Publisher's Synopsis
In 1987, when Lo Scarabeo was founded, it seemed that the creative process of realizing new tarot decks had come to a standstill. Apart from a few rare exceptions over the last few decades, this sector lacked originality, experimentation, risk-taking and beauty. Over the years, Lo Scarabeo, while emphasizing the maintenance of tradition and symbolism, has tried to reverse this trend. This volume, published for the twentieth anniverary of Lo Scarabeo, follows two parallel lines: it recounts the story of a publishing house, and, at the same time, follows in the footsteps of the Tarot - its origins, its evolution, and its transformation over the centuries. This book analyses the multiple applications of the Tarot, but, in particular, it deals with the personal need that induces one to study the esoteric symbology of the Arcana and to use them as a means of understanding, as well as a divinatory tool. The company and deck have more in common than esotericism and magic; both incorporate trans-cultural, spiritual, and psychological elements that reflect the social trends of their time. This volume examines themes and questions that have never previously been explored. How is a new Tarot deck born? How is the creative process developed? What are the main problems to be dealt with? How important is the relationship with tradition, symbolism, and the art world? What determines the choice of themes that distinguish each new deck? These questions are answered based on two decades of experience - but readers may also find their own answers in the illustrations, sketches, drafts, preliminary drawings, incomplete ideas, and works-in-progress reprinted in this book. This book, illustrated with more than 200 black & white and color images, is rich in ideas for reflection on the history, art and magic of the Tarot.
