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Tarot Card Deck Number

To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.pagan.magick,alt.magick,alt.tarot,alt.divination
From: bard@dmcom.net
Subject: Re: Tarot Card Deck Number (was 78...?)
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 09:52:15 -0500

nagasiva wrote:

> wasn't the historical game of Tarocci always 78 cards? if not,
> could you break down the history somewhat as to how and when
> the number varied, or point to some website that does beyond
> those already suggested? thanks.

Well I recalled a website indicating the number of trumps did change so
far I have found one deck recorded.

http://www.tarothermit.com/siciliano.htm

"Tarot and Minchiate were both introduced to Sicily in 1663, probably by
way of Rome. The original designs were probably of Florentine origin,
although some alterations were made early on. There is a trump card
lower than the Bagatto, titled Miseria or Poverta, meaning poverty. It
shows a beggar in rags holding out a bowl or box. In later decks, he is
chained to a large block. The Fool is called il Fuggativo, the fugative.
The Papess is gone, and the Pope is replaced by the virtue of Constancy,
shown with shield and banner. The Angel is replaced by Jove. In the 18th
century, a Sicilian noblewoman instigated the alteration of two
offensive cards, the Devil and the Devil's House. They now depict a ship
(borrowed from the Minchiate Water card) and a simple Tower, without the
distressing fire and lightning usually associated with it."

"The Tarocco Siciliano, like the Tarocco Bolognese, is a reduced pack,
with lower pip cards of each suit omitted. In the Tarocco Siciliano, the
omitted cards are the ace through 4 of staves, cups, and swords, and the
2 and 3 of coins. The ace of coins was added in the 19th century to
provide a place for tax stamps, and is not needed to play the Sicilian
form of the game of tarot. Thus 63 cards are used. This peculiar number
results from the fact that the most popular form of the game in previous
centuries was for three players; 63 cards divides evenly by 3."

The odd sized (count) decks are though rare to find much about.



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