Beginning My journey with Scapini's Tarot

I posted this on Aeclectic forum under the study group I was looking for some help, this was before Mary K. Greers books and many others that I have listed, came into my library. Due to the complexity of this deck I was on a war path for books any books that I could get my hands on, I even had special friends find me books that were no longer in print that were based on symbolism.


This is the Beginning of my Journey down the many roads this deck had taken me. Like the 0 Fool a path that had many bumps along the way.


Here is where my Journey started: June 02, 2006


I have owned this beautiful, intriguing deck for one year now. I have done a lot of Tarot research and study. I am still finding symbols depicted in the cards, example Telescope, UFO, intersection light, book, drum, hats, and more in The Tower Card.

The reason for this thread is for all others whom enjoy the details of this deck to share their input (knowledge, wisdom) with those whom are new to it's complexity. To give them comfort of understanding, then confusion and fear of using the deck.

For the past year and to this day I am still confused with this deck, it at times contradict itself. No matter how many times you look at the card, then the meaning, you find yourself lost asking "what is this card really telling me"

Example Card;
8 of Coins

Depiction of Card: (LWB)

The artist of the medieval scapini tarot (Luigi Scapini) chose this card to illustrate his own life. While remaining faithful to the tradition symbolism of the card. 
His wife and eldest daughter appear in the center, and their cat is on the floor. 
The artist climbs a stepladder to paint a coin showing the Magician. the next coin down shows the Popess, with the sign of the Moon below, then the Empress with Venus, The Emperor with Jupiter, and the bottom left, Strength with Saturn and the World with the Sun.
The artist paints in the fashion he uses to make frescoes, using a wand tipped with a ball to steady his left hand.
--------------------------------------------------- Wife - Daughter - Cat
Steplatter -
Wand - tipped with a Ball -
What do these mean in relation to the card?
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Ronald Decker's chap. 6) Art and Arcana.
Empress as Venus - both are clearly fertility goddesses. Venus rules "the generative system.....through the solar plexus."

Ronalds' depiction: only typing in what isn't typed in above (don't want to repeat)...lol
Within the Pythagorean Decad, the number eight is the most evenly even (the sum of 2+2+2+2). This is associated with balance.
Eight Coins appear as planetary seals. Each depicts the corresponding tarot trump in accord with the texts of Levi and Papus.
Self portrait (Scapini) he holds his brushes, palette, and maulstick while he stands on a ladder ( eight rungs visible).
To this card, the Golden Dawn attributes the sun in the first decan of Virgo, an earth sign, Earth is the Element of this suit. The sun induces creativity, energy, and clarity.

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Ok, now the stepladder has 8 rungs visible -
so the ball = balance, which the number 8 is associated with.
Sun sigil = creativity, energy, and clarity.

hmmm some pieced of the puzzle fits. I'm in need of Clarity of this cards imagery. lol....
This card and many others leaves me with ?'s. ex: what is this symbol? what is it linked to? why is that there? How do they connect? and on and on.

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Divination meaning: (LWB)
Apprenticeship, craftsmanship, one who is fast to learn. Candor. Frankness. Modesty, Handiwork, Personal effort.
Reversed- lack of ambition, vanity, conceit, usury, hypocrisy, flattery, intrigue.

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I found that I analyze sometimes too deeply. for this is one of my most powerful traits. I see this trait as good in most of my daily life. for I am a computer tech/programmer etc. I enjoy taking things apart and build from scratch, looking for the glitches is games, hidden rooms etc. lol....curiousity kills the cat.
To me this card should have really been the Ace of cups.

The image shows a family and pet.
then you have the empress sigil to me that is fertility, mother, sister, wife, leader, etc.
Venus sigil - fertility goddess. Ruler of love, beauty, and things to create pleasure (sensual pleasure). desire, jealousy, envy and covetousness. she is prone to rages and tempers. Venus enjoys jewelry and ornaments woman's wearing apparel.
Emperor sigil - power, authority, confidence, wealth, stability, etc
Jupiter - rules: change, expansion, growth, and development, maturity, learning in life. Jupiter also rules the feet, thighs, shoulders, and arms. Jupiter enjoys mens wearing apparel and cloth.
World - attachment, completion, perfection, recognition, honors, ultimate change, the end result of all efforts. success. etc. 
Sun - Rules: invention, communication, ego, light, energy, achievement, personal potential.
ETC.

Here is the Ace of Cups
Divination meaning
Great abundance, fulfillment, perfection, joy, fertility. opulence, fullness, happiness, productiveness, beauty and pleasure, goodness overflowing, favorable outlook.
Reversed: change, alteration, erosion, instability, sterility, unrequited love, clouded joy, false heart. inconsistency.
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Please feel free to share your interpretations.