Welcome to Gateway To Tarot. As most of you know, this is my final newsletter. I will still be doing reviews and writing the occasional article, but I find my professional path leading in other directions. I want to thank each of you for taking this journey with me, and hope that you enjoy the information provided here.
The newsletter archives will remain up, so that you can review past issues for anything that may interest you. Newsletters from January 2003 on are archived on my site, BonnieCehovet.com.
As a thank you for being part of this journey, I will be gifting one of my readers with a copy of Emily Carding’s incredible “Transparent Tarot”. I will be gifting another reader with Paul Quinn’s “Tarot For Life – Reading the Cards for Everyday Guidance and Growth”. If you are interested in either the book or the deck, please e-mail me at bonniecehovet@gmail.com. Indicate in the subject line which item you are interested in (and you can be interested in both!). I will make a list of names and toss them into a hat, with the drawing taking place on October 31st (All Hallow’s Eve). Both the book and the deck hold incredible wisdom, and are an asset to any Tarot library.
Bonnie Cehovet, CTGM
Editor/chief bottle washer
A complete list of Tarot book reviews can be found at: BonnieCehovet.com/TarotBookReviews:
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/origins-of-the-tarot/ - Origins of the Tarot
http://aeclectic.net/books/for-writers – Tarot For Writers
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/books/navigators-mystic-sea - Navigators of the Mystic SEA Companion Book
A complete list of Tarot deck reviews can be found at: www.BonnieCehovet.com/TarotDeckReviews.html :
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/major-tom-marseilles-schiffer/review.shtml - Major Tom’s Tarot of Marseilles
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/legacy-divine/review.shtml – Legacy of the Divine Tarot
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/fairytale-hunt/review.shtml – Lisa Hunt’s Fairytale Tarot
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/navigators-mystic-sea/review.shtml – Navigator’s of the Mystic SEA Tarot
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/vampire-place/review.shtml – Robert M. Place’s Vampire Tarot
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/pirate-schiffer/review.shtml – The Pirate Tarot
A complete list of general (non-Tarot) book reviews can be found at: BonnieCehovet.com/GeneralBookReviews:
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/the-lost-symbol/ - The Lost Symbol
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/houses-of-new-orleans/ - Houses of New Orleans
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/moon-phases-a-symbolic-key/ Moon Phases – A Symbolic Key
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/outdoor-designs-for-living/ Outdoor Designs For Living
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/victorian-homes-of-san-francisco/ - Victorian Homes of San Francisco
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/haunts-of-western-oregon/ Haunts of Western Oregon
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/the-7-connections-to-happiness-and-harmony/ - The 7 Connections to Happiness and Harmony
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/workplace-spells/ - Workplace Spells
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/goddess-energy/ - Goddess Energy
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/the-rose-labyrinth/ - The Rose Labyrinth
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/tails-of-the-afterlife/ - Tails of the Afterlife
A complete list of general (non-Tarot) oracles reviews can be found at: http://BonnieCehovet.com/GeneralOracleReviews.html :
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/07/05/celebration-of-love-oracle-cards/ - Celebration of Love Oracle Cards
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/affirmations-for-the-everyday-goddess/ - Affirmations For the Everyday Goddess
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/madam-le-normands-fortune-telling-system/ Madam Le Normand’s Fortune Telling System
Blatant Self Promotion #1:
I have a compilation of previous book and deck reviews that I have placed in book format that I feel may be of interest. There are separate setions for books and decks, with the book section broken down into beginner, intermediate and advanced, and the deck section broken down into themes. It is available here: http://stores.lulu.com/bonniecehovet. The full table of contents can be found through the link below.
http://gatewaytotarot.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/tarot-in-review-table-of-contents/
Blatant Self Promotion #2:
As this is my final newsletter, I would like to share links to previous work that appears on the Aeclectic Tarot site (www.aeclectic.net/tarot) that I particularly enjoyed doing.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_hazel.shtml Interview tieh Elizabeth Hazel.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_flornoy.shtml Interview with Jena-Claud and Roxanne Flornoy.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_vampires_place.shtml Interview with Robert M. Place.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/magickal_mystery_tour.shtml Interview with Rachel Pollack.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_greer_pollack.shtml nterview with Mary Greer and Rachel Pollack.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_johanna_sherman.shtml Interview with Johanna Gargiulo-Sherman.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_gail_adrian.shtml Interview with Gail Adrian.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_place.shtml Interview With Robert M. Place.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_wanless.shtml Interview with James Wanless.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_tarot_dreams.shtml Interview with Ciro Marchetti and Lee Bursten.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_sakki_artist.shtml Interview with Monicka Cleo Sakki.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/interview_ando_cochran.shtml Interview with Arnell Ando and Leslie Cochran.
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/power_of_tarot.shtml The Power of Tarot In Your Life
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/learning_the_tarot.shtml Learning The Tarot
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/simple_tarot_reading.shtml Simple Steps To Performing A Tarot Reading
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/court_cards.shtml Court Cards in the Tarot
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/reversals.shtml Tarot Reversals
Note: The above articles are available for Aeclictic.net/tarot in a free e-book format.
http://aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/women_in_tarot.shtml This link leads to interviews with Christine Payne-Towler, Mary K. Greer, Rachel Pollack, Johanna Gargulo-Sherman, Valerie Sim and Sandra A. Thomson.
Creative Projects:
I thought that it would be interesting to find out what other people in the Tarot world had up their sleeves. The question that I asked them was this: “What creative projects do you have coming up – in the field of Tarot, or in any other field?” I asked the question in this manner because most people in the Tarot field also have creative projects in other fields. Thank each of you for responding, and sharing the work that you are doing!
Arnell Ando: Thanks for asking Bonnie! Some of my Tarot projects are ongoing, and I’ve new goals as well. This Fall I plan to attend the annual West Coast Tarot Symposium, known affectionately as BATS (Bay area). It’s always a fun & festive time with our left coast Tarot tribe. This year’s BATS will do a special tribute for the 100th anniversary of the Waite Smith deck and will be a 3 day event!
I’ve designed an artsy website dedicated to the living legend Osvaldo Menegazzi, Italian deck creator, publisher and artist: www.arnellart.com/osvaldo I continue to add his latest decks & art. You can place an order with Osvaldo in Milan or I can place group order for folks in the U.S.
I‘ve made a mini site to showcase Museo dei Tarocchi (Italy) with a description of the Tarot Museum & reviews of their decks: www.arnellart.com/museodeitarocchi/home.htm
Legendary Tarot historian, writer &, critic K. Frank Jensen of Denmark and I have co-created a site to document some of his enormous Tarot and Mail Art contributions over the decades. We continue to add both new and ‘classic’ material: www.manteia-online.dk
Artist Leslie Cochran & I hand make our sister decks, Dreamythology (Leslie’s): www.dreamythology.com/tarot_deck3.html and Lucky Pack Tarot (mine): www.arnellart.com/lucky-pack.htm
I hope to organize a Tarot themed tour to Italy to visit key places of historical and artistic significance. This is hopefully planned for fall 2010 (details to be posted on my site www.arnellart.com).
I continue to enjoy collecting & sharing Tarot decks with other Tarotists. I’ve just contributed 3 new cards to a collaborative deck on the Tarot Collector’s Forum. That exciting deck of international contributions will go to small print press later this year.
Janet Boyer: It appears that the Universe is directing me out of non-fiction writing and into fiction. My husband and I are also collaborating on several Tarot decks. It’s been an interesting year, to say the least! (http://janetboyer.com)
Raymond Buckland: I am presently working on a brand new Tarot deck and book, working with the fine artist Ray Wrublewski. We are in the early stages at the moment. Meanwhile, my “Buckland Romani Tarot” deck and book have been reprinted by Galde Press and are now available and there is the possibility that Red Wheel/Weiser may redo my old “Gypsy Fortunetelling Cards”.
Beyond the Tarot scene, RedWheel/Weiser is publishing “The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts” by myself, which will be out early September 2009, and “Buckland’s Book of Gypsy Magic” due in early 2010. My fantasy novel “The Torque of Kernow” came out in late 2008. (www.raybuckland.com)
Joanna Powell-Colbert: I am finishing up the final cards for the “Gaian Tarot”. It’s been nearly nine years since I first started so I am very happy to bring it out into the world, then move to other creative projects. Llewellyn will publish the deck in September 2011, but I will be releasing a Collector’s Edition in the spring of 2010. Please visit my website, www.gaiantarot.com, and sign up for my newsletter to hear more about it.
Meanwhile I am in the midst of overhauling my web design business, and have renamed it “Gaian Design” – www.gaiandesign.com. I specialize in creating websites (especially on the WordPress platform) for conscious businesses, holistic practitioners and creative professionals. The new site is a beauty and should be launched by the end of August (2009).
Toni Gilbert: My creative project is a book: Archetypal Vision. Observing and using archetypal energies in personal growth and healing. It will have a chapter on using archetypal astrology counseling in physical ailments. (www.tonigilbert.com)
Jordan Hoggard: As of Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone’s RS09 by the Tarot School earlier this year … My “Mysterium Tarot Coffee Table Book” project has evolved into a children’s book and deck package to be published by Schiffer Publications! Am keeping the format under wraps for now as it is wholly original, but suffice it to say that it is exciting and extra special, and I’m having a blast working on it! Looking to make a refreshingly original contribution to the Tarot community with this new project! Glad to be following Isha Lerner’s footsteps! (www.mystereum.com/)
Lothar (Triofi.com): The work begun on http://trionfi.com (documenting the history of the Tarot in the 14th and 15th century) is going to be completed. The long term goal is publishing a book on the subject (or perhaps two – a smaller one and, later, a larger one). For those that have been to Trionfi.com before, it has been reorganized and is well worth another visit or two! I am developing a new site – http://a-tarot.eu.
Stephanie Arwen Lynch: My creative project is a book that involves Tarot and food. I am also putting together a proposal for a book on Tarot and writing that goes deep into plotting and characterization. As Marilu Mann, my second novel will be out in print in the fall (it’s already available digitally) and book three in that series is being put to bed as I type. (www.tarotbyarwen.com)
Artur Machado: My project is about some rituals with Major Arcana, and also Herbal Baths with the power from Tarot. With these specific energetic baths it is possible to obtain more strength in the aura, more “balance” in life and (the ability to) see the light at the end of the tunnel in all problems. (www.mystika.com.br)
Rachel Pollack: Having done three books the past year I’m pulling back a bit, but I have an interesting new work coming out around the end of the year. It’s a comic called Genius, about a young woman who is the human link to the Akashic Library. I and the other people in the project are very excited about it, and hope to make it a series. Other than that, my year course is going wonderfully, and I’m continuing to work on, among other things, a new English version of he Tao Te Ching (not to be cofused with the I Ching). (www.rachelpollack.com)
Ellen Lorenzi-Prince: While I have several ideas for new Tarot decks and hope to produce another someday, my current creative focus is the urban fantasy novel I am writing. (www.queenofghosts.com)
James Ricklef: Right now I am working on a book about Tarot Affirmations. This book presents and explains a wide variety of affirmations that can be used with each of the Tarot cards. (It is also useful for deepening your understanding of the cards, since its discussions of the affirmations delve into the meaning of the cards as well.) These affirmations will help you address specific problems that you are having, produce general improvements in your life, and even help you progress along your spiritual path.
But why create affirmations that are associated with Tarot cards? One reason is that doing this helps create affirmations that are imbued with the Tarot’s wisdom. Another is that you can “transport” an affirmation into your subconscious mind by repeating it while you visualize or meditate upon an associated Tarot card.
One Tarot affirmation technique that this book presents, which is both easy and valuable, is to create an electronic image of the relevant Tarot card along with associated affirmations. Then set this image as the wallpaper on your computer so that you see it often.
I also want to note that in the book I focus on affirmations that are practical, attainable, and actionable, such as “I am staying focused on achieving my goals,” rathe than simple feel-good ones, which can elicit a negative reaction in some people. After all, nothing destroys the positive effects of an affirmation such as “I am a terrific person” faster than a little voice inside your head sneering “No you’re not; you’re completely unremarkable.” So, for example, instead of “I am lovable” you might use “I am improving my relationship skills,”, which is more actionab le than merely feel-good. Or you might use an affirmation that accentuates positive relationship skills that you already have or that are attainable for you, such as “I am generous and nurturing in my relationships.”
By the way, my current target is for this book to be available around the end of September. Updates can be seen here: www.jamesricklef.com/Booklet_AFF.html.
Note: James’ book can be purchased at www.createspace.com/3398140.
Sandra Thomson: I am working on a series of ways to read the Tarot or a lecture/class series to understand where one is in his/her life myth or to clarify life myths. I call it “Shamanistic Tarot”, as one of the purposes of a “real” shamanistic program is to teach us to re-examine our myths and adopt new ones.
I teach a Tuesday class every other week, which has been ongoing for over a year now. My Saturday once-a-month class resumes in September, after a two month break. This class is made up of professional women who, outside of class, do a great deal of work on themselves with the Tarot. They are working on their Certified Professional Tarot Reader (CPTR) level. I have a query about a new class, but details still have to be worked out, as this class would involve an hours travel each way on my part.
James Wells: My latest Tarot projects weave the concepts and imagery of Tarot with circle-based modes of communication and simple ceremony. By using Tarot with “PeerSpirit” circle methodology, “World Café” process, and elements of Joanna Macy’s “Work That Reconnects”. I notice a deepening of what matters to people, their love and appreciation for themselves and our world, and a greater commitment to offering life-sustaining ways of being. It’s exciting work and I look forward to taking it to new levels. http://jameswells.wordpress.com
Monte Farber and Amy Zerner: Thanks for reaching out to us. We have a new 160 page full-color tarot book that comes out as a Main Selection of the One Spirit Bookclub ( it comes with a deck and a pouch for the bookclub) in October, and then with Sterling Publishing in March as the book alone.
Here’s the description and cover & set-up shot:
TAROT SECRETS
A Fast & Easy Way to Learn a Powerful Ancient Art
by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber
Master the Secrets of Tarot Quickly and Easily!
Reading tarot cards can provide perceptive guidance about the past, the present, and even the future—information that can give you a clearer picture of your personal life and career. In this easy-to-understand guide, tarot experts Monte Farber and Amy Zerner make using any seventy-eight tarot deck fast, fun, and fascinating.
Everything You Need to Know to Read Tarot Like a Pro!
Tap into your inner powers and explore your psychic potential. Tarot Secrets helps you understand the present, predict the future, and manifest your goals. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it works!
* Read the cards of virtually any Tarot deck in minutes.
* There’s nothing to memorize! All seventy-eight cards are interpreted for you, in both the upright and reversed positions.
* Twelve Master Spread layouts show you how to answer any question.
* Learn how to ask the right questions so you receive clear answers.
* Become aware of unseen influences, patterns of behavior, obstacles, and strengths.
* Take Monte and Amy’s guided tour of the Major Arcana and learn the spiritual meaning of this ancient fable.
Designed to give you instant answers to life’s questions, Tarot Secrets offers a “Quick Read,” “Keywords” that trigger intuitive associations, plus the “Secret” of each card— the message you need to hear right now.
Learn the authors’ secret meaning for each of the seventy-eight cards, both upright and reversed, how to choose your deck, ask your questions, and perform single and multi-card readings with the twelve Master Spreads for detailed insights. Tarot Secrets simplifies this ancient art and offers effective tools to navigate the fast pace of modern life.
“Monte and Amy have created a beautiful and powerful system that reveals the mystery, magic, and meaning of the Tarot. Theirs is my favorite contemporary deck, and I use it often.”
—Marianne Williamson, author of Return to Love and Everyday Grace
Tarot Blogs of interest:
I placed this listing of blogs on a separate page, so that they would be easily accessable. Some have not been updated in a year or so, but they are of interest. Enjoy! http://gatewaytotarot.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/tarot-blogs/
Tarot Sites of Interest:
http://vimeo.com/1691027 Gaian Tarot Three Card Reading – Video Tarot reading by Joanna Powell Colbert.
http://buildyourmetaphysicalbusiness.com-BuildYourMetaphysialBusiness.com – Elizabeth Genco’s site on building a metaphysical business.
http://www.manteia-online.dk/deckreviews/contents.htm – K. Frank Jensen – deck reviews.
http://www.manteia-online.dk/bookreviews/contents.htm – K Frank Jensen – book reviews.
http://www.manteia-online.dk/ – K Frank Jensen – main site.
http://www.IshaLerner.com/home/is1/listitems77 – IshaLener.com- There is a wonderful section of articles here, including articles on flower essences, oracular consciousness, and the Emerald Tablets.
http://www.ishalerner.com/home/is1/page/967/77- “Be The Change That You Wish To See” – article by Isha Lerner.
http://www.kriwaldherr.com- Kris Waldherr.com – Kris Waldherr’s new site.
http://www.tarotprofessionals.com -TarotProfessionals.com - This is a newly formed Tarot organization based in the UK. The offerings include a full spectrum of courses, accreditation, chat, and free readings. Click on the moving cards at the bottom of the page!
Non-Tarot Sites of Interest:
http://TheAnubisOracle.com - The Anubis Oracle - This is the site for the “Anubis Oracle”. From Nicki’s newsletter: “The Anubis Oracle authored by Nicki Scully and Linda Star Wolf, illustrated by Kris Waldherr, is a shamanic guide to Inner Egypt, a place of mysteries, ancestral wisdom and abiding love that resides within each of us. It is a place where the archetypal deities and elemental spirits from the Egyptian pantheon lead us on a journey of divination designed to open our hearts and teach us the inner workings of the soul.”
http://www.mineralarts.com/artwork/BlackCatSociety.html – Black Cat Society – This link is to a non- Tarot, playing card divination deck in progress from Lorena B. Moore (Ironwing Tarot). It is a 52 card deck, with the addition of two Jokers and a title card. The suits are Claws, Paws, Fangs and Masks. The cards are done completely in black and white (scans are on the site). You can follow the deck’s progress on Lorena’s blog – http://ironwing.wordpress.com .
http://www.runemaker.com/wares/books – Runemaker.com- This is the order page for Runemaker Bob Oswald. He has a new book out entitled “Discovering The Runes” that covers not only basic Rune useage, but includes chapters on the runic pendulum, bindrunes, Gandr magic, runic transcription, rune graphics, a key word index, and a thorough selected bibliography. I subscribed to Bob Oswald’s newsletter for some time, and was quite pleased with his sharing of his wonderful Rune knowledge.
http://www.midnightinkbooks.com/ – Midnight Ink Books – A new mystery imprint from Llewellyn Worldwide
http://writerguard.com/ -WriterGuard.com – Copyright protection site for writers, musicians, artists
Online Divination Sites;
http://www.artandwords.com/goddesstarot/oracle.html - Kris Waldherr’s Goddess Tarot
http://theanubisoracle.com/index.php/oracle – The Anubis Oracle – Nicki Scully and Linda Star Wolf’s Egyptian themed oracle. Note: Illustrations done by Kris Waldherr.
http://www.artandwords.com/museo/loverspath/oracle.html- Kris Waldherr’s Lover’s Path Tarot
http://www.gaiantarot.com/oracle – www.gainantarot.com/oracle- Joanna Powell Colbert’s “Gaian Tarot”
http://www.tarotaffirmations.com/oracle/html -Dr. Sally Hill’s “Tarot Affirmations” deck.
http://www.thefool.com – www.thefool.com – The Victoria Regina Tarot
http://www.enchantedworld.com- Interactive site for Amy Zerner & Monty Farber (Enchanted Tarot)
http://www.voyagertarot.com- The Voyager Tarot</i> (James Wanless)
http://www.glowinthedarkpictures.com/iitarot/reading.html- Robin Ator’s “International Icon Tarot”
Tarot Newsletters:
Receive e-mail updates to Aeclectic Tarot (www.Aeclectic.net/Tarot) from Solandia at: www.aeclectic.net/tarot/join.html
Geraldine Amaral edits a Tarot print magazine, Celebrating The Tarot, that comes out on a yearly basis. For more information, see: http://www.tarotcelebrations.com – Tarot Journal - (www.tarotcelebrations.com/order%20Tarot%20Journal.htm )
Robert M. Place, artist and visionary, gifts us with a newsletter entitled The Restored Temple of Hermes. The newsletter will be coming out every other month, and will include articles and a question and answer section. To subscribe, please e-mail Robert Place at: rmp@juno.com with The Restored Temple of Hermes in the subject line.
Thank all of you who have joined me on this wonderful journey. May the future be well lit, and well traveled, for each of you.
© October 2009
No part of this newsletter may be reprinted without my express permission, in any venue, on line or off.
