The Medieval Scapini Tarot
The intricate artwork of The Medieval Scapini Tarot ensures that each time you look at a card you’re bound to discover something new. For example, the cups aren’t just empty vessels featured just to designate a suit. Neither are the coins. The 6 of Coins pictured below, shows this clearly. No pentagrams here. Each coin portrays a scene. The same is true for the 6 of cups. A different scene is presented either on the cup or within it. This may seem typical for the 7 of cups in most RWS inspired decks but here it is put to good use throughout the entire Cups suit. Yes, there’s a lot to take in. This deck overflows with symbolism, story, and historical references.
The Medieval Scapini Tarot Cards
To be honest I nearly didn’t finish writing this review. Stuart R Kaplan states, ‘The cards of The Medieval Scapini Tarot recreate the Middle Ages of Europe with symbolism, costume and setting. The gold backgrounds of the Court cards and the Major Arcana recall the great tarocchi of 15th century Italy and many images on the cards are inspired by masterpieces of the Renaissance.’ This is indeed true. Yet as this is a contemporary deck, I initially found some of the portrayals quite triggering.
The 6 of Wands shows six servants and the first given meaning is ‘conquest.’ I really wasn’t comfortable with that. Yes I realised “time and place” comes into it but the idea of victory being represented by having others under your control felt off to me. And a little too real. But as I continued to work with the deck I came to see even this card in a different light. However, it took a conscious effort and writing this review to achieve this change of heart. More on that later.
Having struggled with the 6 of Wands, seeing the Page of Wands association with slavery and then described in the book as ‘a faithful and loyal person,’ was hard. He may have been recently freed but the shackle is still around his ankle as a reminder. I wrote an essay on the abolition of slavery at university so I could have convinced myself that the card held a positive message if I hadn’t read the book meaning.
And, the Knight of Wands features people forced to leave their burning homes with only the possessions they could salvage. Yes moves, departures etc are represented but it’s far from a pleasant representation. Add to that that I often see the impulsiveness of the Knight of Wands as urging us to stay in the here and now, with current world circumstances, it all just felt too much. Where were the passionate, creative wands? The mood these cards evoked were more akin to the challenge of swords energy.
Before I gave up though I thought I’d do a deck interview spread to see what I may have been missing. In the limitations position I drew the Ace of Swords and things became more clear. What I didn’t like about the images was that they were forcing me to see things I didn’t want to face. So, in a strange way, by the end of my “interview”, I came to see this deck as an advocate for a social conscience.
The things I baulked at still exist and still trigger me. It gave me much to explore and no doubt write about in the future. I choose to focus on the positive but that should never mean I try and deny the negative regardless of how uncomfortable it may make me feel. I feel this could serve as a powerful shadow deck will force me to develop a new perspective on many things. Therefore I’m glad I persisted.
The last card in my Interview Spread layout is a “message” card. I drew the 6 of Wands and I wrote, ‘you baulked at the idea of the 6 of Wands victory being represented by servants but here’s the thing – joyful service through doing what you love is the ultimate victory.’ And just like that the card took on a whole new meaning for me.
The 8 of Wands pictured above is also clever. This is the first card I’ve come across that clearly reminds us that hasty decisions can have negative consequences. The card shows the initial way to forceful for my liking propositioning followed by the same couple fighting and attacking each other. Needless to say his initial success didn’t lead to a positive future. Though you do see children running free and an abundance of grapes gracing the card so maybe ultimately something positive does come of the situation. Maybe some things are worth the fight? It really depends on how you interpret it at the time.
The 6 of Cups, pictured earlier, provides an interesting take too. The image is described as showcasing different ways to face old age. Since you can’t look at aging without considering it alongside youth, it still maintains many of its typical messages. Yet, it adds so much more. Thinking about our mortality can encourage us to consider dreams from the past. Should they be forgotten or pursued before it truly is too late?
It’s also a reminder that how we view our current stage of life has a huge impact on how we experience it. I remember telling my step dad that I thought I was too old and thus didn’t have time to achieve some goals I had set for myself a long time ago. He all but laughed at me. Yes I’m middle-aged but he has forty years on me so to him I’m still young. It definitely changed my perspective.
However, the 8 of Swords, pictured below, in The Medieval Scapini Tarot gives the impression that the person is clearly trapped by the judgement of someone in a more powerful position. This is quite different to the “mental prison” generally suggested in most versions of the card.
As you have probably guessed it’s the Minor Arcana that really caught my attention. However, I did spend a lot of time with the Major Arcana initially. Reading the entry in the book as I looked at the card, made each one more accessible and I learned a lot along the way.
For The Fool, pictured below, the book says, ‘The Fool stand near the edge of an abyss.’ Yet, when I look at the picture the cliff faces look like piles of books. Even with the booklet’s help, I can’t unsee that idea. But, without the book it would heave taken me longer to notice the crocodile and I definitely wouldn’t have know that the balloon-like swag is actually a pig’s bladder said to represent Saint Roch. Last week I was researching surrealist art; this week it’s Catholic saints. Tarot acts as a pictorial book of knowledge for those interested in using it in that way.
Since I discovered that Saint Roch is the Patron Saint of Dogs, I’m surprised there’s a lion leaping at him rather than a dog. I also discovered that, contrary to the book, he wasn’t forced into exile. Rather he chose exile when he eventually succumbed to the plague. Prior to that it’s claimed that he could heal plague victims just by crossing himself. One source I read said that whilst in the wilderness a dog discovered him, fed him and licked his wounds. Another suggested it was the dog’s owner that brought the food. But I’m guessing he didn’t become the Patron Saint of Dogs for no reason.
Anyhow, once healed he returned home. Unfortunately despite all his good deeds no-one at the time, including his own uncle, recognised him. Instead people accused him of being a spy and he was thrown in jail where he later died.
Not really sure what to make of all that but nevertheless he was a pilgrim who followed his internal guidance and lived accordingly. Therefore it’s still applicable even if all that’s said to symbolise Saint Roch on the card is the pig’s bladder. How, that’s the case I’m not sure. I found no mention of it in the sources I read. But, in addition to being the Patron Saint of dogs, he is also the Patron Saint of invalids, falsely accused people and bachelors. I feel there’s a joke in there but I’ll move on to II The Popess, also pictured below.
Through the inclusion of the Maltese Cross joined with a child’s head, and no doubt the card title, II The Popess, is said to refer to the legend of Pope Joan – the female Pope. Yes I found myself reading up on her too. The LWB is invaluable for uncovering so many details “hidden” within the card. Time and patience may have uncovered the same things, but why make things hard for ourselves. I don’t gel with certain things in the book but that doesn’t mean even those things aren’t beneficial. Anything that challenges our thoughts and ideas gives us an opportunity to deepen our understanding.
For some reason some older US Games decks have their own idea of how Roman numerals work. As an example, IIII The Emporer, pictured below, is IIII not IV. I have several other US Games decks that don’t do this so it’s not just a US Games thing across the board. Yet, The Sacred Rose Tarot does it also. I can’t explain why so I’ll move on.
The Emperor’s face is said to represent and honour Stuart R Kaplan but from what I’ve read it seems it would be more apt if he featured on The Fool. Firstly because apparently The Fool was his favourite tarot card and secondly because this Emperor has quite a tyrannical vibe.
The images at this Emperor’s feet show the apocalyptic power of the elements. Water is shown sinking ships and fire ravages buildings. So much can be drawn from this, but if Stuart Kaplan, then President of US Games, is anything to go by, appearances can be misleading. If rather than Googling him, I had based my perceptions of Kaplan on this card, I would have formed a completely different impression of the man others have described as kind-hearted, supportive, encouraging, and enthusiastic.
This can be the problem with labels. President and The Emperor can align well but the accompanying imagery needs to be taken into account too. I collect decks because I like seeing and considering the different representations and interpretations the creators have made. In the contrast between the Stuart Kaplan I’ve read about and the severity of The Emperor here, lies a powerful message. We shouldn’t be too quick to judge someone based purely on the labels ascribed to them. How they act should hold more weight than who they are said to be.
Anyhow, apart from the unusual treatment of Roman numerals, there are a few other changes. In the Major Arcana, II The High Priestess, as already mentioned is II The Popess, V The Hierophant is the V The Pope, XI Strength is XI Force and XVI The Tower has been renamed XVI The Falling Tower. The Suits are Swords, Cups, Wands and Coins and the Court consists of Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages. The Major Arcana and the Court stand out in a spread due to their golden backgrounds. Last night, they appeared almost three dimensional. The figures really pop.
Measuring 13 x 7cm makes the cards appear tall and slim even though they are standard width. Their additional length may make them a tad harder to shuffle for some people as well. The card stock is on the thinner side too but they feel reasonably resilient. I can bend them out of shape fairly easily but I can bend them back into shape just as easily so that doesn’t overly bother me. Since they bridge with a soothing “buttery” sound I tend to shuffle them a lot and they have held up fine so far.
The Medieval Scapini Tarot Book
Get your magnifying glass out for this one. The font in this 47-page LWB is tiny and there isn’t much white space to break it up. That being said, it’s worth the effort.
Apart form a brief introduction by Stuart R Kaplan, the book is pretty much dedicated to card meanings. Each entry begins with a description of the card imagery which I believe is essential in this case. This inclusion breathes life into the cards and adds to their story telling ability.
For example, the 2 of Coins represents the Old Testament story of Suzanna and The Elders. In this story, after false accusations are overturned, Suzanna’s virtue is restored and the men that made them, in retaliation for being shunned by her, are punished instead. I like this card but without the book I wouldn’t have recognised the reference. Nor would I have connected the idea of the truth winning out with this card. And yet, this, combined with the references to Mercury and communication and books and writing make this a powerful image for me. The lies I’ve told myself and that I’ve let myself believe about writing, can be overcome.
However, the book gives the divinatory meaning as, ‘Difficult situations arising. New troubles. Embarrassment. Worry. Concern.’ For the reversed though it reads, ‘Literary ability. Agility in handling matters. Simulated enjoyment. Forced Gaiety. Letter. Message. Missive.’ I feel this should be the other way around. Maybe that’s just me and that’s how I’d like to see it. I’m curious about what others think.
Spreads
Only one spread is included in the booklet:
- The Ten-card Spread
- This is a Celtic Cross laid out in what Benebell Wen in Holistic Tarot suggests is the Crowley Celtic Cross positioning.
As you can imagine this deck and I have been on a bit of a journey together and that is what I believe is its greatest strength. This is a great deck for when you’re trying to find and/or understand the connection between things. I wouldn’t personally suggest this for beginners because there is just so much to take in. But, as is the case with any deck, if you’re drawn to The Medieval Scapini Tarot and you’re willing to put in the work then it’s perfect for you. I went from feeling trapped and triggered by it to feeling grateful that I was uncovering things I need to heal. Now I really appreciate the mastery of the artwork and I look forward to working with The Medieval Scapini Tarot a lot more.
Publishing Details
Created by:
Luigi Scapini
Pictured Version:
Published by US Games Systems, Inc. in 2005
