Review: Tarot for the Fiction Writer by Paula Chaffee Scardamalia

Tarot for the Fiction Writer
Author: Paula Chaffee Scardamalia

Schifffer Publishing, 2019

Description: Hard cover book, 159 pages

HOW 78 CARDS CAN TAKE YOU FROM IDEA TO PUBLICATION

Tarot for the Fiction Writers offers a look at your journey as a writer, but also the journey of your character through the story. The author explores each card – what the card represents, how that relates to you, questions to ask concerning you, how it relates to your character, and questions to ask your character.

After a quick introduction, the author covers the basics of the Tarot - from choosing your deck, Tarot structure, numerology, court cards, and spreads. The coverage is brief but accomplishes a good foundation to begin working with the cards. 

The book is divided into Four Parts. At the end of each, the author has provided multiple pages for you to take notes. Part One includes the Tarot basic introduction, covers the Fool to the Emperor, and delves into the court cards. Part Two runs from the Hierophant to the Tower. Part Three explores the Star to the World. Part Four wraps it all up and offers a few spreads to help in your storytelling. The author closes the book with resource pages of writing and tarot recommendations, and a quick reference guide of the cards.

Throughout the book, the author cross-references Tarot figures with fiction characters and fiction works. There’s a broad range from Dumbledore to Princess Leia, and from Jewel of the Nile to Top Gun. You are sure to find some familiar connections within the text.

But, will this book help you be a better writer?

Yes, I believe that by exploring your own journey and the characteristics of your character, you could very well come to the end of the book with a better understanding of being a writer.

What I don’t see here is a book that will take you from idea to publication, at least not in a step by step method. Your best approach to this book would be to explore the contents, the questions, and the information as it pertains to you and the different characters you may create. And then apply that new knowledge to your work.

I recommend Tarot for the Fiction Writer to the tarot reader for a deeper look at the Major Arcana cards and the Court Cards. I recommend it to writers who wish to get a better outlook on themselves as writers and a new connection with their characters.

 

Grab your copy from Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

Review: The WayCard Oracle

The WayCard Oracle
Author - Martha Winona Travers
Schiffer Publishing, 2016

Description - 33 Cards and a 96 page guidebook in a sturdy cardboard box, with magnetic closure.

Card Size - 3 X 5


"The WayCard Oracle will help you identify energy clusters, or archetypes, that are presently active and influencing emotions, thoughts and actions." ~ C. Michael Smith, PhD

The guide book begins with a preface written by C. Michael Smith, PhD. The short introduction includes a Table of Correspondences, a cheat sheet for the card meanings. A how to use the cards section offers a five-card spread designed for the cards - Patterns. And, it gives a quick overview of using three cards, one card, multi cards, and yes or no questions. The rest of the book is devoted to card meanings, two pages per card. The book closes with a short conclusion, which offers a circular cycle of the cards in order from the Radiance to the Return.

"The WayCard Oracle reveals hidden knowledge about your journey and helps you travel more lightly."

The WayCard Oracle is a very simple, straightforward oracle. There's nothing fancy about it. The fronts and backs have identical images. The back has a green background while the front is white. The card consists of, in most cases, a single keyword associated with a stepping stone in the journey of life.

Focus - "When you pull this card, you are being asked to carefully and honestly examine your own thoughts. What are you creating every day? Notice in any given moment where you place your attentions."

Faith - "When you pull the Faith card, you are being guided to place your trust in the Radiance that exists in all things, that is with you in every moment and in every place. Faith does not come through effort, it comes through quiet. Faith does not need to be acquired or gained; it already exists within you."

In working with the cards, I used the Patterns spread and received some interesting and insightful guidance. The spread consists of five positions: present, past, future, shadow, and light. The book provides you enough guidance to give you a good platform for a reading. Overall, I was impressed by the message supplied by the cards and the author's interpretations. 

This deck would make a great gift for someone interested in a starter oracle. A seasoned reader may also find the simplicity of the deck interesting and refreshing.

Grab your copy at Schiffer Publishing.


(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing.)

Review: Tarot Unlocking the Arcana

Tarot Unlocking the Arcana
Author: Angelo Nasios
239-pages - Hard Cover Book
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd, 2016

A new voice and perspective on Tarot: Angelo Nasios shares his accumulated knowledge in Tarot Unlocking the Arcana.

At 239 pages, this nice hardcover book covers a lot of information.

The book begins with a preface, an introduction, and a summary of the book’s section. In brief, what you will discover within this book is:

1. An introduction to the Tarot – an explanation of what makes up the Tarot deck, the purpose of the Tarot, myths, ideas on how it works, and suggestions to picking your deck.
2. How to get started with the Tarot – covers all the basics including wording and activating your question, a short overview of all the cards, reading reversal with examples, and more. 
3. Attributions to the Tarot – including astrology, elements, and numerology.
4. Tarot History, Religion, and Philosophy
5. Tarot Spreads – a collection of 20 spreads, including the popular Celtic Cross
6. Sample Readings – predictions of past news and media topics
7. Tarot Education and Taboos
8. The Minor Arcana – description, symbolism and meaning, and in the reading meaning
9. The Court Cards – elemental and astrology associations, along with description, symbolism and meaning, and in the reading meaning
10. The Major Arcana – an overview of each card and the in the reading meaning

Overall, this is a great book for beginners. It could also supply experienced readers with a fresh perspective of the Tarot.

Grab your copy at Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing.)