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Tarot For Yourself -
A Workbook For Personal Transformation
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Mary K. Greer
New Page Books/Career Press
1984, 2002
ISBN #1-56414-588-3
The original version of Tarot For Yourself was the first book on Tarot that I ever purchased. I was lucky enough to have been made aware of a wonderful metaphysical store in the university district of Las Vegas, and even luckier in that the clerk that helped me steered me to purchasing the Rider-Waite Tarot as my first deck, and Tarot For Yourself as my first book. The Tarot deck was soon supplanted by the Morgan-Greer Tarot, with the Rider-Waite deck continuing to do duty as a study deck. Nothing supplanted Tarot For Yourself, and I venture to say that nothing ever will. I read everything Tarot-related that appears to be even moderately sensible, but Tarot For Yourself will always be a front-line reference book for me.
Working with this book is like coming home - toasted cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, hot chocolate, a good mystery read over and over again - it is all of these things and more. I like this book because Mary works with the same things that I do - crystals, pendulums, chakra's, mandala's, affirmations - whatever comes across my path gets mixed in with everything else that comes across my path - and things do end up making sense! :) I also like that she presents her system as a beginning point - as one way of looking at things. And she does not hesitate to point out what some of the other systems are. The things that she asks of her readers are sensible things - try something the way it is laid out the first time, then finesse it. At least this way you have some idea of the author or artist's intent before you change things!
The revised edition is a reflection of both Mary's personal growth, and the growth within the Tarot community. The heart of what this book is all about has been kept well intact, with the areas of expansion reflecting where we all are now vis a vie Tarot. Mary did the Tarot community a tremendous favor with this revision - whether you want an excellent reference book, or a beginning book to get you started, this book is for you. (Now - how many books can say that!) From the back cover:
This revised edition features:
* Expanded interpretations for the Minor Arcana.
* Reversed card meanings for all 78 cards.
* An entirely new history-based appendix on the latest research and discoveries.
* Information on your Shadow/Teacher cards.
* A new introduction.
* An updated bibliography.
The focus of this revision remains the same as the original book - to gently edge the reader into using the Tarot in transformative ways in their own lives. (Mary - I know this is a workbook - but I absolutely cannot write in a book! My first time around with this work I used pen and paper, this time around it is my computer.)
Many different systems, including affirmations, astrology, Chakra's, crystals, journaling, mandala's, meditations, numerology, rituals, and the Tree of Life are associated with the Tarot in a manner that expands the archetypal meanings and allows the Seeker to make dramatic changes in their life.
Learn how to move the cards around and see the past, present and future of any issue. Begin to understand the symbols within the cards as an integral part of the puzzle, and learn how to define them for yourself.
Working with Tarot For Yourself (you do not just read this book, you work with it - this is interactive technology before it was really defined as such!) is a humbling experience that will light up the dark, hidden corners of your life - whether you want it to or not! If you are committed to personal growth - this is the book for you!
1.2.3 Tarot
Answers In An Instant
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Donald Tyson
Llewellyn Worldwide
2004
ISBN #0-7387-0527-6
To start out, I have a problem with this title. I "Googled" it, and I had remembered correctly - this is the title of the video that Geraldine Amaral (co-author of Tarot Celebrations) has out (well, almost - the video is entitled Tarot 1 2 3). OK - a book will not be confused with a video, but that is beside the point - an entirely all to similar title is already in use! On to "Answers In An Instant". As we try to put Miss Cleo in our past, and build a foundation of respectability, we now want "instant" answers!?
The premise of this book is a valid one: to provide a quick and easy method for people to learn to use the Tarot. We can all agree that the Tarot is a tool of personal empowerment, and that it should be made accessible to anyone that wants to learn it. I think that we can also agree that Tarot readings have themes, that there is a storyline that runs through each reading, and that the best readings are wonderful, flowing stories. Tyson accomplishes this through what he terms "Tarot sentences", where the cards are laid out in triplets to form a sentence.
Simple Tarot sentences involve the meaning listed for each individual card. (For instance - the upright Tarot sentence for the Magician is: "Skill wills with design." The inverse, or reversed sentence for the Magician is: "Craft manipulates with deception." )
Complex Tarot sentences involve taking the appropriate meaning from each of the three cards and making a sentence of it. Each Tarot card is defined by one upright and one inverse sentence, with each sentence being made up of three parts: subject (the nature of the card); action (what is done by the card) and direction (the way in which the action is expressed). In the example above for the Magician, "skill" is the subject, "wills" is the action, and "with design" is the direction. In a complex sentence, if the Magician were the first card to be drawn, the word "skill" would begin the sentence. If the Magician were the second card drawn, then "wills" would be the second part of the sentence. If the Magician were the third card drawn, then "with design" would be the third part of the sentence.
Court cards get a lot of coverage. If they appear in the beginning of a sentence, they are generally seen as people involved in the issue in question. In the second or third position, they are generally seen as inner energies of the Seeker. Tyson also shows the different ways in which the court cards can be used as significators, although he does state that whether or not significators are used is not a given, and that it is up to each individual reader to decide how they are going to address this issue.
Reversed, or "inverse" cards get their own fair amount of coverage. Tyson treats them well, emphasizing that the inverse meaning is not to be assumed to be the opposite of the upright meaning, and talking about certain cards that perhaps have a difficult meaning when they are upright, and a less challenging meaning when they are reversed.
Where I got lost (or mired down, as the case may be) was the discussion of who should shuffle the cards (Tyson has tradition on the side of the reader, but most readers that I know have the Seeker do the shuffling), and how they should be dealt. There is so much verbiage on making sure that the cards are twisted during shuffling (so that a given amount of them will be reversed), and then on how they should be dealt (side to side or top to bottom, so that the alignment that left the Seekers hands after the shuffling remains the same), that I was amazed. But then, I don't read reversed cards (I feel that the meaning of the cards will come through from their relation to their position within the spread and to the cards surrounding them).
There are several different spreads presented in this book - ones that were designed for use with the Tarot sentence system. There is a three card Yes/No spread; a six card Triangle layout; a Nine Card Past/Present/Future layout; a five card Cross layout; and a twelve card Elemental spread. They are well described, with nicely done examples that reflect real life situations.
There is a well done presentation of each of the 78 cards of the Tarot. Each card is represented by a black and white image from Roberto De Angelis Universal Tarot, with text in the following manner.
From the book:
The Magician
(upright sentence): Skill wills with design.
(inverse sentence): Craft manipulates with deception.
Description
A serious young man stands behind a table that bears a pentacle, a cup, a sword and a wand. In his right hand, he raises high a rod, and with his left index finger he points down toward the ground, from which grows a profusion of flowers. Above his head floats a lemniscate, and about his waist a serpentine belt.
General Meaning
There is a great attainment when ability is focused through the will to accomplish higher purposes, providing the temptation to use deception in order to manipulate others is resisted.
Upright: Self-confidence, eloquence, ability, skillfulness, willpower, persuasion, influence, attainment
Inverted: Craftiness, arrogance, misdirection, deception, manipulation, intimidation, illusion, artifice, guile
Tarot Sentences
1 2 3
Upright: Skill wills with design.
Inverted: Craft manipulates with deception.
1
Upright: Skill in the secret ways of nature and hidden motives of humanity.
Inverted: Craft in using to personal advantage the flaws of human nature.
2
Upright: wills the realization of a higher purpose that elevates the soul
Inverted: manipulates for self-interest without regard to feelings or consequences
3
Upright: with design and foresight harmoniously fulfilling the great work.
Inverted: with deception giving false promises and empty hopes.
At the end of the book three appendixes are included: one lists the upright and inverted sentences for each card; the second one presents a glossary of terms; the third is a recommended reading list. For someone who truly wishes to work with this book, they will be of great benefit.
I feel that not enough of the groundwork has been covered here - there is little information on what the trumps represent, what the pips represent, how numerology and the elements fit in, or how to interpret even basic symbolism. The student would be left to constantly refer to the given Tarot sentences, with little idea of how they came about. Only if they studied the in-depth page for each card would they begin to truly understand the Tarot.
However, I must say that Tyson does have a firm understanding of the Tarot, and the information that he has included is well presented. I also feel that we need to be open to new ways of looking at things, new ways of teaching, and new ways of making the Tarot a more accessible tool. As with all things, each individual will need to decide for themselves whether this method of reading has a place in their lives. I would suggest that, if possible, you view this book in person before you decide to purchase it.
Tarot -
A New Handbook For The Apprentice
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Eileen Connolly, Ph.D.
New Page Books/Career Press
1979, 1990
ISBN #0-87877-04503 (classic edition)
ISBN @1-56414-750-9 (revised edition)
Looking at the publishing dates for this book, I am sure there are some people out there that are wondering about "Why" I am reviewing them. The world has moved on - lets hear about the newer books, the ones that reflect current thought. The Tarot is based on universal archetypes, which by definition indicates a certain amount of aging. The esoteric layers of the Tarot also have a fine patina of age about them. Yes, the Tarot has evolved, as needed, to reflect current thought and be accessible through current imagery.
Some might say that the "way" Tarot is taught now is perhaps on a higher level that in the 1970's, or even the 1990's. We have the Internet, we have access to e-groups, chat groups and loads of support that would not have been around in the 70's, or even in the early 90's. Eileen Connolly has done something with the teaching of Tarot that I have not seen before, and I think that it deserves to be brought back into the Tarot public's attention.
Dr. Connolly works in the field of parapsychology, and she has applied a great many esoteric principles from this field into her work with Tarot. In her preface, she states: "The object of this handbook is to offer not only a spiritual apprenticeship to students of the Sacred Tarot but to offer a concise reference for anyone interested in investigating and interpreting the fascinating symbology of the Tarot in relation to the Cabala, Astrology, and the esoteric science of Numerology."
I have elected to review both the classic and the revised editions in one review, as the major changes will be ones that show the personal growth of the author. One of these growth changes is that in the classic version scans from the Rider-Waite Tarot are used, while in the revised version scans are used from the Connolly Tarot (Eileen Connolly, art by Peter Paul Connolly). The book is divided into three sections. From the book:
Section 1 Basic lessons, exercises, procedures, meditations and fundamental esoteric philosophy relating to the Major and Minor Arcana.
Section 2 Major and Minor Mentors, which are guides to the positive and negative interpretation of the symbols on each card. Further Mentor guidelines include a Comparison Chart and an in-depth explanation of meanings when certain symbols fall near each other in a spread.
Section 3 Procedures necessary prior to spreading the cards for divination.
Dr. Connolly takes a very esoteric approach to the Tarot, seeing it as a doorway to a vast universe of occult wisdom. This does not only hold true in relation to the symbols on the cards, it holds true for the manner in which the cards are worked with. Dr. Connolly begins by advising the prospective Tarot student to set aside their inner conflicts and their impatience. Because each Tarot master has their own twist to interpreting the cards, coming to the study of Tarot with an open mind will be highly beneficial to the Tarot student.
When it comes to picking a deck and getting to know the cards, Dr. Connolly advises that the student should not allow anyone else to touch their cards. The reasoning is that the cards pick up vibrations (which they do, no argument about that here), and that this will interfere with the connection between the deck and the owner of the deck. I disagree - there are cases where I have had to cleanse a deck due to negativity (my own or my clients), but once this has been done there has never been a problem with reconnecting with the deck. This is something that each Tarot reader has to decide for themselves.
There is a format set out for dealing with new decks: that they should be taken out of their box as soon as possible, the box discarded and the deck wrapped in a silk cloth. This cloth covered deck is then stored in a wooden box. The cards should only be spread out on a wooden table that is dedicated to doing Tarot readings, with the table itself being covered with a silk cloth before the cards are laid down. My suggestion would be that a student using this book should "follow the rules" to begin with, then fine tune the program to fit their own needs/beliefs.
Doing daily spreads, and keeping a journal of them is also advised. I think this exercise is certainly one of the best ways to get to know the cards, and Dr. Connolly has included a very usable template to follow for organizing ones thoughts in said journal.
The following keys are listed for the four suits:
Wands = Enterprise & Distinction
Cups = Love & Happiness
Swords = Struggle & Animosity
Pentacles = Money Interests
The exercise that is listed for working with the suit keys is one that carries a very esoteric nature, yet can be worked with by anyone. The student is advised to go into a relaxed state, then slowly bring a random card from one of the four suits up to the third eye, all the while repeating the suit key. The card is held at the third eye for a moment, then lowered to the solar plexus, while continuing to chant the suit keys. I like this exercise, and feel that it would be of benefit for all students, even those that feel that they "know" the Tarot. There are always new things to learn, and old things to relearn. This would work especially well with a suit that the student was having trouble understanding - say the suit of Swords.
The Aces are done in a similar manner. As Aces are the seed (potential) for each suit, the wording of the chant is changed to "The beginning of Enterprise & Distinction"; "The beginning of Love & Happiness"; "The beginning of Struggle & Animosity"; and "The beginning of Money Interests".
Dr. Connolly developed what she terms a "thought track" for the Aces and the remainder of the Minor Arcana, which provides what she terms a "seed pattern" for learning. Each number is dealt with in one setting: i.e. all four two's are worked with, all four three's are worked with, etc. The example that she lists in the book is:
"Three of Wands = Life of Enterprise & Distinction"
(number) (suit) (seed number 2) (suit key)
The court cards are dealt with as sixteen different personality types, and follow a fairly traditional manner of defining (with t he exception of Pentacles):
Wands & Cups: fair hair & skin
Swords & Pentacles: dark hair & skin
Wands = fair hair/red hair; blue eyes; fair skin
Cups = light to medium brown hair; hazel eyes; medium skin
Swords = dark brown to black hair; dark eyes; olive skin
Pentacles = white hair; any color eyes; fair skin
King = Mature Man
Queen = Mature Woman
Knight = Young Man
Page = Young Boy/Young Girl/Child of either sex
The court cards are further defined (in depth), with a listing given for multiples as they appear in a reading.
The Major Arcana is seen, as it is traditionally seen, as being of a spiritual nature. Dr. Connolly has recommended that each day start with a prayer to a specific Major Arcana card, having the card in front of you to focus on. The prayers are very Christian based. From the book:
"0 The Fool
Dear Heavenly Father, through Thy divine grace let me feel the Holy Spirit within me. Grant me the innocence of the Fool, help me to let go of earthly fears and walk in peace with Thee this day. Let my ears listen only to Thy higher wisdom. Let me walk freely, knowing that I am protected in Thy love. I long for the innocent faith of a child, and because I am a child of God, I know it to be my birthright. As I walk into this new day I pray that I shall always be aware of Thy holy presence. I know that only fear separates me from the comfort of Thy divine love. This day I will try to express my love for Thee, dear Father, in all I do and say. I will rid myself of fear, which is the shadow of man, and with Thy holy blessing, walk in heavenly light. Amen."
Dr. Connolly does a unique presentation of the Major Arcana in story form, with a short paragraph for each card. From the book:
"0 The Fool
We begin our journey with the pure, untouched soul, not yet of this world. All wisdom and knowledge, containing the total essence of God, are contained in the innocence of a newborn baby, physically present in the world now, yet still enveloped in the Higher Consciousness.
1 The Magician
Before Man are the tools of Higher Consciousness. As he becomes involved with the material plane, he is given all he needs to achieve success here on earth. As he develops his ego, he must he must endeavor to retain his spiritual equilibrium and use his God-given tools to reach his heavenly goal."
Exercises are given for entering the Major Arcana via meditation, and for recording and analyzing each journey.
Each Minor Arcana card is presented with a black and white scan; upright and reversed keys (meanings); memories (a two line rhyme for each position); guidelines (possibilities for interpreting the card); comparison chart (key associations for Cabala, Astrology and Gnothology/Numerology); and divination in depth (showing how to read each card in relation to other cards in a reading).
Each Major Arcana card is presented with a black and white scan; upright and reversed keys; memories; guidelines; comparison chart; meditation (see example above); and time (time of day to meditate on each card).
Dr. Connolly also provides a specific format for preparing to do a reading:
1. Arrange for the proper atmosphere.
2. Assume the proper seating position.
3. Prepare the Tarot deck, table and cover.
4. Have the client write out the question.
5. Recite the Prayer of Invocation.
6. Break the pack.
7. Have the client perform the preliminary procedures.
8. Perform the Ritual of Solidification.
9. Commence the spread.
My comments on the above:
1. This is basically advising the student to set aside an area in their home that is devoted to Tarot reading and study.
2. With a client, Dr. Connolly recommends that the reader sit in the north (facing south ), and the Seeker sit in the south (facing north). When the reader is reading for themselves, they should sit facing the east.
3. The cards should be read on a wooden table (that is used only for reading the Tarot), covered with a silk cloth.
4. For most readers, asking the client to focus on their question is enough here. This is really up to the reader.
5. This is an actual prayer that is included in the book - the purpose is the same as a reader taking a moment of silence, or asking their higher selves, and the higher self of their client, as well as any guides or angels that they work with, to be present.
6. This refers to shuffling the deck.
7. This is the time where the sequence of the reading is explained to the client, so that they will know what to expect.
8. The ritual, as given in the book, is that after you receive the cards from your client (after they have shuffled them), you hold the deck between your hands, pressing firmly three times, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (this is done silently, so as not to be obvious).
9. The spread is now laid out and interpreted.
Dr. Connolly works actively with the Lemniscate symbol. She recommends drawing the symbol, in black ink (as two inter-locking circles) on white pasteboard. The left hand circle is labeled the esoteric circle, the right hand circle is labeled the wisdom circle. The Lemniscate is now used for focus. If the client has a direct question, the paper is placed in the esoteric circle. If the client has no direct question the paper is placed in the wisdom circle.
Three types of spreads are shown at the end of the book: the Celtic Cross; the Celtic Block; and the Predictive Manteia.
I find this book to be a bit in depth for a beginner - I would actually place it in the mid-level of Tarot studies. What I find interesting is that the information that it contains really has not changed since the book was written. It was not "dumbded down" then, so it really did not need to be added to.
This is an excellent book (both versions) for the student that wishes to study the Tarot from an esoteric standpoint. Through exercises, meditations and ritual, the Tarot literally comes to life. Throughout the book there are charts and graphics to illustrate the points being presented, making the information very easy to work with. One drawback, for certain people, would be the highly Christian background of some of the processes. These can be rewritten, or simply not used, without losing anything.
The revised edition of Tarot - A New Handbook For The Apprentice includes an introduction by Douglas Menville (chief editor for Newcastle Publishing when the book first came out) entitled: "Repaving the Royal Road". In it he relates the story of how Eileen Connolly originally became involved with the Tarot, and how it changed her life. It is a story well worth reading.
The only other addition to the revised book is the inclusion of the ordering information for the Connolly Tarot deck, which is used to illustrate this edition.
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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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