"Tarot Spells" by Janina Renee

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 28 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Morgeinne	28 Mar 2002
This book doesn't have so much to do with actually reading the cards as it does to putting them to use in spells and magickworking...does anyone have this book? What do you think of it? I got it a year or so ago from my cousin (who wasn't using it, so she gave it to me), and it was partly what sparked my interest in actually cultivating the skill of reading tarot cards. However, I think some of the spells are very insightful and interesting...I have tried only one, and it seemed to work quite well. It's very interesting how she puts the cards in symbolic places to help enhance magickworking. Okay, discuss! Hehe...come on, don't tell me I'm the only one who has this book. <3 and Blessings -Morgeinne

DollChica	28 Mar 2002
I haven't seen this book. But I have another book that she wrote called "Tarot for a New Generation". It's geared for younger adults, but it has a bunch of great info. I'll have to hunt this "Tarot Spells" book of hers down.

harleen	29 Mar 2002
I have read "Tarot For A New Generation", and thought it was pretty good. I have been wanting to pick up "Tarot Spells" actually...after reading this, I think I will! :) love and light, Harleen

.dc	29 Mar 2002
I highly recommend this book. i have been into tarot way before i was into majick, so i bought it as my intro into majick. the first spell, a job spell for a friend, worked like a charm... and it opened the door for me to get into more basics of majickal workings. i've done some other spells from it and have a dedicated deck to use with the spells because sometimes you need to keep the layout for x amount of days to give the spell and energy more time to release. it's a great way to use the tarot for other purposes than just laying them out and reading them for yourself or others. it'll help build relationships with your deck and give you new perspectives on the cards and how they interact with your world. blessed be, .dc

StormCloud	29 Mar 2002
That's a great spell book - I've used it a lot. Another one you might enjoy is "Tarot Spellcaster : Over 40 Spells to Enhance Your Life With the Power of Tarot Magic" by Terry Donaldson. It's a little hardback with very colorful photos - the altars are just beautiful. I has a spell for each Major, then some generic spells using multiple cards.

MeeWah	29 Mar 2002
I have "Tarot Spells" & recommend it highly, too, for all the reasons .dc cited! I have other spellbooks but I prefer this one for the Tarot. I had been using the Robin Wood deck for ritualistic purposes anyway, so I was pleased to find it feels right & compatible with the book's spellwork. I tried using a different deck once & it was not the same.

Jimilyn	30 Mar 2002
I bought this book last fall but haven't used any of the spells yet. I had seen for a couple of months at my local Barnes and Noble and eventually bought it. Someone was probably not too happy with me because it had been perused frequently...the front cover is always slightly open and there are the dingy areas along the page edges showing that it had been handled and used. However, B&N got a new copy...so now I have the dirty copy and the store patron gets the crisp, clean copy to use. ;) LOL! From what I've looked at so far and taking into account my negligible knowledge of the topic, it appears to be a good book. After all, I did eventually break down and buy it. ;) Also, it has gotten some good recommendations from others on this thread. Jimilyn

DollChica	01 Apr 2002
Okay, I'm a lemming!!! Ordered this book yesterday. Can't wait for it to get here. That is al...

Major Tom	02 Apr 2002
I would highly recommend this book too - and for all the reasons already given. }) Spellwork with tarot is powerful stuff indeed...

catlin	02 Apr 2002
So do I. B/W I did the money and the job spell and both worked great! I got a new job without leasing company and several new tarot querents!!! Thanks Ms Renee!!!

DollChica	02 Apr 2002
I'm hoping that spell work will help with some of personal qualities that I want to change. I guess that you could call it character improvement. I also want to be able to use them to help my children. You know, improve their study habits and listening skills etc... Love and $$$ can come later :D

Silence Dogood	04 Apr 2002
I have the orignal release of Tarot Spells which came out before the Robin Wood deck was released...a note: Read everything thoroughly, since there are TYPOS! Be sure the card shown in the diagram is the card being described in the spell, since there are a few 'ooopsies' in the book!

Zhritza	04 Apr 2002
I just borrowed this book from my job. (No, I didn't pilfer it... they let us check things out from the store :) ) It has a good variety of everyday spells as well as some more intense ones, and it makes it very easy to get started doing the spells right away. You're given some optional opening rituals, but you're encouraged to improvise or to skip them if that feels right to you. Very hands-on and no-nonsense.

purplelady	04 Apr 2002
I bought this book because everyone recommended it so highly. And also the Robin Wood deck! I like the book a lot. It's pretty straightfoward and easy to implement. And the spell I did got results!

Silence Dogood	05 Apr 2002
What spell did you do, purplelady? Tell us! Tell us!

clsmith15	05 Apr 2002
I have this book and like it but I have done a few spells from it and they did not work. How long did it take for your spells to manifest? Claudia

purplelady	05 Apr 2002
Oh, o.k. silence! ;) and clsmith15! I don't have the book right here at the moment so I'll just do this from memory. I did the "spell for change", that's what it was called. Last summer , I wanted to move (to a new apartment) and was Really obsessed with having /wanting to. Long complicated story. But I felt I had to move but there were certain obstacles. So I wanted to "change" residences and also just wanted a lot of change (come to find out Afterward that my year card was "Wheel of change!) I just laid out the magician , the 8 of wands , one other card don't remember now. Also it happened to be the day of the week recommended in the book for that spell. And also recommended red and orange objects. So I just laid the cards on the table with a red candle and a special orange stone . I also read /spoke the spell and affirmations from book and wrote out on a paper the changes I wanted. Well I did move , when my lease was up, about a month , month and a half after spell was done. And there Was change! My spells almost always seem to work. Not always , but close. I don't know , maybe I'm just good at it! ? Oh , and I did use the Robin Wood deck shown in the book.

Silence Dogood	06 Apr 2002
clsmith - one of the spells worked overnight, but it took me a week to prepare the spell, and that energy building up had a lot to do with the success of the spell, I believe.

Lion-O	06 Apr 2002
This is slightly offtopic but could someone give me some extra information about Tarot and spellcasting ? This is really the first time I've heard about it and I'm wondering what to think of it, although I have some ideas ofcourse. Although I have no intention what so ever to practice this I do think it sounds intruiging.

Silence Dogood	06 Apr 2002
Once again, the cards are merely a focus to the spell. There are layouts for specific things, and the cards laid out in patterns, such as climbing 'up' from left to right to signify reaching for a goal, or placed in a diamond layout to show the four forces you will to call upon, etc. All the rituals (and you can make up your own) have a short opening ritual where you call on the powers to assist you, as section where you lay out the cards and define your purpose, another section where you meditate on the cards, a statement of purpose, and a closing. Sometimes the cards were chosen because the figures face each other ( it was designed for use with the Robin Wood deck, but it really doesn't matter), but there are many things in this book, such as finding a better job, home, etc, improving relationships, delaying aging, stopping viscious people or their anuimals. The spell to help find someone does work!

sarahenglish	06 Apr 2002
Part of me is very intrigued by the idea of tarot spells and part of me thinks that it is way way way out of my comfort zone. I don't mean to sound dumb, but is that part of the wicca tradition? What forces or powers are you invoking? I can think of lots of spells I'd love to do!

Silence Dogood	07 Apr 2002
Sarahenglish (Nice name) - you are calling on the elements to assist you, no demons or gorgons or beings with funny names you can't pronounce from dark places you don't want to know about. You go to a bookstore and read a copy for yourself--best way to find out! P.S. You don't have to work a spell to become Wiccan; you don't have to be Wiccan to cast a spell. Blowing out birthday candles is casting a spell. Saying a prayer of protection is casting a spell.

sarahenglish	07 Apr 2002
Thanks, I never thought about blowing candles out as a spell. I guess what you are saying, is that the cards act like a physical manifestation of a wish, just as blowing out candles on a cake. Is that right?

Silence Dogood	07 Apr 2002
An example will clarify -- "A Spell for General Business Success" (quoting from book here) This is a spell intended to give a magickal boost to an already established business. This spell emphysises financial increase: encouraging growth, bringing in more customers,and increasing prosperity. The 3 of Wands is the focal card in this pyramidal layout. It is the card that stands for "business" per se and it shows that business is brisk. It is bolstered by the Sun to assure that all is well, all elements growing and thriving, and the Ace of Pentacles for a constant flow of capital. (truncated explanation) -- The 3 Wands goes at the top of the pryamid. Think of your own business and consider how you have within you the power to meet all your challenges to make your business expand and prosper. To the left put down the Ace of Pentacles. Visualise yourself receiving money in one of your regular business transactions. Visualise your business increasing steadily - picture yourself as having the 'Midas Touch' To the Right ( books says left twice - told you there are typos) lay down the Sun, feeling it's warmth, you feel that you are bathed in gold. Envision your own image of success...etc., etc. The affirmation says things like: Success is Mine! I draw strength and I draw power. The forces are behind me I am on a roll, and I am in control of it! Still worried the Devil is going to pop up and make you sign your name in blood? }>

sarahenglish	08 Apr 2002
No, I dont think the devil is going to pop out at me, but can I rely on the old "Devil made me do it excuse" when I face Peter at the pearly gates? ROFLMAO Seriously, I think the spell is lovely. Now, to find a business!

DollChica	08 Apr 2002
Well the book came in the mail on Saturday and I tried my first spell yesterday. It was a focusing/motivation spell and uh...pardon the pun, it worked like a charm :D This book doesn't just focus on love and $$$. I give it dos jalapenos

Silence Dogood	09 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by DollChica Well the book came in the mail on Saturday and I tried my first spell yesterday... This book doesn't just focus on love and $$$. No - there's beauty and anti-aging spells, too! ( I found the silver chalice I needed in a junk store-- polished up really fine!)

clsmith15	11 Apr 2002
Silence Dogood - what did you to to prepare for the spell? One of the spells I did was to find someone - an animal. I have been depressed over a particular situation which has to do with the spells so perhaps that is effecting the manifestation?

meatbox666	15 Apr 2002
I had that book.........I bought it twice............but....the spells do not seem strong enough for me.........I know that one can modify them to fit their personal needs.....but..........The words were not (in the spell and visualizations) were not powerful enough in my opinion. I would recommend this book for people who would not touch a magick spell with a ten foot broomstick so they would be comfortable. It is sort of like a gate way to other magick.....Like soon one will get the Promethean itch and start exploring the 6 and 7th books of moses over time and soon the Lemegetton(sp? Its sort of like a Gateway drug ....like marijuana........then you want extacy,......then pcp.......lsd.....................crack.......etc...............................

MeeWah	15 Apr 2002
Meatbox666: The real power is in the self, in the practitioner. The cards & any other accoutrements are merely props to aid in the focus &/or to raise energy. There is also power in words, which can also express energy. As for the rest of your post: it is unclear. Are you speaking of spellwork as being addicting as drugs or just referring to drugs?

DeLani	15 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by meatbox666 I had that book.........I bought it twice............but....the spells do not seem strong enough for me.........I know that one can modify them to fit their personal needs.....but..........The words were not (in the spell and visualizations) were not powerful enough in my opinion. I would recommend this book for people who would not touch a magick spell with a ten foot broomstick so they would be comfortable. It is sort of like a gate way to other magick.....Like soon one will get the Promethean itch and start exploring the 6 and 7th books of moses over time and soon the Lemegetton(sp? Its sort of like a Gateway drug ....like marijuana........then you want extacy,......then pcp.......lsd.....................crack.......etc............................... Hi Meatbox, I really don't think that it's fair to call Marijuana a gateway drug. Most people who try it don't go on to anything "heavier." If you want to call anything a gateway drug, it would be alcohol. In fact, the people who do go on to "harder stuff" are usually pretty heavy drinkers, and had been drinking before ever smoking pot. In the Netherlands, pot is tolerated, and they have an extremely low drug problem (as in people addicted to "hard drugs.") Any Netherlanders on the list?? Care to back me up on this? DeLani

jade	16 Apr 2002
i think that they were using it as an analogy.

Kaz	16 Apr 2002
i am from the netherlands, we have drugs problems, ofcourse we do, i can't compare it to other countries though, as i haven't lived in another, so that would be guessing from news in papers, which is not objevtive as these issues come up. softdrugs are "legal" in the way you can carry on you a specific max amount as for personal use. more than that, you can get busted as being a dealer. i know you can just buy it anywhere or grow the plants in your front yard, if not too many, i believe you can have 5 weedplants. maan and peter, maybe you know more about this, as i live in a real small village in the north, and my guess is you 2 are from bigger cities in the west where these things are more obvious. kaz

meatbox666	16 Apr 2002
Thanx Jade............... Guys I was using drugs as an analogy to how I felt about Janina Renees book,,,,Tarot spells........ Not drug abuse itself.... I know that the power lies in the individual.............but I feel that the words in the incantations/ visualizations do not bring out "my" Personal power. That is all I am saying. The book is a little tooooooooooooooooo candy azz. I am not trying to offend anyone,.........I swear.................. cross my heart.......hope to die.......stick a needle in my eye.... ................. Everyone on this thread.....you all seem very nice and have really good suggestions/ replies......... I am stating my own opinions based on the experiences I had with the book. I have tried the spells .. I threwit away. I remember one visualization stated ...see yourself in a sea of stars...............I need more...."I" need more than that. I LIKE THE LAYOUT OF THE CARDS...........sHE DID A WONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDERFUL JOB WITH THAT...........sHE EVEN says that you can use flowers and crystals also....( I dont use those things on my altar but it is cool if you do) lol, I have Rocks from graveyards on my altar, LOL........really.......... I do and they are cool...

DollChica	16 Apr 2002
I think that the book is more for people who are just getting into the spell game. It gives them ideas. But for someone who has been doing spells for a while, it may not be enough. When I was doing one spell, the directions, atmosphere etc... wasn't strong enough, so I opened all the windows in my room. Then the spell clicked. It's just a guidebook and she comes right out and admits it. In the FAQ section in the back of the book, she encourages people to go out and create their own spells.

Major Tom	18 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by meatbox666 I remember one visualization stated ...see yourself in a sea of stars...............I need more...."I" need more than that. I LIKE THE LAYOUT OF THE CARDS...........sHE DID A WONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDERFUL JOB WITH THAT...........sHE EVEN says that you can use flowers and crystals also....( I dont use those things on my altar but it is cool if you do) lol, I have Rocks from graveyards on my altar, LOL........really.......... I do and they are cool... LOL! We're a pretty etheral bunch! I suppose your graveyard stones represent the element earth? Take the place of the pentacle? Cool. })

Maan	19 Apr 2002
To answer Kaz i know a little about drug problems in The Netherlands 'cause i read some studies about it. ( i'm learning to be a social worker) Well and i'm a student so i know a lot of people that use drugs.;) Anyway the drug relating crime's numbers are lower here than in the rest of Europe. And totally disapear in compere with the numbers from the States But whe have more people dying from an overdose. But that is because whe have a lot of foreigners that come to The Netherlands for drugs. There bodies are conditioned ( pavlov reaction)to drug use in there own home. By getting drugs anywhere else the body isn't prepered for the drugs and can't handle the same amount it usually can. Oke sorry for going on but it is one of my favourite subject being fore the legalication of soft drugs! Love and Light Maan

MystiqueMoonlight	23 Apr 2002
Greetings all.... Firstly I would like to express how wonderful you all are. Your ideas are so co-existant and opinions so heart felt and genuine. I am so happy to be a part of this network. With regards to spellworking I tend to agree with you all on this even though your opinions are similar and different. A good witch (seeker, magician, practioner etc) always uses those ideas and methods which works for him or her. If the Tarot method of spellworking is too "soft" then add something more to it like "opening a window". Secondly how do any of you think these books would work with some other deck such as the Thoth or Haindl? I value your opinions... Blessed be and may the silver light of the Moon Mother forever guide you all on your paths to discovery.

The "Tarot Spells" by Janina Renee thread was originally posted on 28 Mar 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.