Tarocchi Massonici (Masonic Tarot) was conceptualized and created by the two founders of Museo dei Tarocchi, Morena Poltronieri and Ernesto Fazioli, back in 2007. There are 22 cards (all Major Arcana) in this deck, and each artist was responsible for 11 cards. Though the styles of the two artists are different, they blend well and offer a beautiful and unique approach to Masonic symbolism.
Each card has narrow, almost invisible, light borders and blank backs. They are printed on textured, quality paper and are approximately 4x6 inches. The cards of this Tarot deck are titled in Italian, but they're also numbered according to traditional Tarot symbolism. This makes it relatively easy to figure out which card is which. The leaflet is also in Italian, but for those who can't read this language, just go with the traditional Tarot interpretations.
Packed in a pretty book-style cover, Tarocchi Massonici is very limited in number. Only 100 decks were created. As this is not a complete Tarot deck, it is really designed for Tarot collectors and enthusiasts, though it is certainly possible to integrate this deck with your own.
The Tarocchi Gastronomici (Gastronomic Tarot), while only containing the 22 cards of the Major Arcana (plus a single title card), is an homage to the tradition of food and cooking in Italy. It is focused on the preparation and consumption of pasta as well as the tools used during this process. The deck itself has an old-world feel and a book-style cover. The images are consistent and have the feel of a collection of fine art. The entire deck is done in watercolor and ink, lending a sophisticated feel to the Tarot cards.
Cards are titled in Italian, which could be a problem for some people. Thankfully, they're also numbered (using Roman Numerals), making it a little easier to put the cards in order. These cards can be integrated into a traditional Tarot deck if you like, but they're really designed for the collector or Tarot enthusiast. The Tarocchi Gastronomici deck was issued in a limited number of 100 decks and there is no accompanying leaflet, so this is definately a collector's Tarot deck.
Published in 2007 by Museo dei Tarocchi (Hermatena), Tarocchi Alchemici (Alchemical Tarot) is a deck of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot cards designed by 22 separate artists. This Tarot deck offers a creative, not to mention alchemical, interpretation of the Tarot. The term alchemical here is not really intended to refer to the mystical science of alchemy. Instead, it refers to the spirit in which the cards were created. The artwork on each card of the Tarocchi Alchemici is made up primarily of paintings. These paintings come together in a diverse and non-traditional way, giving rise to some unique interpretations when the cards are used in a Tarot spread.
Most of the cards can be recognized by anyone familiar with the Tarot as part of the standand deck (based on the Rider-Waite Tarot). Some of them, however, are more abstract and difficult to not only recognize by to interpret. Only some of the cards are numbered and titled, and the titles are all in Italian anyway, making it more difficult to understand this deck. The deck does come with a leaflet to help with interpretations, but really this deck is more designed for Tarot collectors and enthusiasts.
Artists who worked on Tarocchi Alchemici include:
- L. Bergamini
- G. Boldrini
- A. Borlenghi
- A. Carlini
- C. (Catalani) & C. (Strozzieri)
- M. P. Daidone
- E. Le Donne
- U. Esposti
- M. C. Fioretti
- A. Fomez
- G. Lacatena
- G. A. Leone
- C. Lezzi
- F. Lista
- Nabil
- R. Nardi
- M. Pennazzi
- A. Perinelli
- M. Pompeo
- C. Rezzuti
- G. Rossi
- B. Succi
