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Welcome back @Rachelcat! Interesting to have a different kind of oracle in the group this week 😀

Had to Share this Amazing deck I’ve 1st seen few days ago on fb thanks to Alexandra Miron here is full post & photos provided with her permission: “Happy Sunday with Tea and Fortune Telling Cards Deck: Cartomanzia NAVALDE (Sibilla Italiana type) Date: ca. 1910 (or slightly later; lacking tax stamp) Extent: 90 cards (missing 5) Provenance: Property of P. Barelli, Corso Venezia 15, Milan One of the most breathtaking decks has finally joined my collection, a treasure that kept me awake with anticipation long before its arrival, a full month past its expected date! Crafted at the height of the Art Nouveau movement, its sinuous, elegant lines perfectly capture the ethereal aesthetic of the era. Pietro Barelli (Rovenna 1818 – Milan 1880/1890) was a prominent Milanese print dealer and publisher. Born on February 14, 1818, to Pietro Barelli and Tommasa Bianchi, he had four children with his wife, Maria Teresa Pin: Napoleone (1844–1905), Federico (1847), Letizia (1848)—all born in Cremona—and a fourth child born in Milan in 1862. Firm History and Locations Founded in Milan in 1844, the Pietro Barelli firm initially specialized in designs, woodblocks, and cutting tools for fretwork (l’arte del traforo). The firm’s ongoing commitment to artistic pastimes is well-documented through its illustrated trade catalogues, including Arte e Diletto (1904), a general catalogue (1906), and Lavori e divertimenti artistici (1910). Between 1882 and 1910, the company earned numerous gold medals at national and international exhibitions for its fretwork patterns. Sometime after 1894, Barelli acquired the Arturo Fumel firm (est. 1830). By April 1920, invoice letterheads show the business was managed by Luigi Russi Barelli (1872–1944). The publisher’s address evolved alongside its expansion: Pre-1879: Galleria De Cristoforis No. 8 1879: Galleria De Cristoforis Nos. 4–7 1906: Via Passerella No. 6 1906 onwards: Corso Venezia 15–23 Publishing, Photography, and Matrix Controversy Beyond craft supplies, Barelli was an active print publisher. A significant collection of his fine art prints (published through at least 1878) is preserved in Milan at the Raccolta delle Stampe Achille Bertarelli. He also produced portrait photography, including an 1862 portrait of Garibaldi stamped on the reverse with his Galleria No. 8 mark. The firm acquired the historic Soliani family woodblock collection alongside roughly 140 16th- and 17th-century wood matrices of unknown provenance. In 1887, Pietro’s son Napoleone sold these matrices to Adolfo Venturi for the Galleria Estense in Modena. Documents in the Bertarelli collection—including annotated trial impressions by Pietro Barelli—reveal controversial intentions: Barelli contemplated pulling modern restrikes (such as a 1617 Domenico Campagnola woodcut) framed to resemble original period impressions. The Soliani woodblocks saw several reprintings over the century: 1828: Compiled into 7 volumes (Incisioni in legno...). 1864: Reissued as a trade catalogue for printers (Catalogo generale...). 1906–1913: A limited run of 10 deluxe copies commissioned by the Ministry of Public Instruction. Barelli’s collector stamp—notably found on the reverse of a 1655 Robert Nanteuil engraving of Cardinal Mazarin—remains a distinctive mark, though the full scope of prints bearing his stamp is still unknown today. Bibliography Modena 1986: I legni incisi della Galleria Estense. Quattro secoli di stampa nell'Italia Settentrionale, Modena. Milano, A. (1986): “La falsificazione dei legni,” in Modena 1986, pp. 31–33. Milan 1988: I legni incisi della Galleria Estense a Milano nel 50° anniversario della morte di Achille Bertarelli (1938–1988), ed. C. Salsi, M. Goldoni, A. Milano, G. Montecchi, Milan. Milano, A. (2000): “Le falsificazioni Barelli,” in Achille Bertarelli e Trieste, Trieste, pp. 79–93. Piazzi, M.L. (2017): “Manipolazioni e falsificazioni nelle matrici xilografiche Soliani-Barelli e Mucchi,” Studi di Memofonte, N.S., pp. 134–158" All photos provided & card back design as far as I know this is most extensive deck of this kind & most esquisit art too! i'll dive into card meanings for weekend & add my observation after I figure what these extra cards are about?😉✨🍀💕

I used to try all sorts of spreads, small, huge, with fixed positions, etc. when I first started learning Tarot. These days I tend to just do 3 card readings with no fixed positions. I look at the base of the deck and consider that card as the 'engine' of the spread, its hidden foundation. I also look at the quint, which I reduce to a major, which provides me with the theme, the overarching topic that the spread is about. That's it. I like to look at the cards and see what story they want to tell. I look at combinations, positioning, major vs minor arcana, and illustrations - what direction is the knight facing, is he rushing towards or away from the other cards, that kind of thing. I find I get the most out of my cards by listening to them and waiting for them to tell me the story they want to tell. Fixed positions kind of hem me in. I don't think they are bad or anything, and they can produce really insightful readings, but for myself I feel most drawn to my freestyle 3-card spreads.

Hi crew! Better late than never! As a break from mid-century esoteric, and finally acting on @Tanga’s information from back in April!, I’m going to try to read with dominoes. I got a new set with colorful pips the other day. (I don’t like that the 1s and 2s are both red while all the other numbers have their own colors. And there aren’t even any blue ones. A fine-point blue sharpie might be in my future.) 28 items. I’ll be using interps from the site Tanga recommended, https://www.tarotteachings.com/domino-divination-how-dominoes-can-tell-your-fortune.html. I think I’ve come up with a spread: draw one and then a second, and if the second has a match to the first, use it too, and keep going until there are no matches. I’ll try it! In the meantime, a short interview. 1. What is your strength? Five-Blank, Think before you speak. The dominoes can help me think things through before I act on them. 2. Your weakness? Six-Five, Perseverance But I probably won’t want to keep using them very long. 3. What can I learn from you? Double Blank, Reset, pause I can learn to really take a break if I need to. They will remind me when I need to pause. 4. What will be the outcome of our work together? Six-Four, Temper and tension I'll get fed up with the dominoes or interps and will want to give up on them in a huff. We’ll see!

I'm reeeeally curious about the "Oracular Cards of Transformation/Change" - they look like playing cards with a twist? Anyone has had more experience with them? Thanks!

Welcome back @BrightEye 😊

Your comment reminded me of my Antica Cartomanzia @Morsoth. I posted them in the appropriate thread so as not to veer away from the topic here. Just one caveat: as can be gleaned from its very name, this grand jeu lenormand is different from the petit jeu lenormand that most currently recognize. While the latter does not include the 2's, 3's, 4's, and 5's in a playing card deck resulting in only 36 cards, the former includes all 52 cards plus a pair of significators. Their images and elements are entirely different. I don't want anyone to purchase it because they mistook it for a Lenny.

I just remembered that I have the complete set. All pristine and unsealed as I haven't explored them yet. Sad that the series seems to have been discontinued. I looked around and all are still available at a fair price.

I’ve found the cards beautiful and intuitive, but I share worries about cultural appropriation and the authors’ commercial turn.

Yes, but all the decks from the Anima Antiqua line, to date, were reproductions of Tarot, Tarocchi or Tarocchino decks. Lenormand is very far from these systems. Previously, Lo Scarabeo released historical oracle and cartomancy decks with their "Old Cartomancy" line, so I would have been less surprised if this one was included in the Old Cartomancy line. But I'm not complaining, I love the original Lenormand look, I'm just surprised!

They publish all sorts of decks, so why not this one ? It is historically significant !

Oh, nice! But I'm surprised that they include decks that aren't Tarot/Tarocchi/Tarocchino!

The first Anima Antiqua deck for 2027 has been revealed rather early, and it is again initially set for a June release. It is the Grand Jeu de Mlle Le Normand. I was looking forward to this! Grand Jeu de Mlle Le Normand (1890 CA) Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of 18th-century divination with this limited-edition masterpiece of oracular art. Each card is a finely illustrated microcosm that blends traditional card games, classical mythology, celestial constellations, alchemy, botany, and vivid historical scenes into a complex and fascinating symbolic architecture. Renowned for having guided the destinies of the greatest figures of the Napoleonic era, this extraordinary deck is not only a precious tool for divination and meditation, but also a true collector's item. Ideal for seekers of mystery, lovers of beauty, and discerning collectors, this deck is a living piece of history and esoteric wisdom.

If you were nearer I'd ask to borrow it.... I'll just head back to Arrien for soothing vibes and a swan....

I’m in with my brand new Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition.

A unique version of Reading Circle for those who would like to work through their collection of decks, participants choose decks from their collections to work with for the week. Some use one deck, others use two or more. Some combine methods: Tarot, non-tarot (e.g. oracle), playing cards, or any other divinatory method is welcome. All we ask is that you use at least one tarot or oracle deck. No collection is too large or too small. The only rules we have are the Tarot, Tea & Me Rules; Be respectful of one other. Please join us! Please post with your choice of deck(s) for the week Chat away about your deck, how you're finding it (or not), etc., it's all up to you Participants may either choose to share their readings here in this discussion thread or opt to have their own journal in the Journals Forum and link it here Yet others may even have an offline journal in paper & pencil/pen form Share as often, as much, or as little as you like. You can drop in and out at any time—reality and life permitting. New to tarot? Long time reader? Come on in! Participants fire cat pickles: Tarot de la Rea BrightEye: Tattoo Tarot, Ink & Intuition Rachelcat: Dominos with Tanga's interpretations Click here for DOTW 477 (8/24 - 8/30)

Unfortunately, yes, I did buy it. Despite my reservations I was prepared to give Barlow a second hearing. But like the old adage goes: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. 😔

Wow. Nothing else, really, just... wow. -- It's not a book I was in danger of buying, but thanks for adding another review.

Did you BUY this abomination - if not how did you read it ? I would take a look for the , but don't want to waste my money !

Oh no of course not lol 😂 I wouldn’t even dream of doing that. All the people here are amazing readers and I respect y’all’s experience. I still have wayyyyyy to go in order to get there. Indeed 😁

Oh, are you trying to destroy me?! 😂 Just kidding. Yes, it would have been a bit premature for you to have taken the course then. Yes, this. Once it repeats, it becomes consistent, reliable.

I think the Piatnik deck refers to this as well; the Fox is walking through a snowy scenery, so it's really interesting combined with your view. I agree. We carry on with our habits, so to speak. I think that's how different personal styles of reading the cards are created, and that's amazing.

@Rose Lalonde , @Moon-Hermit I like your above discussion a lot - it got good flair. Sometimes, there's one initial read where something came through clearly, and from that, it often tends to take on the very same meaning/vibe. What I like to express: Had I an experience similar to yours, @Rose Lalonde , I certainly would be inclined to pay attention accordingly. For me, one politician was adequately described via the dog, in both behaviour as well as optics, and that was the most prominent nose I ever saw inhabiting a face. Dog-> Nose: check. Same with the fox: It is a cold-weather-card for me, it often comes round to announce first snow and sudden cold, the red-ear-days so to speak, or problems with the heating. It did take part in foreshadowing an earache. Fox -> Ears, has to be, for me. Some do use the birds. Thing is, if something came through in a read clearly just once, it is very likely to stick - if it repeats, you'll use it as such, fancy reason aside - reliability rules here. And then, we can attempt an explanation, uncover the why, until we think we got it. Thing is, we won't get it, ever. What we'll develop is a little more grip on our pack of cards, light shed on a little of our path, and new things to try and verify. An insight usable for an outlook.

I will make no secret about the fact that I am no fan of the work of Mr Paul Hughes-Barlow. His previous book, The Tarot and the Magus, left me unimpressed to say the least. But his latest offering, The Secret of the Thoth Tarot, had me holding my head in my hands. The book reads like fragmentary notes on Aleister Crowley's, The Book of Thoth. And that is because that it exactly what it is. Information is presented as fact, without sources or references. If there is a central premise to this book it is on page 17. This seems to be the root of Barlow's monomania about the number 8. Anything and everything connected to this number is roped into his theory about the Society of Eight and its purported influence in the Book of Thoth. After all, who could fail to see the true import of the 8 colour plates in the Book of Thoth? 🙄 Mildly amusing is Barlow's attempt at finding deep meaning and qabalistic import in the word SCRUNCH. (The Book of Thoth, p.10) Apparently this word is a secret key hidden within the Book of Thoth. This amazing revelation appears on page 40. Upon reaching this point it is somewhat depressing to realise that there are another 200 pages to go. It doesn't get any better either. Early on in the book Barlow seems to have an issue with the O.T.O.. According to Barlow they prevent serious academic research into the Book of Thoth. Supposedly this is because "there is always the danger that a tarot student gets above himself and asks dangerous (for the O.T.O.) questions." Is this an admission that the O.T.O. turned Barlow down when he requested access to the O.T.O. archives? Possibly. But if there really are dangerous questions, they are most certainly not posed in his book.

Awesome!