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Tarot Dictionary and Compendium — Tarot Divination

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Tarot Dictionary and Compendium

Name: Tarot Dictionary and Compendium
Price: 18.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780877288213

✍️ Riley, Jana

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This essential volume offers a comprehensive exploration of tarot, delving deep into each card's meaning by compiling diverse interpretations from leading authors across various traditions. Beyond basic definitions, it meticulously details a vast array of esoteric correspondences, linking cards to astrology, gemstones, mythology, and more. Readers will gain a rich understanding of how different masters perceive the cards, providing a unique comparative framework for deeper study and personal insight into the ancient art of divination.

Riley, Jana

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Tarot & Divination

🏛 Weiser Books 📅 1995 📖 320 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780877288213

Fun Fact

Jana Riley’s 'Tarot Dictionary and Compendium' is an invaluable cornerstone for any serious tarot library. Its strength lies in its unparalleled compilation of interpretive voices and its exhaustive list of correspondences, making it a true academic-level reference. While not a narrative read, it serves as an essential companion, offering depth that few single-author books can match. Those seeking a singular, prescriptive voice for tarot meanings might find its multifaceted approach overwhelming, but for the discerning student, it's an indispensable guide to the rich tapestry of tarot wisdom.

📝 Description: Tarot Dictionary and Compendium

Students of the tarot will call this the reference book of the century! Includes basic definitions of the cards, correspondences (with esoterica, gemstones, runes, astrology, Huna, color, essences, mythology, and language), and a short section describing basic layouts. Jana Riley (a superlative researcher in the world of esoteric study) has quoted card definitions from major authors to provide succinct definitions of each card in the deck. Readers will gain new insights into card interpretation and how different teachers approach the tarot. Riley has collected material from major authors (both modern and traditional) in order to provide definitions of each card in the deck. Many of these authors also offer great number of decks, ranging from the well-known Waite, Crowely Thoth, and Wirth decks, to the more modern, such as The William Blake Tarot of Creative Imagination, Tarot of the Spirit, Motherpeace Round Tarot, Shining Woman Tarot, The Mythic Tarot, The Merlin Tarot, The Dreampower Deck, The Barbara Walker Tarot, The Voyager Tarot. This the first time that students of tarot symbolism can combine card meanings from such an eclectic group of experts. This book is destined to become an invaluable resource for all interested in the tarot!

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Jana Riley’s work is a meticulous scholarly achievement, offering unparalleled depth through its compilation of esoteric correspondences and comparative interpretations. It stands as an essential reference for those dedicated to the intricate web of tarot symbolism. However, it does not suit casual readers seeking quick, straightforward answers or those who prefer intuitive, simplified readings over rigorous analysis. The density of astrological and mythological data may overwhelm beginners looking for accessible entry points. This book is strictly for the devoted enthusiast willing to engage with complex traditions, making it less appropriate for novices or those desiring light, recreational divination rather than deep academic inquiry.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This compendium is an indispensable resource for serious students and experienced readers who have moved beyond basic card meanings. It offers a unique comparative framework by compiling diverse interpretations from leading authors across various traditions, allowing users to see how different masters perceive the same imagery. By meticulously detailing esoteric correspondences linked to astrology, gemstones, and mythology, it unlocks multifaceted wisdom that enriches personal insight. If you seek a deep, scholarly understanding of the ancient art of divination rather than simple fortune-telling, this essential volume provides the comprehensive exploration necessary for profound study.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a dedicated tarot student seeking to deepen your understanding or a seasoned reader looking to expand your interpretive repertoire, this book is for you. It's an indispensable resource for anyone who appreciates a multi-faceted approach to tarot wisdom.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Jana Riley’s work is a meticulous scholarly achievement, offering unparalleled depth through its compilation of esoteric correspondences and comparative interpretations. It stands as an essential reference for those dedicated to the intricate web of tarot symbolism. However, it does not suit casual readers seeking quick, straightforward answers or those who prefer intuitive, simplified readings over rigorous analysis. The density of astrological and mythological data may overwhelm beginners looking for accessible entry points. This book is strictly for the devoted enthusiast willing to engage with complex traditions, making it less appropriate for novices or those desiring light, recreational divination rather than deep academic inquiry.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While incredibly comprehensive, its clear organization and foundational definitions make it accessible for beginners. However, its depth and comparative insights truly shine for those already familiar with basic tarot concepts and eager to delve deeper.

Its unique strength lies in compiling interpretations from numerous distinct authors and deck traditions into one place. Rather than offering a single perspective, it presents a comparative dialogue, allowing readers to explore the multifaceted nature of tarot symbolism.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Comparative Card Meanings

Riley’s work uniquely gathers and presents card interpretations from a wide spectrum of prominent tarot scholars, both classical and contemporary. This allows readers to compare and contrast various perspectives on each card, fostering a nuanced understanding beyond any single system and revealing the rich tapestry of tarot thought.

Extensive Esoteric Correspondences

The book meticulously details an impressive array of correspondences for each card. From astrological and runic links to connections with gemstones, Huna, color theory, and mythology, it provides a holistic view of the tarot’s place within broader esoteric traditions, enriching interpretive possibilities for the dedicated student.

Diverse Deck Perspectives

This compendium is notable for its inclusion of interpretations drawing from a wide range of tarot decks. It references insights from foundational systems like Waite-Smith and Thoth, alongside modern creations such as the Motherpeace or Mythic Tarot, demonstrating the enduring and evolving nature of tarot symbolism across different artistic and philosophical approaches.

📜 Historical context

In an age where tarot resources proliferate, this compendium stands as a significant contribution by synthesizing a century of diverse interpretive thought into a single, accessible volume. It acknowledges the rich history of tarot symbolism while bridging traditional and modern perspectives, offering a contemporary lens through which to view an ancient divination system.

📚 Glossary

Tarot
Correspondences
Esoterica

📔 Questions to reflect on

Choose a card you feel intimately connected to. How do the diverse interpretations presented in this book challenge or affirm your personal understanding?
Select a card you find challenging to interpret. Explore its various correspondences (astrology, mythology, etc.) within the book and reflect on how these new layers deepen its meaning for you.
Consider the differences in interpretation between a traditional deck (like Waite-Smith) and a more modern one for a specific card. What do these differences reveal about the evolution of tarot symbolism?