Tarot Minchiate (97 cards) + Book

The Tarot Minchiate project by Amparo Aguirre is a faithful reproduction of an 18th-century Minchiate Al Leone deck, a historical variant of tarot originating from Florence. Unlike standard 78-card tarot decks, the Minchiate system features 97 cards, including an expanded set of 41 Major Arcana (referred to as Triumphs) that incorporate astrological signs, elemental forces, and Christian virtues alongside traditional tarot archetypes. This reproduction aims to make this unique historical deck accessible for both traditional card games and esoteric divination.

The deck is accompanied by a substantial book, approximately 200 pages long, which serves as a guide to the Minchiate system. This bilingual (Spanish/English) book covers the deck's rich history, provides detailed descriptions of its 41 Triumphs, and outlines the rules for playing the Minchiate game. The project emphasizes historical accuracy and educational value, offering insights into the cultural context and evolution of this specific tarot tradition. The physical production includes cards printed on 350gsm coated cardboard with a matte finish and blunt edges, housed in a textured cardboard box that replicates the original 18th-century design.

Amparo Aguirre, an anthropologist and self-proclaimed "Minchiate Lover," inherited an original 18th-century Minchiate Al Leone deck from her grandmother, sparking over a decade of research into its history and use. Her passion for the deck led her to pursue restoration courses and ultimately to this reproduction project. The initiative seeks to share the unique charm and complexity of the Minchiate with a wider audience, encouraging its use for both recreational gaming and spiritual insight, thereby bridging its historical and contemporary applications.

This deck is ideal for tarot historians, collectors of antique card decks, and enthusiasts interested in the lesser-known branches of tarot tradition. It will appeal to readers who appreciate complex systems beyond the standard 78-card format and those interested in the historical gaming aspects of tarot. Individuals seeking a unique, historically rich divination tool or a challenging card game will find this reproduction particularly engaging.

Amparo Aguirre, a Chilean anthropologist living in Spain, inherited an original 18th-century Minchiate Al Leone Tarot from her grandmother over a decade ago. This inheritance ignited her passion and led to extensive research into the deck. With a background in art, culture, and film production, Aguirre dedicated herself to understanding and eventually reproducing this historical deck, even taking a restoration course to prepare. She identifies as a "Minchiate Lover" and aims to share this unique deck with others for both gaming and esoteric use.