Guest Author - Karen Artino
Nina Braden presents an intriguing and useful book to help you get the most out of your tarot deck - no matter which deck you choose to use. The essence of this book is the link between the tarot images and the archetypal or symbolic language of our subconscious. As Nina explains, "Tarot cards can be extremely useful in helping us to decipher the messages from our subconscious since the pictures on the cards speak in the language of the subconscious - the language of symbols and pictures and imagination.
Nina offers 47 exercises that will help you to learn the nuances and messages held within your tarot deck while guiding you in personal exploration. The goal of this book is to help you use your tarot cards as a portal into the mysterious yet richly enlightening realms of your inner being.
The author suggests that users combine the exercises with concise journaling about each exercise session. This reinforcing activity helps to extend the benefits of the tarot work plus gives room for further self discovery. If kept in a book, it also provides a written history of your personal journey with the cards. I know I have said over and over the importance of journaling, but it is the best way to learn.
The exercises are presented within four categories: Easy, Intermediate, Special Occasions and Situations and Self Discovery exercises. The themes of these exercises are diverse, ranging from affirmative activities such as: "A Spirituality of My Own," "Let My Sun Shine," and "Watching Over Me" to more painful and explorative ones like: "Lost in the Wasteland," "Show me the Meaning of Being Lonely," and "Lessons from Misfortune." Nina provides several exercises to help the reader explore relationships - a key area in most tarot reading sessions. Exercises focus on relationships with parents, lovers, spouses, children, friends, and ourselves. Some examples include the "My Mother, My Self," "Just You and Me," and "Dream Lover." As well, other exercises focus on life and our experience of it, including our relationships with schedules, our automobiles, abundance, vacations, responsibilities and organization.
The exercises in this book offer a wonderful and comprehensive system for self exploration. Doing all of the exercises would indeed demand time and energy to move through each and every exercise. Nina concludes by offering guidance in writing unique personalized self-discovery exercises. The whole point is to learn more about ourselves and what makes us tick. As Nina so eloquently concludes," For me, self discovery is about discovering the truth in the middle and about learning to live life in balance. Sometimes self-discovery is painful, showing me my flaws, weaknesses, and mistakes. Sometimes self-discovery is full of joy and thanksgiving, showing me blessings and gifts and strengths that I had ignored or believed nonexistent."
This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it no matter where you are on your tarot journey.
Karen Artino - Tarot Editor
