The Shadow Tarot: Dancing With Demons by Linda Falorio


The Shadow Tarot: Dancing With Demons
Title : The Shadow Tarot: Dancing With Demons
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1466293942
ISBN-10 : 9781466293946
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 170
Publication : First published September 1, 2011

Linda Falorio, creator of the Occult bestseller, The Shadow Tarot, is an internationally recognized artist and writer. The Shadow Tarot, first published in 1988 has been distributed in countries all around the world and is in use on every continent of the Planet. This newly released and much anticipated edition of The Shadow Tarot includes full color images of all seventy-eight cards representing both Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards are based on the twenty-two paths of the Qliphoth described by Aleister Crowley in his Liber 231 and further embellished by Kenneth Grant in his The Nightside Of Eden. The Minor Arcana of this new edition arise from the entities described in the Goetia. The Shadow Tarot has been created as an exploration tool for delving into those areas of the psyche that find their reflection in the Collective Unconscious and the Archetypal Shadow. The images represent the Nightside of consciousness as opposed to our ordinary "dayside" reality. Through her art and writing Linda seeks to create a direct outré experience in the viewer of transforming states of self-awareness; to open Gates into vast, unexplored inner geographies of the psyche, finding beauty and power in the twistings and turnings of the Inner Labyrinth. The artist is also known for her magickal altarpieces, for magickal portraits and for interpreting personal symbols and dreams on canvas.

The Shadow Tarot: Dancing With Demons Reviews

  • Gaze Santos

    This book is a definite must-have for those who already own the deck of cards themselves. Especially since the imagery and symbolism deviates significantly from traditional tarot. The book pointed out many small details I had missed previously in the card's illustrations. This new edition comes with colour reproductions of all the cards, along with a description an interpretation, even including the minor arcana. Linda Falorio's main influence for this deck was Aleister Crowley's "Liber 231," and Kenneth Grant's "Nightside of Eden." Both books deal with the Qlippoth and the Tree of Death. Described by Kenneth Grant as the backside of the Kaballah and the Tree of Life. The Genii of Major Arcana, or Atu, are seen through the darkened lens of the Qlippoth. As such the Genii behind these cards or "Atu" are decidedly darker and negative in terms of energy, what the author Linda Falorio calls "shadow" energy. This is not to say they are evil, but rather that they tap into thoughts and energies that are more instinctual and subconscious, the thoughts and urges we tend to repress and ignore. Linda Falorio ties this concept to the demons of the Goetia and the fixed stars of ancient Sumerian astrology to create the Minor Arcana of the deck. She adds in liberal doses of Lovcraftian mythos, as well as Atlantian and Lemurian legends to tie it all together.
    This is not a Tarot deck for beginners. A familiarity with the traditional system is highly recommended to shed a contrasting understanding of the images and symbols used by Linda Falorio. Moreover, the spirits involved are less forgiving and do not suffer fools lightly. Throughout the writings, I felt that Linda Falorio was presenting the information about these entities through rose-tinted glasses. While I agree that learning to embrace our shadow selves is essential to achieving spiritual wholeness, it is not a task to be approached lightly. One must be willing to truly "know thyself" to the point of confronting things we don't like about ourselves. These entities represent these subconscious urges, and have a tendency to tip the balances towards irresponsible outcomes if one does not know how to handle them.
    That being said, there is an abundance of information within this fairly slim book. Some might even argue that it presents the information of "Nightside of Eden" in a more succinct and accessible manner. It certainly helps to have the beautiful card illustrations as visual references to these highly complex concepts.

  • Jim Amy

    Linda Falorio's companion book to her Shadow Tarot deck is very creative, alternative and esoteric. It puts a somewhat positive spin on the Genii of the Qliphothic paths, some Goetic Devils (/Angels?) and some fixed Stars. I highly recommend it. For people who already have the deck , it's all but obligatory.