on stepping into a wonderland

Well, it has certainly been awhile since I've posted here.  I've taken an extended break from tarot but am hoping to get back into things.  What I've found interesting in having time away is how good it is to return with fresh eyes.  I had been working with tarot for about 12 years and on reflection I think I'd burnt out.  I needed to have some time away to think of other things.  I've just finished working on a very practical project for the last six months, far different to the world of tarot.  Before I took a break I was very muddled in my thinking, rushing this way and that, working with one system after another and never really settling on anything.  Collecting decks seemed to have taken over from actually using them.

On my return the deck I have most enjoyed is the Nigel Jackon Medieval Enchantment.  I've always loved this deck but now it seems like it's the perfect match for my 'tarot worldview'.  I'm hoping to use this deck to explore some of my ideas and post my thoughts here as I go.

I drew the Eight of Cups this morning and I absolutely love the image.  It definitely has that sense of starting off on a journey, to somewhere new and different to what I'm used to.  This card reflects how I feel about the deck as a whole actually, it's like stepping into a magical wonderland and relishing the thought of getting lost in it.  Time to start exploring!

on art and tarot

Our ongoing renovation has got me thinking about how I'm going to decorate the interior once building has finished.  I've got lots of ideas for artwork but am thinking of using some tarot images to create a montage in one of my rooms.  I'm keen to do something a bit different.  Anyway, here are some of the images I'm considering using at this stage.

 Cards from the Etteilla deck

 Sun and Two of Wands from Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights

Visconti World and Hermit from Tarot de Paris

8 Wands and Hermit from Ancestral Path

 Princess Cups from Ancestral Path, 2 Spears from Arthurian

 Moon from Dotti, Hermit from the Haindl

 2 Disks and Moon from Hermetic

 Moon from Roots of Asia, Hermit from Ancient Lombardy

 Star from Magical Forest, Moon from Australian Animals

 Queen of Pumpkins (Disks) from halloween, Moon from Medieval Scapini

 

 Queen of Batons and The Star from Ancient Italian

Hermit from Cosmic, 10 Swords from Wheel of Change

 Hermit and Tower from Crystal

 Moon and Queen of Disks from Vacchetta

Hermit from Paulina, Queen Disks from Thoth

I think the process of putting together your favourite artwork across a large selection of tarot decks is very helpful.  It is particularly interesting to notice many of the same cards coming up and I see that I have lots of Hermits and quite a few Queen of Disks.  The Moon and Star seem to feature as well.  Now I just need to work out exactly what I'm going to do with all these gorgeous images.

on feng shui and tarot

Just over a week ago we began significant renovations to our existing home.  We have decided to remain living in the house while the builders are working.  The front three rooms of our home have been sealed off from the back, which has subsequently been demolished.  What has been interesting, at least to me, is that as the rear of the house has been pulled down my health has deteriorated and I've had in the course of the last ten days tonsillitis, flu like symptoms, laryngitis, general head cold symptoms, a night of vomiting and now what seems to be a chest infection. It has dawned on me that having the energy field of my home dismantled has understandably taken it's toll on my physical energy.  Remarkably, today the actual building has begun and I can slowly feel my energy returning.

While I've never been a die-hard believer in all the intricacies of the art of Feng Shui, I am a firm believer in the principles behind it.  While I think many of the superstitions and also some of the flying stars and numerology type elements are not so relevant to us today, especially here in the Southern Hemisphere, I do think that it is critical to take care of the energy of our home in order to ensure our life flows smoothly.

Anyway, all this has inspired me to drag out my Feng Shui Tarot set.  This is a deck I really wanted to work with seriously but have found to be almost impossible to work with.  Some of the decisions regarding elemental attributions don't really fit with my own understanding and to be honest, I just don't think Feng Shui and Tarot really fit that well together.

Despite that, it is a beautiful deck from an art perspective.  As more time passes I find that it is the art of tarot that I am drawn to more than anything.  I thought I might share some of the images with you here.

I must add that this deck is definitely readable and when you combine that with the artwork then I believe it's a deck worth having.  However, if you want to use it and keep all the meanings exactly the same as the Rider Waite Smith format then you may be disappointed.  I think it's worth having for Strength, Temperance and The Moon alone.

on watching 'Tarot M' unfold

Some time ago I posted about a new deck created by M. M. Meleen called the Rosetta Tarot.  You can see the post here and read my full review at Aeclectic Tarot here.  Since writing in December this deck has taken out number one spot on the Aeclectic Tarot 'Most Popular Deck Published in 2011' poll.  Congratulations for this well deserved accolade must go to the creator.  Below I've included two of my favourite cards from the Rosetta Tarot.

The great news is that a new deck is currently underway and what I have seen so far is very exciting.  You can follow Ms Meleen's progress at the Rosetta Tarot website.  She also has a blog where you can follow the progress of the deck and see images as they are created.  There are also discussions of how the art is created.

I'm looking forward to the unique opportunity to follow this deck as it unfolds. I'm loving what I have seen so far, especially the Fool and Priestess as above.

on food and tarot

I have to be honest and say that I'm spending a lot less time with tarot these days than I used to as I've been somewhat preoccupied with other things.  I have rekindled an old passion for cooking which has come as rather a surprise to me.  I thought about starting a family cookbook but my daughter encouraged me to start a food blog instead.  The result is called tao belly for those of you who may be interested.

Inspired by food I thought I'd take a look at food imagery in tarot.  So far I've come up with the following but I may add to it as I find more.

The Seven of Disks from the Ancestral Path Tarot was the first to come to mind.  I love this card and the imagery really does inspire one to cook using wonderful fresh produce.

The Wheel of Change Tarot, which unfortunately I don't own a copy of has similar imagery on its Seven of Disks as well.

I'm definitely not a 'baker' as such but the Magician from the Vanessa Tarot is rather cute.

The Seven of Cups from the Chinese Tarot is another one I like.  Just imagining all the wonderful types of food possibilities starts to make your mouth water.

 

The Nine of Cups from the Druidcraft Tarot shows a man sitting down to a feast of salmon, alone it would seem, or perhaps he is waiting for his guests to arrive.  Let's hope the fish doesn't get cold.

The Wheel of Change Princess of Disks is a reminder of where our food comes from.

The Herbal Tarot shows herbs on all its cards.  Here the Eight of Pentacles shows ginger, a favourite of mine.