#) tarot cards i find the symbolism very interesting and the art and !! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

prince-kallisto · 6 months

Text

Dire Crowley and The Magician Tarot

🧎Someone connected the countdown art to the tarot cards, and I feel like this had to be purposeful because all the characters match up so well!!!! Please check out this awesome thread for the other characters BUT IM LOSING MY MIND WITH CROWLEY BEING THE MAGICIAN AHCCHHXDHHD YANAAAAAAA

Also if anyone is interested in me making this an series of analyzing the TWST characters with their hypothesized tarot card, let me know! \(//∇//)\

The Magician was first conceived as a swindler or a “sleight of hand” artist. He was all about stage magic and putting up performances and false appearances before becoming the Magician well known today. The Magician heavily represents the concepts of unlimited power and potential and the “unification of the physical and spiritual worlds.”

The Magician is a fascinating tarot card, particularly with its imagery in the Rider-Waite series. Tarot cards have been interpreted many ways throughout history- I’d like to point out that Aleister Crowley, who is believed to be the name inspiration behind Dire Crowley, made his own tarot deck: the “Thoth Tarot.” I’d like to analyze Aleister Crowley and his potential relation to Dire Crowley someday too. But Rider-Waite continues to be the most popular tarot deck in regards to its art. And I find the Magician’s imagery to be VERY foreboding if it really does match up to Crowley.

In the card, The Magician has a cup, a sword, a wand, and pentacle, representing all four suits of the Minor Arcana. In the French suit, these four suits are represented by the clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. Interesting considering Heartslabyul exists…these four objects are also reprentative of fire, air, water, and earth. Essentially, the Magician having these four items is representative of his power and his ability to do anything. Again, the implications of the Magician “wielding” all the suits is fascinating for Crowley.

Yes, anything! This is further symbolized by the infinity sign over his head, as the Magician heavily relates to the idea of “eternity” and “infinite possibilities.” Whatever the Magician IMAGINES, it can become real. See how one hand points to the sky and the other points to the ground? It is believed to be a reference to the phrase of “as above, so below,” which is an entire rabbit hole in itself to explain haha. In the Magician card, his pointing essentially means HE is the connection between the Universe above and the earth below. He connects imagination with reality, essentially a conduit. Like the card says, he is capable of anything as long as he can imagine it. Considering how we have different realms in TWST, particularly with Mickey in the mirror and Malleus’ dream world, the Magician being a connector between two worlds is. Interesting 👀 I also think CROWLEY being the one in charge of the Gates/Coffins in the prologue is significant- he may have been the one to summon Yuu into this world. He even says himself that the gates are a representation of your “former” and “new” world.

The eternity symbolism increased with the “belt” around his waist that’s actually a snake eating its own tail. I’ve made an analysis post long ago about NRC’s logo and it’s relation to the ourobous and the caduceus…which Hermes seems to relate to Levan and Meleanor as well.

Speaking of Hermes, the Magician card is related to the planet Mercury, which is the Roman form of the Greek God Hermes. Mercury/Hermes is the god of thieves, travelers, and diplomats. His staff has become a popular iconography for the idea of “health.” And under Mercury, it’s star signs are Virgo and Gemini. If any “Crowley and Levan are twins” theorists out there, there you go with Gemini 🤪 The star signs seem to further reference to “as above, so below,” as Gemini is an air sign while Virgo is an earth sign.

The garden of roses and lily of the valleys around the Magician is believed to be a reference to the Song of Solomon, a biblical song related to lovers. But the garden itself represents how the Magician “cultivates” his power. The Anthology cover depicts roses and thorns around Crowley…hmm. I’d like to add that Crowley is very particular about the apple trees in NRCs courtyard- he takes great pride in them and they are in honor of the Fairest Queen.

Edit: I’d like to add he also refers to the students as “eggs” or “chicks,” and even says himself that he “raised” Malleus into the powerful mage he is today- LIKE HES LITERALLY CULTIVATING THEM. And if he’s behind the Overblots, he’s also cultivating the Overblot stones

The Magician’s white outfit is commonly believed to represent the Magician’s purity, while the red cape represents knowledge, egotism, and revenge- a mixture of the upright and reverse symbolism for the Magician.

And with a quick look at numerology, the number one has always been an iconic symbol for new beginnings. However, the Magician is also connected to the number eight, due to the infinity sign above his head. Again, this is a symbol of eternity- some religious scholars have connected the Magician to the Holy Spirit, which intrigued me because I’ve been on a quest to analyze TWSTs religious symbolism haha.

But I’m sure most of you are more interested in what the Magician actually MEANS in terms of divination, aka the Upright and Reversed meanings. After covering the imagery of this card, you can see how the meanings of this cards is heavily reflected in its art.

When the Magician is upright, it represents desire, willpower, manifestation, and resourcefulness. It is heavily connected with the Fool card (in TWST tarot, the Fool aka 0 would represent MC/Yuu) because while the Fool is a blank slate with potential, the Magician takes that potential and “manifests” it into reality. INTERESTING 👀

However, when reversed, the Magician represents manipulation, cunning, trickery, illusion, and deceptions. The Magician wields his unlimited power to become a trickster for his own selfish means, pretending to have your interests at heart. It feels like a bit of a callback to the Magician originated as the Swindler, who was all about false appearances to trick people. In case y’all haven’t noticed, that’s kinda Crowley’s entire shtick 🤪🤪 He (poorly) pretends to have Yuu’s interests in heart, especially about finding them a way home or getting them food or shelter.

Many diviners have interpreted this card as an obsession with power that will lead to your downfall.

What’s interesting about Crowley’s countdown art is that he’s the only character to be in black and white- everyone else has a pop of color. Additionally, he has a shining white background instead of a matte black. Is this meant to represent that this Crowley art represents him as Reversed? His color scheme and background is quite literally “reversed” from the other characters, so perhaps this countdown art is foreshadowing Crowley’s role in the main story.

The sheer amount of symbolism of power in both the card art and its Upright and Reversed meaning is interesting. Because right now in the main story, Crowley is in this weird position where he DOES have this “unlimited potential.” He can potentially be the most powerful villain Twisted Wonderland has ever seen- and even if he isn’t, the Magician overall has a lot of control and connection between “two worlds.”

Additionally, the emphasis on the Magician’s potential and imagination is really fascinating because CROWLEY himself is the one who speaks about imagination being the source of magic. And if this is something he can apply himself, he would quite literally be like the Magician who can manifest things into reality.

The other TWST boys connect a lot more directly with their tarot card number, but Crowley’s feels like speculation at best. However, as a Crowley theorist, I genuinely feel like this is purposeful foreshadowing, especially considering how Crowley’s art differs from everybody else….

#‘interesting’ was basically my favorite word for this post LMAOO #twisted wonderland #twst #twst theory #twst dire Crowley #twst Crowley #dire Crowley #twst analysis #kallistopost

248 notes · View notes

mirieru · 4 months

Text

How do Stray Kids feel about piercings on girls? Hyung line

Disclaimer: 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒚.

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧:

The cards are telling me that Bangchan has mixed feelings towards piercings. He is not really a fan of piercings and would rather people find beauty in the natural. Btw reading could indicate a willingness to be open-minded, and potentially accepting of piercings. However, on the other hand, Bangchan may find piercings excessive and could be overwhelmed by someone who has too much going on in their look. On one hand he considers piercings to be a part of someone’s self-expression and doesn’t judge someone by their style of dress or their physical appearance, as he appreciates individuality and uniqueness.In summary, Bangchan may be open to the idea of piercings in general, but perhaps not as much if they are very pronounced or excessive.

𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰:

Minho is attracted to girls who are confident and know what they want, regardless of their appearance. Minho considers piercings to be an interesting personal choice. He views piercings as symbols of self-expression and he appreciates that piercings can reflect an individual's unique style and personality. Although Minho finds piercings to be visually appealing, he is more focused on the character and attitude of the person wearing the piercings. In terms of his personal dating preference, he prefers that a partner has fewer piercings and leans towards a natural look. Minho's attitude towards piercings is similar to Bangchan in the sense that both consider piercings as a part of someone’s self-expression that shouldn't be judged. Minho is an empathetic person who values compassion, empathy, and kindness, and piercings are simply a form of art and self-expression that he appreciates and is open-minded towards.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐢𝐧:

Changbin's attitude towards piercings is one of acceptance and understanding. As he is a very logical person, he understands that piercings are simply a form of expressing one's individuality, and he doesn't judge or discriminate against people based on their appearance. He doesn't have anything against piercings per say, but he doesn't really find piercings a particularly attractive feature. Changbin's attitude towards piercings is likely to be a bit more traditional and conventional than someone like Bangchan or Minho.

He may perceive piercings as a physical alteration of one’s body that can be invasive, and he might see them as a way to express oneself in an excessive manner. Changbin prefers a more reserved and modest approach in general, and he may feel that piercings are too flashy for his liking.

𝐇𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐢𝐧:

Hyunjin generally doesn't like piercings on girls, he sees it as something not feminine enough. He does see the beauty, and he recognizes the creativity, but when it comes to a romantic partner he prefers a more conservative, natural looking girl. He believes that piercings are an expression of masculinity and look good on men but not on women. he would find piercings attractive, but he would prefer them to be done in moderation just like he prefers girls with a bit of make up and natural beauty instead of an excessive amount of makeup. He doesn't like people that do something to an extreme (not just piercings but anything in general) , so that's the main reason. That's why I see he would feel more attracted and comfortable to a girl with piercings that are done subtly and tastefully. But ideally without it.

Thank you for reading. ♡

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

based on tarot ⊹ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

#skz #hyunjin #bang chan #lee know #stray kids #tarot #skz tarot #changbin #seo changbin #hwang hyunjin #lee minho

47 notes · View notes

loyalhorror · 4 months

Note

For the Ask Game: Papyrus, Orchid, Cactus, aloe vera, palm tree, and Tarot (mispelled so you instead tell us about a Tarot card you like (any arcana) and why you like it (art, symbolism, personal attachment, etc))

papyrus ⇢ if you put your ‘on repeat’ playlist on shuffle, what’s the first song that comes up? what do you like about it / associate it with?

my current 'on repeat' playlist is a playlist for a fic i'm writing... so let's see.

oh. it's fucking misery - maroon 5 LMAOOOO which is on there mostly as a bit between a friend and i. masque IS in Misery(TM) in that AU.

orchid ⇢ what’s a song you consider to be perfect?

answered previously!

cactus ⇢ something you’re currently learning (about)?

lockpicking... mostly through @notjusthespongenextdoor but hopefully i will learn myself soon

aloe vera ⇢ what’s something (mundane) you really want to experience in life?

i want to go horse riding! i've ridden horses before very briefly but i really wanna do it again.

palm tree ⇢ do you have a fictional villain you shouldn’t like but love regardless?

lmaooo no because i don't believe that anyone "shouldn't" like a fictional character. i love a lot of villain characters; some of them might repulse me and some of them i might find fascinating or interesting or even (god forbid!!!!!!) attractive, it depends, but again... they're fictional characters. people get so weird about things like this and there's a strong "you can like something as long as you're not HORNY about it you FREAK" judgment in fandom that i deeply dislike. if someone finds the guy's horrible abusive behaviour in 50 shades of grey hot because it's a safe fantasy they can engage in even if it would obviously be TREMENDOUSLY UNSAFE AND ABUSIVE in real life, i'm not here to judge them for it. it's a fantasy!

(i will judge their idea of what good writing looks like though LMAO)

ANYWAY though that was a tangent. tldr yeah i dig a lot of villains. i don't like it when people make excuses for their shitty in-universe behaviour or try to downplay it as less awful than it actually is (looking at you, ascended asta.rion + corinth.ian apologists), but i don't like it when people act like you're making a moral choice by enjoying a work of fiction or making your own.

tarot:

the hierophant, purely because i had a character as a teenager with that name for some reason. i literally never did anything with it i just like the word LMAO

#rat.exe

6 notes · View notes

maiji · 7 months

Note

Heyo Maiji! I'd love to get a reading from you. I'm going to hold the question to myself (I promise I won't forget), but numbers are 17 and 23. 🙏

Oooh~! A mystery reading! *claps hands excitedly*

This is the kind of reading I often do at events, where I have zero idea what the nature of the question is. The constraint is that I'm less able to provide very specific suggestions; the opportunity is that the person asking the question has a lot of room to imagine and fill the space with their own ideas and find their own path. Basically, you're able to generate more of the reading yourself, with a little bit of guidance/support on the framework from me!

#17 pulled The Stork. #23 pulled The Fish.

Remember, dear anyone reading this: I have no idea what the question is. I'm looking for possible directions to help the querent connect the two cards in a way that can point to insights for their question. It's essentially a challenge of storytelling, and one we're all very much up for because our brains are really good at finding patterns everywhere. We're always telling ourselves stories about what we think is happening to/around us!

The Stork is one of my favourite cards because it breathes a kind of refreshing opportunity. (I think of it in a similar way to the Tarot's "Death" card, which as experienced Tarot readers know is not literal death, but transformation.) The Stork represents movement and metamorphosis. Think of something changing and shifting from one place or state to another. This could be literal - a move. It could be external - a situation. It could be internal - a perspective. It could be physical - your own body. And so on.

The Fish is a card with a lot of positive energy, associated with abundance and wealth! This could be commerce and monetary wealth, but it could also be wealth of another kind - peace of mind, for example. It could also be very literally fish, or associations with water. If this were a creative prompt-type question, for example, maybe we're talking about turning into fish or merpeople. What about movement via water - going overseas?

A fun thing that can sometimes be overlooked is that, because oracle decks are tools for reflection, the art itself can also be taken as points of reference to inspire or guide your interpretation. In other words, different decks can offer different ideas because of the images on them. This is why people often talk about picking a deck where the imagery resonates with you personally - that it appeals to you in a way that inspires you to imagine and make connections. If the Stork card showed a bird carrying a baby in a bundle, for example, there might be certain directions your brain will start going in depending on the question. In the Fortune Lenormand deck, my drawing depicts Lan Caihe, one of the Eight Daoist/Taoist Immortals. They have no definitive gender (being sometimes depicted as a beautiful man/woman, an old man etc.) and was known for being quite eccentric. The stork in this story was the one who ultimately bore them to the heavenly realms. So, a symbol of transition to a different, "higher" plane - finding a better place, a freedom of some sort?

Amusingly, Lan Caihe loved to drink (they were super drunk when the stork carried them off), and The Fish can also be associated with alcohol. I am not advocating for drunkenness, but I just thought that relationship was interesting, and who knows, maybe it could be relevant.

I hope this offered some ideas for your question!

By the way, thank you, while doing this reading I found a minor typo on the overview and I have updated the document file, haha. You'll see the free downloadable is now dated today, October 28, 2023!

Thanks for requesting a limited time free reading to celebrate the new edition of the Fortune Lenormand oracle/art deck!

Want to dive deeper?

Fortune Lenormand oracle/art deck - there's a free downloadable overview of card meanings!

humangray.com/lenormand - more info and resources/links!

(Note: these readings are being done with my old card deck from the original printing. There's not much difference with the new edition available in the link above - the biggest one is that the new edition has a custom box ooh ahh!)

#lenormand #readings #fortune lenormand #and-his-hands-were-24-crows #replies #reply

3 notes · View notes

niuniente · 2 years

Note

I don't know if you've ever posted about this, but if you ever feel like it I'd love to see the card decks you use and hear a little bit about them 😁 Which is your favourite, which is good for what, how you got them... I always hear good stories when I ask people about their decks! 🃏

I have spoken a bit about my decks in some asks but I've never introduced them all. All the photos are from online. I've left out some decks which I don't use and plan to give away.

Ascendent Masters Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue was my first oracle deck. I bought it from Scotland very long time ago and it was my first introduction to oracle cards. Nowadays this deck serves for questions which are somehow related to person's life lessons and difficult lessons. It's quite heavy after being used for so long so I use it rarely. Heavy deck fits heavier topics. As all Doreen Virtue's decks (as she converted to her childhood religion), this deck is sold out. You can find fake copies from Aliexpress, which are the best you can do now if you want this deck or any other of Doreen's decks I've got.

Archangel Michael's deck (also from Doreen) was my 2nd deck as I had such positive experiences with the Ascendant Master's deck. This is my most reliable deck and I managed to get an extra deck before these were sold out. I use this deck pretty much to all readings, for any topic. It's my most versatile and most loved deck - and it has a few funny cards! Like this Decide To Be Happy Now. Boy, Michael doesn't look too happy. It's also good for Yes/No readings.

I'm not a mermaid person nor a dolphin person, never was, but this deck was my favorite from the moment I saw it. Magical Mermaids and Dolphins (also from Doreen) is one of the feminine decks. It's excellent for dreams, how to reach your goals, pep talks, for brighter energies. If I use this deck in the reading, it usually comes at the end of the reading to give a soft pep talk.

I got Black Cat Tarot from @sunnysunflowers as a Friend's Day gift some years ago. I love its art the best but as I'm still learning how to use tarot, I haven't used this as much as the oracle decks. This deck has its own personal meanings differing from traditional tarot. See above how V, the Hierophant, isn't so much visually about preaching as it is a teacher and a master who provides those in need and doesn't try to eat the mice. The Chariot in traditional tarot usually asks the rider to decide where to go, but as you can see, in this deck the Chariot is taking the cat forward, whether the cat wants that or not. This is visually very interesting deck to read if you forget what the tarots usually mean and see what's described in the pictures.

Halloween Oracle Deck by Stacey DeMarco took me a little while until it started to work for me. Nowadays, it's very easy deck to use and answers really good for questions such as what's the issue, what's the hindrance, what's the problem? I read this deck based on the cards and their symbolism than what the guide book says. This deck unfortunately has a creepy looking Mummy card I have taken out from the deck because just NO. Not that kind of vibe into my readings, thanks. It also has the most hideous werewolf I've ever seen. A disgrace to all werewolves (I'm sorry, artist! Q_Q) and as someone who has loved werewolves since I was 6 it pains me so much...!

Gods and Titans, also from Stacey DeMarco, is one of my favorite decks. This goes very well together with the Halloween deck. This deck contains only male deities from different cultures and masculine energy, so I always use it for clients who want to know something related to their male relatives, bosses, sons, husbands, lovers, including the future partner. This is very no-nonsense deck and a wonderful celebration for men and the guidance you can get from men & masculine energy. Though that Barbaric Fantasy Thor card always makes me laugh.

Angelarium deck from Peter Mohrbacher took me really long until it started to work. Turns out this deck needed other decks to accompany it. Now, when I'm more familiar with the deck I can use it alone, too, but this always shines together with other decks. It's one of my fave decks but it's pretty hard to use for beginners, so I would recommend you all to start with a simpler deck. This deck requires lots of connecting dots, intuition and seeing the big picture in small details. I got this from Thene, who was part of our Metal Gear Solid paintchat group long ago. She also makes oracle readings. It was a real surprise gift and I'm still very grateful for this deck! It even has Peter's autograph on its cover.

Sacred Traveler by Denise Linn (a Cherokee by her family line) I got this from my sister as a Christmas present. This is very easy deck to use, very nice to approach, as all Denise Linn's decks are if you ask me. This is supportive dreamer deck, full of positive messages and lots of cards. As it's a traveler's deck, I always use this if there is a need to find direction for something or someone.

Shaman's Oracle by John Matthews was a gift from @panimauser some years ago. It has worked really well and after many years, now shines as one of my most trusted decks when I really need to dig into things. It has lots of cards and all have photos of real cave paintings on them.

Yokai Tarot by @buboplague is a gift from @lanelacy. This deck is an art deck I'm not using for readings as it's a way too precious for me to be damaged in use. As the name implies, this deck contains Japanese demons and monsters.

Neon Moon Tarot by Pixel Occult is the best tarot deck I've had since I owned a Viking Tarot deck in my early 20's. This is so easy to use as we clearly speak same language with this deck. With tarot, it is important to find a deck which speaks the same language with you and vibes with you. Otherwise the reading can be difficult. This deck was a gift.

Moonology oracle cards by Yasmin Boland came to me as an exchange with my sister; she didn't come along with this deck and I had a deck I didn't come along, so we switched the decks. This works for me and my deck works for her. I use this rather rarely but it always has good and wise messages to give to me. It has light energy and it's pretty straightforward in a good way.

StarDragon Oracle deck is super pretty and a small deck but for some reason we don't come along that well. It feels a bit soulless and distant, but perhaps it has a long waking up-period similar to the Angelarium deck? I use this so rarely I was thinking not even including it in this list.

Small Bunny Postcards. These are not meant for oracle readings but they work perfectly for divination, like any other tool(s). I read these by interpreting the images and their symbolism.These seem to be good in predicting time frames or time posts I should be aware of.

This is my haul from the past decade. It's that difficult for me to find decks I come along with haha.

#ask niu #long post #oracle cards #divination

27 notes · View notes

lunapwrites · 7 months

Note

Ooooh tarot asks 5, 11, and 20 if you'd like! 🥰

Yay!! Thanks August!! <3 <3

5 - Have I ever given a deck as a gift?

I have as a matter of fact! I just recently bought one for my mother, who had expressed some interest in getting into the practice. I asked her some questions about what kind of art styles and symbolism she preferred, and I wound up landing on a fairy tarot deck that was all decked out in lovely woodsy colors. I can't remember precisely what it was called, but I do remember that the suits all used generally the same background imagery, but graduated as the number increased. (For example, increasing numbers of mushrooms.) It was a cute visual device. Either way, I'm unsure how much actual use she's getting out of it, but she liked it a lot. :)

11 - What's my opinion on getting decks second-hand?

I think it's fine, honestly! If the deck calls to you, then whether or not someone else has used it before shouldn't matter much. My favorite (and most accurate) deck is actually second-hand - if only lightly used.

20 - Do you have any non-tarot divination decks in your collection?

I do! I am in possession of two oracle decks. The first one is a Goddess oracle which specifically focuses on the mythologies and aspects of a wide variety of Goddesses from cultures all around the world. I find that one tends to work best for me only in very specific situations, because it's very heavily gendered, OR if I'm intentionally invoking a higher power for whatever my concern is (which is extremely rare for me.)

The second is one I picked up myself, which I can't remember the name of currently, but it uses animal imagery. That one is a very good all-rounder, and I tend to have stronger connection with it from an imagery standpoint. If I had one complaint about it, it's that the cards are so incredibly glossy that it's hard for me to see sometimes if the light's shining wrong.

Thanks for the ask!!

#lp tarot #ask game #responses #tarot ask

4 notes · View notes

bubbleonice · 8 months

Note

Can you see if the argument is because of Kylie and if Tim and armie will be together or will be seen together again? Their connection is so interesting and I’ve seen multiple people say these two are twin flames/ soul mates and at first I didn’t believe it but the more I look into it I do thank you for all your work 🩷

Is the argument about Kylie?

King of pentacles: yes.

The King of Pentacles sits on a throne embellished with carvings of bulls, and grapes and vines adorn his robe, symbolising wealth and abundance. In his right hand, he holds the sceptre of his power, and in his left, he holds a golden coin, symbolic of his material influence. This King has an innate ability to create material wealth and financial abundance – and better yet, he can sustain his wealth over time through self-discipline, control and leadership.

At his feet and around his throne are more vines, flowers and plants, representing the highest attainment of material success. His castle sits behind him, a symbol of all he has built through his efforts and determination. This King is therefore very serious about financial security and has made the accumulation of wealth his focus in life. He is proud of his achievements and likes to show others his prized possessions and wealth.

Meaning money and financial security is Timothee’s number one focus. And this has been a huge cause for arguments.

If Timothee and Armie will be seen together again?

The Hierophant reversed:

It indicates a hesitant and cautious yes. This card suggests a departure from tradition and established norms, which can lead to uncertainty and unconventional solutions. The value of tradition and spiritual alignment in various situations, suggesting that favorable outcomes are more probable when adhering to conventional routes and consulting reliable guidance.

Will they work on their relationship?

The Empress:

The Empress indicates a resolute yes. As the embodiment of abundance, growth, and harmony, the Empress offers a sense of optimism and reassurance, signaling a favorable outcome in various circumstances.

Will they date eachother?

Two cards jumped out.

The knight of cups:

The Knight of Cups represents loyalty, happiness, fruitful relationships, and joy. When this card appears in a spread, it is a call to action to get excited. For these reasons, the answer to your yes or no question is yes.

9 of swords:

The Nine of Swords tarot card has all-around negative implications in the tarot deck. Because the card symbolizes pain, anguish, and inability to cope, in a yes or no spread the answer to your question is a stern no.

So here we go. Contradicting cards. The interpretation I get from this is they wish for one outcome, which is the optimistic happy joyful one. but it might kot be as doable as they wish. The Knight is kind, caring and very in touch with his feminine side. He might be found writing a romantic poem to his lover, creating art inspired by his innermost feelings or appreciating a vibrant sunset with a glass of champagne in his hand. His heart is wide open, and he wears it on his sleeve.

It’s about following your heart. Romance. The Knight brings the kind of news we hope for. This Knight’s quest isn’t to bring victory from the battlefield but to find love.

Nine of swords is competely different. The Nine of Swords suggests that dark thoughts and disturbing feelings are weighing you down (and keeping you up at night). You are worrying excessively about a situation, and your negative thoughts are getting the better of you, leaving you stressed and anxious. The more you associate with your fears, the more they will rule your life. As you obsess over what’s not working, the more anxious you become and the more you will worry. It becomes a negative cycle where one awful thought leads to another, and another, and another until they overwhelm you. As you obsess over what may go wrong, you are more likely to manifest your worst-case scenario because you are inadvertently acting in ways that support your negative thoughts. This card can represent being plagued by fear, guilt, doubt, and worries that are to a large extent, unfounded. Chances are the person in question is dealing with a problematic situation or a difficult decision.

I guess we can say that they wish to but feel like they cannot. That’s the energy I get from this for now. They have much to work on first.

#celebrity tarot #intuitive readings #tarot reading #timothee chalamet #armie hammer

2 notes · View notes

glamourzombie · 2 years

Photo

I usually work with the energies of the divine feminine, and in fact, one of my short-term goals is to work more with goddess figures. However, I have come to realize that I cannot ignore the divine masculine, not only on itself, but also as an element of balance. This is where the visually stunning Tarot of the Divine Masculine, by Marko and Filip Vasich, comes into play.

This is an exquisite work of art. The cards are designed to feel mythical, magical and timeless, a “gate to the sacred garden”. It is elegant, with an uncommon approach to details, carefully elaborate, and painted in oil. It is one of the most beautiful decks I have ever seen, and one that screams high art. The delicacy with which each card is painted is surprising, and you know I use the metaphor of tarot decks being art galleries quite often, but this deck in particular really exemplifies what I mean with that. It is very easy to just stop and bask in the sheer beauty of the cards, but it is important to also value its symbolic quality as a tarot deck. The cards are character based, flourishing with diversity (though obviously male-centred), designed to be gender-role provocative, multi-ethnic, body inclusive. There is an abundance of nature, and I feel that it vibes with ancient energy, as it features elements from different ages, but without seeing anything from our contemporary times.

The deck can definitely be moody and intense, but at the same time, it can also be cheerful and easy-going depending on not only the characters, but also the backgrounds, which have a lot of detail and are not a secondary feature of the illustration. There is a lot of energy coming from each of the cards, being completely different from one another, while retaining a grade of cohesion that is sometimes difficult to find, but that is extremely valuable. The images are quite realistic, but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t magic, sometimes being outright explicit with the otherworldly phenomena (such as ghosts). There are many animals layered in the cards to add to the symbolism. No colour is left untouched, but within the limits of natural palettes, and no sight of really in-your-face, neon hues. Fair warning, there is some nudity and phallic references, but they are not done in a distasteful way, and they are completely blended in the full network of symbolism.

The cards have a delicious matte finish, and are gilded in mat dark brown. I would say they are borderless, but they do feature an inner frame which is very thin and unobtrusive. At the bottom of the card we can find a semi-transparent box with the number and suit off the card, as well as a small symbol in the bottom right corner in the minors to signal the suit. Above this corner we can find a subtle author signature, and a gold foil stamp of authenticity.

The 48 page companion guide book is a black and white booklet. It features the following sections: introduction, about, using your deck, a few spreads, and the card meanings. In the latter we find introductions for the majors and the suits, as well as a brief description of the meaning of each card. In them, you can find a highlighted sentence or keywords, and a closing question for each of the cards. It is possibly in these questions where I have found most of the intention behind each of the cards.

What I get with the Tarot of the Divine Masculine is a journey of discovery and beauty. I am not used to work with the divine masculine, but this deck has really made the first foray very easy for me. There is no trace of toxic masculinity or patriarchal attitudes, giving men space to be men how they want. I feel this deck brings balance into my collection in a way I didn't know I needed; and even if I were not interested in the divine masculine, this is such a beautiful work of art that I could not let it go unnoticed. Make sure you check out at least one full-size illustrations at Vasich Arts, as just that one view will tell you a lot of what I have expressed here.

#tarot #cards #divine masculine #insight #inspiration #intuition #deck #products #art #design

14 notes · View notes

sincerelystesichorus · 27 days

Text

recent art i did for my Literature of Nero class. scene from Seneca's Oedipus, where Tiresias and Creon summon Laius' ghost from Hades in a nearby wood. i haven't drawn in awhile so i was really happy with how this came out! write up i did for class/more information under the cut.

“[W]ater grimly pools, of light and sunshine ignorant, and numb with chill perpetual… When the aged priest set foot inside the grove, there was no delay: the place provided instant night.” I think this description of the sky changing is a beautiful introduction to the ritual we are about to witness, just how extreme it is. I chose not to focus on the large, sacrificial pyre and the tree near it but rather the product of it. “Next, he summons up the ghosts and you, king of the ghosts, and the keeper of the gates of Lethe’s lake… ‘They have heard me!” said the priest. ‘The words I uttered are fulfilled! Dark Chaos is breached: hell’s population is granted passage to the upper world.’”

“…[E]arth itself, to make a pathway for the dead, resounded as its structure cracked; or else three-headed Cerberus, enraged and furious, shook his heavy chains.” I think it’s important that Cerberus is mentioned here, as he is the guard to the Underworld… even if the Underworld’s gates somehow end up in a forest near Thebes. “Suddenly the earth yawns wide: it opened dup into a boundless gulf.” I find it interesting how when these portals to the Underworld are opened, it’s described as the ground gaping opening. This is a description common to the myth of the kidnapping of Persephone/Kore, where Hades splits the earth wide open to swallow up his stolen maiden. I think my favorite line of this entire scene though however isn’t base purely on the horrific descriptions, but simply some passing reactionary comments from Creon. “With my own eyes I saw the pallid gods among the shades, with my own eyes. The stagnant lakes and quintessential night. My frozen blood congealed and clogged my veins… My courage failed… Undaunted, bold from lack of sight, [Tiresias] summons up the bloodless throng of cruel Dis.” I love this sentence and how Tiresias’ entire character is that his blindness is not a weakness, but his greatest strength. It gave him his foresight, and now it guards him from the true horrors of Hades breaking out of the earth… at his doing. It makes Creon ill, and Laius hasn’t showed up to tell him the truly chilling news. It’s a beautiful scene and depiction on Seneca’s part.

Now, onto why I chose the tarot card I did and the imagery I included. I felt Judgement was very representative of Tiresias, whether you interpret it traditionally or reversed. Judgement traditionally depicts rapture-like imagery, people meeting deliverance from the divine and readily accepting it because you cannot deny Judgement; Oedipus can try as he may to deny the Oracle, run away as much as he wants, but he does fulfill his prophecy. I think in Oedipus Rex, Tiresias represents this even better, as Oedipus is even more nonsensical there and receives a secondary scolding turned prophecy from him. Reversed, Judgement is representative of literally “ignoring the call.” Tiresias says as much to Oedipus in Oedipus Rex, “You mock my blindness… But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind: You can not see the wretchedness of your life…But the double lash of your parents’ cruse will whip you and out of this land someday, with only night upon your precious eyes.”

I chose to remain close the imagery depicted in Seneca’s description, but also added in traditional Hellenic polytheistic religious elements and spiritual elements associated with tarot. Laius rests above all as a spirit and the divine, ascended from his passing, his hands pointed towards the heavens as he gives divine information. The stars surround him, and are also reflected in Tiresias’ eyes, a symbol of spirituality, faith, power and the divine. Tiresias’ hands raise to Laius as he now waits for his answer. Creon, the only one here who would feel the full Chthonic weight of the situation, sulks and points downwards, and covers his eyes, unable to witness what is at hand and blocking himself off from the divine. Golden imagery is littered across Tiresias to represent Apollo, seen most in the drachmas he has tied into his beard. Within tarot, “pentacles” or coins are representative of all kinds of prosperity.

1 note · View note

alchemy-arts-bookstore · 3 months

Text

Tarot card study -

Dark Wood Tarot, by Sasha Graham, art by Abigail Larson (Box set with deck and guidebook)

I love the artwork of this deck. My idea is to draw a card, write down my thoughts about it, and then compare what the book says about it.

0 - The Fool

Description:

A young woman in a patched dress, carrying a bundle on a stick. In her other hand is a white rose - symbolic of purity and innocence. She is walking toward a cliff. Swirling vines surround her, and she is followed by a black cat and a fox. A spider dangles nearby, as if awaiting her instructions.

My thoughts:

The style of the woman’s dress isn’t overly fancy, but it also isn’t plain - just patched. She looks like she might be from a middle class family that has fallen on hard times. She has gathered up what few personal possessions she has and set out to find her fortune, or have adventures. She’s wearing stockings but no shoes, which makes me think she’s either unaware of or unconcerned by rough terrain ahead. She looks happy and hopeful.

She seems to be stepping very carefully around the edge of the cliff - at first glance it looks like she’s about to walk off the edge because she isn’t paying attention, but maybe she’s just being very careful where she steps, looking over the edge at something in the distance.

The vines swirling around her seem to almost be staying close, as if to protect her - maybe ready to grab her if she gets too close to the edge. The presence of the black cat and the fox make me think she’s a witch; black cats are a typical familiar in fairy tales, and both animals obviously trust her and are ready to follow wherever she goes.

My overall impression is that this woman is taking what resources she has and setting out in search of something new and better than her current situation. She might not be as cautious as she should be, but she isn’t letting the thought of potential danger hold her back.

What the book says: (edited)

The Shadow Witch takes her first step into the Dark Wood. A leap of faith is required. The Fool begins her journey. Her head tilts toward the sky, reflecting optimism and pleasure in the present moment. Her tattered clothing reflects an individual operating outside the realm of ‘polite society.’ She travels free from convention and obligation. The white rose is purity and love. The black cat is feline magic, the fox is cleverness, the spider is the master storyteller. The jagged cliff generates with each step; the Fool walks in safety. (Also, the vines are apparently willow branches.)

A leap of faith. Acting impulsively. Foolishness echoing freedom. Acting in self interest. A grand adventure. Optimism, Youth. A journey only you can take. The road is yours alone. Complete trust. Innocence. The beginning of a new cycle. A door opens. The adventure begins.

#alchemy arts inc #tarot #dark wood tarot #sasha graham #abigail larson #tarot study

1 note · View note

slashercult · 6 months

Note

Hello! I hope your day's going well:)

I'm here for the new year game - 🕯️

Prediction for you - " i think you'll get a good grip on tarot cards and may have a good amount of following here on Tumblr"

Something good happened to me - I became somewhat emotionally stable

Not certainly a book passage but a dialogue from fleabag ( i hope that works cause i don't read much books 😶‍🌫️)

"" Fleabag- A 11 year old school boy was sent to juvenile prison for repeatedly sticking the rubber ended pencil into his hamster's arsehole

Boo - Why would he do that ?

Fleabag- he said that he liked when their eyes popped out

Boo - why would they send him away ? He needs help .They shouldn't just send him away.

Flea- HE PENCIL FUCKED A HAMSTER !

Boo- He wasn't really happy . Happy people doesn't do things like that .

Flea- fair point -

Boo- And anyways, that's the very reason they put rubber at the end of pencils .

Flea- what ? To fuck Hamsters?

Boo- No ... Because people make mistakes ""

hii!! i hope your day is going well, thank you for waiting for your reading ik it took some time but good news is i finally did it. i hope that the prediction that you made for me comes true. i also loved the fleabag scene you sent it resonated a lot and im even thinking of watching it soon so thank you! here is your free reading i hope you enjoy!

current energies & what you need to focus on? high priestess (r), ace of wands, death explain the death card? page of wands oracle card the otter and cattail (peace) i feel like you are lowkey going through a glow up, things have gotten a bit better for you; it doesn't seem like a lot right now but compared to you in the past you have really grown and learned from everything. i sense that you could be someone who can focus too much on other people's opinions on them or you may have trust issues from past relationships - too much of focusing on this negativity is not good for you and will lead you nowhere. you are really trying to prioritize self care and focus more on yourself, you're looking for guidance from within to help you along this journey. i feel like you've recently started a new beginning for yourself, a new journey, where you focus on transformation and growth. in the new year you're being told to focus on your passions and realize how much potential you truly have. the death card is probably one of the most interesting cards to get in my opinion and this is actually the first time i've done a reading where someone has gotten the death card! death symbolizes letting go of everything that has been holding us back and starting off new again like a new born baby almost.

you need to let go of your bad habits or even bad people, no matter how small they seem to you, letting go of all of this negativity will allow yourself to grow and transform into a more healthy and balanced person. i shuffled to see what exactly the death card was telling you to let go of and i got page of wands. this basically means that you need to start speaking up for yourself more, express your needs and boundaries to other people. don't let them walk all over you and use you, you are stronger and know better now than to let them have their way. im also seeing that you need to focus on expressing yourself more through art - maybe start doodling, painting, singing, and just letting your inspiration flow through. the new year requires you to find your inner peace, maybe start doing some more meditation, reiki, something that will keep you more balanced from within.

that's all that i got for your reading! im wishing you the best and please do not forget to leave feedback as it really does help me out.

#tarotblr #free readings #ask game #new year ask game #anon

0 notes

grad604anastasiadesreserch · 8 months

Text

50 Words/ Item description

Incense board

I bought this wooden incense board five years ago. This object is very significant to me, as it was the very first object I obtained after discovering my passion for spirituality. The smell of incense gets me into the creative flow, and with the set mood I am able to create.

Candle Holder with Candle

This is a candle holder in the shape of a lotus. I thrifted this a while ago. Just as the incense smell, this object has a rather sensory impact on me. When a candle is lit, I enjoy the mystical atmosphere it creates, which enhances my creativity.

Crystals

These crystals are my favourite among my huge collection. I believe crystals store energy within themselves, and amplify it when the owner interacts with them. My creative practice highly depends on my mood and state of mind, and crystals are a necessity for me to be in my art flow.

Rose Quartz Angel

This angel is made from rose quartz, and was given to me by my friend, who shared an interest towards crystals with me. I like to keep this angel on my table in front of me when I work, and my connection with the metaphysical world inspires me to create.

The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card

I consider my Tarot Cards as one of the most significant practices I have obtained on my spiritual journey. The first card that fell out from my pack was The Wheel of Fortune. The meaning of this card, symbolising fortune and the turn of events, is a theme I like to explore through art.

Singing Bowl

Spirituality is the underlying theme of most of my creations. My singing bowl, a gift from my mother, is an important tool that I use in my practices, connecting me to the spiritual world. The sound of singing bowls helps me relax and brings me joy, allowing ideas to come.

Ring

My favourite ring, that I wear all the time, connects me to my childhood. The emotions and connections that I have experienced as a child play a major role in my art, as I like to explore the subconscious mind and the way events from the past trigger the human psyche.

Brooch

Passion towards art has been passed down through my family for a few generations. My great grandmother gravitated towards design throughout her whole life. After telling me about a few of her experiences, she gave me her brooch. This brooch is symbolic of art being part of my heritage.

Pink Shell

Found in Thailand when I was three, I have kept my tiny pink shell ever since. This was my first trip overseas, and looking at this shell evokes an explorer within myself, and represents the adventurous and risk-taking mindset I have when it comes to my creative practice.

Blue Shell

Another tiny object I appreciate, my blue shell is very unique due to its size and colour. Having a unique feel is something I strive to achieve with what I create for my audience. In addition, this shell acts as a reminder for me that even the smallest things can be significant.

White Pearl

I associate white pearls with innocence, and my white pearl, that I found when I was five, connects me to the innocence I had when I was a child. The playfulness and readiness to learn is something that I would like to always have as a designer.

Pink Pearl

I link the colour pink as a symbol of my love. As a young designer who believes in the powerful energy love has, iit is important to portray this into my art. I create from my heart, and the pearl, being found, is metaphorical of me finding my love for art.

Seashell

As part of my spiritual practices, I often meditate on the beach. A gift I received one day was a seashell, which I added to my collection. I love to explore the shapes and patterns nature can create, and strive to achieve the same harmony in my works.

Pine Cone

My pine cone, which I found in my favourite park, is an object I value for its connection to nature. One of the most significant themes in my art is sacred geometry. The fractal that this pine cone features is a pattern I like to use in my own art.

Compass

My compass is one of my most used tools, and is one of my precious possessions. It originally belonged to my great grandmother, and was passed down to me through a few generations. In addition, the circle is my favourite geometric shape, which is what I create using this tool.

Paint Brush

This is one of my many paint brushes. I like to lose myself while painting, and add more and more layers into my artworks. I also love to decorate my room with paintings that I create, and use them as a way to manifest my dreams, by placing a note behind the canvas with my intentions.

Brush tip pens

Brush tip pens are a new medium for me that I am exploring right now. I love how they blend together and that the colours mix so easily. Lately, I have been learning how to design using different softwares, and it is nice to learn a new medium that is not digital.

Colouring pencil

I am passionate about colour theory and colours in general. This colouring pencil is part of my dream set, a 120 pack from Faber Castell. Looking over the huge amount of coloured pencils inspires and reminds me to draw in my free time, which is something I often struggle with due to many commitments.

Mechanic pencil

I tend to generate my ideas by quickly sketching them out without overthinking them. My mechanical pencil is a tool that allows me to jot down all my thoughts that I can later develop. I really like this particular pencil, as it is very comfortable to hold and draws thin lines well.

Pen

My art is not limited to drawing. Other than drawing outlines with my pen, I also use it to write. Taking notes helps me generate ideas, and writing in journals sets my mind free. I love how the ink runs from this pen, without soaking through the back of the paper.

0 notes

evegoldenwoods · 10 months

Text

My Tarot Card Collection

I've been wanting to write up some notes on all the decks I have for a while. I quite like collecting tarot card decks, and I wanted to make a little catalog of them. Also, I mostly use tarot cards for solo ttrpgs, not for readings, so I thought that would put a fun spin on how I think about them.

I've also included an image of the guidebook used for each. In every case I've tried to use the easiest to access book, so where there's a pamphlet inset with the deck, I've used that as the reference. I'll make note of where this isn't the case.

I’ve recommended a solo rpg to go with each game. Sometimes I’ve chosen ones that are explicitly designed to be played with the tarot, but sometimes I’ll recommend ones that just call for playing cards. You can adapt these to tarot decks by removing the major arcana, and playing cups as hearts, diamonds as wands, clubs as pentacles and spades as swords. If the game also calls for jokers, add a major arcana for every joker required.

1. Thoth tarot deck

Created by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris, art by Frieda Harris

This was my first ever tarot deck, inherited from my step-father when I was a teen. The actual deck is basically unusable these days, because one card got dog bitten, and a couple others have been warped and faded from exposure to sunlight. So they stand out in the deck when drawing. But I have a lot of affection for the cards anyway.

Notes:

- this deck is very easily accessible, but print quality probably varies a good bit. Worth reading reviews and finding a decent printing.

- the suit names for this deck are wands, cups, swords and pentacles.

-this is the biggest deck I own, which means that the art is clear and easy to read and can have lots of interesting details. Conversely, it's hard to lay out big spreads with them.

- the energy of this deck is horny af. It was partially designed by Aleister Crowley, and it shows. This sometimes feels exciting and rebellious, and sometimes feels like a slightly lecherous older man standing by your shoulder and leering.

- the art is absolutely gorgeous. It's always exciting to look at and the characters are full of personality, especially the court cards.

- the guidebook is tarot: mirror of the soul, which was written for this deck specifically, but doesn't necessarily come with it, you might have to buy it separately. It's good long explanations of the symbols as well as questions to prompt reflection.

- the cards have a lot of explicit symbolism in them, which can be a handy set of references for solo rpgs, and they're at like, a oblique angle to the regular raider-waite deck, so they can make for a fun shake up if you use that one a lot.

- I don't think you can really talk about this deck without talking about Crowley, since he was such a wanker, but at least half the deck is Frieda Harris's creation, and while I don't think I have much evidence to assert that she was a better person than him, I think she at least contributed enough to make the deck interesting

In terms of using this deck for solo rpgs, I think it best suits ones that are either a bit darker and edgier, or very mystical. I'd think a game like Anamnesis (by Samantha Leigh/Blinking Birch Games, found here: https://blinkingbirchgames.itch.io/anamnesis) pairs really well with this deck, since the thoth tarot gives you both characters and symbols to help elaborate on your answers to the questions.

2. Little Monsters Tarot

Book by Olivia Ephraim Pepper, art by Peony Coin Archer

I got this deck in a kickstarter, and it was the start of me planning to collect tarot cards more seriously.

Notes:

- these cards are very small and neat. Easy to shuffle and to lay out, and they have nice rounded edges. A good travel deck.

- The suit names for this deck are wands, cups, coins and arrows

- the art for this deck is subtle and elusive. Because it's black and white, and because it's in many ways quite simple, without a lot of additional symbolism, the meaning can feel a bit loose. It's also got a very gentle feel, like each card is a little woodland creature peeking out from under a bush at you.

- by contrast the guidebook is ferocious and cutting. It doesn't hold back at all, and gives very challenging paragraphs that really push you. It's probably the book that feels most like talking to a really good therapist, one who forces you to interrogate your perceptions and challenge your assumptions. (I mean all of this in a deeply complimentary way, to be clear. I think this book is by far the most incisive and insightful of any of the ones I own, although sometimes it can also feel very dictated, like it doesn’t leave quite as much room for your own interpretation)

- There's some slight smudging on my copy of these cards, and compared to some of the other decks I own I think the quality of the print is a little lower, but it's never affected my engagement with the cards.

If I were ever inclined to do a reading, I think this is the deck I'd turn to, and I think it's similarly useful for solo rpgs with a more autobiographical bent, the ones that are also tools for self reflection rather than fiction writing. For this deck, I recommend trying something like Galatea by S. Kaiya J. (here: https://mirror-lock.itch.io/galatea)

3. Star Spinner Tarot

Art, design and writing by Trungles

I've been a fan of Trungles artwork for ages, but it was when I read about the gimmick of this deck that I knew I had to add it to my collection. Gimmick is probably the wrong word, it sounds cheap, and I think the choice made here is the opposite of that, a beautiful enrichment of the tarot.

Notes:

- The box this comes in is sleek and neat, but sturdy. The cards are a little bigger than regular playing cards, and they shuffle easily and smoothly.

- the suit names for this deck are wands, chalices, coins and swords.

- The art for these cards is lovely, with soft lines, lots of curves, and a pleasing restricted palette. All of it fits with how gentle these cards are. There's lots of inspiration from classic folklore artists like Ivan Bilibin or Edmund Dulac, and also from classical paintings. The devil on the devil card is reminiscent of Michelangelo's interpretation in all the best ways.

- this is a very soft and gentle deck, and also a very queer deck, but without ever falling into cute simplicity. It has moments of yearning, and sorrow, and blatant desire, but it's always very tender.

- the guidebook gives simple and direct summaries of the cards' meanings, without delving too much into the art or other notes behind them. It's very straightforward advice.

- So, the special thing about this deck is that it has four copies of the lovers. A pair with a man and a woman, a pair with two women, a pair with two men, and a pair that stand apart, representing asexual or platonic love. you can shuffle all four in, or choose whichever one suits the querent best. All the poses are different, but all of them are gorgeous.

- I do think some of the suits in this deck were given more love than others. The chalices, in particular, use the cards to retell the little mermaid, which is such a brilliant choice, none of the others really live up it. Wands uses fairy imagery, coins has rabbits, and swords is based on the traditional raider waite imagery. I would have loved to see the other suits get the same treatment as chalices, but alas.

I think this deck plays perfectly off solo rpgs that sit in that folklore/fairytale/romance space, especially ones that are cute and cosy. Though in general any game you play with these will be softened by their gentle character, so you can always use it to tone down a game that you're worried will get too dark. I'd recommend trying this deck with a game like The Tea Shelf, by K-Ramstack (found here: https://k-ramstack.itch.io/the-tea-shelf)

4. Crow Tarot

Art, design and writing by MJ Cullinane

This deck was recommended to me by a coworker at an old job. Of all the decks I own, it's the one that's clicked with me the least, but it's hard to pin down why. I don't think it's a poorly designed deck by any means, it just doesn't quite resonate the way others do.

Notes:

- the print quality is very high. The cards come in a nice solid box, and they're beautifully slippy and easy to shuffle. They glide through your hands.

- the four suits are cups, wands, swords and pentacles

- The art has an odd quality. Looking at it in 2023, it has an effect that reminds me strangly of large model generated art artifacts, though this deck was handpainted long before "AI" became a thing. The colour palette is strong and consistent, and the cards have a nice aged effect on them. I think the composition of the cards is less strong than other decks I own, though

- I think I find the crows a bit visually impenetrable. They're posed doing all kinds of things, but they're always animals, and there's something kind of distancing about that. The deck is designed to reflect the playfulness and mystery of crows, but it ends up feeling kind of mushy to me, like I can't properly grasp what it's trying to say.

- the guidebook pictured is the inset one that comes with the box, and I do like the way it's written. It starts with keywords and an interpretation of the card visuals, then moves on to advice/direction. There's also a separate printed book that contains much more information, and honestly you could almost use that in place of the deck, because it's where the things I find interesting about the work are most obvious. You could play by flipping through it to random pages and get a pretty good result.

As I said, this is a deck I don't really vibe with, but if you were going to use it for solo rpgs, I'd recommend it for fiction about quests or journeys, something high fantasy that's situated in nature and takes you on a trip through a world. Maybe it would work well for The Lonesome Cartographer, by Wren the Forrester (found here: https://wren-the-forrester.itch.io/the-lonesome-cartographer).

5. Botanical Tarot

Art, Writing and Design by Kevin Jay Stanton

This is another kickstarter deck, which I felt immediately charmed by when I saw how different it was to anything else I owned. Physically, I only backed the simple version of the deck, with a small inset booklet, but I also got access to the digital version of the larger and longer compendium, which I think I would recommend picking up.

Notes:

- These cards are shorter than the crow or starspinner tarots, but wider, more square in shape. They feel very smooth and soft, and they’re a bit thicker than the previous two, which makes them slightly harder to shuffle. That said, they still slip through the fingers quickly and easily. They have gilt edging, which has started to fade slightly at the corners after a year or two of use, but is mostly still holding strong.

- the suits are cups, swords, coins and wands

- The art for these cards is so striking and interesting. Each card has a plant, a detailed and vivid drawing of which is the core image of the card, set against a black background. The suits have images of their namesakes from history, so coins have old coins on them, swords have old swords, etc. The court cards all have different historical crowns. It’s all extremely beautiful to look at.

- Kind of like the crow tarot, the art is such a wide swing that it can be hard to interpret when you’re looking at the card alone, but I mind it less here because the images are so beautiful. I feel like they draw you in with a mystery that’s answered by looking up the booklet. And then that pushes you on to think more deeply about the drawings.

- There’s almost no text on the cards, just a number and a tiny drawing of the suit, or a letter and a tiny drawing for the court cards. And then for the major arcana, each one has its own unique symbol. Some are guessable, like the inverted pentagram for the devil, but others you’ll have to flip through the booklet to find unless you use the deck super regularly.

- the guidebook is simple and straightforward, a useful reference when you’re in the middle of a reading, though it’s quite small and dense, so sometimes the text can be hard to read. And it’s printed on very thin, flimsy paper, so you have to be careful with it. Again, I do recommend getting at least a digital copy of the compendium, because that has a lot more info that really helps to clarify the cards.

I think this is a great deck for games that have a deep historical touch, or that invoke a kind of ritual atmosphere, and obviously it’s great for anything that has plants in it, but I also think you can use it more generally to inflect games with a tone of solemnity and strangeness. I think this would play great against I shall not spare myself this journey, by Cave of Monsters Games (found here: https://cave-of-monsters-games.itch.io/i-shall-not) or NeoCrystal Elegy by A Yolland (found here: https://ayolland.itch.io/neocrystal-elegy)

6. Corrupted Tarot

Created by Wyrmwood, this deck features art from over 70 people

This is… another crowdfunded deck. Damn Eve, you buy a lot of these… And this is another one where I thought the core concept was really strong and unique, so I went for it.

Notes:

- This deck is medium sized, about the same as the Starspinner Tarot, and the cards feel very soft to the touch. They shuffle relatively well, although they sometimes stick together slightly. They have nice silver gilt on the edges. For art reasons, I really wish this deck was bigger, but I’ll get to that in a sec. Of all my decks, I think this one makes the most pleasing sound when shuffled, a whooshing noise that’s very attractive.

- The suits are swords, cups, pentacles and wands

- Because this deck has so many artists, the art is relatively inconsistent. I think it does an okay job of using the dark backgrounds to pull it all together, but compared to the single author decks, it’s undeniably fragmented. Whether this is a negative or not will depend on your own preferences. There are a few cards I don’t love, but overall the energy of it really works for me.

- The concept of this deck is that the art depicts the reversed meanings rather than the upright ones. The cards are all meant to have dark, tragic, spooky and sinister energy. I think that it generally does a really good and fun job of this, without straying into depictions of evil/villainy that rely on tired tropes.

- In spite of that premise, this deck feels very empowering and energetic. It has a lot to say about facing down your own demons, picking yourself up and starting over. And also about embracing the dark and powerful sides of yourself.

- The inset guidebook is actually excellent, it tells you who every artist is, gives links to their socials (maybe not as useful if twitter fully goes down, lol, but I hugely appreciate the effort) and talks about how and why they chose the images they did, on top of what the card means. It’s so efficient in such a small amount of space.

- It’s honestly funny to compare this to the little monsters tarot, which has such lovely and delicate art but genuinely bites a lot harder when it describes some of the cards, versus this one which is so theoretically spooky but actually quite friendly and kind

Like, obviously this deck works amazingly for any kind of rpg with soulslike energy, both because it has the dark exterior and because the actual message is about keeping going in the face of adversity. But in general I think you can use this deck wherever you want to ratchet up tension and add a spooky undercurrent to the story you’re telling. I’d recommend trying it with Where Crimson Flowers Bloom by Mitchell Daily (found here: https://mitchelldaily.itch.io/crimsonflowers)

7. Literary Tarot

My most recent deck, at least for now. This was part of a big charity project run by a non profit called the Brink Literary Foundation, and I was curious enough about the concept and the images to back it.

Published by the Brink Literary Project

Notes:

- The concept of this deck is that each card has been paired with a novel. They got a lot of famous writers to contribute cards, which as a gimmick is a bit tiresome, but I don’t think it ends up taking too much away from the deck. And some of the choices are genuinely interesting.

- These cards are a bit bigger than the Corrupted Tarot, and a bit thicker, though not as thick as the Botanical Tarot. For some reason, they’re by far the hardest of my decks to shuffle, very sticky and heavy in the hand. That can be a bit annoying, and it means you have to shimmy back and forth to get them all in place, which is causing the gilt edges to wear off faster than it has on other decks.

- The suits for this are very gimmicky, they’re quills (swords), ink (wands), light (cups) and parchment (coins). My problem with this is the same as for the Botanical Tarot, which is that using shorthands or alternate names means you have to double check everything unless you use them super consistently.

- This is like the Corrupted Tarot, where the art is done by multiple people, but this one had a more assertive art director, and so all the cards have a consistent colour palette, and the artists styles are within a similar range, so the deck looks very unified.

- Some of the card choices are a little weird, and some I like better than others. The most striking one was the Cold Equations as the reference for Temperance. I think that really shifts the meaning of the card from being about healing and serene balance to being a kind of merciless rational calculation. Which is certainly a new take, so I’m not complaining.

- Like some of the other decks, this has two guidebooks, a little inset one and a bigger extra book that you can buy separately. In this case, I don’t think you need to rush out and buy the bigger book. It’s a nice treat, with stories about how the cards ended up being assigned to stories, and there are some cool extras that show the process of designing the art for the different cards, but you’ll do just fine with the simple guidebook imo.

Because this deck uses stories for each card, I think it’s great for games where you’re developing a story. If you’re using a solo rpg to design something for a bigger group game, or to explore characters that you want to write about in a novel/short story/whatever, then having this deck can give you a cool range of literary references to think about and try out. I’d recommend trying this deck with a solo rpg like The Last Noita by Yuri Runnel (found here: https://yurir.itch.io/the-last-noita) or Little Shepherd, Little Spy by PsychHound (found here: https://psychhound.itch.io/little-shepherd-little-spy )

This ended up being so much longer than I expected! If you made it this far, thank you for reading the whole thing <3

#tarot #tarot deck reviews #ttrpg #indie ttrpg #solo rpg #this took so long #but it was fun!#I'm not tagging the decks/games individually it would take way too long sorry

1 note · View note