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This deck borrows from the symbolism of old Renaissance alchemical imagery. Already sharing the same dreamlike
and surrealistic quality as the Tarot, alchemical drawings were proliferating during the time the cards were taking
form in the early fifteenth century. The book which accompanies this deck gives the original alchemical sources
from which each illustration was either derived from or inspired by. It is surprising, given this large body of
sources, that the authors have synthesized such a harmonious whole. Adding to the challenge is the fact that most
alchemical texts are written in a convoluted and confusing style. This deck extracts essential principles of the
alchemical Opus and arranges them according to principles of Pythagorean number symbolism.
The stages of the alchemical process are primarily represented through the Major Arcana. The Fool stands
for the neophyte alchemist, The Magician is the prima materia, or the first ingredient we begin with,
and The World represents the Anima Mundi, or final transformation of the base metal into the gold
of Divine Consciousness. The High Priestess (above) makes a gesture of silence, for she represents mysteries,
and the language of archetypes. Her book is closed, and, like the moon and the tide, she evokes the rising of hidden
wisdom inside of us. She represents the stage of Dissolution, the alchemical process which dissolves and
separates the prima materia into its constituent elements.
The image for The Empress was inspired by a 1628 drawing by Johann Daniel Mylius. As The High Priestess
is that aspect of the Goddess who nurtures our inner world of Gnosis, The Empress (above) is the aspect
of Goddess who nurtures the outer realms of Nature: animal, symbolized by the child; vegetable, symbolized by the
plants and trees; and mineral, symbolized by the rocks and mountain. She represents Nature as the alchemical vessel,
within which the Philosopher’s Stone is being created.
The Minor Arcana are fully illustrated, and each suit is introduced by a symbolic animal. The Ace of Coins
(above) includes the earth-dwelling hare, archetypal guide to the underworld; the Ace of Vessels shows a
fish, messenger of subconscious forces; the Ace of Swords depicts the mythical Basilisk, symbol of Wisdom
and creature which devours the initiate; and the Ace of Staves shows the Salamander standing within her
flames.
The numbered suit cards combine traditional Tarot meanings with Pythagorean symbolism. In my opinion, this approach
has helped clarify the essential numeric and elemental concepts of the Minor Arcana. The Four of Staves
(above) brings together the structure and endurance of the number four to the suit correspondences of the
fire element, relating to initiative, creativity, and passion. The staves are depicted as four torches which
create a sacred space in which the couple are making a commitment. It symbolizes sustained energy, enthusiasm,
and the formation of a creative or spiritual design. The Four of Coins (above) is perhaps the epitome of
stabilization, as the structuring aspect of the four finds itself in the suit of earth. It shows an older man burying
four coins in the ground, and looks like it could equally be depicting the foundation being laid for a building.
The strength (and weakness) of all the fours, including The Emperor, is that they are not easily
moved. This card could be seen both as preserving your assets and grounding your energies, as well as too much
concern over physical things and unhealthy attachment.
In spite of being steeped in alchemical tradition, this deck retains the symbolism and feel of the traditional
Tarot. In fact I suspect that the cards could be easily appreciated by taroists who have little prior knowledge
of alchemy. The Alchemical Egg is the artist’s web site, which
includes more details about this beautiful deck.
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