As a professional astrologer and tarot reader, I looked forward to getting this book. There's a sprinkling of titles on how astrology connects to tarot but no one (to my knowledge) has attempted to teach tarot readers how to read their own chart by providing a great overview of astrology terms and concepts. Nor have they suggested that astrologers could learn tarot. In this way, Corrine Kenner is (yet again) ahead of the curve.
Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings with the Wisdom of the Zodiac
Although I learned the basics of astrology first, I took to tarot reading far faster and better. It wasn't until Tr. Uranus Opposition Na. Uranus happened, which activated my third and ninth houses, that I learned astrology deeply and became a professional astrologer.
Previous to becoming an astrologer, I used astrology briefly in my work and in connecting meaning to the tarot cards. I had known the signs and planets well enough to do so and I considered myself at the beginner's level in astrology.
This book will help you arrive at a level between beginner and intermediate astrological understanding. However, it does not teach you how to interpret a chart accurately or deeply. Though it will help you perform deeper tarot readings and give you a head-start in becoming an astrologer, who reads charts, if that's what you want to accomplish.
If you are new to tarot, remember not to take everything an author says as truth. A lot of what is said can be subjective, and the author's personal preference that they do not disclose as such. My rule of thumb is to read at least three to five books on a subject (preferably from different time periods) to get a fuller understanding and more accurate connection to a subject.
The book intersperses tarot card meanings and descriptions which include connecting the sign, planet, or combination of sign-planet ruling the card with astrological phenomena (titled Cosmic Connection) such as what eclipses and a void-of-course Moon are, and mostly new-to-me astrologically inspired tarot spreads. Although I have extensive astrological knowledge, I remained interested and enjoyed how succinctly and helpful things were explained that are normally difficult-to-understand for the lay-person.
The astrological nor tarot information are complete. For example, the seventh house is also about 'negative & positive projections' (a very important and necessary thing to learn) but it's not mentioned in the book. The 7th house (Libra as a mirror reflection) is what you see in others and the first is what others see in you, amongst other things. It also doesn't include asteroids, such as Juno (co-rules Libra alongside Venus). With the tarot, it doesn't go into the mechanics of tarot reading. This is only a problem if you expect that everything you'll need to do tarot or astrology readings will be found in this one book.
In Chapter Eleven, A<em> Simplified Guide to Chart Interpretation</em>, I wish Ms. Kenner would have called it <em>A Simplified Guide to Tarot-Astro Chart Interpretation</em>. The method described is a hybrid of tarot and astrology (as she noted in the introductory chapter). This is not purely astrology or purely tarot so be sure to understand this is a brand new method of working with tarot and astrology.
Most seasoned astrologers would likely not want to work this method as they have enough to work with already to keep them busy and deep into the symbology and language of astrology. And I imagine they would think of this method as an unnecessary diversion and distraction.
What I am interested in knowing is: Where did the author get her information from? While there were a few good books listed in the bibliography, it is lacking and doesn't include classics that most astrologers would recommend. The information in the book is crisp but where did she learn it from? I would have liked to see some shout-out's to other authors and teachers as this author is now established as an excellent tarot writer. I'll list (on my website) some recommended serious yet accessible astrology books for those tarot readers who want to become genuine astrologers.
Overall I was impressed and delighted with this book and Ms. Kenner's creativity. Thank you!
**Connect you more deeply to tarot**
+This book will give you solid astrological information to help you connect more deeply with your tarot cards and therefore giving richer meaning to your tarot readings.
+ This book is a great overview of astrology and how it works.
+ Qabalistic reflections are offered as a bonus to the topic of mixing astrology with tarot.
+ The book cover is very lovely, the book itself nice to read. I can fold and curl over the pages and it doesn't harm the spine.
+ Mostly new (to me) and worthy astrological tarot spreads!
**It's unlikely you'll become a master astrologer through this book alone.**
- This book may give the impression that it will give you the tools to "interpret an astrological chart"; however, what it really does is give you knowledge of how astrology works and information on reading charts in a hybrid manner.
- It takes a lot of practice, skill, daily study, and critical thinking to synthesize a chart successfully. There's nothing in this book that teaches you how to connect all the elements nor does it give a thorough treatment in aspect or chart delineation.
- "...you'll master the connections between astrology and tarot -- not as two separate fields of study, but as a seamless, integrated whole." Please don't buy this statement. Astrology is a separate field of study. If you suggest this to Astrologers, they are not likely to take kindly to you thinking this way. I believe I understand what the author wanted to accomplish; however, tarot (visual art) is more Neptunian and Astrology (mental art) -- Uranian. And both have a connection to Saturn. These fields overlap, they connect, and you can learn from them and use them in your work BUT they are not the same and therefore can not be a "seamless, integrated whole". Astrology, the study of stars, also came first.
- The reverse is also true. If you are an astrologer reading this book, you'll grasp tarot better but you'll unlikely feel confident to read tarot and it's unlikely you'll want or need to "bring your charts to life" with tarot since astrology is already rich and vibrant in its own symbolism. You may, however, use the tarot imagery in your blog posts.
- The Sun & Moon are commonly known as planets but they are actually called luminaries.
- Because the glossary doesn't start from the beginning, some readers may go 'huh' when they read astrological jargon not already explained. In this case, simply turn to that section and read it first.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Cards
Introductions
Overview
Part One: Tarot Planets and Signs
One: The Building Blocks of Tarot
Two: The Planets, Astrology's Guiding Lights
Three: Signs of the Times
Part Two: The Minor Arcana
Four: Elementary Astrology
Five: Tarot, Astrology, and Qabalah
Six: The Numbered Cards
Seven: The Planets in the Signs
Eight: The Court Cards
Party Three: Astrology In-Depth
Nine: The Houses of the Horoscope
Ten: How to Read a Horoscope Chart
Eleven: A Simplified Guide to Chart Interpretation
Conclusion
Glossary of Astrological Terms
Quick Reference Guide: Horoscope Keywords
Recommended Reading and Resources
I recommend purchasing and using this book as a solid reference guide. Not only because it will deepen your tarot readings (if you haven't already connected the astrological associations) but it will give you a general, behind-the-scenes look at astrology, natal horoscopes, and what it means. Just keep in mind that you'll likely only gain knowledge of how astrology is used and what the jargon means in a basic way. After-all, it is not an astrology book. As Ms. Kenner states, "Like a travel guide, this book has given you a preview of new worlds that await you" and "Be warned, however, that no guide can help you discover (sp. error) a direct route to the mastery of tarot and astrology".
This review done by Abella "Jucy" Arthur
