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Loading... Tarot: The Origins, Meaning and Uses of the Cards (1972)by Alfred Douglas
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. The Tarot: The Origins, Meanings, and Uses of the Cards was a good introduction to this fascinating subject. As the title implies, it covers the history, divinatory meanings, and other uses (such as card games) of tarot cards. The book is also illustrated. Unfortunately, the illustrations and the descriptions in the text do not always match. Experiments in Reading no reviews | add a review
In this authoritative study, Douglas explores the traditions, myths, and religions associated with the Tarot, investigates their psychological importance, and shows how to use the cards for divination. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)133.3Philosophy and Psychology Parapsychology And Occultism Specific Topics Divination; Oracles; Second sight; Omens; PredictionsLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I also don't believe in a lot of nonsense promulgated about their origins. The Wiki will tell you there's just no evidence of playing cards in Europe, either literary or surviving cards, before the 14th century; Tarot cards aren't old enough to have originated in Ancient Egypt. And as for any connection with the Gypsies, as the chapter on "The Origin of Tarot Cards" mentions, "the Gypsies did not appear in the West in any numbers until the middle of the 15th century, a full hundred years after the cards were known in every country from Italy to Northern France." At least Douglas doesn't do anything to promulgate such myths. He even offers a timeline of the of the earliest known references to playing cards and his history seems credible.
I do find this book fun and informative. It has chapters on origins and symbolism, even how to play the game of Tarrocco. It offers three spreads: the classic 9 card "Celtic Cross," the well-known 7 card "Ellipse Spread" (called here the "Horseshoe Spread") and a 13 card "Circular Spread." The book covers each card of the Major and Minor Arcana, devoting pages to each. And I like the deck featured in the book. It's pretty, and with the Tarot I'm all about the shiny! ( )