Tarot cards have intrigued me every since I've seen a deck. They're so pretty and mysterious and so different, yet so closely related in look to our familiar playing cards, and so many of the decks are rich in symbolism. I started collecting decks, and even reading them for friends for fun, even though I'm a thorough-going rationalist and don't believe they can be tools of divination.

I also don't believe in a lot of nonsense promulgated about their origins. The Wiki will tell you there's just no evidence of the Tarot, either literary or surviving cards, before the early 15th century. At least Walker doesn't claim they go back to Ancient Egypt, although she does link them to the gypsies, another dubious claim to say the least--since Tarot Cards were known in Europe before the Gypsies arrived! (See, this History of the Tarot online.)

All that said, I do find this book fun and informative. It covers each card of the Major and Minor Arcana, devoting pages to each. And I like the deck featured in the book. It's pretty, and with the Tarot I'm all about the shiny! ( )

Creative etymology! Creative history!

Great book. Thoroughly covers each card of the major & minor arcana. Author prefers more controversial interpretations of history, but who am I to argue? I find her observations to be favorable to my inclinations. ( )