Guide to Tarot of the Sephiroth

by Josephine Mori and Jill Stockwell

a review by John Gilbert

The Guide to Tarot of the Sephiroth by Josephine Mori and Jill Stockwell (ISBN 1-57281-315-3) published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. is based on the Tarot of the Sephiroth created by Dan Staroff also published by U.S. Games Systems. This paperback retails for $10.00.

In Chapter One the authors discuss the Qabalah as being a system of personal evolution predicated on engaging the universal forces of creation. They explain five different methods for approaching the study of Tarot of the Sephiroth with the Qaballah: 1) Divination, 2) Meditation, 3) Mediation, 4) Concentration, and 5) Contemplation. Mediation is described as transliterating the universal creation forces depicted in the card pictures or their components to outer reality.

Chapter Two explains how to use the Tarot of the Sephiroth with the Tree of Life. Chapter Three describes each of the cards on the Minor Arcana opposite a picture of the card from the subject deck. Chapter Four does the same for the Court Cards.

Chapter Five, which is incorrectly titled Chapter Four to create a second Chapter Four, does the same for the Major Arcana. The deck is built on the familiar Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck system but uses Prince and Princess instead of Knight and Page. The similarities stop there. Tarot of the Sephiroth is an entirely different deck!

Chapter Six is devoted to divination using seven different spreads. Most of these will be familiar to the reader: The Tree of Life, one card draws, four card spreads, past-present-future, etc. The authors have several tips on interpretation and method which are helpful.

I particularly like their approach to the pip cards which uses basic numerology according to the Sephiroth:

Aces - Root or source of the Element

Twos - Element in balanced and polarized state

Threes - First results and formation (form and structure)

Fours - Stabilize and nurture

Fives - Affirm or challenge

Sixes - Harmonizes and overcomes challenges

Sevens - Motive for manifestation

Eights - Organization and evaluation

Nines - Patterns, integration and reflection

Tens - Manifestation

If you're currently a student of the Qabalah or wanting to learn more about it, you'll find the Guide to Tarot of the Sephiroth to be helpful in your studies. The Tarot of the Sephiroth in full living color is also quite useful. They complement each other.

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