The Minchiate Tarot: The 97-Card Tarot of the Renaissance, Complete with the 12 Astrological Signs and the 4 Elements [Cards]

Brian Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

• The first deck in several hundred years to present the expanded 97-card Tarot system of the Renaissance.

• Based on the original Italian Renaissance Tarot deck, with contemporary interpretations by the best-selling author of The Light and Shadow Tarot.

• Includes cards for the 12 astrological signs and the 4 elements, as well as additional Virtue cards for the major arcana. 

• Includes stunning variations of many traditional Tarot images.

• 272-page book with 400 black-and-white illustrations. 

• 97 full-color cards.

The Minchiate is one of the most unique decks ever to emerge from the centuries-old Tarot tradition. In the first modern presentation of this divinatory system, artist and writer Brian Williams explains the allegorical, esoteric, and symbolic meanings of this expanded deck that not only includes cards for each of the astrological signs, but also for the four elements and several additional figures in the major arcana. Although those familiar with the traditional Tarot will recognize many of the cards of the Minchiate, even Tarot aficionados will be surprised and delighted by many striking differences, such as the knights who are now transformed into mythical beasts or the Chariot card in which the armored warrior has been replaced by a peaceful maiden. 

Brian Williams's insightful interpretations of the cards, based on his extensive knowledge of the Tarot and Italian history, enable readers to use this deck as a tool for profound self-exploration and transformation. One of the most popular Italian Tarots, the Minchiate served as the basis for many other famous decks before fading into obscurity during the nineteenth century. Now this important Tarot, reformulated with the author's extensive commentary and subtle interpretations of the original art, is finally again available for modern readers and devotees of the Tarot.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For the serious collector of tarot comes this elegantly redesigned version of the Minchiate deck originally created in the 1500s. While artist/tarot expert Brian Williams titles his 1999 version "tarot," he is quick to point out that it is more a "sister to" than an actual tarot. To those familiar with the standard Ryder version that most of today's decks seem to be based on, the distinction is most immediately evidenced by the fact there are 97 cards instead of the more familiar 78. Cards 16 through 35 in the Minchiate are "missing" from the standard. They include four virtues (hope, prudence, faith, and charity), four elements (fire, water, air, and earth), and the 12 zodiacal signs. While Williams did design and illustrate this deck himself, it has a Renaissance period feel. He followed the original designs fairly closely so that the same graphic elements and even postures of the figures are maintained. --P. Randall Cohan

Review

"A superb resource for Renaissance symbols and deepening of the Tarot experience."
(

Napra Review

)

"A deck for the serious aficionado.Long faded into obscurity until now, it offers a new survey of an ancient tradition."
(

New Age Retailer, May/June 2000

)

"The art is excellent. The book for this deck is one of the best books I have seen written for a deck. This deck is highly recommended."
(

Michele Jackson, www.ArtofTarot.com

)

"Williams has taken the ancient Minchiate designs and re-visioned them for our own time with incomparable grace and delicacy. This is the artist's finest work to date, showing a master's fluidity with both concept and execution. The Minchiate Tarot reaches back to a time when Tarot was more diverse, and designers made dramatic experiements in the symbolic system. The Minchiate was waiting to be heard; thanks to the artistic talents of Brian Williams, it now sings to us with clarity and profundity across the span of centuries."
(Tom Tadfor Little, Wellspring  )

Brian Williams has done a great service by reclaiming the allegory-rich Minchiate deck for the modern world. All Tarot readers will benefit from his detailed explication of Renaissance symbols and iconography. His insights apply to all Tarot decks and will deepen readings. This exquisite deck by a consummate artist is sure to become a classic.
(Mary Greer, author of Tarot for Your Self )

"A wonderful addition to Tarot knowledge and art. The book alone is a treasure, with its hundreds of Renaissance illustrations and its witty and detailed text. Brian Williams is a rare combination of talents--a superb artist, a genuine scholar, and a man with a true sense of the inner mysteries of symbolic images. "
(Rachel Pollack, author of The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Cards: 272 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892816511
• ISBN-13: 978-0892816514
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #935,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful modern rendition of an ancient "expanded" tarot, November 18, 1999

By 

Tom L. Waters (Tesuque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Minchiate Tarot: The 97-Card Tarot of the Renaissance, Complete with the 12 Astrological Signs and the 4 Elements (Cards)

The inspiration for this deck comes from the Minchiate of Florence, an expanded variant of the Tarot that dates from the early 16th century. The traditional tarot subjects are here (although many are represented differently than in the familiar French/British tarot decks), but 20 additional major arcana cards are also included: all the signs of the zodiac, the four elements, and the four virtues (Prudence, Faith, Hope, and Charity) that are missing from other tarots.

The cards are not overloaded with esoteric symbols. Instead, each has an open, elegant feeling, which I find helps relax my mind and bring me into connection with the images. There is a serene, meditative quality that pervades the whole deck, even the pip cards. The pips are mostly without scenic illustrations, although some have intriguing animal vignettes, the meanings of which Williams has researched and included in the book.

The book describes each of the major arcana cards in detail, relating them to the art and literature of the Renaissance. (There are hundreds of line drawings of medieval and Renaissance art.) It is a great help in getting into the spirit of this deck, which presents the symbols of the tarot as archetypes alive in the fabric of culture and history, rather than as secret magical emblems.

This deck is certainly a beautiful work of art, but it also gives fascinating readings! The additional major arcana open whole new dimensions for interpretation. There is a lot of psychological subtlety in the faces and body language of the figures on the cards, making this deck feel more "human" and emotionally open than many. In addition to divinatory use, I think this deck has a lot to offer as a meditation tool and for personal and interpersonal healing.

Many will no doubt prefer a tarot deck based on the familiar 78-card Tarot de Marseille and its descendents, such as the Waite-Smith deck. But for those who are intrigued by the expanded tarot universe of the ancient Minchiate system, this deck is unique, indispensible, and a delight to work with.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love the book, and hate the cards., June 6, 2000

By 

Uri Raz (Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Minchiate Tarot: The 97-Card Tarot of the Renaissance, Complete with the 12 Astrological Signs and the 4 Elements (Cards)

I love the book by Brian Williams, which is scholarly, informational, clearly written, and very useful (not to mention being the only book about Minchiate cards I know).

The deck is well worth the price for the book alone, if nothing else.

As for the cards - I dont like the art. It looks like it was drawn with pastel-coloured pencils, and it doesnt speak to me.

I've eventually ordered a reproduction of the Minchiate Fiorentine - it's one of 2000 reproductions and I use it with reverance (for fear of ruining it).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for Visual People, March 23, 2008

By 

Bryce Conner "College Student" (Syracuse, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Minchiate Tarot: The 97-Card Tarot of the Renaissance, Complete with the 12 Astrological Signs and the 4 Elements (Cards)

I must differ in the reviews mentioned here that say they like the book but not the cards. I think that while the minchiate is a lost art, and that this book expands the notions of what each card means, it does so in a very sketchy manner. The pictures are sketchy, the cards are sketchy, and the very descriptions of the cards are merely outlines.

For one to get truly into the Minchiate, one must be a right-brained person. That is what this author has failed to recognise. At least provide color images, that is what we want, and cards that are artistically adept.

Sorry to be so critical, but it's just a beef that I have with this book and deck. At this price, there *should* be color pictures, but there are none, so I feel left out in the cold in terms of artistic expression. Also, I didn't see any reversed meanings listed, which means one must make those up for one's self.