Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot: A comprehensive guide to unlocking your inner potential through Tarot

I have bought this book for the second time and I have it as an ebook. I am listening to the excellent Audible recording and annotating this copy. (Yes, it's unforgivable but it's my book, so I will personalise it if I want!) Rachel Pollack was one of the first voices I heard when I started studying Tarot in the 1970s and she is still my favourite writer on the subject. Her knowledge and wisdom is matched by her enthusiasm and clarity of writing. The book itself is a serious work, to be read - not just glanced at. It is illustrated by line drawings of the Smith-Waite deck but it is not a glossy coffee table book, it is a work of research. It has 370 pages with no wasted space. It isn't a really "New Age" text, it is an assistant to your analysis of the cards. You do not need to have faith in a god: you don't need to believe in Angels, divination or spirit guides. This book can be enjoyed and be useful whatever and point you view it from. I first had this in two volumes but this single volume is so much better, comprehensive and a good solid read. Can you tell that I really rate this book highly? If you only get one book on Tarot, this should be it. You might find it's the only one you will ever need.

The major arcana are explored in depth from all possible angles, and give the reader a broad image of the message that that card has to convey . Also very useful and relevant are the relationships between the cards of the major arcana. The depth as well as the subtlety in tackling such a subject make it and keep it a masterpiece which will continue to be essential for generations to come. If you are not sure which tarot book to buy, you CANNOT go wrong with this one. A classic! The only (small) downside I would find with it is that in regards to the minor arcana it does not go into the same details and depth with them as with the major arcana. Yes the majors are very important, but I would have liked to see the minors explored deeper as well. Still, an EXCELLENT book, which remains hard to surpass.

This is one of the best books for Tarot beginners. It clearly explains the imagery and meanings of each card in the Rider-Waite-Smith system, covering both upright and reversed interpretations.

This was recommended from elsewhere and yes it is good. I would recommend

What a fascinating insight not only into tarot but also into one person’s journey and reaction to a wealth of research and knowledge. A must have book.

I can see why this book sometimes is called the bible of RWS tarot. Rachel Pollack does a good job going through origins, meaning and spreads of the tarot. I especially like her narrative description of each major arcana, one of the best I have seen. Having said that, I also feel some things are missing, a reference list in the back would have been nice, the minor arcana especially the court cards are covered only so so, in my opinion, maybe keywords for each card would have been nice too. As a reference book I like Holistic Tarot by Wen more. However I do feel this book is among the top 10 books on the RWS deck out there.

Recomended by an aquantance and its very well written. I would say an intermediate book, not a beginners, as it does not appear to be a quick reference book, but nicely written, with some good ideas so far (im only a quater into it), there are brauder explanations (I use wyrd is the new black web site for example) in some other books and sorces, so possibly not a stand alone guide and study.

The best Tarot book I own on the subject matter. I have a few but this lays out the tarot like no other. Very recommended whether a newbie or well-versed.

Un libro completo y serio sobre cada carta del tarot en una narrativa casi perfecta

This Book is a Must Have....I have been interrested in learning the cards for many years...even as a elementary school child I remember going into a little corner store gift shop and found this very generic tarot playing cards, they were very simplistic and fascinating..I gave made up readings to my mom LOL and funny she marveled at how accurate they were...but sadly they got lost in the shuffle with toy parts in the bottom of my toy box...Prior every book I would pick up I would casually glance through and put back down...maybe it overwhelmed me..I just didn't feel a connection or desire to study the book. I own angel cards, spanish playing cards ect ect but never committed to any...SO...I read Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom unbelievable on a spiritual level it spoke to me..honestly everyday it was hard for me to put down I had to read the next page, the next page...I began to have more of an awareness of how it all is connected, me, the cards, my actions, energy, the universe..it all came alive to me..and as I would read the description's of the cards they came alive to me..I thought oooh wow that is so me or yep I know a person like that..I just recently purchased my first riders deck per a friends recommendation..boy have I been so stubborn LOL actually the Radiant Rider Deck and I am so excited to receive them...This book was so spiritual so philasophical so deep..she really elaborated the meanings and gave other perspectives. I felt like I could see the card in my head with just the black and white pictures in the book.so half way thru I ordered my deck...but I already feel like I know most of them and anticipating the secrets they want to whisper to me...This is not a book u loan :) noo noo noo this is a "Bible" Tarot Bible..which I will be rereading again and again....A Must Have for the Tarot and Spiritual Development :).......If anyone could recommend any spiritual tarot books and books on symbols that are very deep and enlightening......Jenny

一ヶ月ほど前に、全文和訳完了しました。心理学的な洞察をもとにしたタロット解読本といってもいいかと思います。 メジャー・アルカナを7で分割するというのも面白かったし、スプレッドも類書にはないものがのっていて興味深かった。 このような本が翻訳・出版されるならば日本のタロット理解もワンランクアップするのではと思うのですが。英文は分かりやすいです。 魔術的なものとは違いますが、そうした傾向のものをお求めの方でも買いではないかと思います。『タロット・バイブル』という同じ著者の本も翻訳され出版されていますので、そちらを覗いて気に入ったらこれもいけると思う。タロット・リーダーならば読んで損はなしです。

I avoided this book for quite a long time because I had a feeling it would be one of those cases when everyone loves something - everyone compliments the king on his new apparel though they can't see it and are only afraid to sound stupid. Well, I was wrong. All the clichés I have read about this book are applicable: - It IS the best book on tarot I have read - My readings did reach another level - I did learn a lot about myself - It is the book you should read if you can only read one - I couldn't put this book down and finished it in record time. I actually felt sorry when it was over. I am not going into detais of the contents which many reviews have already addressed. Suffice it to say that I have read so many commonplace but well marketed books that added nothing. Rachel Pollack was a pleasure to read because she not only shares so much valuable knowledge; she uses language that is a joy to read and does not imply we are beginner readers as well as beginner tarot readers. She holds nothing back. Few books in my life have GIVEN me so much. Even if I give up tarot I will not regret reading 78 Degrees of wisdom.

This book is a classic for good reason. Even for more advanced tarot fanatics and/or readers, it's full of insights. The valuable intersection with history, psychology and symbolism is priceless. I use it as an inspirational guidance rather frequently. Totally recommend it