The Elemental Tarot

by Caroline Smith and John Astrop

Book Overview

Use the symbology of the elements to help understand your life. How the Tarot began is not known. Many suggest that it evolved from an ancient book containing the prototype of a perfect spiritual journey. Others see it as an extension of astrology and celestial interpretations. And some view it as merely a game with uncanny relevance to life and life events. The Elemental Tarot is the perfect distillation of all these thoughts. An extraordinary deck...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385247265
• ISBN13: 9780385247269
• Release Date: October 1988
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.8" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Second Edition is Well Done

A quick note for all looking at this deck - I picked up a copy of the reprint , and the typos mentioned in some aearlier reviews have all been fixed. Artwork seems clear and distinct. I've just gotten it, so can't say too much, but it seems like a very good system for working with Tarot. Symbols clearly explained, etc.

A tarot for intelligent people.

These tarot cards are artistically beautiful, and I liked that they include astrological symbols. The approach to tarot is based on the ancient neo-Platonic understanding of a dual reality; everything is a symbol. This book is perfect for people who approach the tarot out of intellectual curiosity, with a genuine appreciation for the history of the occult.

Absolutely Great

For those interested in learning about the tarot cards forget Rider Waite and all those cups, swords and pentacles. Switch to this. The cards are full of symbolism. Easier to understand and you get better readings from them. worked for me!

Tarot cards for astologers...

Elemental Tarot is my favorite "new" tarot deck... The cards are colorful, thought-provoking and compelling. Since I bought the first edition (hardbound book in a sleeve) from the artist (with a signed card!), I have purchased 3 more sets, and am delighted to see this deck in the stores! As an astrologer, I was naturally drawn to the astrological/tarot interpretaions of the cards, but this deck would be equally useful and satisfying to someone as yet unfamiliar with tarot or astrology. If you have a penchant for collecting tarot decks, this is absolutely a MUST HAVE! The artist conveys the essence of the card with clarity and beauty, and, fortunately, without the gothic images and single-mindedness of many of the other decks on the market. I just love the deck!

A sophisticated synthesis of Tarot, Astrology and Mythology.

The Elemental Tarot is a beautiful deck. Its sophisticated simplicity and combination of ancient archetypes and mythological symbols will give advanced tarot students an abundance of information which conbines Tarot, Astrology, Myth, Equiptian symbols, and a god or goddess from diverse ancient religions on every card of the minor arcana. The Astrological meanings are often different from the classical correlations in Tarot, and I found this added a new understanding of the Tarot. The book is very easy to understand, and does not limit the necessary explanation to appreciate the cards and understand their meaning. The author(s) are excellent writers and are able to put an incredible amount of information in a short. concise, and impactful description of each card. The Major and Minor arcana are equally beautiful and sophisticated. For those who are familiar with Earth-centered religion and ritual, the cards will have a particular appeal. I do not have the most recent publication, rather the limited edition by the author, so can not comment on the quality of this printing, but am led to believe it is very similar. If you want the traditional Tarot with a new look, this is not the deck for you, however, if you want to expand and deepen your understanding of Tarot you will not be disappointed.