Introduction:
In her book, Easy Tarot Guide, Marcia has carefully woven elemental, planetary and Sun sign symbolism into
her interpretations of the all the cards. Her fusion of Astrology and Tarot offers new insight about transits and
the natal chart.
Marcia said “I recently gave a lecture on healing and astrology. A woman in the audience eagerly asked me
what she should expect from her upcoming Uranus Sun transit. I asked her what she thought about it and she
said she was expecting upheaval and over all negativity. I said, “When you interpret Uranus into the language
of the Tarot it equates with the Fool card and that means a time of divine breath blowing through your life, an
exciting and new shift toward the authentic self.” She calmed down.
Many of the attributes will surprise you. Whether you are anticipating a Saturn transit (the World card) or a
Jupiter trine (The Wheel of Fortune) the information in her book sheds new helpful spiritual light on the matter
to use for personal empowerment.
Astrology and Tarot Cards
in the Renaissance
by Marcia Masino
www.marciamasinotarotshop.org
One of the first Tarot decks that included the zodiac was the rare and highly-prized Minchiate of Renaissance
Florence. This unique tarot deck has 97 cards rather than the traditional 78. Its design reflects the Renaissance
values and view of the world by including a card for each astrological sign, one for each of the elements
(fire, water, air and earth), three for theological virtues (faith, hope and charity) and one for a cardinal virtue
(prudence).
Astrology was very popular during the time when the Minchiate was created. Numerous popes had astrologers
as advisors between 1468 and 1644, as did Scandinavian kings and Queen Elizabeth I. However, astrology was
not kept just for the elite. With the publication of Kalendar and Compost of Shepherd in 1493, everyone could
read advice about love, health and the future based on the zodiac. Peasants studied the sky for timing their
daily activities of farm and hearth, while the papacy and royalty looked to their court astrologers to guide
them through intrigues and acquisition of power.
At the same time, the first family of Florence, the Medicis, were creating the Neo Platonic academy, where
astrology with its connective quality of micro and macrocosm or “as above so below,” was revered. It was into
this pro-astrology place and time that the Minchiate was born.
cont. pg 2
The Moon card actually
depicts an astrologerastronomer measuring
the Moon with an
upraised compass.
Historically speaking,
astrology and astronomy
were the same for many
centuries. The astrologer
holds a disc with the
Roman numerals from
one to twelve written
on it, representing the
houses of the zodiac.
Another version of the Minchiate Moon card has
a similar scene with a cloaked spiritual elder, drawing an astrological chart with a measuring
compass. An astrolabe is in the background.
The elemental cards of fire, water, air and earth are particularly delightful. The fire card,
associated with the Sun and signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, featured a huge red
bonfire with a lamb standing within it. It reminds me of the ancient augury technique of
pyromancy, where the mystic sees visions in the flames. The card’s meaning is sacrifice
and transformation.
A large sailing ship is pictured on the water element card, associated with the Moon
and signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. The ship on the water signals a voyage into the
emotional and love aspect of life. The element of water in astrology is often associated
with feelings.
One of my favorites is the air element’s dog and stars motif. The card had three sets
of clouds in a star and bird-filled sky; a smiling dog looked on. Associated with logos
and the signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, the image is reminiscent of aeromancy,
forecasting the future through the flights of doves.
cont. pg 3
Easy Tarot Guide
$19.95
We are making the original edition of Easy Tarot
Guide available for purchase.
This is a limited Edition with the original full color
card illustrations throughout the book. We have a
very limited quantity of this book, so they are only
available while supplies last. They are all slightly
scuffed. Interiors are still in new condition.
You can also purchase the new Expanded Third Edition of the Easy Tarot Guide for $19.95
which includes a new chapter on yoga positions for each of the Major Arcana cards
15% off these popular Books!
From our booklet series...
Ceres and Eris in Signs, Houses and Aspects
Ceres reg. $8.95 in July $7.61
Eris reg. $8.95 in July $7.61
Yankee Doodle Discord
reg. $15.95 in July $13.56
A Planetary Fairytale
reg. $12.95 in July $11.01
A single tree in a pastoral landscape with bridge, flowing water, castle, town and animals graces the earth element
card. This is the element of material creation belonging to Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. In astrology, earth signs are
associated with building and manifestation.
For some unknown reason, the astrological sign sequence of the deck is different from the
standard one. The usual animals, symbols and characters grace the cards with some notable
differences; the Libra card features the traditional balance scale, but adds a fox and porcupine!
Aquarius has a man watering his crops while wearing Eastern clothes and sporting a jeweled
turban.
Minchiate became immensely popular in seventeenth and eighteenth century Florence as
a game. Speculation suggests the actual word may come from an Old Italian word, menchia,
meaning game or sport.
The Renaissance belief in signs and seasons, elements and virtues is captured forever, like
snapshots from the past, in the enchanting Florentine Minchiate Tarot deck.
15% off these popular reports!
Tarot Report
reg: $17.95 in July $15.26
Mollys favorite!
Your Year Ahead reg. $25.95 in July $22.06
Your Month Ahead reg. $15.95 in July $13.56
Your Future: Outer Planet Transits reg. $22.95 in July $19.51
July 2015 airspace
Lets be Independent Together!!
NOTE: Starting next month we will no longer be putting Pluto in charts….
Did I get your attention? Great!
This is only to get your attention, of course Pluto stays put in the charts, he is our beloved planet Pluto after
all! Maria says that never ever will astrologers stop using Pluto or give him demoted status. That was done
by astronomers, a close relation but not the same as astrologers.
Have you ever seen the Christmas special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer? If you haven’t you really
should some time. If you have then you may recall a part where Rudolph and Hermie decide that they are
independent together. I love that part! It makes me laugh every time I hear it. Now you may be wondering
why I am referencing a Christmas program in July. Well I do have an answer for you!
For years, ACS has been using in the ephemeris and mentioning in our newsletters and articles and
new books the use of Eris and Ceres as planets. For those of you who are a little upset that Eris caused
upheaval by upsetting the planetary applecart and causing Pluto to be demoted to dwarf planet just keep on
thinking of Pluto as a planet. For a small planet he is really a big guy and since he is the planet of death and
endings and renewal, well, that is what happened! He has been remade into something just as powerful,
he is still Pluto. No need to be upset with that.
Maria, in an article for Mountain Astrologer magazine a few years ago, also suggested that Ceres be made
the modern ruler of Virgo and Eris be made the modern ruler of Libra. This makes sense if you stop and
think about it.
Eris, known as the planet of discord or provocation, likes to turn things upside down. When you expect good
things she’ll probably want to let not so good things occur. When you expect not so good she will surprise you
with a bit of good. Don’t let her scare you, she is not as tough as she thinks she is. She just might be trying to
provoke you into action! As an example, by trying to get Pluto all in a dither he just laughed and kept on being
Pluto! Tom Canfield wrote a book on Eris titled Yankee Doodle Discord. Tom did a wonderful interpretation
through the charts in US history. You should read it if you haven’t. Amy Shapiro also wrote a book titled
Inviting Eris to the Party, showing Eris as a provocateur. Both books are available through ACS.
Ceres was an asteroid but was promoted to dwarf planet status when Eris was promoted. Now Ceres is a
mothering type of planet, usually. Ceres “acts” more like the other planets you are used to. She isn’t perfect
though. She has her PMS days. She too has had a problem with Pluto. They’ve worked it out though.
We really want you to use Eris and Ceres in your charts. Many of you use the asteroid Chiron don’t
you? Give Eris and Ceres a try! We do have booklets on both of these planets in case you want a better
understanding.
Back to Rudolph, my point being that by using Eris and Ceres you are exerting a sort of independence by
giving Eris and Ceres a try in your charts but doing it together with some of the rest of us. Please don’t be
afraid to try new things, they could delight you! You never know, you might find you like them more than
you thought you would!
Wishing you an independent and fun filled July!! Until next month my friends may your lives be filled with
love, light and laughter…………
love, simonne