A Keeper of Words: Accompanying Book to Legend: The Arthurian Tarot

by Anna-Marie Ferguson

There are actually several myths associated with King Arthur. Perhaps you have in mind the beautiful lords and ladies of the round table. Or maybe you think of the Quest for the Holy Grail. Perhaps you think of the early Celtic legends about him. Whatever you associate with the stories that surround this legendary king, you are sure to agree that these myths have fascinated Westerners for up to 1500 years.

The Tarot has been popular for only half that time, but it, too, has caught the fascination of people in the West. Now you can see how easily these two spiritual paths can be combined thanks to Anna-Marie Ferguson's A Keeper of Words.

Although designed to accompany and enhance her Legend Tarot deck (available separately), this book is also a great way to get to the core of both the Arthurian myths and legends and the Tarot. The book is based upon Ferguson's amazing seventy-eight watercolor Legend illustrations (all are reproduced here in black-and-white). Each of the Tarot cards is associated with an event or person in the Arthurian legends. By combining the two you will have a new perspective on the Tarot and a deeper understanding of the mythic symbolism of the tales of King Arthur.

For example, the book associates the Major Arcana card the Hierophant with Taliesin. The image shows Taliesin introducing children to "his lady," the harp. You will learn that Taliesin encourages questions from all and fosters their creative, artistic talents. Thus, the meaning of the card is "A person with experience he or she is willing to share. An authority. A kind and generous mentor who nurtures spiritual awareness." Reversed it means "Rigid thinking with no room for growth."

The description and symbolism for this and all seventy-eight images, as well as the meanings of the images in a Tarot reading, go into far more detail. In this way your readings become deeper, more intuitive and multilayered.

For anyone interested in the Tarot (especially the Legend Tarot), or King Arthur, this book is a must.

Genres: Tarot, Arthurian, Paganism, Divination, Spirituality, Mythology, New Age

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice reference combining two of my recent passions - the Arthurian legends and the archetypal imagery of the tarot. Not too much else to say here unless you have an interest in both matters. Mad me want to explore both more thoroughly.

[John Of Oxshott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the better modern, themed Tarot decks. I found the art on the cards very inspiring and it leads to reflective, intuitive interpretation without the need to consult the text in the book. However, when you do read the book, you discover that the author is steeped in the lore of Arthurian tales and she has incorporated it in thoughtful, effective ways, so that the text of her book enhances your understanding of what you can see in the pictures. Her suggestions are wholly compatible with traditional Tarot meanings while clearly having their own resonances thanks to the inclusion of Arthurian imagery.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my absolute favorite tarot sets! My book is so tattered and falling apart at the seams from years and years of usage. The cards are beautiful, the legends accompanying each card tell a story with unique and well known characters from the King Arthur legends. A great deck for anyone into the Authorian legends!

[Tamara Gerling · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites. The poor pages are falling out I've read it so many times. I can't wait for it to go digital so I can have it always on my dressers and my devices.

[Tiffany Griffiths Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inclusion of the Aruthurian world characters. Artwork is beautiful.

[Kathy Kaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this a lot as a reference. I am not so deep into the Arthurian cant on the Tarot interpretations but the symbolism is based in Rider-Waite and her meanings for each card are short, clear and informative.