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Reviews: Tarot & Cartomancy
Tarot & Cartomancy Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet
Tarot Master
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Light-Of-Day -
Tarot & Dream Work -
A Practical Guide
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Gigi Miner
www.lulu.com
ISBN #1-4116-0768-6
Don't let the small size (45 pages) of this book fool you. Light-Of-Day is a process - a tool that can be used to open up the rest of your life. In this case, Gigi Miner is applying this tool of expansion to the fields of Dream Work and Tarot reading - both of which work in the realms of conscious and subconscious energies, and both of which address the manner in which we see ourselves, our options, our opportunities and our futures.
Symbolism, and how we choose to work with the symbols in our lives, is at the basis of Gigi's Light-Of-Day process. In essence, we work with one symbol at a time. How we interpret the symbol becomes an internal, rather than an external process. Through the use of journaling and stream of consciousness writing, we discover what the symbols in our lives mean to us. As Gigi points out - the same symbol will mean different things to different people, depending on their individual life experiences. I would take this one step further, and, from personal experience, say that any given symbol may mean something different to the same individual on different days, or under different circumstances.
In dream work, we need to remember that we are the authors/directors of our own dreams. Therefore, we are also authors of the symbols within them - they originate from within ourselves. In using the Light-Of-Day process, we work with one symbol at a time from our dreams, and come to understand it and its place int he overall scheme of the dream. We look at not only our intellectual reaction to the symbol, but also at how we "feel" - how we are reacting physically to the symbol.
Gigi presents a list of questions that are helpful in determining what a given symbol may mean to the dreamer. Included on that list are:
* Does its shape remind you of something else?
* Did you see this symbol elsewhere?
* Was it part of something larger?
* Where were you when you saw it?
All of this allows us to go beyond our own boundaries and see what the next step is - see what needs resolution in our lives, and where we need to go from there. Gigi acknowledges that some of the symbols that come up are shadows for us - issues that we have kept hidden, and that we do not want to work with. She calls this process the Dark-Of-Night. While as individuals we can work through these issues, Gigi makes the very sensible observation that at times like this, it may be wise to seek outside help, outside counsel. We alone determine our destinies - but it is not wrong to ask for directions along the way!
Taking the Light-Of-Day process into the realm of Tarot reading opens up a tool that is already meant to open up our lives. As she points out - different Tarot decks carry different symbolism, so the first thing that we want to do is work with a deck that resonates with us. Gigi makes the suggestion that as we "personalize" the meanings of the individual symbols on our decks, they will have deeper meanings for us, and give deeper meaning to our readings. The combination of the meaning of the card and the meaning of its position within the spread is what determines how each card interacts with the other cards in a reading.
The same Light-Of-Day process is used with Tarot as with dreamwork. Take one symbol from the card and journal what meanings it has for you. Go back to the card, and see what your overall impression of the card is. How does this correlate with the meaning for the symbol that you are working on? What, if anything, has changed?
As with dreamwork, the symbols, once broken down, are put back together in the format of the given Tarot card. The interesting thing here - the emphasis on the theory that "there are no rules". As a Tarot reader myself, I applaud this sentiment. The student needs to learn the basics - and then read in the best manner that they are capable of reading. As long as the reader is consistent with what they do, their readings will go well.
Using the Light-Of-Day process, you are able to go deeply within yourself and discover your hidden talents and abilities - discover who you are as a person, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and truly take control of your future.
At the end of the Tarot section, Gigi presents a sample exercise. This exercise is an alternative way to learn the leanings of the cards, through making best use of the symbols that they contain. Try this exercise - it may take away existing blocks and move you to places that you never thought you could go with the Tarot.
Gigi also includes a chapter on a few of the possible Light-Of-Day meanings for each of the cards. From the book:
Fool - dog - a dog is a companion, a watchful guardian, a friend, a child, responsibility, they bite, they give unconditional love.
Cups - drinking, thirst, water
Three of Cups - dancing - party, celebration, enjoying life, music, excess energy
Queen of Pentacles -rabbit - amorous, timid, quick *
Compare the associations for the symbol of the rabbit with the normal associations for the Queen of Pentacles. See how it fits into the total picture.
Something that Gigi emphasizes when working with clients is to ask them to focus on the one symbol that stands out for them, and them working from there - perhaps taking them on a mini Light-Of-Day journey. This reminded me of the processes that two Tarot teachers that I know of use - Mary Greer (Tarot For Yourself) and James Wanless (Voyager Tarot). We can do as much with the Tarot archetypes as we think we can.
I highly recommend Light-Of-Day for those working with either dream interpretation or the Tarot - or with both. The system is simple, honors yourself, your client and the process, and can be used by anyone. The depth to which you can use this system is defined only by the intent that you put into the study.
Light-Of-Day can be purchased here: www.lulu.com/ladyfogg
© June 2004
Tarot As A Way Of Life
A Jungian Approach To The Tarot
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Karen Hamaker-Zondag
Samuel Weiser, Inc.
1997
ISBN #0-87728-878-X
Tarot As A Way Of Life is a walk through the Hero's Journey - the archetypal journey that we all take as we walk our individual paths and strive for what Jung termed "individuation" - the process of development and becoming whole. It is not only a cycle through the 22 archetypes of the Major Arcana, but it is a cycle that repeats itself in our lives - each time on a different, higher level. What a gift this book is that through it we can reach into the depths of Tarot, come to a better understanding of our own paths, and see with greater clarity the paths that our clients are walking, and help them to understand the choices that confront them.
Before we go into the book, a little of the background of the author is in order. Karen Hamaker-Zondag is a founding member of Stichting Odrerir, a specific school of Jungian psychology in Holland. She is a graduate of the University of Amsterdam with doctoral degrees in social geography and environmental engineering, and did post-graduate studies in psychology, astrology and parapsychology. She is a full time counselor and lecturer.
Tarot As A Way Of Life is referenced specifically to the Rider-Waite Tarot. As symbols and imagery are important in understanding this book, my suggestion would be to either purchase or borrow a copy of the Rider-Waite deck, if you do not already have it. Yes - there are black and white scans to work with, but a card in the hand can bring greater insight (for myself, at any rate).
One of the first things discussed in this book is the power of symbolism - specifically the symbolism found within the Tarot, and how it affects our lives. Tarot acts as a mirror for what is going on in our lives, and it reflects both the conscious and unconscious energies. The symbols in the Tarot help us to access that unconscious part of ourselves. Our inspirations, and our creativity, come from the seat of our unconscious selves.
In discussing the history of Tarot, we also see a bit of the history of the symbols within the cards. We see the symbols for the four suits, and how they are reflected in early mythology - taking them far beyond the more rudimentary association with the four elements. There is also a basic discussion of numbers and their association with the Tarot. Hamaker-Zondag also goes into a discussion of the creation of the Rider-Waite Tarot, and the important change that Waite made when he added pictures to the pips (numbered cards).
Throughout this book Hamaker-Zondag makes use of black and white scans of not only the Rider-Waite deck, but of other (earlier) decks for comparison. In Chapter Three she presents a wonderful comparative study of the symbolism in seven different decks: the Tarot de Marseilles, the Rider-Wait tarot, the Hanson-Roberts Tarot, the Morgan-Greer Tarot, the Arcus Arcanum Tarot, the Haindl Tarot and the Tarot if the Witches. A nice variety of popular decks that includes scans of each of the cards discussed.
One of the subjects that Hamaker-Zondag touches on is the subject of attributing yin and yang qualities to the Tarot. I have seen this discussed in only a few places before, and found it very interesting.
As an example of what types of symbolism Hamaker-Zondag goes into with the comparative study, let's take a look at the Fool. The first thing that she goes into is the direction that the Fool is facing. I am used to attributing left facing to focus on the past, forward facing to focus on the present and right facing to focus on the future. The right hand side also carries the attribution of Yang, or male energy. The left hand side carries the attribution of Yin, or female energy. It is pointed out that Yin and Yang need to be balanced in everyone, and that it is imperative to develop the female side of self (with its core values of acceptance and receptivity) for both males and females, so it is important for the Fool to be facing (walking) to the left.
The presence of the dog in this card is also under consideration. In the Tarot de Marseille, the dog acts to tear a hole in the pants of the Fool. In most other decks, the dog is more playful, and represents part of our instinctual world. I was also interested to read that in some decks a cat replaces the dog (which it does in a deck that I am just now working, the Motherpeace Tarot). The cat also represents the unconscious - but is more cunning and willful. (Amen to that!) In the Haindl Tarot the symbol is of a wounded swan, which Hamaker-Zondag sees more as personal symbology for the illustrator (Hermann Haindl), that a symbol of the collective unconscious.
Now we are ready to step into the Hero's Journey. This is the process of individuation that we all go through - the never ending process of becoming whole. Hamaker-Zondag divides this process into three phases: cards 0-5 represent our basic drives; cards VI-XII represent the construction of the ego; and cards XIII-XXI represent the integration of our conscious and unconscious selves. Each of the three phases is gone into in depth, and provides a great deal of food for thought.
While the Major Arcana represents the Way of the Hero, the Minor Arcana talks about everyday life - how the forces of life play out through our choices and actions (the processes and dynamics of the psyche). There is a nice, if short, discussion of each of the four suits. Here again we see the yin/yang principle being applies, with Wands and Swords carrying the yang principle, and Cups and Discs (Pentacles) carrying the yin principle. From the book:
Six of Pentacles
The merchant has finished making his fortune, and can let others share in his riches. Life has remunerated him with this position and he realizes that he must do something new with it. The old cycle of trying to become a success is over, and in the new cycle he has to earn to use his wealth ethically and spiritually. This is expressed by the alms-giving and the weighing of money. The card is normally regarded as lucky: things are turning out well for us.
In the discussion of the court cards we come across the yin/yang principle yet again. The Page and Queen are seen as yin, while the Knight and King are seen as yang. From the book:
Knight of Wands (yang)
The Knight of Wands wants to blurt out whatever enters his head. He is characterized by impatience and a love of action, with a danger of "act first and think later." His impatience leads to aggressive insistence in the face of any protests or criticisms, or to a cross-grained redoubling of his efforts to have his own way. The Knight of Wands can achieve much and can break out of many stagnant situations, but runs the risk of needlessly losing a great deal of energy by rushing matters, by being a bad listener, or by failing to think things through. This is a card of energetic movement, which can convey warmth, but it can easily go too far.
The section on the Major Arcana does a good job of presenting the archetypal energy of the card, and the fact that these energies in an of themselves are "neutral" - it is how we place them in our lives that makes them positive or negative. The "drive" or psychological base of each of the cards is discussed, as well as exactly what this part of the journey is for us. What I found interesting was the admonition not to get "stuck" anywhere in the process! It is tempting, when we have reached a "safe place", to want to stay there a while. In this section we also come to a clear grasp of how each card leads to the next one.
In the section on astrology, Hamaker-Zondag does a nice presentation for each of the Major Arcana cards, listing the astrological attributions from several different sources (Banzhaf, Crowley, Masino, Muchery, Papus, Thierens and Wirth) for each card.
At the end of the book we have some helpful hints on reading the Tarot, as well as a discussion of one through four card spreads, and examples of three major spreads: the Celtic Cross Spread, the Astrological Spread and the Tree of Life Spread. Again - a lot of food for thought here!
I regard Tarot As A Way of Life as an excellent reference book for all Tarot students, and as a wonderful tool for learning for students that already have a basic understanding of the Tarot. It is not necessary to use the Rider-Waite as a primary reading deck to get something out of this book - there are excellent scans in the book that form a good foundation for understanding the Jungian approach to Tarot. I recommend having the deck handy simply because it is an added learning tool (and it is often referred to in reference works and Tarot articles).
© June 2004
Tarot Decoded
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Elizabeth Hazel
Weiser Books
2004
ISBN #1-57863-302-8
This was a book whose arrival I eagerly awaited. I was even more excited when I saw the sub-title - "understanding and using dignities and correspondences". In my opinion, working with dignities and correspondences opens up the doors so that we in the Tarot world are darn near talking to the Secret Chiefs themselves! Tarot Decoded does not fail to present this important work in a very usable manner. One thing that I would note, however, is that while numerological and elemental dignities are discussed, the weight of this book is on astrological and planetary dignities and correspondences. Thank heaven's Ms Hazel seems to have found a connection to the Astrological Secret Chiefs - the work is palatable even to me, who gets along quite well in life with only a slightly greater than minimal understanding of astrology!
In her forward, Ms Hazel talks about the added layers of enlightenment that dignities provide to the basic Tarot tools of symbolism and divinatory meanings. Ms Hazel makes a very good point when she says that there are two areas that each individual reader needs to come to terms with for themselves: the choice of attribution systems (they do not "all" have to be used at the same time!), and the techniques used to apply these systems to a reading.
Dignity is defined for the purposes of this book as being the relationship between cards in a spread. This is further defined as being either good, neutral or bad. (I like to think of them as supportive, neutral and challenging, while others view them as friendly, neutral and unfriendly. The terminology may change - but we are all talking about the same thing.) As well as determining dignities by their relationship with their neighbors, Ms Hazel also speaks of looking at the location of each card, and how well (or poorly) the location of the card reflects the cards inherent attributes.
The specific types of dignity that Ms Hazel addresses are:
* Elemental Dignity - This refers to the four elements (Fire, Water, Air and Earth), and how they are reflected in the four suits and the trumps.
* Modal Dignity - This is an attribution that can be made for any card with a zodiacal attribution, the three modes being cardinal, fixed and mutable.
* Shared Status - (From the book) "Shared status is a specialized form of dignity for court cards, the sixteen cards designated by ascending royal titles. Court cards are assigned both element and mode. Shared status applies when sets (mode) or sequences (element) of court cards appear in a reading. For example, a set is a pair of Knights in a layout, and a small sequence the King and Queen of a single suit."
* Numeric Dignity - Here we are dealing with the metaphysical (cartomanic) meanings of the card numbers. Sets increase the influence of the vibration of a given number, while sequences a progression - either forward or backward - in the issues involved in the reading.
* Locational Dignity - Related to the astrological concept of "accidental dignity", this occurs when a card is in a position int he spread that either enhances or undermines its strength and meaning.
* Planetary and Zodiacal Dignities - These are dependent on the system of attributions being used. For the purposes of this book, Ms Hazel works with the Golden Dawn attributes. If a reader uses another system, the basic approach for interpretation would still be the same.
Court card interpretation presents somewhat of an issue for most readers. Ms Hazel does a commendable job of presenting their dual nature - that is, their elemental attribute by suit, and their elemental attribute by title. I thoroughly enjoy delving into charts and graphs - for me, they are major learning tools. Ms Hazel has used them to great advantage in this book, especially in the chapter on court cards. She also does a nice job of discussing significators (which I do not use, by choice), and of Jung's four personality types and functions. She also employs a sample reading as a teaching tool - to great advantage!
The chapter on modal dignities includes a very workable synopsis for each of the three modes (cardinal, fixed and mutable). From the book:
Cardinal Signs
Cardinal signs are feisty, charge-ahead, vigorous signs. Their keynote quality is their "capacity to conceive and give birth". This mode is represented by the Zodiacal attributions attributions to the Queens, who own the four solstice and equinox cusps.
Aries: fire conceives identity, idealism and quests.
Cancer: water conceives family growth, domestic stability and motherhood.
Libra: air conceives primary communication, codes of behavior, ethics, and formal relationship agreements between people, such as marriage and business partnerships.
Capricorn: earth conceives material foundations, hierarchies, ownership, leadership and parenting.
Cardinal signs courageously accept risks and are skilled at promoting their reputation and pet projects to others. The challenge is the potential for bullying, impatience and shocked outrage when others fail to fall into step with their latest idea. Cardinal signs tend to assess loyalty in terms of validation, confirmed when others see their achievements in a positive manner and willingly support their goals. Cardinal signs are the sprinters, the signs moving most quickly to the next opportunity. Yet they may be winded by the time the goal is in sight, or the goal may lose their interest if not quickly obtained."
Numeric dignities are also presented in a manner that is, quite frankly, great fun to work with! From the book:
"Four
The number four is the number of foundation. There are four elements, and in this number, a stage of initial stability is taking place. A square has four corners, and this is a very stable and well grounded geometric shape. The productive capacity of the three has come to a point of rest, where the identity is solidified.
Pair: Promises are kept, invitations to events.
Three: Agreements, contracts, unity of purpose.
Four: Long lasting results, immortal quality.
Five (four Fours + Emperor or Death): Formal agreements that are the foundation of long lasting structures in historic events."
The one quibble that I might have with this book is that the definitions of the positions within a spread take a very low priority to the dignities and attributions involved in the reading. My personal feeling is that spreads are birthed in a certain way, reflecting both sacred geometry and positional meanings. They are the basis for the reading, which is then layered with basic card meanings, the symbolism seen within the cards, the attributions and dignities of the cards.
Having said that, I want to point out that Ms Hazel makes best use of graphs and charts, and includes well done sample readings that take the reader right along with her through the interpretation. A good thought for the reader would be to take their favorite reading deck and lay the readings out in front of them to ponder as they follow her logic. At the end of the book we are gifted with several appendices, dealing with charts for: Golden Dawn attributions; attributions for the minor arcana:court cards; attributions for the minor arcana pip cards; pip cards by element; as well as planetary dignities; zodiacal dignities; dignities of the twelve houses and four elements; and a locational dignities diagram form.
There is much more to this book - such as tidbits about reading by location in the spread (above the horizon, below the horizon, left side and right side), and the modal qualities of the numbers. I highly recommend this book to students with an intermediate or higher level of understanding of the Tarot, and at least a minimal understanding of astrology. There is a world of learning in this book! I would not be surprised at all to see an e-group or two evolve strictly to work with the information contained between these pages. This is definitely a book to be held onto for reference purposes!
(c) May 2004
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Bonnie Cehovet ,
Tarot Master, and Reiki Master/Teacher.
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Master, professional Tarot reader and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Bonnie has been reading the Tarot professionally for over ten years. She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, including Secretary and Web Assistant For Links. She is currently Certification Director and Secretary for the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie is also a founding member of the World Tarot Network.
Bonnie has had her work published in the ATA newsletter, in Geraldine Amaral's "Celebrating The Tarot" print newsletter, on the World Tarot Network and other internet sites. She is editor for her own monthly newsletter "Gateway To Tarot" (Yahoo Groups).
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