This is a fun book. Any rational people that want to go past the popular perception that tarot cards are only used by street corner charlatans to part suckers from their money needs to read this book. It addresses the underlying archetypes presented by the symbolism of the major arcana that applies to literary techniques, dream analysis and psychology. Easy read. ( )

This book had some interesting content about Jung and feminism as well as some strong connections to literature and visual art. However, Nichols (like others in the Tarot community) posits, repeatedly, that visual art is superior to books/words for inspiring creativity and imagination, and I wholly disagree with this argument. But I found her claims--as counterarguments--helpful for strengthening my own argument in favor of reading everything one can find, including the frequently maligned little white books (LWBs) that accompany Tarot decks. There is also some lazy/inaccurate writing/research at times (e.g. she claims that, unlike natural circles, squares are man-made and unnatural, and a previous library patron penciled a note about crystals in the margin next to this sentence).

Somewhat dry & stuffy. A not altogether thrilling read. However, interesting overall theory and conclusions makes reading worthwhile. ( )

A very interesting look at the archetypes shown in the twenty-two major trumps of the tarot, from a Jungian point of view. Lots of interesting ties to myths, literature, popular culture, and history. ( )

"The author studied at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich and taught at the C.G. Jung Institute in Los Angeles. Her book takes us through the connections between archetypes as used in literature and art and the archetypes of the Tarot, illustrating the universality of the Tarot archetypes. People of all ages and cultures have dreamed, storied, and sung about the archetypal Mother, Father, Lover, Hero, Magician, Fool, Devil, Savior, and Old Wise Man. The author explains how the Tarot images represent these archetypal images and with great depth, she instructs how to recognize ourselves, others and issues with the cards. The book clearly demonstrates how powerful these symbols act and react in all of us."