The magical tarot is a mystical and esoteric deck of cards that is rooted in the ancient tradition of tarot reading. It is believed to possess special spiritual qualities and has been used for divination and self-discovery for centuries. The deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main parts: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana comprises 22 cards, each representing a significant life lesson or archetypal energy. These cards often illustrate important concepts such as birth, death, love, and spirituality. They provide valuable insights into the deeper aspects of human existence and offer guidance and wisdom in navigating life's various challenges.
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For example, in the suit of Wands, the Ace has a vibrant green background, but the 2, 3, and 4 have a deep red background, the 5, 6, 7 have yellow, and the 8, 9, and 10 have navy blue. So we have the Knight Scale being the first World Fire , the Queen Scale being the second Water , the King being the third Air , and the Princess being the fourth Earth.
They provide valuable insights into the deeper aspects of human existence and offer guidance and wisdom in navigating life's various challenges. The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, consists of the remaining 56 cards, divided into four suits: wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. Each suit presents a different aspect of life: wands symbolize inspiration and ambition, cups represent emotions and relationships, swords denote intellect and conflicts, while pentacles signify material wealth and abundance.
Book review: The Magical Tarot of the Golden Dawn – Divination, Meditation, High Magical Teachings
Aeon books revised edition 2019, original edition published 2008.
ISBN 13 – 1911597292
ISBN 10 – 1911597299
This book is probably the most impressive Golden Dawn based Tarot book I’ve read for content and readability—495 pages of a discussion of Book T, and I was in my element! Almost A4 in size means that the text is not overly heavy or unwieldy to read and I poured myself into each word written. The book is methodically laid out starting with the introduction to the reasoning for creating the text and accompanying Tarot deck. (I do have to purchase the deck!) It is evident a great deal of well thought out research has gone into creating the comprehensive content. The style of writing may be too congested or dense for some tastes; however, I did find it a straightforward and easily digestible read. I would recommend this text for starting out on a Golden Dawn Tarot journey; it would give a good solid grounding. The sections regarding Kabbalah and the colour scales were useful. The comprehensive section on colour scales included a brief comparison between Crowley’s and Regardie’s systems, more modern colour names, and the bold claim that the Zalewski deck colouring is the most accurate yet.
The card descriptions are detailed and comprehensive and the descriptions contained some welcome additions that aren’t readily available in other texts that I’ve read previously. For the Major Arcana the card detail is around five pages long and contains numerology relating to the card number including Golden Dawn references, gematria, the Hebrew letter, Kabbalistic association, psychological expression, a card description, divinatory meaning paragraph and a mantra for each card.
The Court descriptions are about three pages long and include I Ching as well as tattvas, decante influences and elemental influences, geomancy, and a divinatory paragraph. The Minor Arcana follows a similar format in length and include angel association, alchemy and Kabbalistic influence as well as the divinatory paragraph. The angel association is a welcomed addition and is not something I’ve studied previously so is now on my ever-growing list!
The book contains various methods of working with the cards including spreads, scrying, dreamwork, and meditation. The dreamwork section will be a challenge for me as I never seem to remember my dreams, but I shall rise to that challenge! The book provides about 12 spreads including the Opening of The Key and a couple of other large spreads which I will work through. It also includes a useful commentary on some of the spreads, which helps to see them working in practice. It did take me a while to follow the Horoscope spread as the two images show different card placements, so I followed the card placement as described in the commentary. This provided some insightful results. Some of the spreads are large, yet it was interesting to find them, such as the seven-card spread in the accompanying photograph, described as a ‘little spread for quick and concise answers.’ The ‘personal tree of power’ spread looks an interesting meditation to work through; I think I have also found another spread to use during my New Year Tarot workings.
The final section of the book , titled celestial Tarot, was interesting and warrants further study as I’m not very knowledgeable on astrology. This leads me to my final comment that a bibliography and index would have been a welcome addition to the text. Sadly, both were omitted and there appear to be no footnotes in the text either, which makes cross referencing difficult as well as searching for particular keywords within the book.
All in all, if you have an interest in the Golden Dawn teachings regarding Tarot, this book is a must for your bookshelf.
This book is probably the most impressive Golden Dawn based Tarot book I’ve read for content and readability—495 pages of a discussion of Book T, and I was in my element! Almost A4 in size means that the text is not overly heavy or unwieldy to read and I poured myself into each word written. The book is methodically laid out starting with the introduction to the reasoning for creating the text and accompanying Tarot deck. (I do have to purchase the deck!) It is evident a great deal of well thought out research has gone into creating the comprehensive content. The style of writing may be too congested or dense for some tastes; however, I did find it a straightforward and easily digestible read. I would recommend this text for starting out on a Golden Dawn Tarot journey; it would give a good solid grounding. The sections regarding Kabbalah and the colour scales were useful. The comprehensive section on colour scales included a brief comparison between Crowley’s and Regardie’s systems, more modern colour names, and the bold claim that the Zalewski deck colouring is the most accurate yet.
The magical tarot is known for its rich symbolism and intricate imagery. The cards are adorned with captivating illustrations that hold hidden meanings, making them a powerful tool for introspection and understanding. Each card reveals its own unique message, which can be interpreted differently depending on the context of the reading. Tarot readings involve drawing cards from the deck and interpreting their meanings to gain insights into past, present, and future events. The magical tarot can help individuals gain clarity, make informed decisions, and tap into their intuition. It is believed that the cards serve as a medium through which divine guidance can be accessed and understood. The magical tarot is not only used for divination but also as a tool for personal growth and spiritual development. Through regular practice and study, individuals can deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. The cards offer a mirror to one's inner self, allowing for self-reflection and self-discovery. In conclusion, the magical tarot is a fascinating and powerful tool that has captivated individuals for centuries. Its intricate symbolism and deep insights into the human experience make it a valuable tool for divination, self-discovery, and spiritual growth. Whether used for guidance, meditation, or personal introspection, the magical tarot provides a doorway to the mysteries of the universe and the secrets of the self..
Reviews for "The Magical Tarot: A Tool for Healing and Inner Balance"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really excited to get my hands on "The Magical Tarot" as I had heard great things about it. However, I was very disappointed with the deck. The illustrations felt amateurish and lacked the depth and symbolism I was expecting from a tarot deck. The accompanying guidebook was also lacking in substance and didn't provide enough insight or interpretations for each card. Overall, I found this deck to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to serious tarot enthusiasts.
2. Jeremy - 1/5 - "The Magical Tarot" fell short of my expectations in every way possible. The artwork was uninspiring and lacked the magic and mysticism that I look for in a tarot deck. The cardstock quality was also subpar, making shuffling and handling the cards a frustrating experience. Additionally, the guidebook was vague and didn't provide enough detailed interpretations for each card, leaving me feeling lost and confused. Save your money and invest in a different tarot deck that will truly bring you the magic and guidance you seek.
3. Olivia - 2/5 - I was drawn to "The Magical Tarot" by the promising theme and beautiful box design. However, upon examining the cards, I was disappointed to find that the illustrations lacked consistency and clarity. Many of the images seemed disconnected from the traditional tarot symbolism, making it difficult for me to connect with the cards and derive meaning from them. While some may appreciate the unique approach, I found it to be more confusing than enlightening. Overall, I feel that this deck missed the mark and would not recommend it for serious tarot practitioners.
4. Ethan - 2/5 - "The Magical Tarot" left me feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed. The artwork, although vibrant and visually appealing, failed to convey the depth and complexity that I seek in a tarot deck. The guidebook, while it provides basic interpretations, lacks the depth and insight needed to truly understand and connect with the cards. I appreciate the attempt at a fresh approach to tarot, but unfortunately, this deck didn't resonate with me. Overall, I would suggest exploring other tarot decks that offer a more comprehensive and fulfilling experience.