Tarot Triumphs: Using the Tarot Trumps for Divination and Inspiration

by Cherry Gilchrist

Focusing on the major arcana, or trumps, of the Marseilles Tarot, the aim of this book is to encourage the reader to experience the tarot in a direct, fresh, and uncluttered way.

Key points:
Focuses on the 22 trumps, or the major arcana of the tarotOffers advice on how to study each card and find its unique significanceProvides instructions for laying out and reading the cardsExplores the tarot in terms of history, divination, symbolism, and esoteric traditions

This exploration of the major arcana includes The Fool s Mirror, a new method for laying the cards out, as well as hints for using the tarot to gain deeper levels of awareness. Cherry Gilchrist offers ways to approach each card, absorb it, and understand its essence. Readers are encouraged to relate this essence to personal experience as the most enduring and rewarding way to prepare for reading the cards."

Genres: Tarot

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2016

About the author

Cherry Gilchrist is a lover of all things ancient and mysterious. Field research for her books has taken her into Russian forests, Silk Road Yurts and to meet stone heads on Easter Island. She has written books on alchemy, mythology, family history and personal relationships. Her latest book, The Circle of Nine relates nine feminine archetypes to everyday lives of women. Cherry has also run a vintage clothes shop, a Russian crafts gallery, taught creative writing and performed as an early music singer. She is a graduate of Cambridge University, and holds a post-graduate diploma from the University of Bath Spa. As a lecturer, she has given many talks at venues ranging from the Temenos Academy to the British Council, the Royal Academy, and the Queen Elizabeth II cruise liner. At present she lives near Stroud, with her husband, artist Robert Lee-Wade and two black cats for luck. She has two grown-up children and two granddaughters. Find her at www.cherrygilchrist.co.uk and www.circleofnine.org

Reviews

[Zanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In case we had any doubts about the value of Tarot Triumphs, we are given two pages of praise in the front of the book from such Tarot notables as Caitlin Matthews, Robert M. Place, and Thalassa, among others. Their observations are spot on. I completely agree with Place’s assessment that Tarot Triumphs is an excellent choice for beginners wishing to use the Tarot of Marseilles and for experienced readers as well. I fall into both of those categories in a way, being an experienced reader in general but having almost no experience with Marseille-style decks.

Early on, Cherry Gilchrist tells us that the book “is mainly about Tarot divination: that is to say, using the Tarot Trumps as a means to gain access to knowledge that is normally beyond our conscious grasp.” She succeeds in delivering exactly that, page after page, while focusing very specifically on the Marseilles Tarot, in her case, the Grimaud deck (republished by J.-M. Simon France-Cartes in 1969).


Not only did I learn things about the Marseilles deck from this book (which one might expect, since I had never studied them), I also learned new approaches and information about the Tarot and Tarot reading in general.

I particularly liked Gilchrist’s section on the simplified version of the Celtic Cross Tarot layout. She reduced the number of cards from 11 to 7 because it made less of a “leap” for the reader of this book to go from 3 cards to 7 cards, and because she feels the shorter version works better when using only the Tarot Trumps, which is Gilchrist’s preference.

As someone who is intimidated by the 11-card Celtic Cross, I confess I come close to being mind-boggled by the 22-card Fool’s Mirror spread. Gilchrist does a great job of explaining and giving examples of how to use the spread, and I may yet attempt it.

Although I disagree with some of Gilchrist’s views (for example, that Tarot is not suitable for self-analysis or prediction for oneself), I appreciate her sharing those views and challenging my perceptions.
To those of us who shy away from prediction with Tarot, she simply says, “If you are drawn to Tarot, or indeed any form of divination practice, you already accept the idea of looking ahead.” Good point.

Her advice to readers is sound (for example, “Try not to worry about the reading later, and wonder whether you said ‘the right thing.’”)

I do think that an Index would have been a great idea for this book, making it even more useful as a reference book. Also, I had the feeling while going through the book that quite a few things were repeated, but I realize that repetition is a useful tool that can help people retain a message.

[Marius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gilchrist's book really is a book on the Fools Mirror spread. I do like that she is not afraid to use the tarot for divination, often tarot books are only focused on using tarot for self-development. I also like fact that she uses the TdM deck as the basis of the book, so you will not find a lot of RWS symbolism here. I think she does a nice job on that particular spread, but really not on anything else. A lot of the book centers on her own anecdotes with tarot. More of a personal journey rather than educating the up and coming tarot reader. The book does cover basic description on the trumps, more reflections rather than standard interpretations, though. Pip cards are not covered. Some general techniques and approaches are also covered but not in any real detail. There are other great books out there, that do a much better job on tarot TdM, in my opinion. I would not recommend this book for the beginner nor the advanced tarot reader, but if you love the Fool's Mirror spread buy this book.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of in depth, accessible insight and information focusing on the major arcana. So much to absorb!