I like many of Rachel Pollack's books, but this was one of the first
tarot books I read. This kind of book is perfect for me to learn something. It reads very
easily, more like a course than a book with pages full of text. The layout is
light and each page is richly illustrated with colour photos including tarot
cards from all over the world, so you can compare and get a good idea of the
character of each card.
All facets of tarot, which you can delve into later, are discussed:
origin, history & the different traditions, symbols & colours,
the Tree of Life & the
Hebrew letters, numbers & the paths of the Sefiroth, Kabbalah &
astrology, the journey of the fool through the Major Arcana, different readings
& card spreads, different ways to use the tarot cards: to meditate, to
work with dreams, games, storytelling and music.
Rachel also pays attention to the value of making your own tarot deck,
by copying, colouring or painting it. Or by making your own version
in a very simple way with collage techniques or photography. Or by designing or
illustrating your own new tarot deck. And that is exactly what I have
done. I created my own deck to deepen myself more into each card
separately and to pass on this wisdom. Making your own tarot deck is also
a journey through self-discovery and spiritual development.