I’ve been on a bit of a book binge, and thought I’d share with you three of my most recent favorites.
None of them are about Tarot, but all of them get me to thinking about it.
Synchronicity
The first is Synchronicity: Through the Eyes of Science, Myth, and the Trickster, by Allan Combs and Mark Holland. I just loved this book.
It was first published back in the late 90’s, but it’s as interesting now as it would have been then. As you might expect, Carl Jung’s concept of synchronicity is thoroughly explained.
That in itself would make it a worthy read for any Tarot worker. But one of the things I especially like about this book, is that the authors have connected synchronicity to the archetype of the Trickster.
They describe him most often as Hermes, but he reminds me an awful lot of a combination between the Tarot’s Fool and Magician.
Like Tarot readings, not only do synchronistic events seem to happen at the border between the conscious and unconscious worlds, Hermes, or the Fool/Magician, is our guide through these experiences.
Though the authors don’t focus on Tarot symbolism, they have included an appendix specifically discussing PSI and synchronicity.
Biocentrism
Another recent favorite of mine is Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe by Robert Lanza MD, with Bob Berman, published in 2009.
The book maintains that consciousness is a key component to life in the universe. And according to Lanza, without it, there would be no universe.
It’s a fascinating book for so many reasons. But from a Tarot reader’s perspective, I was particularly interested in the chapters on the very flexible nature of time and space.
Heavy, mind spinning stuff, but a surprisingly entertaining read.
The Three Dangerous Magi
And finally, I’ve been enjoying The Three Dangerous Magi: Osho, Gurdjieff, Crowley. It was written by P.T. Mistlberger and published late last year.
Mistlberger’s perspective on these three 20th century masters is sympathetic, yet not overly romantic.
He sees them all as humans, but humans who made enormous contributions to spiritual understanding, and perhaps even awakening, in the West.
He examines their philosophies, their following, their personal lives and their legacies. And describes it all in the voice of someone who’s been there as both a teacher, and a disciple.
These three books might not have a lot in common, but they’ve all been getting me thinking. Maybe you’d like them too.
