The Tarot: A Short Treatise on Reading Cards [Paperback]

S.L. Macgregor Mathers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

Revised and expanded edition of Mathers' original treatise. Three methods of reading cards are included, along with instructions for the game of tarot, which can be played by two or three people. This is a classic text that will be appreciated by anyone interested in the study of the tarot.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: RedWheel / Weiser; Rep Sub edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877287546
• ISBN-13: 978-0877287544
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,420,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise Theory from One of the Masters, February 26, 2006

By 

J. Zabinski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tarot: A Short Treatise on Reading Cards (Paperback)

Although only 33 pages from start to finish, this book has more useful, practical information on Tarot than any other that I have seen. Mathers plainly lays out a system for Tarot reading, including some simple spreads that readers can use. I believe that this book should be read and mastered before any advanced work with Mathers' instruction in Book T from The Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie. Mathers' Tarot is a little-known, under-rated, excellent text.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book, but somewhat short., June 22, 2000

By 

Sergey Israel - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tarot: A Short Treatise on Reading Cards (Hardcover)

I've found this book very interesting, as I never seen any other text by Mathers (an important figure in the Golden Dawn) on tarot.

The book is very readable, and I think it's worth it's price just for the few unique sections it has (e.g. the rules for the game of tarot), though not for beginners - it's too short a book.

There are a few problems, though :

- The book is illustrated with the Tarot De Marseilles. I wish a GD influenced deck was used, (e.g. Wang's, Waite's, or Crowley's) as some of the descriptions just dont fit the pictures (e.g. in page 83 there's a description of Eliphas Levi's restoration of some cards which are close to Waite's and very different from the Marseilles deck).

- For each of the cards only a few keywords are given (the major arcana have another section just for them which exapnds somewhat), with some insights later on.

- The three spreads given in the book (first printed in 1888) are similar to those that appear in Waite's Key to the Tarot, so at least for me there's nothing new in this section. Same applies for the page on the court cards.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be Your Own Fortune, June 30, 2000

By 

rareoopdvds (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Tarot: A Short Treatise on Reading Cards (Paperback)

Have you wanted to know your future? Did you wonder if today will be a good day or a bad day? Ever wonder what problems you have had in the past and how to resolve them? Then you may have come across the book you are looking for. Famous Occultist S. L. MacGregor Mathers gives a short discourse on the Tarot which is a reprint of a short pamphlet printed in 1888. Personally I have always been apprehensive when it comes to divination of any sort, however, I liked Mathers approach. Although its a short treatise with a brief runabout of the history and meanings, it is implicitly implied how to set up the reading and how to read it. Stating also that oneself be the sole reader as one should own their own cards and do their own readings. Reason being, if my intuition serves me based on his other works, is the energy that surrounds the deck you hold is not tainted with other less informed beings so the message will not be dulluted with too much mixed eneregy. Unless you have your own set of meanings, then the interpretations in this book will be adequate for any beginner. Well designed book that is easy to read an informative. If you enjoy Mathers and are a fan of the Tarot, this is a good introduction.