Shade
I was visiting a massive used bookstore in Mountain View and a friend pointed me to a section I had never seen before: shelves and shelves of Metaphysical pocket books, mostly from the 60s/70s/80s. Lo and behold there was a Tarot section and next to yellowed copies of Eden Grey's books I found The Sexual Key to the Tarot from 1971.
I had to buy a copy.
I was not disappointed.
I am only a few cards in so far but I would say reading it has been more of a fun romp than anything deeper. The language is a cornucopia of hyper-sexualized verbiage from the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Nearly every symbol is examined for its sexual suggestibility and everything is spelled out. Where Tarot Sutra's companion book was tactical in a blindfolds, feathers, backseats sort of way, this book explores the sexuality of the psyche, the Id, etc. We are treated to the inner and spiritual sexual expression suggested by the cards.
I know I sound like I am in hipster territory - enjoying a book from the 70s ironically but that isn't it. If this were written today it would have to get very, very heavy about certain topics. I'm certain a lot of the content could be deemed sexist. I wasn't sure how the book would treat LGBT topics and was delighted to see a mention of it in every card. The author has some funny ideas about gay folks and the most sensitive corners of the internet would probably declare the writing to be homophobic but I appreciate that the author was writing rather enthusiastically about us. There are no "trigger warnings" with this one.
I'm only a few cards in, so my opinion might change but I'm loving what I have read thus far. Has anyone else given this one a go?
I had to buy a copy.
I was not disappointed.
I am only a few cards in so far but I would say reading it has been more of a fun romp than anything deeper. The language is a cornucopia of hyper-sexualized verbiage from the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Nearly every symbol is examined for its sexual suggestibility and everything is spelled out. Where Tarot Sutra's companion book was tactical in a blindfolds, feathers, backseats sort of way, this book explores the sexuality of the psyche, the Id, etc. We are treated to the inner and spiritual sexual expression suggested by the cards.
I know I sound like I am in hipster territory - enjoying a book from the 70s ironically but that isn't it. If this were written today it would have to get very, very heavy about certain topics. I'm certain a lot of the content could be deemed sexist. I wasn't sure how the book would treat LGBT topics and was delighted to see a mention of it in every card. The author has some funny ideas about gay folks and the most sensitive corners of the internet would probably declare the writing to be homophobic but I appreciate that the author was writing rather enthusiastically about us. There are no "trigger warnings" with this one.
I'm only a few cards in, so my opinion might change but I'm loving what I have read thus far. Has anyone else given this one a go?