The book arrived!
I've had a look through it - sorted it out the best I can at this time. Maybe later, when I've gone more deeply into it I'll post again. here's my current take on it.
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Personal Prophesy. By Deborah Leigh and Elizabeth Rose. (283 pages).
This book is divided into 3 parts, with levels within each a part.
The whole book has touchy-feely, psychological slant. Relationships/emotions etc. (New-age psycho-stuff doesn't go down well with me.....).
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The first 30 pages of this are by way of an introduction and preparation. They bolster the 'intuitive' approach by way of personal affirmation(s).
The last page of this section erroneously states that the playing cards were derived from Tarot cards - and further declares that
"most historians agree..."!
As this book was published in 2003 I'm very surprised at the authors lack of knowledge! It is now commonly believed (due to historical research) that playing cards were derived from the Mamluk cards which first entered Italy and Spain.The Mamluk cards were re-worked for gaming, and later on the 'trionfi' (trumps) were designed in Italy and then added to the re-worked Mamluk deck. This 'enlarged' deck evolved into the present day 78 card 'Tarot'. (I wish all authors would
CHECK their facts!)
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The book proper begins with four chapters on the Suits. However the suits aren't catagorised into 'elements' etc. These chapters are a basic overview (beginners level) of each card in it's suit with a summary of the card meanings at the end. The emphasis is on 'intuitional' understandings, and it is stressed throughout the book that you should extend and develope these meanings via your own (growing) intuition.
Some meanings will be very familiar; Ace Hearts = Home. 9 Hearts = Wish card. etc. Oddly, all the Fours are rather negative.
No reason or structure for the card meanings are given, so you have to learn them off by heart.
Some indication of the Suit meanings is contained within the card text, and
appears to be;
Hearts: Loving, tender, sensitive-to-need.
Spades:: Very heavy emotional cards. (For the most part, negative)
Diamonds:: Developement, relationship, and acquisiton. In terms of their 'literal' meanings.
Clubs:: These are described as being cards of movement, active. They tend to psychological experences.
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The Personal Prophesy layout begins on page 61.
From here on in, the book moves into deeper & fuller information about the cards as used in readings, plus various spreads and the best way to assess the cards in relation to their Positions and accompanying cards.
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Part 3 begins at page 178 and focuses on various 'readings' and how best to view/handle them; For yourself / others, emotional & psychological involvement(s) etc. etc. And ends with a short section of Testimonials. This 3rd part of the book doesn't do anything for me - lots of affirmations etc. etc. If others find it useful or enlightening, please do post your findings here.
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The approach to the spreads is, to my mind, what makes this book worthwhile (for me). They can appear to be somewhat complicated, but therein is a 'method' for working quite specifically with a deck - once you're happy with your card-meanings.
........not too sure if it's worth the asking price though........
Bee