The Tarot: Symbols and Synergies
Rounding out my planned trilogy . . .
A lot of Tarot books have been published since I wrote my first two volumes—and some of the new offerings are very good. So what would justify adding another one to the list?
I have two reasons.
First: Most books that have come along in the 21st century take a significantly different approach than the one I’ve developed. Here’s a reminder:
Second: Since the Tarot is distinguished from other divination systems by its rich visual qualities and highly flexible structure, I wanted to produce the same qualities in book form.
And so . . . Symbols and Synergies takes a fundamentally visual approach. It’s not just text with illustrations, but something more along the lines of graphically enhanced content. And the online format makes it possible to include lots of color, as well as allowing readers more choice in how they interact with the material.
Basically, the book is presented in two-page spreads, which alternate or intersperse several different kinds of material. Here’s a high-level look:
Essential information about each Major Arcana card is presented in a two-page spread, arranged consistently for easy reference. Text sections include a historical perspective on the card's imagery, a synopsis of divinatory principles, a survey of archetypal themes, and brief notes on mythic associations, cultural illuminations, and traditional correspondences. Images from each of four influential decks demonstrate the evolution of visual symbolism in the Tarot.
Here’s what all that looks like:
Another kind of page-spread explores structures of the deck, its internal relationships, and some of its connections to other knowledge-systems. I’ve presented the material on each of these pages through a combination of text and information graphics.
For example, the spread below comes after the pages for Fool and Magician. It focuses on the relationship between those two cards, and on the transition that connects the first pair of trumps with the second pair. It also begins a running theme that highlights the “math” of Tarot:
Next, there are pages for High Priestess and Empress—followed by a commentary that connects/contrasts those two trumps, looks ahead to their masculine counterparts, and introduces a Jungian perspective:
This integrative process continues through the Major Arcana, and (I hope) illuminates some of its intricate patterning.
After that, the Minor Arcana section shifts to a different type of presentation, focusing on the four suits and their elemental associations, along with symbolic foundations of the court cards, and the numerical qualities of the pips.
Those are the conceptual basics—and now for some practicalities.
On one hand, I want Symbols and Synergies to be a handy reference, suitable for getting a quick introduction or refresher—not only for individual cards, but for the deck as a whole.
At the same time, I’d like it to be a catalyst for thinking about Tarot in new ways. Not because the content is radically new, but because it’s presented in a way that invites reflection and encourages exploration.
That said—I realize not everyone will find the light-on-dark pages comfortable to read. So I’m planning a version that uses white backgrounds throughout. I love the high-color look of this version, though, so that’s what I’m sharing today.
The book is not meant to be long. There are some introductory pages, and a sort of “reader’s guide” to the approach. For example:
And there will be some suggested resources at the end, along with a suite of link-sequences for exploring the pages in different ways.