In the last few months I felt like two people fighting to write a review. The Game of Saturn, Decoding the Sola-Busca tarocchi by author Peter Mark Adams (Scarlet Imprint) is a tough nut to crack. The Game of Saturn is the first extensive scientific research in the English language on this rather special historical tarot deck, but that is also where my difficulty lay: I am not just a tarot reader. I am a historian as well and both parts of my brain read the book in a different way. After starting over several times I finally decided which course to take and this is the result. The Game of Saturn might just be the most talked about book of the last year in what you could loosely call ‘the historical tarot community’. With his thesis esotericist, tarot reader and professional energy worker Peter Mark Adams delivered the first scientifically charged book on ‘that weird deck’, which also happens to be the oldest surviving complete tarot – and a museum piece at that. Up until now historical tarot readers had scarce materials about decks older than the Waite Smith, and the Sola Busca in particular, and there’s still a lot…
What’s new in the world of Traditional Tarot for the coming months, up until 2018? A few decks mentioned in last year’s article are still being worked on. Michael Bridge-Dickson’s Arcanum X Tarot for example*, the Tarot Maria Celia is supposedly coming end this year through USGS, the New Choice Tarot (see below). The entrees below were the designers and publishers that answered my call when asked: who is going to treat us on some mighty fine traditionally inspired tarot books & decks? SOLA BUSCA BOOK AND DECK: pre-order The “first faithful reproduction in 500 years” of the enigmatic 1491 Sola-Busca tarocchi will be available from the fine esoteric publishers, Scarlet Imprint, in the Fall of 2017. The pre-order for the deck started in September, shipping commences from mid-October. The Sola-Busca is not only the earliest complete tarocchi deck in existence, created by a master engraver, it is one of the finest in execution, richness of symbolism and esoteric import. Created for a Venetian patrician client, it’s fully illustrated minor suit provided Pamela Coleman-Smith with the template for the minor cards of the Smith-Waite deck. The deck will be accompanied by a 66 page sewn booklet, ‘A Guide to…
In this TdM month, named Traditional Tarot with a Twist, I’ll review several TdM’s & Tarocchi’s, traditional reproductions or reinterpretations that can be recognized as both tarot and Marseille/Ancient Italian-like. However, their deviations and differences, might invite discussion on their pattern of ‘true’ TdM/Tarocchi-ness. Regardless, they are all unique and gorgeous in their own way. 1. Sola-Busca Ferrara by Lo Scarabeo | Anima Antiqua Series 2017 2. Eros: The Garden of Love Tarot: burlesque TdM by Uusi Studios 2017 3. Minchiate Florentine Etruria 1795 by Il Meneghello 1994 (+ Minchiate El Leone) 4. Le Tarot Noir: a medieval inspired TdM by Matthew Hackiere/Editions Vega 2013 *** [Editor’s note: Even though there is already a Sola Busca review- on the Mayer 1998 – on the site, this one also includes its historical significance and all the differences with other older and new tarot decks] The Sola-Busca is ‘hot’ at the moment. For whatever reason this very special 15th century deck is gaining repro-brothers*. This review is about the most recent addition to the Sola Busca stacks: Lo Scarabeo’s latest reproduction of the deck*. Enter Sola Busca Ferrara XV from their Anima Antiqua line. Look & Feel The Unboxing of Lo Scarabeo’s…
Traditional Tarot is ‘on the rise’*. Decks made in between the 15th and 19th century are being reproduced more and more by publishers and independent studios. If you have a thing for Ancient Italians and other old decks, you’re in for a real treat. Lo Scarabeo is soon to launch a new line of Tarocchi repro’s, upholding tradition. An interview about Anima Antiqua and ‘how it’s made’… –Andrea Chiarvesio -The Queen’s Sword What does Anima Antiqua mean and how come you chose this title for the series? Anima Antiqua is latin for Ancient Soul and we feel the title embodies the mission behind this new line perfectly: bringing back decks from the past. Some of them well known, but some others almost unknown to parts of the tarot community. Does Lo Scarabeo (LS) feel responsible for keeping these traditional, Italian decks alive as the only mass market publisher with roots in the same country? We at LS have a great love, passion and respect for tarot. This includes, on the one hand, bringing innovation to tarot so that its very long life is vital and projected in the future, and on the other hand preserving the past wisdom. That…
Think of Italy and most people connect that with delicious rich foods, beautiful architecture and marvelous history. I think some of that rubbed off on tarot decks if you consider what was made there since the Renaissance. A good example is the Tarocco Soprafino by F…