Back
Robert Place, David Vine: First Occult Tarot (2023, Hermes Publications) No rating

A nice expanded lwb essentially. The book goes through both de Gebelin's and de Melletcs lives and essays, briefly, before turning to describing the cards. Place used Aluette cards for inspiration when de Mellet didn't describe their meanings, as he concluded that's where de Mellet got his pip meanings in the first place.

It ends with a nice, succinct description of how to use de Mellet's divination method, including notes on how to deal with the inconsistencies.

If you get the deck -- and it's lovely -- definitely get the book as well.

replied to Calliope's status

@calliope - I’d like to learn more about Antoine Court de Gebelin, who seems to have led an interesting life; and who turns 299 today! He was a supporter of Franz Anton Mesmer’s ‘animal magnetism’ which supposedly brought about his death in an electrical experiment, apparently by an electrically induced heart attack. I haven’t found a detailed account of the event yet; sources seem vague about his death. A few years ago I wrote down these lines and I wish I could remember where they’re from:

Ci-gît ce pauvre Gebelin Qui parloit Grec, Hebreu, Latin; Admirez tous son héroisme: It fut martyr du magnétisme.

‘Here lies poor Gebelin / Who spoke Greek, Hebrew and Latin / Everyone, admire his heroism / He was a martyr to magnetism.’