Alchemical Tarot Reviews
Reviews of the Alchemical Tarot
Reviews of Teleclasses
Mary K. Greer, Tools and Rights of Transformation Newsletter, 1997
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.
Aquarius, Atlanta, July 1996
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.
My favorite Tarot Deck. A beautiful and serious work., December 25, 2005 By Daniel Torres (Puerto Rico)
Excellent, not only as an introduction to the Tarot, but also if you want to explore its links and convergence with the wisdom of ancient alchemical tradition. Rosemary Ellen Guiley and Robert Place really know what are they doing and writing.
The book is excellent. It includes introductory sections to the Tarot and to Alchemy. Their work is not without bases; their references list includes important works of the esoteric studies and tradition. In multiple occasions there are fragments of the Rosarium Philosophorum to introduce a section of the book. There are also references to Jungian Psychology and Qabalah, to enrich an already excellent work.
Robert Place’s pictures resemble traditional alchemical images, but with Place’s artistic touch. If you use to contemplate the cards in a meditative exercise, you’ll find these are excellent because they are beautiful, not grotesque or unrelated to traditional symbolism of the Tarot like other decks. If Place painted a few images different from some decks, it was to introduce important and congruent images from the alchemical tradition. This enriches the understanding of the Tarot from the alchemical perspective, and vice versa.
A beautiful book and deck package. It fills me with good vibrations. Good job.
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Interesting, December 25, 2001 By A Customer
I was drawn to this tarot after believing that I would never find a tarot that was right for me. Something about it interested me. Before finding it,I had no knowledge of Alchemy other than it involved something to do with turning metals into gold. This book gave me an insight into the true meaning of Alchemy, and showed how this can so easily be found in the tarot. I found that the meanings of the cards were enhanced by the reflections from Alchemy, and have provided an insight into the cards which I had not previously experienced. Although I would not recommend this set to the tarot beginner, it is well worth a read by the experienced tarot reader, or the Alchemist who is looking for a further way to refine experience as they seek the “philosopher’s stone” within.
My new favorite tarot deck, October 27, 2001 By A Customer
This deck is simply stunning–not just for the artwork, which is clear and classical and modern and surreal all at the same time–but also for the visual interpretations of the cards.
Generally, there is a flavor of classical alchemy, but I find that it does not overwhelm what is very much a TAROT deck.
I just find myself staring at the cards with their beautiful colors and mystery. In the context of a tarot reading, they sing.
A deep, beutiful, and useful deck., December 13, 2000 By Uri Raz (Israel) - See all my reviews
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* beautiful - prettier than most new decks. IMHO, they are prettier 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.
traditional but not trite, July 11, 2000 By Cecily Shank (Albuquerque, NM United States)
I have very little patience for most tarot decks. I’ve looked at so many that just don’t grab me because they’re either too traditional or too abstract, and I’ve ended up with very non-traditional but visually lovely decks such as Motherpeace and the New Orleans Voodoo Tarot.
The Alchemical Tarot sticks much closer to the more usual tarot look and feel; the images are of white people in classical dress/undress. Swords, Staffs, Vessels and Coins are the suits, and the Court cards are Lady, Knight, King and Queen. The zing in this deck comes from the addition of alchemical symbols. Five-petaled roses and astrological glyphs abound, as do the opposition of the colors red and white. There are plenty of eagles, mermaids and lions, and a few salamanders too.
The art is quite attractive, with chalky pastels in contrast to bright, deep colors. Everything is carefully arranged and well-composed, with a few tasteful nudes thrown in for good measure.
The book is fairly heavy reading. There’s a long history of alchemy and short descriptions of the cards. It’s a nice reference, especially when you start wondering what all these five-petaled roses mean. Generally you can coast on any tarot knowledge you have.
This is a great deck for people like me who want a fairly traditional deck but don’t care for the super-traditional look.
Beauty, power and gravity — a treasure, May 2, 2000 By Susan Byers (Willits, CA USA)
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 5 of Wands, for instance, is a hand with the five fingers in flames, blending the fiery power of the Wands with the potentially dangerous instability of the fives. Here’s another interesting innovation with this deck: all the Kings are represented by animals, offering surprisingly powerful archetypes of male energy. The Queens are equally striking and beautiful homo sapiens. The other court cards are Knights and Ladies.
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.
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A Beautiful Taste of Tarot, January 26, 2000 By “harborcat” (Seattle, WA USA)
The cards are detailed and allow the reader to use their own interpretation. The energy of the deck and book is very positive, and a good first deck for tarot readers… Only complaint here: not enough translations given for a few of the cards, which can make a beginner struggle a bit. Perhaps it is this struggle, though, which makes you hunger for more knowledge? And that cannot be all bad! A gorgeous deck of cards, rich with meaning and depth. One of my favorites.
Sophisticated, elegant & intelligent, September 26, 1999 By A Customer
This has got to be one of the best Tarot decks ever done. I love the Renaissance-style artwork. The cards take you very deep. Readings with them are amazing–they connect you to a timeless wisdom. The book is a great introduction to alchemy, and has some great exercises and spreads.
