Rosanne
At the time these card were created, the ideas and beliefs that were apparent was called Humanism.(We give it that name, not the people of the time) These ideas were ethical philosophies that in the main a search for truth and morality and the place of mankind in Nature and his dignity. The Renaissance came as a slow change from Medieval Feudalism and the Feudalism of the Roman Catholic Church. Feudalism was a rigid system, intolerant of change and the people were subservient to the rules. The individual had no standing. The economic situation of the city states, made the support of Humanistic ideals able to happen. There was a a search for classical texts from Rome and Greece to explain with logic the Truth of Man and personal independence and expression in this world- rather than a preparation for the next.
Still, the people who created Tarot still lived between two worlds The City of God and the the City of Man- or as they say now between 'Faith and Reason' There was this struggle to free themselves from ecclesiastical authority and obtain liberation of the intellect. Man himself could could improve his own conditions with out supernatural help and it was his duty to do so. Fundamental to this were the principles of Freedom, Justice, Tolerance, Happiness and an appreciation of Beauty.
As all this was happening the education of the Italian was in five disciplines.
Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Geometry, Arithmetic, Astronomy and Music. Clergy were taught this way, using Latin Authors and Christian authors- not Greek classical Authors- or Arabic authors for that matter. So it was on Rhetoric and Grammar the Humanist concentrated on. So Humanism was a program of Education- in the main to make each man a 'Wise King'. The Wise King would use Language to persuade others to pursue the right course and right policy for the benefit of everyone, both in Civic life and personally. Grammar was the study of the proper use of language and how to make meaning- so Poetry and History was in Grammer. The best way was to imitate the style of Classical Authors, whose texts had been lost when Rome fell in the 5th Century- these needed to be re discovered.
I have noticed that the list of who is now considered a Humanist(both Christian and Pagan) are those who we see time and again considered linked to Tarot.
In this environment Tarot was born- where these Humanistic thoughts rose up to rival the doctrines of the Church. This is why I think Tarot is a fusion of Christian and Classical thought. It is why I don't see a total Christian Salvation sequence or a plain Astrological explanation either.
So taking the 16 cards of the Majors that are still existing from what is commonly called Charles V1 and applying a pairing as in Humanistic values- some sort of educational game becomes apparent to me. They seem to fall artistically into pairs.
Morgante and Temperance
Justice and Hanged Man
Judgement and The Lovers
Moon and Star
Emperor and Strength
Pope and Death
Chariot and World
Hermit and Tower
In the case of the Pope and Death and The Emperor and Strength- I wonder if Cosimo Medici saw himself like Cicero after Cicero returned to Rome from Exile
The struggle between Pompey and Julius Caesar grew more intense in 50 BC. Cicero, rather forced to pick sides, chose to favour Pompey, but at the same time prudence dictated him to avoid openly alienating Caesar.
Here we have in the 1400's the same predicament between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope.
Then in the Chariot and the World we see the possible Glory of Florence(Lorenzo Medici) opposed the Vainglory of Rome (Vainglory holds a mirror and a wand). Prudence is the Virtue not Fame.
So these cards seem a humanist document in pictures......
To be played as a game? and what Game?
Any thoughts are welcome
~Rosanne
Here is a sample pairing.
Still, the people who created Tarot still lived between two worlds The City of God and the the City of Man- or as they say now between 'Faith and Reason' There was this struggle to free themselves from ecclesiastical authority and obtain liberation of the intellect. Man himself could could improve his own conditions with out supernatural help and it was his duty to do so. Fundamental to this were the principles of Freedom, Justice, Tolerance, Happiness and an appreciation of Beauty.
As all this was happening the education of the Italian was in five disciplines.
Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Geometry, Arithmetic, Astronomy and Music. Clergy were taught this way, using Latin Authors and Christian authors- not Greek classical Authors- or Arabic authors for that matter. So it was on Rhetoric and Grammar the Humanist concentrated on. So Humanism was a program of Education- in the main to make each man a 'Wise King'. The Wise King would use Language to persuade others to pursue the right course and right policy for the benefit of everyone, both in Civic life and personally. Grammar was the study of the proper use of language and how to make meaning- so Poetry and History was in Grammer. The best way was to imitate the style of Classical Authors, whose texts had been lost when Rome fell in the 5th Century- these needed to be re discovered.
I have noticed that the list of who is now considered a Humanist(both Christian and Pagan) are those who we see time and again considered linked to Tarot.
In this environment Tarot was born- where these Humanistic thoughts rose up to rival the doctrines of the Church. This is why I think Tarot is a fusion of Christian and Classical thought. It is why I don't see a total Christian Salvation sequence or a plain Astrological explanation either.
So taking the 16 cards of the Majors that are still existing from what is commonly called Charles V1 and applying a pairing as in Humanistic values- some sort of educational game becomes apparent to me. They seem to fall artistically into pairs.
Morgante and Temperance
Justice and Hanged Man
Judgement and The Lovers
Moon and Star
Emperor and Strength
Pope and Death
Chariot and World
Hermit and Tower
In the case of the Pope and Death and The Emperor and Strength- I wonder if Cosimo Medici saw himself like Cicero after Cicero returned to Rome from Exile
The struggle between Pompey and Julius Caesar grew more intense in 50 BC. Cicero, rather forced to pick sides, chose to favour Pompey, but at the same time prudence dictated him to avoid openly alienating Caesar.
Here we have in the 1400's the same predicament between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope.
Then in the Chariot and the World we see the possible Glory of Florence(Lorenzo Medici) opposed the Vainglory of Rome (Vainglory holds a mirror and a wand). Prudence is the Virtue not Fame.
So these cards seem a humanist document in pictures......
To be played as a game? and what Game?
Any thoughts are welcome
~Rosanne
Here is a sample pairing.