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Tarot. the Library of Esoterica — Tarot Divination

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Tarot. the Library of Esoterica

Name: Tarot. the Library of Esoterica
Price: 33.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Hundley, Jessica
ISBN: 9783836579872

✍️ Hundley, Jessica

Reader Score

4.8

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Jessica Hundley masterfully traces the intricate history and artistic evolution of Tarot in this debut volume of TASCHEN's Library of Esoterica. From its genesis as a parlor game to its current revered status as a tool for divination and introspection, the book explores how this tradition reflects our universal longing for purpose and connection. Featuring over 500 cards and original artworks, many presented for the first time outside their original context, it's a breathtaking visual and scholarly journey into Tarot's enduring cultural impact and symbolic depth.

Hundley, Jessica

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Tarot & Divination

Praise for this book

“For those fascinated with the occult, but wary of dabbling, this gorgeous art book on tarot may be the answer.”

— thetimes.co.uk

🏛 Taschen 📅 2020 📖 520 pages 🌐 en 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9783836579872

Fun Fact

Hundley's 'Tarot' is less a practical guide and more an art historical triumph, showcasing the stunning visual heritage of this ancient tradition. It excels in its comprehensive scope and the sheer volume of never-before-seen artwork, making it an indispensable resource for scholars and art lovers alike. Those seeking a 'how-to' for readings might be disappointed, but anyone eager to understand the rich tapestry of Tarot's cultural and artistic significance will find it a profoundly rewarding and beautiful addition to their esoteric library.

📝 Description: Tarot. the Library of Esoterica

To explore the Tarot is to explore ourselves, to be reminded of the universality of our longing for meaning, for purpose and for a connection to the divine. This 600-year-old tradition reflects not only a history of seekers, but our journey of artistic expression and the ways we communicate our collective human story. For many in the West, Tarot exists in the shadow place of our cultural consciousness, a metaphysical tradition assigned to the dusty glass cabinets of the arcane. Its history, long and obscure, has been passed down through secret writing, oral tradition, and the scholarly tomes of philosophers and sages. Hundreds of years and hundreds of creative hands--mystics and artists often working in collaboration--have transformed what was essentially a parlor game into a source of divination and system of self-exploration, as each new generation has sought to evolve the form and reinterpret the medium. Author Jessica Hundley traces this fascinating history in Tarot, the debut volume in TASCHEN's Library of Esoterica series. The book explores the symbolic meaning behind more than 500 cards and works of original art, two thirds of which have never been published outside of the decks themselves. It's the first ever visual compendium of its kind, spanning from Medieval to modern, and artfully arranged according to the sequencing of the 78 cards of the Major and Minor Arcana. It explores the powerful influence of Tarot as muse to artists like Salvador Dalí and Niki de Saint Phalle and includes the decks of nearly 100 diverse contemporary artists from around the world, all of whom have embraced the medium for its capacity to push cultural identity forward. Rounding out the volume are excerpts from thinkers such as Éliphas Lévi, Carl Jung, and Joseph Campbell; a foreword by artist Penny Slinger; a guide to reading the cards by Johannes Fiebig; and an essay on oracle decks by Marcella Kroll.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Jessica Hundley delivers a masterful trace of Tarot’s artistic evolution, making it an essential visual archive for enthusiasts. However, those seeking practical, step-by-step divinatory instructions or rigid traditionalist interpretations may find the focus on cultural context and scholarly overview insufficient. The book is less a guide for reading cards and more a celebration of their aesthetic and historical weight. It suits the intellectually curious art lover but might disappoint the casual hobbyist looking for immediate mystical utility, as it prioritizes the 'odyssey' of the tradition over its immediate application.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave a deep, visual immersion into the soul of Tarot will find this book indispensable. It is perfect for those who appreciate the intersection of art history and spiritual symbolism, offering a breathtaking journey through six hundred years of evolution. By presenting over five hundred cards and original artworks, often in new contexts, it satisfies the universal longing for connection and purpose. Whether you are a scholar seeking cultural impact analysis or a practitioner desiring a profound mirror to the human soul, this debut volume provides a scholarly yet accessible entry point into Tarot's enduring legacy.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by the intersection of art, history, and the esoteric, or a seasoned practitioner seeking deeper context for your craft, this book is for you. It's an essential addition for anyone drawn to the visual storytelling and profound symbolism of the Tarot.

Reader rating

4.8

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Jessica Hundley delivers a masterful trace of Tarot’s artistic evolution, making it an essential visual archive for enthusiasts. However, those seeking practical, step-by-step divinatory instructions or rigid traditionalist interpretations may find the focus on cultural context and scholarly overview insufficient. The book is less a guide for reading cards and more a celebration of their aesthetic and historical weight. It suits the intellectually curious art lover but might disappoint the casual hobbyist looking for immediate mystical utility, as it prioritizes the 'odyssey' of the tradition over its immediate application.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Unlike practical 'how-to' guides, this book offers an unparalleled visual and historical exploration, presenting over 500 works of art, two-thirds of which are rarely seen. It's a definitive visual compendium of Tarot's artistic and spiritual journey.

Absolutely. While not a beginner's instruction manual for reading cards, it provides an incredibly rich and accessible foundation in Tarot's history, symbolism, and cultural significance. It's perfect for understanding the 'why' before delving into the 'how'.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Tarot as Self-Reflection

This volume deeply explores how engaging with Tarot cards serves as a potent method for introspection and understanding our personal journey. It highlights the universal quest for meaning and purpose that Tarot has consistently addressed across centuries, demonstrating its role in illuminating individual paths and revealing our deepest yearnings for connection to the divine.

Artistic Evolution of Tarot

The book showcases the fascinating transformation of Tarot through the hands of countless artists and mystics across generations. It illustrates how creative interpretation has continually reshaped the form, from its earliest iterations to modern decks, emphasizing Tarot's dynamic visual language and its capacity for artistic expression as a collective human story.

From Game to Oracle

Discover the compelling journey of Tarot from its obscure origins as a mere recreational game to its revered status as a complex system for divination and spiritual guidance. Hundley meticulously traces this historical shift, underscoring the enduring power of its symbolic language and how each new generation has evolved its form and reinterpreted its medium.

📜 Historical context

Tarot's tradition, spanning six centuries, has traversed secret societies, oral legends, and scholarly works. Originating in 15th-century Italy, it evolved from playing cards into a complex system of divination and self-exploration, often existing in the cultural 'shadows.' This work places it firmly within its rich lineage of esoteric wisdom and artistic collaboration.

📚 Glossary

Esoterica
Divination
Arcane

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a time you sought meaning or guidance. How might Tarot's historical journey, as presented in this book, inform your understanding of that experience?
Choose a Tarot card that resonates with you. Considering the artistic evolution discussed, how might you reinterpret its imagery to reflect your own contemporary journey?
The book traces Tarot's shift from game to oracle. Where do you see the line between play and profound insight in your own spiritual or creative practices?