About this item
- ead reviews of the Giotto Tarot
Specifications
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Name
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Giotto Tarot
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Creators
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Guido Zibordi
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Publisher
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Lo Scarabeo 2001
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Deck Type
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Tarot Deck
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Cards
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78
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Major Arcana
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22
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Minor Arcana
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56
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Deck Tradition
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Mixed
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Minor Arcana Style
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Unique Scenes With Suit Symbols
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Chalices, Swords, Wands, Pentacles
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Court Cards
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The Fool
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is 0
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Strength
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is 11
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Justice
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is 8
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Card Size
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2.60 x 4.72 in. = 6.60cm x 12.00cm
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Card Language
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Spanish, Italian, German, French, English, Dutch
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Card Back
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Unknown
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Companion Material
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Little white booklet.
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Reviews
e Chalices, Swords, Wands and Pentacles with court cards of Knave, Knight, Queen, and King. Justice is VIII, Strength XI. The major arcana cards are a 'translation' of modern esoteric meanings, but the minors are not related to traditional meanings at all. Both positive and negative meanings are given in the LWB for the majors, but the minors have only one pole of meaning as they represent the 'limited and pragmatic' forces as opposed to the majors 'broader and more abstract' sources.
The little white booklet interprets the majors thus: 'X. The Wheel - Alternation - P: positive opportunities, ascent, chronological and natural cycles. N: delay, instability, revolution.' The symbology of the minor arcana cards is explained in a more unconventional way, with direct explanations of symbols scattered throughout the text. For example, the Three of Chalices: 'Carelessness (fool at night with a sheep) threatens (fig. at left who tramples on a compass) a positive undertaking (luck at center).' Or the Six of Swords
: 'Only steadfastness (fig. with column and hand armed over fire) will allow you to finish your projects (model of church). Capriciousness must be stayed away from (figures between moons).
By far the most striking thing about the Giotto Tarot is the near-relentless negativity of the deck. Of the Swords suit, there are one or two neutral cards, the rest have negative connotations. About half of the Wands and Cups cards are neutral or positive and a few more of the Pentacles, but the deck is, unusually, more than fifty per cent cards of unpleasant feelings or experiences. Perhaps it is in keeping with the difficult life of the average person of Giotto's era, but the sheer number of disagreeable cards is hard to believe. If you are one who hates airy-fairy decks with an overly positive view, then you may feel the grim realism of this one more true to life.
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