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ranked #172,723 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★★
A Most Excellent Reference
This is a truly wonderful book if you are interested in learning the meanings and symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot (or one of the decks based on the RWS system...for Crowley or Marseilles, look elsewhere). It is very easy to read, provides heaps of info on every esoteric aspect of the cards - astrological associations and Kabbalistic Tree of Life, for example. A quick history of Tarot and the basics of reading the cards are also covered. The book itself is gorgeous publication with full-colour illustration throughout, glossy pages and a sturdy cover. The author uses the Universal Waite Tarot, which does not come with the book, but I bought it purposely at the same time and was surprised to discover that it's quickly become one of my favourite decks. Thank you, Liz Dean!
An aside: as great as I think this book is, it is really and truly a guide to the meanings of the cards, not an exhaustive tool that will teach you how to read Tarot like a pro. If you would like a more comprehensive study of the cards, I recommend Rachel Pollack's 78 Degrees of Wisdom (a very thought-provoking book) or Tarot 101 by Kim Huggens (just like taking a class).
I'm glad I bought this book and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the RWS Tarot symbolism.
October 2016 · Books · verified purchase