Recommended Tarot Books

There are thousands of books on the Tarot, so here is a taste of my eclectic interest in the subject. Some of the best books on Tarot do not necessarily have Tarot in the title.

Book of Thoth

Stunning artwork; this deck has been designed for Tarot readings.

Tarot and the Magus

Paul Hughes-Barlow; a stunning book on the secrets of the Tarot in the Golden Dawn and the Book of Thoth - how to contact your Holy Guardian Angel

Tarot of Ceremonial Magick

DuQuette: Weiser, ISBN 0-87728-764-3

The Magical aspects of Tarot are emphasised. There is a strong elemental awareness - the Major cards are given four interpretations according to the four elements. The artwork leaves something to be desired, however the individual cards are distinctive and follow the Golden Dawn colour attributes. Every conceivable astrological and magical attribute has been included on each card.

The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic

There are two versions, one from Falcon Books, and the other from Llewellyn. For the serious student, both are required, since articles in one complements the other. The Llewellyn version has an excellent index and a rather more sane organisation of material, so I would recommend this to start with.

The Secret Doctrine By H. P. Blavatsky

THEOSOPHICAL UNIVERSITY PRESS ASCII EDITION VOLUMES 1 and 2

This is the book started the occult revival in the west. The ascii edition can be found at:

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/tup-onl.htm.

Yeats, The Tarot and the Golden Dawn

Kathleen Raine

The influence of W.B. Yeats on the Tarot seems to be a closely guarded secret, but scholars of Yeats are more open on the subject than Tarot writers! This book is a 'must have' for insights into how Tarot appears within the poetry and prose of W.B. Yeats.

The Dolmen Press Dublin, ISBN 85105 195 2. Probably OOP, but try Caduceus Books for a regular update on S/H occult books available.

W.B. Yeats: Twentieth Century Magus

Susan Johnston Graf, Weiser, 2000

An In-Depth Study of Yeat's Esoteric Practices & Beliefs, Including Excerpts from His Magical Diaries. This is a fascinating book written by a scholar, and should be read in conjunction with Kathleen Raine's book.

The Golden Dawn Tarot: The Great Dance of the Royal Figures by Arthur Edward Waite

Introductory notes by Darcy Kuntz: Holmes Publishing Group, ISBN 1-55818-338-8

A collection of articles by AE Waite reveal the initiated insights of a Tarot Master that differs greatly from his books on the Rider-Waite Tarot.

Zos Speaks! Encounters with Austin Osman Spare

Fulgur Limited 1998, ISBN 0-95310190-6

An insight into the relationship between Kenneth Grant and AO Spare in letters articles, and pictures by the magical artist. An evocative account of life in the bars of 1950s London.

The Key of It All, Book Two: The Western Mysteries

David Allen Hulse: Llewellyn Publications, ISBN 0-87542-379-5

David Allen Hulse's book is a mine of information on so many aspects of occultism. Book Two covers Tarot in a greater perspective than normally given in books on tarot. Here is Hulse's overview of topics covered:

• "The real divinatory meanings for every modern Tarot deck which has emanated out of the Golden Dawn tradition
• The confusion which has developed over the correct order of the Court Cards
• The connection between the Jewish Qabalah and the Golden Dawn esoteric Tarot system
• The alternate French Qabalistic Tarot system of Levi, Papus, and Wirth
• A reconstruction of how S.L. MacGregor Mathers rediscovered the esoteric Qabalistic order for the Tarot
• A complete analysis of the Qabalistic clues hidden in the 78 cards of the Waite Tarot deck"

The two volumes of Hulse's books are greatly expanded versions of:

777 and other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley: Weiser, ISBN 0-87728-670-1

If you have ever wondered where the correspondences of the Tarot have come from, here is the prime source book.

Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine & Ritual

Eliphas Lévi: Bracken Books, ISBN 1-85891-379-9

Aleister Crowley believed himself to be a reincarnation of Eliphas Lévi, the great French Occultist. This book is organised into 22 Chapters - a hint in itself.

Nightside Of Eden

Kenneth Grant: Skoob Books, ISBN 1-871438-72-1

This is not a book for beginners. Kenneth Grant's book covers the 'backside' or dark side of the Tree of Life. Within the Book of Thoth, there is a short chapter on Liber 231; two lists of 22 names of Spirits. The explanation of one list is the Book of Thoth itself, while the second list is not explained. Kenneth Grant gives an in depth analysis of the nature of those spirits and their powers (listed within Liber 777 discussed above).

The Shadow Tarot

Linda Falorio: Headless Press, POB 9011, Pittsburgh PA 15224, USA

Inspired by the "Book of Thoth" and "Nightside of Eden", Linda Falorio's Tarot deck has a strange and mysterious evocative beauty. There are only the Major cards but well worth it. AnandaZone

Shamanism and the Esoteric Tradition

Angelique S. Cook and G.A. Hawk: Llewellyn, ISBN 0-87542-325-6

An excellent overview of Qabala and Shamanic techniques. The section on the different methods of attributing the four elements to the four directions is very useful. Finally, there is a chapter on one person's shamanic journey through the 22 Atu of the Book of Thoth.

O.T.O Rituals and Sex Magick

By Theodor Reuss & Aleister Crowley: I-H-O Books, ISBN 1-872189-93-8

Another book not recommended for beginners, nor for those who intend to be initiated into the O.T.O system. However, within the 498 pages are illustrations of several of the Major Arcana, particularly Art/Temperance, Lust/Strength, and the Hanged Man. The accompanying texts give an insight into the occult symbolism of these cards, and can be compared with Crowley's Book of Thoth.