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Portable Magic: Tarot Is the Only Tool You Need
Say goodbye to ceremonial robes, incense, candles, and oils. Donald Tyson presents a new, easy way to perform ritual magic with only one tarot. From manipulating elemental forces of nature to making potent charms, all ceremonial rituals can be performed with a standard 78-card deck.
Tyson's efficient system of tarot magic is based on the Golden Dawn tradition, which corresponds with tarot imagery. He teaches how to work magic on the astral level by projecting one's awareness into the ritual tarot layout. Learn how to set up an astral temple, build an altar, cast a magic circle, and create a triangle through which to actualize your purpose. This innovative guide to tarot magic also includes rituals related to unions, business, banishing, and evoking elementals.
Tyson's efficient system of tarot magic is based on the Golden Dawn tradition, which corresponds with tarot imagery. He teaches how to work magic on the astral level by projecting one's awareness into the ritual tarot layout. Learn how to set up an astral temple, build an altar, cast a magic circle, and create a triangle through which to actualize your purpose. This innovative guide to tarot magic also includes rituals related to unions, business, banishing, and evoking elementals.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
24 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Donald Tyson
99 books152 followersDonald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career.
Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.
Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 3, 2012
I personally didn't like it, although it's not a bad book per se. It's aimed at beginners, both at tarot and at magic. So, if you are a practicing magician (especially if you're not into ritual magic), then your established and preferred methods might disagree with the highly dogmatic "this is how to do magic" approach of the author.
(what was also a bit strange was how he does away with many myths and misconceptions about the origins of the tarot, and then goes on to reinforce myths and misconceptions about other aspects of the tarot - like how to store it. Some personal opinions are stated as fact and warning - "don't let others see your cards!" etc. Depends how you believe they work, right? Everyone has their own personal methodology and mythology of their tools, and what works for mr Tyson doesn't have to work for everyone the same way.)
(what was also a bit strange was how he does away with many myths and misconceptions about the origins of the tarot, and then goes on to reinforce myths and misconceptions about other aspects of the tarot - like how to store it. Some personal opinions are stated as fact and warning - "don't let others see your cards!" etc. Depends how you believe they work, right? Everyone has their own personal methodology and mythology of their tools, and what works for mr Tyson doesn't have to work for everyone the same way.)
December 1, 2014
Full of practical information. This is NOT a book about Tarot Divination, but rather using the Tarot deck, and deck only to do magical rituals and spells. This is a brass tacks, no nonsense kind of book on the subject. The system is largely based off the Golden Dawn system of symbols and attributions. Mr. Tyson also includes his own personal system of symbols and attributions as an appendix to the book, and I must say that it makes a lot of magickal sense. (Actually this appendix was my original reason for buying the book in the first place.) This book will be more easily understood to those that have some experience in the GD system, but it is not at all necessary as the book is written with absolute beginners in minds as well. And true to the subtitle, a Tarot deck is all you need.
November 7, 2017
This book is one very interesting, it helped me adopt a different perspective about the Tarot and Magic in general.
It is an extremely practical book, where every aspect and theory gets to be exemplified through practice. The author represents different ways in which you can apply the method and exemplifies them with thorough descriptions.
You will get meditation excercises, visualization training, in-depth Tarot card explanations and explorations, an overall summary of High Magic and associations. The author even includes his own Tarot associations and proposes new ways of arrainging them with respect to the Tree of Life and the Golden Dawn tradition. These are certainly very interesting and thought-provoking theories.
Overall I really liked the practical focus of the book, and the author's ability to condense in an easy and clear way the union of two such complex topics as High Magic and Tarot. For this reason the book can get tiring at times, being a little bit too "technical", without leaving that much space to "daydream" or "philosophize" about the magical aspect of the lessons.
Highly recommended to those with a firm understanding of the Tarot, who wish to expand their knolegde and/or evolve from Tarot readers to Tarot practitioners.
It is an extremely practical book, where every aspect and theory gets to be exemplified through practice. The author represents different ways in which you can apply the method and exemplifies them with thorough descriptions.
You will get meditation excercises, visualization training, in-depth Tarot card explanations and explorations, an overall summary of High Magic and associations. The author even includes his own Tarot associations and proposes new ways of arrainging them with respect to the Tree of Life and the Golden Dawn tradition. These are certainly very interesting and thought-provoking theories.
Overall I really liked the practical focus of the book, and the author's ability to condense in an easy and clear way the union of two such complex topics as High Magic and Tarot. For this reason the book can get tiring at times, being a little bit too "technical", without leaving that much space to "daydream" or "philosophize" about the magical aspect of the lessons.
Highly recommended to those with a firm understanding of the Tarot, who wish to expand their knolegde and/or evolve from Tarot readers to Tarot practitioners.
December 11, 2018
I think this is the best magick system I have put my eyes on. Simple, practical and yet well based on the elemental and astrological forces, using the best of the western tradition. It will totally help me on my path.
December 29, 2017
A highly inventive and concise way of using the tarot for other things than divination, such as for spells, rituals, and charms. I can not wait to try this out for myself.
August 19, 2019
If you want to know more about Tarot cards and their usage in ritual and magick, don't miss this book!
December 17, 2007
The topic is practical magic, with Tarot as its only tool.
“Portable Magic” describes the use of Tarot cards as instruments of ritual magic. In this system, the cards can stand in for any thing…physical or metaphysical… that can be found in a temple or a circle.
The author tells how to remove conceptual barriers to direct contact with the forces associated with each card.
The book includes a concise history of the evolution of the Tarot and its structure. The system it describes has its roots in Golden Dawn philosophy, thus there is also a chapter about Golden Dawn history and background, with emphasis on Golden Dawn correspondences and their effect on the design, groupings, and structure of the tarot deck. Historic and philosophical connections between Tarot, Freemasonry, and the Golden Dawn are explored.
Another chapter analyzes the spiritual forces and archetypal principles displayed in each card, their connection with classical and renaissance world views, and impact on the cosmology expressed by the major arcana.
The suits and elements are discussed at length. If you have had trouble with the interpretation of the court cards, you will especially appreciate the chapters on correspondences of the suits, court cards, and significators. A chart showing the zodiacal correspondences for these is included.
The author says the number cards in the lesser arcane are linkd with the sephiroth of the qabalistic tree of life, and so there is a chapter clarifying the sephiroth and the heavenl;y spheres. There is a wonderful chart of the tree of life showing the correspondences for each sephira.
Another chapter discusses the tools of tarot magic. This chapter compares the tools and instruments of ceremonial magic to their metaphysical or energetic expression through the tarot.
The author identifies each tool, and describes the cards used in its creation. There are some unique and original insights in this chapter, that will greatly enhance your understanding of the tools and elements, broaden your conceptual horizons, and transform the way you think about the tools and their energies. Each tool recives its on chapter, that includes mental exercises, physical card layouts, along with background and explication to help you fully comprehend it on a deep level.
Another chapter describes the general method of tarot ritual. , including an example of a full ritual layout. Basic elements of a ritual are identified. The chapter on planetary modifieders and number cards contains the material necessary to personalize the ritual. Another chapter focuses on explaining the concept of “realizers” and “modifiers,” and explains how to make use of it.
A summary chapter pulls it all together. Following the summary, three sample rituals are provided as a means of illustrating the concepts. Two additional chapters discuss charms and elementals.
The appendix contains a detailed list of the author’s own discoveries and conclusions regarding correspondences. There is also a glossary of terms used in the book, a list of works cited, and a index..
The author has put a lot of himself into this book, in terms of sharing his own personal experience, guidance, insight, research and theory. This is a substantial book, not for the absolute beginner in tarot or magic, although if beginners apply themselves to the material, they will acquire some very worthwhile insights. Everything here can be adapted for FOI use. The ideas in this book will greatly enrich your FOI practices.
“Portable Magic” describes the use of Tarot cards as instruments of ritual magic. In this system, the cards can stand in for any thing…physical or metaphysical… that can be found in a temple or a circle.
The author tells how to remove conceptual barriers to direct contact with the forces associated with each card.
The book includes a concise history of the evolution of the Tarot and its structure. The system it describes has its roots in Golden Dawn philosophy, thus there is also a chapter about Golden Dawn history and background, with emphasis on Golden Dawn correspondences and their effect on the design, groupings, and structure of the tarot deck. Historic and philosophical connections between Tarot, Freemasonry, and the Golden Dawn are explored.
Another chapter analyzes the spiritual forces and archetypal principles displayed in each card, their connection with classical and renaissance world views, and impact on the cosmology expressed by the major arcana.
The suits and elements are discussed at length. If you have had trouble with the interpretation of the court cards, you will especially appreciate the chapters on correspondences of the suits, court cards, and significators. A chart showing the zodiacal correspondences for these is included.
The author says the number cards in the lesser arcane are linkd with the sephiroth of the qabalistic tree of life, and so there is a chapter clarifying the sephiroth and the heavenl;y spheres. There is a wonderful chart of the tree of life showing the correspondences for each sephira.
Another chapter discusses the tools of tarot magic. This chapter compares the tools and instruments of ceremonial magic to their metaphysical or energetic expression through the tarot.
The author identifies each tool, and describes the cards used in its creation. There are some unique and original insights in this chapter, that will greatly enhance your understanding of the tools and elements, broaden your conceptual horizons, and transform the way you think about the tools and their energies. Each tool recives its on chapter, that includes mental exercises, physical card layouts, along with background and explication to help you fully comprehend it on a deep level.
Another chapter describes the general method of tarot ritual. , including an example of a full ritual layout. Basic elements of a ritual are identified. The chapter on planetary modifieders and number cards contains the material necessary to personalize the ritual. Another chapter focuses on explaining the concept of “realizers” and “modifiers,” and explains how to make use of it.
A summary chapter pulls it all together. Following the summary, three sample rituals are provided as a means of illustrating the concepts. Two additional chapters discuss charms and elementals.
The appendix contains a detailed list of the author’s own discoveries and conclusions regarding correspondences. There is also a glossary of terms used in the book, a list of works cited, and a index..
The author has put a lot of himself into this book, in terms of sharing his own personal experience, guidance, insight, research and theory. This is a substantial book, not for the absolute beginner in tarot or magic, although if beginners apply themselves to the material, they will acquire some very worthwhile insights. Everything here can be adapted for FOI use. The ideas in this book will greatly enrich your FOI practices.
March 16, 2009
Who says tarot cards are only for fortune telling or that you need lengthy preparation, a complete altar and set of ritual tools to perform magic? With this book, Donald Tyson (creator of the rune dice and author of three novels, including Necronomicon and Alhazred) shows us how we make changes in our lives using nothing more than a standard 78-count tarot deck. After all the tarot is a miniature model of the universe full of archetypes of the human psyche.
Starting out with descriptions and chapters on both Tarot Magic, the History of the Tarot and the Structure of the Tarot, we are lead into the symbolic meanings and correspondences of the cards (of the Golden Dawn), numerous spreads, a general method of a tarot magic ritual, planetary modifiers, meanings of the number cards, using realizers and modifiers, a couple of pre-written rituals for business and banishing, a chapter dedicated to Tarot Card Charms and a final chapter on Evoking an Elemental. The best thing is that the rituals this book provides can be done anytime and anywhere is there enough space to lay a spread and they take only a few minutes to complete.
The appendix includes Modified Tarot Correspondences for quick reference and also houses a superb glossary for those unfamiliar with various tarot-centric terms.
While this wouldn’t be a great gift for someone just starting out on the path of the Tarot (nor for someone who dislikes Ceremonial Magic), it would make a fabulous endowment to the seasoned tarot reader and sure to be enjoyed and treasured.
Starting out with descriptions and chapters on both Tarot Magic, the History of the Tarot and the Structure of the Tarot, we are lead into the symbolic meanings and correspondences of the cards (of the Golden Dawn), numerous spreads, a general method of a tarot magic ritual, planetary modifiers, meanings of the number cards, using realizers and modifiers, a couple of pre-written rituals for business and banishing, a chapter dedicated to Tarot Card Charms and a final chapter on Evoking an Elemental. The best thing is that the rituals this book provides can be done anytime and anywhere is there enough space to lay a spread and they take only a few minutes to complete.
The appendix includes Modified Tarot Correspondences for quick reference and also houses a superb glossary for those unfamiliar with various tarot-centric terms.
While this wouldn’t be a great gift for someone just starting out on the path of the Tarot (nor for someone who dislikes Ceremonial Magic), it would make a fabulous endowment to the seasoned tarot reader and sure to be enjoyed and treasured.
January 20, 2015
A very interesting book on using tarot cards for magic and ritual. While it has a strong focus on ceremonial magic, astrological signs and the Kabbalah, the book does provide a great stepping stone towards creating your own rituals using the tarot deck. The concept that the laid out cards exist on both a material and astral level was enlightening, as was the suggested visualization of that space and the choosing of a significator to represent yourself there. It just required a slight reworking that better suited my own personal practice rather than that of The Golden Dawn. A great book to spark your own creative ideas about using tarot for more than just divination.
August 31, 2015
What a great book!
Just what I was looking for. This has what all the other books on Tarot out there is lacking. A more detailed and updated history, that was a great read.The repetitions of the stages in the example rituals were very good, as it opens up for a possibility to use each of them as a finished manuscript. They also make it easier to remember all the details so that you feel more ready to start practicing.
Just what I was looking for. This has what all the other books on Tarot out there is lacking. A more detailed and updated history, that was a great read.The repetitions of the stages in the example rituals were very good, as it opens up for a possibility to use each of them as a finished manuscript. They also make it easier to remember all the details so that you feel more ready to start practicing.
March 12, 2012
I quite liked the system as such, of working in a mini-format, with the cards on the table-top and in the astral at the same time. I am sure it will take some practice to get the hang of it though. I had a few minor objections to his views but nothing I can't work around. The last chapter on how to evoke an elemental was interesting, as was the chapter on creating temporary tarot charms.
December 15, 2015
This is probably my favorite book on the use of tarot in magic(K). It very plainly shows the Explorer how to create altars of experience using only the tarot. Primarily it uses the Golden Dawn system of tarot correspondences to construct a system of magic(K) that will aid any Imaginist in exploring consciousness and the manipulation of ones reality.
February 12, 2016
Interesting book about doing ritual magic using nothing but a tarot deck, based on the golden dawn system. gives very detailed instructions and background information.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews