Rachel Pollack (1945-2023) was the leading light and foremost influence on modern Tarot. Her bestselling book, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, first published in 1980 and never out of print, is widely described as the "Bible of Tarot." She was also a great influence upon the science fiction, fantasy, and comics communities, as well as being a trailblazer within the transgender community. A master of many genres, Pollack is renowned for her run of issues #64-87 of Doom Patrol (Vertigo Comics), where she created the first transgender superhero. A prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction, her other books include A Walk Through the Forest of Souls, Unquenchable Fire, Godmother Night, and The Fissure King. She was the creator of The Shining Tribe Tarot and wrote the books for numerous other decks, including The Vertigo Tarot and Salvador Dali's Tarot. Pollack taught at the famed Omega Institute for over thirty years.
"An inspiration to Tarot readers for 40 years, this is still the
all-time best book for exploring both the deeper symbolism and
practical meanings of the Major and Minor Arcana. I encourage you
to turn to 78 Degrees of Wisdom to learn to read with and interpret
the images of the Rider-Waite Tarot or, indeed, any deck." --Mary
K. Greer, author of Tarot for Your Self--Mary K. Greer
"What is your favorite tarot book? The answer is always 78 Degrees
of Wisdom. It was the third tarot book I read but the first to
speak my language so I could understand those ideas that previously
were right outside of my grasp. The tarot was a tool, and it fit in
my hand. This book taught me how to use it and I am forever
grateful to Rachel Pollack for making this accessible, brilliant
guide to my future." --Melissa Cynova, author of Kitchen Table
Tarot--Melissa Cynova
"First published in two volumes, in 1980 and 1983, Seventy-Eight
Degrees of Wisdom is one of those rare groundbreaking works that
changed the way that people look at the Tarot. Pollack helped to
redefine the Tarot, transforming it from simply a tool for
fortune-telling to one that outlines a path for spiritual
development." --Robert M. Place, author of The Tarot, History,
Symbolism, and Divination, and creator of The Alchemical Tarot and
The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery
--Robert M. Place
"78 Degrees of Wisdom holds a very special place in my heart and
was very influential in shaping my relationship with tarot. The
wisdom from Rachel's words still weaves through my work with the
cards, even after three decades. Anyone interested in learning
tarot can't go wrong including this book in their reading list. Her
words will stick with you and help create a strong foundation, no
matter where your tarot journey takes you." --Barbara Moore,
creator of Steampunk Tarot--Barbara Moore
"Rachel Pollack Is a world authority of the contemporary Tarot -
and a role model for the deliberate, open-minded, encouraging, and
essentially life-discovering and self-helping use of the cards. I
love her books in which she discloses, too, how her 'tarot wisdom'
developed, changed and amended over more than 40 years now. The
basic things for me is her personal integrity. She is dedicated to
human growth and - wow -- she walks the talk. My best congrats and
my warm thanks, Rachel!" --Johannes Fiebig, Germany, publisher AGM
/ Koenigsfurt-Urania, co-author of The Ultimate Guide to the Rider
Waite Tarot--Johannes Fiebig
"Whenever I have a question about tarot, I reach for 78 Degrees of
Wisdom. It is the most in-depth exploration of tarot and my most
trusted resource. I'm delighted and grateful for this new edition
because my old one has completely fallen apart from so much use. No
doubt this one will soon become dog-eared as well. If you want to
learn tarot, you'll want 78 Degrees on your bookshelf too. It's the
gold standard in tarot." --Theresa Reed, author of The Tarot
Coloring Book and co-author of Tarot For Troubled Times--Theresa
Reed
"If there is such a thing as tarot royalty, then Rachel Pollack is
its queen and 78 Degrees of Wisdom is the trailblazing text that
ordained her as such. Essential reading for the beginner and a
classic that tarot masters will return to time and time again, this
is the book to have in your library. I make it a point to sit down
and reread 78 Degrees cover to cover at least once every five
years, and that makes a cardinal difference in my personal
development. All my reverence and admiration to the inimitable
Rachel Pollack." --Benebell Wen, author of Holistic Tarot--Benebell
Wen
"Rachel Pollack possesses one of the finest minds in Tarot wedded
to the sensibility of a sagacious - and frequently wry -
storyteller. 78 Degrees of Wisdom stands the test of time as an
important cornerstone of Tarot learning and remains one of the best
resources for those new to Tarot as well as seasoned
veterans."--Thalassa Therese, Producer of the San Francisco Bay
Area Tarot Symposium (SF BATS) and blogger at The Diviner's Folly
and Travels With Thalassa--Thalassa Therese
"Rachel Pollack's writings were the beacon that led me towards a
deeper, more nuanced relationship with my tarot cards. As a new
learner, this book in particular demystified a deck of cards I knew
I loved, but had no idea how to really 'reach'. Later as I grew as
a tarot reader, Rachel's ideas provided a sturdy springboard for my
own personal approach to tarot and I still regularly turn to my
tattered copy for inspiration and insight. I lovingly recommend
this book to everyone who is serious about learning tarot."--Beth
Maiden, Little Red Tarot--Beth Maiden
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