The Tarot, Magic, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism

by Robert M. Place

An exploration of the Tarot’s mystical roots, with a guide to The Tarot of Marseilles, The Waite-Smith Tarot, The Alchemical Tarot, and The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery.

Genres: Tarot, Alchemy, History, Nonfiction, Divination, Reference, Occult

680 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding resource

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and concise work to introduce and expand upon the history and design of Tarot, and how to work with the cards for spiritual inspiration and psychic healing. His historical research is a great overview of spiritual and philosophical evolution through the ages, and gives a great foundation for further study of his sources. This author is an inspiration to me, and his approach to esoteric material mirrors and validates what my own intuition always felt but was afraid to acknowledge for fear of persecution and reprisal from either fearful Bible thumpers or Steampunk Satanists. I have always sought to connect with the divine without having to join some Frat House Prayer meeting, Circus Sideshow Demon cult, or some Psychobabble infused Support group. Tarot is an effective tool to find and commune with the divine within yourself, and to help others find this same connection, into healing and guidance of the mind and the soul. Thank you Mr. Place for your tireless work and research. And for your exquisite artwork as well.

[John Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

After recently reading The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination, I completed the book's greatly expanded 2nd Edition. I think it's the best overall Tarot book I've read on its history as well as on interpreting the cards. I appreciate it all the more being familiar with many conflicting schemes of supposed correspondences from the Hebrew alphabet, astrology, Kabbalah, numerics, etc. While I appreciate overlaying these meanings on the cards, I realize that they aren't truly binding. They offer perspectives on the cards.

I own the author's decks, Alchemical Tarot and Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery, which are explained in detail in this book along with Tarot de Marseille, Etteilla, and Waite-Smith. I recommend reading this edition rather than the original.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic resource. Poor editing sadly. I really enjoyed the historical background that pulls the Tarot forward & gives us the evolution of symbolism through culture & history. It could have been twice as long. I found a few references greatly simplified but that’s really being picky.

[Mandy Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found the historical information really interesting

[Scott Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painstakingly researched, well-organized, and clearly written, this fascinating and ambitious book is one of the best and most informative books on the Tarot and related topics I have yet seen.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5