Tarot of Perfection

Ah, Tarot - an adventure that offers so many paths to explore, and so many ways to enjoy its layers of meaning. Rachel Pollack has taken this to a new level though. She is well known for her guidebooks to these cards, but in The Tarot of Perfection, she takes us on an extraordinary journey through fictional worlds that relate (in some way or another) to Tarot.

Like the Tarot itself, these tales weave in and out of each other, linking threads of images and characters, yet retaining their own energies. The stories are based on characters or scenes from the Tarot, or they involve Tarot readers, or some form of divination, or the gods themselves. They are a blend of allegory, fantasy, and deep imagery that affects the mind and soul. Some of the clever titles include: The Pickpocket’s Destiny, The Souls in the Trees, and Simon Wisdom.

It’s hard to describe these stories, as they sometimes seem like “normal” fiction, but then they divert into realms of fantasy and magic. In essence, I guess they are fairy tales, and like fables of old, this book contains exquisite black and white line drawings to illustrate the text.

Placing the cards into the context of these stories gives them so much more meaning than their traditional interpretations. An example of this is can be found in the first story, where the Ten of Wands is described in the following way: “Look there, he thought, the man with ten sticks on his back, each one with leaves of fire, though none of them burned. No doubt the woman would have seen in this a prediction of “burdens,” or “hard work ahead,” and completely miss the truth, that the sticks extended from the Great Tree, that itself grew out of the Radiant Jewels of Creation. And what was the man but a sacred messenger, assigned to extend the jewels into the abandoned dross of the physical world? What holiness!” I’m sure that when certain cards turn up in my next reading, I’ll be relating them back to these imaginative tales that are full of sorcerers and initiates, ghosts and squirrels!

Even the Outback of Australia gets a mention amongst these stories: “He finally came to a place he thought of as the end of the world, a giant rock on a flat red desert. There were paintings on the rock, circles and lines and spirals and dots, so old even Matyas couldn’t decipher them. He closed his eyes to try to speak to the elementals in the rock. All he could hear was a rumble that might have been thunder. When he looked again he discovered himself surrounded by men and women. They were naked, but covered in paintings and scars. Daubs of color, jagged lines, angular boxes and concentric circles formed some kind of code... He stared at them, not at their faces but at the paint. Suddenly he understood. The lines and blotches were the history of the earth, their chant the song the world sang to itself when it first awoke.”

As Mary K. Greer acknowledges on the back cover, “These mystical, magical travel tales show us that it’s the journey itself that really counts. They will change forever how you see destiny, indeed, all the mysteries.” This one’s for lovers of Tarot and all things magickal.

ISBN: 1-90557209-3
Published by: Magic Realist Press
See: www.magic-realist.com (if only to check out the graphic novel called Shadow of the Vampuss - a tale of “the supernatural, vampirism, Transylvania, and kitty cats.”)

Whispers from the Woods – the Lore and Magic of Trees

Sandra Kynes tells us, “Trees provide a gateway into a wider world of spirit and magic.” In this book we learn about a variety of trees and the many ways in which we can use their magical properties. But this is much more than an arboreal spell book! In Whispers from the Woods we are shown how the energy of trees can take us on an exploration of timeless mysteries, spirituality, and life itself.

Apart from chapters on Shamanic Journeys, rituals, and meditation with the trees, we also learn about Tree Calendars and the Celtic Ogham. Then we look at the links between sacred trees, holy springs and Celtic legends. And of course, no pagan tree book would be complete without a section on the Green Man!

Folklore and descriptions of fifty trees are given. It is suggested that by connecting with them, we can find ourselves living more closely to the rhythms and spirit of the land. And from this we can access different levels of awareness, bringing deeper spiritual satisfaction into our lives. Even the humble Bamboo gets a mention... I didn’t realise Bamboo was regarded as a tree, but evidently it can reach heights of over 30 metres, and is revered in many Asian cultures.

Sandra Kynes tells us, “The forest was a place of beautiful mystery and deep transformation. People could sense the subtle energy that moved through the trees, because it also moved through them. The connection between humans and the green world was real and central to everyday life, but somewhere along the way we lost this sense of connection.” Reading this book will inspire you to make the effort to take that walk in the woods that you have been promising yourself. It will rekindle your desire to spend more time in nature, and you’ll look at trees in a new light.

The author is a member of the England-based Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Her previous book, A Year of Ritual, was also published by Llewellyn. With Whispers from the Woods she helps pagans to rediscover the majesty of trees, and to become reacquainted with the natural world. And that’s a good thing! Goodbye, I’m off to hug a tree...

Author: Sandra Kynes
Published by: Llewellyn Publications, 2006
ISBN: 0-7387-0781-3

Tarot Masterclass

Paul Fenton-Smith is a best selling author of eight books on Palmistry, Tarot, Astrology and the psychic sciences. I’ve been following his career since 1997, when I met him at an International Tarot Conference. During that weekend, the presentation that he gave was entitled “The Tarot: Preparing for Mainstream Acceptance”, and in this talk he emphasised the need for Tarot readers to be highly ethical and well trained in their craft. His latest book “Tarot Masterclass” expands upon these principles, and also offers practical advice for those thinking of establishing their own Tarot business. There are 342 pages of informative text and illustrations that show his wealth of expertise in the world of Tarot.

The book is well designed and smartly presented. I know that the content is the most important thing, not the looks, but a book seems to be easier to read, and offers a more enjoyable reading experience, when it’s laid out clearly and with a sense of style. Pagans will also appreciate the drawing of the pentagram at the beginning of each chapter! Paul said that this symbol was “an artistic decision, but I like the upright pentacle, for to me it symbolises mental discipline of the desires, or passion directed by the mind. It’s had a bit of bad press, but if those people who fear it understood it better, they might work at living their lives in the manner of an upright pentacle.”

In Tarot Masterclass, the author explains what you can realistically expect from a tarot reading, such as inspiring you to fulfil your dreams and clarifying your immediate challenges and obstacles. The limitations of tarot readings are also discussed, and this can prepare you as a tarot interpreter, so that you don’t have unrealistic expectations about what you may be able to achieve.

What sets this book apart from any others that I’ve seen are the tips on how to read Tarot cards in conjunction with each other, and the chapters that focus on establishing and running your own Tarot business. And because the best way of receiving direct answers from Tarot cards is to ask precise and concise questions, Paul has included a chart that details over fifty clearly worded suggestions that can help you to form the most suitable query, so that you can gain the most from a Tarot session.

Another innovation is found in Paul’s interpretations of the cards. Apart from the general meaning, he also supplies suggestions as to how each of the Minor Arcana cards relate to finances and health. In another chapter, interpretations of the Major Arcana are given in this same way, with the inclusion of spiritual meanings too.

Court cards are normally only given a passing reference in most books, but Paul has described these cards in depth, showing how people represented by them respond to certain situations. He gives their attitude to setbacks; how they act when upset; their sense of humour; their compatibility with each other; their business sense; and their spiritual purpose in the physical world. He manages to bring the characters of the court cards alive with four chapters of anecdotes, case histories, and his expressive storytelling style.

Even though the title of this book gives the impression that it is only for advanced students of Tarot, I think that it would be extremely useful as a guide for beginners too, as it gives very detailed explanations of the meanings of the cards, and encourages a deeper understanding of the Tarot—something that is lacking in many introductory books.

Title: Tarot Masterclass
Published by Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 9781741751277

True Magick - a Beginner's Guide

The title "True Magick" may seem familiar, because it’s been on Recommended Reading lists for newcomers to The Craft since 1990. After selling over 200,000 copies, Llewellyn has now revised and expanded this “little green book” that has given practical, helpful guidance to those wishing to learn the basics of magick.

It has a new cover (it’s still green though) and it has six new chapters, and over 100 “Exercises Toward Mastery” that will help students to gain a better understanding of the useful principles that the author is explaining. Amber’s intention in this revised version of her book was to “expand the boundaries into more advanced areas, and to incorporate more information about inner magick, nature magick, and everyday magick.” She has also updated this book with some recent scientific research that supports her theories on how magick works. The author has introduced material on quantum physics because, “scientists are beginning to find evidence that the universe is even more mysterious and amazing than anyone had guessed—anyone but magicians, that is.” Amber can be quite poetic at times too; while discoursing on the thought that possibilities are infinite, she says, “Somewhere, as you read these words, centaurs dance by moonlight, and torchlight glints from a golden hoard where dragons lie dreaming in their caverns.”

If you are looking for a book on personal transformation, and your desire is to incorporate magick into your everyday life, then buy this book! I liked it because the author drums into her readers that magick is to be taken seriously—her students are encouraged to work hard on the astral realms as well as in the material world. She enforces the concept that faith, dedication, and imagination are the keys to a magickal life.

Chapters on Ethics and Hazards, Choosing a Magickal Name, Connecting with Deity, and Tree Magick, are combined with hints on maintaining a balanced lifestyle in order to enhance your magickal work. But there’s more—so much more! There’s over 350 pages in this new edition, and they’re all worth reading. It’d be so tempting to dip into a chapter here and there to satisfy your curiosity about some of these areas, but it will be much more rewarding to read through it all page by page, doing the exercises as you go.

This book is going to be valuable for those who are just beginning to explore Paganism, and it’s not too simplified that it will bore those who have trodden this path for a while. I imagine that covens will find it particularly worthwhile to invest in a copy of this book, because studying and discussing each chapter, and then working through the exercises as a group, would be an excellent way to learn all facets of this deep and exciting subject.

Author: Amber K
Published by: Llewellyn
ISBN: 0-7387-0823-2

The Tarot Revealed - a Beginner's Guide

There are not many tarot books around that have sold over 100,000 copies. Most beginner’s guides to tarot fall by the wayside because they are too simplistic, or too full of mystical jargon, or too advanced for those who have just picked up a deck of cards. Paul Fenton-Smith’s book The Tarot Revealed goes beyond the basics, but has manageable chunks of information that are easily digested. This is why this book has been so successful. Even its Chinese version is in its 13th edition, with new printings twice a year!

The Tarot Revealed has just been revised and re-released. It’s now through a new publisher and it has a new look that marries it to Paul’s recent book, Tarot Masterclass. It has the same stylish layout and design as Masterclass, and it includes similar, handy reference charts. Colour images of the whole deck are shown in this section. In this revised version, Paul has included even more meanings for reversed cards.

One of the highlights of The Tarot Revealed is the story of each Suit, where we are taken on a journey that explains the nature of each card. In other areas of the book, the general meaning of each image is given, and the “relationship meaning” of each card is also explored, since this is an area that is most often asked about.

Another useful section is the one that looks at the combinations of cards that show certain situations, such as pregnancy, karmic lessons, and even physical death.

Spreads for different situations and specific needs are offered of course. And for those who look to tarot for a deeper understanding of their true self, the Spiritual Direction Layout offers awareness regarding spiritual direction.

This is a well-crafted book that helps you to understand tarot cards, which will then lead you to a greater awareness of the world around you, and your own inner nature. Highly recommended!

Title: The Tarot Revealed
Published by Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 978-1-74175-259-5

Sunwyse - Celebrating the Sacred Wheel of the Year in Australia

At last! An entire book devoted to celebrating Pagan festivals in the Southern Hemisphere.

The description given about each festival includes information about that time of the year from diverse viewpoints... Traditional Aboriginal lore is mixed with modern Australian activities, and Celtic customs are interspersed with snippets of information about the seasonal effects on our animals and local plants. This is followed by “Ways of Celebrating” each festival, and ideas from that section have formed the basis for many of my recent rituals.

Unlike many writers on this subject, the author doesn’t just transpose Northern Hemisphere traditions and ideas upon Southern Hemisphere seasons. Roxanne Bodsworth has taken into account the varied lifestyles, agricultural diversity, and multiculturalism that exists across the broad landscape of our country, and she integrates this knowledge into a useful patchwork of ideas for our seasonal celebrations down under.

In this book the traditional names of the “greater” festivals, have been changed, in order to differentiate them from “standard” ritual concepts. Lughnasadh becomes the “Harvest Feast”, Samhain is a “Festival of the Dead”, Imbolc is “The Quickening”, and Beltaine is “The Love Festival”.

This book is highly recommended for those who appreciate the inclusion of locally relevant ideas into their rituals and festivals.

Roxanne, a writer/poet from North East Victoria, is a regular attendee at the Australian Wiccan Conferences, and has recently been living in Ireland while pursuing her Celtic studies.

Author: Roxanne T. Bodsworth
Published by: Hihorse Pty Ltd

The Serpent & the Southern Cross

“It guides every thought we have

& every action we take.

It is our past, present & future.

There is nothing that is separate

from our spirituality.”

South Australian author Druidara has written a unique and fascinating book that details the spiritual path of Druidry in Australia. It’s a welcome addition to the libraries of those who want to know how to develop the skills and wisdom of modern day Druids.

A brief but realistic account of the history of the Druids is offered at the start of this book, as well as insight to the personal honour, beliefs and guidelines that Druids hold so dearly. In the chapters that follow, the author covers all the basics of the Druid tradition, such as tools, meditations and initiation, but you’ll also find extra information that is very worthwhile, like tips on how to start your own Druidic Grove. Examples of handfastings and naming ceremonies are given too, as well as some of the old Irish myths and legends that are still so important to the Druids of today’s world.

Apart from honouring their Gods and Ancestors, Druids celebrate the seasonal cycles of the year, so a comprehensive list of innovative ritual ideas that incorporate a local flavour, is given for each of the Sabbats. Some of the suggestions for Summer Solstice include celebrating the ripening of native grasses and fruits; marking the point of the setting sun from a vantage point in your circle; and making some bread in the shape of the sun and leaving it as an offering for birds and small animals to enjoy.

One of the best things about this book, is that Druidara has many years of experience within Wiccan traditions, so she is able to give comparisons between Druidry and Wiccan practices, using terms that all pagans can relate to. The book has been designed to cover the initial steps towards becoming a Druid, but even experienced ritualists will find spiritual philosophies that are worthy of further contemplation, and new ideas to implement in future ceremonies.

“Although there is no quick way to become a Druid, it is not particularly difficult either. The process begins with desire to be more closely entwined with nature, but what really forms a Druid is a daily, sometimes minute by minute focus on interpreting our lives & interactions by the twin illuminations of our beliefs & personal credo. By devoted practice we give birth, sometimes in darkness, to the shimmering, leaping salmon that is the soul of a Druid.”

This book is very informative, but it doesn’t fall into the trap of being overly academic - it’s an enjoyable journey down the Druid path, as seen through the eyes of one who has travelled along this stimulating course for many years. It’s not as dry as Peter Berresford Ellis’s scholarly accounts in The Druids; it’s certainly not as pedantic as Frazer’s Golden Bough; but at the same time it’s not as fanciful as Emma Restall Orr’s visionary tales. In The Serpent & the Southern Cross, Druidara has a gentle but direct relationship with the reader, which brings about a feeling of mutual trust and respect.

This is “Book One” about a very deep and valuable topic, and in the early chapters we’re told that the intention of this book was just to give an overview of the Druid’s path, which the author hoped would “inspire further investigation”, but it is much more than that. I’m looking forward to Book Two, so that I can have an even better understanding of the Druid lifestyle, as seen through the eyes and heart of the talented Druidara!

Author: Druidara
Available through: druidara@yahoo.com.au

Selling Spirituality

According to the authors (Jeremy Carrette and Richard King) the aim of this book was to show the exploitation of the spiritual, and to highlight how the esoteric has become a powerful commodity in the global marketplace. In an attempt to bring the idea of capitalist spirituality to a wider audience, Carrette and King say that they have attempted to approach this topic in a way that is more simple and accessible than traditional academic monographs. In this latter challenge, they fail miserably! Their claim of a ‘narrative style’ would only be accurate if one were used to overhearing stuffy Oxford Professors having conversations about subjects such as neoliberal ideology. But in its endeavour to expose the commodification of spiritual values, it definitely succeeds.

This book examines the growing commercialisation of spirituality, in forms such as feng shui, aromatherapy, yoga and New Age gurus. There is a quote in it which says, ‘We live out our relation to our ultimate meaning through what and how we buy. Let the integration of faith and economy be the mark of the true spiritual seeker today, a consuming faith.’ (Tom Beaudoin – Consuming Faith) I do hope that’s supposed to be sarcasm, but I fear that it’s not! I feel that this type of attitude is what the authors are trying to warn us about.

It’s not a gripping book, but it raises important questions about big businesses and the media (which is often owned by the same corporations) and their effect upon our spiritual ideals and outlook. The authors argue against the exploitation of religious concepts as marketing tools. They say that products such as Zen deodorant and Samsara perfume are clothed in an aura of mysticism and mystique, at the expense of the values that they represent. And in our own supermarkets here in Australia, it’s easy to see that this proliferation of esoteric branding is commonplace.

Carrette and King spend a lot of time attempting to define ‘spirituality’ and religion’, only to confuse us more with terminology such as ‘ontological transcendence’. Fortunately though, once all this is out the way, some more great quotes come along, such as, ‘Alongside TVs, hi-fi systems, washing machines, IKEA furniture and designer clothes, you can also have your very own spirituality, with or without crystals!’ and ‘consumerism is no longer presented as a challenge to traditional religious sensibilities, because you can now buy it wholesale and ignore the corporate links to poverty and social injustice.’

The rest of the book seemed to focus on ‘affluence gurus’ such as Osho Rajneesh (the Rolls Royce guru) and Deepak Chopra, who ‘did not see a problem with the conjoining of individual wealth-acquisition and spiritual advancement.’ The bending of sacred teachings (notably that of Buddhism and Taoism) into capitalistic business models also comes under scrutiny in the latter parts of the book.

Far from being a conspiracy theory about spirituality and corporations, this book is simply about how religion has been repackaged for consumption through the idea of spirituality and how big businesses have used the gloss of spiritual practices to support corporate interests. It’s a warning about not allowing spirituality to be imbued with, or confused with capitalism. The authors call for social justice and sustainable lifestyles as a way of avoiding the excesses of consumerism. This book shows a deep annoyance towards advertisers who misuse spiritual values, but it has been written in such an academic manner (meaning that I often had to refer to my dictionary) that I have to admit that a lot of it went straight over my crown chakra!

We have become a religiously capitalistic society, and ‘Selling Spirituality’ makes me wonder where it is all leading to. One example of where it all might be heading is shown in the book – a 24 year old man put his soul up for sale on E-bay! The final price was only $31, plus $15 for postage, so I guess there’s not much of a market for used souls. But the final word has to go to Confucious, who reminds us that ‘the superior mind understands moral goodness, while the inferior understands only profit.’

Title: Selling Spirituality: the silent takeover of religion
Author: J Carrette & R King
Published by: Routledge 2005
ISBN: 0-415-30209-9

Seeker

When I saw that Rachel Pollack had published a new book on tarot, I snapped it up quickly to check it out. I’m a big fan of her work on tarot, and it is for very good reasons that her first book ‘Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom’ is known as the bible of tarot.

One of the best bits about ‘Seeker’ is the Preface, in which Rachel describes her first experiences with the cards and how she became a teacher of tarot. I also liked the section explaining away the superstitious practices associated with tarot. But this book is obviously written for (very young) teens who want to be tarot readers, and adult beginners who want things spelled out for them in real simple terms.

Rachel Pollack is a poet, an artist, an award winning novelist, and probably the world’s most respected writer on the subject of tarot. ‘Seeker’ is her 28th book and is a basic guide to tarot that shows what it’s all about, in a no-nonsense kind of way. The mysteriousness of tarot is left behind and tarot itself is simply described as a technique that ‘allows us to look at ourselves and what’s going on in our lives.’

I can recommend it for Witchlings who want to delve into divination, as it has a down-to-earth quality that’s often lacking in books on tarot. It’s nicely presented, with images of the cards and keywords shown on each page.

Seeker: the Tarot Unveiled
Author: Rachel Pollack
Published by: Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 0-7387-0521-7