Bíblia Clássica do Tarot

by Rachel Pollack, Enéias Tavares (Translator)

Bíblia Clássica do Tarot é uma das obras mais completas de Rachel Pollack, autora mundialmente reconhecida como autoridade na arte do tarot. O mais novo lançamento da marca Magicae é um verdadeiro curso de formação, abordando história, arte, psicologia e uma variedade de tradições espirituais e ocultas no universo do tarot. Valendo-se de ampla pesquisa e décadas de estudo e ensino, a autora oferece uma riqueza de teoria e prática guiando iniciantes e leitores experientes por uma profunda exploração dos significados e simbolismos das cartas.


Com uma linguagem acessível e envolvente, Pollack nos convida a mergulhar em interpretações detalhadas para os 78 arcanos, discorrendo sobre os significados tradicionais de cada carta e nos brindando também com a sua interpretação pessoal, fruto de anos de experiência como professora, pesquisadora e prestigiada mestre do tarot. Com um texto vibrante que combina cabala, numerologia, astrologia, mitologia e até mesmo os heróis das histórias em quadrinhos, Pollack entretece as raízes clássicas das tradições místicas e esotéricas com um olhar perspicaz e contemporâneo, em plena sintonia com magia, arte e cultura pop.


Abordando a aplicação do tarot em diferentes áreas da vida, como aconselhamento, meditação e desenvolvimento espiritual, Bíblia Clássica do Tarot também inclui insights da autora sobre como o aprendizado do tarot pode ajudar as pessoas a se conectarem com a intuição e a compreenderem melhor a si mesmas e o mundo ao seu redor. Em sua obra definitiva, Pollack incentiva os leitores a explorarem as cartas de uma forma profunda, sem desconsiderar sua própria bagagem e jornada de crescimento pessoal.


Também conhecida pelos entusiastas da fantasia e do universo dos quadrinhos, Rachel Pollack foi uma premiada autora de ficção, escreveu a série “Doom Patrol” para a DC Comics e assinou com Neil Gaiman e Dave McKean o tarot da Vertigo. Grande admirador de Pollack, Neil Gaiman a definiu como “uma das melhores autoras e pensadoras do tarot”. Mulher trans, Pollack também foi defensora dos direitos LGBTQ+ e feministas, e seus escritos frequentemente incorporam esses temas.


No ano de seu falecimento, é com respeito e admiração que a DarkSide® Books celebra o seu legado e acolhe na marca Magicae uma de suas obras mais completas e definitivas.

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

544 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Rachel Grace Pollack was an American science fiction author, comic book writer, and expert on divinatory tarot. Pollack was a great influence on the women's spirituality movement.

Reviews

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rachel Pollack seems to be a famous person in the world of Tarotists, and one of her books, 78 Degrees of Wisdom is hailed as the "bible of Tarot".
Tarot Wisdom is apparently the updated and altered follow up to 78, so I purchased a used copy of this book, hoping it would enlighten me as much as the so-called bible of Tarot would.
I was half-way disappointed. Rachel Pollack offers one thing that is special: a comparative approach. She presents all the cards in the Tarot, separating Majors from Minors and Minors into Pips and Court cards. The Majors had very detailed descriptions, the Pips not so much. The section on the Court card also didn't help me get a better grasp of their use and meaning.
Many of the meanings and insights in this book weren't entirely new to me. At least 70% of the rather thick book seemed like a recap. It was a waste of time to read and reread all the card meanings again and again - which shows very clearly that there are few if any books on intermediate and advanced Tarot.
This book, like most others, start at zero and don't even come close to offer a more distinct, wholesome picture.
One thing that I did like, though, were the Major-related theme readings. They could offer valuable insight.
I can't say that this comes close to being the bible of anything, and I can't recommend this to anyone who really wants to get past keywords and cardboard descriptions, but "Tarot Wisdom" might be useful to complete beginners, because it offers a pretty adequate and not Rider-Waite-centered first approach to Tarot.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, and here I thought 78 Degrees of Wisdom was the more in-depth book on tarot that I have read. Then Pollack comes along with a follow-up, showcasing all the things she's learned in the intervening years! For tarot practitioners, both books are well-worth a read as they showcase such interesting, but different takes on the cards. Not a fan of Pollack's deck though, but there's plenty of others for me to hoard :)

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

simplesmente incrível, virou um livro de cabeceira pra estudo, consulto sempre que necessário. podia ter um aprofundamento maior nos arcanos menores, mas tudo bem.

[Marius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pollack expands with this book on her previous book 78 degrees of Wisdom. This book covers: A brief introduction, the history of the tarot and references to other author´s works. The major Arcana, 10-15 pages each, including Paul Huson´s historical interpretations (although I recommend buying Huson´s book - you may consider reading my review of "The Mystical Origins of the Tarot"), all cards are illustrated with 6 or more different decks in black and white, each chapter ends with questions of self-reflection on the card in question. The minor arcana cards are explored in around 30 pages mainly through the 4 suits, the numbers and kabbalah. Each minor arcana card is then given a short general interpretation of around 1 page. The court cards likewise are explored collectively in around 25 pages and subsequently given a 1 page interpretation. The last chapter covers the actual readings, the spreads; 2, 3, 12 card, doorway, celtic cross and the four worlds spread. Pollack also includes a sample reading. Finally in the back of the book there is an index for easy reference. As with her 78 degrees of wisdom Pollack includes personal experiences and reflections on each card, but what is new I think in this book, is the inclusion of other authors perspectives. I think Pollack surpasses her previous work with this book. If you are looking for a good all around book on RWS Tarot, this is one to buy.

This book can be purchased on Amazon; https://amzn.to/3qgyPqE

[julia ☆ [owls reads] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente livro de referência com uma profundidade incrível. Muito bem pesquisado e com linguagem acessível. Certamente vou usar em minhas leituras!

[culley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t imagine a better book for any tarot deck. The author shows the card face for 3-4 decks, then there is a 3-10 page write up describing history and interpretations. This is a fantastic reference book for the Tarot. I now have a copy of Pollack’s Shining Tribe deck, and the book she includes for her personal deck is easier to reference because the deck is so unique. But Tarot Wisdom includes more information and puts her deck in context. Once I manage a more detailed relationship with her deck I expect I will deepen my understanding of it with this book. I don’t feel the need to take my Tarot investigation any further than this book.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of great tips and ideas for readings.

[Flavia Ferreira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fala, fala, fala e na prática não ajuda muito em técnica de leitura… é bom pra saber teoria, mas fraco pra prática, que era o que eu tava procurando.

[John Marani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarot Wisdom: Spiritual Teachings and Deeper Meanings
Rachel Pollack
Llewellyn, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0-7387-1309-0
By John Marani, CPTR

Rachel Pollack’s Tarot Wisdom is a book that I was incredibly interested in reading as soon as I heard of its existence. One of Pollack’s earlier works, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, is a personal favorite of mine, and so I was excited to see this new work, but at the same time, I was afraid to read it.

I realized soon after I opened Tarot Wisdom why I had been concerned about reading it. For me, Seventy-Eight Degrees is a book that I hold in such high regard that I was nervous that it wouldn’t live up to the reputation of its predecessor. Thankfully, I was wrong: Tarot Wisdom is an updated version of Seventy-Eight Degrees and is every bit as valid.

In the Introduction, Pollack states that she has provided “a detailed interpretation of the entire deck, card by card”. Pollack delivers what she promises the reader in spades. Each of the cards is not only explained, but the imagery and meanings from many different decks are compared. In looking over these meanings, I was able to pick out another book for my tarot bookcase, Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul Huson, which is liberally cited in Pollack’s work.

Pollack goes beyond the standard meaning lists that grace many tarot books and links her narratives on each card to different spiritual teachings. As I read through the book I found myself broadening my spiritual horizons; the author draws from many different spiritual traditions to illustrate the underlying archetype of each card.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the addition of one or more tarot spreads for each of the major arcana cards, which explore in depth the major theme of the card. This makes it easier for a tarot student to work with one card at a time on a very deep level.

The minor arcana cards and the court cards have smaller descriptions--usually one page--compared to the major arcana descriptions, which go on for several pages. This precedent was set in Seventy-Eight Degrees, but I was really hoping to see more information on the minor arcana overall. Nevertheless, even seasoned tarot veterans should be able to find something thought-provoking in each description of each and every card.

The book ends with a short section on tarot readings and an extensive bibliography, but you’ll want to spend your time on the card descriptions. I found myself comparing the meaning descriptions from the different little white books of each tarot deck, and I was truly fascinated by it.
If you are serious about your continued study of the cards, you’ll want to have Tarot Wisdom at your fingertips. I found that because of the dense layers of meaning of each card that Pollack evokes, I had to read this book one small piece at a time and really assimilate what I was learning. So just take your time and enjoy.

[Suzy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite tarot books- an easier read than 78 degrees (though I love that too)

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a surprising a mixed bag for me. The thing was the author offers a lot of good information and suggestions and I appreciate it a lot! But there’s A LOT of back story and history which is fun at first but than I’m like okay wrap it up and let’s get to the point. To the point where like 3/4’s of the book is about the major arcana and than it rushes through the minor arcana and it felt like reversed meanings throughout were like yea yea here it is 3 sentences okay bye.

Also the story the author tells during the description of the high priestess about someone seeing something that wasn’t there and the conclusion was oh I should have shown them this card…mama no they need professional help? I get it not everyone is trusting of the medical field for a variety of seasons but common gorg it’s paper cards we have limitations here.

[Rachel Strayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more comprehensive and multi-faceted view of the tarot than I knew existed. It reveals the psychological, astrological, mystical, and mythical themes in the tarot that I've explored on my own, with startling concurrence. One of my favorite moments in the text is when Pollack explores archetypes in the court cards by attributing them to superhero symbology. An absolute must read for anybody interested/practicing the tarot, it has cemented Pollack in my mind as -the- tarot authority!

[Deborah Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pollack's description of Major Arcana 0, The Fool, is one of the best I've ever read. That said, I 'foolishly' bought the book inthat I'm over-saturated with Tarot. In such spirit, I'm moving ahead, but slowly as I cannot capture the same sense of 'aha' with descriptions of the remainder of Major Arcana.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book much more than 78 Degrees of Wisdom. It was a much more interesting read and I loved the layout of the book. Additionally, it had even more information on the cards without being boring. 78 Degrees is a classic, but if you are deciding between this book or that one, GET THIS ONE.

[Sg Frindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of Rachel Pollack's Books

[Sylvia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Pollack’s Tarot Wisdom is an absolute masterclass in understanding the deeper layers of the Tarot. It’s the kind of book that both honors her legacy as a Tarot scholar and expands on her earlier work in a way that feels both fresh and timeless. If Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom laid the groundwork, Tarot Wisdom is where Pollack takes us further into the heart of the cards, offering insights and teachings that make you fall in love with the Tarot all over again.

What makes this book so remarkable is how Pollack seamlessly blends her scholarly approach with her own lived experience and personal reflections. It’s not just about what the cards mean—it’s about what they can mean, what they want to mean, and how those meanings change and deepen depending on where we are in our own spiritual journeys. Every chapter feels like a conversation with someone who’s spent a lifetime not just studying the Tarot, but living it. Pollack’s voice is wise, generous, and endlessly inspiring, and she invites you to sit with each card as if it were an old friend, with its own stories to tell.

One of the strengths of Tarot Wisdom is its incredible breadth. Pollack doesn’t limit herself to a single deck or tradition—instead, she draws on multiple decks, mythological stories, spiritual teachings, and even art history to build a multidimensional view of each card. Seeing how she interprets the same card across seven different decks was eye-opening for me; it made me realize how flexible and alive these archetypes truly are. By comparing and contrasting different visual styles and symbols, she encourages readers to explore Tarot’s infinite possibilities rather than getting stuck in rigid definitions.

Pollack’s reinterpretations of each card feel both rich and relevant. She brings in history, mythology, art, and psychology to paint a picture of the Tarot that feels deeply connected to the human experience. Her stories and analogies are drawn from a life of genuine exploration and spiritual practice, and she doesn’t shy away from examining the complexities of the cards—whether it’s confronting the difficult truths of the Tower or the nuanced power of the High Priestess. The way she combines her erudition with down-to-earth examples makes even the more esoteric elements feel approachable and relatable.

The section on Tarot spreads alone is worth the price of the book. Pollack’s spreads are thoughtful and unique, designed to be more than just layouts—they’re tools for insight, healing, and even magical transformation. I tried out her “Four Elements Spread,” which uses the symbolism of earth, air, fire, and water to dig into the core energies of a situation, and it brought a clarity to my reading that I hadn’t experienced before. Whether you’re doing predictive, psychological, or spiritual readings, there’s a spread in here that will make you want to pull out your deck and try it immediately.

But what really sets Tarot Wisdom apart is its ability to reignite that sense of wonder and curiosity. Even after years of reading, this book reminded me why I fell in love with the Tarot in the first place. Pollack’s approach is expansive and non-dogmatic, encouraging you to develop your own interpretations and deepen your connection to the cards on your own terms. She treats the Tarot not just as a tool for divination, but as a gateway to exploring the sacred mysteries of life itself.

For both seasoned practitioners and those new to the cards, Tarot Wisdom is a guide, a mentor, and a companion on the Tarot path. It’s one of those books that you can return to again and again, each time finding new layers and nuances to explore. Rachel Pollack’s brilliance and passion shine through every page, making this a must-have for anyone serious about delving into the transformative power of the Tarot. An absolute treasure and, in my opinion, her most comprehensive and inspiring work to date.

[Jessica Nightshade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Pollack’s Tarot Wisdom dives into tarot in a way that blends deep history, personal reflection, and fresh interpretations that only she can offer. It’s clear that Pollack poured decades of experience into this book, and the result is a resource that stands out for its depth and variety. What really draws me in is the way she manages to weave together so many different approaches, whether you’re looking for predictive readings, psychological insights, or spiritual guidance. She doesn’t just rehash traditional meanings but brings in ideas from multiple traditions, making it feel like you’re sitting down with a teacher who genuinely wants to expand your understanding of every single card.

The book does have a bit of a meandering style that might feel overwhelming at times, especially if you’re looking for something straightforward or structured. But the trade-off is that Pollack’s insights are rich and layered, giving you so many avenues to explore the cards. Her use of cards from different decks also adds a unique visual element, helping you see how each one shifts in meaning depending on its artistic representation. It might not replace Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom as a go-to reference, but Tarot Wisdom is an excellent companion for anyone wanting to take their tarot practice further and see the cards through Rachel Pollack’s brilliant, multifaceted lens.

[Chinmayee Kulkarni · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book for tarot beginners and an excellent historical tracing in case of the Major Arcana. However I wished for more explanation about the minor cards, but it doesn't go beyond the usual keywords...and I don't like her personal deck. The design as well as some name changes don't quite sit right with me. She did a great job detailing the evolution of cards from the very first, Visconti, to the modern Rider-Waite. I wish she had included Crowley's work and not tarried away from him like most "puritans" do.
While she spoke at length about her arrangement of cards in triads, their significance, the Kabbalah and Decan aspects were quite shallow in their explanation. And some numerological statements sound like they're bent to fit her theory. But this is my personal opinion and may not be necessarily the case. Did not connect with her writing as much, but grateful for the information shared nonetheless.

[ABCme · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the time of writing this review Tarot Wisdom has been around for 10 years. It's the revised version of Ms. Pollack's immensely popular Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom and still highly recommended for all indepth information on the tarot. However, the wheel keeps turning and new insights enter the market. The reason I gave this book 4 stars is due to Ethony Dawn's upcoming book Your Tarot Court: Read Any Deck with Confidence which I had the pleasure to preview.
Where Ms. Pollack covers a disappointing one page per court card, Ethony spends a whole book on those lovelies. I know she's not the first to do this, but to me she keeps the same high standard Ms. Pollack does.
I will definitely continue using Tarot Wisdom but maybe it's time for an update.

[Stephen Ziegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do not avail yourself in even a limited way of the greatest teachers of your time, who are you kidding? You’re just flopping around here.

Rachel Pollack is no longer among the greatest living teachers of Tarot as of 7 April 2023, but she provided a wealth of teaching in her books including her most recent publication, an updated edition of A Walk through the Forest of Souls released three weeks after her death.

To not read such accessible and insightful literature as her Tarot Wisdom, and 78 Degrees of Wisdom would be a boneheaded mistake (and the angels shall weep for you.)

Read reviews from authoritative sources with higher credentials than mine.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really useful tool for me. I use it in conjunction with the booklet that come with my tarot deck. It is not rare that it gives me the one meaning I missed for a card. Since it gives the meaning of many types of decks, like Marseille or Rider, it broaden your reading. My only complains is for the major arcanas, sometime you're just doing a quick tarot session and want a quick answer instead of 5 pages of solid text. It is not the case with the minor arcanas, luckily, as there is a small and accessible section at the end of each card.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good reference guide and beginner book, but I wish that the section after card meanings was more expanded. the author went above and beyond to compare different deck styles, which was very appreciated! I loved that she stressed that Tarot is what you make of it, giving the reader freedom in how they interpret and utilize Tarot. I think, too, that it would also have been helpful if there were recommendations about more intense readings at the end.

Overall, highly recommend.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that she took various approaches from history to numerology to Kabbalah to study the cards. It was very cool to see the historical meanings of the cards and new ways to interpret them.

I liked her idea of reading Marseilles-style pip cards as their numerological value instead of the more common RWS meanings.

Would definitely recommend for someone looking to dig deeper into tarot who already has a solid foundation.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I don't have enough background in tarot to fully appreciate this book. The major arcana section in particular seems to assume a certain amount of knowledge from the reader that I don't really have. However, it did have what I was looking for in terms of a more in depth explanation of the minor arcana and the general character of different suits and numbers.

[Suhas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use this amazing book to max:

1) Read the Chapter well,

2) To get card reading at end of each chapter, Use this CustomGPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-OQaRyWWjm... Give it a command: ‘use your magical algorithm to answer the following questions’ and copy-paste the questions at the end of the chapter.

3) Meditate on the answers!

[Helena Nahirna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Из всего множества книг о таро, это одна из вменяемых книг) Конечно же с рекламой и продажей автора и ее колоды, но от этого обзорность материала выигрывает в еще одном варианте трактовок.
На английском прочесть желания нет, а вот на киндле оставлю, буду возвращаться к книге.
Рекомендую)

[Oliver Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy her interpretations and openness to ideas and cross-cultural pollination. Even if I don’t always agree right away with her suggestions, or if her particular interests don’t match up directly with mine, I still like following her trains of thought.

[Lisa Eirene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've done tarot for years but took a break for awhile. I am trying to get back into it and wanted more in-depth interpretations than just the booklets that come with the decks. I really enjoyed this book and found it interesting and insightful overall. It's dense and full of information.

[Dana Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be working through this workbook for a very long time. Combines Pollacks insightful take on the cards with spreads and questions to dive deeper into each one. Great for tarot practitioners who want to go deeper into relationship with each of the major arcana especially.

[Caleb Edison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Pollock is my favorite tarot author and this book is a powerful follow up to “78 Degrees of Wisdom”. I highly recommend her books. This one is easy to read and very enlightening.