June 24 – July 1, 2011 ~ Tarot de Marseilles

1JJ Swiss Fool

Tarot de Marseilles
Historical Deck

I purchased a Lo Scarabeo TdM during one of Tarot Garden's Reverse Auctions. I look forward to these like other people look forward to Black Friday sales.  I get stuff I want, at a reasonable price, but with no pushing, shoving, or lines.

There is nothing special about this particular TdM.  It is too narrow for its height, and slippery as an eel.  The LWB consists of about 20 cards with black or red print describing card meanings in English and Italian.  Everybody needs a TdM (or two or three), but really, this is not the one I want in my collection.  I love the concept, but I am not fond of THIS particular deck.

I also have a 1970 edition of 1JJ Swiss with French titles.  This deck is perfect - the cards are supple and smooth.  They have a simple back, the colors are beautiful.  It is fun that the owner of this deck followed the instructions of Stuart Kaplan - for divination purposes, use only the majors! Because of this, the minors are pristine and the majors are well broken in!  I have thought of using it, but I think I want to get another one for regular use.  And it must have French titles.  I am weird about that - it just seems that something called Tarot de Marseilles, should have French titles.   I have seen other TdM decks - and I hope to add them to my collection when I can.  The Tarot de Marseille (Camoin-Jodorowsky) is a nice looking deck!

That being said, my first deck was a Grimaud Tarot de Marseilles.  We got it in 1978 (or 1979?) and had it for clandestine readings for a few short months.  Lest you think I am speaking in the "Royal We," I am referring to my partner in sin and blasphemy, my BFF.  We were 13 years of age and pretty into the whole awesomeness of health food stores, incense, natural cosmetics, and *gasp* YOGA.   Then we got a tarot deck.  It was fine, until her mother found them.  They were taken to the Bishop of the Archdiocese where we lived.  They were handed over for ecclesiastical disposal.  It possibly involved Holy Water, Hail Mary's, and Fire.

Sad.  I can't afford a Grimaud Tarot de Marseilles from that period now.  I look at them on eBay and cringe.

Universal Wirth Fool

I appreciate the simplicity of the TdM - the colors, the images, the pips.  I don't understand why people say they are unillustrated.  Each one speaks volumes! The way the swords or wands are woven, the positioning of the cups or disks.  The way the 5th wand juts through the perfection of the 4.  To me, it just makes sense!

They are very expressive.  I tend to use a Pythagorean interpretation with them and that is only because of The Pythagorean Tarot (which may not ever be a deck of the week, so don't hold your breath).

As a reading deck, I find the TdM to be more cerebral.  It is an intelligent deck, not given to frivolity.  It puts forth its information directly and often without tact.  Maybe that is only me, but that is my experience with it.  Perhaps it is because when we were 13, we took it so seriously.  It wasn't a toy and in our minds had great power.  Thank goodness we hadn't gotten a hold of a Thoth!  Or maybe, pity we didn't get a Thoth.

Rating of the Lo Scarabeo TdM:  Keeper
Rating of the concept of TdM: Favorite