Today we talk about The Magical Tarot, a book by Samantha Guillaume published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Samantha Guillaume, to get to know her better, if there was a particular moment that led her to the writing of her book The Magical Tarot, as well as how the tarot and its magical properties changed her life.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Is there a particular moment in your life that led you to the writing of your book? What was that?
I was at a gathering of who I call my “Witchy” friends. We would meet up and discuss all sorts of esoteric things, pick a card from a deck, or a Chinese Fortune Stick and discuss the messages they conveyed. As we were chatting and laughing, I realised I wanted to share more of what I had learned through the years of reading and practising Wicca, and so I started to make notes. I truly believed that I was guided to write the book, and to bring together all the different aspects that I had learned from various teachers. I am blessed that the wonderful artist Annie Meyburgh brought the cards to life with her insight and such incredible artistry.
- What characteristics your audience should have to appreciate your book?
Oh, readers of my book should definitely have a sense of humour! Laughter is so important! Also, readers should have an open and inquisitive mind. I’d love the reader to feel excited by the world that Magic and the Tarot combining creates.
- What messages did you want to convey with your book?
What would really mean so much to me is that the reader takes a journey through the Tarot and is inspired by this wonderful and ancient tool of divination, and that the Tarot is not just about “fortune telling” and Wicca is not just about ‘casting spells.’ They are both used for spiritual and magical practices and are brought together to assist the reader to make direct contact with the Divine.
- How did the tarot and its magical properties change your life?
I grew up in a very open, spiritual and esoteric house. My mother read the Tarot and consulted the ancient Chinese oracle The I Ching. We always giggle at the Tarot history in our family, because the very first deck my mother used, had been bought for her by my aunt when my mother was pregnant with me. So, my mother always thought I would have an interest in the Tarot. I spent my very early childhood looking for faeries in the garden and trying desperately to fly. I was convinced I was a faerie who had simply lost her wings somewhere whilst playing. We were encouraged to speak to Angels, our Guides and the Universe from early on, and believe me, I kept them all very busy! Then, when I was in my very early teens, my mother consulted the I Ching for me and did a Tarot reading. I had seen her cards, and I had seen her work with the I Ching before, but I had never actually had a reading myself. I was literally dumbfounded. How did these cards and the pictures come to life and how on earth did three coins (The I Ching) solve my problem? Since that day, I have had unending respect for Tarot divination and the wisdom of the I Ching. Much later on, I met an incredible teacher, who did a Tarot reading for me. I knew instinctively that “I knew” her. She told me I should be reading the Tarot and that I should look into the world of Wicca. She became my teacher – and since then I have been reading the cards and working with aspects of Wicca. I will never forget her or the wonderful World she introduced me to and am forever grateful.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about
I am working on a new project to do with Angels and Guides, but from a very different perspective. The world we live in today is full of fear and confusion. There are many many different aspects to finding one’s way through it all. I am hoping that this new project, working alongside a very dear friend of mine, will open some doors and shine a light on the pathways through the darkness we sometimes find ourselves in.
Europe Books thanks the author, Samantha Guillaume, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book The Magical Tarot. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, I hope that this book, in addition to being a pleasant read, will excite and intrigue you to the point of wanting to learn more about the tarot not only as an esoteric practice but also, and above all, for the spiritual healing abilities the tarot could be capable of.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your magic reading!
Your editor!