Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti Deck
It is not known for certain why people dream. It is possible that reality is unreal, but the world of dreams and fantasies is true. Scientists and psychologists, on the other hand, believe that the subconscious mind thus expresses the needs of a person, veiledly conveys everything that was seen during the day. The Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti is a deck that became the ancestor of a whole metaphysical branch. It plunges into the fantasy world in order to find the truth there. The querent now does not need to fall asleep to get in touch with another reality. It is enough just to take the cards in hand and ask a question of interest.
History of creation of the Ciro Marchetti Tarot of Dreams Deck
The Tarot of Dreams deck was first published in 2005. Its author is the Italian illustrator Ciro Marchetti. It was he who first owned the idea to create cards that reflect the world of fantasy and dreams. All subsequent decks of this theme appeared much later. If we return to the cards in question, the author also included a CD with spreads in the first edition. The second release of the deck came in 2009. Here the author began to cooperate with Lee Bursten. The latter wrote an accompanying book, which included a detailed description of all the cards. In addition, an additional 4 Arcana appeared in the deck.
Further, Ciro Marchetti again re-released the Tarot of Dreams in 2012. The cards were liked by the public and quickly sold out. Then the author was offered cooperation by the well-known publishing house US Games Systems. And in 2016, the Dreams Tarot deck came out in better quality and already in a larger size – 8 by 12.7 cm. Chinese-made cards are also currently being sold, which are distinguished by thin cardboard and not such high-quality printing. One way or another, but these Arcana managed to win the love of practitioners from all over the world.
Key features of the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti
The Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti belongs to the English school. As already mentioned, initially it consisted of 78 Arcana, but later the author added 4 more. Additional cards indicate the Palaces of the Elements. This is the analogy of Aces in a playing deck. The Fool goes without a number, Justice – 11. The Major Arcana in the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti have astrological and kabbalistic correspondences. The number of the card is written at the top, the name is written at the bottom. Also, each Arcana of the major group has a correspondence with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. A frame has been placed over the image.
The Minor Arcana in the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti do not have signs referring to Kabbalah. There are astrological symbols, numbers and names here. But the signs of the zodiac also disappear from the court group. However, they are also duplicated in the image behind the character. In general, this deck is very veiled and mystical, the questioner can get confused. If we consider the suits of Ciro Marchetti Tarot, then everything is standard here – Cups, Wands, Swords and Coins. The name of the group is written at the bottom of the cards, which somewhat simplifies the interpretation.
Separately, it is worth considering the Palaces in the Tarot of Dreams. These cards do not have a numerical designation, only an elemental symbol. The Palace of Wands is dominated by red, and torches are burning on the building itself. The same card of the suit of Cups is made in blue tones. The fortuneteller sees here an underwater kingdom with futuristic towers. But the Palace of Coins shows a green garden with a beautiful castle. The Swords show a building up to the clouds, decorated with sculptures of pegasi.
The main motifs in the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti are both far and close to Waite. One gets the feeling that the author deliberately immerses the querent in hypnosis with the help of intricate and unrealistic images. However, the semantic load is still very reminiscent of the classics. The characters and their surroundings are frightening, but also eye-catching. The most "real" seems to be the group of Coins, and the least – Swords. The characters belong to different eras, which again breaks any connection with time and linear thinking. Objects float in the air, and the people themselves turn into mirages. The querent sleeps and dreams.
Style and symbolism of the deck
In general, all images of the deck are standard for computer graphics of the 2000s. The colors here are bright, saturated, and the drawings themselves are a little naive. But this is the key feature. The Tarot of Dreams was created by Ciro Marchetti at the beginning of the century. Back then, a similar result was riding high in electronic illustration. In addition, Ciro Marchetti managed to include many symbols in the images. Often masks, tattoos on characters, totem animals, signs of planets will appear on the cards. All this together completely separates from reality and earthly laws.
It can be said that in the Tarot of Dreams, Ciro Marchetti combined the approaches of Waite and Crowley. Moreover, the author managed to achieve a balance, not to go to extremes. For example, consider the Two of Cups. Two swans are depicted here, symbolizing purity, fidelity and love. Two bowls float in the night sky, referring to the element of Water. At the same time, the lower part of the landscape shows the expanse of a lake or the sea, while the upper part shows the depths of space with shining stars. The frame shows the signs – Venus and Pisces.
Interpretation of the Ciro Marchetti Tarot of Dreams cards
The interpretation of the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti can be made based only on the images themselves. It is not necessary to study Waite, Kabbalah and astrology. The color scheme, animals and birds, facial expressions and postures of the characters will already give the necessary meanings. However, understanding all the same above doctrines will add depth to the prediction. In any case, the author leaves the choice to the fortuneteller. No wonder, he scattered clues here and there so that the querent could solve the mystery of each card. In this matter, only observation and intuition is required.
At the same time, the spreads on the Ciro Marchetti Tarot of Dreams deck can be done relying only on Waite. The same Three of Cups shows a classic holiday, fun, celebration. The Moon – tells about the secret, and the Ace of Wands – about the beginning of a business or a good chance to grow in some area. Palaces can be read as businesses, houses, physical objects. In a figurative sense – cities and countries. But it is better not to use the reversed position of the cards in work. All Arcana are already too filled with ideas, and the opposite meaning can be confusing.
What questions is the deck suitable for?
The fortune-telling on the Tarot of Dreams deck by Ciro Marchetti perfectly reveals the theme of the human subconscious. This includes true desires, talents, aspirations. Irrational images will help bring to the surface everything that is hard to accept or realize. Therefore, the deck is well suited for working out psychological problems. However, it also shows physical manifestations, specific situations. Such versatility will help to look at circumstances from two different points of view. You can see how relationships with other people, and the connection with their subpersonalities.
The author also did not bypass the theme of work, career growth. The suit of Coins perfectly shows everything related to finances, material values. Swords will reflect conflict situations, a sharp mind and eloquence. Therefore, the Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti can be considered a universal deck. Just ordinary habitual answers are wrapped here in a shroud of dreams. But the questioner should be very careful not to mistake dreams for reality and vice versa.
Who are the Ciro Marchetti Tarot of Dreams cards for?
The Tarot of Dreams will definitely appeal to fans of the Ciro Marchetti style. Such illustrations evoke nostalgia for the beginning of the 2000s. Also, the deck is perfect for beginners in the world of mantica who have just learned Waite’s approach. It will allow you to understand the language of symbols without delving into Crowley’s ideas. So you can consider the deck as a teaching tool for Kabbalah or astrology. In any case, it is worth studying the book from Lee Bursten in order to correctly read the meanings. Each practitioner will see and feel the information just as much as his knowledge of the secret teachings.
The Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti will appeal to mystical natures looking for exclusivity. Simple decks can push them away with their earthiness. This version is existential, ghostly and therefore bewitching. At the same time, it gives clear characteristics to people and situations that will appeal to psychologists. Magicians and sorcerers will be able to find out exactly how this or that effect lay down, whether the ritual works. Well, seekers of themselves, those who study the alchemy of the Spirit, will also be able to appreciate the deck.