The Way of Tarot: The Spiritual Teacher in the Cards

Jodorowsky's "The Way of Tarot: The Spiritual Teacher in the Cards" has been my primary guide in learning to read the Tarot. Inspired by forces I can't remember (perhaps a simple love for his work) I bought this book years ago, but only opened it last year. Immediately I was drawn into a place in my own spirit where Tarot resides. With the help of Jodorowsky's insight and guidance here, I found myself communing with the cards and hearing their voice within weeks. The real delight and surprise of this guide is that Jodorowsky does not explain how the cards work, or give any definitive "objective" facts about what any given card or spread should mean. Rather, he provides excellent means by which you can create your own relationship with the cards. He does this by laying bare his own experience with the cards, and encouraging the reader/tarologist to develop their approach primarily through looking, relating and observing the cards themselves. Nevertheless, Jodorowsky does not hold back with insight - making it clear all the way that these are simply HIS observations - and also practical suggestions for how to understand and interpret every aspect of the deck. He spends a lot of time telling stories about the deck, and dives into each of the Major and Minor Arcana cards. This makes the guide both thorough and inspiring; leading by example, he challenges the reader/Tarologist to be as sensitive, caring and diligent in building their relationship to the cards. Practically, the book starts with an overview of the deck as a whole, and then deep-dives into each of the Major Arcana, followed by overviews and then inspections of each of the suits of the Minor Arcana. The book finishes with guidance on where to 'situate' one's self within the dynamic of deck, Tarologist, and recipient of the reading, along with many various suggested reading layouts. For the open-spirited, you may find yourself receptive (and therefore able) to accept that there is a spirit embodied in the deck itself, acting as a kind of 'fourth force' involved in a reading. Personally, I can only encourage everyone to take the possibility on board, as I have been delighted to find myself in the place of conduit, guide or healer, rather than oracle or diviner. For those looking for a spiritual transformation or the opportunity to heal with the Tarot, this book makes it clear precisely how the spirit in the cards have the power to sublimate the reader's ego. As a result of my relationship with this book, I've learned that the right circumstances (including bringing good energy to the table, grounding, and understanding your place as a reader) can lead to truly surprising, accurate and transformational readings for anyone who brings an open heart to the deck. Ultimately, this book has helped me train my mind and spirit to both embrace and amplify the powers inherit in the Tarot. It has also inspired some radical shifts in my other creative practices (painting, sculpture, writing) in ways I can't entirely explain. Keep an open heart and enjoy!

Although only just bought, this looks a serious read. Should keep me busy this winter. On flick through, doesn't look too heavy a read and looking forward to learning from this, as tarot is a learning curve ongoing

This book is precious. I feel blessed to witness and absorb to the best of my abilities the depth, maturity, multidimensionality of authors thoughts on so many aspects of the human Soul/Soul Journey within philosophical, historical and psychological context. His personal stories and experiences deeply touched me... Jodorowsky is a Master that I feel lucky to learn from. I read almost all of the book twice and I already know that I will be reading it from the start again. The chapter “Opening. How to Become a Mirror” found such deep resonance in my heart and blew me away with his understanding of the human soul; the ethics he established for himself as Tarologist is something I would like to aspire to. There were passages that I found a little bit crazy but it only enhances the book in my opinion, helping me to identify my own areas that need some growth and expansion in my own way. I also have the Tarot Cards and deeply grateful for the restoration A.J done, stunning deck. I would recommend to wrap the book in some sort of cover (I got sticky backed plastic film), because you will refer to it time and time again and if you are like me, you would like to keep it in mint condition. Have fun with it. This book will liven up your psyche!

This book is full of information about each card, numerology, colours, spreads. Also poems about Major Arcanas. I am studying the Camoin Marseille deck with this book and have a depth knowledge about each card. I have studied tarot (on and off) for 20 years and am connecting now with the Marseille after unsuccessful attempts with other books. I just finished the chapter on Major Arcanas, which followed chapters on numerology and colours... I am ready to move to minors and court cards. Also very interesting spreads in the last chapter.

Highly recommended! This is a very clever and intelligent book. It has great depth and clearly explains how the originators of the Marseille Tarot meant the cards to be read. A great addition to anyone's book collection and who love Tarot and Tarot reading. However it will probably be of most benefit to those who read Tarot in an intellectual manner since emphasis is placed on the images themselves and knowing the exact meaning of the cards.

Being a poet, Jodorowsky manages to enliven his prose with evocative turns of phrase and well placed colourful anecdotes. I particularly enjoyed his meeting with the plump tarot reader Madame Robin who was cutting her cats claws while having her nails manicured by two "working class men". A meeting with Andre Breton who was openly disgusted at Jodorowskys gift of a packet of RWS tarot cards had a profound effect. The author dumped his vast tarot collection except for the Marseille deck. He met with Leonora Carrington who helped him develop his feminine side. Jodorowoskys main angle on the tarot is that it is a unique system, that Eiphas Levi was wrong, the tarot is not the Kabbalah. Jodorowsky reveals the secrets of the tatot by examining the early Marseille editions projected onto large screens. Every detail is examined. His interpretations of the cards often differ from the general consensus and he likes to use psychoanalytical terminology, which may be less helpful these days. Some parts of the book were a bit dull and turgid or too whimsical to be of any practical use, but any weighty tome of the tarot will be heading in that direction. I have knocked one star off as I would have liked a bit more on the pip cards, which he doesn't seem to use much in readings.

I am still reading it but I find this book very interesting so far. A lot of interesting facts about tarot. It's easy to understand

Zwrot. Przecięta okładka.

On the whole Jodorowsky is a bit over the top for my tastes, he loves to blow his own trumpet. However, an excerpt from this book was passed on to me and I became intrigued and I think this is probably a classic that will be read and re-read for generations to come. Firstly, one can be interested in the Tarot as some sort of practice. My primary interest is however simply in understanding how Tarot works and how it is organised and I think the author has really done a remarkable job, organising the Tarot with attention to miniscule details that one might easily overlook. This is only possible if the author actually spent many years pondering every minute detail as indeed he has done. The methods proposed in this book are workable and if not easy to remember, at least easy to learn. Also, Jodorowsky's sense of the history and context of every symbol in the Tarot is unique and well-grounded in Jungian psychology. I highly recommend this book, you will not be sorry to have read it!

Received book from Payal Enterprises... book is a well good condition, paper quality is really good. And yes, for tarot readers, It's actually helpful... GO FOR IT !!!

Questo libro è il capolavoro della coppia Jodorowsky e Costa, due studiosi che hanno dedicato la propria vita ai Tarocchi. È il testo più importante, quello più adatto sia ai principianti che ai praticanti più avanzati. Si rivolge ai tarocchi Marsigliesi, e non ai tarocchi RWS, detti "americani", ma la sua conoscenza è utile a chiunque, anche a chi usa mazzi diversi. Per i miei gusti, affronta gli arcani Minori con un approfondimento non comparabile rispetto a quello che dedica ai Maggiori. Un tesoro, che spiega le tecniche e la storia dei tarocchi senza abbandonarsi a pratiche magiche, ma cercando di arricchire la vita e l'esperienza dei praticanti. Consigliatissimo. Il mazzo che viene usato negli esempi è il Camoin-Jodorowsy, che non è propriamente tradizionale, adotta alcuni piccoli particolari originali, ma è comunque molto evocativo e suggestivo.

This book contains precise information about reading the Marseille Tarot, but as well a good deal of extra info and anecdotes. I enjoyed very much this book But if you’re simply looking for a manual then this book isn’t for you