Recommended Reading List
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My #1 Recommendation
Promethea (1999-2005) by Alan Moore. Comic book series, America's Best Comics
This brilliant series is the best way to learn Hermetic Qabalah and Western Esotericism for visual learners. This comic book covers tarot, Qabalah, Hermeticism, aspects of sex magick, and more, in total visual splendor.
My Book
Tarot Mysticism: The Psycho-Spiritual Technology of the Thoth Tarot by Joe Monteleone
Explore the perennial philosophy through various mystical traditions and the Thoth tarot, a great supplement to Tarot Mysticism Academy's Master Curriculum.
"Tarot Mysticism guides you through the Thoth Tarot, providing each card's symbolism and connections to Qabalah, numerology, and occult philosophy. This book also features illustrations, practical exercises, and historical research to enhance your journey toward enlightenment. With Joe's guidance, you can traverse different levels of consciousness, understand symbolism with higher sophistication, and realize the unity between the universe and yourself."
General Tarot
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack
This classic is sometimes referred to as the bible of tarot books. Drawing on mythology and esoteric traditions and delving deeply into the symbolism and ideas of each card, the book offers a modern psychological interpretation of the tarot archetypes rather than a system of esoteric symbolism. (I haven't read it. I know, blasphemous!)
This classic is sometimes referred to as the bible of tarot books. Drawing on mythology and esoteric traditions and delving deeply into the symbolism and ideas of each card, the book offers a modern psychological interpretation of the tarot archetypes rather than a system of esoteric symbolism. (I haven't read it. I know, blasphemous!)
Tarot Wisdom: Spiritual Teachings and Deeper Meanings by Rachel Pollack
Her second major Tarot book. Amazing. A great introduction to tarot’s deeper mysteries for intermediate students.
Her second major Tarot book. Amazing. A great introduction to tarot’s deeper mysteries for intermediate students.
Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth by Benebell Wen
Perhaps the most comprehensive tome on modern tarot. Everything Benebell creates is perfect.
Perhaps the most comprehensive tome on modern tarot. Everything Benebell creates is perfect.
Tarosophy: Tarot to Engage Life, Not Escape It by Marcus Katz
An underrated, unique all-at-once approach to Tarot.
An underrated, unique all-at-once approach to Tarot.
Tarot Correspondences: Ancient Secrets for Everyday Readers by T. Susan Chang
An amazing book of charts for esoteric correspondences (similar to Crowley’s Liber 777, but digestible).
An amazing book of charts for esoteric correspondences (similar to Crowley’s Liber 777, but digestible).
The Watkins Tarot Handbook: A Practical System of Self-Discovery by Naomi Ozaniec
The first book that got me to actually explore path-working, great for meditation and visualization.
The first book that got me to actually explore path-working, great for meditation and visualization.
Tarot History
The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination by Robert Michael Place
An amazing book. The perfect introduction to tarot's rich history and theory.
An amazing book. The perfect introduction to tarot's rich history and theory.
The Esoteric Tarot: Ancient Sources Rediscovered in Hermeticism and Cabalah by Ronald Decker
An academic account of Tarot history
An academic account of Tarot history
Hermetic Qabalah
The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Need to Know to Become a Qabalist by Lon Milo Duquette
A fun, easy, and super clever read on the Qabalah that makes complicated ideas simple.
A fun, easy, and super clever read on the Qabalah that makes complicated ideas simple.
The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages by Paul Foster Case
This is the best book to learn the Qabalistic attributions of the major arcana. Case’s deck is similar enough to the Rider Waite Smith tradition to apply most of the knowledge.
This is the best book to learn the Qabalistic attributions of the major arcana. Case’s deck is similar enough to the Rider Waite Smith tradition to apply most of the knowledge.
Tarot and the Tree of Life: Finding Everyday Wisdom in the Minor Arcana by Isabel Radow Kliegman
An in-depth look at the Tree of Life and the Minor Arcana.
An in-depth look at the Tree of Life and the Minor Arcana.
A Garden of Pomegranates: Skrying on the Tree of Life by Israel Regardie
A simple yet comprehensive guidebook outlining the complex system of the Qabalah and providing a key to its symbolism.
A simple yet comprehensive guidebook outlining the complex system of the Qabalah and providing a key to its symbolism.
The Qabalistic Tarot Book: A Textbook Of Mystical Philosophy by Robert Wang
A great run-through of tarot and Qabalah following the three major tarot traditions (Rider Waite Smith, Thoth, and Marseilles) and also the Golden Dawn Tarot.
A great run-through of tarot and Qabalah following the three major tarot traditions (Rider Waite Smith, Thoth, and Marseilles) and also the Golden Dawn Tarot.
777 And Other Qabalistic Writings Including Gematria & Sepher Sephiroth by Aleister Crowley
A book of qabalistic charts and correspondences. A great resource especially for those interested in magick and the wester esoteric traditions.
A book of qabalistic charts and correspondences. A great resource especially for those interested in magick and the wester esoteric traditions.
Thoth Tarot
Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot: New Edition by Don Milo Duquette
I recommend reading this first before the Book of Thoth. It's fun and very deep.
I recommend reading this first before the Book of Thoth. It's fun and very deep.
The Thoth Companion: The Key to the True Symbolic Meaning of the Thoth Tarot by Michael Osiris Snuffin
This book will teach you almost every symbol on every card of the Thoth deck.
This book will teach you almost every symbol on every card of the Thoth deck.
The Book of Thoth: A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, Being the Equinox Volume III No. V by Aleister Crowley
The authority on the Thoth Tarot. I recommend reading this a few times. Note that this book stitches together many fragments of his other works, including The Book of the Law (his channeled writing that became the authoritative book of his religion, Thelema) as well as The Vision and the Voice (his visions of the Enochian Aethers, a form of angel magick).
The authority on the Thoth Tarot. I recommend reading this a few times. Note that this book stitches together many fragments of his other works, including The Book of the Law (his channeled writing that became the authoritative book of his religion, Thelema) as well as The Vision and the Voice (his visions of the Enochian Aethers, a form of angel magick).
Predicting The Present: Twenty-two Fingers Pointing at The Moon by Daniel Allen Kelley
Explores the Thoth Tarot in a rich and mystical manner incorporating original and poetic insights.
Explores the Thoth Tarot in a rich and mystical manner incorporating original and poetic insights.
Jewish Kabbalah
Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation by Aryeh Kaplan
Very deep and not always easy to understand, but one of the big kabbalistic texts.
Very deep and not always easy to understand, but one of the big kabbalistic texts.
Adam and the Kabbalistic Tree by Z'Ev Ben Shimon Halevi
A thorough exploration of the Tree of Life, bringing in other sciences such as biology and psychology.
A thorough exploration of the Tree of Life, bringing in other sciences such as biology and psychology.
Tarot and the Gates of Light: A Kabbalistic Path to Liberation by Mark Horn
An innovative, spiritual workbook that integrates the Tarot and the Kabbalistic tradition of "Counting the Omer".
An innovative, spiritual workbook that integrates the Tarot and the Kabbalistic tradition of "Counting the Omer".
Practical Magick / Ritual
High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row by Damien Echols
The author used magick to get out of death row after being wrongfully imprisoned. What makes his work amazing is its genuineness humility, honesty, and readability. Many books on practical magick can get heady and ostentatious in their writing style. His keeps it simple and direct.
The author used magick to get out of death row after being wrongfully imprisoned. What makes his work amazing is its genuineness humility, honesty, and readability. Many books on practical magick can get heady and ostentatious in their writing style. His keeps it simple and direct.
The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order by Israel Regardie
This “Black Brick” is supposed to be the complete set of Golden Dawn material (the organization that inspired today’s esoteric tarot).
This “Black Brick” is supposed to be the complete set of Golden Dawn material (the organization that inspired today’s esoteric tarot).
Magick: Liber ABA, Book 4 by Aleister Crowley
Also known as the "Blue Brick". Possibly easier to read than the Book of Thoth but may be slightly challenging. Approaching magick with Crowley’s method is . . . very difficult. I don't find this book to have much "practice" in it, but it is definitely full of theory. It includes 4 sections: mysticism, theory, "magick" (the use ot tools), and Thelema.
Also known as the "Blue Brick". Possibly easier to read than the Book of Thoth but may be slightly challenging. Approaching magick with Crowley’s method is . . . very difficult. I don't find this book to have much "practice" in it, but it is definitely full of theory. It includes 4 sections: mysticism, theory, "magick" (the use ot tools), and Thelema.
Gems from the Equinox: Instructions by Aleister Crowley for His Own Magical Order by Israel Regardie
Regardie's amalgamtion of important works from Crowley's "The Equinox", a journal of magick and esoterica that began in 1909. This contains the major framework for Crowley's magickal order the A∴A∴. This tome is probably the best investment as it contains the most work.
Regardie's amalgamtion of important works from Crowley's "The Equinox", a journal of magick and esoterica that began in 1909. This contains the major framework for Crowley's magickal order the A∴A∴. This tome is probably the best investment as it contains the most work.
Astrology
Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings With the Wisdom of the Zodiac by Corrine Kenner
This is the book that introduced me to Tarot's connection with astrology.
This is the book that introduced me to Tarot's connection with astrology.
The Inner Sky: How to Make Wiser Choices for a More Fulfilling Life by Steven Forrest
This is my favorite book on astrology. Steven is a genius and the ideas he presents are so deep but also practical.
This is my favorite book on astrology. Steven is a genius and the ideas he presents are so deep but also practical.
Hermeticism
Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus his Divine Pymander by Paschal Beverly Randolph
This is my favorite translation of the Corpus Hermeticum. It might not be the most academically rigorous, but that is a good thing. What it lacks in scholarship, it makes up for in mystical insight.
This is my favorite translation of the Corpus Hermeticum. It might not be the most academically rigorous, but that is a good thing. What it lacks in scholarship, it makes up for in mystical insight.
The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece by The Three Initiates
This might not be a historically “Hermetic” text, but the ideas do carry Hermetic philosophy and the work has been very influential.
This might not be a historically “Hermetic” text, but the ideas do carry Hermetic philosophy and the work has been very influential.
Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius by Brian P Copenhaver
The Hermetica are a body of mystical texts written in late antiquity, but believed during the Renaissance (when they became well known) to be much older.
The Hermetica are a body of mystical texts written in late antiquity, but believed during the Renaissance (when they became well known) to be much older.
Non-Duality & Eastern Mysticism
History of mysticism : The Unchanging Testament by S. Abhayananda
One of my favorite books of all time. It will show you the perennial philosophy underlying all religions, mysticism, and philosophy through the duality of gender.
One of my favorite books of all time. It will show you the perennial philosophy underlying all religions, mysticism, and philosophy through the duality of gender.
Eight Upanishads, with the Commentary of Sankaracarya, Vol. I by Swami Gambhirananda
This includes eight of the ten major upanishads and includes Shankara’s commentary. It’s more extensive than other translations.
This includes eight of the ten major upanishads and includes Shankara’s commentary. It’s more extensive than other translations.
Eight Upanishads, with the Commentary of Sankara, Vol. II by Swami Gambhirananda
Volume 2 of a two volume set.
Volume 2 of a two volume set.
Neoplatonism
The Enneads: Abridged Edition by John Dillon
Plotinus was the father of Neoplatonism, a mystical adaption of Platonic philosophy. The truth was, he was a mystic. Neoplatonism helped shape the Western Esoteric Tradition and tarot.
Plotinus was the father of Neoplatonism, a mystical adaption of Platonic philosophy. The truth was, he was a mystic. Neoplatonism helped shape the Western Esoteric Tradition and tarot.
Plotinus or the Simplicity of Vision by Pierre Hadot
Hadot examines Plotinus's views on the self, existence, love, virtue, gentleness, and solitude.
Hadot examines Plotinus's views on the self, existence, love, virtue, gentleness, and solitude.
Joe Monteleone is a Tarot master teacher, coach, healer, occult performer, and modern mystic. He has over two decades of experience in tarot. He is the creator of Tarot Mysticism Academy where he connects mystical misfits all over the globe to explore the edges of reality through tarot's perennial philosophy.
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