-11%

Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised) — Tarot Divination

Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised) — photo 1

Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised) — photo 2

Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised) — photo 3

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🃏 Tarot & Divination −11%

Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised)

Name: Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised)
Price: 39.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781476686790

✍️ Auger, Emily E

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$39.95 ~~$45.00~~ Save $5.05 (11%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This comprehensive volume meticulously charts the evolution of Tarot and kindred meditation decks, tracing their journey from 15th-century card games to profound tools for esotericism, cartomancy, and personal reflection. Emily Auger's analysis critically engages with Tarot's aesthetic and theoretical underpinnings, connecting its visual language to pivotal modern and postmodern art movements. The work also explores surprising links to literary history, the modernist 'grid,' and contemporary representations in film. A significant addition delves into the growing influence of archetypal 'shadow work,' offering fresh perspectives on Tarot's narrative and artistic dimensions.

🃏

Tarot & Divination

Praise for this book

“Quite useful... Auger's work here serves as a solid foundation forward for anyone looking into Tarot itself as well as Tarot and its relationship with art, literature, and film... A worthy second edition with new information to be obtained on the part of the reader.”

— Mythlore

🏛 McFarland & Company 📅 2023 📖 276 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781476686790

Fun Fact

Emily Auger's revised edition is a formidable achievement, offering an unparalleled academic exploration of Tarot's intricate journey through history, art, and theory. It masterfully connects esoteric practice with established cultural movements, including a vital new chapter on shadow work. While not a practical guide for divinatory readings, it stands as an essential resource for scholars and serious practitioners seeking a deeper, multidisciplinary understanding. This work firmly establishes itself as a definitive text in the field of esoteric studies.

📝 Description: Tarot and Other Meditation Decks: History, Theory, Aesthetics, Typology, 2d ed. (Revised)

Arthur E. Waite and artist Pamela Colman Smith's Rider-Waite Tarot (1909) is the most popular Tarot in the world. Today, it is affectionately referred to as the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot in recognition of the high quality of Smith's contributions. Waite and Smith's deck has become the gold standard for identifying and analyzing contemporary Tarot and other meditation decks based on archetypes. Developments in both visual and literary history and theory have influenced Tarot since its fifteenth-century invention as a game and subsequent adaptations for esotericism, cartomancy, and meditation. This analysis consider Tarot in relation to established modern and postmodern art movements, such as Symbolism, Surrealism, and Pattern and Decoration Art, as well as the concepts and theories informing both the dominance and the dissolution of the modernist "grid" and hierarchical priorities. This work also explores the close connection between Tarot and the invention of the literary novel and includes new material on the representation of Tarot in film and fiction. A new chapter addresses the growing influence of the archetypal "shadow" and "shadow work" on Tarot as an artistic form, narrative genre, and practice in the new millennium.

📑 What's inside

Acknowledgments
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction
One. Tarot and Visual Art
Two. Tarot and Literature
Three. Tarot as Tarot
Four. Tarot and the Archetypal Shadow
Conclusion
Appendix
Chapter Notes
Tarot Decks Cited
Meditation and Other Decks Cited
Bibliography
Index

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Auger delivers a dense, academic exploration that prioritizes theoretical analysis over practical instruction. While intellectually stimulating for those interested in art history and esoteric typology, this book is not suitable for beginners seeking step-by-step divination methods or casual readers looking for accessible, lighthearted introductions to Tarot. The focus on postmodern art movements and literary links may alienate practitioners who prefer traditional spiritual frameworks. It serves best as a reference text for researchers rather than a bedside companion for daily meditation.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars, artists, and serious practitioners will find immense value in this rigorous examination of Tarot’s evolution from a simple pastime to a complex esoteric tool. Auger offers a unique lens by connecting visual language to modern art movements and literary history, providing depth often missing in standard guides. Readers interested in the theoretical underpinnings of divination, the aesthetics of deck design, and the psychological impact of archetypal shadow work will appreciate this comprehensive approach. It is ideal for those seeking to understand not just how to use cards, but why they look the way they do and how they function within broader cultural narratives.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of Tarot, an art historian curious about esoteric influences, or a literary scholar seeking hidden connections, this comprehensive work offers unparalleled insights. It's for anyone desiring a deeper, academic understanding of meditation decks beyond mere practical…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Auger delivers a dense, academic exploration that prioritizes theoretical analysis over practical instruction. While intellectually stimulating for those interested in art history and esoteric typology, this book is not suitable for beginners seeking step-by-step divination methods or casual readers looking for accessible, lighthearted introductions to Tarot. The focus on postmodern art movements and literary links may alienate practitioners who prefer traditional spiritual frameworks. It serves best as a reference text for researchers rather than a bedside companion for daily meditation.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While comprehensive, its academic depth and theoretical analyses might be challenging for absolute beginners. It's best suited for those with some familiarity with Tarot or a strong interest in its scholarly and multidisciplinary analysis.

No, while acknowledging the RWS as a significant historical and artistic benchmark, the book examines a broad spectrum of 'meditation decks,' analyzing their typology, aesthetics, and theoretical underpinnings across various historical and artistic contexts.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Tarot's Enduring Transformation

This book traces the deck's remarkable journey from a 15th-century parlor game to a potent tool for esotericism, divination, and self-reflection. It explores the cultural and historical forces that shaped its diverse applications, highlighting Tarot's profound adaptability through centuries of changing belief systems and societal practices, offering a fresh perspective on its multifaceted origins.

Artistic & Literary Dimensions

The study places Tarot within the grand sweep of art history, analyzing its connections to major movements like Symbolism and Surrealism, and examining how aesthetic principles inform deck design. It also delves into the surprising parallels between Tarot's narrative structure and the development of the modern novel, even exploring its contemporary depictions in film and other popular media.

Archetypal Depth Psychology

The book explores the profound impact of archetypal psychology on contemporary Tarot, particularly focusing on the concept of the 'shadow' and its integration into personal growth practices. It examines how these psychological frameworks inform the artistic and narrative expressions found in modern meditation decks, offering a deeper understanding of their therapeutic and introspective potential.

📜 Historical context

Since its 15th-century origins as a simple game, Tarot has continually adapted, becoming a cornerstone of esotericism and divination. This book positions itself within a tradition of critical analysis, building upon the foundational impact of decks like the Rider-Waite-Smith to examine how these cards reflect and influence cultural narratives and artistic movements across centuries, offering a scholarly anchor for modern practitioners.

📚 Glossary

Cartomancy
Archetype
Shadow Work

📔 Questions to reflect on

How has your understanding of Tarot's origins shifted after considering its 15th-century game context versus its esoteric applications?
Reflect on a specific Tarot card. How might its imagery be interpreted through the lens of a modernist art movement like Surrealism or Symbolism?
Consider the concept of 'shadow work' as applied to a Tarot reading. How might this perspective deepen your interpretation of challenging cards or situations?