Genre: nonfiction
Subgenre: Tarot and cartomancy
Format: e-book galley
Source: NetGalley
The book is arranged as follows:
- Author's notes and introduction.
- 3 Major Parts:
- What Tarot Is. The first 3 chapters go over history, structure, meanings and spreads.
- What You Can Do With Tarot. The next 5 chapters look at a variety of creative activities you can do with Tarot. These include writing practices, creative crafts, spiritual practices, invocations, and rituals.
- Putting It All Together. This includes reading cards for others and networking with others in the Tarot community.
- A bibliography.
In addition to the wealth of information, I found this book easy to read and very accessible. I've done Tarot and cartomancy for a few years now, but I consider myself very much a beginner. Elford's text is welcoming, and her words are encouraging. Unlike other Tarot gurus I've read (that I will not name), she is not pretentious nor does she assume you come in with a lot of esoteric knowledge beforehand. She is like a teacher happy to see you, welcomes you with open arms, and strives to teach at various levels. Are you a complete beginner? Start at the beginning of the book and work your way through. You got a bit of knowledge and experience? It is OK to skip ahead to what you need.
Speaking of teaching, the book chapters are well organized pedagogically. Each chapter starts with a list of objectives. Chapters then include practical exercises, and they end with a list of books related to the topics discussed in a chapter so you can read further. I wish more Tarot and cartomancy books were this well organized.
One important detail I missed was some photographs, especially in the crafting sections. While the author provides fairly detailed instructions for craft projects, like making a Tarot deck bag, there are no photos in the book. For those of use who may need a bit more visual help a photo and/or diagram or two would have been very helpful in these sections.
I read the book cover to cover for this review. However, I am confident this is a good book that I would use in and out in my Tarot practice. Do an exercise here, make a spread there, so on. This is a book you can keep coming back to, and it is one I would add to my personal cartomancy shelf. If you want to give a beginner a book, this is certainly a good choice. Overall, this is one I would buy and keep handy.
For libraries, this is a good selection for public libraries. For academic libraries, if they collect pagan and similar materials, this can be a good option. I know our campus Pagan Coalition might appreciate this one, so I am likely to order a copy for my academic library.
5 out of 5 stars.
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Additional reading notes:
The author notes the book is still useful if you are familiar with the cards already:
"Already familiar with the cards? No problem. Tarot Inspired Life includes experiments and ideas to expand your knowledge. Use this book along with your favorite deck as a laboratory manual to explore new ways of using your favorite deck" (xix).
Author states you can use pretty much any deck with the book, though a fully illustrated deck is preferable (i.e. avoid pip only decks for now).
Author believes anyone can learn:
"I believe anyone can learn to use the cards and harness their power with only the help of your mind, memories, and a paper and pen. If you have those, you are ready to experience the world of tarot and create your own tarot inspired life" (xx).
Her interpretation of The Hierophant- V as a teacher. This is an interpretation I tend to favor as well. In fact, I tend to favor Tarot decks that have such depiction or better illustrate the Hierophant as a teacher. She writes,
"The Hierophant: The teacher. Many people view the Hierophant as embodying the spirit of structured religion and dogmatic beliefs. Lately I've come to view the Hierophant as a teacher, one who guides us out of ignorance so we can navigate the world and life's challenges. He reveals patterns so we can understand what is best for our own mind, body, and spirit" (16).
I found her interpretation of The Devil- XV intriguing and even a bit liberating. While I've often seen the Devil as a rebel, or a reminder to indulge in a bit of hedonism, this trickster view, for me, opens possibilities:
"The Devil. The Trickster. Tricksters are playful characters who live outside traditional behaviors and norms. They find themselves in seemingly impossible situations with no chance of escape and then, somehow, they miraculously escape with little exertion. The Devil as a trickster figure says being stuck is an illusion and the way out is usually easier than we think" (18-19).
Tarot card meanings are not static, and you need to make them your own:
"Tarot card meanings aren't static. Each has a dynamic range of meanings from light to dark. Each book you read and each person you talk to will never give you the same exact answer. This is the art behind reading tarot. There are many ways to 'read' a tarot card as you shall see, and there is no single correct way to really read a card. Learning what the cards mean to you, their essences and range of applications, and being able to articulate how they relate to a situation is an important lesson of tarot" (40).
Tarot card study and learning never stops, and reading for others can help the process too:
"Reading cards for others also helps you understand the cards better. Each questions brings out card nuances. Sometimes your clients will point out details on your cards you may never have seen before. They may also treat you with some new insights. Once you learn tarot, you will never stop uncovering new insights about the cards or techniques" (78).
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Book qualifies for the following 2020 Reading Challenges:
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