REVIEW: Tarot Dynamics Unleashed

R E V I E W

Tarot Dynamics Unleashed
by Anna Burroughs Cook
Paperback: 282 pages
Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Black and white illustrations
Kima Global Publishers
ISBN 978-1-920533-07-6 

 

To read my review of the original Tarot Dynamics book, click HERE.

PRODUCT SUMMARY

"Using the same “reader-friendly” tone Tarot Dynamics Unleashed enables your Tarot Cards to take your intuition even farther! Although your old favorites -- such as our Do’s and Don’ts; Five basic keywords accompanied by definitions that apply to today’s situations; Basic Tarot Spread information that enables you to conduct accurate Tarot readings even from decks that contain more symbols than pictures; and formatting that enables you to use the 78 card Tarot card deck of YOUR choice -- are all still here, their additional detail makes them more exciting and important than ever, and they’re traveling with a great deal of new and exciting information that includes:
• Why you should and how you can easily improve the accuracy of your readings with Numerology.
• A section that quickly, clearly and finally reveals the first true “missing-link” between Tarot and Astrology!
• An explanation for the significance of “Fallen Cards” and how to read them!
• Best of all, each Numerological and Astrological “how-to” will quickly expand your understanding of the Tarot Tarot-without creating unnecessary confusion."

THE AUTHOR

Anna Burroughs Cook began to develop her psychic ability by reading the Tarot (and tea leaves) part-time in 1979 at Cays Tea-Room on 4th and Prospect in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. She studied Numerology and learned to erect Astrology charts “by hand” under the tutelage of two top astrologers in the Midwest Region way back in the “BC” (Before Computers) days. For more than 30 years now she has been reading and interpreting the Tarot as well as teaching and lecturing on the Tarot and psychic development. She has a wide base of clients across the United States, Canada and Great Britain as well as throughout her home state of Ohio. Cook has been teaching her "Tarot Dynamics" system since 2003. In 2009, her first book, Tarot Dynamics, was published.

BASIC INFORMATION / APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY / ART

A paperback measuring 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches, Tarot Dynamics Unleashed contains 282 pages of information. A black-and-white illustration from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck accompanies the description of each card. The paper is good quality, in a soft ivory color that is easy on the eyes.

The material is well organized and presented using subheads, boldface type, and bullet points to break up the text. The type is set in an easy-to-read size and style.

The Introduction contains a wealth of material, including the following subsections:

• Do's and Don'ts
• About Tarot Decks
• The Rider-Waite Smith (RWS) Tarot Format
• Selecting the Tarot Decks That Are Best for You
• "Working" Tarot Decks and Personal Tarot Decks
• After Purchasing Your Tarot Cards
• Intuition Versus Imagination
• Reading the Tarot
• Reading the Tarot for Other People
• Reading the Tarot for People at a Distance
• Reading Your Own Tarot Cards
• Your Tarot-Dynamic Definitions
• A Hint of Romance
• Differentiating between a Challenge and an Inconvenience
• Keeping Matters in Perspective
• For New Students
• Getting Ready to Read
• FAQ

In "Getting Ready to Read," Cook discusses the Tarot Dynamics method, with its five easy keywords and simple definitions that describe the functions for all five suits of the Tarot. She notes that after reading Numerology and The Divine Triangle by Faith Javane and Dusty Bunker in 1980, she adopted their numbering sequence (1-78) for the Tarot.

The book is further organized into ten chapters:
Chapter 1: About the Major Arcana
Chapter 2: About the Minor Arcana
Chapter 3: About Wands
Chapter 4: About Cups
Chapter 5: About Swords
Chapter 6: About Pentacles
Chapter 7: Timing, Numerology and Dropped Cards
Chapter 8: Tarot Dynamics in Action
Chapter 9: Majorities
Chapter 10: Tarot Dynamics & The Moon In Astrology

DETAILS / COMMENTS

Every card receives two pages of discussion and interpretation, beginning with a statement in italic type that sums up the main purpose of the card. Elaboration on the statement follows, along with a paragraph addressing how you might interpret the card in an "encouraging" situation, a "challenging" situation, at your best, and under pressure (or reversed). On the facing page we have the number of the card, the card title, Keywords, a word representing Personal Strength, a word representing Personal Weakness, and a few words For New Students.

In Chapter 2, "About the Minor Arcana," Cook provides detailed instructions on how to read "Subject Cards" (2 through 10 from any suit).

In the chapters related to each suit, we are given a Keyword, Element, Corresponding Astrological Signs, Corresponding Playing Card, and Function.

Chapter 7 provides information about Signature Cards, Timing Events, Timing and the Minor Arcana, Timing and the Major Arcana, Timing with the Tarot and Numerology, Putting Numerology to Work with Your Tarot Cards, Working with the Tarot's "Trigger" Numbers, and Fallen Cards ("What Falls to the Floor Comes to the Door"). Cook demonstrates how to combine numerology and the Tarot using a 3-card spread and Celtic Cross spread.

In Chapter 8 -- "Tarot Dynamics in Action" -- we are treated to a discussion of a one-card spread for personal guidance, a 3-card spread for personal enlightenment, and a detailed discussion of "Tarot Dynamics and the Celtic Cross." For the Celtic Cross, Cook provides insight into how each type of card (Major Arcana, Suits, Courts, Subject Cards) can be interpreted in each position of the spread.

Chapter 9 -- Majorities -- covers how we can interpret a predominance of one type of card, whether it be a Major, Court, or Subject Card (Pip).

In Chapter 10 -- Tarot Dynamics and the Moon in Astrology -- Cook provides a Horoscope Spread in which a card is drawn for each month of the year. After we take a moment to study the cards (to allow our own feelings and intuition to speak to us), we can use the "clues" Cook gives for interpreting Major Arcana, Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.

Also in Chapter 10 we are treated to "Tarot Dynamics and The Moon in Astrology." Cook shares this method for exploring conditions during various moon phases in her newsletters (click HERE to access them). I started working with this method in February, sharing the results on this blog: http://tarotnotes-majorandminor.blogspot.com/search/label/Tarot%20Dynamics . This information-packed chapter also includes Quick & Easy Lunar Factoids, Your Lunar Tarot Guide, and Your Lunar Tarot Tables.

BOTTOM LINE

I have been a big fan of Anna Cook's Tarot Dynamics System ever since I first learned of it. Currently, I use her method in most of the readings I do. Although I am far too Sagittarian to be tied to "one-and-only-one" method, this one has proved its worth to me on many occasions.

Anna Cook excels at clear explanations and descriptions, including examples and "for instances" throughout the book. I love the way she incorporates the Tarot-Numerology techniques of Faith Javane and Dusty Bunker (as presented in their book Numerology and the Divine Triangle).

Beginning Tarot students may struggle a bit as they try to assimilate all of the insights and information in this book. The more you know about Tarot, Astrology, and Numerology -- the quicker you will understand and be able to use the Tarot Dynamics system.

If you have no interest in weaving Tarot, Astrology, and Numerology together, this is probably not the book for you. If you are open to expanding your understanding of how these three disciplines work together, I encourage you to give Tarot Dynamics a try!

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In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.