Minor Arcanaii of the Four Winds

By Steve Nichols

This book exposes coincidences between the fifty-six minor arcana of the Marseilles tarot (later Waite and Golden Dawn minor arcana) and this series of 56 times four Winds divination figures - called "lotteries" in 1635. Wither insisted in 56 rather than 50, I argue because then these lotteries could be chosen with just one spinner, plus playing cards. The designs appeared originally in Gabriel Rollenhagen's Nucleus Emblematum (1611) and Emblematum Centuria Secunda (1613). Wither added 4x6 figures to the 4x50 originals, adding cryptic poetry in English, plus his own method of Four Winds divination by two cardboard spinners (one shown back cover). Wither's also commissioned the alchemical frontispiece (front cover). These four sets of 56 can be combined with the 88 'Triumphs' (4x22 Major's) published as part of my "Taro of the Four Worlds" series.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1409240339
• ISBN13: 9781409240334
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.3" x 11.7"