Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprentice (Connolly Tarot, Vol. 1) [Paperback]

Eileen Connolly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1986

Tarot has long been known to contain the accumulated secrets of the universe in esoteric symbology. In order to decipher the true meaning of these symbols, the student must approach the Tarot with an open mind and an open spirit.

This new approach to the study of the tarot provides a clear but profound method of exploring and discovering your own inner depths, a necessary prerequisite to a thorough understanding of the ancient symbols. In addition, this handbook relates the tarot to other occult sciences such as astrology, the cabala, and numerology. Here you will find basic lessons and exercises, procedures, and fundamental esoteric philosophy which will open up new dimensions to the inquiring mind, and allow you to fully comprehend the Tarot and its powers of enlightenment and divination.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Newcastle Publishing Company (March 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878770453
• ISBN-13: 978-0878770458
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Book For Learning Minors, January 6, 2004

By 

Theia (Carrboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprentice (Connolly Tarot, Vol. 1) (Paperback)

This was the first in my growing collection of tarot books (I have been studing for 6 months). It starts out with the minor arcana and does a very good job with these. Two charts are presented which I still look to for guidance. The first explains the associations of the four suits and the second presents five ways of looking at the numbering. Most books I have seen (except ones specifically based on numerology) give only cursory attention to the information contained in the numbers. The suggested meditations on the court families are also good for tuning into the family charateristics. Her treatment of the specific members of the family, however, leaves a little to be desired. In other words, you get a feel for the royal court of staffs but not for the role of kings, etc.

Where Connolly loses me in the discussion of the major arcana. She begins with a prayer to each card. I am pagan and found little in the prayers that jived with my own spirtuality. A prayer to one card spoke of the evils of polythesim. Probably more useful to a Christian or Jew. The next "excerise" is actually a story. A paragraph is written about each card in sequential order. The story too has a decidely monotheist bend. The "excerise" is too recite the prayer to each card and then read that card's story out loud. All this did for me is make my voice grow hoarse.

The last half of the book consists of card "mentors" and instructions for performing a reading using the Celtic Cross. The mentors are each one page the contains a picture of the Rider Waite deck version of the card in question, a few sentences on the possible upright interpretations , and a few sentences on the possible reversed interpretations. This sort of information can be found virtually anywhere and I have seen in done better and in more detail in other books. The Celtic Cross information is brief but quite good. Connolly's descriptions of the card positions are very insightful and it is her intreprations that I turn to when doing this layout, even though it is featured in three of my other tarot books.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars CHRISTIAN TAROT? or was it Jewish, May 14, 2006

By 

Agnostic Pagan (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprentice (Connolly Tarot, Vol. 1) (Paperback)

I have read some of the other reviews - sadly after I purchased the book. It is great for learning Minor - BUT the monotheistic prayers blew my mind - Our father in heaven? It confused me, and as a pagan I decided to try and rework them but ended up just writing my own. I wish it said all of this on the back of the book. I am passing it down to a Christian friend who has a minor interest in the Tarot. SO if you are pagan do not expect this book to be your style!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This insightful guide facilitates quick intuitive learning, January 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprentice (Connolly Tarot, Vol. 1) (Paperback)

This handbook is clear in its explanations, and allows the beginner to develop an intuition with one's chosen deck. Though Connolly prefers Rider-Waite her insights are not limited for that deck alone. I have several decks (none of which are R.W.) and have been reading Tarot for fifteen years. This was my first book on the Tarot, I highly recommend the rest of her series of "handbooks" (journeyman and master). Connolly's personal method stimulates the intuitive connection of sybolism, numerology and the study of human nature to the work with the Tarot. Quite a lot of emphasis is placed on meditation. Again, I believe she is trying to guide the beginner to develop intuition necessary for accurate divination and self-empowerment. This is excellent especially for anyone who is connected to the Eastern philosophies. A modern "pagan" may not care for the emphasis on chakras and the spiritual eye exercises, but anyone who is a student of Western meets Eastern philosophy/ religion will greatly understand the meanings in this book.