I know. “Praise.” Say, what? What does this Benebell believe she is? It’s a term used by book and publishing professionals. Let’s get started. “Praise” in alphabetical order
“Benebell Wen is an erudite and personable guide to Tarot. It is essential reading for all Tarot students, as well as writers, artists, and anyone who is interested in the secrets of the human psyche. This book will help you if you are already a Tarot expert. This book will teach you everything you need to know about playing cards. Holistic Tarot has been a great resource for me as a poet. It provides insight, strengthens my intuition and helps me develop ideas. This is because the image-based language that Tarot uses takes us beyond our language center and into the unconscious. If you are apprehensive about ‘theoccult,’ remember that the word occult means ‘hidden’. The opposite could be ‘in plain view’ or illuminated’. Wen explains the symbology and how to use the cards in great detail and with great care. This book is a labour of love, and a joy to read.
– Amy Glynn (Greacen), Poet, and Author of A Modern Herbal
The Holistic Tarot has many facets. This book is filled with practical, clear advice for beginners and historical facts. It also contains explanations and scientific theories that will inspire experienced readers. This book is a treasure trove of practical advice that is appreciated by pragmatists, but also provides plenty of spiritual nourishment for those who are more spiritually inclined. The book is not only large in length and scope, it is also huge in all its content. Benebell Wen, who is also a tarot expert with different methods of reading cards, and I have very similar approaches. It was inspiring and educational for me to read her book.
– Anna Klaffinger Creator of the highly-acclaimed Anna K Tarot
Holistic Tarot provides a wealth of information on the cards. The author combines eastern and western traditions to offer readers 800 pages of valuable guidance about how to use the deck. Benebell Wen will undoubtedly be a major contributor to the crown of tarot literature.
Anthony Louis, M.D. Author of Tarot Beyond the Basics – Gain a deeper understanding of the meanings behind the cards and the Tarot plain and simple
“A well-informed, bright recasting of modern Tarot for sophisticated, modern audiences. Wen’s psychological flair is complemented by Eastern wisdom, to show tarots incredible mirroring abilities for “spiritual intelligence.” This is a fine addition to the literature on tarot.
Arthur Rosengarten, Ph.D. Author of Tarot and Psychology – Spectrums of Possibility and Tarot Of The Nine Paths: Advanced Tarot For Spiritual Travelers
“Between Holistic Tarot, Ms. Wen offers us a modern alchemical achievement. This unique approach combines wisdom from both the East and West, contemporary psychology and esoteric Tarot traditions with practical techniques. This ambitious work will inspire and provide food for thought, regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with it.
Barbara Moore, Author of The Gilded Tarot and The Steampunk Tarot Spreads, Tarot Spreads and Tarot For Beginners.
“Wen views Tarot as a psychological tool that you can use for your own decision-making and self-actualization. She also recommends it to others. Holistic Tarottruly covers many topics in Tarot studies. Wen’s efforts are admirable and Holistic will be a permanent fixture of the Tarot literary canon. Well done.”
Bonnie Cehovet is the author of Tarot and Rituals & You: The Power of Tarot and the Power of Ritual and Tarot Birth Cards and You and Women In Tarot
“Wow. “Wow. This is the best book I’ve ever read on Tarot. Holistic Tarot is the best book to learn how to read Tarot smartly. Holistic Tarot provides a wealth of information, including deep Tarot card meanings and Tarot reading techniques. It also offers intellectual perspectives on Tarot. This book is essential reading for any aspiring Tarot reader.
Brigit Esselmont is the author of Tarot Foundations, and The Ultimate Guide To Tarot Card Meanings.
” Holistic Tarot is the best book on the subject we’ve seen in a while. This large, yet user-friendly book contains all the information you need to know about the cards. This book is essential for any Tarot fan!
Chic and Tabatha Zicero are Chief Adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. They are also Authors of more than 20 books including The Golden Dawn Magical Tarot and Essential Golden Dawn.
Benebell Wen is one of our newest tarot voices. She has brought us Holistic Tarot. This comprehensive guide will help you develop your tarot practices. This book is essential for anyone who teaches or studies tarot. Wen offers a fresh, practical view of tarot as a tool to modern living. She also has a thorough understanding of the history and traditions of tarot.
Christiana Gaudet is the author of Tarot Tour Guide & Fortune Stellar
“Benebell Wen’s book is a strong demonstration of how organized and structured people can create from a simple set of Tarot cards. Wen is an excellent student. She takes lots of notes and loves the process of graphing her thoughts. It is not difficult for Wen to find patterns in what appears to be a jumble of shifting influences. These qualities make her an ideal candidate to combine the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot literature and create a practical guidebook for intermediate and beginning students.
“It is a plus that Wen also includes insights from her Chinese/Taiwanese cultural background. Holistic is a fitting title for her broad-based approach. Wen declares Tarot to be a “science” of the mind. She challenges herself to catalog the diverse range of ideas she has collected to create this set of ancient cards. You can see her synthetic approach throughout, combining theories and methods from many perspectives, including physics, magic and Chinese medicine.
“Partisans from one or more subsets of the Tarot family may not feel comfortable with this book, as it is an assemblage that is exclusive to Wen’s east/west exposures. However, western magi have been experimenting with Siberian, Arabic, Egyptian and Chinese practices since the Renaissance. This is easily shown in the Faust legend and the various grades of Masonic Studies. This mix of modalities shouldn’t be considered strange or irrelevant when it comes to Tarot. This is particularly true today, with the eagerness of the Chinese market for information about Tarot.
“I believe that this toy/tool is distinctly Western. If there were not legitimate points of intersection, both sides would benefit. I enjoyed Wen’s presentation of the 3×3 square (called “Lo Shu Square” in Chinese), the BaGua, and the Six Faiths as subjects for creating a spread. These cross-pollinations of cultures can be very enriching, provided that we don’t violate the essence of the Tarot deck while adapting.
Although Wen claims to have written an introduction work, her true beneficiaries will be people who want to turn their interest in Tarot into a profession. Half of the book was written by her students to help them create a service that includes reading Tarot cards. This section includes The Five Components of Circumstance and Assuaging Seekers when a Reading Seems Negative. The Setting of a Tarot reading and Energetic Supplements. Ethical Considerations of the Tarot. Tarot and Love. Tarot and Professional Development. Tarot to Build Resilience. Wen makes sure her students think deeply about the difficult and demanding responsibilities that come with making judgments about others’ lives. To help readers understand how to weave all the variables in a Tarot spread, she also provides many case studies.
“Reading Wen’s manuscript made me realize how developed our Art is in the 21st Century, as compared to the bare shelves of bookstores and formulaic texts that I encountered during my 1970’s Tarot awakening. The author did a great job of dispelling the self-defeating clichés and unspoken assumptions that still lurk around the edges Tarot practice. Wen’s older students will be able, with Holistic Tarot in hand, to reduce the novice stage of their study by several years.
Christine Payne-Towler Founder of the Tarot University, Author of Tarot of the Holy Light & The Underground Stream: Esoteric Tarot Revealed
” Holistic Tarot may be the best tarot guide on the market. It is also unique in that it combines western metaphysics with eastern mysticism. It is a remarkable tome that offers a modern, rational approach for tarot practice with notable elements of tradition. Holistic will be a stimulating and refreshing read for all tarot lovers.
Corrine Kenner is the author of Tarot and Astrology and Tarot for Writers. She also created the Wizards Tarot.
Holistic Tarot incorporates a model of cultural and psychological archetypes. This will help the modern reader to understand this ancient wisdom-based system. This book of spiritually intelligent guidance, beautifully written and easily accessible, is a welcome addition to the existing Tarot explanations.
– Dai Leon Author of Origins of the Tarot
“A complete revelation. This comprehensive, generous book is a treasure trove for both novice and experienced readers. Benebell Wen provides an in-depth explanation of tarot and teaches how to use it for self-discovery and insight.
– Emmi Freds Author of The Smart Girl’s Guide to Tarot
“This book is stunning and unlike any other personal Tarot books I have seen. Benebell has put her heart into these words and lessons. You can feel the connection on every page. Although I don’t use Tarot as a medium, I did find myself questioning my beliefs, just like every reader. It’s like a guidebook to life, waiting for you ask the question: “Is this real?” You will come to the same conclusion I did, with an open mind and heart.
– James Griffiths Spiritualist Medium, Resident Psychic at Newsquest
This book is sure to become a Tarot legend. This book contains extensive information, including card meanings, spreads, methodology and a wide range of theories about Tarot. Its greatest gift, however, is its gentle guidance in using the cards to help you find the answers you need to create the future that you want.
James Ricklef is the author of The Soul’s Journey, Finding Spiritual Messages In the Tarot. He also wrote the award-winning Tarot Tells The Tale and Tarot: The Whole Story.
Holistic Tarot offers more than a tarot book. It is an intelligent, thorough, and comprehensive overview of the Rider Waite Smith system. This guide is your only guide to understanding traditional tarot’s depth and variety as a medicine and medium for life-navigation within a new world. Bravo!”
James Wanless Ph.D. Author of Voyager Tarot, and Sustain Youself Cards
” Holistic Tarot moves gracefully between traditional, tried-and-true knowledge and creative, self generated discovery. Wen’s book is a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced tarot enthusiasts. It’s rich in sound advice, insightful processes and spreads that can be used for any occasion. It is important to make the tarot a practitioner’ instead of a ‘reader’. The cards can be used as a map to help you find breakthroughs and solutions.
– James Wells Evolutionary Tarot Consultant, Author of Evolutionary Tarot spreads, Tarot Circle Encounters and Tarot to Manifestation
“I have over 200 Tarot titles, but none of them could possibly be considered a ‘Tarot Bible.’ Until Benebell Wen’s Holistic Tarot. The author is not a believer in fortunetelling or future-telling but offers a blessing alternative to many Tarot books: an analytical and holistic approach, which methodically shows readers how to bring unconscious information into the forefront and decode universal symbolisms in search of conscious, creative solutions to all kinds of life situations. Ms. Wen’s attention to detail coupled with broad-based application–all infused with Eastern thought, Western esotericism and practical experience–is staggering: clever mnemonics, extensive charts, sample logs, templates, multiple spread deconstructions/explanations, Depth Diagnostics, numerous case studies, Pythagorean numerology, astrological considerations, Golden Dawn attributions, elemental affinities, an innovative Five Components of Circumstance layout…truly jaw-dropping. Would you like to see the Kabbalistic Tree Of Life with Tarot card assignment? It’s here. How about a mandala with decans and an at-a glance illustration showing each card in symbolic symbols? You got it. You can see why this is my ‘Tarot Bible.’ Add in the extensive keywords (upright, reversed), instructions on shuffling, professional reading advice, and so much more, and you’ll understand why I consider it a Tarot Bible. Although it’s not easy to impress the Queen of Swords with Holistic Tarot I am truly impressed.
Janet Boyer is the Author of Back in Time Tarot and Naked Tarot. She also reviews 365 Tarot Daily Affirmations.
“Like the tarot as an archetype for Wholeness, it immerses you into a multi-sensory universe of interpenetrating stories, images, and ideas. Holistic Tarot‘s intense information draws you into its Sensorium to help you feel the tarot’s breadth, depth, and reach into many realms of human experience.