In The Press

“St. Martin's Essentials has done both the world of Tarot and the world of occult history (two realms that overlap but are not entirely the same) a great service in bringing together this wide-ranging abundance of source material. Some of the texts are well-known, some obscure—and indeed, even the more famous ones are often hard to find—but together they create a portrait of a long and varied tradition.
This is a major contribution.”
—Rachel Pollack, bestselling author of Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom

"This single volume brings together esoteric tarot in all its depth and diversity – from the wisdom teachings that are the foundation of today’s tarot to ‘lost’ texts that deserve new attention. A goldmine for every tarot collector, practitioner, researcher and writer."—Liz Dean, author of The Ultimate Guide to Tarot

"This wonderful compendium presents many of the key texts that influenced 20th century esoteric tarot. Now any tarot user can understand how and why we read cards the way we do now." —Caitlín Matthews, author of Untold Tarot: The Lost Art of Reading Ancient Tarots

"This incredible collection of mystical and magickal thought brings together in a single volume the writings of some of history’s most noted tarot scholars, including Arthur Edward Waite, S.L. MacGregor Mathers, Éliphas Lévi, W. Wynn Westcott, P.D. Ouspensky, Oswald Wirth, and Manly P. Hall. Although these metaphysicians laid the foundations for our understanding of the tarot today, many of the ideas, interpretations, methods, and techniques presented here may be unfamiliar to contemporary tarot readers. The Tarot also contains valuable information and insights into astrology, numerology, the Kabalah, and mythology as they relate to the tarot. If you’re a serious student or practitioner of tarot, this compendium belongs in your library." —Skye Alexander, author of The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot

"This book is a must-have resource for anyone fascinated by the symbolism and history of the tarot. In a single volume the reader gains access to all the key primary texts related to the development of the tarot as a divinatory art. Tarot readers will find much to enrich their understanding of the meanings and uses of the cards over the past several centuries. In addition to its rich historical information, the text includes hundreds of pieces of artwork, and the publisher has reported that this impressive undertaking required a team of seven editors working for nearly three years. The final result is truly a labor of love, which every tarot enthusiast will want to add to their collection. " —Anthony Louis, author of Tarot Plan and Simple

"The Tarot is a rare book that promises life-long nourishment. It will inspire readers and practitioners through offering profound insights by people who have made the deepest studies of the subject. Diving into The Tarot made me realise how much profound information is missing from many modern tarot books. There are valuable discoveries on almost every page and within an hour of reading it, I was inspired to write another book on the subject. For readers who hunger for knowledge, this book provides a feast of information." —Paul Fenton-Smith, founder of Academy of Psychic Sciences and author of Advanced Tarot and Tarot Masterclass

"While the tarot itself remains an ever evolving mystery, The Tarot combines important historical theory in a comprehensive and beautiful wellspring of historical, occult texts that belong in the collection of every tarot enthusiast - from novice to advanced practitioner, and everyone in between." —Stefanie Caponi, author of Guided Tarot

"This generous compendium brings together several foundational documents from the onset of modern tarot—documents first conceived in the dim parlors and oak-panelled libraries of the early 20th century. It was a time when speculation was one narrow hair's breadth from belief; when the pack of cards we love could, and did, serve as a holder for all the exotic projections of the age. The resulting resource is a glorious, contradictory farrago of magical theory, cryptic symbols, correspondence tables, and arcane glyphs. It captures above all that yearning for mystery, that esoteric allure that practitioners of every era have found themselves unable to resist. And it allows the fearless reader (of books or cards alike) to sift through the past and decide for themselves what secrets they wish to forsake or embrace." —T. Susan Chang, author of Tarot Correspondences, Tarot Deciphered and 36 Secrets

"This massive, informative compilation pieces together ancient elements of divination, history, numerology, astrology, Christian prophecy, and even etymology from across the 19th and 20th centuries... those who are already well-versed in Tarot will love this sweeping collection."—Publishers Weekly

"I don’t know any tarot enthusiast who won’t want this book. Even beginners will be entranced by the wealth of knowledge and guidance offered in The Tarot". —New Spirit Journal