The Tarot: A Strange and Wondrous Thing

This is not the usual book on Tarot. Most reference the images of the Rider Waite Pack, first published in England in 1909—little more than 100 years ago—and they use an interpretive system based on teachings of The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an English metaphysical school. What has been missing, are books teaching other traditions.

This book speaks to that need. It focuses on the old common Tarots of Europe, a long tradition of block-printed cards that culminated in the iconic deck by Nicolas Conver. This style of cards is known today as “The Tarot de Marseille.” Its images are discussed in detail as to symbolic significance, suits, elemental associations, color, Tarot philosophy, and number symbolism.

Tarot forum participants often ask, “How can I learn to read the Tarot de Marseille? What books should I read?”

The answer is: This book. This is the book you should read. It is filled with Marseilles history and symbolic associations, and it teaches an updated version of a relatively simple, historically based method for reading NSP (non-scenic pip) decks—one that is based on grouping the pips in a way that makes rational and intuitive sense. This book teaches that system, but goes further; it introduces a condensed deck that makes the groups especially easy to learn and remember. See The Triadic Tarot, on the CARDS page of this website, but even without the new deck, this book will bring a new appreciation of the Tarot, and let you enjoy the fascinating historic reproduction decks that are finally available to us.

See a REVIEW OF THIS BOOK by beloved Tarot enthusiast and author, Sherryl E. Smith. Sherryl specializes in Tarot history and the many historic reproduction decks now available. Visit her site: https://tarot-heritage.com and visit it often to learn about decks and books you may not have known existed. Click Blog and Tarot Books. This book is introduced as “A Tarot de Marseille Book for Everyone“.

Read excerpts from the book itself, 7 complete pages, below.

To order this book or the Triadic Tarot cards, click ORDER in the menu below.