The Tarot Channel

Upcoming Releases in Tarot (Summer-Winter 2008)

Here's a preview of upcoming Tarot books, decks and bags for the latter part of 2008. Rachel Pollack will be coming out with two new releases (Tarot Wisdom and a re-issue of the Vertigo Tarot), and David Skibbins will be out with the fourth installment of his Tarot Card Mysteries series called The Hanged Man.

The much-anticipated second book in the Song of Montsegur series The Last Quest by Derek Armstrong comes out in October 2008, as does my Back in Time Tarot Book. Several Tarot decks will be coming out, too, including the Tarot for Hip Witches Kit, Frank Fradella's Undersea Tarot, Mystic Dreamer Tarot (with text by The Tarot Channel's own Barbara Moore) and the Initiatic Tarot of the Golden Dawn.

Below is the complete list for upcoming releases for Summer-Winter 2008. If you know of any other upcoming Tarot releases, please let us know!

The Secret Language of Tarot

Instead of simply giving the meanings of each card, this new book by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone identifies the symbols that recur throughout a Tarot deck. This novel approach enables readers to translate the pictorial symbolism from one deck to another.

The Ankh: The Key of Life

The cross and loop symbol known as the Ankh must be one of the most widely recognized images in the world. Originally associated with ancient Egypt, it gained wider popularity in the 1960s when it became a potent anti-war icon. The Ankh also features prominently in many tarot decks, including the Crowley/Harris Thoth deck as well as in several Egyptian-themed decks.

The Ankh: Key of Life boxed set includes a silver-coloured Ankh pendant on a black silk cord and an illustrated 88-page book about the Ankh's history and meaning. The book also covers how to use the Ankh as a ritual tool, prayer bead and pendulum. There are many black and white photographs and illustrations throughout the book.

The introduction is by Lon Milo DuQuette, the author of several books including The Magick of Aleister Crowley and The Book of Ordinary Oracles.

This set would make a perfect gift for anyone interested in ancient Egypt or the esoteric. (It would also be an ideal gift to give yourself!)

The Ankh: The Key of Life
By the Editors of Weiser Books, with an introduction by Lon Milo DuQuette
Published by Weiser Books
ISBN: 978-1-57863-410-1

-- Brian Stevenson --

Brian’s Website

In the Cards: Fame by Mariah Fredericks

Back in May 2007, I mentioned a new juvenile fiction series by Mariah Fredericks titled In the Cards. Geared towards 11-14 year-olds, the series features three girls--Anna, Eve and Syd--who inherit a Tarot deck.

In each book, one of the girls asks a specific question of the Tarot--and gets an answer. But what happens when the interpretation bumps up against reality? The girls soon realize that the cards--and life--aren't always what it seems.

I'm pleased to announce that Mariah's newest addition to the series--In the Cards: Fame--is now out. I just got my copy today and can't wait to dig in!

-- Janet Boyer

The Silence of Trees - ABNA Finalist

Tarot figures heavily in The Silence of Trees, a story by Valya Dudycz Lupescu. Valya's novel has made it to Amazon's Breakthrough Novelist Award Semi-finals. You can download a free copy from Amazon.com here. If you like what you see, be sure to write a glowing review of the excerpt at Amazon.com!

To read a synopsis of the book, click here. To read Valya's story behind the book, click here. To view Nadya's Tarot spread and go deeper into the story, click here.

Good luck, Valya!

-- Janet Boyer

Llewellyn's Magical Almanac 2008

Every year Llewellyn publish their Magical Almanac – Practical Magic for Everyday Living. The 2008 Almanac includes over 60 articles by authors including Sorita D’Este, Janina Renee, Elizabeth Hazel and Christine Jette..Many of the authors are also professional Tarot readers and writers about Tarot.

The Tarot Reader 2008

Llewellyn have published a wonderful new book featuring dozens of short articles by some of the world’s top Tarot experts. 2008 is no exception and this year’s book contains a total of 34 articles by authors including Mary Greer, Mark McElroy, Rachel Pollack and Ruth Ann & Wald Amberzstone.

The Thoth Companion

Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot must be one of the most enigmatic and puzzling Tarot decks ever designed.

Written by ceremonial magician and Tarot expert Michael Osiris Snuffin, this new book examines all 78 cards within the context of Thelema, Qabala, and ceremonial magic. These explanations reveal valuable insights, significant correspondences and Crowley's numerous and sometimes obscure encoded secrets.

Back in Time Tarot - Upcoming Book by Janet Boyer

Hi all,

I'm thrilled to announce that I've signed a contract with Hampton Roads Publishing and that they are releasing my book in Fall 2008.

The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Card, Understand the Present uses an innovative technique I've created called the Back in Time (BIT) Method. Engaging, entertaining and insightful, the BIT Method Snapshots re-create scenes from pop culture, literature, history and personal experience using Tarot cards.

In addition to my own BIT Snapshots, over a dozen Tarot authors and deck creators have contributed their own take on my BIT Method in The Back in Time Tarot Book, including Mary K. Greer, Joan Bunning, Teresa Michelsen, Lisa Hunt, Mark McElroy, Riccardo Minetti, Zach Wong and other published luminaries.

You can read my specially created BIT Snapshots that aren't in The Back in Time Tarot Book in my regular column in Tarot World Magazine.

Feel free to stop by my AmazonConnect Blog to post your comments and questions or just to say "hi"!

-- Janet

The Isiac Tablet of Cardinal Bembo

Internet Sacred Text Archive is now featuring The Isiac Table of Cardinal Bembo, which W. Wynn Wescott, Eliphas Levi and Manly P. Hall believed was the key to the Tarot.