Tarot: Get the Whole Story
by James Rieklef Review
by Sherry Henderson
James Ricklef is a Tarot
reader, teacher, and writer. His first book, Tarot Tells the Tale,
explains how to read Tarot cards via sample readings for well-known
historical, mythical, and fictional characters. This book gives
simple three card layouts and is a wonderful guide for the beginning
Tarot student.
In his newest book, Tarot: Get the Whole Story, James gives us
a hands-on, experiential guide to Tarot layouts. He shows how to
use, create and interpret various spreads. He is inventive and
resourceful in his approach to getting answers, giving the reader
the opportunity to delve into some less commonly used spreads.
He introduces layouts that deal with specific questions, and even
suggests devising your own to meet the needs of a particular situation
or question.
The value to a seasoned tarot reader is obvious, but novice readers
who have an open mind can learn a great deal by combining reading
techniques in his previous book, Tarot Tells The Tale with the
various opportunities for different layouts in this book.
The in-depth interpretations clearly show how the cards and their
positions in spreads interrelate, making this perfect for anyone
seeking to expand their ability to understand and use the Tarot
cards. His easy writing style and interesting choice of topic means
you’ll be using this book regularly as a resource to answer
your questions and give new insights into your most difficult questions.
Not only is this book rich with an assortment of layouts, it also
contains valuable insights into how to use cards for timing of
events. For example each suit has a correspondence to a season.
Pentacles represent the earth and winter. Swords represent air
and autumn. Cups represent water and spring, while Wands represent
fire and summer. He also gives the astrological association for
all the Major Arcana cards. (note: different schools of thought
are not in exact agreement on these matters.)
In this book, you will find guidance for personal growth and transformation
as well as prediction. Several spreads are specific to the inner
quest. There are specifics for answering questions dealing with
issues such as self forgiveness, and personal fulfillment.
I am including one such
spread here in this article. This one is a “Relationship
Transformation Spread”. The following positions define the
reading
1. What are your problematic patterns in this relationship?
2. What are your fears in it?
3. How do you block love in it?
4. What do you need to let go of in order to make this relationship work?
5. How can you heal this relationship?
See the illustration to the right for the positions of the cards.
James would suggest that you try your own spread to better identify the problems
or the issues that you are dealing with whether it is a relationship, business,
or personal question. Combine his excellent advice with your own talents and
inventiveness for a reading that is sure to be right on target!
Sherry Henderson is the editor and publisher of Oracle 20/20 magazine.
She is the Director of The Inner Space and president of Atlantian
Mystery Schools. She teaches Tarot, Astrology, Psychic Development
and Kabbalah. She is available for private readings through The Inner
Space by appointment. 404-252-4540
