Mastering the Tarot: Basic Lessons in an Ancient Mystic Art

by Eden Gray

Describes various methods of reading the ancient symbols of the seventy-eight Tarot cards

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Reference, Occult, Divination, Spirituality, Metaphysics

221 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating related to usefulness of this book in learning Tarot.

Scanning my own bookshelves that books I held on to through my last move (3 years ago) & found this. So many didn't make the cut but I did keep a handful of Tarot books. Both this and his "Complete Guide to the Tarot" base their illustrations on the popular Rider Waite deck. I prefer a more intuitive approach to the cards, although as an addict to knowledge I appreciate the historical, traditional approach. You don't need both "Complete Guide to the Tarot" and this - 90% of the books are repeat of what is in the other. They are clear, simple to follow books for anyone who'd like a handy reference. In this book, his intro section discusses the minor arcana by number to assist in emphasizing the numerology behind the cards. He also includes different readings and emphasis than in his Complete Guide book. If you're interested in Tarot, I find it useful to not be programmed by just one approach but to look at a few different authors/decks to find what resonates.

[Kate]

Short but sweet introductory tarot book

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone wishing to learn Tarot divination, Eden Gray makes a superb introduction. Although Ms. Gray may not be as lyrical or spooky as some other writers on the Tarot, she uses the Rider-Waite deck to fully illustrate basic meanings for each card. Her explanations are thorough and easy to understand. This book has stood the test of time because of its utility and ease of use.

[Mary Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

very useful in mastering the art!!! old copy of my mom’s with notes, obsessed with it lol

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tarot cards have intrigued me every since I've seen a deck. They're so pretty and mysterious and so different, yet so closely related in look to our familiar playing cards, and so many of the decks are rich in symbolism. I started collecting decks, and even reading them for friends for fun, even though I'm a thorough-going rationalist and don't believe they can be tools of divination. This was my first tarot book and the one that taught me to do readings (which I did during lunch in my Catholic School until one of the nuns told me not to do that again since tarot cards are "tools of Satan.")

The introduction unfortunately perpetuates the myth that the cards are associated with the gypsies--they're not--the cards were known in Europe for almost a century before Gypsies entered the population in any numbers. That said, it explains the purported meanings in ways that make them easy to remember, and I liked it offered more than the standard Celtic Cross Spread. There's also two three-card spreads, a six card "Hungarian Method," and a "Horoscope" and "Solar Chart" Method.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book on the basics/reader's manual. Based on the Rider White deck and it includes illustration. Has several sample celtic cross readings and other layouts based on astrology. Starter references on the history of the deck and mayor names in this field of study. Good explanations of the symbols, but basic. Good fun.

[Judity · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years after I bought this book and some Tarot cards, I had fun reading them for friends and family. One day I swear I saw twins in the cards, and a week later my pregnant sister had her second set of twins. That scared me witless, and I never read the cards again. Okay, so it was a coincidence, but why not get this book and cards to try it out for yourself?

[Eric Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden Gray was my first guide through the Mystery of Tarot. Her books are a much better introduction to the cards than the ponderous condescension of A.E. Waite. I was fortunate to have the Eden Gray books before "The Pictorial Key" because they just get right down to business; they don't begin by insulting all previous writers on Tarot. This is a perfect book for beginning readers!

[Mary Sullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the older books on tarot and if you read the cards, can be very helpful.

[Sage M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting a Tarot book that’s straightforward but still engaging. Eden Gray keeps things simple for me to understand but not so much so where it feels like I’m reading a textbook about the Tarot. This book gives me a respect for the history of the practice while also feeling like I can access it easily without being behind a pay-wall or needing a bunch of herbs and spells to do a reading.

There’s a feeling of ease on how to read the cards, but a strong emphasis on how it’s not a simple card game. It’s a science, in a way.

I can say I feel more confident in how to go about properly handling the cards as I practice.

[Reba Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This antique book is surprisingly the newest tarot guide in my collection, and it gets 5 stars for no other reason than the fact that Annie Lionnet's The Tarot Directory plagiarizes entire sentences from it, word for word. You've gotta respect the classics.

[jeow]

great introductory resource. kinda outdated but also integrates other histories and interpretations of tarot reading

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book for beginners and one of the best that I've read. Also a great reference for those who aren't new to tarot.

[Electric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published 1971!
I love this book! Simple. Straightforward. No fuss!

[Marcello Tarot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il grande merito di Eden Gray, negli anni Sessanta e Settanta, fu quello di rendere accessibili gli insegnamenti di Sir Arthur Waite a un vasto pubblico. Ma, appunto, si tratta degli _anni Sessanta e Settanta_, cioè prima che Mary K. Greer facesse da pioniera con il suo «Tarot for Yourself» che rese ancora più accessibili i Tarocchi e li sdoganò definitivamente da quell'aura tremebonda nella quale erano avvolti, ricca di regole astruse e di divieti altrettanto astrusi. Il testo della Gray risente dell'epoca in cui fu scritto e – per quanto innovativo per i suoi tempi – risulta un po' datato ai giorni nostri. Nondimeno, lo si apprezza perché nella sua semplicità spiega i concetti fondamentali, anche se in alcuni punti fa un po' sorridere o storcere il naso se letto con la sensibilità attuale. La Gray non si dilunga in tante spiegazioni, ma dà comunque il necessario quando si tratta degli Arcani Minori; quando passa poi agli Arcani Maggiori aggiunge anche che cosa potrebbero significare in seno a diverse posizioni della Croce Celtica, ma rischia di risultare un po' dogmatica.
Le stese affrontate sono la Croce Celtica in primis, e altre sulle quali non si dilunga più di tanto, con l'eccezione di quelle astrologiche che però non tengo in considerazione io perché mantengo una rigida separazione tra Tarocchi e Astrologia.
Indiscusso pregio della Gray è la raccomandazione di usare il buon senso nella lettura ai consultanti, l'incoraggiamento che sa loro fornire, e anche la presentazione di un paio di esempi di comportamenti da _non_ tenere con tanto di _perché_.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe that people believe in tarot and astrological signs, as if these things have anything to do with reality. I get a kick out of how much faith and belief the average joe has in this stuff and how easily led they are down the path. Sad.