One of the things that impressed me about "Tarot For Life" was the foundation of esoteric and mystical material, combined with Jungian psychological theory. Quinn based his Major Arcana presentation on the Tarot septenary (also known as the 3X7 theory). Quinn gives nods to Rachel Pollack (for her concepts on the trump numbers reductions), Christine Payne-Towler (for her historical research in the Tarot septenary), and Mary Greer for giving him permission to share many of her collaborative reading techniques.
Quinn sees the use of the Tarot as one way of letting both our inner and outer universes know that we are listening. He also talks about that guiding force that leads us to communicating with Life through the symbolic language of dreams, images, and coincidence.
From the book: "Know Thyself " is not a private indulgence, it is a global imperative. Our world is in need of radical awakening and transformation, a process that accelerates as we look honestly at the beliefs and motives that drive our actions, observe how those actions play out on the personal as well as collective levels, and learn to make more loving choices. Until we recognize our creative purpose and power - with or without the aid of the Tarot - we weaken under the limitations of conditioned responses, the manipulation of an anxiety-driven media, the bullying of dogmas, and the mind-numbing complacency of escapist lifestyles."
Before you even begin to read the book Quinn suggests that one card be drawn, to represent why you were led to pick the book up in the first place. Well, I skim books from back to front before I read them, so I had to go back and draw this card. From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed (by Robert Place) I drew Knight of Swords. Place talks about this Knight slaying evil and righting wrongs, but he also talks about the quality of being judgmental. In reality I felt that this book gave me power - a deeper understanding of the septenary, and a better understanding of the vertical as well as horizontal relationships between the cards using this theory.
In the beginning of the book Quinn talks about taking the Tarot beyond fortune telling. In his "treasure box" he lists a number of ways that the Tarot can be used in real life, such as using them as a set of visual affirmations, or as a perspective enhancer.
Quinn also lists six principles that underlie the Tarot:
1. As Above, So Below
2. The Law of Attraction
3. Synchronicity
4. The Self and Individuation
5. Integration of Opposites
6. Masculine and Feminine
In his chapter on the structure of the Tarot, Quinn introduces the concept of the septenary - three rows of seven cards each (I - VII, VIII - XIV, XV - XXI), with the Fool centered above them. Quinn has entitled these rows The Essentials for the Journey (I - VII), The Inward Path (VIII - XIV), and The Heat Is On (XV - XXI).
The Minor Arcana are defined traditionally:
Wands/Fire - desire, vision, ambition, challenge
Cups/Water - feeling, merging, imagination, depth
Swords/Air - intellect, clarity, conflict, judgment
Pentacles/Earth - physicality, stability, security, money
The Court Cards are defined as sixteen different types and personalities. Pages are the parts of us that are curious, Knights embody the warrior archetype. Queens represent the soul of their particular element, while Kings carry an external focus of doing.
In discussing how to use this book, Quinn addresses reversed cards, shadow aspects, and just when the cards are there to give advice. In his presentation of the cards, the deck used is the Rider-Waite. The card presentation begins with a short quote and a black and white scan. There is a discussion of the quality of the card, of where it lies on its line of seven cards, how it relates to the cards around it, the mystical symbols on the card (I wish I had access to this information much earlier in my studies!), a small story (from Quinn's life experience, or from the life experience of one of his students or clients), a list of card attributes, and a list of question for reflection.
At the end of the book there is a chapter entitled "Intimate Conversations: Reading For Yourself". There are some very good insights here, including when "not" to read for yourself. (When you are feeling spacey, when you are feeling down on yourself, and when you become obsessed.)
A sample interpretation is given using the Celtic Cross spread, with templates given for a seven card Chakra spread, a three card Solution spread, a one card Yes/No spread, a seven card Exploring Options spread, a three card Life Journey spread, two card spreads for Let Go/Grow and Gift, as well as a three card Past Life spread. Tips are also given for creating your own spread.
Quinn also goes into phrasing questions in the best possible manner, reading for others, and when "not" to read for others (or for yourself).
There are appendices at the back of the book for Major Arcana attributions for Soul Task, Shadow/Excess and Deficiency/Blockage (reversed), and number meanings, Astrolgoical and Planetary Correspondences, and the Chakras.
I found this book to be easy to follow, containing an enormous wealth of information, and well enhanced with Quinn's own life experiences, as well as those of his students and clients. I feel that this is an essential book for any Tarot library, for any level of Tarot student.
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Top reviews from other countries
Reader from Toronto
Loved this accessible guide
Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2020
Hannah
Well Written, Easy To Understand and Straight Forward
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2010