Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Minchiate Tarot [Cards]

Brian Williams (Author)
2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 53.95
Price: CDN$ 33.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: CDN$ 19.96 (37%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Usually ships within 7 to 11 days.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca. Gift-wrap available.

Book Description

Publication Date: Oct 1 1999
* The first deck in several hundred years to present the expanded 97-card Tarot system of the Renaissance. * Based on the original Italian Renaissance Tarot deck, with contemporary interpretations by the best-selling author of The Light and Shadow Tarot. * Includes cards for the 12 astrological signs and the 4 elements, as well as additional Virtue cards for the major arcana. * Includes stunning variations of many traditional Tarot images. * 272-page book with 400 black-and-white illustrations. * 97 full-color cards

The Minchiate is one of the most unique decks ever to emerge from the centuries-old Tarot tradition. In the first modern presentation of this divinatory system, artist and writer Brian Williams explains the allegorical, esoteric, and symbolic meanings of this expanded deck that not only includes cards for each of the astrological signs, but also for the four elements and several additional figures in the major arcana. Although those familiar with the traditional Tarot will recognize many of the cards of the Minchiate, even Tarot afficionados will be surprised and delighted by many striking differences, such as the knights who are now transformed into mythical beasts or the Chariot card in which the armored warrior has been replaced by a peaceful maiden.

Brian Williams's insightful interpretations of the cards, based on his extensive knowledge of the Tarot and Italian history, enable readers to use this deck as a tool for profound self-exploration and transformation. One of the most popular Italian Tarots, the Minchiate served as the basis for many other famous decks before fading into obscurity during the nineteenth century. Now this important Tarot, reformulated with the author's extensive commentary and subtle interpretations of the original art, is finally again available for modern readers and devotees of the Tarot.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product Details

Product Description

From Amazon

For the serious collector of tarot comes this elegantly redesigned version of the Minchiate deck originally created in the 1500s. While artist/tarot expert Brian Williams titles his 1999 version "tarot," he is quick to point out that it is more a "sister to" than an actual tarot. To those familiar with the standard Ryder version that most of today's decks seem to be based on, the distinction is most immediately evidenced by the fact there are 97 cards instead of the more familiar 78. Cards 16 through 35 in the Minchiate are "missing" from the standard. They include four virtues (hope, prudence, faith, and charity), four elements (fire, water, air, and earth), and the 12 zodiacal signs. While Williams did design and illustrate this deck himself, it has a Renaissance period feel. He followed the original designs fairly closely so that the same graphic elements and even postures of the figures are maintained. --P. Randall Cohan

Review

A deck for the serious aficionado. Long faded into obscurity until now, it offers a new survey of an ancient tradition. -- New Age Retailer, May/June 2000

A deck for the serious aficionado. Long faded into obscurity until now, it offers a new survey of an ancient tradition. -- New Age Retailer, May/June 2000

A superb resource for Renaissance symbols and deepening of the Tarot experience. -- Napra Review

A superb resource for Renaissance symbols and deepening of the Tarot experience. -- Napra Review

A wonderful addition to Tarot knowledge and art. The book alone is a treasure, with its hundreds of Renaissance illustrations and its witty and detailed text. Brian Williams is a rare combination of talents--a superb artist, a genuine scholar, and a man with a true sense of the inner mysteries of symbolic images. -- Rachel Pollack, author of The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot

Brian Williams has done a great service by reclaiming the allegory-rich Minchiate deck for the modern world. All Tarot readers will benefit from his detailed explication of Renaissance symbols and iconography. His insights apply to all Tarot decks and will deepen readings. This exquisite deck by a consummate artist is sure to become a classic. -- Mary Greer, author of Tarot for Your Self

The book for this deck is one of the best books I have seen written for a deck. . . . Highly recommended. -- Michele Jackson

Williams has taken the ancient Minchiate designs and re-visioned them for our own time with incomparable grace and delicacy. -- Tom Tadfor Little, Wellspring
See all Product Description

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

5 star
0
4 star
1
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
1
2.5 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
2.5 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting July 17 2004
By Jene
Format:Cards
The book and cards are a must have for mystical psychic readers who have respect for ancient art. However, the interpretations provided in the book are vague and described like an index.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
1.0 out of 5 stars Pagans, don't bother. May 14 2004
By A Customer
Format:Cards
He worked hard, he did the research - and I don't care for it. The deck looks like it was done with Bic Bananas, and he's completely changed the Fool from the true fool he is on the old Minchiate decks, to what Barney would look like if he didn't wear a dinosaur suit. I already had the Lo Scarabeo Minchiate deck, and wanted to learn more. This book offers very little in the way of fresh, usable knowledge. The card interpretations have a fluffy, self-help-paperback tone to them. This is the Tarot equivalent of Ralph Blum's Book of Runes - which a lot of people liked, but many of us find to be too Christianised, too fluffy, just not very "occult". I gave him two stars only because he obviously made a huge effort. But a miss is as good as a mile.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 3.5 out of 5 stars  11 reviews
64 of 64 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful modern rendition of an ancient "expanded" tarot Nov 18 1999
By Tom L. Waters - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Cards
The inspiration for this deck comes from the Minchiate of Florence, an expanded variant of the Tarot that dates from the early 16th century. The traditional tarot subjects are here (although many are represented differently than in the familiar French/British tarot decks), but 20 additional major arcana cards are also included: all the signs of the zodiac, the four elements, and the four virtues (Prudence, Faith, Hope, and Charity) that are missing from other tarots.

The cards are not overloaded with esoteric symbols. Instead, each has an open, elegant feeling, which I find helps relax my mind and bring me into connection with the images. There is a serene, meditative quality that pervades the whole deck, even the pip cards. The pips are mostly without scenic illustrations, although some have intriguing animal vignettes, the meanings of which Williams has researched and included in the book.

The book describes each of the major arcana cards in detail, relating them to the art and literature of the Renaissance. (There are hundreds of line drawings of medieval and Renaissance art.) It is a great help in getting into the spirit of this deck, which presents the symbols of the tarot as archetypes alive in the fabric of culture and history, rather than as secret magical emblems.

This deck is certainly a beautiful work of art, but it also gives fascinating readings! The additional major arcana open whole new dimensions for interpretation. There is a lot of psychological subtlety in the faces and body language of the figures on the cards, making this deck feel more "human" and emotionally open than many. In addition to divinatory use, I think this deck has a lot to offer as a meditation tool and for personal and interpersonal healing.

Many will no doubt prefer a tarot deck based on the familiar 78-card Tarot de Marseille and its descendents, such as the Waite-Smith deck. But for those who are intrigued by the expanded tarot universe of the ancient Minchiate system, this deck is unique, indispensible, and a delight to work with.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars I love the book, and hate the cards. Jun 6 2000
By Uri Raz - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Cards|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love the book by Brian Williams, which is scholarly, informational, clearly written, and very useful (not to mention being the only book about Minchiate cards I know).

The deck is well worth the price for the book alone, if nothing else.

As for the cards - I dont like the art. It looks like it was drawn with pastel-coloured pencils, and it doesnt speak to me.

I've eventually ordered a reproduction of the Minchiate Fiorentine - it's one of 2000 reproductions and I use it with reverance (for fear of ruining it).

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointing Sep 24 2009
By Laura I - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Cards|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love the Ancient Minchiate of Etruria deck by Lo Scarabeo, but unfortunately it's out of print, and any copies available are very expensive. I decided to settle for this deck, and unfortunately, I'm pretty disappointed in it. The artwork reminds me of pastel line drawings and I suppose art is subjective, but I don't care for it.

The accompanying book is large and extensive with lots of research and history about the cards, while the actual divinatory meanings are usually left to one or two sentences. As if those few sentences weren't flimsy enough, the reverse meanings have also been completely left out. The author notes that he's leaving the reverse meanings up to you to figure out.

If you're buying this tarot set because you're interested in the history of the minchiate, well, you wont be disappointed. But if you're buying it because you want to actually use the deck, there's much to be desired.
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

    Your Shopping Cart is empty.

    Give it purpose—fill it with books, DVDs, clothes, electronics, and more.

    If you already have an account, sign in.

    View Cart (0 items)

      Listmania!

      Create a Listmania! list

      Look for similar items by category

      Feedback

      Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

      Amazon.ca Privacy Statement Amazon.ca Shipping Information Amazon.ca Returns & Exchanges