Influences And Resources for the Lilith Bible Tarot Deck and Guide Book
There are many key influences and sources that have contributed to the Lilith Bible Tarot Deck and Guide Book and they are listed below. Consult these if you wish to delve more deeply into the source material.
Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible
This translation of the Masoretic Text is dated 1917 and is published online through a number of websites. The majority of passages used in the Lilith Bible Tarot Deck Guide Book are taken from this text. The Masoretic text is commonly called the Hebrew Bible by Jews and the Old Testament by Christians. References to scripture provide sufficient information should you wish to read the original text. This is recommended as most of it is very beautifully written.
Wikipedia
Most of the information for Lilith Bible Tarot Deck Guide Book has been sourced from Wikipedia - one of the best internet resources of our day. It includes the essential story of Lilith, various views of Bible stories and other references to antiquity.
The Harlot by the Side of the Road
Jonathon Kirsch’s (1998) book deals with the “Forbidden Tales of the Bible”. An interesting and entertaining read at all times. Kirsch really digs in and unearths these often buried tales. A cornucopia of background reveals and clarifies what was really going on behind the scenes. Kirsch knows his Jewish Midrash but he doesn’t treat the Bible as ‘god-given truth’. His background to the history of these stories is compelling. His exposition of the stories of Tamar and Judah, Jephthah’s daughter and Dinah’s marriage to Schechem are particular favourites.
Another excellent read by Kirsch is The Grand Inquisitor's Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God (2008). This informs a number of elements of the Lilith Bible Tarot Deck, particularly the inclusion of Inquisition as the twentieth Major Arcana. The world seems to have forgotten that the Inquisition unleashed 500 years of murder and torture on humanity. It is worthwhile to learn the lessons of this period of history.
Further Kirsch’s A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book in the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization (2006) informs some of the inclusions of references to the book of Revelation. Kirsch unpacks the dangers of ‘apocalypse thinking’ and the consequences this has had for our times.
The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets
This excellent, meaty tome by Barbara G. Walker (1983) is a handbook on everything from Abishag to Zenobia. Walker looks at antiquity through a feminist lens. She looks underneath our historical myths, fables and legends, lifts up their skirts and identifies the feminine underpinnings and truths hidden within. Alongside this, the encyclopaedia is truly that. Many a joyful hour can be spent wandering through the pages of this highly informative book.
The Lilith Bible tarot deck is an attempt to follow the wonderful example set by Walker. Recapturing and re-imagining the divine feminine is one of the goals of this deck.
Journey of Souls & Destiny of Souls
Michael Newton is a hypnotherapist who has explored between lives existence through regression therapy. His books (published 1994 and 2000 respectively) provide a wonderful and hopeful insight into our many reincarnational journeys and spiritual purpose. The book provides an understanding of reincarnation that can be more easily digested for individuals from a Western cultural perspective. The Lilith Bible tarot assumes reincarnation on earth as part of our spiritual process. Newton’s books form the basis of that understanding.
Positive Magic
Marion Weinstein’s (1994) book outlines a positive approach to occult self help. In this concise, wonderful book she lays out an occult philosophy for living. She also takes us on a journey through the major forms of divination - Astrology, I Ching and Tarot. While specific material from the book is not used here, it is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in these areas. Weinstein’s writing is compelling and she explains complex occult concepts really well. Absolute enlightenment.
Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom
Rachel Pollock’s (1997) book is a stand out amongst tarot books - well written, detailed and explanatory. One of those eternal “go to” tarot books. Not enough good can be said about this classic!
Jewish Midrash
There are a number of excellent online sites that explain Bible stories from a Jewish tradition. Midrash continuously re-explores biblical material to refine and revitalise the Bible for the current time and place. The Lilith Bible Tarot Deck Guide Book primarily makes use of Aggadic Midrash, that related to Jewish folklore, rather than Halakha, that form of Midrash associated with law-making.
Sources most often used in the book are listed here.
http://jwa.org - The Jewish Women’s Archive - An excellent source of material particularly for stories about Bible women.
http://www.asphodel-long.com/html/list_of_works.html - Asphodel P. Long’s essays on various goddess topics in Judaism is a wonderful source of information.
http://www.abarim-publications.com - Abarim Publications - Lots of interesting articles and Jewish name meanings which are very elucidating.
http://contradictionsinthebible.com - Contradictions in the Bible - A veritable treasure trove of scholarly discourse on biblical text. The author is particularly concerned to place scripture in it’s correct historical and cultural context.
http://www.biblebabel.net - Bible Babel - While this is not a Jewish resource it does seek to explain Bible stories within their historical and cultural context much like Contradictions in the Bible. A very interesting read.
http://jewishencyclopedia.com - Jewish Encyclopedia - Another excellent resource.
The Case for Lilith
Mark Wayne Biggs (2010) explores “23 Biblical Evidences Identifying The Serpent as Adam’s First Failed Wife in Genesis”. This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the Lilith myth and Midrash. Biggs takes the myth as fact rather than fiction or metaphor and his lens is certainly not one with any detectable feminist sympathies. However, the book is an intensely interesting exploration of Lilith. One of Biggs main claims is that the reason Lilith is only mentioned in the Hebrew Bible once is that her legend was so well known in biblical times that inferences to her would have been obvious. He precedes to dig her out and it is a fascinating journey.
The Book of Lilith
Barbara Black Kultov (1986) explores the Lilith myth from a Jungian psychoanalytic perspective. A straightforward and easy to read exposition of the Lilith legend in Judaism and an interesting relation to Kultov’s field of practice. Highly recommended for background reading on this fascinating topic.
Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible
This translation of the Masoretic Text is dated 1917 and is published online through a number of websites. The majority of passages used in the Lilith Bible Tarot Deck Guide Book are taken from this text. The Masoretic text is commonly called the Hebrew Bible by Jews and the Old Testament by Christians. References to scripture provide sufficient information should you wish to read the original text. This is recommended as most of it is very beautifully written.
Wikipedia
Most of the information for Lilith Bible Tarot Deck Guide Book has been sourced from Wikipedia - one of the best internet resources of our day. It includes the essential story of Lilith, various views of Bible stories and other references to antiquity.
The Harlot by the Side of the Road
Jonathon Kirsch’s (1998) book deals with the “Forbidden Tales of the Bible”. An interesting and entertaining read at all times. Kirsch really digs in and unearths these often buried tales. A cornucopia of background reveals and clarifies what was really going on behind the scenes. Kirsch knows his Jewish Midrash but he doesn’t treat the Bible as ‘god-given truth’. His background to the history of these stories is compelling. His exposition of the stories of Tamar and Judah, Jephthah’s daughter and Dinah’s marriage to Schechem are particular favourites.
Another excellent read by Kirsch is The Grand Inquisitor's Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God (2008). This informs a number of elements of the Lilith Bible Tarot Deck, particularly the inclusion of Inquisition as the twentieth Major Arcana. The world seems to have forgotten that the Inquisition unleashed 500 years of murder and torture on humanity. It is worthwhile to learn the lessons of this period of history.
Further Kirsch’s A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book in the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization (2006) informs some of the inclusions of references to the book of Revelation. Kirsch unpacks the dangers of ‘apocalypse thinking’ and the consequences this has had for our times.
The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets
This excellent, meaty tome by Barbara G. Walker (1983) is a handbook on everything from Abishag to Zenobia. Walker looks at antiquity through a feminist lens. She looks underneath our historical myths, fables and legends, lifts up their skirts and identifies the feminine underpinnings and truths hidden within. Alongside this, the encyclopaedia is truly that. Many a joyful hour can be spent wandering through the pages of this highly informative book.
The Lilith Bible tarot deck is an attempt to follow the wonderful example set by Walker. Recapturing and re-imagining the divine feminine is one of the goals of this deck.
Journey of Souls & Destiny of Souls
Michael Newton is a hypnotherapist who has explored between lives existence through regression therapy. His books (published 1994 and 2000 respectively) provide a wonderful and hopeful insight into our many reincarnational journeys and spiritual purpose. The book provides an understanding of reincarnation that can be more easily digested for individuals from a Western cultural perspective. The Lilith Bible tarot assumes reincarnation on earth as part of our spiritual process. Newton’s books form the basis of that understanding.
Positive Magic
Marion Weinstein’s (1994) book outlines a positive approach to occult self help. In this concise, wonderful book she lays out an occult philosophy for living. She also takes us on a journey through the major forms of divination - Astrology, I Ching and Tarot. While specific material from the book is not used here, it is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in these areas. Weinstein’s writing is compelling and she explains complex occult concepts really well. Absolute enlightenment.
Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom
Rachel Pollock’s (1997) book is a stand out amongst tarot books - well written, detailed and explanatory. One of those eternal “go to” tarot books. Not enough good can be said about this classic!
Jewish Midrash
There are a number of excellent online sites that explain Bible stories from a Jewish tradition. Midrash continuously re-explores biblical material to refine and revitalise the Bible for the current time and place. The Lilith Bible Tarot Deck Guide Book primarily makes use of Aggadic Midrash, that related to Jewish folklore, rather than Halakha, that form of Midrash associated with law-making.
Sources most often used in the book are listed here.
http://jwa.org - The Jewish Women’s Archive - An excellent source of material particularly for stories about Bible women.
http://www.asphodel-long.com/html/list_of_works.html - Asphodel P. Long’s essays on various goddess topics in Judaism is a wonderful source of information.
http://www.abarim-publications.com - Abarim Publications - Lots of interesting articles and Jewish name meanings which are very elucidating.
http://contradictionsinthebible.com - Contradictions in the Bible - A veritable treasure trove of scholarly discourse on biblical text. The author is particularly concerned to place scripture in it’s correct historical and cultural context.
http://www.biblebabel.net - Bible Babel - While this is not a Jewish resource it does seek to explain Bible stories within their historical and cultural context much like Contradictions in the Bible. A very interesting read.
http://jewishencyclopedia.com - Jewish Encyclopedia - Another excellent resource.
The Case for Lilith
Mark Wayne Biggs (2010) explores “23 Biblical Evidences Identifying The Serpent as Adam’s First Failed Wife in Genesis”. This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the Lilith myth and Midrash. Biggs takes the myth as fact rather than fiction or metaphor and his lens is certainly not one with any detectable feminist sympathies. However, the book is an intensely interesting exploration of Lilith. One of Biggs main claims is that the reason Lilith is only mentioned in the Hebrew Bible once is that her legend was so well known in biblical times that inferences to her would have been obvious. He precedes to dig her out and it is a fascinating journey.
The Book of Lilith
Barbara Black Kultov (1986) explores the Lilith myth from a Jungian psychoanalytic perspective. A straightforward and easy to read exposition of the Lilith legend in Judaism and an interesting relation to Kultov’s field of practice. Highly recommended for background reading on this fascinating topic.