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Reviews: Tarot Decks
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Deck & Book Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
Tarot Master
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Mirror of the Free
The Tarot and the Kabbalah,
the Ancient Mesopotamians and the Sufis
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
author: Nicholas Swift
Octavia Press
2005
Thanks go to Jean-Michel David for including an excerpt from this book in the January 2006 edition of the Association For Tarot Studies e-newsletter (http://association.tarotstudies.org/newsletters/
newsletter.html). I found the excerpt very interesting, and wanted to see what else this author had to say. I also found it interesting that I had just finished a review of the "Babylonian Tarot", by Sandra Tabatha Cicero, which is based on the deities and myths of Mesopotamia - the very territory that Swift is addressing.
Cicero follows a very traditional structure in her deck, while using Mesopotamian deities and myths as a foundation. She feels strongly that the cultural background of Mesopotamia (also known as Babylonia) can be seen as the root of Western Ceremonial Magick.
Swift starts out with the thought that perhaps authors of Tarot books claim that the origin of the Tarot is unknown because they really prefer not to know, as if it is better left a "mystery". He also posits that after reading this book the reader may find it hard to justify the manner in which they are accustomed to using the Tarot. His wry sense of humor is evident from the very beginning of the book. In his author's bio he states that he at one time attempted a Tarot reading for friends using their photographs as a focal point, as they were not present. What he found was that everything he saw happening to them ended up happening to him instead!
Swift's premise for this book is that while some of the current favorite theories of the origins of the Tarot may have some truth in them, that this truth appears in a very distorted form, and that they all miss the most important points. He also holds to the belief that there is no "correct order" to the Tarot. (One might ask here: "Whatever happened to the Fool's/Hero's Journey?".) He is adamant that there is no aspect of the cards that dictates a specific/sequential order. An important operating thesis here is that all Tarot decks are derived from the Marseilles Tarot.
The body of this book is Swift's linking of the imagery in the Marseilles deck to the iconography of ancient Mesopotamian cylinder seals, and he does an excellent job of this. Scans of the Tarot cards and representations of the seals that they are being compared to are thought provoking, to say the least!
Each of the Major Arcana are discussed - although not in any set order. (Indeed, there is no table of contents - this is one continuous work, not broken down into chapters at all.) There is a great deal of personal "chat", and reference to current culture (such as TV shows) that may not stand the test of time. What is there more than makes up for these idiosyncrasies.
There are in-depth discussions of the imagery of the seals, and how it transfers to the Tarot (and it does so remarkably well). Sufi myths are presented in a story-like manner (I read this book in one sitting - it is that interesting!), and there is a great deal of discussion of word derivations, sound-alike words, the alphabet etc. The work of many of the masters is referenced in a knowledgeable manner (masters such as Madam Blavatsky, Idries Shah, Gurdjieff, and many more Sufi writers), and in a manner that is easily understood by those of us who may not have the background that we would like to have on esoteric subjects.
Tossed in amongst this mix are such jewels as Madam Blavatsky's belief that the first three sephiroth are actually blinds, and the notation that horns on individuals found on the seals indicate not that they are "devils", but that they are Gods, with multiple horns indicating high ranking gods.
While the reader is free to disagree with Swift on any or all of his suppositions, my feeling is that this book at the very least presents ideas for further study, and opens the mind in many ways - not only as to the origins of the Tarot, but as a mini-study in word derivation and usage. I am left with the thought that this material certainly warrants further study, and that the material here has found its time. I should mention here that there is an extensive bibliography, in case the reader does want to do some research of their own.
Swift presents a good amount of information from this book on his Internet site, http://www.vaxxine.com/mirrorofthefree/. It is well worth visiting, as included amongst the text are scans of some of the seals that are being referred to - very much an "Aha!" experience!
This is a limited edition, hand bound book of 317 pages, with illustrations from material held at the British Museum, the Directorate General of Antiquities in Baghdad, the Hermer Verlag in Munich, the Louvre in Paris, the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City, the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin and in private collections."Mirror of the Free" can be purchased here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Mirror-of-the-Free-Rare
-d-Ltd-Ed-OCCULT-TAROT_W0QQitemZ4588568629QQcategory
Z378QQcmdZViewItem. (Yes, this is an e-Bay item, directly from the publishing company.)
© 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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