Customer Reviews

The Tarot: The Origins, Meaning and Uses of the Cards

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I started looking into Tarot, I asked an experienced reader which book to start out with and he recommended this one. He was so right! Buying this book was the best thing I could have done for myself as a beginner. This book examines the history of where the cards come from, what types of mythology are incorporated into the pictures on the cards, the evolution of the cards through time, and the psychology involoved in the Major and Minor Arcana. Every reader has a book that they always rely on for thier interpretations, and this one is mine!

This book is an excellent start for any beginner and I think that an experienced reader would benefit from reading it as well. Definately worth 5 stars!

comprehensive, philosophical tarot background with Jungian interpretation of the major arcana. Archetypal story progression of 0 through 21 in major arcana and memory key for minor arcana. Outstanding overall presentation on formal tarot use. Great, especially used in conjunction with similar texts.

I've read this book several times it's on my web site as a recommended for beginners book. I plan to re read it if I ever get the time.

This introduction was perfect and in my opinion, the best place to start if you plan on learning about the Tarot deck. Jungian and Gnostic perspectives on reading the cards (especially the Major Arcana). I think this is the best place to start. Douglas goes through the Major Arcana after an excellent history/introduction of the Tarot. From there, the Minor Arcana with a great introduction into using the cards.

In my search to understand the Tarot, I have read probably 25 books or so. Some of them, a very few, stand out as what I consider to be the best. Coming to grips with the Tarot is very personal, but I'm a traditionalist in the sense that earlier decks tell more about the original intent, and that there is a structure to the major and minor arcana; there for the Diviner to construct a methodology.
This particular book by Alfred Douglas is right on the mark, and his analysis and interpretations have added knowledge to my extensive readings. In short- a fabulous top of the line Tarot book (Barbara Walker also comes to mind) for not only the beginner (what a great place to start!) but also for the advancing. While not complicated in the least, his interpretations are thought-provoking, and expansive.

This is a good book published by Penguin. Some think the tarot is bizarre, cultish, and evil but I have found it to be an excellent way to make decisions. Really all it is is meditating on artwork to tap your intuition. I reccomend it for decision-making for all with a right-brain temperament. This book is a good primer.