The Tarot Handbook: Practical Applications of Ancient Visual Symbols

I've been using this book to help me understand the Thoth deck, and I found it very helpful. I still use my own intuition to read the cards, but I find her interpretation helpful. She doesn't use a lot of New Age clichés like some of the other books. A lot of issues people go through are initiations, not lessons. Spirit needs no lessons. Arrien focuses on negatives that we need to release or overcome, when negative cards show up. For the major arcana, she she gives advice on affirmations and meditations that can be used for them, plus their gifts and challenges. She also offers several card spreads which I've never seen before. I have two other Thoth books, and this is the only one I use when needed. Remember to always trust your own judgment and intuition first when reading cards, no matter what any book says.

5 stars for the Seller - 4 stars for the Book I’m slowly making my way through this book by pulling a card or two every few days and then reading the corresponding entries. It’s been much easier to process information from this author than others. From what I understand, this author has deviated from Crowley’s system. I go into this book with an open mind and ultimately will decide for myself how I interpret the cards and utilize the system. Overall, I do believe that this is a interesting prospective, useful resource and an important book to read if you’re into tarot in general. That said, I fully intend to read Crowley’s book of Thoth, but will have to do that in small doses as I find the writing difficult to follow at times. I have several other books to read as well that are recommended which stick with Crowley’s intended interpretations. I’m not sure if Thoth will resonate with me as I began my tarot journey with the RWS, however the imagery is stunning and I want to incorporate as much knowledge into my practice as possible. As a side note, I purchased a used copy and the seller went above and beyond what any has for orders I’ve previously received. The book arrived in near perfect condition and was packaged in layers of plastic wrap inside the shipping container to protect it against potential water damage. The order was also processed, shipped, and delivered before the estimated delivery date. Highly impressed with this seller and would purchase from them again.

I've purchased this book in various editions 3 times over the last, well, more than 20 years and will continue to do so because it's a great book and the most reliable I've read.

One of the best and easiest to use books on interpreting and understanding Tarot. It is a must for all levels, from beginner to advanced tarot practitioners.

Amazing tart book! I have searched and read many I others, this one is the best Tarot book available. The details, insight and knowledge that Angeles shares is truly a gift of the ages

A very well writing and illustrated addition on history, astrology, numerology, Egyptology and many, many other guides to understanding energy and meditative powers implanted in the " Majik" of the ""Toth Tarot Deck". If anyone is interested in a deeper understanding of and a personal guide to the aforementioned deck, then I would consider this publication as an addition to your library. As, a contribution to the "Toth Deck". Although I must inject at this point of my review, I have issues with some of Angeles Arrien's statements towards Crowley's guidance on understanding and reading the cards, as he receives energy and guidance form the symbols and imagery in the deck. There is an old adage "Never Judge a Book by it's Cover", in my opinion, well said. For myself, always judge a book by the introduction. This is where the author sets the table with their own inner most thoughts and guidance into the world as they receive the creative energy that oozes out across the pages of their essay. On the subject at hand, reading into the second paragraph on the second page of Arrien's introduction, and I quote, "I read Crowley's book that went with this deck and decided that it's esotericism in meaning hindered, rather than enhanced, the use of the visual portraitures that Lady Frieda Harris had executed. I instantly felt that a humanistic and universal explanation of these symbols was needed so that the value of tarot could be used in modern times as a reflection mirror of internal guidance which could be externally applied", was like reading an essay stating that Henry Ford had no knowledge of engineering or modes of transport. I am positive any student of the Tarot and the esoteric energies gleaned from it's use, can also extrapolate the meaning within my essay on "The Tarot Handbook".

Great buy! Can’t wait to read

I used this book many years ago when I was learning tarot. It recently came back into my consciousness when I began teaching tarot. I believe it's the most comprehensive and informative book I've known, especially since it focuses on the famous (or infamous) Thoth deck of Aleister Crowley. The layers of knowledge and the intricacies of interpretation are without compare, in my mind. I am delighted to have it back in my life. I have complete confidence in anything written by Angeles Arrien, and trust both the research and the intuitive treatment of her work.

It does justice to the Thoth tarot deck. It's an important piece of work for those engaged with tarot.

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!

El libro ; texto Ángeles Arrien, con su estudio antropológico, fantástico, impresión; mejorable calidad baja tipo casi de periódico 150dpi probablemente, en blanco y negro, eso ha sido una decepción. Y definitivamente el precio no está a la altura de la impresión El primer libro que compré tenía impresión errónea torcida pero gracias a Amazon pedí un reemplazo y efectivamente me volvieron a enviar uno correcto en todas las páginas.(si te pasa eso, pide el reemplazo que cumplen con rapidez) Yo personalmente nunca he tenido interés en el Tarot hasta que oí una entrevista con Ángeles Arrien y sus explicaciones de simbolismo antropológico cultural me parecieron fascinantes y por eso me compré el libro, hubiera sido fantástico que estuviera en color y de buena calidad pero al fin y al cabo el texto es magnífico, lo recomiendo. Las fotos primeras fueron del libro defectuoso reemplazado por el correcto de las fotos finales.

Encadernação e folhas (tipo folha de jornal) deixam muito a desejar no quesito qualidade! Conteúdo decepcionante, nem vou dizer que atenderia a iniciantes!

This is for me so far the best tarot book. The explanations are in-depth and symbology is clearly explained. A lot of relations between the cards are explored. A permanent connection with clear psychological meanings is also explained. Loved it