Okay, so let me tell you about this tarot deck I’ve been messing around with lately – the Visconti-Sforza. It’s old school, like seriously old school. We’re talking 15th century, Renaissance Italy kinda vibes.
First off, I just stumbled upon it while I was digging around the internet, looking for something different. I was kind of tired of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, you know? Needed something with more, well, history.
The Hunt for a Decent Digital Version
So, I started searching for images of the Visconti-Sforza. Man, finding a complete deck online that isn’t super blurry or tiny is a task. Ended up piecing together images from different sources – Wikipedia, museum websites, random blogs. Talk about a scavenger hunt!
Diving into the History
I went down the rabbit hole, reading up on the history. Turns out, this deck wasn’t just some mass-produced thing. These were commissioned by the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, and later by his son-in-law, Francesco Sforza. Fancy, right? The artwork is stunning, all gold leaf and vibrant colors (even in the faded versions online).
- Read articles about the Visconti and Sforza families.
- Watched a documentary about Renaissance Milan (totally unrelated, but it helped with the atmosphere).
Initial Readings: Confusing, But Interesting
Alright, so I’ve got my cobbled-together deck, I know the history… now what? Time to try a reading. I usually do a simple three-card spread: past, present, future. Let me tell you, interpreting these cards was a whole new ballgame.
The imagery is so different from what I’m used to. The symbolism is more subtle, more…courtly? Like, instead of the blatant “sword in the heart” kinda stuff, you get these intricate scenes with hidden meanings. It forced me to really think about what each card could represent, instead of just relying on rote memorization.
Making My Own Guide
I was finding it difficult to find a good guide book so I just started making my own notes. I started by writing down my initial impressions. What did I see in the card? What feelings did it evoke? Then, I compared my interpretations with what little information I could find online.
Documenting Everything
Each time I did a reading, I wrote down the cards I drew, my interpretation, and how it related to the situation. I kept a little notebook just for this deck. Over time, I started to see patterns emerge. Certain cards seemed to consistently show up in relation to certain themes in my life.
Still a Work in Progress
Look, I’m no expert. I’m still learning, still figuring things out. But this whole process has been incredibly rewarding. It’s pushed me to go deeper, to think more critically, and to appreciate the artistry and history behind these cards.
Next Steps: Maybe a Physical Deck?
I’m even considering buying a physical reproduction of the Visconti-Sforza deck. I think having the cards in my hands would make a huge difference. Plus, they’re just beautiful to look at.
