Product Description

A Gnostic Christian Tarot Saints lend themselves remarkably well to correspondences with the archetypal images of the Tarot. St. Francis, a Fool for Christ; St. Nicholas, the Miracle Worker (Magician); and St. Mary Magdalen, The First Papesse (High Priestess). Saints serve as examples of ideal behavior, values, and outlook. By nature, they are well suited to dispense insight and wisdom through the cards. In this beautiful new deck, their personalities bring life to the abstract images of the Tarot.

Robert M. Place has created a powerful new tool for accessing the deepest mysteries of the mystical Christian tradition with the Tarot of the Saints. These cards bring to life the spiritual force of these venerated beings in a way that is at once immediately accessible and deeply meaningful.

The full-sized book included in this kit was specifically written to accompany the deck. It includes fresh, insightful interpretations, a history of the Tarot, instructions for divination and meditation, and a succinct overview of the Western mystery schools. First Runner Up for the 2001 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Interactive Sideline/Gift

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #608661 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Misc. Supplies
• 264 pages

From Library Journal
This odd, charming hybrid of a book synchronizes Christian hagiography, Gnostic mysticism, Jungian archetypes, and the Tarot deck. Place, author of Angels' Tarot and other works, draws correlations between the figures of the Major Arcana and the Christian saints that are not hard to see and appealing in their transparency: St. Nicholas as the Magician, St. Barbara as the Tower, St. Valentine for the Lovers, and so forth. While the application of saints to the predictive or prescriptive uses of Tarot may well shock conservative Christians, Place has an endearing way of weaving the saints' legends into the fabric of esoteric archetype. For larger collections. (Cards included with the book not seen.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Robert M. Place is an internationally known visionary artist and illustrator. He is recognized as an expert on the Western mystical tradition and the history and philosophy of the Tarot, and his work has appeared in many books and publications. Place is also the designer, illustrator, and coauthor of the highly acclaimed Alchemical Tarot and The Angels Tarot. He has appeared on The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel and has conducted lectures and workshops throughout the country, including the Open Center and the Omega Institute in New York and the International Tarot Congress in Chicago. Place's work in precious metals have been displayed in museums such as the New York State Museum, the American Craft Museum, and the White House.

Customer Reviews

Proof That Christians Can Read Tarot Too!
This deck was given to me after a long time of searching for it. I was drawn to the use of Christain Mythology in the tarot journey, something that I had seen in part, but never so beautifully done as in this deck. Here the Saints take on a whole new life, evelated to the devine as their lives light the fools path. This deck introduces the vast likenesses of Christain and Other Pagan Mythologies. I love this deck because it does this.

Austere Set Dedicated to Christian Mysticism and Saints
"During the first century of the Christian Era, Christians were honoring other Christians who had died and prayed for their intercession. However, honoring saints is not a practice created by the Church; it was part of Christianity from the very beginning--a natural practice of Christian people." - From the companion book

One of the reasons I purchased the Tarot of the Saints was because I was reading material about Christian mysticism--in particular, Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle. I wanted to expand my knowledge of Christian mystics and saints, so I thought the Tarot of the Saints would be a great opportunity to learn more--especially since I love Tarot and because Robert Place has a solid reputation as a scholar.

I began reading the 248-page companion book, excited that it was full of historical and anecdotal information about Gnosticism, early Christianity, mystics, saints, and Tarot itself. A few chapters into it, I decided to look up Teresa of Avila, dubbed St. Therese in the Tarot of the Saints deck, who was the object of the The Star card. I was pleased to discover new (to me) information on Teresa, as well as The Star itself. (One sticking point: He claims her feast day to be October 3--but it's actually October 15.)

Some of the saints, such as St. Blandina, I've never heard of--and some were notably absent from this deck (St. Bernadette). St. Stephen represents card 13, known in this deck as Martyrdom (rather than Death).

The companion book--A Gnostic Book of Saints--covers a lot of territory, including mystery religions, Greek philosophy, Gnostic theology, Pythagorean numerology, and Tarot history. Place even covers the four humors and Jungian types--but, curiously, he associates Cups with intuition and Wands with feelings--rather than the other way around.

Place provides bio of the saints depicted on the Major Arcana, as well as relevant information on the particular card and a brief commentary on general Tarot wisdom (interpretation). While Place dedicates about a page an a half to the saints on the Court Cards, the Pips are given anywhere from two sentences to one paragraph worth of treatment. For example, the only description given for the 6 of Cups is "Christ washes St. Peter's feet. This card represents love, nurturing, and humility."

The deck itself is austere, with most of the bland, monochromatic coloring "shaded" with black lines. The Majors depict the number and name of the card, as well as the Saint. Specific saints are also shown on the Court Cards, which are Squire, Knight, Queen and Queen. The Minor suits are Staffs, Cups, Swords and Coins. A thin purple border frames the Majors, while the Staffs are framed in red, the Swords in blue, the Cups in green, and the Coins in gold. The stylized backing, illustrating three distinct motifs, makes the cards nonreversible.

Some of the Saints found in the Tarot of the Saints include:

* St. Nicholas - The Magician
* St. Peter - The Pope
* St. Catherine - Wheel of Fortune
* St. Benedict - Temperance
* St. Barbara - The Tower
* Christ - The Sun
* St. Sophia - The World
* St. John - Knight of Cups
* St. Joan of Arc - Queen of Swords
* St. Jude - King of Coins
* St. Roch - Squire of Staffs

If you're a fan of Place's artwork and his style of writing, or are enthusiastic about learning more about Saints, Gnosticism, and Greek philosophy, you'll likely enjoy Tarot of the Saints. I've found it to be an insightful deck for meditation and one-card draws.

(To see 10 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

Another great work of art by Robert Place
I've Mr. Place's Buddha and Alchemical tarots in my collection. The Saints deck was clearly created with the same elegant artistry and attention to detail as his other works. Highest endorsement!