Young Oracle Tarot: An Initiation into Tarot’s Mystic Wisdom

Gr 8 Up–This title briefly covers the history of tarot via an illustrated time line and includes a glossary of terms, the basis for tarot’s symbolism, how it’s viewed today, and how several modern decks have innovated the imagery to be more inclusive. Also included is a section on Pamela Coleman Smith, the artist behind the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, arguably the most well-known deck to date, and the deck this book examines as a starting point for beginners. Historically, Smith has tended to be overlooked in favor of her male collaborator (A.E. Waite) and the company that originally published the deck (Rider), so this is a nice touch. The book then covers both arcana, the four suits, and each card individually. Moody illustrations and glossy design aesthetics make this a very attractive book, especially to teens interested in the esoteric.