Tarot Mysteries: Rediscovering the Real Meanings of the Cards [Paperback]

Jonathan Dee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2003

There's never been a more wide-ranging, eye-opening, and profoundly knowledgeable illustrated history of the Tarot. Every page uncovers fresh insights on the subject, because best-selling author Jonathan Dee's unique focus is on why the cards have the meanings they do. To that end, he returns to the cards' origins, and leads us on a fascinating journey through areas as diverse as Hebrew mysticism (the Qabalah), Celtic mythology (the Four Grail Hallows), astrology, and Renaissance theater. This deep background sets the stage for comprehensive and unusual interpretations of all the Major and Minor Arcana: the Suit of Wands, Suit of Coins, Suit of Swords, Suit of Cups, all the Court Cards, and more. No matter how well you think you know Tarot, this enlightening study will open your eyes to new possibilities.

Among the books Jonathan Dee has written are Book of Prophecies, Chronicles of Ancient Egypt, Isis: Queen of Egyptian Magic, and Practical Astrology the Easy Way. He is also co-author, with Sasha Fenton, of the Moon Sign Kit.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sterling/Zambezi (September 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402707738
• ISBN-13: 978-1402707735
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,409,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best interpretive guides, December 25, 2004

By 

J. W. Kennedy "in statu uiae et meriti" (Richmond, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tarot Mysteries: Rediscovering the Real Meanings of the Cards (Paperback)

The first few chapters on the history of the Tarot, like any attempt at a "history of the Tarot," are a mixture of fact and speculation. You don't need to read these chapters; they are unimportant. The section about the Grail Hallows was completely irrelevant and sounded made-up. The real meat of this book is the individual card descriptions. The black&white illustrations of the cards are pretty atrocious, but they get the idea across ... more importantly, you get 1 to 3 pages of info about each card, describing what is traditionally depicted on it, magickal & astrological correspondences, and what the symbols are supposed to mean. He also gives a basic divinatory interpretation for each card (with a seperate interpretation for the "inversed" or upside-down card, which I use.) Dee's writing is very straightforward and easy to understand. I have checked his correspondences and his interpretations against other sources, and they are correct. In actual practice I have found Dee's interpretations to be more useful and accurate than Waite or Crowley, and thus _Tarot Mysteries_ has become THE book I turn to first if I have a question.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, January 22, 2011

By 

Charlotte (Lansdale, PA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tarot Mysteries: Rediscovering the Real Meanings of the Cards (Paperback)

This is the 3rd book I am buying. I lent the others out & never got them back. LOL highly recommended especially if you read both the Thoth & Rider decks.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a milestone book, August 9, 2004

By 

Byron Edwards (Plymouth, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tarot Mysteries: Rediscovering the Real Meanings of the Cards (Paperback)

Tarot Mysteries is truly an eye opener. I never thought that the tarot cards could range over so many fascinating topics. An excellent and informative read.