Tarot of the Saints (Misc. Supplies)

~ Robert Place (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This odd, charming hybrid of a book synchronizes Christian hagiography, Gnostic mysticism, Jungian archetypes, and the Tarot deck. Place, author of Angels' Tarot and other works, draws correlations between the figures of the Major Arcana and the Christian saints that are not hard to see and appealing in their transparency: St. Nicholas as the Magician, St. Barbara as the Tower, St. Valentine for the Lovers, and so forth. While the application of saints to the predictive or prescriptive uses of Tarot may well shock conservative Christians, Place has an endearing way of weaving the saints' legends into the fabric of esoteric archetype. For larger collections. (Cards included with the book not seen.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

A Gnostic Christian Tarot Saints lend themselves remarkably well to correspondences with the archetypal images of the Tarot. St. Francis, a Fool for Christ; St. Nicholas, the Miracle Worker (Magician); and St. Mary Magdalen, The First Papesse (High Priestess). Saints serve as examples of ideal behavior, values, and outlook. By nature, they are well suited to dispense insight and wisdom through the cards. In this beautiful new deck, their personalities bring life to the abstract images of the Tarot.

Robert M. Place has created a powerful new tool for accessing the deepest mysteries of the mystical Christian tradition with the Tarot of the Saints. These cards bring to life the spiritual force of these venerated beings in a way that is at once immediately accessible and deeply meaningful.

The full-sized book included in this kit was specifically written to accompany the deck. It includes fresh, insightful interpretations, a history of the Tarot, instructions for divination and meditation, and a succinct overview of the Western mystery schools. First Runner Up for the 2001 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Interactive Sideline/Gift

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Product Details

• Misc. Supplies: 264 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567185274
• ISBN-13: 978-1567185270
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 2.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #681,155 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, October 20, 2001

By A Customer

"I received this deck in the mail on September 14, the day George W. Bush declared a national day of prayer and remembrance. I was shaken up that day, not only by the recent tragedy, the concern for family and friends in NYC, or the very real possibility of war that faced us all. I was shaken up by an emotional response I had to watching the days' services at the National Cathedral. I was moved by the words of Jew, Christian, Muslim. But something else took place, ... an instinctual urge to return to the religion of my early childhood.

I have never rejected Christianity. In fact, for quite a few years I was deep in study of ancient Christianity, Judaism, and Gnosticism; and Biblical language. Over time I simply moved away from it, as I delved into other religions. What I came to fully realize through the study of so many different traditions, is that they are all reaching for the same light, the same spirit. With this in mind, I can look at Christianity fairly and openly. Although I already understood that the repression and narrow-mindedness of some people, as well as the history of persecution, are not just reflections of the faith, I saw this again more distinctly through this receptive study of other religions. I can quietly roam the depths of Christianity, and find true mysticism and spirit there, again.

Tarot of the Saints is a perfect starting (or re-starting) point for this. Robert M. Place, with intelligence and skill, presents to us the great people of Christianity, those humans who gave their lives to a quest for God, and discovered the soul of God him/her/it-self. These are the men and women who endured torture, saw visions, performed miracles. They are the ones whose experiences so strongly embodied a Christian ideal, they were canonized as saints.

Who are the saints? Even though I grew up in a large Italian, Catholic family, I never had much familiarity with more than just a few of the saints. But it is easy for me to recognize their significance, their potency as symbols and guides. There are thousands of recognized saints, and they fit extremely well into the tarot. Their places within this set seem natural, almost as if the tarot were designed around their stories.

This set is a bit more academic than many others. Its research is obvious, both in the writing and in the extensive bibliography. The book opens with a discussion on the origin of the tarot that is comprehensive and interesting. It continues into a discussion of Christian mystics, Gnostics, and saints, that is equally comprehensive and interesting. The history nut in me loved these two chapters, and appreciated the more scholarly (though still very accessible) approach. The book then delves into the mystical nature of tarot, validating its place in history and in modern times.

The first reading I did with this deck was impressive. It was a few days after I received the set. The feelings I had had on the 14th about reconsidering Christianity had faded, or mellowed, a bit. It wasn't on my mind. But the reading drew them up again, placed them beneath a spotlight. Reading through the interpretations, I realized just how on target and effective this set can be for self-discovery, and for divination. The cards, and their written meanings, hit my personal experiences right on the head.

Each Major Arcana card receives three pages or so of explanation, historical fact (or legend), symbolism, and interpretation. These are, again, comprehensive and interesting. The court cards, which are Squire, Knight, Queen, and King, are adequately explained in one or two pages. The number cards, which usually have scenes, only receive a small paragraph of interpretation. This, I think, is one of the only weak points of the set. Beginners may have a hard time learning a full range of possible interpretations because of this limitation.

The cards are very finely illustrated. Normally I would not like this kind of artwork. It is literal, realistic, very straightforward. But the lines and shadowing give the images more than just visual form. The images, like the words in the book, succeed at being both scholarly and intuitive, teaching as well as moving.

Ties to a pagan past are brought up repeatedly and respectfully, and women are depicted in honorable and impressive roles. The criticisms that are often launched against Christianity cannot be launched against this set, which provides us with a clear, unobstructed view of the mystical truth of the religion.

This is an excellent set. It would likely be welcomed by those following a Christian path, and should be considered by those who previously rejected Christianity. I thank Robert M. Place for combining two of my all-time favorite subjects: ancient mystical Christianity, and Tarot. It makes for great reading (and readings!).
______________________________________N.Levine, web master of Tarot Insights

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gnostic Tarot, July 20, 2002

By A Customer

This is one of the most exciting tarot systems I've ever seen. It combines expert commentary on the classical tarot along with an expert synthysis of high Christian Mysticism and Gnosticism. This is a must for Christian Mystics, Occultists, Gnostics and Christo-pagans. The artwork is really cool to, having the feel of Catholic prayer cards, yet all the tarot symbolism is still there. I highly recommend this deck!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Accomplishment, August 2, 2003

By A Customer

This deck is truly inspired and will be especially appreciated by Christian Mystics. The illustrations are beautiful and appealing in both realistic and symbolic meaning. The companion book is well written and clearly shows how early Christianity played a major role in tarot symbology.While we know that the Trumps are meant to form a progression with each one triumphing over its predeccessor, we find in the Tarot of the Saints that each saint also represents a triumph in him-or herself; sometimes this struggle was with evil, and sometimes the struggle was with the saint's own inner nature and the victory was the spiritual transformation of the self. This in itself adds another unique dimension to these cards.I also found the readings to be very accurate. I HIGHLY recommend this!