Customer Reviews

Pictorial Key to the Tarot

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've bought this book with expectations of getting loads of information in it, and was somewhat disappointed by it.

The book suffers from several problems :

- The book is a hard reading - Waite's style is obfuscated, which makes the non-trivial material harder to understand.

- Waite doesnt tell the whole truth, and not even half of it, not to mention the inclusion of misinformation. Examples include unexplained symbols (symbols on charioteer's belt, the fool's clothings, and many others), desciption of the emptress being 'virgo intacta', etc.

- Some of the cards' descriptions contradict, or at least appear to contradict, the pictures on the cards.

- Waite borrows a lot from earlier writers, but then goes on to pass criticism on his sources and belittles them.

So the book has to be read very carefuly, criticaly, and with a lot of patience. And those who do so *will* gain - the book is better than many of the instant tarot reading guides, giving truer and deeper information from the horse's mouth.

I suggest people to read this book, but *not* as the first book on the deck, and preferably along with other material (e.g. books about the golden dawn, tarot history, or symbolism).

While Waites influence and authority in the esoteric world is without question, and equally without question is the massive influence he had on the art and practise of tarot, this book is not his finest work.

'Pictorial Key' is tolarable as a simple catalogue of meanings (which now can be got at any number of web pages) and gives a simple spread it is deviod of any real explination of why and wherefore. It does not explain the principles underlying the construction of the tarot and the practical results that come with the understanding of those principles. I would even go as far as to say that Waite deliberatly obscured and provided misleading information, prehaps in order to keep his obligations of secrecy to the G.D. or his own Order.

As a practical beginners text I would say look elsewhere for clearer texts that have expanded and illustrated what Waite has published in 'Pictorial Key'. For more advanced folk I would say the 'Pictorial Keys's best application would be to bury it in peat for several hundred years, dig it up and use it to light a fire. I gave it a rating of three purely for its historical importance. To rate it on a scale of usefulness would be to rate it several points lower.

Rating this one is difficult. The rich symbolism of Tarot was forever impacted by the Order of the Golden Dawn, and A.E. Waite's "Pictorial Key" is a glimpse into that symbolism. Readers with a serious interest in occult Tarot will find this an essential text. Waite, though, considered himself bound by vows of secrecy, and mixes misinformation and blinds in his work to lead the "uninitiated" astray, so reading critically is a must. To make matters worse, his prose style is ponderous and leaden, deliberately overcomplicated and abstruse, less animated than Al Gore. However, modern tarot decks borrow and adapt from the Waite-Smith deck design; to understand the symbolism that underlies almost every deck on the market today (frequently symbolism the deck designers had no awareness of), this book is absolutely necessary. It won't be a fun read, but it *is* necessary

I got this book along with the Universal Waite deck. I was interested in the original book that A.E.Waite published along with his now-famous deck of cards.

What I find interesting is that Mr. Waite states quite clearly that the Tarot never had any origins in Egypt, nor is it associated with other doctrines such as Astrology, Numerology or Kabbalah. His writing style is, at best, witty and sarcastic. He gives us the meanings of the cards (at face value) and leaves us to figure out the rest.

Of course, Tarot has undergone several changes and has had several associations with all the abovementioned doctrines. The meanings have gone through a radical change; and correctly so, since all associations with the cards pictures and archetypes must change over time.

All in all, it is a wonderful book for someone who is interested in the roots of Tarot - especially connected to his deck - which forms the basis for anyone who is interested in learning the Tarot.

On a more personal note: I like the wit and sarcasm of Mr. Waite. Had I been alive back then, I would certainly have written to him personally about this!

There are tons of books out there on how to read Tarot, but get serious - they are all knockoffs from the master himself. Waite more than anyone, as co-author of the most frequently used deck in the last century, can take you into the mysteries surrounding the Tarot to help you better divinate the symbolism - especially if you are just developing your intuitive skills. If you are at all serious about Tarot, you must own this book!

To begin I have been reading cards for well over 10 years and was taught by family members with regular playing cards. In relation to the standard Waite/Rider decks the meanings tend to be the same. When I converted to the tarot deck I purchased this book as a primer and tutorial reference. I have to say that if you are a beginner this book should probably not be the first of choice due to the reference-like short meanings for the cards. This is more of a condensed version.

I do consult the book once and a while to confirm meanings and for different spread configurations but for the most part, it is and always has been reference only.

Thanks, Vandella X

Having delved into modern tarot explanations, it was a blessing for me to come across this jewel from the creator himself. The reading was long, and long, and long, and boring. Only because I am the type of person that can run for 3 hours on a treadmill, did I find it also entertaining. The bottom line is though, who better to learn from then the creator of something. Waite explains and demystifies a lot; the main point, "Physician, heal thyself" Go with what comes to you.A must for anyone striving to be a diviner of the Waite deck.

A.E. Waite is a well-respected author in the study of The Mysteries. However, this book is not his best work. To be honest, I never could bring myself to do more than read sections of this book. I coul dnever read it straight-through. However, given the system of Tarot, flip-throughs are usually all you need, to discover what you need to know. There are many better books on the the subject of How to Study The Tarot, but this is a good Beginner's lesson. So many people try to make the Study of Tarot a "cut & dry" issue (i.e., "this is the way it is....")--however, in actuality, it is a life-long process of Study, Experiment, and Collection of Knowledge. It is best to read books by Many authors of Many perspectives and study Jungian Psychology, as well. Consider this book a "first stepping-stone on the Path of Enlightenment."

This book is essential to figuring out the RWS and clones Tarot decks, Waite's personal insights bring forth things in the cards that no one else can, even though others have perhaps tried harder to make things clear. Many Tarot student feel that Waite leaves out more than he actually discusses, like his Golden Dawn symbolism should be kept secret or something...yet what "little" he does give us is invaluable. If only one could time travel, tape him to his chair and make him write more!

(Note: The "Original Rider-Waite" set comes with a version of this book, but this is the one with the original uncolored prints by Pamela Colman Smith, the one that comes in the set doesn't have the pictures and it's tiny, this edition I think is much superior.)

Waite's pretentious as all get out, but he stresses that the tarot reader is "Boss". THat Tarot is esoteric, and above all, when there is question, it is the diviner him or her self that must come to the answer. THat is what it's all about. He's the first that stresed this. BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT IF YOU READ TAROT