Alchemy and Renaissance Tarots

[Parzival]

Has there been any direct artistic-symbolic link between alchemical manuscripts and the Bembo,etc Tarots? Are parallels, possibly influences, only through cathedral iconography, medieval plays, and Dantean visions? No connective alchemical symbolic scenes and sequences? Are Tarot and Alchemy absolutely disconnected?

 

[Cerulean]

I'd love to hear what Adam McLean would say to this!

..http://www.alchemywebsite.com/index.html

Where I go to see beautiful alchemy things...

I've only the appreciation of me looking at symbolism in terms of decks such as the beautiful Alchemical Tarot and thinking...this looks related...what they said...what would Adam McLean say...

I don't know, I'd love to hear!

Cerulean

 

[DoctorArcanus]

Has there been any direct artistic-symbolic link between alchemical manuscripts and the Bembo,etc Tarots? Are parallels, possibly influences, only through cathedral iconography, medieval plays, and Dantean visions? No connective alchemical symbolic scenes and sequences? Are Tarot and Alchemy absolutely disconnected?

I think it's difficult to tell. Alchemy has such a reach alphabet of images that almost any symbol has an alchemical meaning. Moreover, both Tarot and Alchemy have deep contacts with the Christian religion.

Among the early decks, I am quite sure that the Sola Busca deck has alchemical influences, in particular in the pip cards. This idea has been proposed (but unfortunately not documented) by Sofia Di Vincenzo in her small book about the deck.
On Tartopedia you can find a few notes about the deck and images of all the cards.

Marco

 

[jmd]

I agree with DoctorArcanus - it is not only difficult to tell, but similarities and even overlaps of iconography may even be mis-interpreted as connected when perhaps each derives independently from the common substrata of symbolic images and thought.

Where the difference lies, and importantly so, is that Alchemy has, in some ways, a definite 'common' language it seeks to present in terms of transformation (or transmutation). I'm frankly unconvinced that tarot's imagery seeks to represent the same. At most, it would be a journey towards the spiritual realms, of spiritual awakening, and of gnosis. Though these may indeed have overlaps (in both psychological and spiritual ways), there is a distinct difference of approach and presentation.

Even the cathedral stone carvings - despite Fulcanelli's wonderful writings and suggestions for the same - strike me as distinctly un-alchemical in essential traits. This does not mean, of course, that images arising from the same European soil will not weave and use similar forms, or that the underpinning thoughts will not have their influence on all that arises.

...not sure whether I've actually written this in a clear a manner as I could have!

 

[Rosanne]

Ever since I have joined this forum I have tried to make sense of this statement from Manly P Hall.

Many symbols appearing upon the Tarot cards have definite Masonic interest. The Pythagorean numerologist will also find an important relationship to exist between the numbers on the cards and the designs accompanying the Numbers. The Qabbalist will be immediately impressed by the significant sequence of the cards, and the alchemist will discover certain emblems meaningless save to one versed in the divine chemistry of transmutation and regeneration.

I have not thus far, except in a philosophical way, seen obvious signs of this divine chemistry in the images. I feel, that the cards are separate from Alchemy, though as like the 22 chapters of Revelations connections to Tarot, much has been made of the relationship, but I cannot see it in the images. Other minds greater than mine in Tarot may disagree ~Rosanne

 

[Cerulean]

I may have never seen parallels in themes before...

I enjoy the stages of alchemical transformation as outlined in the Robert Place/Rosemary Guiley's Alchemical Tarot. I can follow their reasoning and enjoy the ideas. Perhaps only in the context of that tarot will I be able to see parallels, as the author and artists eyes and explanations drew these paths in parallel...

They were effective, for me, in being able to set the stage and suggest connectivity. I myself might never have thought of the links, though.

Perhaps for me now, I hesitate quite a bit before working or thinking of designs and linking of certain art designs, symbology and old sciences or philosophies with tarot or tarocchi or playing cards.

One might wonder why I am heistant--there is certainly many many decks of cards with art and other symbology woven into their thematic fabric.

I know it is part of my weakness to be enchanted with linking together many themes and approaches in designs...if I personally approached the building of linking and connectivity of historical themes in a similar way, my bias would be geared toward spotting continually significance and parallels.

Of course, this being my weakness, then I may be reading and thinking about all the wrong authors to those pure of history and spirit of alchemy and tarot.

Best wishes and hope to hear more fascinating accounts...

Cerulean