Minetta is a mystery.
Unlike Sepharial, who we know was Walter Gorn Old and who has a wikipedia page and various other biographical information online, I can't even find her real name.
This blog post from Mary Greer and the comments on it are interesting. There's been much speculation - was she Arthur Edward Waite? Cicely Kent? I don't believe she was either of those.
Unlike Sepharial, who we know was Walter Gorn Old and who has a wikipedia page and various other biographical information online, I can't even find her real name.
This blog post from Mary Greer and the comments on it are interesting. There's been much speculation - was she Arthur Edward Waite? Cicely Kent? I don't believe she was either of those.
Did she have a hand in the creation of the Tarot Fortune Cards? Quite possibly.
I first became interested in Minetta because Andy Boroveshengra often referred to her and thought highly of her reading skills. But he never found any solid information on Minetta herself, either. It wasn't for lack of trying!
At this point, I'm convinced that it's easier to trace Frankie Albano! Since we have his legal name, we can find bits of information. We can't do that with someone we know only as "Minetta."
And yes, her book is indispensable. It's OOP, but you can find a copy of Card Reading on sites like https://www.abebooks.com/
Or the earlier edition, What The Cards Tell, can be downloaded here:
https://archive.org/details/1899minettawhatthecardstell
https://archive.org/details/1899minettawhatthecardstell
If you read playing cards, you probably use the full 52 card pack. Minetta's method uses a stripped 32 card bésigue pack, but it also utilizes reversed meanings. To avoid confusion, I made a "Minetta pack" - just a regular pack of Bees with the 2-6 removed, and her meanings written on the cards. When writing on cards, don't use regular ink or Sharpie - those smear. Get ultra fine tipped paint pens like these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R64NE42
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R64NE42
I guess that's all for now. Feel free to comment if you find anything!
What an excellent post. I wish I had something to add to your knowledge of Minetta but she's a mystery to me too. After reading her introduction in the download you provided (Thanks!), I winced and ordered a copy from abebooks. You probably already know that there is a Kindle version of both her books on Amazon entitled "Minetta's Cartomancy and Tarot Reading Works." Apparently, it was submitted by someone named Russell Stamets. I hope you write more about Minetta's books and maybe show us a reading you've done? Thanks again. Minetta's works look like pure gold.
ReplyDeleteOvertime I came to realise Minetta’s identity is probably lost to time.
ReplyDeleteThere are differences between the two volumes published under her identity, and then Kent’s writings. These could all be explained by the interval and evolution of ability. But the tones are different. It’s noticeable more when you read the corresponding chapters.
How are you enjoying the volumes?
Yes. It's hard to believe someone who lived almost in our own time, with running water and automobiles would be so untraceable. But with only a pen name and nothing else, we're hitting the proverbial brick wall. She must have REALLY had reason to conceal her identity. That makes me even more curious, but curiosity has gotten me nowhere!
DeleteThey're wonderful - useful, pragmatic, to the point, everything that contemporary cartomancy isn't. I refer to them often when reading playing cards, I think I love her method best.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you. Hope all has been going well!
The total absence of record has struck me as extremely bizarre. I could understand if the publisher had said that the author had a privacy clause; however, I was told there was no record. Not too sure if Caítlin or Mary might have been more successful.
ReplyDeleteWhen Minetta was writing (and Kent), the witchcraft laws were still in effect. If Minetta had been a practicing fortune teller, she could have been in trouble with the British legal system.
Like Caítlin, I was initially open to the idea that Minetta was an earlier pseudonym of Kent. There are similarities, and Kent essentially mined Minetta publications (see the tasseography volume). But there are differences and Kent shows no interest/influence of Paul Christian who Minetta was very familiar with. I suspect Kent was a student and perhaps familiar with 1920s esoteric circles.
Over time I adopted quite a few of Minetta's ideas and practices and find her a good B.S. filter.
I am four weeks post-surgery, and there have been a few changes over the last twelve months. Recovery permitting I'll try and repost some of my old writings (I had no idea that Circlestead was deleted). I’ll try and see if have your e-mail still and drop you a line.
PS - a speedy and complete recovery.
DeleteIt goes without saying, of course, but it's good to say it anyway.