The Game of Saturn/The Sola-Busca Tarot

MissChiff

I'm looking forward to getting the paperback version!! I'm very curious about this book!
 

manandcards

This is a detailed and scholarly investigation of the first Tarot deck to be fully illustrated. Adams argues that it is a neopagan manual of talismanic and astral magic of a dark and malevolent form, and relating to the the invocation of Kronos-Saturn. He sees this unique Tarot as primarily literary in nature, and calls it a 'Pandora's box'. Very much of the dark side of Renaissance magic, and providing much to ponder.



Patrick



Any views on the historical accuracy of the contents? It all sounds a little theoretical rather than scholarly.
 

Abrac

I imagine there are very few smoking guns when it comes to this deck. The question you have ask is, does it have more of a ring of truth than previous ideas? I haven't read it but from the information that's out there about it, it sounds more promising than the other two primary sources I've read previously, namely Michael J. Hurst and Tea Prentice. It would be nice if someone who's actually read it would give some commentary.
 

Abrac

This review http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34868744-the-game-of-saturn says Adams asserts there was a "Saturnian brotherhood" made up of wealthy elites. In this audio interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z7U0qIih6c, Adams says they practiced theurgic magic as a means of retaining their wealth and power. I never really knew this, but Saturn, among other things, is a god of wealth and prosperity. The Dictionary of Ancient Deities by Turner & Coulter: "God of agriculture. God of workers and the vine. Responsible for abundance and prosperity." He was originally the ruler of the Golden Age. I guess the real test is how much of the imagery in the cards can be convincingly linked to a cult of Saturn.