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TAROT: YOUR EVERYDAY GUIDE |
I ordered this book sight unseen from Amazon; and my initial reaction to it when it arrived was, "Oh, just another book of card interpretations". I was completely unfair on this. I write this because I am certain there are many of you who will pick this book up in a bookstore, thumb through it and think, "Oh, just another book of card interpretations".
The physical arrangement of the book is very similar to all those many "card meanings" books out there. The difference is that the insights on each card's meaning in this book cut right to guidance in specific areas of life with precision, focus and intelligence. Along with these brilliant card explorations, Ms. Renee also teaches a very powerful lesson in what Tarot really is. She is very careful to preface her book by suggesting that Tarot is not fortune telling, but a way for "resolving problems, making positive changes and even encouraging good luck."
One nice feature in this book is that the author has not just chosen one deck to illustrate her interpretations. Each card's page is illustrated by cards from three decks. In addition to the Rider-Waite, which is represented each time, the author chooses two other cards from either The Celtic Dragon, Golden Dawn, Legend, The Sacred Circle, Shapeshifter or Witches Tarot. This is wonderful way to get to know different decks and their subtle ( and sometimes not so subtle) similarities and differences. This book was my first introduction to The Celtic Dragon deck, a deck I now own and cherish.
As Ms. Renee examines each card, she chooses specific areas, job, relationships, money, decision making, health, etc. and elaborates on what advice the card offers in the areas most aligned with the card. Unlike some previous books I've seen, "Tarot: Your Everyday Guide" does not list what each card means when applied to every area of your life. Ms. Renee has only mentioned the personal areas to which each card naturally connects. No effort is made to force a relationship card into a money situation. If there is a natural connection, it will be there; if there is not, no effort is made to make a meaning fit.
It has been a long time since I have truly enjoyed reading card interpretations, but the writing style in this book is both straightforward and very entertaining. Both traditional references and extremely modern connections are made. What other book draws on the wisdom of "The Tao of Psychology " and "Weird Al" Yankovic to give clarity to The Fool card. References such as this keep the reading light and intriguing. Due to this diversity of resources, the bibliography is not just a list of other Tarot books, but a veritable library of suggested readings which can enrich all areas of life. I have picked up several of the non-Tarot books mentioned, just to give me further insight into a card's depth of meaning.
I have used this book for adding insight into my own personal readings. I believe that a reading for someone else should offer options, not advice. Because of this personal belief, I have had some difficulty incorporating the explorations this book has to offer into readings for other people, but, in all candor, my difficulties are rooted in my own personal roadblocks.
"Tarot: Your Everyday Guide" (ISBN
1-56718-565-7) is published by Llewellyn Publications in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This book is well worth a leisurely read and its information can add levels
and direct guidance to your readings. I would encourage anyone to pick
it up (and be sure to pay for it).
"TAROT: YOUR EVERYDAY GUIDE",
by Janina Renee
© Llewellyn Publications
Images used by kind permission from Llewellyn
Publications.