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Reviews: Tarot Decks
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Deck & Book Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
Tarot Master
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Tarot Journaling
Using the Celtic Cross to Unveil Your Hidden Story
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
author: Corrine Kenner
Llewellyn Worldwide
2005
ISBN #0-7387-0643-4
"Tarot Journaling" is meant to function as a crossover book - aimed at both the Tarot community (and those who may or may not journal), and the journaling community (who may or may not know anything about the Tarot). Each is meant to support the other, but I have to say that I did feel a bit of a letdown here, as I would have loved to have seen a book that went deeply into the Tarot through the venue of journaling, without the constant need for balance between both communities.
Noting the use of the Celtic Cross (a traditional Tarot spread), I had the horrible thought that each journal entry was meant to be a complete Celtic Cross reading (which would mean using a ten or eleven card base, depending upon whether the reader chose to read with a significator or not). Fortunately, this was not true. The Celtic Cross was used as a venue to break down the information presented in the book. The sections are as follows:
1. What Covers You
2. What Crosses You
3. What Crowns You
4. What Grounds You
5. What Lies Behind You
6. What Lies Before You
7. Your Self
8. Your House
9. Your Hopes and Fears
10. What Will Come
The foreword to this book was written by licensed psychologist and certified professional Tarot reader Elinor Greenberg, Ph.D. I have always enjoyed reading Dr. Greenberg's articles on the Tarot, and felt that she set a good tone for this work. She talks about using journaling as a form of therapy in and of itself, as well as being a means of keeping her clients connected to their therapy work between sessions. She sees themed journals, such as a Dream Journal, or a Tarot Journal, as helping people move beyond what can become an overwhelming obstacle - choosing what to write about. This frees the individual to write about whatever comes to them, to allow their world to unfold within a theme. She notes that it is also an important way to access that knowledge that not be within our normal consciousness. She makes an important statement about Tarot journaling when she states that combining the magic of Tarot with the introspective nature of journaling gives us a powerful tool for personal growth.
In her preface, Kenner remarks on those who work with the Tarot and those who work with journaling as both being involved in highly creative processes. Unfortunately, this is also where the balancing act starts between the two venues, with Kenner pointing out the separate advantages to each group in combining the two venues of Tarot and journaling.
In the section on how to use this book, Kenner goes into the basic definitions for the Celtic Cross spread, as well as the basic foundation of the Tarot itself, and its divisions of Major and Minor Arcana, Pips (numbered cards) and Court Cards. She also presents several suggestions on how to choose the card (or cards) for each journal entry.
The benefits of Tarot journaling are broken down into the ten defined positions:
1. Yourself: This speaks to the private, sacred nature of the journal.
2. What Covers You: This speaks to the notion that your Tarot journal will help you to better understand the depth and breadth of your current situation.
3. What Crosses You: This speaks to the ability to recognize the roadblocks and obstacles in your path.
4. Your Foundation: This speaks to the images and archetypes of the Tarot existing not only on paper, but in our conscious and unconscious being.
5. What Crowns You: This speaks to what helps you tune in to your higher self and live up to your higher ideals.
6. Your Past: This speaks to journaling functioning as a form of therapy.
7. Your Future: This speaks to journaling functioning as an aid to creating the future.
8. Your Self-Image: This speaks to using your tarot journal as a tool for developing a strong self-image, and good self-esteem.
9. Your House: This speaks to journaling functioning as a tool to help you see yourself clearly, and to see how others see you.
10. Your Hopes and Fears: This speaks to the ability to recognize what your hopes and fears are, and the ability to then articulate them.
11. Your Most Likely Outcome: This speaks to your Tarot journal functioning as a tool to see where your current course is taking you, and what you may want to change to achieve your desired goals.
Kenner works through the types of material available for journaling, defining the pros and cons for each. (The entry that seemed to push the envelope here, at least from my perspective, was e-mail journaling!) Personalizing a journal was also discussed (each person will see themselves, and their journal, in a different manner). My Cappie self sees me with a very formal, leather-bound journal. How do you see yourself?
From here, Kenner uses the format of a Celtic Cross reading to address the various issues connected with journaling:
"What Covers You": This sections covers the physical space within which journaling is done. She addresses creating sacred space, as well as how to start writing in your journal. Included are a chart with abbreviations for each card within the Tarot, a short note on the use of reversals, as well as a chart with astrological glyphs and the card associated with each of the signs and planets. There is also a short checklist covering information that you might want to include with each journal entry.
"What Crosses You": This section covers what can become stumbling blocks in journaling, such as the writer's attitude towards the journal, and making time to do journal entries. Procrastination is NOT the name of the game, and every card has something for us, even the ones that we might consider bad, or negative. Here we also read about meeting and greeting our inner critic, and finding a place for them. Another person that we might want to meet - our personal Guide! This section ends with twenty-two tips for keeping a journal fresh. The tips were good ones, but for me this was more information than was necessary, which I felt occurred throughout this book.
"What Crowns You": This section covered privacy and ethics issues when working with journaling.
"What Grounds You": This section addressed using the Tarot journal as a foundation for working with Tarot cards. Included in this section are various methods for interpreting the cards, working with the "card a day" technique, and the function of spreads and layouts. Using the Tarot for meditation is addressed, as well as timed writing, and working with various Tarot prompts.
"What Lies Behind You": This section addresses looking at the past, and at times rewriting it. There is a presentation of the Tarot, in groups of seven cards, that is well worth studying here.
"What Lies Before You": This section addresses designing our own futures through the Tarot. The ability to make plans, as well as to move back and forth in time, is discussed here.
"Your Self": This section addresses how we see ourselves, what we see as our strengths, what we see as our weaknesses, how we express ourselves, and how we see the world. Included in this section is a listing of statements to be completed by the person doing the journaling. These are broken down into the categories of spiritual self, emotional self, physical self, and mental self. While this is a strong section, I also felt that it was overkill.
"Your House": This section addresses rebuilding relationships, reconciling old grievances, and reconnecting with family and friends through journaling, if not in real time.
"Your Hopes and Fears": This section addresses exploring our hopes and desires, as well as the shadow issues in our lives.
"What Will Come": This section addresses, quite simply, the future. The issue of intuitive versus psychic abilities are discussed to some extent. Unfortunately, intuition takes a knock that it does not need to take. Developing psychic ability is addressed, with several common sense guidelines listed.
Appendices are included for writing prompts, Minor Arcana correspondences, conducting a Tarot reading, Tarot card keywords, and forms and templates for making the actual journal entries.
Kenner has developed an adjutant Internet site (www.tarotjournaling.com), which is rich in Tarot Journaling content, including downloadable templates. There is also an associated Yahoo Group (www.yahoogroups.com/tarotjournaling), where weekly writing prompts are presented for group members.
"Tarot Journaling" is a very good basic start to journaling with the Tarot. There will always be parts of any work that individuals disagree with (a significant disagreement for me was with the presentation of the significator), but that does not mean that the work does not merit study/use. A good caveat here would be to take with you what works, and to leave the rest behind.
© January 2006
The Kaleidoscope Tarot
reviewed by Bonnie Cehovet,TE
author: Leisa ReFalo
illustrator: Leisa ReFalo
Independently Published
2005
The "Kaleidoscope Tarot" is the precursor to Leisa's independently published "Tarot of Color" card deck. Based on the color and attribution system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, this deck consists of 80 opaque, stained glass colored tiles (the traditional 78 tiles, plus two additional tiles - one for Earth, and a clear tile for Spirit), each bearing an appropriate symbol (Elemental, Planetary or Astrological symbols for the Major Arcana; the Pips numbered 1 - 10; "K" for King, "Q" for Queen, "k" for Knight, "P" for Page. Note: One change that I would make here is to use "Kn" for Knight - the poor guy should have a capitol letter in his title! ;-)
The tiles come in a 2 1/4" by 3" clear plastic box, well padded, so that the tiles are not scratched or broken. Four plastic cards line the box - one on each side. Two cards show graphics of the Major Arcana tiles, in different arrangements; one lists the Elements and the Planets, with their symbols, color and card associations; one lists the signs of the Zodiac, with their symbols, color and card associations.
The concept here is truly interesting - using the geometric form of the tiles (elongated diamond), spreads take on a whole new meaning! Leisa has some great examples on her site (http://tarotjourney.net/tarotofcolor/kaleidoscope-tarot/) of how this can be done. What an amazing way to open up a reading! More examples can be seen at http://leisa.bitblaster.com/a/35792447486042234/
photoalbum.hptb. A hint here - move your cursor over each individual scan, and you will see what the scan represents (i.e. a one card spread, a three card relationship spread, a three card Past/Present/Future spread etc). The limits here are only those that the reader places on themselves.
One of the other gifts of note on this site is a very unique comparison of traditional Universal Waite Tarot cards, Tarot of Color cards, and Kaleidoscope Tarot tiles. Seen in this manner, it is easy to imagine how these decks can be used to compliment each other (as well as how the Kaleidoscope Tarot and Tarot of Color decks evolved). Backing this up are easy to read charts on color and symbol associations great references for any Tarot student.
The downloads aren't too shabby either - a Tarot of Color e-book; Tarot of Color in the Orphalese format; Hello Tarot (colored by Leisa) in Orphalese format; samples of the Celtic Cross Spread using the Tarot of Color, the Hello Tarot, and the Universal Waite Tarot; a Plain Tarot (black and white, not illustrated); and templates for spreads using the Kaleidoscope Tarot (note: the templates are done to size, so that they can be printed out and used "as is").
At this time there is no companion book (or e-book) for the Kaleidoscope Tarot. There is an in-depth e-book in process, which will include a section on the colors (association with specific cards, issues connected with each color, what too much of a color indicates, what too little of a color indicates, associated crystals and essential oils, life illustrations); sections on Elemental, Planetary and Astrological associations - including charts relating the Colors/Planets/Trumps, Colors/Elements/Trumps, Colors/Zodiac Signs/Trumps; and a very unique section on the Zodiac Signs, which includes glyphs of the signs, the associated Sun Sign, Opposite Sign, ruling planet, charts on polarity/mode/season, keywords, and associated Tarot cards. In case you don't think this is enough information, there is a graphic showing the seasons, the Fixed, Mutable, and Cardinal signs, and the associations with the Pips - accompanied by a list of quotes on color.
This lovely "stained glass" Tarot opens up many avenues: it brings out a wonderful sense of how color is related to the Tarot, is a unique tool for learning/teaching esoteric associations, gives an entirely new look to comparative readings (note: try setting the spreads out side by side, rather than placing the tiles by the corresponding cards), lends itself well to meditation/journeying (these are stained glass tiles, folks - you can use essential oils with them, and you can choose to either hold them in your hands, or hold them in place over your third eye with a piece of cloth), and can be used in scrying to great effect (place the tile in a clear, low container of water, light a candle (or candles) behind it, darken the room and gaze into the surface of the water). Because the tiles are flat, energy workers could also make use of them in healing by placing them on their clients body - especially effective when working with chakra balancing!
The only limitations with this deck are those that a reader places on themselves. This deck can be used by all levels of students, for learning, teaching, reading ... for whatever you want to do with it! The deck comes in two versions: a complete 80 tile deck (Earth and Spirit are the two extra tiles), and a 24 tile Major Arcana deck. They can be viewed/purchased here: http://www.tarotofcolor.com/shop.htm.
© January 2006
Psychic Tarot
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
author: Craig Junjulas
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
1985
ISBN #0-88079-300-7
Craig Junjulas is the former director of the Foundation for Psychic Development, and has worked as a psychic consultant, educator, and radio program host. In "Psychic Tarot", he brings together the worlds of Tarot and psychic development in a manner that allows each to act as a catalyst to develop the other. The deck that he has chosen to work with is the "Aquarian Tarot", by David Palladini. Junjulas sees this deck as an inspired deck, in that Palladini blended ancient symbols with modern symbols, images, and colors that reflect the modern Aquarian Age.
Junjulas continued this blending of ancient and modern in his interpretations of the cards, adding a dash of his own insight to the process. The aim of this book is to familiarize the reader with the basic interpretation of the cards, while at the same time developing their psychic ability. In this way, the reader is more open to allowing their own intuitive insights into a reading - which is, after all, what the Tarot is all about!
Junjulas begins at the beginning, with a short history of the Tarot, and definitions for the Major and Minor Arcana. He follows traditional thought, with the suit of Rods (Wands) representing the spiritual plane, the suit of Cups the emotional plane, the suit of Swords the mental plane, and the suit of Pentacles the physical plane.
It is suggested that the student view the Tarot as a map, and try to get an overall feel for the whole system, and for the systems within the system. In this way, the student is less apt to be overwhelmed with information. Personal versus defined meanings are addressed, with the thought that if the student chooses to work strictly within the structure of their own personal meanings, that they will be limiting themselves to their own life experience.
The reading itself is seen as a "multiple point of focus", where the reader and the Seeker focus on the cards as a point of reference to issues within the Seeker's life.
There is included in this book a significant section on developing psychic abilities. Basic definitions are given for what psychic ability is, and the areas of the subconscious mind, the conscious mind, and the superconscious mind. The human aura, and the it's etheric, astral, mental, and spiritual bodies are defined. The chakras, their definitions and functions, are also discussed. A very simple, effective meditation technique is given, with a view to clearing the mind.
In discussing preparing to do a reading, Junjulas addresses increasing the flow and vibration of energy for the reader, and connecting with a Higher Source. He also addresses issues that most books do not, things that can come up during a reading, such as a fear reaction, internal conflict, Self-Aggrandizement, and the "Sponge" Syndrome (where the vibrations and issues from the reading stay with the reader long after the Seeker is gone). A very unique gift from the author at this point is the sharing of a simple technique for self-healing.
Junjulas addresses psychic reception - how one receives ones information - in some depth. Covered are listening clearly (clairaudience), seeing clearly (clairvoyance), and using other senses (clairsentience). He also very briefly covers such techniques as psychometry, picture reading, and aura reading.
The cards themselves are presented with a black and white scan, a description, meaning, and reversed meaning. Junjulas defines the difference between a card reading and a Psychic Tarot reading as the inclusion of intuitive information. He gives very good examples (using the Six of Pentacles, the Tower, and the Four of Swords) of taking the different symbols and images within a card and showing how they define the card (i.e. the plush looking trim on the figures garment indicating a feeling of comfort in the Six of Pentacles). Junjulas follows this with what he terms a "Potpourri of Intuitions", where he presents the intuitive thoughts of another Tarot reader covering approximately two dozen cards.
At the end of the book, Junjulas presents a section of setting up a Tarot reading, along with several spreads, including the ten card Celtic Cross Spread, a five card Yes/No Spread, and a twelve card astrological spread. In his appendix, Junjulas presents numerological and astrological correlation's with the Tarot, his own manner of interpreting the Celtic Cross Spread, and a unique look at what he considers to be the positive, neutral, or negative attributions for each of the cards, both upright and reversed. At the very end of the book there is a template for jotting down personal interpretations for each of the cards.
I found this book to be interesting, easy to follow, and easy to work with. For those students wishing to work with the more intuitive/psychic aspects of the Tarot, or for those that simply wish to become more comfortable in doing a reading, I highly recommend this book.
© December 2005
Click Here for more reviews by Bonnie Cehovet |
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Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Educator, Reiki Master/Teacher
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Educator, a professional Tarot reader with over ten years experience, a Reiki Master/Teacher and a writer. Bonnie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa campus, and is certified as a Tarot Educator with the American Board For Tarot Certification.
She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, to include Secretary on the ATA Board. She is co-founder of the World Tarot Network, and Vice President (as well as Director of Certification) for the American Board For Tarot Certification.
Her articles and reviews currently appear in the World Tarot Network newsletter (www.worldtarot.com),
The Meta Arts Magazine (www.themetaarts.com),
the Aeclectic Tarot site (www.aeclectic.
net/tarot),
and on her own site,
www.tarot.
thecrystalgate.com.
For the past three years she has edited her own monthly Tarot newsletter - Gateway to Tarot. She also has articles appearing in the 2004 and 2005 "Llewellyn Tarot Reader".
www.americanboard
fortarot certification.org
www.tarot.
thecrystalgate. com |
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