Ancient Tarot of Lombardy
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 May 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| EarthLover |
20 May 2004 |
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So I have been reading cards for the past couple of years. Not regularly, just as a hobby. I had the Tarot of the Witches, and a 1960 version called the Astral Tarot. I didn't really like them so i gave them away. Andi have been using the Gypsy Witchplaying cards and regulat playing cards for readings. But i just saw the images on the Ancient Tarot of Lombardy and think they are just beautiful. Are they oversized? I would really like them to be oversized. what is your perception of them?
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| Cerulean |
20 May 2004 |
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Here are my notes for the Neoclassical/Ancient Tarots of Lombardy--I'll fill it in as much as possible ...
1. Neoclassical, version one, also known as Ancient Tarots of Lombardy.
a. Kaplan lists two dates, 1806, 1810. He pictures the Il Solloene version yellow background and light yellow backs with a blue-inked graphic of a sun rising. (All cards visible at the Aleph Tarot site...)
b. Lo Scarabeo's Ancient Tarots of Lombardy-comes in a kit with a blue-covered book in Italian (Berti and Chiesa) with the 1995 small version of the cards. The background is yellow with a white frame, a white back with red flower motif. No booklet, only nine cards in various languages. This is rather small...
C. From 1996-2000, the small LS Ancient Tarots of Lombardy in the blue box is distributed by Alida and Trigono. From 2001, Llewellyn distributes in the U.S. From 2002, Llewellyn and TarotGarden, Amazon Borders, etc., begin to distribute.
D. Beginning in 2002, a new LS. edition in a green box and larger beige background: backs are blue and white with the Sun card on the backs. The light yellow background and bright colors now has a faded appearance.
E. Beginning in 2003, Il Menghello distributes an Oswald Mezzenghalli limited printed edition with the Wheel of Fortune on the cover. The printing is actually follows the Lo Scarabeo version, but is as small as the version C.
Reviews for version C:
Mark Filpas, Pasteboard Masquerade
Wicce.com
Reviews for version D:
Aeclectic.net
Online link to all cards in this deck, Version C:
Aleph.com
http://www-uk.aleph-tarot.com/c1.php?id=3&karte=1
Sizewise, I believe the Lo Scarabeo Ancient of Lombardy is the biggest. Hope this is clear, not confusing...it's a favorite first of my old style tarots.
Cerulean Mari.
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| le pendu |
01 Feb 2005 |
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I just got this deck (with a couple of others) from the Llewellyn $5 sale last month.
WOW!
I love this deck. It is the "D" version in Cerulean's list.
There is something "quiet" about it, may be the faded backgrounds.. but after spending so much time with the TdM decks lately, it's just so *soothing* to look at these images!
There is a simplicity and calm that runs through the deck, an unforced order, a lost elegance.
Thank goodness Lo Scarabeo left the keywords off this deck. I've grown so tired of titles and borders cluttering up and competing with the beauty of decks. Speaking of borders, this deck has a delicate lacework as border. There seems to be a welcome absence of straight lines anywhere in the deck, refinement and grace are the guiding principles.
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
The Aleph Tarot site that Cerulean mentions gives free readings with these cards. Try it.
http://www-uk.aleph-tarot.com/
robert
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| Jewel-ry |
01 Feb 2005 |
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Hi Robert,
I also got this deck from the Llewellyn sale. It arrived last week but the version I have is the 1995 deck (not kit) I think it is B on Cerulean's list.
It is peaceful and quite simple really but I am very happy with it. The only thing I find disconcerting is La Torre. The image does nothing for me at all. Its just a tall building with a closed door and I find it hard to come to terms with the Tower presented in this fashion. Having said that I find it refreshing that Gli Amanti is depicted as a woman with two men on it!
I love the neo-classical style of this deck. Its just wonderful!
Have you read with it yet?
~
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| Fulgour |
01 Feb 2005 |
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The image does nothing for me at all. Its just a tall building with a closed door and I find it hard to come to terms with the Tower presented in this fashion. A closer look at the parapet will reveal weeds growing there.
Imagine the decay and neglect, the long lost former glory...
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| le pendu |
01 Feb 2005 |
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Hi Jewel-ry,
I have been reading with it today. Oddly, The Lovers has come up each time I've used it.. so there is something there I should be paying attention to!
Are you sure you got version B? That seems really odd! Mine has The Star printed on the box cover with the card backs blue and white with the twins from The Sun on them. Maybe *I'm* confused as to which version I have.
I know what you mean about The Tower.. it is very odd.. not only no destruction, but no lightening or anything. Yet, it is an oppresive tower, formidable, unwelcoming. The doors crossed, almost like a barrier. And yet, I'm not afraid of this tower, in some ways it makes me think of a lighthouse. Another odd thing.. what is that at the top left of the tower?? Is it weeds growing all the way up there?? Very strange. (EDIT: Hee hee, Fulgour beat me to that one while I was writing.)
What do you think of the Empress? Isn't she lovely!?!
And isn't it odd how some of the courts are turned away from you!?!
And the snake on The Hermit. Very intriguing. Many curiosities to explore. I love it.
robert
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| Fulgour |
01 Feb 2005 |
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It helps to visualise Lombardy stripped of its new independence,
kept under the insufferable combination of brutality and neglect
by Napoleon and his devastating usurpation of La Revolution in
France (say goodbye to those now forlorn dreams) and Europe.
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| Jewel-ry |
01 Feb 2005 |
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I think it is version B because one of the cards within the box has the date 1995 on it. Also the backs are white with a small red flower head on them so I feel sure it is the one. The box has Le Stelle on the front and Re di Coppe on the back.
I agree La Torre is oppressive, but feel better now I can see that little weed and it is growing! (didn't see it before!). Thanks you two, I feel better about it already :)
L'imperatrice is lovely, so too is La Giustizia, La Stelle and Il Sola. I really like the deniers, they look like really old roman coins. I can see the references to Napoleon in this deck. Certainly plenty to research.
I would like to know what that person is doing laid on the ground in La ruota della Fortuna. Has he/she just fallen off?
~
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| Cerulean |
01 Feb 2005 |
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The flat paper and crisp corners without laminate and the faded coloring makes it seem aged, not a delicacy and I just like the boxy-book style closure with a green ribbon. Don't know why, but it works nicely for me.
The 1995 Lo Scarabeo blue small box edition sometimes can be seen even now in the U.S...I'm not certain the tarot buyers for the stores care which comes in, the small blue box or the larger greenish and yellow box with the Star image...by the way, it took me awhile to figure out the 'androgynous' figure was supposed to be a woman--I really thought it was a boy. Kaplan lists the figure as a female and I just was not thinking how willowy some of the young females might be.
Regards,
Cerulean
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| Fulgour |
01 Feb 2005 |
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It takes a while to get to know XVII Le Stelle
but she truly has the Spirit of a Guardian.
image
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| Cerulean |
02 Feb 2005 |
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Say 1806-1815...
If you want a story...once I did something with these 22 trumps...
Fool
The old man who walks, bearded and alone, was he once someone else?
Magician
The Magician in his tricorner hat, he smiles at you and opens a box,
"I will tell you here, an old story
of the Ancient Crown of Lombardy. Come take a token, sit you down, and I'll speak of Fortuna's turn of the Wheel."
Popess
See the old woman, a grande dame,
she is alone now, but once an Empress
named Josephine.
She was dismissed, with regret
by the Emperor who must have a son
crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy
Empress
See the graceful lass, she is dancing
For she now holds the heir of the Crown
And with fortune, with favor, she may reclaim
some merit for her ill father,
lovely Maria Louisa of Austria.
Emperor
See this sickly old man, this soldier
A former proud king, he gave up
His only daughter for peace
And yet his reign will outlast
the once and future Emperor
Pope
Even the Pope was not immune
from the Impatient Sicilian
Who snatched the Royal and Iron Crown
and Crowned Himself, perhaps too quick
Chariot
They say though, although his Pride
and Victory was great;
Even he would not enter in Triumph
Crowned with the Laurel Wreath
But his son, King of Italy
was crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy
Lovers
She, who choose the Conquering Emperor
was often seen with her own
Chosen One
Especially after the erstwhile
Emperor was in exile
Justice
But the Emperor's wiles
and his allies would reunite
And his Justice would be done.
Wheel
And Fortuna's turn
Against the Old, In with the New
He who has Reigned
Has Fallen
Strength
He who was Hercules..
All the Strength
Of his former glory
Conquered by the Nemean lion
At Waterloo
Hanged One
So fortune and fate hangs
On a frail thread
Death
No one is immune
No one is immortal
The Tower
And the small towers
Where the Princess first saw
the shadow of her former husband
Now holds a former Emperor
Temperance
She who was once his Consort
Left the King of Italy with her father
Retired permanently
To Parma and lovely violets
Beloved among her subjects
Devil
And he languishes
Granted sanctuary, a desert island
With a guard for company
Moon
They say he spoke often
Of his former, beloved Josephine
Sun
Josephine, beloved of her children
Quietly lived out her days
with grandchildren and friends
Star
A young boy, nephew
sleepily drinks from Hebe's earthly fountain,
She, dispossessed, perfumes the thirst of earthly ones
He begins to dream his uncle's dreams.
Judgement
Perhaps his legacy, a lonely man writes
Recording his book of life
The Fool
The old man who walks, bearded and alone, was he once someone else?
The World
And in the end, Madames and Messieurs,
Was it worth it, this grand fame,
to hold the World for a moment
under the Iron Crown
and to lose it all
until the end of your days?
Finis
P.S. A little of the Iron Crown of Lombardy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Crown_of_Lombardy
A little of Maria Louisa of Austria:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduchess_Marie_Louise_of_Austria
Pictures:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/rachelshayne/waltz_of_nations/marie_louise_emps.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/rachelshayne/waltz_of_nations/gallery.html&h=327&w=294&sz=24&tbnid=uQ1J1DLuyogJ:&tbnh=113&tbnw=102&start=6&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmarie%2Blouise%2Baustria%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG
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| Jewel-ry |
02 Feb 2005 |
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This is wonderful Cerulean!
I was reading about the Crown of Lombardy last night and the French Revolution is a topic I have been studying in recent weeks. Napolean of course follows on just lovely.
Have to go to work now but I shall return here to follow some of the links.
~
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The Ancient Tarot of Lombardy thread was originally posted on 20 May 2004 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.
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