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
If you're looking for a truly unique tarot deck, Tarocchi eVoluti (Tarot Evolution) may be what you're looking for. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana were created by 22 different artists. Each card has a style that is all its own and reflects the particular artist who created it. The cards are a strange mix of photography, sculptures, paintings, and collages. The cards are long and slender and is designed to inspire artists and collectors in their search for meaning in the Major Arcana. Please note that this deck only include the 22 cards of the Major Arcana, not the 4 suits of the Minor Arcana.
The included booklet has black and white drawings of each of the 22 cards and includes descriptions, card interpretations, and even a brief history of the Tarot. Of course, the booklet is in Italian, so if you can't read Italian, you'll have to use traditional interpretations when incorporating Tarocchi eVoluti into your Tarot reading. You can get the deck without the booklet, but this was released in a limited number (200 decks), so you may not be able to get this deck without the booklet.
The images on the cards don't always follow the traditional images on most Tarot decks. However, since most cards are either titled or numbered, so you won't be confused as to which card is which. Tarocchi eVoluti is primarily designed for collectors and Tarot enthusiasts, but it can also be incorporated into your traditional Tarot deck if you like.
The artists who contributed to this deck are as follows:
- Marcantonio Bibbiani
- Giuseppe Billoni
- Marina Falco
- Ernesto Fazioli
- Claudio Scaranari
- Claudio Parentela
- Matteo Arfanotti
- Tiziana Bertacci
- Ornella Lamberti
- Jari Casagrande
- Paolo G. Conti
- Jessica Angiulli
- Renato Meneghetti
- Annamaria Gelmi
- Sara Rotta Loria
- Flavio Bertozzi
- Morena Poltronieri
- Chiara D’Agostino
- Octavia Monaco
- Annamaria Gioia Giorio
- Barbieri Calori martino
- Elisabeth Frolet
- Testi di Francesco Faraoni
