Cover, A Critical Introduction to Tarot

A Critical Introduction to Tarot

From the back cover:

How does Tarot work? Why is it so popular today? Is it just for fortune tellers?

Tarot has seen a recent uptick in interest that warrants explanation. This book, however, is not another take on the cards’ meanings and how to read them. Instead, independent researcher Simon Kenny presents Tarot to the incredulous and curious and those who wish to know the basis for its continued cultural relevance.

A Critical Introduction to Tarot explains the practice in its historical and metaphysical contexts, and investigates its supporting belief structures, from witchcraft and magical practices to popular psychology. Throughout these pages, connections to politics, philosophy, psychology, numerology, astrology, Freemasonry, statistics, interpretative symbolism, self-help, social media — even the nature of truth itself — are explored. An accessible read aimed at demystifying Tarot for those unfamiliar with its magical, occult roots and growing use as a personal development tool.

Simon Kenny is an author, technologist and educator whose work combines probing questions with technical thinking. He began writing at university, where he graduated top of his class and continued to blog about technology and political philosophy. Simon has taught as a lecturer at the University of Limerick, Ireland.

“Simon Kenny’s engaging work approaches this very familiar terrain from an uncommon perspective…”
Gary Lachman, author of Dreaming Ahead of Time: Experiences with Precognition, Synchronicity and Coincidence

“Simon’s work asks the questions any person interested in Tarot should ask … A valuable companion for the metaphysically minded Tarot reader.”
T. Susan Chang, author of Tarot Correspondences: Ancient Secrets for Everyday Readers

Published by Iff Books.

Latest News

Book Launch! A Critical Introduction to Tarot

'A Critical Introduction to Tarot' stack of books

A Critical Introduction to Tarot: Examining the Nature of a Belief in Tarot is finally available to buy in print or ebook. For buying options, please visit the publisher webpage.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to the book. Though my name features as the author, it would not have been possible without the generous support of friends, family, and colleagues.

A Critical Introduction to Tarot, on the Collective Ink website

To those interviewed in the book, thank you for lending your time and expertise: Benebell Wen, T. Susan Chang, Max Haiven, and Stella Lawless.

To my friends and family, without whom I would be lost: Gerald Glynn, Maria ‘Jo’ Lluque Lopez, Nuala Kenny, Adam Stoneman, Rod Stoneman, and Michael Sherry.

To the staff at Collective Ink (formerly John Hunt Publishing), of which Iff Books is an imprint, who have patiently seen this book through to publishing, especially Bernardo Kastrup, Dominic C. James, and Gavin L. Davies.

I also thank Danny DeCillis and Vedika Dayal for comments on the early manuscript draft.

You can now buy A Critical Introduction to Tarot, see the publishers website for buying options.

If you do buy a copy, please leave a review! I would love to know your honest opinion of the book.

About The Author

Simon Kenny is an author, technologist and educator whose work combines probing questions with technical thinking. As a writer on the topics of spirituality and belief, he brings a keen awareness of philosophy and contemporary politics to his experience of spiritual and religious life. Now a ‘non-believer’, it is his life’s mission to understand the colourful forms that personal convictions often take. He does this with a grounding in the ceaseless autodidactic study that has become the cornerstone of an examined life. Simon is based in Galway, Ireland.

Simon is a member of the International Playing-Card Society, The Irish Writers Centre, and Writing.ie.

Simon Kenny
Author, technologist and educator.

Email: simonkenny [at] duck [dot] com