Book Review: Tarot Rituals

Nancy C. Antenucci, Tarot Rituals: Ceremonies, Ideas, and Experiences for the Tarot Lover. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2022. ISBN: 9780738764443.  

 

Genre: nonfiction

Subgenre: Tarot, rituals, magic, cartomancy

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley

 

This book features a collection of rituals, ceremonies, spreads, and exercises for Tarot practitioners. The author goes over the basics of ritual practice, then presents a variety of rituals for all sorts of situations. 

 

The book is organized in ten chapters: 

 

•  Alchemy of Ritual and Tarot.
• Helpful Fundamentals.
• For the Solo Reader.
• The Major Arcana.
• Deepening the Rituals for One.
• Rituals for Reading for Others. 
• Calendar Rituals.
• Group Rituals.
• Formal Rituals.
• Creating Your Own Rituals.

 

The book also features a list of the rituals, spreads, and templates, and a suggested reading list. The reading list has some books I've read and reviewed. 

 

This book packs a lot of information. I read through it to write this review, but for readers wanting to do the exercises and lessons I would suggest reading a bit at a time. Take your time doing the exercises, rituals, etc. Readers should take their time going through the book. 

 

For those starting out, the book starts with the basics of ritual and structure, then it works its way up to more elaborate concepts. For advanced Tarot practitioners who already do rituals as part of their practice, they could skip ahead to specific chapters and find rituals and lessons of interest. The book works for Tarot practitioners at every level from beginners to advanced. Personally I do very little ritual with my Tarot practice, so I would start at the beginning and work my way up. Other readers can do what works for them. 

A strength of the book is in the broad range of rituals and content. There is a lot of material. It can be a bit overwhelming, which is why I say to work with the book a bit at a time. Still, you get plenty of choices. Another strength of the book is that the rituals and activities can be for solo practitioners and/or for practitioners who read for others. As much as possible, the author strives to be inclusive. By the way, another helpful elements in the book are the end of chapter summaries.

Overall, I really liked the book. This is a book that I would go back to again and again both to do some of the activities as well as find ideas to add to my craft down the road. With the wealth of information it offers, readers can get a lot out of this book. 

I do recommend it for libraries, especially if they already collect and own books on Tarot and other esoterica. I do not think this should be a library's first Tarot book, but if you already have a few beginner books, this book is a good step up. 

 

4 out of 5 stars. 

 

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Additional reading notes:  

Author's intention for the book: 

"My intention is to combine the wisdom of the high priestess with the rituals of the hierophant. May this union be a catalyst in your own search of tarot's essence for and in your life.

Most important of all, the major premise of these teachings is that all love is a form of magic. Not all magic, however is a form of love. I caution you to know the difference" (xxiv). 

Simple definition of ritual: 

 

"Ritual is intention and action" (6). 

 

Benefits of Tarot ritual practices:  

"Become a better neutral observer in one's life and the lives of others

Honor passages of time for needed integration of known and unknown changes

Receive essential information

Use imagery and art to cut through the mental chatter/restrictions

Activate synchronicity" (7-8).

The author does suggest that those new to Tarot start with her previous book first, Psychic Tarot (link to my review). I'd say consider the suggestion as very optional. 

 

Tarot as a living art form: 

 

"Tarot is a living art form. Start the relationship with this collection of images by trusting what you see and sense. You want to develop the ability to speak fluently of image. Images can literally open portals of energy and time. The more you 'listen' to images, the more adept you will be at 'speaking' images" (20). 

The book is mainly keyed to Rider Waite Smith (RWS) system: 

"Tarot Rituals uses the Rider-Waite-Smith system as its base. Some adaptations will be needed if you choose the Thoth, Marseilles, or independent decks that have alternative structures and images" (21).

Author recommends having different decks for different purposes: 

"For the purpose of this book, it would help to have a deck based on the Rider-Waite-Smith system. It is also recommended to have a couple of decks that you can use primarily in ritual settings. Have at least one that can be put on the floor or on an outside surface if you don't want your principal deck to go through wear and tear. It also helps to have a deck that can be physically altered, such as using parts of cards in a collage, burning, or burying them, or giving a card as a blessing" (22). 

I may have difficulty with that last part. Unless it is a seriously cheap or damaged deck, I am not about to cut it, use it for collages, etc. For me there is too much cost for that. Also I have a small degree of reverence for my decks. 

A Tarot reader needs to be neutral: 

"The reader needs to approach any answer without attachment to framing the messages as good or bad. Holding the space of neutrality is paramount. Grounding is essential to create this ability" (112). 

From the suggested reading list, I have read the following books: 

• Psychic Tarot (see my review link above).
• Tarot Elements (link to my review). 
• Tarot Inspired Life (link to my review).  
  

 

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Book qualifies for the following 2022 Reading Challenge: