Sasha Graham, The Magic of Tarot: Your Guide to Intuitive Readings, Rituals, and Spells. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. ISBN: 9780738763583.
Genre: Tarot
Subgenre: cartomancy, magic
Format: e-book galley
Source; NetGalley
This book is going on my list of best books I've read for 2021. It will also go on my list of Tarot and esoterica books for 2021. Anyone who practices Tarot at any level may be interested in this, more so if they also practice magic.
The book is arranged as follows:
- Gratitudes and introduction.
- Chapter 1: Tarot, Magic, and You. Here Tarot and magic are defined. Graham right away includes some exercises to start expanding your intuition and senses.
- Chapter 2: Your Foundation. Topics here include ways to study, Tarot journaling, daily practice, and ethics and boundaries.
- Chapter 3: Magical Readings. Here you learn among other things how to make good questions for a reading, the hero's journey, and reading for others.
- Chapter 4: Tarot Spread Magic. Learning about spreads and how to make them.
- Chapter 5: Tarot Magic. Learn about rituals and spells with Tarot.
- Chapter 6: Bringing Magic to Life. This chapter goes over various magical activities including chakra reading, Tarot and yoga, shadow work, and fairy tales and Tarot.
- Chapter 7: Seven Sacred Connections of Constant Tarot Magic.
- Chapter 8: Card meanings. Chapter is organized by Major Arcana, then Minor Arcana, then the Court Cards.
- Additional materials:
- A Parting Wish. This is the author's conclusion.
- Tarot Basics Cheat Sheet.
- Master List of Questions.
- Glossary.
I read through the book in order to write this review, but this is a book to read and take your time. In addition to the diverse amount of material, the author provides various exercises, writing prompts, and rituals to try out. You can do all of them, or you can pick and choose what works for you. If you already do magic with your Tarot practice, this book might offer a new idea or two for your repertoire. If you would like to add magic to your practice, but you are not sure how to start, then this book can be a good starting point. It offers a lot of options and ideas, certainly enough to get you started.
The author's writing is warm, interesting, and engaging. Often I wanted to linger reading a specific passage here or there. There is no heavy esoterica nor are you required to bring prior knowledge. This is a book for anyone interested in learning. A strength in the book is the author explains things in simple language and clear manner. This is not just a book for learning. This book is a joy to read.
For very advanced Tarotistas this book may be too basic. For the rest of us, this book offers a lot of information and value in an accessible way. For readers interested in expanding their Tarot practice, this book offers options. For the beginner seeking to start, this book is a solid option to start learning and setting foundations.
This is a book I would gladly recommend for libraries with Tarot, cartomancy, and other esoterica collections. If you have clients who do Tarot or want to learn, this is a good selection for your library. This is a book I would buy for our library.
Overall, I really like this book. It is a book I would love to have on my cartomancy shelf, and I will get it in print as soon as I can.
5 out of 5 stars.
* * * * *
Additional reading notes:
This is a very nice and intriguing way to look at Tarot. Perhaps this is another reason why I found Tarot, or it found me, there is a bit of storyteller in me:
"The real reason I'm a tarot reader is because I am a storyteller. What most people fail to realize is that they are storytellers too; we all are. Tarot is storytelling. It's what we do when we read the cards. Telling stories imbues us with supernatural power-- the power to change your story" (1).
Like much of Tarot overall, at least in modern times, the book is largely female focused, but I am sure, or I hope at least, there is room for a male amateur cartomancer. I do not say this as a bad thing. I do recall that cartomancy, much like librarianship and even school teaching before that, is a female dominated craft. Still, as my mother used to say to me in younger days, "don't worry. Nothing is going to fall off."
"Tarot invites you to play inside the mystery surrounding you. A tarot practice opens wild doorway brimming with unlimited possibilities. This book is a gateway into your inner sorceress, your authentic self, and it's a direct line to unbridled manifestation" (4).
A bit on what good Tarot readers do, and again, why it appeals to me:
"Do you read between the lines? Do you look for patterns and hidden codes? Are you obsessed with mystery and what someone might be hiding? Me too! We tarot readers dive deep; it's what we do" (4).
Three things a Tarot practice teaches you:
"A tarot practice teaches you three precious truths: first, everything in the world repeats, just like the cards in the deck. Second, people are all the same, regardless of who they are, they want love, security, and safety. Did I mention love? You'll see this soon enough when you read cards for others. Finally, change is always possible. Evolution is our natural state and magic in action. It sounds simple, doesn't it? But just because something is simple doesn't make it easy" (5).
All you need to get started is you:
"All you need is you. All the answers you are looking for are inside you. The universe is constantly sending you hints, messages, and help. Tarot will help you learn how to recognize them" (6).
Now try telling this next point to certain people in the Tarot community about not having to memorize meanings and see what happens. This goes back to that whole thing of read the book or just be intuitive (by the way, I wrote a small piece on that topic on my cartomancy blog if you are interested).
"You can read the tarot right now. There's no need to be versed in occult secrets. You don't need to be the love child of a certified witch. You don't need to memorize card meanings" (9).
Having said that, in my case at least, I do believe in also doing the reading, the research, putting in the work and practice plus the intuition.
Most important part of Tarot reading:
"The most important part of tarot reading is the intuitive space you create while gazing at the cards. Tarot's power springs from YOU. You hold the magic. You hold the power. You arrive at the message. The cards are simply a tool with which you engage your intuition" (9).
Next is a sad thing some Tarotistas, cartomancers, and even a pagan or two often do:
"The saddest thing someone can do is make you feel like a dummy when you ask a question or overkill you with their presumed knowledge. Rest assured, if this has ever happened, it was all about them and never about you. Don't let a negative past experience affect your ability to read the cards" (10).
And yet I come across such folks online once in a while. There are the folks who do wear their superior esoteric knowledge like an arm sleeve tattoo, make sure you know how long they've been at it, and that their lineage goes back so many generations you can't even count the ancestors. I just stay away from those people and do my thing. The true Hierophants don't need all that flash or cudgels to teach their lessons.
And speaking of big egos:
"You'll find tarot teachers (and readers) with wild, oversized egos. That's not to say you can't learn from an instructor with a ginormous sense of personal importance, but it is in your own self-interest to be comfortable setting boundaries. Is the course about you or them?" (44).
I say if the course is more about them then move on. But if you are stuck (say your course fee is non-refundable for example), then you can always learn from them what NOT to do. While on this subject I think I've observed one or two of these oversized ego gurus online, and I may have read one or two of their books. Based on what I've seen, in books and writings what a guru may emphasize and how they emphasize it can be quite revealing if they are more into self and ego than serving others. As much as I can I stay away from the egotistical gurus.
Why keeping a Tarot journal, which I do by the way, is important:
"A tarot grimoire or journal is an important tool. This is your record and exploration of tarot experience. Every day brings fresh insight, new illumination, and a richer understanding of the arcana. Writing and recording your process provides you with the magical record of your life" (45).
More on the Tarot journal:
"When you craft a book of your own, a record of insight, learning and revelation, you create a core of personal power. You interpret the wisdom gleaned from others and give it your own unique spin.Your tarot practice is an instrument of growth. As you experiment with magical practice, you will want to reflect on learning moments, experiences, failures, and winning moments. Know what works for you so you can build upon it. Call it a journal, a grimoire, or by any other name, but relish creating this unique record of you" (45).
On Tarot being good for your intuition:
"Tarot is the perfect tool to being exploring your intuitive and psychic strengths. Once you identify them, you can begin the practice of making them stronger, like any muscle in your body. Honing your intuitive strengths will pay off in every area of your life as personal choices are made with ease and you come into alignment with the authenticity of who you are" (28).
As much as possible, this is what I aspire to when I read cards for others:
"To protect yourself and others, always make an effort to read for the highest good of everyone involved. This doesn't mean all your readings will be perfect. We are human, and we all fumble and make mistakes, yet we can strive to give the souls we read for empowering information. We can gift them with words that will evaluate, inspire, and provide clarity and confirmation" (60).
Various bits of advice:
"Keep the nature of your magical work private, especially when it comes to spells" (61)."Avoid giving anyone a reason to sue you" (61).
That second one also means apply common sense. I personally tell clients I do not read or answer medical, financial, nor legal questions.
The next bit of advice never occurred to me, but I will be adding it to my code of ethics:
"I have made it a personal rule to never read for a pregnant woman, and I highly recommend you do the same" (62).
The author overall provides good and basic ethics discussion in the book, important to anyone who may want to read for others or someone seeking to expand their practice beyond a few people. Planning ahead is a good message, put it in writing, even if it just in your journal so you can refer to it later.
On having multiple decks, and yes, I do have multiple decks:
"Using multiple decks expands your tarot palate and helps you become tarot fluid" (65).
Choose decks based on mood, for example:
"Choose your decks according to mood. Use dark gothic vampire decks when you are feeling subversive and working out deep internal issues. Use nature decks when you feel inspired and connected to the weather. Use whimsical decks when connecting with your inner child. Every tarot deck has a unique personality. Pull one out when you want to hear its particular voice" (65-66).
This is also a bit of why I do deck interview spreads with my decks, trying to hear their voices and see their specific traits.
* * * * *
This book qualifies for the following 2021 Reading Challenge:
No comments:
Post a Comment