The Game of Saturn

[MuninnMissinHuginn]

The Game of Saturn written by Peter Mark Adams (a good read) posits that the Sola Busca deck was made with specific people and a specific purpose in mind. The deck was not to used as a game nor as a traditional tarot deck.  Also the symbology revolves around Alexander the Great as a literary figure, Roman historical figures, and the cult/religion of Mithraism

 

The first to tackle is the Mithra connection. It seems that there are many symbolic elements from Mithraism in traditional decks, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was also knowledgeable or based on Mithraism, and the Sola Busca deck relies heavily on the Mithric symbols.

 

Two cards in particular, Mr. Adams equates with Mithra’s attendants Cautes (raised torch) and Cautopates (lowered torch). They symbolically stand for the two equinoxes, or the rising and setting of the sun.

The Mithric symbolism in tarot is discussed here also:

http://guity-novin.blogspot.com/2010/02/history-of-graphic-design-tarot-cards.html

 

And the symbolism of Cautes and Cautopates is here:

https://tertullian.org/rpearse/mithras/display.php?page=cautes_and_cautopates

Here:

https://iranicaonline.org/articles/cautes-and-cautopates-the-two-dadophoroi-or-torch-bearers-who-often-flank-mithras-in-the-bull-slaying-scene-and-who-are-s

And of course our favorite:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cautes_and_Cautopates

 

The two cards in the deck are II - Postumio and XI - Tulio (or maybe Julio).

 

There are more reasons to tie the deck to Mithraism.

 

[Guest]

I'm going to look into that. thanks

[MuninnMissinHuginn]

@nikyniky I look forward to hearing what you discover!

 

The little book that came with the cards states that Postumio is Lucius Postumius Albinus who was sent to Cisalpine Gaul (today’s PO Valley) and was defeated in battle by the Boii, a Gallic tribe. Lucius’s skull was emptied and clad in gold so that the victors could use his skull as a sacred vessel. The book states that the card depicts the scull of Lucius clad in gold is on the plinth. 
 

On the bottom of the shield are the words “OD FATIS” or maybe “OR FATIS”. There is another card XIII - Cato that holds a banner that says “Trahor  fatis” translated as “I am driven by fate”.
 

It is interesting Lucius is depicted. If indeed as Mr. Adams argues, the deck is made for a person/family who lost devastatingly to the Venicians, is it a card that wonders if the loss is fate?

Edited November 15, 2021 by MuninnMissinHuginn

[MuninnMissinHuginn]

XI - is Tulio. Evidently a long time Roman family name.  The little book that came with the cards says the two most famous people with that name are   Servius Tullius and Marcus Tullius Cicero. The little book thinks that the most likely reference is to Cicero. 

https://www.behindthename.com/name/tulio/tree

 

 Cicero is well known for his writing, opposition to Marc Antony and being executed, his head and hand(s) were displayed in Rome.  He was well known and admired during the Renaissance.  

 

The “silver” shape that is behind the figure - what is that?  What is the hat on his head?  It looks like a snail sitting backwards. Even if Cicero is the most famous of the Tullius family, why would the card depict him? There are cards that are unknown characters.   Maybe further into the Game of Saturn these questions will become clear. If it is Cicero, where are the symbolic references, as the golden skull is pictured for Postumio.

[MuninnMissinHuginn]

VII is Deo Tauro 

 

He is a historical person associated with the third Mithradatic War in Phrygia. He also was defended by Cicero (card XI).  
 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Deiotarus
 

The ivy leaf and the letters S and C are depicted on the chair/chariot. 
 

Deo Tauro could also mean God Bull and a second layer of meaning toward the Mythric tradition and the constellation Taurus and associated constellations.  Per Mr. Adams.

 

These are only my thoughts, unless ascribed to Mr. Adams.  I do take all my cues from him though. Anyone is welcome to chime in, I am certainly no expert, just curious.