The Mythic Tarot Book

by Juliet Sharman-Burke, Liz Greene

First published in 1986, The Mythic Tarot is now established as a classic deck. Its beautiful cards depict the archetypal characters and life experiences of Greek mythology. Retold here in concise and accessible form by Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke, these dramatic and exciting tales reveal profound truths that are reflected in every facet of our lives today. Presented now in a distinctive new pack design, The Mythic Tarot is the complete package for both beginners and more experienced readers alike. It contains a 224 page illustrated guidebook, a full deck of 78 cards with stunning art by Tricia Newell and a cloth that can be used for card layouts and to keep the deck wrapped safely when the cards are not in use.

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Mythology, Reference, Wicca, Astrology

Hardcover

First published October 9, 1986

Reviews

[Elizabeth McIlhaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the original edition, wasn't aware of all the updates until today. Liz Greene is a British Jungian psychoanalyst and one of the world's most famous and respected Western astrologers (as opposed to Vedic astrologers). She is one of the founders of Astrodienst, an online astrological resource center based in Switzerland, possibly the most well known in the world. This book and the accompanying cards are beautifully done, both visually and intellectually. I have listened to many hours of her recorded lectures. Her understanding of symbolism to analyze and define the human condition is profound. She truly has been a great teacher for me, of so much more than merely astrology. The kit isn't astrological, but can be used by astrologers to enhance chart analysis. Basically this is yet another approach to Greek and Roman mythology, magnificently executed.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

In collaboration with Juliet Sharman-Burke, a psychotherapist, astrologer and tarot reader, leading astrologer and Jungian analyst Liz Greene has done with tarot more or less what she’s done with the planets: adapted their traditional interpretive meanings to match ancient Greek mythic narratives. I can’t help but think that this foregrounding of myth – intended to add psychological depth – has the effect of flattening these rich, and themselves ancient, traditions. But hey, since the true origins of tarot are long lost to us, no deck can ever be definitive. And Greene and Sharman-Burke’s interpretations offer more depth than most other popular guides to the cards. So it’s unfortunate that Tricia Newell’s artwork depicts each stage in the myth cycles so literally, its flatly unimaginative style better suited to a child’s schoolbook than to an adult’s occult tool, and thus lacks the evocative power of many more (and less) conventional decks.

Typically, the use of ancient Greek mythology as a source has produced a glaring gender imbalance, where the main protagonists – heroes, of course, however flawed – are Orestes (son of King Agamemnon), Jason + the Argonauts, Daedalus (father of Icarus), and the odd one out, Psyche (a human female obsessed with a male god) representing the suite of cups or feelings. Even the gender balance of the major arcana is skewed towards the masculine, with Strength symbolised by Heracles wrestling the lion, instead of the woman found in medieval versions of Arcanum VIII (or XI, depending on your deck)… or, eccentrically, X in this case; because, for obscure reasons (such as grouping the cardinal virtues together, but then where’s Prudence?), two other cards – the High Priestess and Temperance – have been relocated in the sequence (IV and IX respectively), inducing a weird dissonance for anyone used to a standard deck.

[Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

found at value village without a book or box and with a rubber band holding the cards together. love.

[Kit★]

I got this book and the cards back when I was in high school, and my friends and I used to do readings for ourselves all the time. Still have it, actually, it's something I'll probably keep hold of forever. It's been a long time since I did anything with them, but I still love them, especially how this deck is all about Greek mythology, which I've always loved.

[Ramya · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first tarot set bought at a whim at the then new Barnes and Noble that opened up near campus near end of my undergrad days. More like fell in love with the beauty of the whole tarot thing: tarot card illustrations, symbolism (this one based on greco-roman mythology), and deep, unfathomable and scary attraction of being able to “read” them without ever having been trained, ever practiced, or known such a thing existed.

That aside deck is beautiful and comes with elegant black cloth which I wish didn’t come embossed with celtic cross lay out since there are of course more ways to read cards than the celtic cross way (although it is thorough and powerful). I also wish it came with a cloth bag to hold cards. The book it come with is not very helpful which for me allowed creative growing into interpretation but maybe frustrating for others needing clearer guidance.

[Renetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This deck ties in the Greek mythology to all of the cards. It's more connecting the characters to each card than just whimsically giving definitions to interpret the reading. It offers a deeper way to relate to each card. This is something you'll want time to sit and study. I thought that another deck was my first one but finding this tucked away I remember now that this was. It was a bit overwhelming when I was just starting out. I think I find it a lot more interesting now that I have a better understanding of Tarot.

[Benni · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is specifically a review of the Spanish version published by edaf: El Tarot Mitico: Una nueva via la las cartas del tarot. Reviewing because some copies are still available on Book Depository, and Book Depository publishes only Goodreads reviews.

Received duplicate cards but missing one card. That may not affect every package, but also note that these cards are of a horrendous quality. I can safely say that my homemade tarot cards exceed the quality of these cards. They are thin, so roughly cut by dull edges that every edge is jagged and awful. Do not buy.

[Niki Walters]

I tried to read this book probably more than ten years ago and I just couldn't, it was like too rich food. As I've gotten older it's easier to absorb and I loved finally being able to dive into Greek myths. Some of the names and stories still didn't stick, but I have a much better understanding now.

[Vicki Miko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased The Mythic Tarot cards with its accompanying book about 16 years ago. My cards have lasted through thousands of shufflings and readings (to this day) and the book is highlighted, earmarked, and yellowed with age and the scent of sage.

[Stacia Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Greek mythology based stories behind the cards. The artwork is fabulous, too.

[Marion2404 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Livre très sympa. Les cartes sont bien expliquées seulement malgré les études de cas la méthode n'est pas très développée

[Spamistad Korarit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite all of time.

[Alexandra Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite tarot deck that I’ve owned since 1990. Beautiful images, great insight, and my go-to for readings.

[Alice Nunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

agora eu queria ter as cartas do tarô delas 😔

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tarot cards have intrigued me every since I've seen a deck. They're so pretty and mysterious and so different, yet so closely related in look to our familiar playing cards, and so many of the decks are rich in symbolism. I started collecting decks, and even reading them for friends for fun, even though I'm a thorough-going rationalist and don't believe they can be tools of divination. This particular book came with a deck of cards. It's subtitled "a new approach to tarot cards" but really from what I've seen this is very standard in terms of meanings of the cards and the spread--the standard Celtic Cross--I can't see anything new in the approach. Or at least, it's not in the book, but the design of the accompanying cards which are taken from Greek Myth. At least the chapter on "The Origins of the Tarot Cards" doesn't perpetuate the myth they come from Ancient Egypt or the Gypsies.

[Angelma'at · Rating 4 out of 5]

My starter Tarot. I got it and a deck in the early 2000s. The book was cheap and the cover started falling apart very quickly. It was a gift and I didn't know that there were so many decks and books about Tarot out there. Apparently I should learn on the Rider-Waite-Smith deck as so many tutorials use it, but the imagery and colors put me off.
I like the one that came with the book better. The book has many flaws, no reversals to name just one, but even as I begin to really learn Tarot, I will probably always check in with this book-if I can find a better copy!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving it a 4 on faith as I picked up my deck while travelling in Brazil. My version has very thin cardstock with solid black backs. Thought I was getting something different, then find out it's carried in the U.S., available in English. Oh well, so much for that. If you know your Greek mythology, images are simple, clear and easy to interpret. I woudn't have it as my only deck, but if you have a few and enjoy Greek mythology, it's fine.

[Lynn Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in what Joseph Campbell referred to as the Hero's Journey. It's the companion book to a tarot deck, and it's very psychologically sound, as is everything written by Liz Greene, a jungian analyst and astrologer. This book can be enjoyable read without any prior knowledge of astrology or myth.

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely had some fun with this book and the tarot cards that came with it. I really liked how these cards were myth based. That element made the cards easier to understand and more interesting to look at and read about.

[Andrea Howarth-Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way that mythology is interwoven with the traditional meaning of the tarot cards gives the reader more depth of understanding. This was the first tarot book I ever read and it certainly trained me well.

[Kate Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me and my friends entertained for AWHILE. Love it.

[Bigcaat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice images, flimsey cardstock. Great if you're into Greek Mythology.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply my favourite tarot deck. But sadly the imagery has been changed this year. So will this become a collectors item?

[Tempest · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this books explanation of the cards. It was the best one I found to learn tarot from. I found it useful and enjoyable to read.

[Teleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once owned this deck, based on Greek Mythology. \

[Teleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

REad my longer review where this set is listed above.

[Deb White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Very creative and helpful.

[Pixelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

New deck of the week The Mythic Tarot. The books looks great too. I need a refreshment in my mythology.

[Lisa]

acceptable, binding coming apart, book only

[Jovy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually my second tarot book...I like my first tarot book, this book to me is more for the serious tarot card readers. I'm not saying that its not informative because IT IS!!!