This past week the Tarot community lost a prolific author and teacher, Rachel Pollack (Aug. 17 1945 – Apr. 07, 2023). Rachel wrote numerous nonfiction books on tarot and the occult as well as fiction works including Doom Patrol. She was widely known in the divination community for her expertise. She authored several books on tarot including Tarot Wisdom, The New Tarot Handbook, Seeker - the Tarot Unveiled, and her most famous work, 78 Degrees of Wisdom. While I never had the pleasure of meeting her or of attending any of her talks or workshops, I have definitely felt her influence in helping me to understand the tarot and it’s symbolism through her writing, especially through her book 78 Degrees of Wisdom.
78 Degrees of Wisdom came out back in 1980, and has had an enormous amount of impact upon tarot readers. The book is a comprehensive guide to the symbolism contained in the Rider Waite Smith version of the tarot. The book walks one through the imagery and symbolism of the Major Arcana (Trumps 0 – 22) and through the Minor Arcana (the four suits – Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles) while explaining its meanings and history. While this might not sound like a big breakthrough in this day and age, it is important to remember that in 1980 there were not the numerous amount of tarot decks and books that we have today.
Today there is a plethora of tarot decks on the market, and many of them come with a comprehensive guidebook to help one to get to know the meanings of the cards. This is really only something we have seen become more common in the past couple of decades. In the 1990s and prior, most tarot decks were sold with a small pamphlet with only the most basic of instructions. The small pamphlets came to be known as the little white book (or LWB), and were often not very useful to new tarot students. If you wanted to really learn to read the cards, you had to either seek out a teacher, or find a separate book to learn from. Back then there were not the hundreds of tarot books available that you could get with just a click on your computer, and then have it delivered to your door. You had to go to a metaphysical store to find a book, if you were lucky enough to have a store in your area, and there were not nearly as many books on tarot to choose from.
78 Degrees of Wisdom brought knowledge of the tarot to a wider audience. It became a classic go to book for those learning to read the tarot, or wanting to understand the esoteric symbols on the cards at a greater depth. It has remained in print since it came out, and many consider it to be their tarot bible. Rachel Pollack does a great job of not only breaking down the symbolism, but also at looking into the psychological meanings and history behind the tarot imagery. The book takes a Jungian point of view and examines the archetypes contained in the cards. The cards are seen in a more psychological light, rather than as purely predictive.
I did not read 78 Degrees until later in my tarot career, although I had heard it being referenced by many other readers. I eventually decided that if so many people recommended something, I should probably check it out. It’s one of those books I wish I had come across sooner as it helped me to dive deeper into the tarot and have a better understanding of the Rider Waite Smith system. I now use it as a reference book for my own studies and for teaching others about the tarot.
I am very grateful to Rachel Pollack for leaving us with not only 78 Degrees, but also with many other wonderful tarot books. There is no question that she has left her mark on the tarot community and that her books will continue to educate and enlighten students for generations to come.
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