It’s time for another historic deck with straight swords. The box says Milano 1810. And it looks very neoclassico indeed, with simple but fine-lined illustrations. I’m especially interested in this deck because Jane Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility, was published in 1811. I have modern decks based on Austen’s novels and on Regency fashion (2020 DoW 32), but this is an actual contemporary deck that she could have seen. If she ever played cards in Milan, that is. (Some extant Lenormand decks are also her contemporaries. If she ever got her fortune read in Paris!)
Enough geeking around! Time for an interview!
Deck’s most important characteristic: 7 di Spade
The deck’s appeal is academic, mostly in the mind, based on outside influences, not so much its attractiveness or usefulness.
Greatest strength: 6 di Danari
That it exists. This seems like the opposite of the previous card. It is a gift from deck historians and publishers to collectors and geeks like me!
Greatest weakness: Il Guidizio
It doesn’t make an easy transition from card play to divination. Have these people already been judged and cast into the flames? That doesn’t seem good . . .
What can I learn from deck: 3 de Danari
I can learn about purely physical things, health and wealth and possessions.
How do I learn it? Asso di Spade
The proof is in the pudding. Trust my own judgment and ideas. But be open to new ideas, not just the tried and true.
Outcome of our work together: La ruota della Fortuna
Could be good, could be bad. Wait and see. Fortune is cranking. Who will come out on top?
Well, I must be in a strange mood because this is a strange one. But I’m going to stick with it, I guess. Have a happy week ahead!