Review: Heart Vision - Tarot's Inner Path

I'm a moderately experienced tarot reader, but I mostly I use the cards for myself rather than for other people. I was therefore really interested in a new book called Heart Vision: Tarot’s Inner Path, by Michael Orlando Yaccarino, which is specifically aimed at solitary readers.

Publisher Mandrake says on its website

The mystical deck has fascinated both nonprofessional and paranormal scholar alike since its early development in the 15th century. Today, a myriad of books on using the cards to read for others is readily available. However, few works focus exclusively on the process of self-reading. Heart Vision: Tarot’s Inner Path is your in-depth, hands-on guide for a balanced path of discovery through the art of the solitary reading.

I found the book thought-provoking and original. As you would expect with a book about tarot, it offers meanings for all the cards. However, they are not necessarily the traditional interpretations, which I found refreshing.

In fact, the Micheal doesn't even recommend taking his interpretations as gospel. He supports using an intuitive approach when looking at cards drawn each time, but in a dialogue with book learning and previous knowledge.

The interpretations in Heart Vision also don't offer upright and reverse meanings. Instead, Michael writes about revealed and veiled aspects. All cards have these and they should be considered depending on the position or, indeed, for each card drawn.

At the end of the book there is a selection of spreads, but again these differ from the usual one-card, three-card or Celtic Cross suggestions. Although Michael does offer spreads using single cards, pairs, three or four cards and cross patterns, he emphasises looking for imbalances, trends and flows.

Another technique I really like is that of visualising the borders between the cards dissolving, to view the combined images as a full picture. This can offer a wider perspective than just regarding each card in turn.

I tried out the techniques suggested, considered the interpretations offered in the book and was very pleased with the results. I have learnt things that will improve my readings for myself - and also for others.

You can view Heart Vision on Amazon or order it through Mandrake.

Links and previous related posts
https://www.marchesacasati.com/
https://marchesacasati.wixsite.com/heartvisiontarot
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/12/review-tarot-masters-insights-from.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/04/review-ultimate-guide-to-tarot-spreads.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/05/review-isis-goddess-of-egypt-and-india.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/01/review-village-witch-life-as-village.html
https://mandrake.uk.net/