Shuffle | Corrine Kenner's Tarot Blog

1023

The International Language of Tarot [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whbYmurQdHM] Thanks, Andalusia, for pointing out this Phillipines' TV report on tarot cards. The report seems to focus on a horror movie called "Tarot" -- which I need to investigate. Most of it's in a language I don't recognize -- but there are plenty snippets in English. Even if there weren't any English, though, the visuals alone would tell the whole story. I have to say that the clip of a guy reading Mystic Faerie tarot cards -- in his underwear, on his bed -- made me laugh out loud. He's almost TOO authentic!

Contest: Win an uncut sheet of Fairy Tale Tarot artwork!

This is from Lisa Hunt, creator of the enchanting Fairy Tale Tarot:

Llewellyn is generously giving away 9 uncut press sheets suitable for framing. Having personally signed these beauties, I can attest to the outstanding reproductive quality of these unique “galleries” showcasing The Fairy Tale Tarot artwork. I am happily the owner of one of these sheets and recently had it framed to hang in my home. What can I say? They’re really cool and collectible!

You can find full details here: Dynamic Dreamer ~ Art Weaver » I love contests~here’s a unique one from Llewellyn

The Rabbit Tarot- Giveaway

This deck looks adorable – and the artist is having a giveaway!

Nakisha is Blue Dog Rose: The Rabbit Tarot- Giveaway

Freudian Slips

My daughter Kate is studying psychology this semester, so she asked me to help her create a three-card tarot spread based on Freud's model of the psyche. I probed deep into my unconscious mind -- and my repressed memories of Psych 101 -- for this therapeutic analysis:

Notice how the Ego provides a balance between the Id's basic drives and the Superego's dreams. During a reading, I'd probably talk about the Id card first, then the Superego, and then focus most of my attention on the realities of that middle card. Now who wants a cigar?

Running the Numbers

As the Wizards Tarot nears completion, all the finishing touches are on my mind a lot. I must have been thinking about the cards in my sleep last night, because I woke up with a strange thought: What if we left the numbers off the Major Arcana cards? In most decks, the cards do have numbers, of course. Off the top of my head, in fact, I can't think of any decks that don't have numbers on the Major Arcana cards -- and eliminating them would be a major break with tradition. But would that be a bad thing? I'm not so sure. In theory, the numbers delineate the order of the cards, in keeping with their place on the kabalistic tree of life and other mystic systems. There's a problem, though, when tarot readers disagree with the placement of those cards -- and it's Strength and Justice that typically engender the most disagreement. Some people say Strength should be 8, and Justice 11 -- while others say just the opposite. In fact, having the 8 and 11 cards in the "wrong" place will make some tarot readers abandon hope of ever using some decks. Historically, tarot experts have also disagreed about the placement of the Fool. Some say the card belongs at the front of the deck, while others say it belongs at the end, between Judgment and the World. I've been thinking about it for all of 45 minutes now, and you know what? I'm starting to really like the idea of leaving the numbers off the Major Arcana cards. I think it would help people focus on the imagery, for one thing -- which is where it really belongs during a reading. It would also make everyone in the Strength/Justice debate very, very happy -- and I'm all about keeping those two factions quiet and calm. (In fact, I was actually thinking about asking Llewellyn to print two versions of the Strength and Justice cards -- but skipping the numbers altogether would probably be less confusing!) I don't think a lack of numbers on the cards would be a burden to anyone who relies on the numbers, either. After all, by the time you start integrating the Majors' numeric value in your readings, you've probably got the numbers memorized. The cards would still have titles, of course, and they'd appear sequentially in the guidebook that will come with every deck. (If you're wondering, the Fool will be first, Strength will be 8, and Justice, 11.) The only real problem that might result from number-free cards would be a practical one: it would be harder for most people to put their cards back in order after a reading, if they wanted to put their decks back in "like new" condition. I like to do that, sometimes, because I think it helps clear the cards after they've been used for a while. What would you think of a tarot deck that left the numbers off the Majors? Would you feel confused, or liberated? You can share your thoughts in the comments section.

A Sneak Preview of The Wizards Tarot Minor Arcana

Illustrator John Blumen has finished all the Minor Arcana cards for the Wizards Tarot. I saw them for the first time about two hours ago -- and they're amazing! Here's a sneak preview of four of the cards: the Four of Wands, Five of Cups, Seven of Swords, and Two of Pentacles. You might remember from my earlier posts that this deck is based on a fictional school of magic, in which the Major Arcana cards depict teachers, and the Minor Arcana cards show students. (You can see a sideshow of the Majors over at wizardstarot.com.) The Majors are based on myth and legend, while the Minors are based on traditional Rider-Waite-Smith imagery with a magical twist. Each suit represents a different form of elemental magic -- fire, water, air, and earth -- and the Minor Arcana cards show students practicing their lessons through the course of the four seasons. I designed the cards, but John has definitely gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined in my written descriptions. I almost feel intimidated! I hope I can do them justice in the guidebook. The book is going to be pretty neat, though. The Major Arcana section, which focuses on the professors, will include magic lessons that correspond to each card. The Star card, for example, depicts the professor of astrology, so I'm writing brief course on basic astrology. Meanwhile, the Minor Arcana portion of the book will read like a grimoire of magic spells, which also correspond to the imagery and the significance each card. I could ramble on ... but I shouldn't, because now that I have all of the cards in my hot little hands, I have to finish the book! While I work, feel free to leave admiring remarks for John in the comments section.

The Fairy Tale Tarot

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovU-eWwneLg]

Today is Lisa Hunt's birthday, but she's given the rest of us a gift! Check out her latest work, the Fairy Tale Tarot.

Kate Mosse

Here's an interesting two-minute video of Kate Mosse, the author of Sepulchre, as she describes her fascination with tarot cards:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCGY9jiq1U0]

Stock Photography

I get most of my clip art from iStockphoto.com. I paw through their dollar bin as much as I can, but even their regular-priced images are usually less than $5 or $10. That's such a bargain! Unfortunately, their photos of tarot readers are just a little too goofy for actual use. In fact, one of them is called "funny fortune teller." What do you think when you see photos like these?

To be fair, iStockphoto does offer one tarot reader who looks normal. Maybe someday I'll be able to use this photo:

PS: Which decks do you think the three readers are holding? It's kind of a guessing game, but I'll leave my answer in the comments.

A First Look at the Wizards Tarot Deck

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM4yeUGUWg8&w=600&h=478&fmt=18] Here's an early look at the Wizards Tarot deck that John Blumen and I have been working on for the last two years. Isn't he the most amazing artist? The Major Arcana cards all depict the professors at a school of magic. The Minor Arcana cards show the students, crafting charms, spells, and magic potions. The Court Cards portray their magical assistants, guides, and protectors—the elemental creatures who rule the four worlds of fire, water, air, and earth. The deck is scheduled for release next fall, but the Tarot Garden is already taking pre-orders. Email info@tarotgarden.com if you'd like to get on the waiting list for copies as soon as they're available.