Customer Reviews

The Tarot Handbook

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After decided to shift from Rider-Waite Deck, I bought Thoth Deck along with this book. I find the section where an author explores each detail of the card very useful. However, the interpretation section is not helpful for a beginner like me at all. The author look into the meaning of each card more than just fortune telling but a way of life and self-discovery. The book doesn't provide an information I'm looking for. I couldn't fully use my Thoth deck until now.

Many users of the Thoth deck dislike this book because Arriens totally disregards Crowley's own material and interpretations. She offers a more modern and upbeat look at this beautiful deck. I find it makes an excellent contrast to Hajo Banzhaf's material on the Thoth and now Lon DuQuette's book. These 3 together give a well-rounded look at a sometimes enigmatic deck.

Since I was introduced to The Tarot Handbook by a respected friend in the early '90s, I have "worn out" two copies, and am now using my third. Because the author combines her knowledge of eastern and western symbolism with Jungian archetypal descriptions and astrological knowledge, the interpretations for each card are very rich. Although I am not primarily a visual person, the Thoth deck illustrations in the book are intriguing, and the cards in full colour are very beautiful.
For a year and a half I asked for guidance about my own personal growth, requesting three cards each day. I wrote out the key points in the interpretation in a personal journal to help me retain the messages. After about three months, I noticed that my anxiety about what choices would be best for me had diminished. I had the sense of having a personal tutor with me to encourage and guide me, available on request! The messages on the cards I selected by pendulum dowsing were extremely helpful and timely. I consider them to be God-given via the tarot system.
I have used the information on specific cards to convey messages from people who have passed on to family members and close friends who were concerned to know if they were safe and well. In fact, I received a most reassuring dowsed Tarot message from our own son who decided to deal with major ongoing depression which appeared to be untreatable by suiciding.
I have given away a number of copies to friends and acquaintances, and have encouraged others to buy them for themselves. The Amazon.ca price is excellent. My first copy cost me $43!

I was divinely guided to use the Tarot a few years ago and after such strong encouragement, I purchased a certain deck and had it for 6 months before I dared to use it. While I was still spooked by the Tarot, I was guided to purchase this book. It made all the difference...a very positive, unique and elaborate approach to the Tarot. It opened the door for me. Now, many books and decks later, I'm in love with the Tarot...and although I don't agree that this is the "only book you'll ever need," I do believe it is a must-have for your library of Tarot books.

This is an Amazing volume of information, based-upon Anthropological & Jungian interpretations of The Thoth deck. If you love the Thoth Deck or you want to understand the underlying Symbolism of All Tarot cards, this book will be a great asset to your studies and to your collection!

I wish I would-have read this book several years ago, when I first acquired it. However, a friend loved it so much that I gave it to her. Luckily, we live-together, now--and she was more than happy to share. Therefore, I had the opportunity to delve into this Fascinating work, researched by someone familiar with cross-cultural and psychological Symbolism.

There are so many levels of The Tarot & so much Symbolism, that one can do hundreds of readings and not notice a certain aspect or Symbol of the Tarot Card that is calling-out to you. Yet, this Splendid Handbook will give you absolutely astounding results! If a certain Symbol or Image pops-out at you, more-so than the rest of the card, during one particular reading (or several subsequent readings) this well-written & well-researched Tarot book will help you understand what the Cards are trying to tell you. In my opinion, this Lady knows her stuff !

For those who do not understand how Tarot cards work, the System is based-upon Contacting Psychological Symbols and Archetypes in the subconscious mind--as-in Jungian Psychology. The hands simply manipulate the information into revealing itself, through psychokenesis. This means, basically, that your Subconscious Mind is trying to tell your Conscious (Incredulous <g> ) Mind certain information. This is a great way to contact your Inner Emotions and Knowledge learned from the Higher Mind.

It is not necessary, however, to study Jungian Psychology and Quantum Physics to understand all this stuff. Just grab a copy of this book and you will be set! You will soon consider this book to be an Invaluable Resource for information and lessons in how to read your Tarot cards. However, do not assume this book is ONLY representative of One deck. Because this Symbolism pervades ALL Cultures, Religions, Myths, etc. it is Infused into MANY Tarot Decks--no-matter who created them, when or where in the world ! There are a few decks out there that are completely Individual works, made by people with personal agendas, or without respect for The Tarot & this book will not help you with those decks--which are mostly just collector's items.

For most Standard Decks this "Tarot Handbook" will save you a lot of money and time researching (or scratching your head).

I believe that if a person purchases this book & one deck (Thoth, preferably), they will begin to understand The Tarot very quickly. I really cannot say enough good things about this work. "Practical Applications of Ancient Visual Symbols" is a very descriptive and perfect title for this thick handbook, filled with a wealth of Knowledge, drawings and copies of the Thoth tarot cards, for easy reference.

I hate to sound cliche' but, she could have just as easily named this "The Only Tarot Book You will Ever Need."

The book's main focus is on Crowley's Thoth deck. Until I read the other reviews here, I never really considered the idea of it working for other decks. I have trouble seeing it as being helpful for any deck other than the Thoth deck. In the descriptions for each card, the book discussed the symbols used in the Thoth deck. Angeles does cover much more than that though.

In the discussion of the Major Arcana, you will find 3 to 4 pages discussing each card. Very detailed!! For anyone who uses the Thoth deck, only one version of The Magus (The Magician) is analyzed here. The original Thoth deck has three different versions of The Magus. Recently, the deck was changed to include just one. There is at least one version available now that has all three versions included again.

A few of the Major Arcana cards have been moved to a different number or renamed. In most Tarot decks, Strength is #8 and Justice is #11. In the Thoth deck, Justice/Adjustment is #8 and Strength/Lust is #11. (Adjustment and Lust are terms used in the Thoth deck.) Judgment (#20) is called The Aeon in this deck.

The Minor Arcana are presented in one page descriptions - great details. Although I understand the reasons, the decision to have the Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses (The Royalty Symbols) in their own sections makes the book sometimes difficult to use as a reference during readings.

Overall, I do find this book very well written. Even with my minor complaints, I would still recommend this book. For the Thoth deck, it is the best book I've seen and superior to Crowley's own book about his own deck. Personally, I would not recommend it for use with other Tarot decks. Some of the symbolism discussed might be useful for general knowledge but not for other decks.

There is a lot published on tarot and one has to be very mindful in what they choose, especially as a basic source. I found Arrien Angeles' book to be immensely useful both for a beginner like myself and for a friend who is an advanced tarot reader. Well worth the money.

a lot of work went into this book and it was well worth the purchase price. I was in a bookstore and was looking at a copy when a man came up to me and said 'this is first-rate'. I agree with him.

A friend once let me borrow her copy of the first addition of this book and I found it extremely helpful and had to get my own copy. Its approach to Tarot is very positive and user friendly, and is an extensive source of esoteric symbolism. Although its interpretations of the Thoth deck may very from some of Crowley's, I found them very in-tune with the energy of the deck. I recommend it often to friends. Wonderful!

As a tarot reader of twenty years (I made a color video called "Learning Tarot" and wrote about tarot for New Woman Magazine) and teacher of tarot at Santa Fe Community College for nearly seven years, I can vouch for this book's authenticity. Each card is meticulously reviewed, with excellent attention paid to the symbols. She pulls together the astrology and numerology as well...so important for the tarot novice to understand. This is, in fact, a favorite book among my students and clients.