TAROT 1-2-3
With Geraldine Amaral
Produced by Destiny Productions and 24/7 Video

A Review by Debbie Johnson

With this increasing interest in Tarot, newer and more creative means of expression are being found. The esoteric wisdom that began hundreds of years ago as a secret knowledge passed on from generation to generation only by word of mouth has found mediums in cards, books, and most recently, videotapes. One such videotape is Tarot 1-2-3 produced by Destiny Productions. It is an excellent example of how a new medium can embody and enhance an ancient wisdom.

Tarot 1-2-3 is a course on the basics of the Tarot. It is based on a beginner’s Tarot class taught by Geraldine Amaral, author of Tarot Celebrations. Destiny Productions’ selection of Ms. Amaral was an excellent choice, based on her vast knowledge of the subject and her many years of teaching experience. She is also an excellent communicator and, as seen in the videotape, has a commanding presence in the classroom.

Amaral states that although the Tarot is best known as a fortune-telling device, her interest is "related to the processes of the unconscious mind." She sees it as a "spiritual tool" in that it "allows us to understand our lives from a … more spiritual viewpoint." She believes that "how we respond to life, how we react to experiences, is far more important than what actually happens to us." And so for Amaral, the Tarot is primarily an introspective tool that we may use to understand our own inner behavioral patterns. Not only can the Tarot enlighten us about our strengths and weaknesses, it can inform us of any self-sabotaging behaviors we may have, as well as the means to change these behaviors.

Many believe the unconscious is a vast reservoir of knowledge and that the Tarot, when used as an introspective tool, is a way of "communicating with the wisdom of the unconscious mind." The symbolism found on the cards provides a channel for this to occur. But, while the symbolism is powerful, in that it provides access to one’s unconscious mind, the power does not lie in the images or the cards themselves, but rather lies in the reader and the querent.

The basics of a Tarot reading are reviewed, beginning with a brief discussion on the makeup of the Tarot deck. Since memorizing the meaning of the 78 cards can be overwhelming, Amaral suggests that the beginner start with the Major Arcana and the Aces of the four suits, which represent the energy of that suit. One by one, the basic and secondary meanings for each of the Major Arcana are given. Additionally for each card, a sample question is posed, and Amaral explains how the card would be interpreted if it appeared in a reading.

The formation of the question to be asked in the reading is also examined. The question should not be so specific as to limit the response of the unconscious mind, but rather should be broad enough to allow inclusion of other variables and dynamics. A helpful rule of thumb is to formulate the question as, "What do I most need to know about [the subject of interest to the querent]?"

The rituals for a tarot reading are clearly explained – from setting the mood and stage to closing the reading. A reading is then performed, reinforcing the basics just presented. In the reading, only the Major Arcana and the four Aces are used, demonstrating that one can still have a powerful and meaningful reading without using the Minor Arcana. All the rituals necessary for setting the mood and setting the stage are illustrated, from a sample blessing while shuffling the cards to proper formation of the question to be asked.

Tarot 1-2-3 offers an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in learning about the Tarot, but who may be unable to attend classes. The video personalizes instruction in a way that merely reading a book cannot. Viewing a reading has its advantages over reading about sample Tarot readings. Seeing the reading personalizes it; the reading becomes "real." When the videotape is used in conjunction with a basic text, such as Tarot Celebrations authored by Amaral, the student will come away with a better understanding of the concepts.

The graphics employed in the video are excellent. Cards appear before the viewer’s eyes as one "travels" through the stars, with intermittent flashing Tarot cards and commentary by Amaral. It definitely holds one’s interest.

One criticism regards the Tarot deck supplied with the videotape, the Rider-Waite Smith deck. In this deck, the Strength card is assigned number 11. In the majority of Tarot decks, however, Strength is assigned the number 8. Similarly, Justice is numbered 8 in the Rider-Waite Smith deck, although generally numbered 11 in the majority of decks. In the field of Tarot, this is known as the 8-11 controversy, and much has been written and debated on this subject. It would be better to provide a beginning student with a deck, such as the original Rider-Waite Tarot deck that has Strength numbered 8 and Justice numbered 11 to avoid confusion for the beginner down the road.

All in all, Tarot 1-2-3 is an excellent introduction into the world of Tarot. The video has much to offer for beginners and for those like myself who view themselves as "seasoned" Tarot readers. Not only were the meanings of the Major Arcana a good reminder of all the meanings a card can have, but also how the card can be viewed in different contexts was very informative. So whether you are a Tarot novice or someone with years of Tarot experience who just needs a good review of the meanings and concepts, I highly recommend this videotape. I hope this will be the first in a series of Tarot instructional videotapes to come.

Debbie began her study of the Tarot and the Qabalah over 20 years ago.  These interests, along with an interest in Carl Jung's theories, led her to seek a degree in Philosophy and Psychology.  She has been taking classes with Geraldine for nearly 9 years.  Her favorite decks include the Rider-Waite, Illuminated Tarot, and the Golden Dawn.  She is married and resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and her dog, Chelsea.