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Review of Rachel Pollack's 78 Degrees of Wisdom

© J. Rebecca Cougill

Rachel Pollack is an interesting writer who has many titles under her belt. A few of those are the Dali Tarot, The Haindl Tarot, The New Tarot, and Shining Women Tarot to name just a few. 78 Degrees of Wisdom is a well-written look at the tarot from a Jungian perspective. She like Jungian Psychologist Karen Hamaker-Zondag takes a look at the way the Major arcana plays in conjunction to Jung's Archetypes.

There are some notable differences between this book and Hamaker-Zondag's book, Tarot as a way of life, that gives the readers a new perspective on this ever popular but still developing idea. The tarot today is becoming more and more accepted in the psychological community, largely through the efforts and writings of women like Pollack and Hamaker-Zondag. It is nice to know that in the tradition of every tarot reading and definition, the Tarot and Jungian Philosophy can be interpreted together yet differently by different people.

One example of these differences is Pollack's view that most people never move past the Chariot in their endeavor for individuality. That is a daunting view considering the Chariot is only the 8th card in the deck, if you place the fool as the first card. Hamaker-Zondag doesn't mention this at all in her book. She gives no opinion on Man's ability to become individuals or their likelihood to do so. Simply the fact that Pollack does gives an unique perspective to the reader that allows for one to wonder if perhaps the Archetypes could be wrapped up in the first 8 cards, leaving the rest of the Major Arcana as major life events that play upon the other 8 cards. I never before considered this idea. But, the idea that it is nearly impossible to become an individual struck such a nerve with me I had to conceder a different possible answer to her view, if her view is correct.

It is not for me to decide for anyone if her views are correct or not. As in everything with the tarot, every view is correct. What I can say for this book is I could not even begin to imagine how long it would have taken me to develop some of the ideas about the tarot that I am forming now, if I hadn't read this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is always striving to grow in their interpretations and understandings. This book gives room for your own personal growth and beliefs while stating well the views and beliefs of the author.

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