Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Atria Books (2016), Edition: Illustrated, 352 pages
Description
A guide for artists and creative people looking to tarot for guidance and inspiration. Written for novices and seasoned readers alike, "The Creative Tarot" is a unique guidebook that reimagines tarot cards and the ways they can boost the creative process.
Media reviews
But there is something transcendent at play for her when it comes to the tarot. She considers herself a religious person, and is intensely critical of the “new atheism.” She sees a renewed interest in tarot cards and other occult practices as a direct reaction to that kind of secular extremism.
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“We are uncomfortable with our irrational selves,” Crispin said. In her view, the irrational is something we need. And it is also, she added, “where all the interesting work comes from.” Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Silvernfire
I first learned about The Creative Tarot from a review in The New Yorker which somehow managed to completely mislead me as to what the book was about. Really, all the reviewer needed to say was that this is a book that applies the tarot to creativity—you know, what tht title says. Crispin's
The format is similar to other introductory tarot guides. There's an introduction with some history and an explanation of the structure of a tarot deck. Then Crispin goes through the deck one card at a time, giving a creativity-focused interpretation followed by a brief description of a few artists whose lives and work show off the theme of that card. She ends with a short recommended reading list of books and art that fit the card. Crispin wraps up the book with a chapter on spreads that again, focus on working creatively. These are spreads she designed herself. Appropriately for a book on creativity, she offers suggestions on how to design your own spreads.
The book isn't perfect. I would have liked to see some diagrams with the spreads on how to place the cards. A few mistakes slipped past the editors, one of which may confuse beginners (the Moon is card 18, not card 13, as it's described in the section on numbers in the last chapter). But if you're looking for some creative help, this may be just the right book for you.
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interpretations of the cards aren't going to help you much with questions about love, money, or your job. But there are plenty of other good tarot books that will, so this isn't a problem. Crispin looks at how the tarot can help you with your creativity, whether you write, dance, paint, or however you express yourself, and she does a pretty good job of it.The format is similar to other introductory tarot guides. There's an introduction with some history and an explanation of the structure of a tarot deck. Then Crispin goes through the deck one card at a time, giving a creativity-focused interpretation followed by a brief description of a few artists whose lives and work show off the theme of that card. She ends with a short recommended reading list of books and art that fit the card. Crispin wraps up the book with a chapter on spreads that again, focus on working creatively. These are spreads she designed herself. Appropriately for a book on creativity, she offers suggestions on how to design your own spreads.
The book isn't perfect. I would have liked to see some diagrams with the spreads on how to place the cards. A few mistakes slipped past the editors, one of which may confuse beginners (the Moon is card 18, not card 13, as it's described in the section on numbers in the last chapter). But if you're looking for some creative help, this may be just the right book for you.
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LibraryThing member celticlady53
I have always been interested in the Tarot and have dabbled a bit over the past 30 years. I was never really successful and I wish that there had been a book like this back then. The Creative Tarot gives the reader a history of the tarot and the Artists that created the card designs and the meaning
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behind each one. The author also goes a bit into her experience with tarot. The reader also learns how to do a reading, from setting up the cards, learning about the cards, choosing a deck, and then decphiring the meaning behind the cards. You can also learn how to do a reading for someone else! What I liked about the book was that each card was thoroughly explained and that there were listings of other resources in which to learn more. If you are interested in learning more about the tarot, give this book a try! Show Less
LibraryThing member jen.e.moore
I was not expecting to read this book straight through, card meanings and all (even after reading a review that said the same thing!). Crispin does a brilliant job of connecting the cards to the creative process, offering up examples and inspirations along the way. I'll definitely be coming back to
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this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member Gingermama
This book would be a useful addition to any collection on the study of tarot. It considers the cards specifically as they relate to our creativity. While I would recommend that someone new to tarot begin with a more general guide to the meaning of each card, this book offers a more refined view.
The
The
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author has a very entertaining writing style, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Show Less
LibraryThing member tldegray
The tarot reinterpreted through the lens of creativity, including suggested readings/viewings/etc. to inspire you.
I'm fairly knowledgable in the tarot and couldn't wait to try a reading, especially since I've been blocked lately. I used the author's Finding Inspiration reading, comparing the
[I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.]
I'm fairly knowledgable in the tarot and couldn't wait to try a reading, especially since I've been blocked lately. I used the author's Finding Inspiration reading, comparing the
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book's card interpretations to the ones I've learned, and found them to be accurate and very helpfully slanted toward creativity. My reading was successful to the point that I wrote a bit. Well worth the read.[I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.]
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LibraryThing member being_b
Exactly what it says on the tin.
LibraryThing member gakgakg
One of the best tarot books I've read... Felt like I was just having a discussion with a (really smart) friend.
LibraryThing member spinsterrevival
I think the first time I read this, I was really just interested in finding out all the many tarot interpretations out there in the world. This time I was more interested in how Crispin relates the tarot to the creative life. I think she’s the only person who I’ve seen break down all the minor
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cards by number rather than grouping them in their suits, and it helped me to take them in better. I also really enjoyed how she talks about doing a reading as again it made me think about things in a new way. Show Less
LibraryThing member LibroLindsay
While I am by no means an expert on tarot, I dabble enough to be familiar and found this book to bring even more meaning to a reading. I really liked the author's focus on using the tarot to interpret and inform the creative process, along with the history of tarot, its influence on the arts, and
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suggestions of alternate spreads. I liked how she linked attributes of each card to specific artists, though the Recommended Materials section at the end of each discussion was redundant and thus not particularly provocative. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
352 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
9781501120237
Local notes
MJW