Voyager Tarot: Way of the Great Oracle Book

Voyager Tarot: Way of the Great Oracle Book - 330 pages of theory and practice

Most guidebooks give you a few paragraphs per card. This book goes further. Way of the Great Oracle is a study book that explains the Voyager system as a method, complete with philosophical foundation, psychological concepts and practical applications.

James Wanless wrote it in 1990, published by Merrill-West Publishing. It has not been reprinted since. If you want it, you need patience or luck.

What the book contains

The core of the book lies in two structures: 'The Four Golden Truths' and 'The Seven Steps of Power'. Both are designed to translate spiritual insight into daily action. Wanless writes clearly, sometimes almost matter-of-fact, and combines shamanistic traditions with Jungian psychology.

Each card is described with attention to symbolism, colour and composition. The illustrations in the book are black and white, which forces you to look closely at lines, shapes and proportions. Lay the coloured card beside it and you notice details you would otherwise miss.

The court cards in the Voyager system differ from traditional tarot. Instead of Page, Knight, Queen and King you use Child, Man, Woman and Sage. Wanless explains for each role what that shift means and how you work with it in a spread.

Who this book works for

This book is written for those who work with the Voyager Tarot or want to work with it. The text assumes you know the cards or have them at hand. You can read it without the deck, but the practical value drops sharply.

The pace is slow. You do not read a chapter in ten minutes. Many people pick one card description, read it a few times, and let it sit for a day or two before moving on. That matches the way Wanless writes.

Lay the physical card next to the black-and-white illustration in the book. Switching between the two forces you to look more actively at the symbolism.

About James Wanless

James Wanless earned a doctorate in political science before turning to symbolism and tarot. He developed the Voyager Tarot system in the eighties, with the collage-like cards of Ken Knutson. His work is used worldwide by coaches and therapists.

Wanless writes from a clear position: tarot is a tool for personal mastery, not a decorative object. You feel that tone throughout the book.

Specifications

• Pages: 330
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-0961507930
• Publisher: Merrill-West Publishing
• Dimensions: 152 × 235 mm
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrations: Black and white
• Author: James Wanless
• Note: This product contains the book only, cards are not included

Questions we often get

Does this book include the Voyager Tarot cards?
No. This is the book only. The cards are sold separately and necessary to use the book fully.

Are the illustrations in the book in colour?
No, all illustrations are in black and white. They serve as reference to the text. For full colour detail you need the physical deck.