Gnostic Tarot: Mandalas for Spiritual Transformation

by Lee Irwin

Book Overview

Gnostic Tarot presents an exciting new path for people who want to use the tarot as a guide for spiritual development. Lee Irwin synthesizes the more traditional forms of interpretation with a new esoteric method based on the contemporary theories of Hermetic and Gnostic spirituality. He has developed ten Mandalas (akin to tarot spreads) for you to use as meditative structures for contemplating the interconnection between the natural elements...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578630304
• ISBN13: 9781578630301
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Weiser Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Universal approach to the Tarot

It is really a good fortune to come by this rich and thorough study amongst so many books on tarot, who repeat approximately the same meanings on and on with just different words. Here a further step into the spiritual meaning of each arcane is decisively made. Tarot is here contemplated with a truly synthetic approach : gnosticism, alchemy, hermetism, Jung's process of individuation, all these approaches are restored in their original meaning, and their link to this universal fund of imagery and representations of the spiritual world, appearing in all religions and spiritual paths of development, is strongly established. Lee Irvin's method allows each student to create his/her visualization of this archetypal tarot, which he calls the Gnostic Tarot, and which is to be found nowhere if you look for material pack of cards. Gnostic Tarot is this living and ever-changing image (imago), with its aura of definite wisdom, which is the missing link between the whole variety of physical decks and the unknown and enigmatic Tarot of the origin. Once you have accessed to this archetypal tarot, each energy contributing to the arcanes become terribly vibrant ! One more discovery : the beautiful and hieratic Ravenswood Eastern Tarot, that is plain white and black, leaving it up to you to fill it up with your affinity colors. Out of print, alas ! Who could persuade its editor to reimpress this deck ? Its impassible and enigmatic figures evoke strongly the oriental stream of wisdom, where a philosophical and intellectual approach to spiritual unfoldment plays a major role.

Gnostic Tarot: Mandalas for Spiritual Transformation

I agree with the other reviews posted on this book. It is very well written and has a lot of really good information. Very in-depth. The book took me much deeper into each of the cards and provided much more information than anything else I have read on this subject. I can use my own cards just fine and still get deeper meaning reading this book. I agree with another reviewer that it is more about getting past the cards themselves. The book was highly recommended to me and I now recommend it to others. Good work.

Importance of Imagination

This book gives a great presentation on the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of the Tarot. Irwin sets forth a modern view of what is Gnosticism, and discusses it very well. He emphasizes the use of one's imagination as a tool to be used in interpreting the Tarot Cards. He gives some pointers as to how to develop the use of one's imagination. The Ravenswood Tarot, Waite Tarot, and Gnostic Tarot are discussed, in giving his interpretations of the cards in the Tarot deck. Unfortunately, there is no Gnostic Tarot deck to look at; you must use your imagination, using the Gnostic interpretations of the cards, to picture in your mind, as to how the cards might appear. I do think it would have been helpful, if such a deck existed, and hopefully Irwin will have one made soon. However, the existance of such a deck, might defeat the main point of this book, namely, the use of your imagination. Some interpretaions of the cards, given by Irwin, differ from some of the usual interpretations given for the cards, by others. But, I can't say that he is wrong. His opinion is as valid as anyone else's opinion. That is the beauty of studying Tarot. Everyone can develop his or her own opinion as to what each card represents. Two can look at the same card, and have two different interpretations. What might be the reason? It is set forth in this book, the use of IMAGINATION.

Integrity for the higher aspirant

truly a treasure of a find, for those looking for the "man or woman" behind the mask of tarot, this is it. Layer upon layer is tirelessly portrayed and woven here in the fabric of times and meaning. It's not for the faint of heart though, and definately anathema to gnostic commercialists like those who go for say divinci code, Hoeller, or Pagels (though pagels can be a fun romp in pseudo religious feminism.) As the title states the book is framed within it's own kind of like psychic mandala, where you see the pictures and forms, and stem away from the over embellishment of icons.. that's why i disagree with the other reviewer in saying i like to see a deck.. it's obviously not about that for Lee. GT is getting beyond the deck and getting into the heart of it's resonance with inner coils of humanity interspersed with the divine, it's as a mandala should be, creating space to align more fluently with the course of time, not as a linear thing, but as it is outside itself. The Uniqueness of GT i think stands alone, and is a very welcome addition to any truer seeker of what it's all about, but especially to the reader, tarot and gnostic alike, who cares to have that higher integrity, unlike so many who pass as mere "fortune tellers."

Inspirational

This book is a treasure for those who use the tarot for meditation or for personal spirituality. The Gnostic viewpoint on each card is well written, and the general information is good as well. It is a shame that there is not a Gnostic deck to go with this book, but perhaps there is one in the works. The use of the Ravenwood Eastern deck with it seems shallow.