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 Reviews
Something told me I would love Corrine
Kenner’s new book, Tarot Journaling: Using the
Celtic Cross to Unveil Your Hidden Story.
Maybe it was the
author’s opening gambit -– a half-serious, half-cheeky "Cautionary
Note" -- or her utterly charming headshot photo, or the appendix
devoted to "Writing Prompts" that I first flipped to and immediately
devoured. Little did I know that I’d quickly enthrone this book
beside Mary K. Greer’s Tarot for Your Self and, with wild
enthusiasm, urge it upon any Tarot newbie or post-newbie. For anyone
who wants to develop intuitive skill and a deep knowledge of the
cards, Tarot Journaling -– the book and the practice -- will
work beautifully. Like Mark McElroy’s clever Tarot workbooks,
Tarot Journaling offers both an amazing breadth of imagination
and breathtaking thoroughness. For one example -– and I could offer
many -– check out Kenner’s exhaustive list of types of journals.
You’re sure to find something in these nine pages that you never
considered: If the thought of keeping a formal journal inhibits you,
use index cards; slip loose sheets of your Tarot-related journal
writing or illustrations into an artist’s portfolio; make audio
recordings of your insights. Please get this book even if you’re as
bored with the Celtic Cross layout as I am (or used to be -- thank
you, Corrine). Get it even if you’re really more interested in
journaling than in Tarot. Get it even if you’re absolutely sure you
don’t want to keep a journal of any kind whatsoever. The suggested
exercises make great tools for self-exploration (and Tarot deck
exploration) even if you never choose to write down a word of your
discoveries. Just don’t be surprised if, with Kenner’s resourceful
support, you do write, and write abundantly. (2005, Llewellyn
Worldwide. ISBN: 0-7387-0643-4 $12.95)
If you thought keeping a journal was
strictly the domain of teenage girls or garret-dwelling singletons
then think again. Journaling is set to be the new black.
Of course, we in the Tarot world have
known for YEARS the importance of squirreling stuff away in Woolies
ring-binders, but now we have an actual book published to show us
how to make the most of it.
Corrine Kenner has already published a
slew of Tarot books (including Tall Dark Stranger) and created
Llewellyn’s Tarot Calendar and has, therefore, tons of experience to
draw upon for this book on the delights of keeping a Tarot Journal.
The author has used the positions of the
Celtic Cross reading as her chapter templates for this book. As you
might expect, Chapter One is entitled What Covers You and the final
chapter, Chapter 10, is What Will Come. However, the actual chapters
don’t begin until page 21. Prior to that Kenner squeezes in lots of
ancillary information about choosing, personalising and storing the
right kind of journal for your kind of life style.
The content of the book itself leads the
reader (or should I say writer?) through the various stages
of the Celtic Cross and shows how they assist you in your own
personal journey in journaling.
The book is completed by Appendices providing exercises for Writing
Prompts, Conducting a
Reading and Guided Meditations, which are rather useful additions if
you haven’t done much of
this kind of exercise before.
To give you an idea of the content,
Chapter 4: What Grounds You covers using the journal as a
foundation for your work with the deck – using it for card
interpretations, card descriptions, daily
cards, creating a personal symbolic dictionary, spreads and layouts,
character sketches, going
inside the cards, conducting dialogues, timed writing, a creative
writing springboard….yes, this is
all in the one chapter. Each one detailed with hints and tips in
exploring that aspect further.
Truly, the idea of journaling is
explored so thoroughly that there is not a single aspect of writing
about the cards that is overlooked here, well, not that I could
think of anyway. Kenner has her
own website too and there are even downloadable pages, pdf
documents, that can help you create
your own journal. The woman has thought of everything!
http://www.corrinekenner.com/
For those considering buying Tarot
Journaling, it might be useful to point out that in her
Dedication, Kenner includes a thank you to her old Artist’s Way
group. As I was reading her
book, I did find similarities in approach to Julia Cameron’s
‘Artist’s Way’ books. Not in actual
content, I hasten to add – there is no plagerism going on here!
Perhaps its because I’m in the
middle of an Artist’s Way group myself makes me was super-sensitive
to similarities. And please
don’t let that detract you from buying the book!
I enjoyed the book and think that it
would make an ideal gift for someone who was considering
taking up journaling. There are masses of ideas to choose from and
readers are bound to find
suggestions that are useful not only in their Tarot writings but in
any creative field.
So, if you treated yourself or a loved one to a glorious leather
journal for Christmas, why not go
the extra mile and get your hands on Corrine’s new book to ensure
that your writing experience is
as fabulous as your new journal!
"Excellent Book on Using the Tarot for
Journaling"
Janet Boyer,
www.JanetBoyer.com
via
Amazon.com
With it rich symbolism, familiar
archetypes, and arresting images, the tarot is a perfect tool for
brainstorming, problem solving, and inspiration. In her book Tarot
Journaling, author Corrine Kenner explores various journaling
techniques for getting the most out of your "wicked pack of cards".
Using the famed Celtic Cross spread as a
template, Kenner explains how journaling with the Tarot can help you
spot roadblocks, uncover attitudes, generate insights, tune in to
your higher self, and create the future you want.
Your Self: Kenner discusses the various types of journals that you
can create using the tarot and the three P's of selecting the best
journal for your purposes: portability, price, and permanence.
What Covers You: The section covers the backdrop and surroundings of
the journaling process-including sacred space and ritual-as well as
several helpful charts of abbreviations to use in journaling. For
example, Kenner provides abbreviations for the Majors and Minors, as
well as a chart of astrological glyphs and a checklist for recording
pertinent facts during your journaling session.
What Crosses You: This helpful section deals with confronting the
inner critic, procrastination, overcoming writer's block, and
reviving a tired journal.
What Crowns You: Kenner addresses privacy issues when journaling, as
well as personal ethics.
What Grounds You: This is my favorite chapters in Tarot Journaling.
Kenner provides excellent exercises designed for getting to know
yourself-and the cards-on a more intimate level. For example, you
can play matchmaker with the cards, setting up "dates" between
characters from different cards. Or, try your hand at age
progression or regression. What was the Empress like when she was a
little girl? What kind of person will the baby in the Sun card grow
up to be?
What Lies Behind You: This section delves into exploring the past,
including re-working painful memories with the help of the Tarot. As
Kenner says, "While the process of rewriting history might not
change reality, it will change your attitude."
Your Self: Who do you think you are? Kenner shows you how to probe
your psyche with the use of the Tarot.
Your House: It's said that you can choose your friends, but you
can't choose your family. This section encourages journalers to
re-connect with family through writing prompts and karmic
exploration.
Your Hopes and Fears: Wish lists, success stories, unreasonable
fears and worst-case scenarios are intriguing (if not scary) places
to explore for a rich journaling session.
What Will Come: Kenner discusses psychic powers and development.
This is the only section that I found disappointing. The author
insinuates that many Tarot readers that call themselves "intuitives"
rather than "psychics" because of embarrassment. She says, "When we
call our gifts intuitive, we diminish them. We make them smaller. We
claim them as our own creations, and we trace their origin back to
our innermost selves, rather than accepting our psychic talent as a
gift from a power greater than ourselves."
Well, for some intuitives like me, we believe that we are One with
All That Is. God-or some mystical bestower of psychic gifts-isn't
"out there", but "in here". In my opinion, humans have been making
THEMSELVES "smaller" by projecting all that is good, benevolent, and
powerful "out there" rather than realizing the divinity inside.
Another small sticking point is that Kenner declares that
clairvoyance isn't always visual, but is most often "expressed as a
sudden flash of insight or understanding that springs suddenly into
one's consciousness." Actually, clairvoyance is French for "clear
seeing" and does, indeed, have to do with the visual realm. "Sudden
flashes of insight and understanding" is known as Claircognizance,
or "clear knowing".
The Appendices provide information like Tarot keywords and Minor
Arcana correspondences. Unfortunately, someone didn't catch a
mistake on the color correspondences. The attributions should be
Wands=Red, Cups=Blue, Swords=Yellow, and Pentacles=Green. Appendix
II gets 3 out of 4 wrong, attributing Yellow to Wands, Red to Cups,
and Blue to Swords.
Despite these errors, Tarot Journaling is an excellent book for both
experienced readers and those who know nothing about Tarot. Kenner
is an able guide, helping journalers navigate the deep waters of the
psyche while retaining a sense of play and joyful exploration.
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