Ivona Tarot

Tarot Rhenan

Tarot Rhenan is a rustic eighteenth-century deck also known as the Marseille Tarot by Piatnik or, simply, the Ignaz Krebs Tarot, after its German creator.

These are my favorite Marseille cards.

The Game of Hope

Published in Germany c. 1799, The Game of Hope by Johann Kaspar Hechtel inspired all subsequent Petit Lenormand decks.

Although later credited to Mademoiselle Lenormand, a well-known French fortune-teller, its imagery is rooted in emblem books, collectible coffee cards, and German playing cards whose suits appear on the top left corner, facing the French.

Reproductions contain stains, marks and tiny scratches, altogether adding a touch of history to these beautiful cards.

Minchiate Francesi

Say hello to the Minchiate Francesi, a deck created by François de Poilly in mid-seventeenth-century France—the first in a new series where I introduce my collection, including reproductions of gems from the nineteenth century and prior.

The cards above were used to play, well, Minchiate, a game that also inspired Italian decks. They depict Greco-Roman deities, virtues and other trumps, the twelve zodiac signs, the five senses, the four elements and, of course, good old playing-card pips.

I’ve fallen in love with their dreamy atmosphere and delicate pastoral scenes in crimson and pale tones. Perfect for both divination and escapism. ☕

See you soon with another deck.

Hello all,

As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted any updates in a while. The truth is, for a while, I felt excited to work on my tarot deck and then that excitement vanished. Other projects and issues have my attention at the moment, so I’ve decided to set the tarot deck aside. It’s possible one day I’ll finish it, but not now.

I thank you for your patience and support.

If you want to follow or message me, feel free to check out my twitter account where I’ll likely be more active from now on: twitter.com/nadiaivona

This blog will also remain open in case I decide to return and perhaps continue the project.

Tarot mood. Let the magic begin.

The Fortune-teller

The image above looks straight out of a fairy tale, doesn’t it? In it, a young girl has her palm read while an adorable cat and owl look on. Cards can also be found on the fortune-teller’s table.

‘La tireuse de cartes,’ c. 1800.

A woman tells fortunes in the streets of France. Notice her owl and the pissing dog.

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” — William Shakespeare

Old-timey Tarot Meanings

Circa 1838, a cartomancer by the pseudonym Julia Orsini published a companion book for the unusual Grand Etteilla II tarot.

Pictured above is the Etteilla III by Éditions Dusserre, which is to this day distributed with that same booklet. The meanings provided reflect concerns and habits of yore.

Some excerpts are also oddly specific. Enjoy!

Stars: “A magician that you met has made a lot of wrong predictions.”

Prudence: “[If near the King of Coins,] you will fight a brown-haired man.”

Temperance: “This card could announce an accident after bad preparation of food taken in a meal.”

Plants, similar to The Moon: “[The Querent’s] party in the country will be affected because of the rain.”

Enlightenment, similar to The Sun: “[An older woman’s qualities will soon] be noticed by an older gentleman who will offer her his heart, his fortune and a wedding ring.”

King of Wands: “An uncle in a faraway country, who has never given any news, has made fortune and has made you his heir. He will soon come for a surprise visit.”

Five of Wands: “You will be robbed next time you go to the theater.”

And last but not least, my favorite—a possible meaning for the Ten of Cups: “this card predicts [a man] will have a duel which will end with an appetizing lunch.” ⚔️🍔

There are, of course, many other such meanings!