Alchemy and Hermeticism in the Tarot of Marseille
by Robert M. Place on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wL0rtZnMjc
Alchemy and The Tarot
A 5-day workshop retreat at Omega Institute, in New York
June 18 – 23 2023
with Robert M Place
Starting in March, you can register on the Omega website
In 1987, I had a transformative experience. I saw that the Tarot World card was symbolically interchangeable with Alchemical images of the Philosopher’s Stone, and it became clear that the Tarot describes the alchemical Opus. This led to the creation The Alchemical Tarot.
We will discuss the history and symbolism of alchemy, see how it relates to the Trumps, and learn how they capture the Opus. We will explore the relationship between the four elements and the minor suits and learn what alchemical symbols they contain. We wil use the Tarot as a psychological tool and practice transformative alchemical spreads designed to internalize this symbolism. Instead of using the Tarot to predict the future, the best use for the deck is as a tool that connects us with inner wisdom. Each student will receive a copy of The Alchemical Tarot.
Robert M. Place is an internationally known visionary artist, whose award-winning works, in painting, sculpture, and jewelry, have been displayed in galleries and museums throughout the world. He is best known as the designer, illustrator, and coauthor of the original Alchemical Tarot, published by HarperCollins in 1995. He is also the designer, illustrator, and author of The Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the award-winning The Tarot of the Saints, The Angels Tarot, The Raziel Tarot, The Vampire Tarot, The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery, The Tarot of the Alchemical Magnum Opus, The Marziano Tarot, and numerous other oracle decks, including The Buddha Tarot, which received international acclaim for is flawless amalgamation of Eastern and Western mysticism. Robert is the author of The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination, which Booklist has said, “may be the best book ever written on that deck of cards decorated with mysterious images called the tarot.” He is the author of Astrology and Divination, Magic and Alchemy, Shamanism, Alchemy and the Tarot, and The Tarot, Magic, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism. He is the curator of The Fools’ Journey and the author of the catalog for this exhibition of Tarot art that originated at the LA Craft and Folk-Art Museum.
Go to the Omega website to sign up for the workshop:
https://www.eomega.org/workshops/alchemical-tarot
Tarot at the Met is Back
I will be bringing 10 people to the print room
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
on Thursday May 25, 2023
from 2PM to 4PM

I will once again take a small group of people into the back rooms of the Metropolitan Museum to look at the museum’s collection of historic Tarot and divination cards, ranging from the earliest woodcut Tarocchi, printed in 15th century Italy, to rare 19th century Le Normand divination decks. All accompanied by my talk on the history and symbolism of the cards. This year we will also see one of the oldest and richly illustrated books on divination with cards, Le Sorti, published in Venice in 1540.
The afternoon at the Met is $100 per person, prepaid. Each participant is also responsible for obtaining a ticket for entrance into the museum for the day. There is only room for 10 people at this event so don’t delay; it will fill up quickly. I will be handling this event myself; so all arrangement must be made through me.
To register contact me at:
alchemicaltarot@aol.com
Payments can be made by PayPal, check, Visa, or Master Card, or by requesting a PayPal invoice.
I will be conducting a workshop at
the Tarot Conference
in Madrid, Spain
on October 21, 2023
More Information will follow
Beijing, China
My Chinese workshops are now being conducted through Zoom.
You can contact Giselle Gao for details:
giselleg@foxmail.com
These photos are from my 2021 class in Hangzhou, China







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Hi Robert,
I took a workshop with you just after the first printing of the first deck and book, both of which I still have, it must have been 1995 or 1996. The workshop was in Northern California, maybe Berkeley or Sonoma County? Your class was important to me and I continue working with the Tarot. My name was Sidra then; I have been living in Berkeley, CA since 1984.
I plan to buy your “Alchemy and Tarot” book, the Renewed 4th Edition deck and the new Marziano deck through Indiegogo. Just wanted to check in with you after all these years. I am very glad to see your work has developed so deeply and that you remain a productive artist and writer. Cudos to you!
My new name came through mystical channels, using the Kabalarians of Canada’s system of analysis and resonance. I legally changed it on December 19, 2003. It was part of my alchemical transformation, helping me move gradually from lead into gold, or more balanced, so to speak.
Thank you for what you have contributed to world knowledge, healing and beauty.
Sincerely,
Arden Kamille Varnel
The class was August 11, 1996, and my name was Sidara, as you inscribed the book to me on that date.
Will you ever come to Saint Louis?
If I am invited and someone pays for my time.
GOOD ANSWER Robert! This is always my response when people ask “When are you going to come here and do a workshop, etc.”
Do you teach classes at The Open Center New York often? Just curious because I am interested in the class but can’t make it in this May.
Yes, I teach there there or four times a year.
Hi please do u know the next class /september or so 2019!! I too will miss mayb& very much look toward the possibility of a class.. Thank u!!!
I updated the dates
Do you teach online
I have in the past. Do have any suggestion on how to set it up?
Well, if I got your reply right (English is not my first language) Skype might work, It also depends if you are able to teach individually or groups.
It is better to email me at alchemicaltarot@aol.com
Hi Robert. Do you ever come to Philadelphia?
I have in the past, but I don’t have anything planed for now.