The Alchemical Tarot (Paperback)

~ Rosemary E. Guiley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A wonderful deck and book set that I highly recommend. Robert Place's cards not only show the alchemical process but faithfully adapt the style and iconography of Renaissance alchemical illustration to the process of individuation as described by Carl Jung. Much of the book is an excellent overview of the history, principles, and practice of alchemy, and should not be skipped. Bob and Rosemary describe the personal experiences and synchronicities that led to the publishing of their magnum opus; nothing about it seemed accidental, and we can share in their sense of awe and wonder at the processes involved. Both have delved deeply into Tarot's real history, reaching back before the Egyptian and Kabbalistic fantasies of the 18th and 19th centuries to the earlier Classical, neo-Platonic, and Pythagorean-inspired icons and emblems that characterize the 15th to 17th centuries. The art consists of delicate line drawings resembling etchings with great clarity of detail, exquisitely colored. -- Mary K. Greer, Tools and Rights of Transformation Newsletter, 1997

Mr. Place has taken the transformative power of alchemical images and used them to draw a tarot deck of charming simplicity. His knowledge of both symbol systems is vast -- Aquarius, Atlanta, July 1996

Product Description

Robert Place's Tarot deck, beautifully illustrated in the style of original Renaissance alchemical art, takes you deep into the alchemical mysteries--and unlocks their secrets.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Thorsons (January 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855383012
• ISBN-13: 978-1855383012
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #619,520 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A deep, beutiful, and useful deck., December 13, 2000

By	Uri Raz (Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This deck is the result of serious study and hard work - on both the book and the cards, and the result shows the time and effort that went into it's making.

The cards are *very* beutiful - pretier than most new decks. IMHO, they are pretier than the Marseilles & Rider-Waite-Smith decks, as pretty as the Osho Transformational, and would have been as pretty as the Thoth had it the fiery energies that the Thoth has.

As another reviewer wrote, the cards are similar to the Rider deck (e.g. 5 & 8 of pentacles, 3 & knight of cups, and 3 & 6 of swords), but this is an original work and no Rider clone - Justice is numbered 8 & Strength is numbered 11, the Fool is not going off a cliff accompanied by a dog, the Magician is not standing in front of a table with the symbols of the four suits, etc.

The book is a masterpiece. A clear and excellent introduction to alchemy is given, along with a section that explains the connection between alchemy & tarot with the assistance of Jungian psychology. Following are chapters explaining the Major & Minor arcana, explaining each card's design and meaning, and a chapter about spreading the cards.

Having read several other books that accompany tarot decks, this is one of the best - it's on par with Brian Williams' books on his Renessaince & Minchiate decks, and a much easier reading than Waite's Pictorial Key to the Tarot and Crowley's Book of Thoth.

Though I had to invest some time studying this deck (reading the book slowly and carefuly - it was worth every minute, and doing several readings for myself), this deck quickly became one of my favourites. It's depth makes it a deck that grows with the reader.

As far as tarot decks & books go, this is one of my best buys, and I warmly recommend it to anyone who is interested in tarot.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty, power and gravity -- a treasure, May 1, 2000

By	Susan Byers (Willits, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of my very favorite tarot decks. The only guess I can hazard for it not being more popular is that some people may find the concept of alchemy off-putting. However, this deck is based on the Waite-style tarot that most beginners are familiar with, and it can easily be adapted for use by non-alchemists! In fact, it is a stunningly beautiful deck of great weight and power. By "gravity" and "weight" I mean that there is a profound quality and depth to the images, not that it takes itself too seriously.

The artist and author of this deck were guided, as if by a divine hand, to produce the deck, and it was a labor of love for both individuals. Robert Place is a sculptor, and this is evident in the very classical feel to the artwork. There is a fair amount of nudity, but it is in no way offensive, and was obviously inspired by the art of renaissance sculpture. I have heard the artwork called "iconic," as figures on coins are, and this accurately describes how I feel about it as well. It is a deck I will be able to grow with over time, without feeling that I have outgrown it. The cards do not have their own box, so one will have to provide some sort of protective box or bag for them, but for many of us this is a routine matter of respect and affection anyway. The cards have very high production values; the book is paperback.

Basically, the study of alchemy is a spiritual discipline of turning our own dross into gold. In this light, the theme is applicable for any student of the tarot, regardless of previous exposure to the principles of alchemy. They are described in the very good book, but the deck can be used without extensive study. Some of the images are extremely powerful and even startling: the 4 of Wands, for instance, is a hand with the four fingers in flames. While this can seem a disturbing image, it also speaks of utilizing that Wand-Fire energy in a very direct, physical way. Similarly, The Star shows a mermaid with milk spouting from one breast and blood from the other, representing the mingling of all bodily fluids with the universal waters. It is a strong image, but not sensational. Most of the cards, however, are not shocking in any way except in their beauty: the High Priestess, The Moon, The World -- many others! -- are among the most gorgeous I have ever seen.

I think a dedicated beginner could manage to read with this deck with a little committed study, and for the more advanced student it is a treasure chest begging to be opened.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, March 13, 2002

By A Customer

As a long time user and fan of various incarnations of the Rider Waite Smith deck, I went looking for something different, but not radically different in a new deck. The Alchemical Tarot does depart from some of the familiar symbology, but in a very constructive and well-defined way. Nonetheless, this is a Tarot deck in the grand tradition.

The book: I came to this deck and book with almost no knowledge of alchemy, but as I sat reading the opening chapters, which give a concise, well-written overview of the long history of this art and its eventual integration with Tarot, I found many dissaparate elements I've picked up and drawn from coming together into a cohesive whole. For those who believe that Jung's collective unconcious is a good modern explanation of why Tarot works, this is a must read.

The deck: Again, WOW! Some of the images may look strange at first, but with a bit of insight into the rationale of the artist, they are rich, fresh, and inspiring. I look forward to meditating with them, and they should raise a few eyebrows in public readings, too.