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Seeker: The Tarot Unveiled |
As I have probably said about all of Rachel Pollack’s books, this is a truly enjoyable read. Ms. Pollack writes in a very accessible style with a multitude of interesting tidbits and anecdotes. Reading one of her books is like being on an information based Easter egg hunt. Many books I review which contain pages of card definitions get a scan treatment, but not Ms. Pollack’s books. I read every word and always discover new insights.
This is basically a book of card descriptions and definitions, but it is so much more than that. It is hard to describe what makes this book so readable. Ms. Pollack starts by covering many of the difficult questions encountered by new Tarot readers including “How does Tarot work?” She gives answers to all of these questions along with detailed explanations of how she arrived at the answers. I was able to read her answer concerning the questions of Christianity and Tarot word for word to a couple of school administrators at a Catholic School as an answer to one of their question.
After a brief introduction in how to use the cards, she launches into the Major Arcana. The opening material to this section discusses the journey depicted in the Major cards relating it to a number of popular references. Each card is then explored in light of the card’s gifts and challenges. For each card, Ms. Pollack offers both positive and negative aspects and also discusses reversed meaning.
Following a brief introduction to the Minor Arcana which discusses the numerological aspect of the card, we begin our journey through this group of forty cards. With a cross reference of numerology and elemental qualities of the suit, the meanings of the cards are very obvious.
Next we meet the Court cards in the same way. Ms. Pollack discusses the special characteristics of each type of Court card and then cross references that with the suit to come up with the card definitions.
Finally there is a short, information filled section on reading Tarot cards, followed by an equally short and equally information filled reading list. The reading list alone is worth the price of the book for new Tarot readers. It is one of the most complete beginning lists I have ever seen.
Seeker: The Tarot Revisited (ISBN 0-7387-0521-7) is a delightful new look at the cards. New readers will find a valuable tool to replace the sketchy LWB and more seasoned readers will discover new perspectives on many of their cards. I found new insight into no less than fifteen of my cards. This is a must read for any level reader..
"Seeker: The Tarot Revisited ",
by Rachel Pollack
© Llewellyn Publications
Images used by kind permission from Llewellyn
Publications.