The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination Reviews

A Review by Bonnie Cehovet, Web Master of the Crystal Gate

For those who have followed author/artist Robert Place's work, The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination will be seen as a natural progression of thought and wisdom. In his previous work (including The Alchemical Tarot and The Angels Tarot (with Rosemary Ellen Guiley), The Tarot of the Saints, and The Buddha Tarot and its companion book) Place has delved into Kabbalistic, alchemical and Christian mysticism, the correlation between Christian saints and the archetypes of the Tarot, and the connection between the life of Buddha and the journey that is the Tarot. He is a recognized expert on the Tarot, as well as the Western mystical tradition.

What struck me about this book was that not only does it endeavor to set down a solid foundation for the history and symbolism of the Tarot, it is itself a part of the living history of Tarot. Several years ago, when I first became involved with the Internet, I was led to one of the predominate Tarot e-groups of that time. I consider myself honored and blessed to have been able to interact with knowledgeable historians of our time, including Robert Place, Robert O'Neill, Tom Tadfor Little and the late Brian WIlliams. These gentlemen showed themselves to be very wise, yet very real people. Their thoughts, as well as the thoughts of historians Ronald Decker and Michael Dummett, and the inimitable A.E. Waite himself, are interwoven throughout this book. What an awe inspiring feeling to know that we have been gifted with front row seats to view the ongoing play that is Tarot history!

Place has divided this book into six major sections: The History of Tarot; The Mythical History of Tarot; The Search For Meaning; Interpreting the Major and Minor Arcana; The Waite-Smith Tarot; and Hieroglyphs From the Soul. Each section leads seamlessly into the next, creating a wonderful, colorful tapestry, where the Seeker can look both forward and backward at the journey that is Tarot, sift truth from fiction, and develop their own conscious picture of what the Tarot is and can be.

Place's personal Tarot journey has its own place in this story. From his introduction to Tarot in college, through his abortive beginning efforts to birth his own Tarot deck, to the dream that would change his journey - it is clear that the path of Tarot and his personal path were meant to be joined. He has to date created four Tarot decks, and written four Tarot books. He has connected Tarot to the paths of Buddha, saints, angels and alchemy.

In his introduction, he notes that occultists from the eighteenth century on have recognized in the Tarot a mystical philosophy. Here is where the fun begins, as Place shows us how some of the more fanciful theories for the origin of the Tarot came about - such as having it originate in ancient Egypt, or even Morocco or China. He also refers to a "forced" connection with systems such as the Kabalah, the Hebrew alphabet and astrology. He goes on to point out that historians can correct factual errors, but they have not addressed the symbolism of Tarot.

Place has chosen to address this issue through its historic origins in the Italian Renaissance, referencing the iconography and symbolism of that era, and exploring the relationship of this art to the ancient mystical philosophies revered by Renaissance artists and writers. In this manner, he hopes to bring about an understanding of the actual development of the Tarot, while showing that mystical philosophy and symbolism stands behind its various uses.

This book works with, in the main, the Waite-Smith Tarot. At the beginning of each chapter is placed a quote from one of A.E. Waite's writings. What better way to get to know the larger than life person who had such an influence on the Tarot, yet whose character is so enigmatic as to be misunderstood, at best?

In the section entitled "The History of the Tarot", we get a birds eye view of the Tarot from the fifteenth century on. I find this fascinating, as we review some of the more fanciful theories, such as the one that has it originating in ancient Egypt and being spread through Europe by Gypsies. Then there is the deal with the secret code in the trump cards! Place points out that these theories have placed a large gap between the fifteenth-century Italian artists who illustrated the first Tarot decks and modern day users of the Tarot.

Here in one place we have all of the information that we see in snippets on Tarot e-lists. How the Tarot originated as a game - the precursor to the modern game of bridge. How the early decks show a consistency in the use of five suits (the trumps are considered to be a fifth suit in this book). What I found interesting about the fifth suit (the trumps) is that in early decks they were unnumbered and untitled, and varied in number. Place also talks about the Fool as a "wild card", which can be played as a trump, but which cannot win a game. The trumps, together with the Fool, illustrate a mystical allegory (which is the backbone of this book).

It is fascinating to read about the decks, where they come from, and who the artists were. There is a great deal of information here about the Marseilles style decks that I appreciated. Also interesting was the history of paper, beginning in China. There are illustrations of Chinese money cards that show the equivalent of four different suits - with the thought that in China, in the beginning, paper cards for games and paper money may have been the same thing.

From Asia, paper making spread towards the Middle East. New card games were developed, the size of the cards changed, and images of gods, kings, and heros began to be painted on them. One of the most interesting charts in the book has to do with the various European countries, and their hieroglyphics for the four suits. (It was interesting to see the curved sword versus the straight sword here.)

What makes this book move are the snippets of information tossed into the mix - such as the Marseilles decks being a group, or family, of decks, rather than one particular deck. There is an excellent discussion of the seven virtues (the four cardinal virtues of temperance, strength, justice and prudence, from classical philosophy, and the three added "Christian" virtues of faith, hope and charity), and why this allegory differed from deck to deck.

Building on the factual history of the Tarot, we move on to "The Mythical History of the Tarot". Place refers to this as the second stage of Tarot history, the occult or modern stage. Here we start to hear some very familiar names: Court de Géblin (to whom all occult theories can be traced), Etteilla, Eliphas Levi, Papas, and A.E. Waite. It was through Paul Christian, the charlatan who forged evidence connecting the Tarot and ancient Egyptian mystery cults that we owe the term "arcana", or "secrets".

It is interesting to see how these individuals lived their lives, why they believed what they did, and how they were able to get their various beliefs accepted. Here we begin to understand how the Tarot is a product of its time, and why it has gone through the changes that it has. Part of what makes this section so very powerful is the wonderful illustrations from the older decks, several of which are illustrations from de Géblins deck. Also included in this section are discussions of Hermes Trismegistus, the book of Thoth, alchemy, and Renaissance and modern Hermeticism. Place refers to what he terms the six qualities of hermeticism: (1) the world is a living being; (2) the value of imagination; (3) the idea of correspondence; (4) the belief in transmutation; (5) the perennial philosophy; and (6) spiritual truth is gained through transmission or initiation.

Kabalah and the Sepher Yetzirah are presented, along with a chart of correspondences between the thirty-two paths and: their Hebrew letter, meaning, macrocosm, calendar (season), and microcosm. In this same section we find Levi's correspondences for the four suits, relating them to evangelist angel, Zodiac fixed sign, elements, alchemical essence, tetragrammaton, and kabbalistic world.

In the section entitled "The Search For Meaning", Place addresses Neoplatonism, and its place in the Tarot world. Neoplatonism is defined as a group of Western philosophies that synthesize the philosophy of Plato with other philosophical and mystical systems. Here we are introduced to the Pythagorean tetractys, the seven runged ladder, and the three parts of the soul. It is in this section that we begin to see how the Tarot makes use of the "triumphant parade" to organize the trumps, as well as the mythical storylines.

In "Interpreting the Major and Minor Arcana", Place makes use of the Marseilles deck, which he sees as the blueprint for later eighteenth- and nineteenth-century occult decks, as well as for the Waite-Smith deck. Each of the major arcana are discussed for their symbology and for their mystical content. Included in this section is a list of suit correspondences, developed by Place, that associate each suit with an evangelist, a symbolic creature, Zodiac sign, element, elemental creature, social class, divinatory theme, virtue, and psychological function.

In "The Waite-Smith Deck", Place gives a short biography for both A.E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith, as well as a very good background on the deck itself. This is followed by a discussion of each of the seventy-eight cards, their background influences and symbology.

In "Hieroglyphs From The Soul", Place does some of his best work. This is a section about reading the cards, and is something that shines in each of his books. He sees the Tarot as a spiritual tool that works, through its archetypal images, to assist our Higher Self to guide us to enlightened choices and spiritual wisdom. He recommends three card readings as a Tarot staple, and sets out a guideline for interpreting them called "The Six Patterns". These patterns are: linear, choice, central origin, central destination, the central problem, and the central teacher. Place gives easy to follow examples for each of the six patterns.

Several spreads are presented, including a nine card relationship spread (cards 1-3 represent the querant; then there is a space, with cards 4-6, representing the other person or the issue; with cards 7-9, defined as the bridge, centered above. There is a Seven Soul Centers, which is a representation of the seven chakras, with three cards placed in each chakra position. This is followed by a Twelve House spread, which is a basic astrological reading with three cards in each house position. Place ends the book with a short instruction on meditating with the cards.

I am impressed with the depth and scope of this book. In one place, we see a factual history of the Tarot, mini-stories of the individuals that played such a large part in developing it, the "story behind the story" of the development of the early European decks, the how and why of the symbology of the cards, what the allegory of the trumps is, and ... a very good method for reading the cards! A top resource book, well reasoned and well presented. Thumbs up for The Tarot: History, Symbolism and Divination!

Review by Mark McElroy from the Tarot Passage Website

Too many books on Tarot begin with old wives' tales ("The Tarot was created by the ancient Egyptians and carried throughout the world by Gypsies") or dubious advice ("All decks should be wrapped in silk cloth and smudged with sage once a month").

Not this one! Bob Place's _The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination_ is a frank, meticulously researched, and enormously satisfying look at the origins and applications of Tarot. While the book embraces mysticism (Place, for example, reveals his own work with the Tarot was initiated by a symbolic dream), its primary focus is on the card illustrations, the symbolism of the Tarot, and the rich heritage of myth and magic that lie at the heart of both.

Place's clear, concise writing style makes his practical and mystical histories of the Tarot - the first two major sections of the book - a pleasure to read. Few books on the subject of the Tarot offer so much information in such an approachable format; these chapters should be required reading for anyone with a serious interest in the cards.

Why do the images on Tarot cards intrigue some and frighten others? As Joseph Campbell often pointed out, we live in a mythically illiterate society; signs and symbols immediately recognizable to viewers a few hundred years ago now, in our ignorance, strike us as mysterious and spooky. Beginning in Chapter 4, "Interpreting the Major and Minor Arcana," Place does his part to dispel mystery rooted in ignorance and reconnect the reader with the genuine myths and mysteries referenced in the details of each card.

Chapter Five, at first glance, appears to be little more than Place's notes on the popular and familiar images from the Rider-Waite Tarot. This would be disappointing, as dozens of other books have covered this territory in great detail already. In this chapter, however, Place does much more than recycle tired traditional meanings; instead, he often reveals the sources that likely inspired many of the Waite-Smith illustrations.

As an artist, Place has a unique perspective on the art of the Tarot; his vision, though, also embraces the deck's remarkable ability to serve as a divinatory tool. Near the end of the book, Place suggests a number of ways the reader can use the cards as a mirror of the soul - a means of connecting with information beyond that offered by linear awareness. This adds an important dimension to the book, revealing how the historical and mythological information found in earlier chapters can be applied to "make Tarot work."

Here, at last, is a book that presents the facts and the fantasies that feed our growing fascination with these bright little cards. Place's book is the perfect companion for anyone interested in the art and application of Tarot.

A Review by Elizabeth A. Genco of Brooklyn, New York, that first appeared on Amazon.com

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books on Tarot that I've read in a long time. It's also a much-needed work in light of prevalent Tarot thought.

Straight up: I find it more than a little amazing that, after an abundance of time, discussion, and scholarship, some very common myths about Tarot still prevail. Haven't we gotten over the idea that Tarot came from the gypsies, or that it originated in Egypt as a pictoral representation of Thoth's teachings? These Tarot myths remain common today (and are often perpetuated by ill-informed authors). Hopefully, this book will help put them to rest. Place convincingly disproves these theories, but (and this is important) carefully notes what is valid and worthwhile about the occultists' perspective.

The real cream of this book comes not from the debunking (after all, Place is not the first author to set the record straight), but in his analysis of what Tarot truly is. This book is the only book available today that explores Tarot as it was intended by its creators, based on the influences and symbolism prevalent at the time of its creation. As someone long steeped in (and quite fond of) occult/Golden Dawn style Tarot practices, these insights are new and exciting approaches to Tarot. I get to be a beginner all over again! For devoted Tarot nerds like me, this is very good news.

Some folks might be put off by Place's style -- he doesn't allow much room for disagreements. Indeed, ordinarily such confidence would get up my nose, too. But his arguments are so convincing, and presented with none of the customary arrogance of many with strong opinions on magical topics, that I'm inclined to overlook that. His sincerity and love of his subject shine through every step of the way.

Place rounds out the book with solid sections on meanings and divination. He examines the Waite-Smith deck for his meanings section, drawing strong interpretations from the artwork (you might learn an interesting fact or two about the symbolism employed by Waite & Pixie here). His approach to divination is his alone, and is quite liberating in its use of symbols, intuition and card placement rather than strict interpretations of memorized meanings. He provides plenty of examples to make sure that you get the gist of his techniques.

All in all, this is a sane, thoughtful, and (most importantly) useful approach to Tarot. It is now firmly on my short list of most recommended Tarot books, for beginners and advanced alike. Not to be missed.

I suppose I sound like I'm gushing, here, but the book really is that good!

Another Review by Elizabeth A. Genco from the featured folklore and non fiction page of the Endicott Studio web site.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books on Tarot that I've read in a long time. It's also a much-needed work since even after an abundance of time, discussion, and scholarship, some common myths about Tarot still stubbornly prevail. Place convincingly disproves these theories, but carefully notes what is valid and worthwhile about the occultists' perspective. The real cream of this book comes in his analysis of what Tarot truly is. Place explores Tarot as it was intended by its creators, based on the influences and symbolism prevalent at the time of its creation. Place rounds out the book with solid sections on meanings and divination. His approach to divination is his alone, and is quite liberating in its use of symbols, intuition and card placement rather than strict interpretations of memorized meanings. All in all, this is a sane, thoughtful, and useful approach to Tarot for beginners and advanced alike.

Review by Jeffrey Weiss, from The Dallas Morning News, March 30, 2005. (This also appeared in other newspapers around the country.)

On the one hand, this is a lucid, rational, well-written history of Tarot cards. On the other hand, it's a guide for the use of the cards in fortune-telling.

The first section of the book knocks down the traditional occult "histories" of the deck: The first Tarot cards, Place says, were created in Italy in the 15th century. And they were originally used to play a game something like modern-day bridge.

And that means the Tarot was not invented, for instance, by ancient Egyptian mystics. He makes a pretty convincing argument that cards depend on the existence of paper, which the ancient Egyptians didn't have. The Tarot, he says, was also not originally connected to the Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah.

However, Place says, the symbols on the Tarot cards connect with a higher truth, a Jungian sort of collective unconscious. And he says that collective unconscious is clever and skillful enough to guide the shuffling of a particular deck so that, when dealt on a table, the pattern of the cards can provide true insights. The second part of the book offers an explanation for the symbols and a brief guide for how to use the cards to foretell the future.

Your reviewer has a rule: Every kind of faith is crazy, by definition, to a nonbeliever. How you feel about the last part of this book will depend on whether or not you're a believer in the power of the Tarot.

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