The Jungian Tarot and Its Archetypal Imagery

by Robert Wang

The Jungian Tarot and Its Archetypal Imagery is a companion book to The Jungian Tarot Deck . The product of five years of research in consultation with the scholars at the C.G. Jung Institutes in New York and in Zurich, it carefully explains how each archetype interacts with the others and how the tarot can be viewed as a mirror of the human condition. Each trump card refers to one aspect of the dualities that Jung believed to be the key to the life process which he taught one has the capacity to resolve and thereby know the true meaning of life. And insofar as the cards represent key archetypes such as "Mother," "Father," "Son" and "Daughter," the archetypes are considered cross-culturally and from the standpoints of many religions. For example, the High Priestess may be known as the Virgin Mary, as Isis, or as any pure and primary goddess.

Genres: Tarot, Psychology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Occult, New Age, Divination

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Andrew Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this was a thought provoking book in terms of learning the various contrary nature of archetypes and symbols. That Tarot can be so much more than trying to predict the future, but to learn one’s heart or as Jung stated, the stars/fate are written in your heart. The card readings and their contexts can be uncomfortable for our ego that clings to self importance, but just like exercising when you really don’t feel like it, it is important everyday to delve into the unconscious and bring up its elements to the light—I say this equally to myself, not as a preacher. That in terms of the hero myth, we long for that wonder and awe of the world of the child but this can be perverted by infantile regression like addiction to comfort or nostalgia where as the true brave heart has to face the present moment and sacrifice its jaded and escapist longing, to embrace the responsibilities of caring for fellow beings while gaining that wonder again though it is earned. Again, I say this last sentence not as preaching but as something I can better live by.

[madeline]

This book definitely offers a more interesting, thorough perspective of the archetypes behind the major arcana. I did find the obsession with the gender binary (masculine/feminine, male/female) to get a bit irritating, especially in the discussion of cards such as the high priestess, but I can also understand that this book is ultimately a product of the Jungian perspective. That said, it gave me some interesting new information to further my understanding of the major arcana and other rabbit holes to go down and research. I am glad I found it at the used book store :D

[Michael Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

To compare Camoin/Jodorowsky and R. Wang is useful in the way of parsing archetypes, symbols, and elements in the art work. The opportunities for self-reflection are helpful, in training the eye to discern, and training the mind to ask questions I wouldn't have considered, or would have walked away from before. It is worth a second pass so as to take some notes.

[Ermelinda Maglione · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy interesante visión del tarot desde la teoría de Jung pero se queda corto y no explica la totalidad de los símbolos y elementos específicos que aparecen en cada baraja. Además, se limita solo a los arcanos mayores.

[Teleri]

Even if it's a rehash, I'm certain Wang's careful research does it well. I'm betting he has a lot new to say.