"Explore the Tarot deck as it really developed in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe - not, as some would suggest, in the far reaches of Egyptian antiquity. Mining the Hermetic, alchemical, and neo-platonic influences behind the evolution of the deck, Place provides a historically grounded and compelling portrait of the Tarot's true origins, without overlooking the deck's mystical dimensions. Place's approach to readings, based on a simple three-card spread, can be used by seasoned practitioners and new inquirers alike."