Lo Scarabeo Anima Antiqua Line

[Morsoth]

I think the Tarot de Marseille one is the "Arnoult 1748" that was released in 1890.

 

EDIT: Yeah, you are right, it's also called "Besançon by Grimaud" !!! 🙂

Edited December 9, 2023 by Morsoth

[gregory]

I want their catty in ENGLISH....

[Guest]

Another year, another Minchiate. Gonna buy two of the Fiorentine so I'd have a working copy. I have the oversized De Vecchi version, but I guess an Anima Antiqua just hits different. 

[akiva]

8 hours ago, Akhilleus said:

I have the oversized De Vecchi version, but I guess an Anima Antiqua just hits different. 

Is that Laura Tuan's version? I was looking at that but if it's oversized I'll give it a miss and wait for the LS deck

[Guest]

Yes it is, @akiva. The cards are much larger than the average Tarot. It has a beautiful feel tho.

[akiva]

37 minutes ago, Akhilleus said:

Yes it is, @akiva. The cards are much larger than the average Tarot. It has a beautiful feel tho.

They do look really nice @Akhilleus! Though I imagine LS' version will handle a lot better when shuffling as it'll be smaller. 😅

 

I've never understood why Tuan makes oversized decks, even her Lenormand is apparently quite large 🤷‍♂️

[Guest]

I think so too @akiva. Shuffling 97 cards in one go is no joke.

 

Lol her Lenormand is quite notorious since aside from its size, its companion book also teaches reversals. 🙃

[akiva]

7 hours ago, Akhilleus said:

I think so too @akiva. Shuffling 97 cards in one go is no joke.

Anima antiqua do it best, they say the cards aren't made for reading with (I think?) but they shuffle like a dream! Really excited for the Fiorentine as it's the best one imo 😁

 

7 hours ago, Akhilleus said:

Lol her Lenormand is quite notorious since aside from its size, its companion book also teaches reversals. 🙃

I didn't know that 😐 I did find her sibilla meanings once and they felt 'off', which is strange because her writings on tarot meanings are really good and in-depth.

[Morsoth]

On 12/16/2023 at 5:36 AM, akiva said:

[...] they say the cards aren't made for reading with (I think?) but they shuffle like a dream! Really excited for the Fiorentine as it's the best one imo 😁

 

I have read this comment too, but I think (and I might be wrong) but I think that they meant that since the Anima Antiqua decks are mostly facsimiles of older card games, they are more designed to play the actual games of Tarocchi, Tarot and Tarock, and not necessarily to "read" as an actual tarot reading. Personally, I'm in the "anything can be used as divination" line of thought! If there is no LWB with the meanings, I still can relate on my interpretations based on the art or feeling.

[akiva]

9 minutes ago, Morsoth said:

I have read this comment too, but I think (and I might be wrong) but I think that they meant that since the Anima Antiqua decks are mostly facsimiles of older card games, they are more designed to play the actual games of Tarocchi, Tarot and Tarock, and not necessarily to "read" as an actual tarot reading.

Yeah this could be right, though the card stock has an odd feeling to it, it could be that they're uncoated and are saying they aren't for reading to cover their backs?

 

I don't know if all of the Anima Antiqua decks are like that as I only have the Bolognese tarot and it hasn't been put to heavy use (yet!) 

[Raggydoll]

30 minutes ago, akiva said:

Yeah this could be right, though the card stock has an odd feeling to it, it could be that they're uncoated and are saying they aren't for reading to cover their backs?

 

I don't know if all of the Anima Antiqua decks are like that as I only have the Bolognese tarot and it hasn't been put to heavy use (yet!) 

Their comment has to do with the fact that the cards have no chemical coating, and because of that they can’t guarantee that the image won’t wear down from friction. I definitely think it’s a matter of covering their backs and I personally use it anyway. I have not have time to get some proper wear on my anima antiqua deck so I don’t know how it will stand up over time. If it wears down then I’m fine with that. I am no card museum, I buy decks to use them 😊

[akiva]

10 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

Their comment has to do with the fact that the cards have no chemical coating, and because of that they can’t guarantee that the image won’t wear down from friction. I definitely think it’s a matter of covering their backs and I personally use it anyway. I have not have time to get some proper wear on my anima antiqua deck so I don’t know how it will stand up over time. If it wears down then I’m fine with that. I am no card museum, I buy decks to use them 😊

They call it plasticating I think? I might be imagining that word though 😂 

I view it the same, they're there to be used! Plus cards have to age, a few scuffed/worn card images from a well loved deck will surely add to the ambiance 😉

[Raggydoll]

Just now, akiva said:

They call it plasticating I think? I might be imagining that word though 😂 

I view it the same, they're there to be used! Plus cards have to age, a few scuffed/worn card images from a well loved deck will surely add to the ambiance 😉

Exactly! 

[gregory]

Yes indeed - they are uncoated, and another thing to remember is that it is therefore important to wash your hands more than usual; they can pick up fingerprints,

[akiva]

14 minutes ago, gregory said:

Yes indeed - they are uncoated, and another thing to remember is that it is therefore important to wash your hands more than usual; they can pick up fingerprints,

Note to self, don't let my cats dribble on them either 🙀

[gregory]

Note to self: NO drinks while reading.  

 

 

Edited January 6, 2024 by gregory

[Sar]

2 hours ago, gregory said:

Note to self: NO drinks while reading.  

 

 

Why not? 😉 Some things happen?

[gregory]

I dont' want to ruin those Anima Antiqua decks !

[Raggydoll]

To each their own, but I personally won’t treat them any differently 😊. The way I see it, these aren’t even genuinely old decks, they are reproductions, and I did not invest much money in them. So I’ll use them and enjoy them, like I do with all my decks 🙂
 

 

 

[Sar]

1 hour ago, gregory said:

I dont' want to ruin those Anima Antiqua decks !

Ok, how about drink a cola?

[Guest]

I do wish that their booklets will be more pragmatically informative. Just a few pages of reasonably-researched meanings to make it easier to use even by newbies. Although tbf I don't think novices are really the target market of this Anima Antiqua line. 

[Raggydoll]

1 hour ago, Akhilleus said:

Although tbf I don't think novices are really the target market of this Anima Antiqua line

I would agree

[gregory]

9 hours ago, Sar said:

Ok, how about drink a cola?

 

The point is not to let anything near them that can drip on them (or worse, SPILL !) See under ruined keyboards etc.....

 

3 hours ago, Akhilleus said:

I do wish that their booklets will be more pragmatically informative. Just a few pages of reasonably-researched meanings to make it easier to use even by newbies. Although tbf I don't think novices are really the target market of this Anima Antiqua line. 

 

I'd agree with Raggy. They are for study more than reading. It even says on them not for reading....

[Morsoth]

5 hours ago, gregory said:

I'd agree with Raggy. They are for study more than reading. It even says on them not for reading....

 

Yeah, me too. I've never read with any of the Anima Antiqua. I love the history of tarot and oracles, and these facsimiles are part of my study tools. To be honest, I have 82 tarot decks, but I always reach for the same few decks to read!

[gregory]

That's odd. I thought I just posted - I just got my Minchi Fiorentini. Nice !