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TAROT AND PSYCHOLOGY: SPECTRUMS OF POSSIBILITY
Arthur Rosengarten, Ph.D.

a review by
Errol McLendon, CTM, CTI

When I started reading "Tarot and Psychology", I did so with a great deal of resistance. My initial fear was that the terminology and concepts were going to be outside my realm of understanding. I dislike reading only half a book due to having to skim large portions which are too technical (the reason I'm not a Tom Clancy fan, but that's another review). My fears were put too rest in the first few pages. The author has a tough assignment of writing for two completely diverse audiences. In my opinion, his use of anecdote, down-to-earth language, concrete examples and quotes from other authors that most Tarotist have come to love and respect makes his insights accessible to the average man. He even suggests at one point that anyone not in the psychology field may want to skip the section on "Tarot and Systems of Psychology." Don't do it! I found it one of the most informative sections.

This is not a book to read in a noisy room or at work with constant interruptions. It should be chewed slowly. The 247 pages form one extended, interlocking premise that requires steady concentration to fully understand. The reward that is waiting for the reader willing to give this book the time and concentration it deserves is a plethora of arguments for the validity of tarot as a counseling and healing tool.

The payoff section of this book is the case study in which Tarot readings were used to profile a particular psychological group. All members of two different groups were given a modified 11-card Celtic Cross reading and the results were compared to see if certain cards showed up repeatedly. Not only are the results dramatic and impressive (at least from the non-psychologist's perspective), but, along with his explanation of synchronicity, should offer some concrete facts with which to explain why we believe in Tarot.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the Appendix which offers a phrase and a proverb for each of the 78 cards. Though some didn't quite hit home for me ("Never squat with your spurs on" for the Fool) several really gave me a new angle from which to approach my cards ("Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow" for the 3 of Cups). I'm sure the author selected phrases and proverbs as a "quick-study" hook for psychologists who may be utilizing Tarot in their counseling for the first time, but I am always looking for anything that allows me to add depth to my readings. Many of these phrases and proverbs did just that.

The book is not perfect. There were a few sections which I was forced to scan through due to lack of specialized knowledge. I do understand the challenge the author faces of not writing down to his clinical colleagues while not writing above the heads of his Tarotist colleagues. My suggestion to the "non-psychologist" reader would be to keep a good psychological dictionary or textbook with a glossary nearby for total enjoyment. (I would be interested in a review of this book by a psychologist to see if they felt the need for a Tarot dictionary.)

In spite of these few pages of confusion, Arthur Rosengarten expands on and quotes liberally from Angeles Arrien, Cynthia Giles, Mary K. Greer, Sally Nichols and many other respected names. I found this had the same effect as being alone at a party and finding a familiar face in the crowd. Concepts which I had read previously in these individual authors' books were tied together with Mr. Rosengarten's new observations and together they help Tarot take a small leap toward legitimacy from the clinical psychologist's perspective.

'Tarot and Psychology" (ISBN 1-55778-784-0) is a new offering (published April, 2000) by Paragon House in St. Paul, Minnesota. Give yourself a mental workout. You may not agree with the entire theory that Mr. Rosengarten has formulated, but you will enjoy the writing style and you can't help but pick up a some new support evidence for the next time we have to explain what Tarot is and what is capable of doing.