o Nero

BiancTarot

By Marco Proietto & Arwen Lynch

 Copyright © 2018
U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

All rights reserved. The illustrations,

cover design, and contents are protected
by copyright.
No part of this booklet may be reproduced
in any form without permission in writing
from the publisher, except by a reviewer
who wishes to quote brief passages in con-
nection with a review written for inclusion
in a magazine, newspaper or website.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Published by
U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.
179 Ludlow Street
Stamford, CT 06902 USA
www.usgamesinc.com
Made in China
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Acknowledgements
The creation of this Tarot deck would not
have been possible without the help of some
people that I would like to thank. Special
thanks to Nicola Pagani for the artistic
advice and to Sona Baghdassarian for assis-
tance with the booklet text. Thanks to my
family and Cinzia Meucci for her support
and patience. Finally, I thank U.S. Games
Systems, Inc., particularly Lynn Araujo,

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Bobbie Bensaid and Paula M. Palmer.

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Introduction

B ianco Nero (Black and White) Tarot

blends the classic iconography of the
Visconti Tarot with the modern illus-
trations of the Rider-Waite Tarot. This deck
seeks to stay true to the images, symbolism
and figures used in those popular tarot
decks. The cards are hand-drawn black and
white ink illustrations on paper. This style
of line drawing was inspired by Gustave
Doré’s antique engravings and Albrecht
Dürer’s woodcuts and chalcography, as well
as by Sergio Toppi’s modern illustrations.
The deck is designed to have a figurative
and realistic style, but it also has a fantastical
touch that adds a dream-like quality to the
representation. Each illustration is well de-
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fined and rich in symbolic details that help
explore the meaning of the card. The faces, the
look, the clothes and the age of the characters
are designed to allow the card to be easily un-
derstood. Readings are assisted by details, such
as expressions and gestures that accentuate
the general character of the card.
The representation of the symbols of the
suits is different on each card; in the case of
Swords, in particular, the symbol never re-
peats itself. The setting, the landscapes and
the characters’ clothes, as well as the tools,
are taken from the iconography of classic
decks, revisited to look neutral and ageless.
The same care was used for the drawings
of both the Major Arcana and those of the
Minor Arcana, as no card is more important
than another from an aesthetic point of view.
The design on the back of the cards is sym-

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metric, in order not to reveal the direction

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of the cards before they are turned face up.
At its center of the back design there is a
circle that symbolizes the centrality of the
Major Arcana. The eight-pointed star in the
middle has a long history as a symbol of
spirituality and prophecy. A floral decora-
tion, with roses and thorns, surrounds the
circle. The symbols of the four elements in
the corners indicate the four suits of the
Minor Arcana. These are designed to be
readable independent of the direction of
the card.
Bianco Nero Tarot is the culmination of an
artistic path that combines the studies on
the human figure, art history, life drawing
and anatomy at the Academy of Fine Arts
in Rome with the study of etching at the
School of the Art of Medalmaking, creating
illustrations that seek both to have an artistic
value and to be functional in tarot reading.

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The MAJOR ARCANA
In the 78-card tarot deck the Major Arcana,
or Trumps, is a set of 22 cards that portrays
the Fool’s Journey. These are archetypes
that one can learn from to become a more
complete spiritual being. The Major Arcana
helps by highlighting important aspects
of the journey that can profoundly impact
one’s life. Look at these cards as major
hitters where you must factor in the impor-

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tance of an issue.

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 h 0. THE FOOL h
Upright: Spontaneous, Fresh, Beginning
Reversed: Too risky, Recklessness,
Disingenuous
The Fool travels the Major Arcana. With his
eyes to the sky, he trusts in Spirit. The little
black and white dog prances along to serve
both as companion and guardian. The next
step will carry him off the cliff. In his bag,
he carries just what he needs. He believes
in the promise of possibility. The white rose
traditionally stands for the Fool’s pure heart.
Once he goes over the cliff, his innocence
will be gone. This card reminds us that
all journeys begin with hope. Fearing the
unknown limits forward movement.
h I. THE MAGICIAN h
Upright: Upright: Skill, Diplomacy, Will,
Self-confidence, Concentration
Reversed: Loss, Mental illness, Disgrace,
Manipulation, Latent talents
The Magician stands before a table where
all of his tools are seen. These represent
the four suits of the tarot—Swords, Wands,
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Cups, Pentacles. His double-ended wand
emphasizes his motto of “As above, so below.”
He is the connecting link between the
spirit realm and the human realm. Hanging
from his neck is the Ouroboro, which the
alchemists used to represent infinity. The
bracelet he wears carries other arcane symbols.
He understands the connection between the
elements and his own material and immaterial
self. Air is the mind. Fire is the spirit. Water is
emotions. Earth is the body.
h II. THE HIGH PRIESTESS h
Upright: Arcana, Unknown,
Secrets, Wisdom
Reversed: Missing information, Conceit,
Knowledge without wisdom,
Wearing the miter dedicated to Isis, the
High Priestess holds many secrets. Sitting
between the two pillars of Solomon’s tem-
ple, she is the doorway between the light
and the dark. Pomegranates crown her head
to remind her of her sacred work. Holding
the Torah, she waits for seekers to approach.
There is a tapestry behind her that only the
truly dedicated student may view. The moon
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curving up from beneath her represents her
intuitive skills. She won’t offer answers but
will answer the seekers who prove they are
worthy. She, like the Magician, is a bridge.
Her connection is between the inner and
outer teachings of sacred learning.
h III. THE EMPRESS h
Upright: Creativity, Mother Nature,
Fullness, Fecundity
Reversed: Barren, No creative outlet, Lack
The Empress wears a necklace with the
female symbol, which is also the sigil of
Venus. As the quintessential creative force,
she embodies the strength that is inherent
in women. Her gaze reminds the reader that
she is powerful in her own right. The im-
perial eagle decorates her shield while her
scepter also serves to indicate her strength.
She is Mother Nature and every powerful
mother goddess ever known. She welcomes
gifts that honor her love of art, harmony
and all things that bring more beauty to the
world. Her gift is the abundance of nature.

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 h IV. THE EMPEROR h
Upright: Structure, Overseeing, Power
Reversed: Rigid, Inflexible, Dominate
The Emperor wears a full beard indicating
his power. He is the embodiment of the
Sacred Masculine. As the masculine author-
ity, he is the overseer of his kingdom. The
Emperor carries a shield like the Empress’
but his is reversed in color. With his shield,
crown and scepter, he is seen as a righteous
man and a ruler to be respected. When he
offers advice, it is from his long experience
as a head of state. He can teach his subjects
about many things including leadership and
fatherhood. His throne is his seat of power
but also his own confinement. The Emperor
represents the structures and laws of the state.
h V. THE HIEROPHANT h
Upright: Spiritual knowledge,
Tradition, Priest
Reversed: Weakness, Restriction,
Poor advice
The Hierophant stands as the masculine
counterpart to the High Priestess. His or-

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nate robes show him to be a spiritual leader.
He holds the pastoral staff with one hand
while giving a blessing with the other. The
trinity of the three worlds often represented
as mind, body and spirit is shown in his mi-
ter as well as the staff. The keys are offered
to those who seek the doorway between the
realm of the conscious and subconscious
mind. Kneeling are two people waiting to be
blessed with the knowledge he holds.
h VI. THE LOVERS h
Upright: Spiritual love, Union,
Higher values,
Reversed: Bad choices, Discord,
Sexuality issues
The card of the Lovers shows a man and a
woman embracing in a luxuriant garden
that symbolizes fertility, life and happiness.
Their nakedness suggests that they are
like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden,
resting under the tree of knowledge of good
and evil. The mountain in the background
symbolizes man. The calla lilies symbolize
woman, the bride and purity. Harmony,
attraction and mutual trust are highlighted
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in this card. The bond that ties the lovers
allows them to overcome any obstacle in
their lives.
h VII. THE CHARIOT h
Upright: Direction, Mastery, Victory
Reversed: Out of control, Misdirection,
Loss of purpose
The main character of this card is a man on
a triumphal chariot pulled by two horses, a
white one and a black one, symbolizing the
union of the positive and the negative. The
man in the chariot is wearing armor, like a
warrior or a hero. He controls the chariot
with a wand he holds in his right hand.
The eight-pointed star on the man’s crown
symbolizes balance, harmony and cosmic
order. Behind him lies civilization and ma-
terialism, but he guides his chariot towards
higher endeavors.
h VIII. STRENGTH h
Upright: Fortitude, Willpower, Strength
Reversed: Weak will, Impatience,
Self-indulgence

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A fearless woman has tamed a lion. Her
hand rests on its forehead. The strength de-
picted in this card is not the physical kind.
Instead, she shows us the spiritual strength
that comes from a place of compassion and
willpower that comes from mental strength.
The woman wears the lemniscate on her
belt, which reminds her to focus on inner
strength. Our own inner wildness embodied
by the lion, can be won over with patience.
h IX. THE HERMIT h
Upright: Inner journey,
Guidance, Solitude
Reversed: Being isolated,
Lack of knowledge
The card of the Hermit portrays an old man
dressed in a robe with his head covered by
a hood, holding a staff and a lantern. His
bright lantern is a beacon to those seekers
dedicated to finding him. Already on his
spiritual path, he won’t seek out students
but will accept those who come to him. He
chose the solitary path to help him focus
on only what was necessary for reaching
that point of awareness. The Hermit is an
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elder who has devoted himself to the craft
of knowledge. Within his lamp is the light
of wisdom.
h X. WHEEL OF FORTUNE h
Upright: Destiny, Success, Luck, Change,
Consequences
Reversed: Misfortune, Failure, Lessons
The Wheel of Fortune represents the wheel
of Ezekiel. The four creatures in the corners
of the card symbolize the four evangelists:
Matthew, the Angel; John, the Eagle; Mark,
the Lion; and Luke, the Ox. At the same
time, they represent the four fixed signs
and elements of the Zodiac: Aquarius, air;
Scorpio, water; Leo, fire; Taurus, earth. The
book carried by each figure is the Torah, the
book of wisdom. The Hebrew letters for
IHVH (Yod Heh Vau Heh), the unpro-
nounceable name of God are inscribed on
the wheel. Around the wheel figures move
up and go down, emphasizing the nature
of the wheel. Opportunity comes and goes.
It is how you interact with the wheel that
makes the difference.

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 h XI. JUSTICE h
Upright: Rightness, Truth, Balance,
Justice, Law
Reversed: Corruption, Bigotry, Bias,
Injustice, Dishonesty
The woman represented in this card is
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, courage,
inspiration, civilization, law and justice. The
double-edged sword held in her right hand
symbolizes both favorable and unfavorable
consequences as well as impartiality. While
the scales in her left hand indicates that
justice must balance logic and intuition,
the sword represents the way logic slices
through to fairness.
h XII. THE HANGED MAN h
Upright: New perspective, Wisdom,
Trials, Sacrifice, Intuition
Reversed: Selfishness, Indecision,
Inability to change, Martyrdom.
The Hanged Man’s face is calm. He has
chosen to suspend himself from this rep-
resentation of the World Tree. His position
shows his active, right foot tied to the tree.
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His intuitive left side is free but rests behind
the right. He folds his arms behind his back
to show he is patiently waiting. The light
that radiates around his head shows that he
is receiving spiritual information that will
help him achieve his next level. Because he
has chosen this position, he’s been given the
gift of perspective.
h XIII. DEATH h
Upright: End, New beginnings, Mortality,
Transition, Separation
Reversed: Inertia, Temporary stagnation,
Indecision, Destruction, Sleep
The card shows skeletal Death. The skull, a
symbol of human mortality, also represents
change, mutation and transition. The huge
spiral-shaped scythe can be interpreted as a
symbol of downward decay; all things have
a beginning and an unavoidable end. The
impartiality of Death is echoed in the empti-
ness of the pure, white background.
h XIV. TEMPERANCE h
Upright: Consideration, Moderation,
Balance

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Reversed: Impatience, Imbalance,
Hurried decision
A thoughtful woman is the protagonist of this
card. She is holding two vases in her hands,
using them to mix water. The vases symbolize
the conscious and the unconscious minds.
Here, the water travels from the lower vessel
upward to the other, showing how we can
ascend to a higher plane. The woman chooses
to mix these opposites in order to follow a
balanced path free of extremes.
h XV. THE DEVIL h
Upright: Obsession, Addiction,
Materialism, Power over
Reversed: Power within, Rehabilitation,
Recovery
The Devil is pseen here as Baphomet, a half-
man, half-goat creature with bat wings and a
snake for a tail. The Devil stands on an altar,
which represents our obsessions and our
addictions. It is holding a burning stick in
its left hand; with the other hand it is giving
a sign of blessing, as if it were mocking the
Hierophant. The chained man and woman
show what happens when love turns away
from spirit and only focuses on the sensual.
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 h XVI. THE TOWER h
Upright: Calamity, Overthrown,
Unexpected change
Reversed: Fear of change, Narrow escape
Atop a rugged mountain, the tower is struck
by lightning. With the sky dark around it,
the tower is on fire and falling into ruins.
Two figures flee the destruction by jumping
to their doom. This card is about physical
destruction that happens when you build
your dreams on false hopes. Lightning de-
stroys everything, disrupting the stalemate.
This card is also about change, usually very
sudden and unwanted.
h XVII. THE STAR h
Upright: Aspire, Yearn, Hope
Reversed: False desire, Mistrust,
False hope
A woman with two vases full of water in her
hands kneels on the bank of a river. One
foot is firmly planted on the ground while
the other is in the water. The grounded
foot shows her earthy nature while the
other points to her emotional depths. Five

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streams break out on the dry land. These
represent the five senses. The chakras are
shown in the seven smaller stars just be-
hind her. The large star is a call to rediscov-
er your own true purpose.
h XVIII. THE MOON h
Upright: Unconscious, Subconscious,
Illusion
Reversed: Depression, Confusion,
Deception
The Moon lights a road that leads to our
higher knowledge. This light, not as bright
as that of the sun, reveals dreams, high-
lights intuition, and shows us the way to
our own unconscious. Where the path be-
gins, a lobster, representing our beginning
awakening, emerges from a pool. Follow
the trail that is guarded by a black wolf,
our wild selves, and a white dog, our tame
selves. Continue on between the towers
towards the mountains that stand sentinel
over our journey to the unconscious. Those
towers can be seen as the balance between
our intuitive mind and our logical brain.

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 h XX. THE SUN h
Upright: Success, Optimism,
Vitality, Energy
Reversed: Vanity, Arrogance,
Impatience, Burnout
The Sun radiates light above twins, a boy
and a girl. Illuminating these two repre-
sentative halves of our subconscious (the
girl) and our conscious self (the boy) we are
reminded of the source of life and light. As
a symbol of optimism and fulfillment, the
Sun generates vitality; the source of life. No
matter how dark the night, the sun rises
again to renew our confidence.
h XX. JUDGMENT h
Upright: Forgiveness, Transcendence,
Rebirth
Reversed: Remorse, Regrets, Being left
This card depicts “Judgment day”, the end
of time when the living and the dead will
be judged. It might seem to be a terrifying
event, but the card should not instill fear,
as there is neither negativity nor a sense
of reproach in it. The deceased rise up in
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response to the archangel Gabriel’s trumpet
sounding. Representing the next level, he
calls them to his side in the clouds. Those
answering his call know they will be judged
so they are already in an attitude of appeal-
ing for forgiveness.
h XXI. THE WORLD h
Upright: Success, Achievements, Growth
Reversed: Inertia, Stagnation, Frustration
The World, the last card in the Major Arcana,
symbolizes the end of a long journey. A
woman dances joyfully in the center because
she is at both the end and the beginning of
the journey. The two wands in her hands,
similar to the one in the Magician’s hand,
symbolize balance and harmony. The posi-
tion of her legs suggests an upright version
of the Hanged Man’s stance. The four figures
that surround her also adorn the Wheel of
Fortune. In this card we see how everything
cycles from our life experiences to time
itself. Leo (lion), Taurus (bull), Aquarius
(angel) and Scorpio (eagle) stand for the four
fixed Zodiac signs as well as the elements,
the suits, the compass points and the seasons.

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MINOR ARCANA
The Minor Arcana are the 56 cards remain-
ing after the 22 Major Arcana. Also called
pips, the Minor Arcana are divided into four
suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles,
with 14 cards in each. Each card of a suit has
a rank, Ace through Ten, except for the court
cards: Page, Knight, Queen and King. The
Minor Arcana brings us clarity and defini-
tion; they allow tarot readers to understand

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the subtleties and details that surround the
major events.

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 WANDS
R ACE OF WANDS R
Upright: Birth, Creation, Fresh starts
Reversed: Uninspired, Unfinished,
No energy
Symbolizing creation, new ideas and
growth, the Ace of Wands has a hand,
which emanates from a cloud to grasp a
wand. Ideas fully materialized into the
tangible are represented by the castle
on the mountains. This wand’s buds are
reminders that things are growing
and developing.
R TWO OF WANDS R
Upright: Choices, Decisions, Advantage
Reversed: Indecision, On hold, Hesitation
From the roof of his castle, a man surveys a
field to his right, representing growth and
the ocean to his left representing possibility.
His right hand contains a globe signifying
that he holds the world in his hand. His
other hand grasps a wand. Which will he
put down in order to take up the other wand
leaning against the wall?
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 R THREE OF WANDS R
Upright: Anticipation, Expansion,
Journey
Reversed: Delays, Frustration,
Lack of confidence
A man watches three ships leaving his harbor.
From his vantage point, this man can see
everything. This panorama allows him to
understand all that is coming and going. Three
wands surround him, showing him to be ready
for new opportunities and challenges. These
are firmly planted in the ground, symbolizing
his solid commitment to his future projects.
R FOUR OF WANDS R
Upright: Home, Celebrations,
Calm times
Reversed: Upheaval, Blocks, Disruption
Beneath a canopy of flowers, a happy couple
pledges their lives to one another. The cano-
py is supported by four stable wands, which
represent fulfilling, satisfying times. Gifts,
happiness and satisfaction are the meaning
of the bouquets. The castle in the back-
ground represents abundance and goals.

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 R FIVE OF WANDS R
Upright: Strife, Competition, Conflict
Reversed: Struggle, Not present, Hassles
Five men use their wands against one
another. In direct competition with each
other, this conflict has no clear sides. When
everyone is out for themselves, the path
cannot be clear. However, notice that their
wands are raised but are not in contact with
each other. This indicates that this struggle
is more about what they can achieve than
actually fighting.
R SIX OF WANDS R
Upright: Stamina, Popular, Victorious
Reversed: Lack of follow through,
Ego, Loss
A victorious man guides his mount as the
crowd around him cheers. He is being
celebrated for his perseverance as much as
anything. His wand holds a wreath of flow-
ers indicating that his success is being recog-
nized. He knows his efforts have paid off so
he rides with pride. His horse is a symbol of
his pure intention and single-minded focus.
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 R SEVEN OF WANDS R
Upright: Defense, Challenge,
Taking a stand
Reversed: Over-reacting, Overwhelmed,
Bad odds
From his position above, a man wields his
staff against those below. He must protect
his place of privilege. The other six wands
are held by those who want what he has.
He may question his own power as his
placement on the hill is quite precarious.
R EIGHT OF WANDS R
Upright: Speed, Action, Love,
Great hope, Movement
Reversed: Dispute, Delays, Frustration,
Slowing down, Jealousy
With flowers to demonstrate growth, these
eight wands speed towards their goal.
Things are moving fast, so be ready to take
action. Travel may be necessary. The luxuri-
ant landscape reveals growth and opportuni-
ties flowing with the river.

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 R NINE OF WANDS R
Upright: Faith, Courage, Standing up
Reversed: Edginess, Challenges, Hesitant
A battle has been fought but this wounded
man knows the war is not yet won. Though
battle weary, he has still found the strength to
build a boundary behind him. He holds the
ninth wand to use if more battles are to be met.
His strength comes from his own sheer will.
His determination will see him through.
R TEN OF WANDS R
Upright: Burdens handled, Hard work,
Too much stress
Reversed: Dropping the ball, Irresponsibility,
Taking on too much
Loaded down with ten wands, this man
shoulders his responsibilities. He is not far
from where he needs to be, but he may have
taken on too much. Sometimes he accepts
duty that isn’t his to own. He is carrying his
harvest to sell but has also picked up others’
loads along the way. Learning how to help
others without overburdening yourself is an
important life lesson.

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 R PAGE OF WANDS R
Upright: Sparks, Artistry, Creativity
Reversed: Lack of desire, No direction,
Failure to act
With a jaunty feather in his cap, this page
symbolizes going for your dreams and your
desires. He is the spark of creative power.
Often he is seen as that part of our psyche
that longs to chase after every desire. He
learns how to act by making mistakes.
R KNIGHT OF WANDS R
Upright: Enthusiasm, Action, Impulsiveness
Reversed: Not engaged, Disruption,
Lack of focus
The Knight of Wands rides a rearing horse
signifying a readiness for action. He wears
armor to show he understands the risk, the
danger and the challenges. His helmet, the
plumes and mantle seem to be made of fire,
symbolizing his courage.
R QUEEN OF WANDS R
Upright: Creative, Faithful, Fertile

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