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Summary: The Definitive Tarot Book
Review: This book is The Book to use if you want to learn to read Tarot Cards.Gray begins with a brief overview of the history of the cards, which not only allows the reader to understand the tradition of the deck, but appreciate the tradition the practitioner is taking on. She then takes the time to describe each card, highlighting important symbolism within the paintings and explaining their meaning. Each card's meaning, both standard and reversed, is given with enough detail to provide meaning, yet allow the practitioner room to interpret properly given the spread, environment, and recipient. I have yet to read a Tarot book that gives this much detail without the author wandering off into their own personal beliefs for pages on end. Gray also provides details of different spreads that can be utilized by the practitioner, depending upon their own needs and wishes. The most popular and standard Celtic Cross spread is given first billing, with good description of placement meaning and overall interpretation. An astrological spread is also detailed and summarized quite well. She does an excellent job of including the Tree of Life spread within just a few pages while still grasping the overall meaning and not getting bogged down in the details of this Qabalistic tradition. If you own a Tarot deck, you should own this book.
Rating:
Summary: A tarot reference for a lifetime.
Review: This was the first book that I bought, or read, to help me interpret the tarot. As the years have passed I have come to realise that it is also the best. There are too many mundane, cookie cutter, tarot references out there. This book truly explains the deep meanings behind the hermetic symbolism of the Waite-Rider deck. With the systems and symbolism section it becomes a comprehensive text on metaphysical thought- a true book of Thoth, or Hermes. My only complaint is that there is no deluxe copy with leather binding and vellum pages. I would gladly pay extra for it, for this is the kind of book you will refer to again and again over a lifetime. Of course, if the tarot is no more than a new-age parlor game to you, you might want to look elsewhere. If you are prepared to meditate on the meaning of deeper things, then you have found your guide.
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