the tarot in an engaging manner that avoids the pitfalls of trivialization on the one hand and esoteric obscuration on the other. Primary a "how-to" book, it discusses the various "spreads" and appropriate attitudinal approach for effective "reading," but the bulk of the text is devoted to interpretive analyses of the cards in the respective subject areas of romance, work and business, and spiritual growth. She explains an interesting technique for using a "significator card" to identify the topic or combination of subjects (work, love, trouble, money) which are presenting themselves for consideration. Tarot enthusiasts and novices alike will find this a useful handbook in their exploration." -- KJ, NAPRA ReView, Nov/Dec 1999

"Nancy Shavick has a relaxed, low key, highly spiritual, and tremendously insightful interpretation of the Tarot to share with us. I find her insights to be impeccable. Her analysis and interpretation of personality types is brilliant and incredibly accurate. Her influence on me as a reader has been significant . . . Her ability to clarify the complexities of human emotions and situations through the cards is quite profound. She writes as if she were sitting in your living room speaking to you. She shows no condescension or reproach, and she shares her wisdom." -- Cheryl Lynne Bradley, President of Tarot Canada

"The book is thorough in its presentation of the history and symbolism of the cards and clear in its directions for their use. Nancy Shavick's Tarot Universe is a thoughtful and enlightening presentation of a subject too long shrouded in mystery." -- Kristine Morris, ForeWord, October, 1999

Product Description

Enter Nancy Shavick's Tarot Universe! Nancy Shavick revolutionized the Tarot as a tool for personal growth, and has accumulated a vast following that includes professional Tarot readers, celebrities, and devoted fans. In Nancy Shavick's Tarot Universe, Shavick shares her profound knowledge in an easy-to-understand, "how-to" format geared to both beginners and experts alike. No other Tarot book provides as much detailed information on using the cards to analyze romantic, financial, career, and spiritual questions. Nancy Shavick's Tarot Universe will show you how to read your own cards, as well as the Tarot cards of your friends and family using any Tarot desk.

Nancy Shavick's Tarot Universe features:
* The history of the Tarot
* How to give a Tarot card reading
* Shavick's most popular Tarot spreads
* Detailed interpretations of the 78 Tarot cards
* Sample Tarot card readings

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Santa Monica Press (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891661086
• ISBN-13: 978-1891661082
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #779,332 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference for the Tarot, December 29, 1999

By	Margaret A. Macdonald (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent reference work on the tarot. As usual, Nancy Shavick has produced a positive and encouraging guide to using the tarot for spiritual growth and insight. Her clear writing makes this excellent for beginning as well as more advanced tarot readers. Nancy provides an interesting history of the tarot, along with guidance on how to use the tarot as a catalyst for spiritual growth and increasing intuitive perceptions. There are several new spreads, with detailed instructions, as well as sample readings. Nancy also ties tarot elements back to astology, numerology, chakras, and the elements. Each tarot card is explained in detail, with general meanings and meanings divided into categories: Love, Work/Money, and Spirituality. Nancy also provides useful appendices on important card combinations and cards with similar meanings. There is some material carried over from her previous works, but this is still an extremely useful overview of the tarot. Note: Nancy only interprets cards right side up. I have used Nancy's books and her personal services (the book provides contact information) and she has always been extremely helpful, understanding, and encouraging. She is my favorite tarot author.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything, except a Tarot deck, included in this reference!, January 7, 2001

By	Barbara A. Bolek (Hamtramck, MI USA) - See all my reviews

There really isn't very much to dislike about this tarot resource. Author Nancy Shavick has thought of just about everything to make this a useful tool for both beginning and more advanced Tarot practitioners.

She spends a little time on the history and background of the cards. Shavick then spends a little more time on the steps to take to do a Tarot reading, including a unique way to establish a subject-combination for the reading. Then there is a wonderful selection of tarot spreads, some of the more common and some obscure. I especially liked the Lifetimes Spread, dealing with past, present and future/eternal life themes.

Shavick then provides an opinionated, yet well thought-out chapter, on techniques for tarot readers, including such things as: preparing for a reading, hazards of speculating, how often to read the cards, event timing, and why it's hard to read your own cards, etc. I say opinionated because there are various schools of thought on such issues, so take them in, but be aware that there are other ways of looking at such matters.

She also provides sample readings, excellent appendixes on tarot card combinations, cards with similar meanings, and how to interpret tarot cards in particular positions of the Grand Cross Spread.

But the meat of the book is on card interpretations, and she has provided a wealth of information for each card; a general interpretation, romance, work/business, and spiritual growth categories of interpretation.

There are a few shortcomings. I do not like the fact that she apparently does not think that cards should be read reversed. Also, I wish she had some additional important categories for interpretations, such as home or family, and health. Another problem for me surfaces in the romance interpretations. Shavick displays an obvious heterosexual approach which I believe is quite limiting and she seems to be only speaking to women in this section, as if a man would never be asking romance questions.

But shortcomings aside, this is a very informative reference, providing a lot of quality information, from someone who obviously knows the Tarot well. It is a fine, complete resource, but perhaps, not the only one you will want in your Tarot library.

5.0 out of 5 stars best book ever!, November 13, 2009

By	teksup3 (marin county, ca) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was given to my daughter as a gift. After using it a couple of times, I threw away all my other Tarot books. Just purchased a copy for a friend! Nancy-Thanks for sharing and hope to see more of your work!