Book Review: The Tarot, Magic, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism by Robert M. Place
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- Hi everyone, I hope my thoughts, findings and explanations in regards to this wonderful read are helpful! Let me know what you think and if you have any questions on aspects I may have missed 😄 Much love and well wishes to you all 💖
My Instagram: @lemniscate_logic_
My Website: www.lemniscate...
My Email: james@lemniscatelogic.com
This is a great review - even if I didn't see it before I bought it. One thing that Robert Place is making a case for is that Tarot is a result of Neoplatonism - not Kabbalah. I'd love to hear this discussed more as it's a unique perspective.
At times Robert Place's voice is the viewpoint of an artist, one that biases his preference for pre-raphaelite realistic style. In a way, his criticism of Lady Frieda Harris reflects the ongoing debate in the art world between these styles.
One thing that's really cool, and not acknowledged in this book, is how Lady Frieda Harris painted the Thoth deck using Veil Painting techniques. You have to see how spirits unfold by using this painting technique to really grasp just how powerful the Thoth imagery is.
Probably the best review of this book I have seen. I like your honesty in what you liked and what you really didn't care for...I appreciate the reasons why as well. I've had this book for a year or so. I find it fascinating; even what Robert doesn't care for. Everyone has a point of view don't they? Thanks for the thorough review.
Many thanks Jaime! I am with you on the fascination 😄 Place is so eloquent and well researched that even when I disagree, it is definitely a subjective matter rather than finding true error or fault in his writing. Some challenging and different views are definitely welcome! Best wishes your way 💚💚
I understand your dislike of the way he compared Pamela Colman Smith and Lady Freida Harris. It doesn't have to be either/or, they can both be talented and accomplished artists. That's the wonderful thing about art, the difference. This was a wonderful and comprehensive review. Thank you!
A friend of mine sent me this link (she's a long time subscriber) when I mentioned I was thinking about ordering this book because I have the 5th Edition of Alchemical Tarot, and actually your review was so elegant and succinct that I think I'll still be ordering the book.
And I'll definitely be subscribing to your channel! I've been wanting to find a good source on the Thoth Tarot, since it's my weakness when it comes to Tarot systems and readings. I look forward to poking around and seeing what you have to offer.
Thank you so much, Jonathan 😄 I can't wait to hear what you think of the book! Welcome aboard, I hope some the content I have on the Thoth is helpful! Best wishes your way ✨✨
asking James but also you 🙂I have the tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery. I am thinking of ordering the book but its 80$ + and any customs charges. Would this be the best book for theck or another Robert Place book??
Thank you for this excellent review, James! I recently received the 2nd edition of this book, as well as the 2nd edition of the Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery deck, and have just started reading it. I'm glad to have found your channel and look forward to exploring it!
You are too kind, many thanks for watching and welcome aboard! 😄💚 I'd love to know what you think of the book and deck and how you get on with them, well wishes ✨
The shipping is CRAZY ): so I'm glad you made this review. Ah, glad to hear that it's "sort of" a guidebook to the decks, but not -- I wanted a legitimate write up for the Alchemical Tarot, and if it's a lot of history/information about the history + RWS, it's not something I really am looking for. Now I feel like I can buy the Alchemical Tarot without feeling toooooo bad. Thanks for this James
Thank you, Casper! It's a great book but I think you should be fine using the alchemical tarot without it 😄 Doing some online research on alchemy and the various symbols has helped me a lot in understanding the deck! Many thanks for watching and taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment! ☺️💚
I've had this book a while. I really appreciate Place's scholarship in this book.
I was not so interested in the card meanings for the Alchemical and Sevenfold tarots. I've been using these decks for years and had come up with my own interpretations.
The real diamond in the book is Robert's 3 card instead of 1 reading technique. It's very similar to the TdM Open reading style but now I've started doing it with the RWS. The results are amazing.
So, yep, don't agree with everything in the book but it has hugely influenced my readings and I've been reading since 2004!
I tend to agree with you on the individual card write ups! Ah, good point, his reading style and suggestions were definitely a highlight 😄 It sounds like you have a lot of experience with this book and Place's decks, wow! Many thanks for your kind and wise words 💚💚
So helpful thanks James - I have another book by Robert M Place about symbolism in the Tarot but also very much interested in this one though it is harder to get so planning to finish the first one I have but hope to read this one in the near future too. Thanks so much for sharing your views on the book 🙏 😊
His books are great, I will have to check that one out! I hope you enjoy this one, it's definitely a favorite for me 😄 Many thanks and well wishes your way 💖✨
Thanks for the review, James. I love this book and used it as an example of sacred space in a recent video!
Ooh, I will have to check your video out! Many thanks for watching 😄
Thank you - plan to acquire it soon. I do agree with you about the artist comparison being a bit disturbing. I adore PCS and think her deck has stood up well. DFH l feel is, how should l say this - more attuned to the subconscious. RP is an amazing person and l have been a fan for a long time and l can see his hard line pictorial style relates more to PCS.
I'd be curious to know what you think of it! So well said (in regards to Smith and Harris) 💚 Well wishes your way ☺️✨
I love Robert M Places books but I actually LOVED the first part of this book the most. When it comes to Alchemical Tarot card meanings I actually preffer his original guidebook from 1995 that came with that 1st edition deck.
I'm with you on that! The first part was amazing 😍 Oooh, I might have to try to seek out the original guidebook, many thanks Hanni! 💚💚
I have the tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery. I am thinking of ordering the book but its 80$ + and any customs charges. Would this be the best book for theck or another Robert Place book??
Thank you for this review which is very helpful, and I am strongly tempted to buy the book as a result. Just one thing though: it's a huge book (~640 pages) and must be heavy, so I assume the reader will favour reading it on a table, with the book opened as best as it can be, rather than, for instance, sitting up in bed, or in an armchair, holding the book in their lap. How easy is that ? How tough is the binding of the spine ? What is the risk that if the book is opened enough to allow pages to stay open (without them constantly trying to automatically self-close) then the spine will crack ? TIA.
Amazing review! Thank you so much. Your so intelligent!
Thank you so much, you are far too kind! ☺️💚
Thank you for this thorough review. I like that the first part gives context to the formation of tarot. I love tracing things back to their source, so definitely putting this on my to-read list for that alone.
My focus tends to be more on the quabalistic side of tarot, so (if) when I delve into the alchemical side, this sounds like it would be THE resource for that. Still figuring out if I want to stay in my lane or expand in that respect. Do you feel the alcehmical wisdom enhances the quabalistic side of things?
LOVE that he advocates for Pamela Coleman Smith, though definitely unnecessary to pin women (and their art styles) against one another. Very interesting about his view on Crowley. I've been wanting to read the bio on him by Israel Regardie!
Oh wow, the chakra spread sounds awesome and in depth the with 3 cards to each energy center! (Can you tell I was commenting as i listened? 😂)
I comment as I listen too lol! 😂 I think this would definitely add to qabalistic studies and reading styles, I loved the parallels between the "tree of life" and Pythagoras' "tetractys". I love Smith, you can definitely feel his admiration for her throughout the book, he actually included her in his Vampire Tarot which is fitting since she actually knew Bram Stoker who wrote Dracula (as I learned in this book). Many thanks for watching and for your thoughtful comment friend! 💚💚💛💛
Does the book have anything about cardomancy Marie Lenormand?
I have the tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery. I am thinking of ordering the book but its 80$ + and any customs charges. Would this be the best book for theck or another Robert Place book??
Loved that you reviewed this book as I am interested in purchasing it. Does it include a useful index?
I'm glad! I just double checked, there's not much in the way of indexes but there are a few helpful appendices for quick references! I hope that helps 😄
In case the price is a little better, here's the direct link to Robert M. Place's book through his own website: robertmplacetarot.com/the-tarot-magic-alchemy-hermeticism-and-neoplatonism/
Thank yoy❣❣❣
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