The Complete Idiot's Guide to
Tarot and Fortune-Telling
by Arlene Tognetti and Lisa
Lenard
Cosmic Thoughts from
our Mystical Reviewer Meru:
Detailed and in layman's terms, friendly and well written, this excellent
resource contains a plethora of information on the tarot itself, it's history, how it is most effectively used.
A really excellent resource for the beginner and experienced user (and
even the skeptic!). Don't be afraid to pick this book up just
because it is entitled 'The Complete Idiot's Guide....' because the book
really is comprehensive and even the most experienced readers will be
impressed, as was I ! Check out the teams of people that were
involved in the development of this book on page 2.
A most interesting read with golden nuggets in every chapter including
the 'Back to the Future' chapter which presents a brief history of mankind
developing the capability to communicate using pictures. The author asks the reader to stop and think for a moment how it would be if you had to communicate with someone who didn't speak your language - what would you do? Hand signals? Charades? Twenty questions? Or, a
picture (we're hoping you'd think of this one)!!
The history of the tarot is extraordinary, and it has always been looked upon as a way to speak to the Divine; and because of this it has been always part of a power struggle, at first
used only for royalty (if peons or serfs were found with the tarot they'd be put to death); and in today's times where 'modern' science relegates the tarot to the esoteric or
unexplainable the average person has not taken the time to delve into it.
The really excellent section on
'Getting to Know the Cards' makes it so straightforward for the beginner to
start. Once you've made your spread, the descriptions of the major and minor arcana can be read directly from the book (either by the person giving the Tarot reading or the person
receiving it) and this could become a part of your initial reading strategy.
The section on Tarot and your Psychic powers is also quite excellent and provides instruction on how to develop this sense in yourself in order to gain more insights out of the cards, and how regular use of the Tarot can really develop your psychic abilities.
Whether picking a new deck or maintaining an older one, there are tons of really excellent tips on keeping your Tarot
deck in good energy and at it's peak. Different spreads are discussed and the context of card appearance are excellently outlined. Touches on astrology and
numerology, dreams and contains many references both books and recommended decks.
A great and very
cosmic reference book !
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