10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging and Informative--a wonderful contribution to Tarot literature, Feb 10 2008
By Karen L McCamant "reading RN" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Tarot: Get the Whole Story: Use, Create & Interpret Tarot Spreads (Paperback)
James Ricklef's book on the use, creation, and interpretation of Tarot spreads is a necessary addition to any Tarot enthusiast's library. Whether professional reader or personal seeker, Tarot: Get the Whole Story is richly informative,yet warmly accessible.
As he has done in his Knighthawk readings, collected in his other wonderful book, Tells the Tale, Ricklef again uses familiar stories to illustrate how various spreads provide the thematic structure for readings, thereby adding both depth and breadth to the information that can be gained by the querant. Of particular interest to me were the chapters on the use of personally meaningful symbols or quotations to design unique spreads, such as his "Sorrow's Alchemy Spread." Following Ricklef's suggestion to use the Major Arcana to determine position meanings, I was able to design a Flaming Chalice spread that elegantly illuminated the issue at hand.
Ricklef's book exploring spreads offers hours of enjoyment, with opportunities to try out his various techniques. It serves as a reference, as well as a delightful evening read. Both the novice and the expert will gain from reading Tarot: Get the Whole Story.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Freedom with Tarot!!, Mar 14 2009
By Arial Burnz "That's my two pence..." - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Tarot: Get the Whole Story: Use, Create & Interpret Tarot Spreads (Paperback)
At last, a very comprehensive guide to learning to create your own spreads for the Tarot. This book differs from others in a few marvelous ways...
1. Ricklef uses characters from literature with whom we are already familiar, so he gives us examples from people we already "know".
2. Having someone walk you through every step of the reading and possible interpretations is more than just static meanings for the age-old tool...it brings the Tarot to life!
3. Ricklef opens the mind to creating spreads that fit a particular situation. You learn to use your own symbolism and what feels right to you, so your own spreads mean more to you.
I highly recommend this book to anyone...beginning through advanced. You learn the freedom of creating ways to use the Tarot that feel right for you with practical examples in a constructive environment. Bravo, James! ;) OH! And you should defintely check out his web site: www.JamesRicklef.com for his new deck The Tarot of the Masters, which was inspired by paintings created by the greatest art masters in history. Being an artist, I have a deck and I just LOVE it!
That's my two pence...
Arial Burnz
http://www.ArialBurnz.com
http://www.EnchantedWoodz.com
26 of 34 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The cards place James Ricklef's book in your future, Nov 30 2004
By Mark-Ameen Johnson - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Tarot: Get the Whole Story: Use, Create & Interpret Tarot Spreads (Paperback)
What an amazing feast James Ricklef's third book is: readable, informative, and, most importantly, outright fun. I know little about tarot and am not a practitioner, but I am always interested in learning about other beliefs, religions, and practices. The beauty of all Ricklef's books is that they are written for novice and expert alike. There is enough explanatory material to make someone like me feel like part of the in-crowd--yet also so much insider information/references to the beliefs of famous masters that even the most experienced buffs will find new ways of thinking about an old art. In addition, Ricklef neither talks down to the novices nor bores the devotees; he finds with verve and panache that middle ground so many writers cannot.
Light a few candles, put on some low music, and pick up this delightful read.