Selected Resources for
New Students of Tarot
By James W. Revak
Selected Resources for
New Students of Tarot
By James W. Revak
THE INTERNET Numerous additional resources are available on the ’net, including mailing lists, Web sites, and Usenet news groups. By all means, use your favorite search engine and surf to find helpful resources. However, because information appears on the ’net does not mean it is reliable or helpful. When in doubt, you may wish to access well-known and respected sites or ask an experienced Tarotist for recommendations. Selected sites which may be particularly helpful to newcomers are described below. Also, should you become an advanced student of Tarot, they may continue to serve you well. Finally, as with books, always read critically.
Alt.tarot. This Usenet news group, which may be accessed with a news reader or via the Web (e.g., Deja.com [formerly Deja News]), may or may not be your cup of tea. Although it provides a forum for freewheeling exploration of a wide variety of Tarot-related issues, be forewarned that flaming, bickering, and discussions unrelated to Tarot occur regularly. Both beginning and advanced Tarotists often take it on the chin. If you are unfamiliar with this group you owe it to yourself to read Frequently Asked Questions About Tarot and Alt.tarot (also known as the Alt.tarot FAQ) by Jess Karlin before posting. Although it is often highly critical of developments in Tarot since circa 1980, the FAQ generally provides sound answers to many basic questions about Tarot and this forum.
Aeclectic Tarot by Solandia. This site includes capsule reviews (including many images) of a wide variety of decks.
Divination by Tarot: Introduction by B. Stafford. This guide, according to the introduction, originally appeared in Usenet’s alt.pagan forum. It comprises a brief compendium of divinatory meanings for each card and is as good if not better than many similar commercially available compendiums. It apparently was written with Rider-Waite-Smith decks in mind and probably best used with one of them or one of many similar decks (see Other Decks).
Free Tarot Readings by Facade Market Concepts. This site provides readings via the Web using a variety of decks and layouts.
Learning the Tarot—An On-Line Course by Joan Bunning. This free Web-based course offers a methodical introduction to Tarot, including interpreting cards, framing questions, and doing different kinds of readings. Bunning treats each card well; she includes a concise discussion of its symbolism and imagery, lessons it may hold, divinatory meanings, and what she terms opposing and reinforcing cards. To a lesser extent, the author explores reversed cards and spreads. Bunning also presents brief reviews (including many images) of a variety of decks . Her writing is clear and direct. These pages are illustrated primarily with a Rider-Waite Smith deck and are probably best used with a deck from this family or one of many similar decks (see Other Decks). On the other hand, some readers may find her approach very weak with regard to traditional Occultism or Western Esotericism. The author’s equally methodical Learning Tarot: A Book for Beginners is closely based on this course.
Michele’s Tarot Page by Michele Jackson. This site includes informative articles, deck reviews (including many images), information about Tarot software, a suggested reading list, ample links, and much more.
Reference Guide for Tarot Layouts (also known as Tarot Spreads FAQ) by David C. Jones. This sound guide describes in detail a wide variety of ways to spread cards for purposes of divination and meditation. The spreads vary from very simple to complex. It is as good if not better than some similar commercially available ones.
Tarot at Telperion Productions by Tom Tadfor Little. This site and its sister, The Hermitage: A Tarot History Site, comprise a wide variety of articles, which include informative looks at Tarot history and classic decks (including many images).
Tarot for Spiritual Discovery by Nina Lee Braden. These pages include informative essays, suggestions for selecting a deck, deck reviews, numerous links, and much more.
Tarot: Hysteria, Mysteria, and ‘War’ by Jess Karlin. Brief essays on Tarot history and related issues, including a detailed look at the Rider-Waite-Smith Chariot card, are offered. This site is also home to the Alt.tarot FAQ.
Tarot Inspiration by Hans Logeskøv. This site is devoted to exploration of the Thoth Tarot Deck, including its interpretation, use in spreads, and discussion of relevant books. Frankly, it is not the best site on this list, but one of very few which discusses this important deck; read it critically.
TarotL. This mailing list provides an excellent forum for the exploration of a wide variety of Tarot-related topics. Tarotists at
all levels are encouraged to participate; members include beginners, advanced students, and published authors and artists. The list observes a few rules which are enforced by administrators, including prohibition of flaming and blatantly commercial posts.U.S. Games Systems. This company is perhaps the leading publisher of Tarot decks and related products worldwide. Its site includes descriptions and images of its many decks from traditional to trendy.
Villa Revak by James W. Revak. Among this site’s offerings are Tarot Divination: Three Parallel Traditions, which includes significant excerpts from historic works of such Tarotists as Papus, S. L. MacGregor Mathers, and Waite. It is also the home of the current version of Selected Resources for New Students of Tarot, the article which you are reading.
Wicce’s Tarot Collection by Gina M. Pace. This frequently updated site comprises brief reviews (including many images) of a wide variety of decks, numerous links, a newsletter, and much more.
Other Sites. Many additional resources are available, including but by no means limited to: Angel Paths by Jan Shepherd AvatarSearch, Raven’s Tarot Site by Raven; Tapestry Tarot by Crystal Sage, [Tarot] Divination by Wayne N. Keyser; Transformational Tarot by Andel Ando; and Two of Cups by Korrine Kenner. Finally, the following sites are excellent sources for numerous Tarot decks, especially many which might otherwise be difficult to find, including in the U.S.: Alida, R. Somerville of Edinburgh, Il Trigono, and Le Valet d’Coer.
CONCLUSION This article has suggested many resources which may be helpful to new students of Tarot. It is my sincere hope that you will benefit from it. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please contact me by e-mail at [email protected].
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