The Tarot

by S.L. MacGregor Mathers

A brief but complete description of Tarot, the symbolism of each key, meanings of the cards, methods of divination, Tarot game play, and Occult significance of the Tarot cards.

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Occult, Witchcraft, Magic, Divination

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 26

About the author

Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, born Samuel Liddell Mathers and having allegedly added MacGregor as a claim to a Highland heritage for which there is little other evidence, was an English occultist best remembered as a founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

His translations of medieval grimoires and other obscure occult texts, while often criticized for their accuracy or incompleteness, served to make this otherwise inaccessible material more widely available to English-speaking audiences, and remain among the most popular of his works.

Reviews

[Shaun Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think of all the recent books on Tarot I've read, Mathers' has had the most functional value. This seems to be a comfortable bridge between Wescott and Waite, while offering the most definitive values of the cards without the distraction of grail or otherwise obsessions. Mathers does seem more convinced here of Egyptian and Oriental influence than previous writers, though the links are not well defined outside of reference to Levi, which I have not yet reviewed.

I'm confused by the inclusion of P.D. Ouspensky's work, as I'm not sure it is in agreement with Mathers--I don't know if this was tacked on for this edition or if it was always included. Regardless, it allows for additional context, even without full agreement (given that none of the cumulative works from Golden Dawn members seem to agree, it's just as valuable to look outside of them to broaden the scope).

[tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

You learn something new everyday. I appreciate the history and explanations. The breakdowns are very helpful. The book is an easy read.

[Joaco Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

concisa introducción

[Igor Aguiar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The missing link between RWS and Thoth.

This book makes it crystal clear where A. E. Waite and Aleister Crowley changed the Golden Dawn method of Tarot reading. I would almost consider it required reading in order for us to understand either of those decks fully. By comparing this to Waite and Crowley's work, Waite's disregard for divination is made even more obvious, and Crowley's personal prejudices (and arguably projections) are in full display. Don't take my word for it, compare the 10 of Cups!

It's unfortunate that Mathers was not upfront about the Major Arcana, much akin to Waite, but thankfully we have other sources for those cards, namely some parts of Israel Regardie's "The Golden Dawn," and Crowley's "Book of Thoth." Still, for the pip cards, this is really a stellar work.

It can be a little jargon-heavy, but you can filter the "occultbabble" to a certain extent and still grasp the meanings Mathers was pointing to, usually in more condensed form at each card's last paragraph.

[Ashley Rheiner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Between the confusing, long-winded explanations, the meanings that I’ve pretty much never heard used for the cards they’re used for, and the mis-numbering of cards to make symbolic connections, I’m really not sure where I stopped reading with an open mind and started reading just to say I’d finished. There are so many more informative and better tarot books, but I am one of those who just wants to say they read it so I did. And I won’t repeat it.

[Teleri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mathers is better than Waite, but not by much. Golden Dawn tradition, of course. This stands as Mathers' exposition on official G.D. Book T material.

[Teleri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can you tell I'm not a fan of most of the G.D. bunch?

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay but I though it could have used a bit more information. For the price ($.99) it is not bad though.