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The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination
The Tarot is one of the few books that cuts through conventional misperceptions to explore the Tarot deck as it really developed in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe--not, as some would suggest, in the far reaches of Egyptian antiquity. Mining the Hermetic, alchemical, and Neoplatonic influences behind the evolution of the deck, author Robert M. Place provides a historically grounded and compelling portrait of the Tarot's true origins, without overlooking the deck's mystical dimensions.Indeed, Place uncommonly weds reliable historiography with a practical understanding of the intuitive help and divinatory guidance that the cards can bring. He presents techniques that offer new and valuable ways to read and interpret the cards. Based on a simple three-card spread, Place's approach can be used by either the seasoned practitioner or the new inquirer.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 18, 2008
I bought this book after meeting the author briefly. He told me about how he reads spreads, and I was so impressed that I bought his book, despite the fact that its immediate appearance did not distinguish it from dozens of other books on tarot. I am so glad that I did get this book. It fills a gap in my knowledge of the tarot that was bothering me, and I hardly even realized it.
The book goes over the beginnings of the tarot in a clear and comprehensive way. The basic origins of the playing cards/minor arcana are covered, with their Arabic and perhaps ultimately Chinese origin described and explained. The author discusses the general development of the major arcana, based on archetypal figures that were common at the time, the concept of trumps or triumphs, and Neoplatonic ideas. He also covers later occult studies and development of the tarot, ranging from de Gebelin to Eliphas Levi and then the Golden Dawn. In doing so he contextualizes the tarot amongst the influences of hermeticism, alchemy, and kabalah, describing which associations we know to be original, which were direct or indirect, and which were added later. He also goes over each of the major arcana cards in the early decks, primarily the Marseille tarot. This historical section is fantastic, and it is information that, whether it is original research or not, I have not found to be commonly available elsewhere.
Afterwards there follows a section on the Waite-Smith tarot deck, the most common one in use today. First the author describes Waite and Smith's short biographies, their relationship with the Golden Dawn, and then reviews every single one of the cards briefly. This section, particularly the review of the cards, is not so revelatory.
Finally there is a fairly succinct section on how to read the cards, his method of reading three card spreads, and a few suggestions of more complex spreads that are still based on the three card format, along with some sample readings. While this section does not go into great depth, it is also potentially of great use to a reader looking for new insight and ideas.
I've given the book four stars instead of five because of the section reviewing the Waite-Rider cards. The sections on the history of the tarot, and on his suggestions for divination with the tarot, both deserve five stars.
The book goes over the beginnings of the tarot in a clear and comprehensive way. The basic origins of the playing cards/minor arcana are covered, with their Arabic and perhaps ultimately Chinese origin described and explained. The author discusses the general development of the major arcana, based on archetypal figures that were common at the time, the concept of trumps or triumphs, and Neoplatonic ideas. He also covers later occult studies and development of the tarot, ranging from de Gebelin to Eliphas Levi and then the Golden Dawn. In doing so he contextualizes the tarot amongst the influences of hermeticism, alchemy, and kabalah, describing which associations we know to be original, which were direct or indirect, and which were added later. He also goes over each of the major arcana cards in the early decks, primarily the Marseille tarot. This historical section is fantastic, and it is information that, whether it is original research or not, I have not found to be commonly available elsewhere.
Afterwards there follows a section on the Waite-Smith tarot deck, the most common one in use today. First the author describes Waite and Smith's short biographies, their relationship with the Golden Dawn, and then reviews every single one of the cards briefly. This section, particularly the review of the cards, is not so revelatory.
Finally there is a fairly succinct section on how to read the cards, his method of reading three card spreads, and a few suggestions of more complex spreads that are still based on the three card format, along with some sample readings. While this section does not go into great depth, it is also potentially of great use to a reader looking for new insight and ideas.
I've given the book four stars instead of five because of the section reviewing the Waite-Rider cards. The sections on the history of the tarot, and on his suggestions for divination with the tarot, both deserve five stars.
December 4, 2012
This book presents some fascinating information--most books on the tarot only describe their interpretations of the cards, but Place has obviously done considerable research to bolster his claims. It's a well informed book.
Unfortunately, that's all that's going for this one. I'm a fast reader, but it took me a long time to get through this one. It's endlessly repetitive; Place restates his thesis (that the tarot is not an ancient text) continuously, and many other important pieces of his thesis are repeated ad nauseum. It may be poor editing--there are passages that are close to duplicates of previous passages, and one wonders if they were intended to be edited out--but that doesn't explain all the repetition. Instead, I got the impression that Place wanted to be "extra sure" his readers "got it," which shows a lack of confidence in his own ability to deliver the message. Worse, it's almost patronizing to the reader.
The writing is also stilted or lacks punctuation in many places. I wouldn't say the book received a good editing job, and this made it difficult to read at times.
At the end of the book Place describes some of his methods of divining with the cards. These were very interesting, and I liked how he suggests relying on your intuition rather than so-called codified meaning of the cards. Clearly he's of the mind that the cards represent archetypes which can be interpreted, and not static metaphysical images that can't be argued with, like many tarot practitioners.
Ultimately, this is a book I'll likely go back to for reference, but I wouldn't read it a second time. I would recommend it only to those who want some solid research into the history of the tarot--and those who have the patience to be patronized.
Unfortunately, that's all that's going for this one. I'm a fast reader, but it took me a long time to get through this one. It's endlessly repetitive; Place restates his thesis (that the tarot is not an ancient text) continuously, and many other important pieces of his thesis are repeated ad nauseum. It may be poor editing--there are passages that are close to duplicates of previous passages, and one wonders if they were intended to be edited out--but that doesn't explain all the repetition. Instead, I got the impression that Place wanted to be "extra sure" his readers "got it," which shows a lack of confidence in his own ability to deliver the message. Worse, it's almost patronizing to the reader.
The writing is also stilted or lacks punctuation in many places. I wouldn't say the book received a good editing job, and this made it difficult to read at times.
At the end of the book Place describes some of his methods of divining with the cards. These were very interesting, and I liked how he suggests relying on your intuition rather than so-called codified meaning of the cards. Clearly he's of the mind that the cards represent archetypes which can be interpreted, and not static metaphysical images that can't be argued with, like many tarot practitioners.
Ultimately, this is a book I'll likely go back to for reference, but I wouldn't read it a second time. I would recommend it only to those who want some solid research into the history of the tarot--and those who have the patience to be patronized.
January 22, 2022
Excellent, must-read resource on the history of tarot. Easy to understand but by no means dumbed down. Enjoyable to read.
September 16, 2011
The Tarot is one of the most distorted and misrepresented of all cultural artifacts. All too many writers pushing the divinatory uses of these cards, cling to outdated myths and pseudo-history. Place's mostly accurate and exceptional book on Tarot history is a breath of fresh air.
The earliest Tarot cards appeared in northern Italy during the 15th century and they were originally used to play a trick taking card game. What many now call the "Major Arcana" were intended to be a trump suit in this card game. One of the greatest strengths of this book is how it places the traditional images of Tarot in the context of the ideas prevalent during the Italian Renaissance. I would recommend this title not only to those interested in Tarot symbolism but also to enthusiasts of Medieval and Renaissance history.
I have only one criticism of this book and it concerns Place's biased notions of what constitutes "modern Tarot" Occult Tarot is not the only form of "modern Tarot" and contrary to what it says in the text, not all modern Tarot decks are derived from the Tarot de Marseilles.
The Tarot card game did not stop being played because of Antoine Court de Gébelin's "Monde Primitif" The 18th century was a pivotal one for Tarot history. Besides the beginnings of occult Tarot sparked by de Gébelin's work, German card makers of the 18th century also began making Tarot cards with the French suit symbols of hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs with trump images which differ considerably from the older Marseilles Tarot and these types of Tarot cards are used today for the Tarot and Tarock card games of France and central Europe. Also during the 18th century, bidding was introduced into the Tarot card games making this a more complex and sophisticated family of card games. It should be understood that the occult Tarot is only one branch of modern Tarot and I'm a little disappointed that Place neglects to mention French suited Tarot decks and modern Tarot game playing.
The earliest Tarot cards appeared in northern Italy during the 15th century and they were originally used to play a trick taking card game. What many now call the "Major Arcana" were intended to be a trump suit in this card game. One of the greatest strengths of this book is how it places the traditional images of Tarot in the context of the ideas prevalent during the Italian Renaissance. I would recommend this title not only to those interested in Tarot symbolism but also to enthusiasts of Medieval and Renaissance history.
I have only one criticism of this book and it concerns Place's biased notions of what constitutes "modern Tarot" Occult Tarot is not the only form of "modern Tarot" and contrary to what it says in the text, not all modern Tarot decks are derived from the Tarot de Marseilles.
The Tarot card game did not stop being played because of Antoine Court de Gébelin's "Monde Primitif" The 18th century was a pivotal one for Tarot history. Besides the beginnings of occult Tarot sparked by de Gébelin's work, German card makers of the 18th century also began making Tarot cards with the French suit symbols of hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs with trump images which differ considerably from the older Marseilles Tarot and these types of Tarot cards are used today for the Tarot and Tarock card games of France and central Europe. Also during the 18th century, bidding was introduced into the Tarot card games making this a more complex and sophisticated family of card games. It should be understood that the occult Tarot is only one branch of modern Tarot and I'm a little disappointed that Place neglects to mention French suited Tarot decks and modern Tarot game playing.
January 14, 2012
This is quite an interesting book. It is a very well researched history of the Tarot, but unlike many historic accounts, does not dismiss its mystical origins entirely. Place is a respected deck creator (known for the Alchemical Tarot and the Buddha Tarot, among others) and a nice side feature in the book is that when he didn't have the rights to print an image of a card, he drew his own version.
Place thoroughly debunks the French and later English occultists ridiculous theories of the origins of the Tarot and its connection to Egyptian deities, Sufism, alchemy, and Cabala BUT also shows how all those systems fit into the philosophical writings of the Neoplatonists, who greatly influenced the Renaissance Tarot creators. So, Place explains, the Tarot IS influenced by all those systems, just not in the way the occultists desired. It describes the journey of the mystic in a Christian-Neoplatonic fashion.
It would be a misnomer, however, to say that this is a history of the Tarot. It is really just a history of the Rider-Waite Smith deck, the most well known deck, and the one that in Place's eyes, is the best modern manifestation of the tarot. It's not a bad thing, per se, but when I bought a big thick history book of the tarot, I didn't expect half of it to be filled with the card interpretations and suggested spreads for one of the most common decks. I am sure I'll find things in it I didn't know, but I would have loved more discussion of decks like the Sola Busca, Thoth, or even post Golden Dawn decks.
Even so, this book is a must read for any Tarot enthusiast, especially those interested in the RWS deck or historical decks.
Place thoroughly debunks the French and later English occultists ridiculous theories of the origins of the Tarot and its connection to Egyptian deities, Sufism, alchemy, and Cabala BUT also shows how all those systems fit into the philosophical writings of the Neoplatonists, who greatly influenced the Renaissance Tarot creators. So, Place explains, the Tarot IS influenced by all those systems, just not in the way the occultists desired. It describes the journey of the mystic in a Christian-Neoplatonic fashion.
It would be a misnomer, however, to say that this is a history of the Tarot. It is really just a history of the Rider-Waite Smith deck, the most well known deck, and the one that in Place's eyes, is the best modern manifestation of the tarot. It's not a bad thing, per se, but when I bought a big thick history book of the tarot, I didn't expect half of it to be filled with the card interpretations and suggested spreads for one of the most common decks. I am sure I'll find things in it I didn't know, but I would have loved more discussion of decks like the Sola Busca, Thoth, or even post Golden Dawn decks.
Even so, this book is a must read for any Tarot enthusiast, especially those interested in the RWS deck or historical decks.
June 2, 2023
Wow - this book has my brain buzzing, in the best possible way.
Of all books I've read on tarot, this one focuses more on the history of this symbol-rich tradition more so than any other aspect. Specifically, the author works hard to dispel many myths surrounding the origins of the cards, while making fair assessments of the significance of the historical inaccuracies. The historical adventure contained within these pages takes the reader on a journey that includes symbolism stemming from a wide variety of eras and traditions. Just a few of the systems described in the book are: the Renaissance, Egyptian mythology, Christianity, Greek mythology, early occult societies such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Plato and Neoplatonism, Hellenism, Kabalah, and Jungian psychology. The author goes further than merely describing how these systems operate, but he also links them to each other, and the tarot itself.
Specifically, he dives into the history and development of the Waitte-Smith tarot, and includes a full page write-up on each card in the deck. A divination manual follows, in the back, which was my favorite part of the book. He includes a few sample spreads that are some of the most incredible and ingenious ways to consult the cards that I have ever read.
If the quest to understanding mystery starts and ends with recognizing how little you know when stacked against the infinite amount of how much there is to know, then I have progressed much further on that quest after having finished this book. I appreciated every page of it.
Of all books I've read on tarot, this one focuses more on the history of this symbol-rich tradition more so than any other aspect. Specifically, the author works hard to dispel many myths surrounding the origins of the cards, while making fair assessments of the significance of the historical inaccuracies. The historical adventure contained within these pages takes the reader on a journey that includes symbolism stemming from a wide variety of eras and traditions. Just a few of the systems described in the book are: the Renaissance, Egyptian mythology, Christianity, Greek mythology, early occult societies such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Plato and Neoplatonism, Hellenism, Kabalah, and Jungian psychology. The author goes further than merely describing how these systems operate, but he also links them to each other, and the tarot itself.
Specifically, he dives into the history and development of the Waitte-Smith tarot, and includes a full page write-up on each card in the deck. A divination manual follows, in the back, which was my favorite part of the book. He includes a few sample spreads that are some of the most incredible and ingenious ways to consult the cards that I have ever read.
If the quest to understanding mystery starts and ends with recognizing how little you know when stacked against the infinite amount of how much there is to know, then I have progressed much further on that quest after having finished this book. I appreciated every page of it.
June 11, 2024
The Tarot: History, Symbolism & Divination by Robert M. Place
Rating: 3.5 stars
Date Read: 11 June 2024
Robert M. Place provides an overview of the history and symbolism behind modern tarot cards. The first two-thirds of this book focuses on the platonic and neoplatonic philosophy and Western esoteric traditions. I found the chapter on the ubiquitous Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck lacking, as it does nothing more exiting than describe the picture on the card. The last chapter provides some instruction on how to read tarot cards and a few spreads, but nothing particularly exciting or unusual. I found Paul Huson's Mystical Origins of the Tarot to provide a better analysis of why tarot cards have the graphics they do, even if Huson doesn't focus so much on philosophy.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Date Read: 11 June 2024
Robert M. Place provides an overview of the history and symbolism behind modern tarot cards. The first two-thirds of this book focuses on the platonic and neoplatonic philosophy and Western esoteric traditions. I found the chapter on the ubiquitous Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck lacking, as it does nothing more exiting than describe the picture on the card. The last chapter provides some instruction on how to read tarot cards and a few spreads, but nothing particularly exciting or unusual. I found Paul Huson's Mystical Origins of the Tarot to provide a better analysis of why tarot cards have the graphics they do, even if Huson doesn't focus so much on philosophy.
August 11, 2020
As a total novice to tarot (but always having been fascinated by it), this book was very educational. Who knew that tarot originated in 15th century Italy as a form of bridge? Not this girl. Myth busting, studies of each card, different decks and their additions or subtractions, and example layouts with reading suggestions - the whole package for understanding where tarot came from, how it evolved in many cultures to the occult practice we all know today. We are all fools on a journey.
June 29, 2013
This book is well-written and a joy to read. I would give it 4.5 stars, as it is. If it had full-color illustrations it would easily be 5 stars.
July 28, 2021
Desde hace varios meses me interesé por el tarot sin saber nada de él, empecé a investigarlo cuando hice mis cartas de "Tarocco Agreste" pero más que nada estuve revisando referentes históricos sin meterme en el significado de las cartas normales. Este libro es una buena introducción y abarca tanto la historia como la filosofía neoplatónica que está detrás del tarot y además ofrece significados de todas las cartas y ejemplos de lecturas hechos con la baraja Waite-Smith que es una de las más populares. Creo que me hubiera gustado leer este libro antes de hacer mis cartas aunque también se me hace simpático como algunos simbolos los dibujé de forma intuitiva y ahora sé que tienen un trasfondo . Aún no tengo ninguna baraja de tarot pero me sigue interesando por sus representaciones arquetípicas y la unión de juego/azar/divinación. El autor no sólo se mete en la parte de investigación sino que también ha ilustrado un montón de barajas y es un referente muy importante para lo que hago como diseñadora.
February 16, 2020
This is a must-read book on tarot, especially for beginners. It helps clear misunderstandings on what the tarot is and isn't.
First, Place explains the true origins of tarot cards, based on evidence rather than misinformed wishful-thinking.
Then, he explains the externally projected esoteric origins of the tarot, as mistakenly purported by occultists from the 19th century onwards.
A lot of tarot books subscribe to the notion that the tarot originated from Ancient Egypt. It's quite common to flick through a tarot guidebook with added descriptions related to astrology, kabbalah, alchemy etc. Place does a way with all of these. While some of the major arcana's symbolism do relate to these concepts, it's because the symbology of the cards was a product of the culture of the Italian Renaissance, which was influenced by Neoplatonism. Coincidentally, a lot of occultism was also influenced by the same theory of Neoplatonism.
After clearing up the confusion, he goes through the meanings of the major and minor arcana (of both the Marseille and the Rider Waite decks), before exploring how we can use the tarot to access the subconscious (Higher Self) in order to make well-informed decisions.
According to Place, the tarot isn't about predicting the future, but rather about shaping the future, our future.
This pretty much sums up his whole theory:
'The Tarot, therefore, provides a spiritual tool with a complete set of archetypal images that can be used by our Higher Self to guide us toward more enlightened choices and spiritual wisdom. Instead of predicting the future, the cards work best when they are used to help to create a more fulfilling future.'
Finally, Place walks us through how he reads the tarot, giving tips on how to use spreads. Forget the Celtic Cross, forget reversals, forget preconceived meanings attached to each card. Instead, read the cards intuitively. The use of a simple 3 card spread helps with that. With this spread, you can read the cards as if they were components of a sentence, all interacting with each other.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly. It's changed the way I view the tarot; the way I read tarot cards will never be the same again.
First, Place explains the true origins of tarot cards, based on evidence rather than misinformed wishful-thinking.
Then, he explains the externally projected esoteric origins of the tarot, as mistakenly purported by occultists from the 19th century onwards.
A lot of tarot books subscribe to the notion that the tarot originated from Ancient Egypt. It's quite common to flick through a tarot guidebook with added descriptions related to astrology, kabbalah, alchemy etc. Place does a way with all of these. While some of the major arcana's symbolism do relate to these concepts, it's because the symbology of the cards was a product of the culture of the Italian Renaissance, which was influenced by Neoplatonism. Coincidentally, a lot of occultism was also influenced by the same theory of Neoplatonism.
After clearing up the confusion, he goes through the meanings of the major and minor arcana (of both the Marseille and the Rider Waite decks), before exploring how we can use the tarot to access the subconscious (Higher Self) in order to make well-informed decisions.
According to Place, the tarot isn't about predicting the future, but rather about shaping the future, our future.
This pretty much sums up his whole theory:
'The Tarot, therefore, provides a spiritual tool with a complete set of archetypal images that can be used by our Higher Self to guide us toward more enlightened choices and spiritual wisdom. Instead of predicting the future, the cards work best when they are used to help to create a more fulfilling future.'
Finally, Place walks us through how he reads the tarot, giving tips on how to use spreads. Forget the Celtic Cross, forget reversals, forget preconceived meanings attached to each card. Instead, read the cards intuitively. The use of a simple 3 card spread helps with that. With this spread, you can read the cards as if they were components of a sentence, all interacting with each other.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly. It's changed the way I view the tarot; the way I read tarot cards will never be the same again.
September 29, 2015
When I was thirteen, I had my fortune told through the use of tarot cards. The occultist predicted that I would go through great pain in my life, but that I would be able to cope with it all, and in return, grow as a person. However, the experience has always been a mystery to me. What exactly happened during my session? When will my predictions come true? Should I believe what my reading told me? People have always been fascinated by the things they don’t understand. The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination by Robert M. Place takes one of the more mysterious parts of human history and explores the true meaning behind the cards. Unlike most books about tarot cards, Place delves into the history and meaning behind the deck’s true beginnings, but in a manner that kept me reading and held my attention. He debunks the common, otherworldly myths that surround the tarot, and sets the record straight. Towards the end of the book, Place discusses each card and gives a detailed history, and a specific divination meaning for each one. With a culture as rich and misunderstood as the tarot, this easy-to-follow nonfiction book opened my eyes to the fascinating and almost magical world of ancient cards. As well as informing me on the true nature of tarot, it helped me understand my own experience with the cards. Anyone with an open mind, a passion for magic, and an interest in other cultures would find this book to be more than enjoyable. Robert Place does a beautiful job easing the reader's way into the tarot mindset. By reading this book, I was finally able to comprehend exactly what happened during my own tarot card reading. It inspired me to acquire my own deck of tarot cards and read fortunes daily. The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination, is not only a good handbook for avid tarot card readers, but an eye opener to those who are intrigued by their unique potential.
April 29, 2018
This is hands down the best book on Tarot I've read. I started getting back into Tarot in fall of 2015 and since then and I have gobbled up dozens of books, from the scholarly to the meditative to the practical. In the first few months of reading, what frustrated me about many of the books -even if they were insightful and well written, is that they seemed to have no notion of the actual history of Tarot or firm idea of the origins of the imagery and symbols.
Place lays it all out in a way that is clear, organized and incredibly entertaining. The foundations of history and culture that lead to the Renaissance period when the Tarot were created, the Renaissance itself - and what got added in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when the occultists picked Tarot back up. It was utterly fascinating. Place seems an intelligent and thorough scholar of Tarot history, and lays out his ideas of the origins of the Tarot symbols and imagery in a way that is clear and direct - with none of the fuzziness that I got in other books. I finished reading feeling not only more educated on the history of Tarot, but much more knowledgeable on the Renaissance, Plato, Pythagoras, qabbalistic thought, and and the Hellenistic period. Thank you Place!
I'd say read this Tarot book as soon as you can - before you read any others. Then every book you read after will be enhanced with the rich context of the Italian Renaissance - and all that glorious history before it.
Place lays it all out in a way that is clear, organized and incredibly entertaining. The foundations of history and culture that lead to the Renaissance period when the Tarot were created, the Renaissance itself - and what got added in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when the occultists picked Tarot back up. It was utterly fascinating. Place seems an intelligent and thorough scholar of Tarot history, and lays out his ideas of the origins of the Tarot symbols and imagery in a way that is clear and direct - with none of the fuzziness that I got in other books. I finished reading feeling not only more educated on the history of Tarot, but much more knowledgeable on the Renaissance, Plato, Pythagoras, qabbalistic thought, and and the Hellenistic period. Thank you Place!
I'd say read this Tarot book as soon as you can - before you read any others. Then every book you read after will be enhanced with the rich context of the Italian Renaissance - and all that glorious history before it.
May 27, 2023
Place´ book The Tarot, History, Symbolism and Divination gives the reader a solid understanding of the history of Tarot and the different individuals and thoughts that influenced the interpretation of the Tarot deck. In fact half the book covers the track of the tarot from; Chinese paper, European production, early differences, the Marseille deck through to the Rider Waite deck. The book covers the influences from Hermeticism, Alchemy, Neoplatonism, early Christianity, Egyptian Thoth, Kabbalah and more. Place also presents the notable influences from individuals such as; Gebelin, Mellet, Etteille, Levi, Golden Dawn and others. Place describes each Tarot card in around 1 page both in Marseille style as well as in RWS style, more from an historic or symbolic perspective than divinatory perspective. The chapters on Marseille is only sparsely illustrated with Marseille card images but the chapter on the Rider Waite has each card presented with the accompanying text. All illustrations are in black and white. Place also introduces the 3 card spread and provides example interpretations. There is a good index in the back too. In general, I think this is a good book certainly as it pertains to the history of the Tarot, but it is not a book I would recommend for people wanting to learn to read the Tarot.
This book can be purchased on Amazon; https://amzn.to/3MYXMQ3
This book can be purchased on Amazon; https://amzn.to/3MYXMQ3
December 8, 2016
Excelentisimo libro que aborda y explica al Tarot como una creacion Renacentista, especialmente dentro de la corriente Neo-Platonica. No se pierde en los desvarios misticos de origenes miticos, de hecho los explica y refuta con bastante solidez. Tambenn otorga una completa revision de las distintas influencias presentes en esa epoca, dandole un contexto mas que enriquecedor para entender al Tarot.
Todo el libro podria dividirse en dos partes: la primera, enfocado al aspecto historico; la segunda, en donde explica, carta por carta, el Tarot Rider Waite Smith, y algunos metodos de lecturas. En la segunda parte, salvo detalles que registra en algunas cartas, realmente no brilla.
Incluso en la seccion historica, cuando revisa Triunfo por Triunfo, los pasa muy por arriba. Es como si se hubiera dado cuenta o que se le acababa el libro o si no hubiera querido ahondar debidamente, como si ahondo otros temas incidentales como la Kabala.
Otro detalle que le quita valor, son las ilustraciones, la gran mayoria hechas por el. Todas en blanco y negro. Las que son reproducciones de otras ilustraciones, no cita la fuente para buscar la imagen original.
Pese a todo eso, es un muy buen libro.
Todo el libro podria dividirse en dos partes: la primera, enfocado al aspecto historico; la segunda, en donde explica, carta por carta, el Tarot Rider Waite Smith, y algunos metodos de lecturas. En la segunda parte, salvo detalles que registra en algunas cartas, realmente no brilla.
Incluso en la seccion historica, cuando revisa Triunfo por Triunfo, los pasa muy por arriba. Es como si se hubiera dado cuenta o que se le acababa el libro o si no hubiera querido ahondar debidamente, como si ahondo otros temas incidentales como la Kabala.
Otro detalle que le quita valor, son las ilustraciones, la gran mayoria hechas por el. Todas en blanco y negro. Las que son reproducciones de otras ilustraciones, no cita la fuente para buscar la imagen original.
Pese a todo eso, es un muy buen libro.
August 24, 2018
A classic for good reason.
Highlights were the contrasts between 'history' and 'occult history' and the extensive discussions of Neoplatonism and its influences. The long chapter on every card in the RWS is fine, but doesn't stand out as especially unique in content (though it's definitely better researched than most). The final chapter on reading techniques feels a bit rushed, and like a bit of an add-on to the rest, but has a lot of really valuable ideas in it and is a great resource on its own. Only real shortcoming, for me, is that toward the end the book gets rather repetitive, though with some of the more complicated details it's at times a welcome reminder. Recommended.
Highlights were the contrasts between 'history' and 'occult history' and the extensive discussions of Neoplatonism and its influences. The long chapter on every card in the RWS is fine, but doesn't stand out as especially unique in content (though it's definitely better researched than most). The final chapter on reading techniques feels a bit rushed, and like a bit of an add-on to the rest, but has a lot of really valuable ideas in it and is a great resource on its own. Only real shortcoming, for me, is that toward the end the book gets rather repetitive, though with some of the more complicated details it's at times a welcome reminder. Recommended.
March 20, 2012
This book is a plain language and really fascinating intro to Tarot that doesn't sensationalize or mystify anything. I'm learning a lot about philosophy and the healthy growth and exchange of ideas through the ages and places more than anything at this point, but I do expect that once I look at a tarot deck and try to use one it will come in useful as well for my growth as a person...we'll see.
September 5, 2011
If you've ever been interested in Tarot cards, this is a must read. Author Robert Plan documents historical references better than anything I've ever read. Whether it is Plato, Jung, medieval theories, and Renaissance writers, the coverage makes sense.
Another aspect of this book is Plant's use of the Waite Tarot cards which are the mostwell known of the many versions of the Tarot
Another aspect of this book is Plant's use of the Waite Tarot cards which are the mostwell known of the many versions of the Tarot
August 13, 2007
Probably one of the very best books on the tarot. Fascinating, beautifully illustrated, and well-written.
January 13, 2019
The history is good; the tone, terminally pedantic. Place knows his material, an expertise he seems to consider sufficient reason for profuse condescension.
October 8, 2014
fascinating, even if you're not interested in the tarot specifically. Place's research and insights into Neoplatonism and symbolism in early Renaissance art makes this well worth the read.
August 17, 2020
The book is scholarly – 55 books were consulted/read, including some serious Tarot and art historians (and apparently gnosis/hermeticism as well) - to prepare it. You can safely read the historiographical part as you will learn lots of useful factual information on the history of Tarot and Western mysticism.
While the first part of the book is very historical and pretty neutral, the second part of the book (mainly Interpreting Major-Minor arcana and Hieroglyphs from the soul) is very spirituality - Higher self – unconscious – Jung – popular and unscientific psychology – Neoplatonism oriented. The author reads in the platonic Three parts of the soul into the Marseille deck, constantly drilling the mystical quest into the reader’s head. The author however admits himself that there is no one unique tarot and order (there are at least 3 orders). In any case, we must concede that Tarot WAS created within the vital tradition of allegorical and symbolic imagery in Renaissance art, influenced by Neoplatonism.
You also learn alone the way a bit of context behind the RWS deck, and the author goes through the symbolism of each card in this deck without the wild streams of consciousness and references to goddesses and high priestesses common in more feminism/neo-paganism literature. The symbolism on the RWS cards is indeed anchored in Christianity, Alchemy, Hermeticism and Gnosticism. Going through the meanings of Minors made me realise that everyone sees their own story in the cards, although a main plot line is common between different authors (for this particular deck), except for Waite, who lists contradictory meanings in his Pictorial Key to the Tarot. It's worth noting that Waite didn't use Tarot as a divination tool at all (he even stated that he hated divination).
The most interesting card to me is the World card as it presents a sort of mystical Christian mandala (itself based on pre-Christian iconography).
The author’s willingness to build a (stretched) fourfold system comprising all possible historical/alchemical/psychological, often outdated concepts, is annoying. Probably it helps squeeze more meaning out of the cards while reading for yourself.
The spread comprising 6 sometimes overlapping schemes is confusing and mainly based on the directional interactions of the characters in the cards (totally depends on imagery of each different deck). The « therapeutic » spread based on 7 « soul centres » claims to heal you from deceases by removing « energy blockages » (which qualifies as pseudoscience).
Perhaps, the most annoying part of the book is that the author sincerely but naively comes from a place where concepts like Higher self, unconscious, World Soul, cosmic psychic energy, and even immortality are a hard fact reality. Without any criticism, the author suggests that the cards will be arranged in the « right order » by our soul to guide us to a better future, dare we listen. The seven-planet ladder climbed by the Christian mystic may be debunked by the fact that the ancient cosmology which presents in a form of 7 planetary spheres and fixed stars shattered at the end of the 16th century when Tycho Brahe discovered a supernova and a comet crushing through space. Also, we have more than 7 planets in our solar system, as you may know. The author freely ignores scientific progress and presents the mystical quest conceived in times of ancient cosmological models as relevant today. The author never raises a question of human psychology and functioning of a human brain. For example, the human propensity to seek patterns in random information is a described phenomenon called apophenia. Our perception of connections and meaning between unrelated things may be an evolutionary mechanism designed to help us survive (there were experiments conducted with pigeons to show this).
There are two perspectives: either you think you have a loyal guide to help you through tough times using the tool as Tarot, or you can see Tarot reading (for yourself or for others) as an art of gazing at nice works of pictorial art and making up (misleading) stories. Sometimes it ticks, sometimes it’s off a mile. My experience with reading for myself over 4 years as well as consulting other tarot readers confirms the second option. You can use tarot to open a dialogue with yourself, but in no “magical” way can the cards tell you what to do, or describe objectively your personality, what others feel or give life/business advice.
However, the cultural history of Tarot is fascinating and part of humanity’s legacy.
While the first part of the book is very historical and pretty neutral, the second part of the book (mainly Interpreting Major-Minor arcana and Hieroglyphs from the soul) is very spirituality - Higher self – unconscious – Jung – popular and unscientific psychology – Neoplatonism oriented. The author reads in the platonic Three parts of the soul into the Marseille deck, constantly drilling the mystical quest into the reader’s head. The author however admits himself that there is no one unique tarot and order (there are at least 3 orders). In any case, we must concede that Tarot WAS created within the vital tradition of allegorical and symbolic imagery in Renaissance art, influenced by Neoplatonism.
You also learn alone the way a bit of context behind the RWS deck, and the author goes through the symbolism of each card in this deck without the wild streams of consciousness and references to goddesses and high priestesses common in more feminism/neo-paganism literature. The symbolism on the RWS cards is indeed anchored in Christianity, Alchemy, Hermeticism and Gnosticism. Going through the meanings of Minors made me realise that everyone sees their own story in the cards, although a main plot line is common between different authors (for this particular deck), except for Waite, who lists contradictory meanings in his Pictorial Key to the Tarot. It's worth noting that Waite didn't use Tarot as a divination tool at all (he even stated that he hated divination).
The most interesting card to me is the World card as it presents a sort of mystical Christian mandala (itself based on pre-Christian iconography).
The author’s willingness to build a (stretched) fourfold system comprising all possible historical/alchemical/psychological, often outdated concepts, is annoying. Probably it helps squeeze more meaning out of the cards while reading for yourself.
The spread comprising 6 sometimes overlapping schemes is confusing and mainly based on the directional interactions of the characters in the cards (totally depends on imagery of each different deck). The « therapeutic » spread based on 7 « soul centres » claims to heal you from deceases by removing « energy blockages » (which qualifies as pseudoscience).
Perhaps, the most annoying part of the book is that the author sincerely but naively comes from a place where concepts like Higher self, unconscious, World Soul, cosmic psychic energy, and even immortality are a hard fact reality. Without any criticism, the author suggests that the cards will be arranged in the « right order » by our soul to guide us to a better future, dare we listen. The seven-planet ladder climbed by the Christian mystic may be debunked by the fact that the ancient cosmology which presents in a form of 7 planetary spheres and fixed stars shattered at the end of the 16th century when Tycho Brahe discovered a supernova and a comet crushing through space. Also, we have more than 7 planets in our solar system, as you may know. The author freely ignores scientific progress and presents the mystical quest conceived in times of ancient cosmological models as relevant today. The author never raises a question of human psychology and functioning of a human brain. For example, the human propensity to seek patterns in random information is a described phenomenon called apophenia. Our perception of connections and meaning between unrelated things may be an evolutionary mechanism designed to help us survive (there were experiments conducted with pigeons to show this).
There are two perspectives: either you think you have a loyal guide to help you through tough times using the tool as Tarot, or you can see Tarot reading (for yourself or for others) as an art of gazing at nice works of pictorial art and making up (misleading) stories. Sometimes it ticks, sometimes it’s off a mile. My experience with reading for myself over 4 years as well as consulting other tarot readers confirms the second option. You can use tarot to open a dialogue with yourself, but in no “magical” way can the cards tell you what to do, or describe objectively your personality, what others feel or give life/business advice.
However, the cultural history of Tarot is fascinating and part of humanity’s legacy.
August 23, 2018
You could say that mysticism is a hobby of mine, so I have read quite a few books and articles on the subject over the years. This is a field that puts a lie to old saying that those who can't do teach. It is a field where a book like this one is all too rare. Robert Place displays not only a great knowledge of his subject but also the ability to write about it in lucid prose that genuinely welcomes the reader. All too often, mysticism attracts writers who are unable to describe their subject without lapsing into jargon; Place never does that here. He writes about the tarot in a way that displays not only knowledge but also comfort with his subject, and he impresses by never having to work too hard. He is convincing to the reader because he no longer needs to convince himself.
The key word in the title of this book for me was history. I wanted to get that part of the story of the tarot, and I was not finding it elsewhere. There has been a great deal of recent and even not so recent scholarship on the question of where the tarot came from in the first place. Place approaches the question in two passes. First, he summarizes the myths surrounding the origin of the tarot. He debunks the Egyptian origin story that is still prevalent today. A E Waite knew in 1910, when he created with artist Pamela Coleman Smith the tarot deck that has become the standard by which all new decks are still measured, that the tarot did not originally have anything to do with Ancient Egypt, but he still included Egyptian imagery in some of his cards. Place tells us why that happened, and why Waite and Smith included strains of Jewish and Christian mysticism in their card designs as well. But, when Place takes his second pass, he shows clearly that none of these traditions were present in the earliest tarot decks we have, from fifteenth century Italy. The big question is where did the major arcana come from. I knew before I started this book that these images came from the Italian Triumph parades, but I did not know what these were. Place does a great job of explaining them. It turns out that there was in fact a mystical tradition embodied in these images, but it was one that the nineteenth century occultists who gave us the tarot in its modern form knew nothing about. So, as Place explains it, there are some elements of modern tarot hat reflect these traditions almost by coincidence, but there is much Renaissance mystical thought from the early decks.
Having explained all of this so clearly, Place makes an odd choice. He goes through the Rider-Waite-Smith deck card by card, explaining how Waite and Smith arrived at the images they chose and how to read the cards. On the one hand, this provides a valuable guide to reading most modern decks, and I gained valuable insights here. But, given what has gone before, one might have expected a guide to reading earlier decks instead. Granted, this is more helpful to the general reader who, like me, does not have any of these older decks to work with. But it still seems somewhat disconnected from what has gone before. In fact, Place is also an artist, and he has designed two decks that show us what the tarot might have looked like if the original mystical traditions it embodied had stayed pure.These are the Alchemical Tarot and the Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery. Place's new book, The Tarot: Magic, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism, is a reworking of this one that also serves as a guide to these two decks.
Overall, this is a deep book that I nevertheless feel comfortable recommending as a first book for anyone who has been dabbling in tarot cards and now wants to go deeper into the subject. Whether you want to simply learn more about where the tarot came from, or you want to improve your reading skills, this book has a great deal to offer.
The key word in the title of this book for me was history. I wanted to get that part of the story of the tarot, and I was not finding it elsewhere. There has been a great deal of recent and even not so recent scholarship on the question of where the tarot came from in the first place. Place approaches the question in two passes. First, he summarizes the myths surrounding the origin of the tarot. He debunks the Egyptian origin story that is still prevalent today. A E Waite knew in 1910, when he created with artist Pamela Coleman Smith the tarot deck that has become the standard by which all new decks are still measured, that the tarot did not originally have anything to do with Ancient Egypt, but he still included Egyptian imagery in some of his cards. Place tells us why that happened, and why Waite and Smith included strains of Jewish and Christian mysticism in their card designs as well. But, when Place takes his second pass, he shows clearly that none of these traditions were present in the earliest tarot decks we have, from fifteenth century Italy. The big question is where did the major arcana come from. I knew before I started this book that these images came from the Italian Triumph parades, but I did not know what these were. Place does a great job of explaining them. It turns out that there was in fact a mystical tradition embodied in these images, but it was one that the nineteenth century occultists who gave us the tarot in its modern form knew nothing about. So, as Place explains it, there are some elements of modern tarot hat reflect these traditions almost by coincidence, but there is much Renaissance mystical thought from the early decks.
Having explained all of this so clearly, Place makes an odd choice. He goes through the Rider-Waite-Smith deck card by card, explaining how Waite and Smith arrived at the images they chose and how to read the cards. On the one hand, this provides a valuable guide to reading most modern decks, and I gained valuable insights here. But, given what has gone before, one might have expected a guide to reading earlier decks instead. Granted, this is more helpful to the general reader who, like me, does not have any of these older decks to work with. But it still seems somewhat disconnected from what has gone before. In fact, Place is also an artist, and he has designed two decks that show us what the tarot might have looked like if the original mystical traditions it embodied had stayed pure.These are the Alchemical Tarot and the Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery. Place's new book, The Tarot: Magic, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism, is a reworking of this one that also serves as a guide to these two decks.
Overall, this is a deep book that I nevertheless feel comfortable recommending as a first book for anyone who has been dabbling in tarot cards and now wants to go deeper into the subject. Whether you want to simply learn more about where the tarot came from, or you want to improve your reading skills, this book has a great deal to offer.
September 28, 2024
Robert M. Place’s The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination is an ambitious and refreshing take on the historical roots of the Tarot, cutting through myth and misconception to reveal a portrait of the deck’s true origins. Place sets out to demystify the idea that the Tarot emerged from ancient Egypt or other far-flung esoteric traditions, grounding his analysis firmly in the context of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. For readers interested in a clear, meticulously researched history of the Tarot, Place’s work is a breath of fresh air.
One of the strengths of this book is Place’s ability to balance historical fact with an appreciation for the mystical dimensions of the cards. He doesn’t strip the Tarot of its magic; instead, he reframes it within a context that’s both authentic and illuminating. His exploration of Hermetic, alchemical, and Neoplatonic influences is thorough, and he artfully connects these elements to the cards’ imagery in a way that makes the symbolism feel more meaningful and grounded. This approach demystifies the Tarot while maintaining a sense of reverence for its power.
That said, The Tarot might not satisfy every reader. Those seeking detailed divinatory techniques or a focus on modern Tarot practices might find themselves wishing for more practical content. Place’s methods, which center around a simplified three-card spread, offer useful insights but won’t be the main draw for those looking to expand their repertoire of reading techniques. The real value here is in the historical context and the way Place uncovers the Tarot’s development as a mystical and artistic tool over centuries.
For anyone with an interest in the origins and evolution of the Tarot, The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination is a valuable addition to the shelf. Place’s work invites readers to see the cards not just as a system of divination, but as a window into the philosophical and spiritual currents of the Renaissance. It’s a satisfying read for Tarot enthusiasts who want to separate fact from fiction and understand the deck in a richer, more historically accurate light—without losing the sense of wonder that makes the Tarot so enduring.
One of the strengths of this book is Place’s ability to balance historical fact with an appreciation for the mystical dimensions of the cards. He doesn’t strip the Tarot of its magic; instead, he reframes it within a context that’s both authentic and illuminating. His exploration of Hermetic, alchemical, and Neoplatonic influences is thorough, and he artfully connects these elements to the cards’ imagery in a way that makes the symbolism feel more meaningful and grounded. This approach demystifies the Tarot while maintaining a sense of reverence for its power.
That said, The Tarot might not satisfy every reader. Those seeking detailed divinatory techniques or a focus on modern Tarot practices might find themselves wishing for more practical content. Place’s methods, which center around a simplified three-card spread, offer useful insights but won’t be the main draw for those looking to expand their repertoire of reading techniques. The real value here is in the historical context and the way Place uncovers the Tarot’s development as a mystical and artistic tool over centuries.
For anyone with an interest in the origins and evolution of the Tarot, The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination is a valuable addition to the shelf. Place’s work invites readers to see the cards not just as a system of divination, but as a window into the philosophical and spiritual currents of the Renaissance. It’s a satisfying read for Tarot enthusiasts who want to separate fact from fiction and understand the deck in a richer, more historically accurate light—without losing the sense of wonder that makes the Tarot so enduring.
October 20, 2022
Never thought I would read a book about the tarot, I used to be a bit cynical about things like astrology and divination. But I've come to realize that they are vehicles to talk about our worries and fears in a safe environment. If you're having a hard time opening up to others or yourself, the tarot provides a "start" to the conversation. The author himself mentions the potential for therapy. If you are uncomfortable with the "esoteric" aspect, you can leave it out and concentrate on this short quote:
"...the tarot has been designed as a set of symbols or tools that the unconscious can use to communicate with the conscious mind."
This book in particular reads like a very well-researched thesis, it deals with the history behind the cards (which started as a game) and discredits some aspects (like its Egyptian origin or Kabbalah ties). Then it goes through each of the cards, the major arcana first and then the minor arcana. It also dedicates a chapter to the Waite-Smith deck of cards, which is the most popular nowadays. I admit it lost me a bit at the end when some spreads/reading techniques were explained and it went overboard with the whole "part with the LEFT hand" and whatnot, but it was still very informative.
P.S. It took me the better part of a month to read it, as it's very dense, but I still rate it with all the stars because of its research.
"...the tarot has been designed as a set of symbols or tools that the unconscious can use to communicate with the conscious mind."
This book in particular reads like a very well-researched thesis, it deals with the history behind the cards (which started as a game) and discredits some aspects (like its Egyptian origin or Kabbalah ties). Then it goes through each of the cards, the major arcana first and then the minor arcana. It also dedicates a chapter to the Waite-Smith deck of cards, which is the most popular nowadays. I admit it lost me a bit at the end when some spreads/reading techniques were explained and it went overboard with the whole "part with the LEFT hand" and whatnot, but it was still very informative.
P.S. It took me the better part of a month to read it, as it's very dense, but I still rate it with all the stars because of its research.
May 18, 2021
A remarkable amount of research has gone into The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination and it'll will make an excellent reference book, which I'm sure I'll refer back to time and again.
However, it was difficult to read as one is overwhelmed with facts with very little to differentiate between. In addition, I had a mild concern that the author, rather than allowing the historical facts to lead him to an objective conclusion, searched for facts that supported his subjective opinion (that the tarot has no roots in antiquity).
Still, this is a valuable tool for anyone interested in widening their knowledge of Tarot.
However, it was difficult to read as one is overwhelmed with facts with very little to differentiate between. In addition, I had a mild concern that the author, rather than allowing the historical facts to lead him to an objective conclusion, searched for facts that supported his subjective opinion (that the tarot has no roots in antiquity).
Still, this is a valuable tool for anyone interested in widening their knowledge of Tarot.
September 10, 2021
I picked up this book to learn more about Tarot card reading as character research, and I have to say, I ended up really enjoying it. I knew very little about the history of mysticism or Western occultism previously and I found the marriage of neoclassical and Christian mystical thought in the Renaissance very fascinating. Anyway, once the symbolism of the Tarot is explained, particularly that of the Waite-Smith deck, it makes understanding the cards much more intuitive. In the end, that’s his whole point, that you should use your intuition and the pictures to derive meaning.
This was a great sleepy time book, AKA a book I read to try to fall asleep. The part at the beginning where he goes over a bunch of lists of symbols is especially good for that. Just a tad dry. Minus one star because the pictures in my Kindle edition were hard to see.
This was a great sleepy time book, AKA a book I read to try to fall asleep. The part at the beginning where he goes over a bunch of lists of symbols is especially good for that. Just a tad dry. Minus one star because the pictures in my Kindle edition were hard to see.
October 8, 2024
Quite a fascinating read to be honest. I'm only interested in the occult, magick, and the like mostly for their worldbuilding abilities, for the fact that they can build a (more or less) coherent story or explanation even for the most complicated things, like life, death, and the meaning of it all. I don't care whether it is true, I don't intend on using such information anywhere else but a simple curiosity like reading a novel. From this point of view, I found the history of the Tarot quite intriguing. I had no idea it was so old and that it sparked so many interpretations and connections.
The author does a fine job summarizing centuries of evolution and interpretations (of wisdom even), and while it is far from comprehensive, his book is a good starting point. Or at least it was for me, since it is my first reading on the subject.
The author does a fine job summarizing centuries of evolution and interpretations (of wisdom even), and while it is far from comprehensive, his book is a good starting point. Or at least it was for me, since it is my first reading on the subject.
June 4, 2019
A fairly straightforward book on the history of various, notable tarot decks, as well as on the history of certain philosophical practices and ideals that lent themselves to the symbols of the tarot. Through this book, I have a much deeper understanding of the meaning behind the tarot's images, and will carry that knowledge into my future tarot practice. The only reason that I didn't give out the 5 star rating is because Place's narrative structure can be repetitive at times, with him coming back to certain concepts again and again (when he could have done without doing that as much). When dissecting the various tarot decks, he also heavily relies on describing the cards' every detail, making the book oftentimes read like an undergraduate art analysis paper.
July 4, 2020
Robert M. Place's book is extremely comprehensive, delving deep into renaissance history and the history of the Middle Ages, to provide a very balanced and rigorously researched look at the historical background, context and origins of the tarot, including the origins of the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith deck and its equally iconic antecedent, the Tarot de Marseilles. It also offers a very illuminating look at the spiritual context of the tarot through focusing on alchemy and Christian and Platonic mysticism.
People wanting a simple straight-up guide to the RWS tarot might be better served with a book by Liz Dean, Rachel Pollack or Mary K. Greer, but for those wanting a more scholarly (yet readable) take on the tarot's spiritual meaning and history, this book can't be beat.
People wanting a simple straight-up guide to the RWS tarot might be better served with a book by Liz Dean, Rachel Pollack or Mary K. Greer, but for those wanting a more scholarly (yet readable) take on the tarot's spiritual meaning and history, this book can't be beat.
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