The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot

This book is perfect if you want to know the history behind the Tarot. The pictures are beautiful and it is well written, it gets to the point without beating around the bush. I do not recommend this book for beginners, because of the simple explanations to each cards, not very detailed if you are trying to learn the card meanings. It is a great book to refresh your mind or expand you Tarot knowledge.

As the Tarot Host @ BellaOnline.com, I am constantly on the look-out for books to enlighten myself and my readers.This is a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated and concisely written. Rachel Pollack covers every aspect of the Tarot, from traditional ideologies to more modern interpretations, all in a beautiful package.A definite "must have" for anyone wishing to learn about the Tarot or the visual imagery associated with the cards themselves. I would not be without it!Lori Vallis

As a teacher of Tarot, I find this book to be both informative and beautiful to behold. The author's comments are illustrated by full-color reproductions of cards from several Tarot decks. The result is an authoritative introduction to the Tarot with the most stunning illustrations I have ever seen in a book on Tarot. If you are new to Tarot, you may wish to buy this book to help you decide which deck to purchase. In my classes on Tarot, I am now using this new book by Rachel Pollack together with the basic text by Anthony Louis as the core readings for the class.

Rachel Pollack's TAROT is the most beautiful book I have seen on the tarot. I discovered it brousing through a bookstore and as a new practicioner of the science and art of tarot reading, a process which amazes me every time with its ability to bring clarity to ones life - find the core of ones individuality and that of your friends and family... I highly and earnestly recommend this book to EVERYONE. Rachel Pollacks book is brilliant and meaty, It will leave you something to devour every day, this book is a tool and a guide for interpreting the meaning of your spreads.

This is a lovely book, one you'll want to leave out on display, or on a coffee table for guests to browse. Written in the style of many books today -- sharp, eye-catching graphics, short summarized sections, it has the added benefit of being put together by an authority in the field. Pollack has written extensively on the subject, most notably, her two-volume interpretation of the Haindl Tarot and her own deck, the Shining Woman Tarot. Pollack begins by giving a brief, instructive overview of the origins, legends and history of Tarot cards and its occult connections. The structure and symbolism of the cards, the major arcana sequence, the significance of court cards, paths on the tree of life, card numerology, the suits and their correspondences, garden/botanical elements and animal symbolism are all touched on, along with much more. Part three covers the cards a bit more in-depth, including the metaphorical journey through the major arcana. Part four deals with reading the cards, including some simple spreads. The last section suggests other uses or activities for the Tarot, such as, using them for game playing, storytelling, or, how to go about creating your own deck. This is a pretty sophisticated little reference with wonderful illustrations including images from a variety of Tarot decks, both old and new. It would make a wonderful gift for novice or advanced practitioner alike. One might not consider this a "must" have book, but it is a book you may "want" to have in your collection, because of the book's visual appeal, and Pollack's concise overview of the Tarot.