Classic Spiritual Texts

Recommended Books on the Spiritual Path and Mysticism)                                                               Return to Tarot Home

 

  Rating Christian / Mystical
essential reading 5 Praticial Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill

The most essential book in this list.

intermediate and advanced
reading
4.5  Mysticism:  A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousnessm by Evelyn Underhill

The most famous Western book on Mysticism  was first published in 1911. Long Regarded as a classic text, and written by the foremost authority on the subject, Mysticism remains the pre-eminent study of humanity's spiritual consciousness.

beginning  reading 4.5  The Cloud of Unknowingl

The most famous Western book on Mysticism  was first published in 1911. Long Regarded as a classic text, and written by the foremost authority on the subject, Mysticism remains the pre-eminent study of humanity's spiritual consciousness.

    Vedanta
intermediate 5 Bhagavad Gita:  

A discourse on the methods toward the attainment of liberation / Enlightenment.  The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of the concept o Dharma, theistic bhakti, the yogic ideals of moksha through jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga and Samkhya philosophy

advanced 4.5 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Must be studied with a mentor.

intermediate 4.5 Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, by Rachel Pollak

One of the best books on Tarot. Much too wordy and often meandering, but worth the read.

intermediate 4 Tarot as a Way of Life: A Jungian Approach to the Tarot, by Karen Hamaker-Zondag

Looking into the inner meaning of  Tarot.

    Buddhist
essential 4 The Awakening of Faith


The Awakening of Faith summarizes the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. It says that the Self and world, Mind and suchness, are integrally one. Everything is a carrier of that a priori enlightenment; all incipient enlightenment is predicated on it. The mystery of existence is, then, not, “How may we overcome alienation?” The challenge is, rather, “Why do we think we are lost in the first place?”
Divination 4 The Heart Sutra

This book looks at the esoteric, psychological and metaphysical systems that attempt to explain tarot divination.

Historical 5 Encyclopedia of the Tarot by Stuart Kaplan.

A huge, four volume (a 5th in development) set on the history of Tarot cards. Great fun and education to browse. A treasure.

    Taoism
anyone 5 Tao Te Ching, by Aleister Crowley.

 a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism

Advanced
Study
5 The Qabalistic Tarot: A Textbook of Mystical Philosophy, by Robert Wang

The single most important reference for Qabalistic Tarot. If you pursue the Hermetic study, this is an essential study of the symbolism of Tarot. Relates the Kabbalah, especially the Tree of Life (it's Sephirot and Paths) to each card of the Tarot. Presents images from four important decks: the Golden Dawn Tarot, the Thoth Tarot, the Rider-Waite Tarot, and the Marseilles deck.
 

 magik   Hermetic - Esoteric Magik
Thoth 4.5 The Thoth Companion by Michael Osiris Snuffin
A  very good introduction to the symbols of the Thoth, it could easily be expanded to 2-3 times it's length to cover more. Similar to the Banzhaf Hanbook in concept.
Thoth 4.5  
Spiritual   Spiritual/Intuitive Tarot
Spiritual 4 The Tarot of the Spirit, by Pamela Eakins.

Tarot as a spiritual practice. Uses the "Tarot of the Spirit" deck by Pamela's mother.

  4 Living the Qabalistic Tarot, by Amber Jayanti.

Brings Tarot philosophy into everyday life.

Kabbalah   Kabbalah Study
  5 The Essence of Kabbalah, by Brian L. Lancaster.

I have dozens of books on Kabbalah, this is easily the best introduction. It gives a real insight into what Kabbalah is, how it works as a path, and provides an entry into the real study of Kabbalah.

    SEE MORE Kabbalah books, on the Learning Kabbalah page
others   Other Tarot books
    The Thoth Tarot Dictionary and Compendium

Collects interpretations, symbols,  for each card from a wide range of sources.wide range of esoteric systems Magic, Kabbalah, Astrology, Mythology, Egyptian history and religion, Greek Myth and philosophy, Hermetics

     
    Terms
    Kabbalah - Jewish mystical tradition, used for insight into scriptures, and a path/framework to mystical insight/experience, insight into Reality, guidance, validation etc.
    Qabalah - generally used to indicate the use of Kabbalah as an occult and practical magical system;; used by Hermetics, Gnostics, Neoplatists, Rosicrucians, Tantra, Golden Dawn, Levi.
    Cabala - Christian adaptation used mostly for insight into the scriptures
   
Thoth Study Recommendations:

Get a large version of the deck and a magnifying glass, ((or the modern option of using a good large image computer scan))

You also need the Golden Dawn's "Book T" (Tarot) - Waite's/Crowley's original source, is in public domain, you can download it online from many sites

The Book of Thoth by Crowley
A++++ essential :: sometimes difficult reading (because of the wide-range of references), but very rewarding (i've read it at least 4 times)

Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot by DuQuette
B+:: will give some opening into Crowley's book, a good start; too many side comments (if you took out the humor and white space, it would be 1/2 the page count).. the best chapter is on the rosy cross (really excellent), definately worth the read

The Thoth Companion by Michael Osiris Snuffin
A- ... a very good introduction to the symbols of the Thoth, it could easily be expanded to 2-3 times it's length to cover more

Tarot as Your Companion by Banzhaf and Hemmerlein
A - very good (a good compliment to the Sunffin)

Keywords to the Crowley Tarot by Hanzhaf and Theler
A - useful

---others

An Introduction to the Golden Dawn Tarot by Robert Wang
(on the Book T)

The Golden Dawn (Regardie) includes the "Book T" , the essential source book for esoteric tarot


Crowley - 777 (or better, the new Complete Magician's Tables by Stephen Skinner )

The Qabalistic Tarot: A Textbook of Mystical Philosophy - Robert Wang
A+ (needs revision, you'll catch a few errors)

For other attributions/symbols

The Living I Ching: Using Ancient Chinese Wisdom to Shape Your Life: Books: Ming-dao Deng by Ming-dao Deng.


The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy of Personal Transformation by Dennis William Hauck

Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order by Israel Regardie

The Law Is For All: The Authorized Popular Commentary of Liber Al Vel Legis Sub Figura CCXX, the Book of the Law by Aleister Crowley "The study of this Book is forbidden. It is wise to destroy this copy after the first reading. Whosoever disregards this does so at his own risk and peril."
--
you'll find most of this forum's comments on the Thoth are quotes from these books

(oh, if you're new to tarot:: Banzhaf's Tarot as Your Companion: A Practical Guide to the Rider-Waite and Crowley Thoth Tarot Decks .. is the simplist way to learn to read tarot, with simple 4 card readings)

I have spent countless very enjoyable hours over many years searching out the details, symbols, the mysteries of the Thoth Deck

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Updated: November 18, 2011 09:03:14 PM