Tarot Bible, The by Sarah Barnett © 2006 Sterling Publi****ng
ISBN 1-4027-3838-2 400 pages Paperback $14.95 (U.S.)
Over the years I have given hundreds of Tarot readings; have owned and
used
several different decks and have probably read dozens of books on the
subject, so I'm not sure why I was drawn to this book when I saw it. To
be
sure, it is colorful and has very clear illustrations. And it is a heavy
book (I mean that in a physical, as opposed to a philosophical way). I'm
not sure I agree with the subtitle: "The definitive guide to the cards
and
spreads." I always have a problem with any book which claims to be "the"
anything.
This book is profusely illustrated with examples from different decks,
although the dominant illustrations come a Waite-Rider variant deck (The
Universal Tarot).
Each of the Arcana (both Major and Minor) contains some key words and key
phrases as well as an in-depth analysis of the card and what it may
indicate
in a variety of positions in a reading. All of this is accompanied with
an
illustration from the Universal Tarot. The explanations are clear and
concise. These two sections, plus the introductory section, take you a
bit
beyond the middle of the book. The remainder of the book is dedicated,
primarily, to the various layouts. It contains some correspondences and
other suggestions to expand your experience with the Tarot.
Many of the spreads illustrated are very simple and easy to use.
Especially
for those who are just starting to use the tarot these spreads help to
build
confidence and experience. Some of them are truly unique and offer
insights
into relation****ps and personalities.
On a personal level, I have a problem with some of the instructions -
including the author's insistence on sitting on the floor to do your
readings - but I freely acknowledge that as a personal bias. Overall, I
found the book to be clearly written, informative, and quite a valuable
resource.
The final 50 pages of this book give information on using the cards for
spell work as well as giving information on combining astrology,
numerology,
the Kabbalah and crystals with the Tarot. Obviously, these are only basic
suggestions, given the space limitations, but they should help to inspire
further personal research.
|
