Books Focusing on Esoteric Knowledge of Tarot Cards

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· 27 ratings · 19 reviews

Start your review of Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot

(view spoiler)[⇾ U P D A T E : Kindle edition is $23.99?! It's a great reference guide but there is no way in hell I am paying that much for a eBook. Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit! (hide spoiler)]

This is a far more in depth guide to Tarot than what I was expecting. The authors provide a brief history on Tarot and card-by-card analysis—symbolism, card number, element, Hebrew letter/meaning, path number, color scales in the four worlds, themes and keywords, relations to

'Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot' has knowledgeable information anyone interested in tarot cards/tarot reading can take something away from. Case in point, I just purchased a deck and despite it bringing a itty bitty booklet helping me to interpret the cards, it felt lacking and I didn't feel like I was able to get more from it but with this reference book, I know I am moving in the right direction. The background on the meaning of each card and what they represent has been extremely helpful.

It's the perfect reference guide I know I will use time and time again.

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Mar 06, 2021 Lorna Vivi rated it it was amazing

T. Susan Chang and M. M. Meleen have made a name for themselves in the Tarot community with the podcast Fortune's Wheelhouse where they discuss the esoteric nature of the Golden Dawn's two main tarot systems; RWS and Thoth. This text appears to be a product of the podcast and so is packed with in depth analysis, multiple correspondences, and multiple approaches to the tarot cards i.e astrological, mythological etc. The text is well constructed with the introduction setting out and defining the p T. Susan Chang and M. M. Meleen have made a name for themselves in the Tarot community with the podcast Fortune's Wheelhouse where they discuss the esoteric nature of the Golden Dawn's two main tarot systems; RWS and Thoth. This text appears to be a product of the podcast and so is packed with in depth analysis, multiple correspondences, and multiple approaches to the tarot cards i.e astrological, mythological etc. The text is well constructed with the introduction setting out and defining the parameters the text covers, and clarifying differences in the RWS and Thoth, as well as basic introductions to systems they utilise and drawn on like Qabalah. Then they approach each card one by one, starting with the major arcana, then the minor (as is usual). The Court cards are discussed in their own section and interestingly include correspondences with I Ching and geomancy, which is not something I have seen explored in other books. The card is introduced with a list of basic correspondences, then a deeper analysis is provided firstly by astrological/elemental, then mythological, qabalah associations, until finally you get first the analysis of RWS interpretation followed by the Thoth. The analysis of the card then ends with a brief section on associated cards and concepts you can explore further. This sounds like a lot, and it is however the way they have structured it means that you can choose which area of symbolism or interpretation you want to focus on rather than be overwhelmed with all of it at once. In addition the authors have a rare gift of breaking the information down and making it readable and accessible. If you are interested in the esoteric nature of tarot you need this book, it is one of the best out there for tackling the intricate topic. Another unique aspect of this book is that it discusses both Thoth and RWS (people interested in Thoth will really find this book helpful as there is so few books on that system. I would have appreciated colour images in the book, but other than that this book is about to become a classic in the tarot world and one of the few book advanced tarot readers can look forward to owning. ...more

Feb 17, 2021 Alicia Bayer rated it really liked it

This is an extremely thorough guide to every card in the tarot, probably the most thorough I've ever seen. There are not many illustrations and the interior is in black and white. It's very complete and would be a great guide anyone looking for more in-depth information about the cards.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

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Jan 20, 2021 Annalisa rated it it was amazing

Discover the mysteries and secrets of the tarot. Learn how to read the cards in the different decks of tarot. This book answered many of my questions. It has definitely piqued my interest. By the time I finished reading this, I have fallen in love with the mystery of tarot and it's beautiful decks. Discover the mysteries and secrets of the tarot. Learn how to read the cards in the different decks of tarot. This book answered many of my questions. It has definitely piqued my interest. By the time I finished reading this, I have fallen in love with the mystery of tarot and it's beautiful decks. ...more

Tarot Deciphered is an in-depth voyage into the esoteric roots that underlie the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, the Thoth Tarot, and the myriad of decks that share their symbology. This card-by-card analysis reveals detailed insights drawn from the multi-layered traditions of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the magical order that most strongly influenced modern tarot.… From the Publisher

Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot by T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen is a massivel

Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot by T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen is a massively informative text containing every correspondence and point of reference you would most likely find of use and then the authors treat the reader to even more. In this case the use of the word "massive" is a nod to the 672 pages that serve as the distributors of a wealth of research, cross connection and interpretation beyond the ordinary standards.

Each card is defined through the esoteric disciplines of Astrology/Element, Mythology/Alchemy, Hermetic Qabalah, Rider-Waite Smith Symbolism and Thoth Symbolism. The Related Cards within the tarot keys and Advanced Concepts for Further Exploration complete the chapter. Being a teacher of Hermetic Qabalah and reader that prefers the imagery of the Thoth Tarot deck, I especially appreciated the incorporation of these tools ion a one-stop source vs. reliance of individual texts and meanings to draw greater conclusion from.

The Introduction gives the reader ample information about the inclusion of the Thoth Tarot deck as a point of reference for each of the cards. This is not a deck traditionally used other than those aligned with Aleister Crowley's teachings and the understanding of multi-layered systems of Qabalah and ceremonial magick. Another interesting discussion is the influence of the Golden Dawn on the cards of the Major Arcana.

The offerings at the beginning of each of the Tarot Key's chapters include the Card Number, Element, Hebrew Letter, Hebrew Letter Meaning, Path (of the Qabalistic Tree) Color Scale in the Four Worlds and other Themes and Keywords. This provides a nice quick look for easy reference and sets the tone for the more in depth discussions by topic within the chapter itself.

The approach of synthesis taken by T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen in Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot ensures that the reader will come away with a better understanding of the multiple disciplines that compromise a diverse and well-rounded practice.

Would I Recommend:

Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot by T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen is an absolute must for anyone seriously interested in Tarot studies and exploring the common threads found in all of the esoteric disciplines. On the scale of cost for most books these days, this title is a bit pricey, but the compendium of resources gathered in one reference will more than validate the cost.

Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot by T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen is a well written and user friendly book from cover to cover. This book is definitely one that I will be adding to my library. And, be returning to frequently to explore new perspectives and fresh interpretations.

Reviewed by Robin Fennelly of PaganPages.org
https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2021...

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Mar 21, 2021 Jamie Jack rated it it was amazing

Seriously, Just WOW!

I have been a student of the tarot for over two decades, and the first word that springs to mind about this detailed and amazing book is simply "WOW"! In this book, the authors delve deep into tarot symbolism by deconstructing the images from the Rider-Waite-Smith and Thoth decks. They also include a detailed analysis of the cards in relation to astrology (especially as viewed by The Order of the Golden Dawn, which strongly influenced both decks) and the qabalah. The authors explore both the major and minor arcana in depth, starting with the major. Sections for each major arcana card include astrology, mythology, qabalah correspondences, symbolism in the two decks, an image of the card from another deck (aside from the two being studied in depth), other cards related to the particular card, and further ideas to explore about the symbolism and meaning of the cards. As you might imagine, the setup is slightly more simple for the minor arcana. You certainly need to read the introductory material before you delve deep into any particular card. The introductory material explains several points that will help you appreciate what is stated in the card sections later. The only fault I can see in this book is that it does not include the images for the Thoth cards as it does for the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. If you consider yourself a serious student or practitioner of the tarot, you need this book! It will certainly give you a grounding in tarot symbolism that will be a foundation and springboard for your intuition as you work with the cards.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

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May 02, 2021 Allie Marini rated it it was amazing

* I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a fir and honest review *
I'm giving this book 5 stars, even though I didn't enjoy reading it, here's how that works: it's an extremely well-written, knowledgeable resource. I just didn't enjoy it because I discovered that the esotericism of the tarot isn't what interests me about tarot. I don't read with the two main decks created out of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Thoth and RWS, I like decks based off the RWS system to the de * I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a fir and honest review *
I'm giving this book 5 stars, even though I didn't enjoy reading it, here's how that works: it's an extremely well-written, knowledgeable resource. I just didn't enjoy it because I discovered that the esotericism of the tarot isn't what interests me about tarot. I don't read with the two main decks created out of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Thoth and RWS, I like decks based off the RWS system to the deck itself and Thoth has never been my thing. So, unsurprisingly, this book wasn't really for me. That said, this book is a great resource for Quabalistic readers, which again, isn't really my thing, but for those who want to learn about the Kabbalah/Quabalah origins of tarot, this is your book. Likewise, the parts that deal with astrology/elements/geomancy/bibliomancy/I Ching/ mythology (that part was most interesting to me.) The authors host the Fortune's Wheelhouse podcast, so they really know their tarot, and it differs from a lot of tarot books in that it is bursting with info rather than having a bloated page count without substance, so that's another factor in my 5-star rating. The book is super well-structured and laid out so that all this intricate information isn't overwhelming (which helped me, since I discovered pretty quickly that only some of the esoterica of tarot interests me.) Finally, five stars because there aren't a lot of modern books out there that deal in their part of the tarot, the only one that comes to mind it A.E. Waite's Pictorial Guide to the Tarot, which ya know, is just a smidge outdated (/sarcasm). I'm glad I read it, and for the person who's truly interested in this aspect of tarot, this book will be a stellar addition to your tarot library. ...more

tl;dr If you're looking for insight on the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS)-based tarot decks, don't waste your time with this one. RWS is only used to supplement knowledge of the Golden Dawn/Thoth tarot deck. If you're into that and don't mind Crowley's notoriously antisemitic, racist, and xenophobic B.S., then go right ahead. The RWS descriptions are almost entirely sourced from Waite's The Pictorial Key to the Tarot , and the authors don't offer much additional insight.

Be critical of what the autho

Be critical of what the authors pass off as fact, or "well known", whether it's about history, mythology, astrology, etc.; they don't really source anything other than other occult books. A lot of the deciphering is, "This symbol could mean X, Y, or Z... who really knows! Mysticism!" The authors could've directly addressed the sordid past of Western mysticism/occultism/esotericism and how to approach it from our 21st century standpoint, but chose not to.

—

I like tarot cards for the art and various artists' interpretations. Using the cards to divine any kind of meaning is appealing, but I'm too much of a skeptic to really get into the "woo." However, I still expect some kind of Burden of Proof, whether the author is a total skeptic or woo-witch.

My issue with tarot (and Western occultism/esotericism in general) is that it uses a lot of Jewish symbolism that was added by non-Jews. Judaism and Jewish mysticism is not "open" for any ol' person to practice, lift, or otherwise use bits and pieces of; you have to be Jewish. There's stuff taken from other religious practices, too, and that also feels like a cheap imitation of the real thing. The authors imply it's a virtue that Crowley's Golden Dawn synthesized all this mystic information into one "system" used through the book, but it honestly feels like putting a drink, main dish, side dish, and dessert in a blender and saying the slurry tastes the same as the non-blended meal. It cheapens both the individual practices and the "single system" created. And it reads as pure laziness and unoriginality.

Most of this book is about Aleister Crowley, his Thoth tarot deck, and his secret society, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The authors are clearly huge fans. Unfortunately, there's a lot of stuff in the occult world that is so inter-woven with stolen ideas and symbols that it's kind of overwhelming (for me, at least) to be able to sift through what is trash and what can be saved.

The Golden Dawn also seems to rely heavily on "masculine" and "feminine" traits. Purity/virginity, the color white, emotional strength, and anything "watery" is automatically associated with women and "the feminine." Whereas strength, power, passion, the color red, anything to do with fire or phallic shapes are all "male" traits. There's no fluidity

~~because that would be too feminine~~ between the male and female genders, and there's a heavy emphasis on male/female sexuality and sexual relationships. There's so many other genders and sexualities that are part of life, and focusing on the a male/female heterosexual binary gets... boring? Tiring? It feels closed-in, where I'd think the whole point of mysticism is to explore beyond confines.

This book doesn't address any of part of the "lifted ideas" in tarot's history, though it does dance around the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's usage a bit in the beginning. If you have an eye for it, the introduction to the topics even states this is all stolen and "refurbished":

"[The Tree of Life's] branches have extended across the study of traditional Kabbalah for over 1,000 years. One of those branches profoundly influenced the intellectual and magical movement known as Hermeticism, which co-opted the tradition for its own purposes…"

(emphasis is my own)

"We recognize that some may view these as a Victorian corruption of Hebrew transliteration as currently practiced, but by observing Hermetic conventions, our intent is to honor the integrity of, and the boundaries between, the separate traditions."

(Impact is more important than Intent. How are they separate traditions when Qabalah was practically copied with tracing paper?)

Ultimately, I don't know a clear place to draw a line in the sand. I know the RWS artwork is heavy on symbolism, and I'm one of those people that likes knowing all the tiny details of things. I expect Occult-y books to have some burden of proof, but that's also like asking/expecting an ocean to be dry. I'm aware that Waite and Smith were both involved in the occult and the Golden Dawn, so the overlap is ultimately inescapable. There are some explanations of symbols that I don't remember being mentioned in other more modern guidebooks, but I'm not comfortable taking this book's explanations as fact—because how much of what the authors say in the RWS sections are totally divorced from their love of Crowley/Golden Dawn? Can it even be totally divorced to begin with? Maybe my disappointment is my own fault for being duped by the big umbrella that is "Western esotericism."

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Jul 06, 2021 Lisa rated it really liked it

Tarot Deciphered by T. Susan Chang; M. M. Meleen is yet, another good reference in the toolbox of tarot. Already a fan of both authors as a frequent listener to Fortunes Wheelhouse and a Thoth deck owner created by Meleen, I couldn't wait to jump in. This is a comprehensive collection of well researched esoteric roots in the Thoth and RWS systems. Although I have little interest in Thoth, I knew that going in and skimmed over what didn't interest me for the vast amount of information that did.
T Tarot Deciphered by T. Susan Chang; M. M. Meleen is yet, another good reference in the toolbox of tarot. Already a fan of both authors as a frequent listener to Fortunes Wheelhouse and a Thoth deck owner created by Meleen, I couldn't wait to jump in. This is a comprehensive collection of well researched esoteric roots in the Thoth and RWS systems. Although I have little interest in Thoth, I knew that going in and skimmed over what didn't interest me for the vast amount of information that did.
Tarot Deciphered is probably not the best choice for a beginner new to the subject. I would recommend this for someone that has a basic familiarity of one or both systems to expand on the knowledge they currently have. These ladies know their stuff and it is evident in every project they present.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are authentically mine. ...more

Feb 21, 2021 Shannon rated it really liked it

This book is an in-depth description of every card in the Tarot. While I found most of the extensive card information to be over my head, anyone in search of knowledge on the tarot will find this guide to have everything (and possibly more) they are looking for. If you want to really learn about the Tarot, this book will not disappoint! The card descriptions are explained using both the Rider-Waite-Smith and the Thoth decks, which is very helpful!

Thank you NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications f

Thank you NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for the ARC. I enjoyed this in-depth exploration into the Tarot.

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If you are looking for an extremely comprehensive guide to tarot that focuses on the Rider-Waite-Smith or Thoth decks this is definitely a must read. This book delves into the esoteric meaning of each card in these decks while following the traditions of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Personally I found the overall tone reminiscent of a text book and some of the information went right over my head, but I learned a great deal in reading it.

Jan 21, 2021 April rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed learning about the Qabalah and the Golden Dawn's influence on Tarot. As a seasoned tarot reader even I found myself fascinated by the information and connections made here. There is something for everyone. This book will absolutely enrich my own readings in the future and I'll definitely be pre-ordering a hard copy for myself. Thanks for allowing me to review it. I enjoyed learning about the Qabalah and the Golden Dawn's influence on Tarot. As a seasoned tarot reader even I found myself fascinated by the information and connections made here. There is something for everyone. This book will absolutely enrich my own readings in the future and I'll definitely be pre-ordering a hard copy for myself. Thanks for allowing me to review it. ...more

May 03, 2021 Angel rated it really liked it

Quick impressions: The bottom line is that despite some mixed feelings I do like this book. For someone like me, this can be a good reference book and a possible way to start delving into the Hermetic concepts the book presents. Your mileage may vary for very advanced practitioners, so ask yourselves if you need another reference work on Tarot and esoteric topics.

(Full review on my blog later)

Tarot Deciphered is more than just a Tarot guide. The author gives you an in-depth history and card-by-card analysis. A book full of knowledgeable information anyone interested in tarot cards/tarot reading can take something away from. Tarot Deciphered is a book I am sure to read again and again.

The deciphering and descriptions of just the first three cards made me rate this book a 5 star, because of the unexpected comprehensiveness. I look forward to get to understand the intrinsic patterns and connections of the remaining cards.

This had a whole lot of information and a whole lot of it went right over my head. Definitely not beginner friendly. I also found parts of it to be repetitive, which was frustrating because it's already such a long book (over 500 pages). It's fun to go through my own physical deck as I read it. This had a whole lot of information and a whole lot of it went right over my head. Definitely not beginner friendly. I also found parts of it to be repetitive, which was frustrating because it's already such a long book (over 500 pages). It's fun to go through my own physical deck as I read it. ...more

May 14, 2021 Annarella rated it it was amazing

An excellent, well researched and detailed guide to Tarots. Everything you want to know about a Tarot card.
Interesting and informative, an excellent guide to Tarot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Explore each tarot card in detail, you curious wanderer. Quench your thirst with this excellent reference book.

Not huge on this book, it does have some good points. More for those who a more rounded look or esoteric/golden dawn interpretation.

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Books Focusing on Esoteric Knowledge of Tarot Cards

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Books Focusing on Esoteric Knowledge of Tarot Cards

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