(Translation: Poliphilo's Disharmony with Love in a Dream)
22 Major Arcana Cards + Signature & Numbered Title Cards
Cards Numbered, Titled (in Italian)
Original Creator: Francesco Colonna
Book Originally Printed in 1499
Published by Museo Dei Tarocchi - Hermatena in 2014
Printed on Textured, Off-white, Matte Cardstock
Card Backs: Ancient Mermaid Design in B&W (On Title Card, Lower Left)
Leaflet: in Italian, (English Translation by M. Poltronieri, Edited by Arnell Ando)
Theme: Renaissance Era Symbolic Story Colorized by the Museo
Card Size: 6" H x 4" W, 15 x 10 cm
Limited, Special Ed. of 100 Numbered decks, Signed by Morena Poltronieri
Comes in Cardboard Gift Box (Box Style May Differ)
Card attached to Lid with Hot Wax Seal
Cost: €. 80. Euro + Italian Postage
*Special Price for U.S. Customers Shared Below
Description: As explained in the leaflet that comes with this deck, Hypnerotomachia Poliphiliis is a romance story thought to be written by Francesco Colonna. It was originally published in 1499, Venice, with an elegant page layout, and sophisticated woodcut illustrations in Renaissance style. It is a famous example of early printing and presents a mysterious allegory in which the hero, Poliphilo pursues his love Polia through a bizarre dreamlike landscape, and is at last reunited with her by a Fountain of Venus. The original Renaissance text was translated from Italian to English in 1999.
Hypnerotomachia Poliphili was written in a strange Latinate Italian and is full of words with both Latin and Greek roots, but lacking further explanation. It also includes words from Italian as well as illustrations with Arabic and Hebrew text. The connection to the Tarot Trumps as well as alchemical symbolism is very apparent. Hypnerotomachia Poliphili was clearly based on esoteric research of the Renaissance era.
Here are a few examples of the text attributed to each card. The corresponding cards are found below.
III IMPERATRICE - EMPRESS
Poliphilo describes a fountain he discovers of exceptionally beautiful workmanship, and on which stands a statue of Venus of extraordinary magnificence. From the right nipple pours icy cold water while boiling water pours from the left. Under this wonderful fountain is written the dedication, TO THE MOTHER OF ALL THINGS. The feminine becomes creator and joins the dualism. Water represents memory, but also the birth and life cycle which combines emotional intensities with concrete momentum. The Great Mother is able to pool everything and transform the various energies into one single source.
VII CARRO - CHARIOT
A curious contraption is presented; as a sort of perpetual fountain on wheels, beautifully chiseled and forged. At the base are four harpies; the guardians of the path that must be reached. From the center an ancient style precious vase is shown elevated, which infers the value of personal experience. Everything is in perfect proportion with an elegance of style. On top of this vessel stands another one with precious stones and a mask. This mechanism maintains a water outlet, but also contains precious stones from which protrudes the pomegranate, (symbol of immortality). In the golden rind of this fruit are cracks which appear like rubies of an incomparable glow. Bare branches from a tree create a wooden rod, which swivels, while being attached to the lower hinge of the center of the wheels. This stylus holds a topaz vase which is superimposed on an oval shaped jar, the bottom of which branches off the tail of a dolphin, which represents the psychopomp, (or guide to other worlds). Everything works in perfect unison within the movement of this carriage. The bowl placed on top rotates and circulates water. The elevation of this liquid takes power from the movement of the wheels. While in motion the chariot sprays a delicious scent, which is also lovely to sip.
XXI Mondo - WORLD
And so we come to the end of the journey. Poliphilo is in a garden with ‘Logistics’, (the one who explains divine things). The construction observed has as a basis of a cube, (the symbol of the Earth), on which rests a cylinder, (the physical body) and on which extends a prism. Or in other words, it is a divine and radiant structure. Regal-looking figures with arms stretched out, to the left and the right, create a link between them, while the corners have filled cornucopias (understood to mean wealth and fertility). This construction appears more divine than humanly created. On the end of the cylinder is a sun, a rudder and a brazier. The blazing sun represents God, while the rudder means the infinite wisdom of the providential government of the universe, and the vessel on fire alludes to the power of love that radiates both upwards and downwards.
On each side of the prism is a circle with a dot in the center, representing the Sun and above the first Greek letter O. And on the other side, on the third panel, the letter N: the cardinal points of directional boundaries of the visible world. At this point, Logistics, prophesizes thusly, «Be aware Poliphilo, these figures represent celestial harmony; they have their similarities and perpetual connections, and are very ancient and noble vestiges, like Egyptian hieroglyphs. And their explanation is: TO THE DIVINE AND INFINITE TRINITY OF UNIQUE ESSENCE». Only by considering that everything is ONE, can Poliphilo then complete his journey.
This is the first published Tarot deck inspired by this important, unique esoteric book. Morena Poltronieri colorized the original B&W woodcut images to further enhance the inherent symbolism and make certain details stand out. A lovely set produced on softly textured matte cardstock that comes in an attractive cardboard gift box. Limited to 100 copies, each one hand-signed, numbered by Morena Poltronieri.
