Mythological Tarot

Mythological Tarot
Amerigo Folchi, 1988

Il Tarocco Mitologico is based upon the imaginative themes of Greek mythology. Created by the Italian artist Amerigo Folchi and published by Italcards in 1988, this beautiful deck demonstrates a strong connection between the Tarot and the Classical Myths. The very first time I looked through these cards, I recognized many scenes and characters without ever referencing the little booklet. That isn’t always the case with culturally themed decks.

Folchi’s artwork uses collage as backgrounds to his illustrations. Some of his backgrounds are visually wild but they give a nice contrasting texture to the linear figure drawings. His rendering of the human form is better in this deck than in many of his other decks that
I have seen. There is a lot of nudity in this deck, which feels appropriate and in keeping with the Grecian style. In fact the suit of Staves is unique in that it is not based on a mythological story but on the traditions of Erotic art which had widespread appeal in the early Greek ages.

The little booklet was written by Andrea Gamboni, whose commentary on these mythological archetypes make the deck even more interesting. His text has the stylings of psychoanalytical language woven throughout it. He describes Dionysus, The Fool, as the symbol of our primeval instincts, and as the driving force behind nature which brings fruits and plants to ripeness. Pallas Athena is the Goddess of Justice representing the counter to these ideas, carrying the shield with the head of Medusa to symbolize her victory over the passions - a symbol which I think is parallel to the blindfold seen on older images of Justice. Gamboni brings in here the ideas from Freud that a society is formed through the removal of sexual and aggressive drives which would otherwise cause reckless individuality and hedonism. Trump X is represented by Tyche, the iconic Goddess of Fortune who steers the boat of Life and disperses gifts from her cornucopia to all who will accept them. The great hero Perseus portrays the card of Strength, in his defeat of the Medusa.

The Tower depicts Bellerophon falling from the winged horse Pegasus. Using a magic bridle given to him by Athena, Bellerophon was able to harness the elusive horse and thereby win in conquest with enemy creatures. Perfectly mirroring other Greek myths of hubris as well as the story of the Tower of Babel, Bellerophon attempts to reach the god’s Mount Olympus but is thrown from the back of Pegasus.

The Star depicts Venus being led by Hesperus to an intimate encounter. She represents feminine receptivity. Apollo is the god of the Sun on Trump XIX, representing male creative energy and beneficial activity. The Devil is depicted by the Minotaur, the half-man, half-bull who is peering from out of his labyrinthine den.

The suit cards illustrate a variety of mythological scenes. The Swords involve images from the story of Oedipus and its symbolism of internal conflicts. The Two of Swords shows the wonderful scene of the Sphinx posing its riddle to the quester. The suit of Coins depicts the life of Ulysses and his adventurers, symbolizing our explorations of the material realities of Life. One scene shows the hero using his wit and strength to defeat the Cyclops in order to escape imprisonment. The suit of Staves, being related to the element of Fire, deals with scenes of eroticism. Narcissus is the subject of the Cups suit, which explores the way we see ourselves and others.

This deck can sometimes be found at Alida.

Review by Mark Filipas, 2/5/00