The Key to the Tarot

[Daveho]

I’m sure you all have at least one copy around-

I found the little version that came with my RW deck frustrating and I stumbled across a 1970 version reprint ( I think this book was actually late 80s)

 

[Raggydoll]

Yeah I have the University Books edition from 1959 (I think?). It’s the one with full color pictures. I really like this book although it is quite challenging. I have read it so many times and every time I am faced with some new revelation plus even more riddles and confusion. It is also the only book that’s made me look up passages in the Bible, for sure. And it has made me research so many obscure topics!

[Daveho]

I’m about half way through and I can see how it could be quite challenging as many of Mr Waite’s deviations and comparisons are to subjects not currently well known by the majority- for example when discussing the Justice card he makes reference to closing the lodge in the third degree of Masonry, this is not something commonly understood by all but the more learned Masons, furthermore the discussion of the 4 cardinal virtues namely temperance, prudence, justice and fortitude is something discussed in a way that assumes some Masonic instruction  on the part of the reader, while the virtues themselves are not Masonic their importance is communicated in the degrees.

 

[Raggydoll]

I’m about half way through and I can see how it could be quite challenging as many of Mr Waite’s deviations and comparisons are to subjects not currently well known by the majority- for example when discussing the Justice card he makes reference to closing the lodge in the third degree of Masonry, this is not something commonly understood by all but the more learned Masons, furthermore the discussion of the 4 cardinal virtues namely temperance, prudence, justice and fortitude is something discussed in a way that assumes some Masonic instruction  on the part of the reader, while the virtues themselves are not Masonic their importance is communicated in the degrees.

 

Yes. This book is made up of so many different quotes that will send you in all sort of directions should you decide to track them. A lot is Kabbalah, golden dawn and old esoteric/occult literature, but there is plenty of biblical references as well as Shakespeare and - as you said - Masonic texts. I had so much fun googling passages from this book to find their original source because it always meant something special. Waite never did things without a clear purpose, there was a method to everything.

[Raggydoll]

I believe Mary Greer has been working on her own guide to the pictorial key with the aim of deciphering it. But she has said that despite working on this book for years and years she is not anywhere near done with it. That is so fascinating to me since Mary is one of the people I really look up to when it comes to both having a deep philosophical and a more academic understanding of tarot.

[Daveho]

I wouldn’t consider myself well versed in any of the old expected base knowledge however we are fortunate now to have access to many a resource on these matters.

Kabbalah is very much not my strong suit however I’m working to make progress in that area.. I actually spoke with a rabbi about it and he said I was too young to know about such things and to wait until I’m 40 before starting, I must say the traditional methods of learning the Kabbalah is truly fascinating- though it all happens well past my bed time..

But I digress, it’s fascinating to see the parallels though, it makes interpretation of the cards quite interesting-

[Raggydoll]

Yeah, I can totally relate. I have only scratched the surface of most of these topics. The Kabbalah has never been my thing, I really only study the true basics so that I can grasp the other books that references it (the same goes for the Bible, I would never casually read it because it goes against my beliefs but for study purposes - yes.)

[Daveho]

I personally don’t have a religion per say and as such I take to reading all holy books with an academic perspective more than anything-

I took my obligations on a King James Bible however this could have just as easily been the Torah, Dimond sutra, Quran or any number of other volumes- I think the symbolic import on what a holy book represents is more relevant to me than the literal words written, though it goes without saying the verses contained within holy books have moral instruction invaluable to all should it be applied appropriately.

[Guest snobchickenleg]

Wow. I have that one I honestly don't use. Interps/card meanings in there are too heavy, too deep for me to apply and understand. I still check it from time-to-time, though.

I’m sure you all have at least one copy around-

I found the little version that came with my RW deck frustrating and I stumbled across a 1970 version reprint ( I think this book was actually late 80s)

 

[Daveho]

Wow. I have that one I honestly don't use. Interps/card meanings in there are too heavy, too deep for me to apply and understand. I still check it from time-to-time, though.

I’m sure you all have at least one copy around-

I found the little version that came with my RW deck frustrating and I stumbled across a 1970 version reprint ( I think this book was actually late 80s)

 

It’s a good reference-

As discussed Waite assumes a fairly moderate esoteric understanding on the readers part but that adds a good deal of value in my opinion- I will say his passing surgestion of the tower possibility being a representation of king Solomon’s temple I found particularly illuminating.