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21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card |
All right, I am going to admit something here. I
usually scan the books I review very quickly and, if it is a book involving exercises of any type,
I usually don't take the time to actually do them. When I got t'o chapter 10 of this book, I
realized what a valuable tool it was for anybody using Tarot at any level. At that point, I
began again at the beginning and worked through the entire book. I have been revitalized.
The idea here is to draw a card and explore it 21 different ways. I won't give anything
away because I really enjoyed the surprise of every chapter. Each chapter explores the card on
an apprentice level and then adds exercises which are designed to explore more extensively on the
adept level. I followed the path of the apprentice in order to write this article in a timely manner.
Tomorrow, I will begin the way of the Adept with my chosen card (3 of Pentacles).
Even for people wanting to teach others to read Tarot cards, Mary K. Greer
has, once again, discovered techniques which are engaging, original and exciting. I am currently
teaching a new student and I have bought her graduation present, a copy of this book and Mary's "Tarot
for Your Self" (my traditional graduation present for my students). It is only fair. I have been
reading segments out of this book for ten weeks so that tells me it will be valuable as she
continues along her path.
One of the elements I don't like about "workshop" books are they become
a list of instructions with very little heart. Mary always spices up the instructions with anecdotes,
life experiences and related wisdom. This allows the reader to enjoy the journey as a vacation and
not a field trip. There is also a nice sense of continuity. As you move further in the book, you
bring in additional cards to add to your chosen card of study. These mini-spreads resurface all
the way to the end of the book.
What Mary has created is the first post-graduate course in Tarot
card study. The ironic element of the book is that the beginning student, following the book,
will learn the cards on their learning level, but with much more depth than any beginning
course can do. The secret to this book being something for everyone is not the two levels
of each chapter, apprentice and adept, but Mary's incredible ability to create exercises
that span all experience levels, allowing each student to discover in the cards, the level
of information for which they are prepared.
"21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card" (ISBN 0-7387-0784-8) is the spark
which can encourage new students to learn the cards from a multi-dimensional perspective and
old students to uncover hidden jewels within cards with which they feel comfortable. I would
encourage any reader to pick up this book and make the journey - and be prepared for rebirth.
"21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card",
by Mary K. Greer
© Llewellyn Publications
Images used by kind permission from Llewellyn
Publications.