Cerulean
The earliest copy I have of text for the "Key to the Tarot" by A.E. Waite evolved later to become "Pictorial Key to the Tarot".
It has some differences in it's text. Frank Jensen wrote in "The Waite-Smith Tarot" that A.E. Waite continued to revise the text over time.
The short, 'original' explanation of a layout down in Post #2 below is what later became known as the "Celtic Cross"
When I read the later version in the Pictorial Key to the Tarot, the additional explanation, the way Waite changed his numbering to make it clear it is a ten card spread, and the addition of the picture layout seems much clearer than the "original" short text below.
Although calling out 'what is behind you,' or 'what is beneath you' has a quaint phrasing that I seem to like and am glad that was kept in the versions of the text...
I was hoping people who have older "Key to the Tarot" historic set might comment if their text--originally published in a small blue book of 194 pages, as far as I know--if their copy of the text was closer to this version typed below.
And anyone who wants to read a more modern version:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/tarot/pkt/pkt0307.htm
I am also curious if the difference in the early text and the later text has any impact in the way you do your "Celtic Cross"? Is the text similar enough in both versions (old and new) that you would lay out your cards the same?
I seem to be struck by the differences at the moment. I don't know if you guys see any real differences in the way it is written...maybe the latest version is much better?
Thanks.
Cerulean
It has some differences in it's text. Frank Jensen wrote in "The Waite-Smith Tarot" that A.E. Waite continued to revise the text over time.
The short, 'original' explanation of a layout down in Post #2 below is what later became known as the "Celtic Cross"
When I read the later version in the Pictorial Key to the Tarot, the additional explanation, the way Waite changed his numbering to make it clear it is a ten card spread, and the addition of the picture layout seems much clearer than the "original" short text below.
Although calling out 'what is behind you,' or 'what is beneath you' has a quaint phrasing that I seem to like and am glad that was kept in the versions of the text...
I was hoping people who have older "Key to the Tarot" historic set might comment if their text--originally published in a small blue book of 194 pages, as far as I know--if their copy of the text was closer to this version typed below.
And anyone who wants to read a more modern version:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/tarot/pkt/pkt0307.htm
I am also curious if the difference in the early text and the later text has any impact in the way you do your "Celtic Cross"? Is the text similar enough in both versions (old and new) that you would lay out your cards the same?
I seem to be struck by the differences at the moment. I don't know if you guys see any real differences in the way it is written...maybe the latest version is much better?
Thanks.
Cerulean