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Tarot Decoded: Understanding and Using Dignities and Correspondences
Most readers interested in tarot own a couple of different decks as well as some tarot "cookbooks" that explain the meaning of the cards and their symbolismlike Cliff Notes for tarot. These tarot tools result in fairly standard, mundane readings. But there is another level to tarota level that can turn an ordinary tarot reader into a true adept. Tarot Decoded transforms ordinary tarot readings into readings that are profound and even surprising by explaining the use and significance of tarot dignitaries. Tarot dignitaries are the interaction of the cards with each other in a spread and within a range of correspondences. Tarot author Elizabeth Hazel presents a concise, useable system for working with tarot dignities to add incredible depth to readings. One card placed next to another might not have a readily apparent connectionbut interpreting tarot dignities could make it very clear that one card enhances, or hinders, the meaning of another. The same is true for tarot neighborhoods within a spread as well as the entire reading. Using the Tarot Decoded system for working with tarot dignities can take anyone to the next level of tarot reading. The book offers a progressive look at the cards, their dignities, and their correspondences. With Hazel's advice and clear examplesand a little practicereadings take on a new depth, integration, and power.
190 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2012
Tarot Decoded
Elizabeth Hazel
Weiser Books, 2004
$18.95
ISBN: 1-57863-302-8
One of the many factors that separate amateur tarot students from the more serious tarot reader/scholar is the use of dignities (the relationship of cards in a tarot spread) and correspondences (relationships of tarot cards to other disciplines). Elizabeth Hazel’s Tarot Decoded does an excellent job of marrying the tarot with astrology primarily, but also discusses numerological influences of the cards as well.
Hazel’s discussion of the elements should be required reading for any metaphysical student regardless of specific discipline. Her descriptions are almost lyrical and poetic in nature, and they capture the essence of earth, air, fire, and water brilliantly. In many works, these don’t receive much treatment; I suspect that many authors rush over these in an almost “yeah, yeah, yeah, you know this but I have to say it anyway” sort of way. Hazel takes the amount of time required to really explain them, so that neophytes will not be lost but that advanced metaphysical students will take some knowledge away as well.
While you don’t need to be a professional astrologer to use this book, you will most definitely increase your knowledge of astrology here. Hazel links it up seamlessly with the tarot. You’ll want to bookmark the charts in the book, too. I would recommend having this book handy for that reason alone.
For me, where this book really shined was in how it left no stone unturned. Hazel really does a thorough job of exploring all of the areas where astrology and tarot meet: the elements; the modes (cardinal, fixed, and mutable qualities of the various signs); and correspondences with the astrological signs themselves as well as with the planets, showing in some cases both traditional and modern linkages (under “zodiacal dignities”, Scorpio’s ruler is listed as both Mars and Pluto, for example). This is especially important for the outer planets of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The Golden Dawn correspondences are referenced primarily, but other systems such as Thoth are also mentioned.
I especially enjoyed the numerological associations. Personally, I don’t take advantage of this aspect of the tarot as much as I should, and Hazel provides example interpretations for the different numbers, and for good measure adds the major arcana numerical associations to round it out. I never considered an overall interpretation if I draw all four tens in a reading, for example; Hazel’s explanation of “Total collapse of current life path, leading to rebirth in a new form” for this situation gave me a new perspective that I found refreshing.
You’ll also like the spreads and the demonstrations/interpretations throughout the book. I’ve been working with an astrological house spread for some time, but Hazel’s “Zodiac Spiral Spread” just blew me away. Her brief but clear analysis of the spread helps to internalize it more quickly.
The only “problem” you will have with this book is that there is so much fantastic information here that you’ll want to tackle all of these different types of dignities and correspondences right away. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a few different sets of flash cards—or an app for your smart phone—to start making them a permanent part of your tarot practice.
Tarot Decoded is an instant classic, and has become an important tool in my development as a tarot reader and an astrologer. I use it so much that it doesn’t make it to my shelf very often!
In short, I can’t think of a more comprehensive, well-written, serious book on tarot and astrology than Tarot Decoded, and I can’t recommend it enough for tarot students who are ready to take their individual practice to the next level.
Elizabeth Hazel
Weiser Books, 2004
$18.95
ISBN: 1-57863-302-8
One of the many factors that separate amateur tarot students from the more serious tarot reader/scholar is the use of dignities (the relationship of cards in a tarot spread) and correspondences (relationships of tarot cards to other disciplines). Elizabeth Hazel’s Tarot Decoded does an excellent job of marrying the tarot with astrology primarily, but also discusses numerological influences of the cards as well.
Hazel’s discussion of the elements should be required reading for any metaphysical student regardless of specific discipline. Her descriptions are almost lyrical and poetic in nature, and they capture the essence of earth, air, fire, and water brilliantly. In many works, these don’t receive much treatment; I suspect that many authors rush over these in an almost “yeah, yeah, yeah, you know this but I have to say it anyway” sort of way. Hazel takes the amount of time required to really explain them, so that neophytes will not be lost but that advanced metaphysical students will take some knowledge away as well.
While you don’t need to be a professional astrologer to use this book, you will most definitely increase your knowledge of astrology here. Hazel links it up seamlessly with the tarot. You’ll want to bookmark the charts in the book, too. I would recommend having this book handy for that reason alone.
For me, where this book really shined was in how it left no stone unturned. Hazel really does a thorough job of exploring all of the areas where astrology and tarot meet: the elements; the modes (cardinal, fixed, and mutable qualities of the various signs); and correspondences with the astrological signs themselves as well as with the planets, showing in some cases both traditional and modern linkages (under “zodiacal dignities”, Scorpio’s ruler is listed as both Mars and Pluto, for example). This is especially important for the outer planets of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The Golden Dawn correspondences are referenced primarily, but other systems such as Thoth are also mentioned.
I especially enjoyed the numerological associations. Personally, I don’t take advantage of this aspect of the tarot as much as I should, and Hazel provides example interpretations for the different numbers, and for good measure adds the major arcana numerical associations to round it out. I never considered an overall interpretation if I draw all four tens in a reading, for example; Hazel’s explanation of “Total collapse of current life path, leading to rebirth in a new form” for this situation gave me a new perspective that I found refreshing.
You’ll also like the spreads and the demonstrations/interpretations throughout the book. I’ve been working with an astrological house spread for some time, but Hazel’s “Zodiac Spiral Spread” just blew me away. Her brief but clear analysis of the spread helps to internalize it more quickly.
The only “problem” you will have with this book is that there is so much fantastic information here that you’ll want to tackle all of these different types of dignities and correspondences right away. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a few different sets of flash cards—or an app for your smart phone—to start making them a permanent part of your tarot practice.
Tarot Decoded is an instant classic, and has become an important tool in my development as a tarot reader and an astrologer. I use it so much that it doesn’t make it to my shelf very often!
In short, I can’t think of a more comprehensive, well-written, serious book on tarot and astrology than Tarot Decoded, and I can’t recommend it enough for tarot students who are ready to take their individual practice to the next level.
June 17, 2016
Though I finished reading this library book, I am not finished with the book. This is one to add to my collection and refer to over and over, hopefully going deeper with my tarot readings everytime. Rich, meaningful, and deep -- I recommend this to intermediate/advanced tarot readers that want to get more specific and precise with their readings.
December 2, 2018
A very complicated and in depth look at the dignity of tarot cards. It covers just about everything for complex and masterful tarot readings. If you are super into the tarot and are looking to up your game, Tarot Decoded might be for you.
May 17, 2017
Great advanced book for understanding correspondences and dignities
August 15, 2018
this is a really good book for those wanting to explore deeper aspects of tarot and getting to know the cards better. the downside, it's very dry to read.
January 3, 2017
If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews