Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey Into Christian Hermeticism

I suspect that this is on the whole rather a bad book - a sincere one, though, as is (according to Oscar Wilde) all bad art. Possibly the translation accounts for much stylistic badness, by which I mainly mean that it took me an awful long time to read, and I'm sure wouldn't have done if had been more clearly and concisely written.I don't for a moment doubt Valentin Tomberg's personal sanctity or his humility in (unsuccessfully) suppressing his name as author. Intellectually, though, he lacks discrimination, giving far too much credence to predecessors in the Hermetic and "magical" traditions, many of whom were either - to be blunt - little more than charlatans, or else seekers after scientific truth who never got far along the road.That said, there are some insights that a present-day, scientifically educated Christian can make use of - as long as she or he is a genuine Christian who believes in the deity and physical Resurrection of Christ, not a "liberal" semi-believer. There are several reminders of the positive uses of patient suffering (as taught for example in 1 Peter but largely ignored by today's Churches). There is a particularly good passage in which he explains why evil cannot be fought, but must simply be opposed by the continued existence of the good. There is also a remarkable suggestion that the Virgin Mary may have been an incarnation of Wisdom. At first blush, this sounds unorthodox, and I've not even begun to unpick the theology of it, but I suspect Tomberg was on to something.

Wow where to begin. Firstly this book is not the usual Tarot help book. It is profoundly spiritual, reflective, philosophical. It takes the reader into the mindset of someone you is vastly knowledgeable, who uses the Major Arcana cards as reflective mirrors on himself, society, humanity, through a core foundation of christian thought. You will find quotes here covering everything from the Buddha to Darwin. Certainly this is not a book to read superficially, nor is it a book that will help you do the tarots very well (not in the traditional way at least), but it is a book that will expand your mind, see the tarot cards through the lens of Christian hermeticism, it takes you on a journey through the eyes of a remarkable mind. I recommend this book for the advanced reader with a philosophical bend. It would also be helpful if you are at least familiar with the bible.

One of the greatest Catholic works ever written. Important to note this book is not about fortune telling or reading cards.

A dense and sometimes difficult read, this book nonetheless has real depth and wisdom. I don't always agree with what the author has to say and he does veer off course from an orthodox Christian perspective at times (reincarnation for example) but I have personally found reading this beautiful book to be extremely helpful and in fact even a healing experience.

good

Highly interesting - really not like your average book on the tarot whatsoever.

Wonderful and beyond!

great