Tarocchino Mitelli Deck: Bologna 1660 C A - A Historic and Beautiful Tarot Deck to Explore

Tarocchino Mitelli Deck: Bologna 1660 C A - A Rare and Historic Tarot

If you are a tarot enthusiast, collector, or historian, you might have heard of the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck, one of the most important and rare decks in the history of tarot. This deck is a "Tarocchino", a deck of 62 cards created for a variant of the game of tarot that was popular in Bologna, Italy, in the 17th century. The deck was designed by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, a renowned engraver and artist who lived in Bologna from 1634 to 1718. The deck is also known as Bologna 1660 C A, because it was commissioned by Count Bentivoglio d'Aragona in 1660 as a gift for Cardinal Girolamo Farnese.

Tarocchino Mitelli Deck: Bologna 1660 C A downloads torrent

In this article, we will explore the origin, history, features, characteristics, meaning, and symbolism of the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck. We will also show you how to use this deck for divination and game play, as well as where to find and download it online. Whether you are looking for a new tarot deck to add to your collection, or you are curious about the history and culture of tarot, this article will provide you with valuable information and insights.

What is Tarocchino Mitelli Deck?

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck is a deck of 62 cards that was created for a variant of the game of tarot called "Tarocchino" or "Tarocco Bolognese". This game was very popular in Bologna, Italy, from the 16th to the 19th century. Unlike the standard tarot game that uses 78 cards, Tarocchino uses only 62 cards by omitting the 2-5 pip cards of each suit. The suits are Swords, Batons, Cups, and Coins, and the court cards are King, Queen, Knight, and Knave. The trump cards are numbered from I to XXI, plus an unnumbered card called "Il Matto" (The Fool).

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck is one of the earliest and most influential examples of Tarocchino decks. It was designed by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, a famous engraver and artist who lived in Bologna from 1634 to 1718. He was known for his satirical prints, allegorical engravings, playing cards, board games, medals, and portraits. He was also a member of the Accademia dei Gelati, a literary and artistic society that promoted culture and education in Bologna.

The deck was commissioned by Count Bentivoglio d'Aragona in 1660 as a gift for Cardinal Girolamo Farnese, who was visiting Bologna at that time. The deck was intended to celebrate the political and cultural ties between Bologna and Rome. The deck was engraved on copper plates and printed on paper. The original deck consisted of 66 cards, including four extra cards that depicted the coat of arms of the Bentivoglio family, the Farnese family, the city of Bologna, and the city of Rome. However, these cards were later removed from the deck, leaving only 62 cards.

The origin and history of the deck

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck is one of the oldest and most valuable tarot decks in the world. It is also one of the most mysterious and enigmatic decks, as there are many unanswered questions and controversies surrounding its creation and evolution. Here are some of the most interesting facts and theories about the origin and history of the deck:

• The deck was inspired by an earlier Tarocchino deck that was created by an anonymous artist in Bologna around 1640. This deck is known as the "Anonymous Bolognese Tarocchino" or the "Rosenwald Sheet". It is a single sheet of paper that contains 48 cards, including 20 trumps, 16 court cards, and 12 pip cards. The sheet is preserved in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Mitelli used this sheet as a model for his deck, but he added his own artistic style and flair to the cards.

• The deck was originally hand-colored by Mitelli himself, using watercolors and gold leaf. The colors were bright and vivid, and the gold leaf added a touch of luxury and elegance to the cards. However, over time, the colors faded and deteriorated, and some of the cards were damaged or lost. Only a few copies of the original deck survived, and they are now kept in museums and private collections around the world.

• The deck was not intended for divination or esoteric purposes, but rather for entertainment and socialization. The game of Tarocchino was a popular pastime among the nobility and the bourgeoisie of Bologna, who enjoyed playing it in salons, cafes, and clubs. The game was also a way of expressing political and cultural opinions, as the cards often contained references and allegories to current events and personalities. For example, some of the trump cards represented famous figures from Bologna's history, such as Pope Gregory XIII, Pope Innocent IX, and Cardinal Alessandro Ludovisi.

• The deck was influenced by the culture and philosophy of Bologna, which was known for its intellectual and artistic achievements. Bologna was home to the oldest university in Europe, founded in 1088, as well as to many academies, libraries, theaters, and museums. The city was also renowned for its religious tolerance and political independence, as it was ruled by a democratic government that resisted the domination of foreign powers. The deck reflected these values and ideals, as it showed a variety of scenes and characters from different fields of knowledge and expression.

The features and characteristics of the deck

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck is a unique and distinctive tarot deck that has many features and characteristics that set it apart from other decks. Here are some of the most notable ones:

• The deck has only 62 cards, instead of 78 cards like most tarot decks. This is because it follows the Tarocchino game system, which omits the 2-5 pip cards of each suit. The suits are Swords, Batons, Cups, and Coins, and the court cards are King, Queen, Knight, and Knave. The trump cards are numbered from I to XXI, plus an unnumbered card called "Il Matto" (The Fool).

• The deck has no titles or numbers on the cards, except for "Il Matto" (The Fool), which has a letter "M" on it. This is because the cards were meant to be recognized by their images alone, without relying on words or symbols. The images were drawn from various sources, such as mythology, history, literature, art, religion, astrology, alchemy, and folklore.

• The deck has a simple and elegant design, with minimal details and decorations. The cards have white backgrounds and black borders, with no frames or patterns. The images are engraved on copper plates and printed on paper with black ink. The colors are added by hand with watercolors and gold leaf. The style is realistic and naturalistic, with attention to proportions and perspectives.

The deck has a humorous and satirical tone, with many witty and ironic elements. The cards often depict scenes or characters that are amusing or absurd, such as a man riding a donkey backwards (XVIII - La Luna), a woman holding a snake (XIV - La Temperanza), or a man being bitten by a dog (XVI - La Torre). The cards also contain hidden messages or jokes that Continuing the article: The meaning and symbolism of the cards

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck has a rich and complex symbolism that reflects the culture and philosophy of Bologna in the 17th century. The cards are not based on a fixed or standardized system, but rather on the personal interpretation and creativity of Mitelli and his patrons. The cards often have multiple layers of meaning, depending on the context and the perspective of the viewer. Here are some examples of the meaning and symbolism of some of the cards:

• The Angel (XX) is the highest trump card, representing divine intervention and salvation. It depicts an angel blowing a trumpet, with a cross on its banner. The angel is surrounded by four figures, representing the four Evangelists: Matthew (man), Mark (lion), Luke (ox), and John (eagle). The card symbolizes the Last Judgment, when the angel will announce the resurrection of the dead and the final destiny of souls.

• The World (XIX) is the second highest trump card, representing completion and harmony. It depicts a woman holding a scepter and a globe, with a laurel wreath on her head. She is standing on a pedestal, with four animals at her feet: a dog, a horse, a lion, and an elephant. The card symbolizes the four elements (earth, water, fire, and air), the four seasons, the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance), and the four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America).

• The Sun (XVIII) is the third highest trump card, representing enlightenment and success. It depicts a sun with a human face, shining over a landscape with two buildings: a castle and a church. The card symbolizes the light of reason and faith, as well as the power and glory of Bologna.

• The Moon (XVII) is the fourth highest trump card, representing illusion and deception. It depicts a moon with a human face, shining over a landscape with two towers: one with an owl on top, and one with a bat on top. The card symbolizes the darkness of ignorance and superstition, as well as the danger and mystery of Bologna.

• The Moors (I-IV) are four identical trump cards that are equal in rank, representing equality and diversity. They depict four Moors wearing turbans and holding swords. The card symbolizes the multiculturalism and tolerance of Bologna, as well as its military strength and courage.

• The Magician (0) is the lowest trump card, representing skill and trickery. It depicts a man wearing a hat and holding a wand, with various objects on a table: coins, cups, swords, batons, dice, cards, etc. The card symbolizes the art of magic and illusion, as well as the creativity and ingenuity of Bologna.

• The Fool (Matto) is not a trump card, but rather an excuse from following suit. It depicts a man wearing ragged clothes and carrying a stick with a bundle on his shoulder. He is followed by a dog that is biting his leg. The card symbolizes folly and madness, as well as freedom and unpredictability.

How to use Tarocchino Mitelli Deck for divination and game play

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck can be used for both divination and game play purposes. However, it is important to note that the deck was originally designed for game play only, not for divination. Therefore, using it for divination requires some adaptation and personalization from the reader. Here are some suggestions on how to use Tarocchino Mitelli Deck for divination and game play:

The rules and variations of Tarocchino game

Tarocchino is a trick-taking game that can be played by 2 to 7 players in various ways. The most common way is to play in teams of two against two or three against three. The game has several phases: dealing, declaring combinations (if any), playing tricks, counting points, scoring points.

The dealer shuffles the cards and deals them all to the players in batches of three or four at a time. The player to dealer's right cuts before dealing begins. Each player should have 15 or 16 cards depending on the number of players.

Before playing tricks, each player can declare any combinations they have in their hand, such as cricche, sequences, or tarocchi. The declarations are made in order of rank, starting from the highest (tarocchi) to the lowest (cricche of jacks). Each declaration is worth a certain number of points, as shown in the table above. The player who declares first also leads to the first trick.

The game is played anticlockwise. Each player must follow suit if possible. If not, they can play any card. The trick is won by the highest trump, or by the highest card of the suit led if no trumps are played. The winner of a trick leads to the next one.

There are some special rules and variations for playing tricks, such as:

• The Fool can be played at any time, but it does not win the trick. It is taken by the player who played it and added to their tricks at the end of the play.

• The Magician can be played at any time, and it wins the trick unless a higher trump is played. However, it can also be used as a contatore (counter or wild card) to make a sequence with other cards.

• The four Moors are equal in rank, and the last one played is the highest. They can also be used as contatori to make a sequence with other cards.

• If a player has only trumps left in their hand, they must announce it by saying "good evening" ( buona sera ). This allows their partner to know their situation and play accordingly.

• If a player has only one card left in their hand, they must announce it by saying "last" ( ultima ). This allows their partner to know their situation and play accordingly.

• If a player has no cards left in their hand, they must announce it by saying "out" ( fuori ). This means they are out of the game and cannot participate in the remaining tricks.

At the end of the play, each team counts the points they have won in tricks and declarations. The points for tricks are counted in pairs, with 1 point subtracted for each pair. There are also 6 points for winning the last trick. The total number of points available is 93. The team with more points wins the deal and scores the difference between their points and their opponents' points. If both teams have the same number of points, the deal is a draw and no one scores.

The game can be played for a fixed number of deals, or until one team reaches a certain score, such as 500 or 1000 points. Continuing the article: The methods and spreads for Tarocchino reading

Tarocchino reading is a form of divination that uses the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck to gain insight and guidance on various aspects of life. Tarocchino reading is not a traditional or standardized practice, but rather a personal and creative one. Therefore, there are no fixed or universal methods and spreads for Tarocchino reading, but rather suggestions and examples that can be adapted and modified by each reader. Here are some possible methods and spreads for Tarocchino reading:

• The Three Cards Method: This is a simple and quick way to get a general overview of a situation or a question. The reader shuffles the deck and draws three cards, placing them from left to right. The first card represents the past, the second card represents the present, and the third card represents the future. The reader interprets the cards based on their meaning, symbolism, and position.

• The Seven Cards Method: This is a more detailed and comprehensive way to explore a situation or a question. The reader shuffles the deck and draws seven cards, placing them in a horseshoe shape from left to right. The first card represents the querent (the person asking the question), the second card represents the situation, the third card represents the obstacle, the fourth card represents the advice, the fifth card represents the outcome, the sixth card represents the hidden factor, and the seventh card represents the synthesis. The reader interprets the cards based on their meaning, symbolism, and position.

• The Grande Spread: This is a complex and elaborate way to analyze a situation or a question. The reader shuffles the deck and draws 21 cards, placing them in three rows of seven cards each from left to right. The first row represents the past, the second row represents the present, and the third row represents the future. Each row is divided into three sections of three cards each: physical, mental, and spiritual. The reader interprets the cards based on their meaning, symbolism, and position.

The tips and advice for Tarocchino interpretation

Tarocchino interpretation is a skill that requires intuition, imagination, and knowledge. It is not an exact science, but rather an art that can be improved with practice and experience. Here are some tips and advice for Tarocchino interpretation:

• Be familiar with the deck: The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck has many unique and distinctive features that make it different from other tarot decks. It is important to know the rank, value, name, image, meaning, and symbolism of each card, as well as their historical and cultural context.

• Be flexible with the system: The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck does not have a fixed or standardized system of divination, but rather a variety of methods and spreads that can be adapted and modified by each reader. It is important to be open-minded and creative with the system, and to find what works best for you.

• Be attentive to the details: The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck has many subtle and hidden details that can enhance or change the interpretation of a card or a spread. It is important to pay attention to these details, such as colors, numbers, symbols, expressions, gestures, objects, etc.

• Be respectful of the tradition: The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck has a long and rich tradition that goes back to centuries ago. It is important to respect this tradition and to acknowledge its influence and contribution to tarot history and culture.

Continuing the article: Where to find and download Tarocchino Mitelli Deck online

The Tarocchino Mitelli Deck is a rare and historic tarot deck that is not easy to find or acquire. However, thanks to the internet and modern technology, there are some ways to find and download Tarocchino Mitelli Deck online. Here are some of them:

The official website of Lo Scarabeo

Lo Scarabeo is an Italian publisher that specializes in tarot and esoteric books and products. They have produced a high-quality facsimile edition of the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck, based on a copy preserved in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The edition is part of their Anima Antiqua series, which reproduces historic tarot decks on high-quality stock. The edition is limited and numbered, and comes with a booklet that explains the history and meaning of the deck.

You can find and order the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck on the official website of Lo Scarabeo: https://www.loscarabeo.com/en/prodotto/tarocchino-mitelli-anima-antiqua/. The price is 25 euros, plus shipping costs. You can also download a PDF file with the images of the cards for free: https://www.loscarabeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Tarocchino-Mitelli.pdf.

The online platforms and sources for downloading the deck

There are also some online platforms and sources that offer the possibility of downloading the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck for free or for a small fee. However, these platforms and sources may not have the same quality or authenticity as the official edition by Lo Scarabeo. Here are some examples of online platforms and sources for downloading the deck:

• YouTube: There are some videos on YouTube that show the images of the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck, such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKPbpNpIGQ4. You can use a video downloader tool to save the images on your computer or device.

• Tarot Heritage: This is a website that provides information and resources on historic tarot decks. It has an article on the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck that includes some images of the cards: https://tarot-heritage.com/2017/11/22/the-tarocchino-bolognese-of-giuseppe-mitelli-published-by-giordano-berti/. You can right-click on the images and save them on your computer or device.

• The Tarot Garden: This is an online store that sells tarot decks and books. It has a page on the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck that includes a small image of the box: https://tarotgarden.com/tarocchino-mitelli/. You can click on the image and save it on your computer or device.

The precautions and recommendations for downloading the deck

Downloading the Tarocchino Mitelli Deck online can be a c