The Whimsical Tarot: A Deck for Children and the Young at Heart (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mary Hanson-Roberts (Illustrator) "Life is a whirlwind of images that leave an imprint upon the mind's eye..." (more)
Key Phrases: Brer Rabbit, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Whimsical Tarot is a fresh, new approach to a time-honored system. The book was written especially for children and beginners, but tarot adepts will find it useful as well. The easy-to-read style makes it both a wonderful introduction to tarot and the perfect spiritual tool for meditation and daily advice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572813156
• ISBN-13: 978-1572813151
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #634,632 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for an excellent deck, November 18, 2001

By	Marller "Marvelous Marvelite" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Tarot cards allow the user to access their subconscious / intuition through the use of archetypal imagery. Most Tarot cards use medeival imagery, which actually makes the cards less accessible for people in this modern age. We deal with very different issues than the people of 400 years ago. The same ideas are presented to us visually in very different ways via television, movies, etc.

What better way to re-connect the user with the cards, than using imagery we became familiar with in our childhood? The author of this book and the accompanying cards takes the unusual approach of replacing the medieval imagery with characters from fairy tales (including Grimm's and Mother Goose). The choice of characters for each card is very appropriate, making the deck very easy to use (for those of us who remember the fairy tales of our youth, at least!). ^_^

I don't read Tarot often enough to have the meanings of each card memorized, so I usually have to consult the accompanying books, etc., when doing a card-casting. However, after reading through the Whimsical Tarot book, I found that the meaning of every card was clear from the imagery-- and stayed clear over time. I believe that the issues represented in more traditional decks (such as Rider-Waite) are parallel to the issues respresented in fairy tales and nursery rhymes. However, fairy tales have been presented to us with characters, a plot, and (often) a lesson to be learned, whereas the traditional Tarot images are just that-- images. The use of storybook characters really brings the Tarot to life!

As an added bonus, the "Advice" explanations of each card are so well-written that they can be taken individually as topics of meditation or daily "points to ponder". Many Tarot books provide the briefest of descriptions for the related cards, leaving the reader confused as to how to interpret the card. The Whimsical Tarot book provides not only the storybook explanation, but also a couple of paragraphs of advice for each card.

Overall, this card and deck combo (note: Deck sold separately!) is one of the best I have come across. For those who find the Rider-Waite decks a bit too abstract, this deck is perfect! If you'd rather try something a bit more "adult", then check out the Rohrig Tarot deck-- but beware, there's no book for the Rohrig deck.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Companion to the Deck, December 20, 2004

By	Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This book accompanies the Whimsical Tarot Deck. While there is supposed to be a gift box set, I have only seen the book and decks sold separately and when I purchased the deck, I also purchased the book. I have reviewed the deck under it's listing.

The book's layout is easy to follow. It begins with an introduction to the purpose and style of the cards, use and care of the deck, discussion of various layouts of tarot readings and then meanings of the cards as designed by Dorothy Morrison. The Major Arcana is first, followed by the Minor Arcana in order and each card has a black and white graphic rendition of the card so it is easy to visualize and follow.

The discussion in the beginning of the book focuses on children reading Tarot. This may sound surprising to some but to those of us who have our kids around us all the time, the curiosity of child is only second to how persistent they can be to know about things that attract their attention. Ms. Morrison offers assistance in helping us introduce the tarot to our children. From examining the cards to blessing and handling the cards, it is a basic handbook for introducing our children to simple, basic divination. In the layouts section, there are suggested layouts for use by kids, and it is grouped by ages, from very simple one card readings to more complex spreads for the experienced older child.

There may be questions as to the card's subject. If we are not familiar with all the fairy tales that Ms. Morrison has included in this deck, this book will help you out with that. For example, the Queen of Rods, while looking very queenly, is actually Cinderella. If you look her up in the book, the association is clearly laid out. "No matter how dire her circumstances or how horrible her treatment, she never let it get her down. She just kept on working, kept on smiling, and kept on with the business of living. In the end, she prevailed and won her heart's desire: a charming prince with a gentle heart, a fast horse, and all the love she could ask."

Ms. Morrison is very clear in her meanings; nothing is hidden and nothing is left open and mysterious. This is the plain English Ms. Morrison we know and love. She even gives details of how she designed the cards. To continue "Dressed in the yellow and green of creative growth, the Queen of Rods is the eternal cheerleader. She loves everyone and everything." While this is very insightful for the reader, it also gives us insight into how Ms. Morrison is guiding us along as we search for answers in our own lives. Very clear, very easy to understand and so insightful, this handbook is a guide as well as a companion to using the deck.

She also offers some advice and insights into what this card may mean if it shows up in your readings. Again, referencing the Queen of Cups, Cinderella: "When the Queen of Cups graces your spread, it's time to look at life with a loving eye." Further down, she adds "Remember that love is a gentle, kind, and nurturing emotion that carries with it many responsibilities." She goes into what she means by this and you are left with much food for thought as to how it can reflect in your own life.

The book is the signpost to be used with the deck which presents the road as we are walking down it today. These roads change as we make decisions which affect our future. When we use these tools, we look for ones that we can relate to, that can be easily interpreted by us and also provide some enjoyment when we use them.

There is a small bibliography in the back of the book, and a good table of contents, but this book is good on it's own for ease of use. I believe Ms. Morrison has provided us with a great companion book to her delightful deck as well as solid advice and practices if we wish to introduce our children to the basics of tarot. boudica

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Concept; Beautifully Written, April 15, 2002

By	Parchment & Quill (NY United States) - See all my reviews

To create a divination tool useable by adults and children alike is no small feat and Dorothy Morrison has accomplished it incredibly well. Children will find all the images easily recognizable and something to which they can relate. Adults will be pleased with the reader-friendly imagery and the pragmatic, light hearted writing Ms. Morrison is so well known for. I cannot say BRAVA loudly enough since I have sought a deck that I felt comfortable with for over 10 years.