Customer Reviews

Tarot and Individuation: Correspondences with Cabala and Alchemy

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Individuation, from a Jungian perspective, is a process of psychological and spiritual development having as its goal the fulfillment of one's personal destiny. It is the result of a dialectic confrontation between collective and personal, between the unconscious and consciousness. In Tarot and Individuation, Dr. Gad, a Jungian psychoanalyst, suggests that the first ten trumps of the major arcana of the Tarot represent the descent of the spirit into matter, recalling the cabalistis Flash of Lightening. The difficult journey back to the spiritual source is then traced through the next twelve trumps and their association with similar alchemical imagery, following the cabalistic path of the Serpent of Wisdom. Additionally, preceding cards I to X there is a chapter on the cabala, and preceding cards XI to XXII a chapter on alchemy. Furthermore, each card has a paragraph exploring the associations with cabala, alchemy and astrology. Finally a section on divination presents over 70 Tarot spreads. The ultimate goal of a balanced, thriving and creative individual in essential harmony with his/her environment is potentially achieved by awareness and integration of all levels of consciousness. In Tarot and Individuation, Dr. Gad proposes that Tarot imagery can be an activating stimulus of inner archetypal energies, as well as a helpful guide through the struggles inherent in the path leading to this essential goal of creativity and harmony.

This book is a Jungian guide to the archetypal images found in the Tarot through amplifications from alchemy and the cabala. Unfortunately neither in the title nor on the book cover is it clear that this is a Jungian view and that the Dr. Gad is a Jungian Analyst. It is, however, a brilliantly conceived opus that illuminates the richness of the archetypal endowment which lies in the depths of our psyche. In a time when belief systems that can offer life meaning seem to have failed us, it proposes that tarot imagery may activate an unconscious organizing system that can become a container for the psyche in an uncertain world. Gad suggests that the primary theme hidden in the major arcana is, in fact, a story of the psychic evolution of mankind. The progression of the twenty-two trumps depicts first (in cards I through X) our spiritual, cosmic background followed by its condensation and descent into matter, echoing the cabalistic Flash of Lightening; it then describes (in cards XI through XXI) what is encountered on the individual level as one attempts the journey upward to connect body with soul and spirit, as in the cabalistic Serpent's Path. The author holds that because trigger symbols possess the power to awaken inner archetypal resources, tarot imagery can help the reader to open to new levels of consciousness. Trusting the images themselves, without necessarily adopting the original conceptions of esoteric tradition, they can become for us tools for assisting in self-awareness and discovering purpose and meaning in life's experiences as well as helping to create change in accordance with a vision of wholeness. These tools come to life in Gad's book wherein the symbolism of each of the twenty-two major arcana is amplified with the meanings associated with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with astrological correspondences, with the ten sephirot of the cabalistic Tree of Life, with alchemical correspondences, and with psychological and specifically Jungian interpretations. Additionally, for each card there is a chapter exploring the cabala and tarot as well as a lengthy chapter on tarot and alchemy. There are over 200 quotes from the collected works of Carl Jung, a separate section on astrology as it relates to tarot, and another section on divination with over 70 layouts, including a "Jungian" spread. This book is not a casual read; it is a book of scholarship and a book of wisdom, a book of reference as well as of reverence, an offering of soul, from soul, and to soul, that is inspiringly written and richly illustrated.

In the years since I first read Tarot and Individuation, slowly and cover to cover, I have often had occassion to refer to it, as it is really three or four books in a single volume and includes correspondences of interest to me, beyond the Cabala and alchemy noted in its subtitle. Sometimes I have come across a Hebrew letter that I want to know more about; or, at other times, it may be a number whose symbolic meaning I want to explore. (There are aslo astrological, psychological, and depth-psychological references to each card). More often than these, however, it's one of Jung's quotes (marked with a yellow tag) that nags at me until I can find it again. But when I think about that book and what it means to me, my first image - one that tells the whole story, actually - is of the descent of the Lightning Flash and the Return of the Serpent superimposed on a Tree of Life hung with the major arcana dangling in its branches. I'm grateful for the image and the book because what is outlined in the introduction is explicated at great length in the 22 chapters that follow, so that some of what I may not understand today might become clearer with another reading. Further, it gives me the sense that, having made the trip down, there is a way back; that although the way back is arduous, the major arcana that I encounter as I climb from branch to branch, however slowly or clumsily, are a real resource that can be consulted for their synchronous wisdom; that although no one has climbed my particular climb before nor will after me, I am, after all, connected to a realm that supports this endeavor, my knowing the way (going all the way) from the place of the heart chakra to Malkuth, and back, and more. One way to connect to that realm is by way of a thoughtful reading of this book.

This is not a bad book on Tarot and perhaps better than most. It follows the occult tradition in relying strongly on a Qabbalaistic intrepretation (which is not my forte) of the Major Arcana. It is also steeped in Jungian psychology (I have personally been rather deeply influenced by Jung's lifework). But I have never, ever seen Jung quoted line and verse quite so extensively. The problem I had is that this book seemed dry and never came alive for me. And what others found scholarly and thorough, I found to be an almost impenetrable Jungian surface obscuring the essence of the images. The book is also keyed to a deck that I do not use. (Was it the Ryder-Waite deck?--I don't remember. ) Perhaps there is no substitute for getting to know a deck by working with it on your own terms. (I prefer the Secret Dakini Oracle, the William Blake Tarot, and the Haindl Tarot.) I do think it is far better book than the 60's "Jung and Tarot" but I learned more about Tarot from Cynthia Giles first book "Tarot: History, Mystery and Lore," and it is not nearly so insightful as O'Neill's "Tarot Symbolism."

This is a useful book for people interested in Jungian psycholology. From a single image or symbol from the tarot you can work outward through the levels of meaning in that system and into the corresponding symbols related to personal transformation and individuation in the Cabala and Alchemy. The illustrations--both in the body of the text and especially in the appendicies on the tarot, astrology and divination--are numerous, effective and accessibly presented. The value of this book is in the attention to detail and clarity of presentation that Dr. Gad has brought to a rich and complex area of the interplay between the symbolic and personal psychology. In this area of scholarship--the nexus of three different ancient systems of symbols and their relationship to Jungian formulations of personal transformation and growth--this is a great resouce.

This is a Jungian book that is in the same lofty class as books that Jung himself once wrote. That is a rarity today. Dr. Gad introduces us to a world of ancient symbols and images that have the potential to transform our lives and lead us to an authentic meeting with our Self.

I was searching for a "good" book on the tarot, something that was intense and challenging, rich in symbolism, certainly not just another "how to" book with little pieces of information on the meaning of each card. Well I certainly got what I was seeking and much more....I couldnt add more to the above comments(all who gave 5 stars) except to say "bravo to Dr.Gad for this brilliant piece of work! Megan