Jack Chanek, Tarot for the Magically Inclined: Spells and Spirits to Stack the Deck in Your Favor. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2025. ISBN: 9780738778013. (Link to publisher)
The book starts with a list of spreads and an introduction. In the introduction the author describes the book's overall structure and writes a bit about the intersection of Tarot and magic, the core of the book.
After the introduction, the book is divided into two parts. Part I: A Magical Worldview looks at Tarot reading, defines magic, and goes over additional elements such as the elements of the Zodiac, the planets, and the Tree of Life. You may or not use some or all of those in your practice. I do not, at this time, but I am interested in learning more. The author here gives you enough of the basics to help add those other concepts in your practice if you so choose. If you are an advanced reader, you can probably skim or even skip Part I. If you are a beginner or an intermediate student, like me, you'll want to read Part I. and come back to it as needed. For some topics you may need or want to supplement with other texts. Some of the texts listed in the bibliography may help, but you may also consider seeking other texts and resources.
Part II is where the magic actually happens so to speak. Here the author goes over specific magical practices you can do with your Tarot deck. Topics include path working, meditation, writing spells, and work with angels, demons, and other spirits. I would say this is not for readers to do everything. Certainly don't attempt it all at once. Rather pace yourself, see what calls to you, and go from there. Build up your craft with study, practice, and discipline a step at a time.
The book is not a hard read, but there are some dry parts here and there that can slow down the reading pace. Some topics get a bit more depth than others, which is part of why you may need supplementary materials for some topics. Still as a whole I found the book to be interesting, and it has motivated me to explore ways to bring more magic into my Tarot. I've done some small spell work with Tarot, and it has worked for me. This book gives me ideas and lessons to go further into Tarot and magic.
In essence, you can do a lot more with your Tarot deck than just read the cards if you wish. This book can show you how to do it. This is a book I would buy in print for my personal collection, and I do recommend it. It may be a great way to expand your Tarot journey and your magic.
5 out of 5 stars.
Additional reading notes:
On what Tarot is and is not:
"Tarot is an interpretive art rather than a predictive science, and tarot readers aren't omniscient. We get things wrong sometimes, and we can't pull the winning lottery tickets out of a deck of cards. Nonetheless, tarot gives us insight that wouldn't otherwise have. It allows us to build a narrative through which to make sense of ourselves and the world around us, to see the major themes in our lives, and to forecast where we're going based on where we are now. It's a wonderful tool to understand the turning of the Wheel" (2).
On the languages of Tarot and magic:
"The language of tarot is one of symbolism, imagery, dreams, and imagination-- the same as the language of magic. As such, tarot is already deeply magical. The powers of magic gain expression when we give them voice through reading tarot, and the archetypal images of tarot are made real when we draw them into the world through magic. Tarot and magic have always been connected; this book will teach you to notice that connection and apply it" (5).
The author's definition of magic:
"Magic is the practice of causing directed change through either sympathetic or intercessional means" (29).
Author's goal with this book:
"My goal is to establish tarot as part of our magical universe. How does the tarot deck fit in with everything else we do as magicians, and how can magic inform our understanding of tarot's internal structure?" (43).
On divination and magic:
"Divination gives you a glimpse into the future; if you don't like that future, magic gives you the power to change it. There is tremendous magical potency in mindfully rewriting a narrative that you've been given in divination-- rejecting one vision of the future and instead substituting your own" (152).
This book qualifies for the 2025 Netgalley/Edelweiss Plus Challenge.
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