The Tarot Channel

Assumptions

All too many Tarot decks released over the last twenty years are derivative — imitations of imitations of imitations. 

It’s easy to lay this at the feet of lazy writers, designers, and artists. But this state of affairs also reflects a simple market reality: decks that stray too far from the look and structure of the Waite/Smith Tarot never sell as well as those who stick to the tried and true.

There’s precious little money in Tarot deck publishing to begin with. Cash-strapped publishers know a deck featuring cute characters in Waite/Smith poses will generate a lot more income than a deck that transcends (or defies) tradition. 

My personal tastes run in another direction: I love books and decks that question assumptions and turn some aspect of Tarot on its head. 

Fluffy Bunny

"The idea of tarot-as-language is perhaps one of the cornier metaphors around, the kind of thing you might find in the 'fluffy bunny' tomes that drive most of the tarotists I know bananas." -- Elizabeth Genco, from the article Tarot Vocab in Llewellyn's 2008 Tarot Reader

When referencing certain Tarot books or decks, you've likely heard the term "fluffy bunny".

What characterizes a "fluffy bunny" book or deck, in your estimation? What is the opposite of "fluffy bunny"?

Tarot Channel readers, weigh in! I'd love to hear your thoughts on (and examples of) the enigmatic fluffy bunny...

-- Janet Boyer

Making Funny With Tarot

Laughter is good for the soul, so it's time to give it up, Tarot Channel readers!

Patricia (aka Roswila) requested we make a post asking for humorous experiences with Tarot card meanings or readings (and I trust she'll make a contribution!) *wink*

So how 'bout it? Have a funny story to share about a reading faux pas...a misinterpretation...a mistaken assumption about a card...a crazy request from a client? Do tell!

-- Janet

Your Two Cents' Worth: Upgrading the Courts

Do the court cards need updating? If not, why not? If so ... how would you update them? Express yourself in the comments by Friday, August 3rd, and you'll be entered in a random drawing for our reviewer's copy of the new Necronomicon Tarot! (When leaving a comment, be sure to enter a working email address in the form -- otherwise, we won't be able to contact you!) The winner will be announced Saturday, August 4th!

Ah, the court cards.

Traditionalists delight in them, arguing that the court cards are tried and true. Some see them as fantasy figures, embodying qualities Westerners first encounter in childhood fairy tales: stern Kings, empathetic Queens, bold Knights, eager Pages. Others claim that royal titles help clients and readers alike adopt a more playful, childlike state of mind.

Revisionists like the idea of court cards, but yearn for a way to improve the court's ability to reflect contemporary roles.

- Shirley Gotthold's Transformational Tarot expands the courts to include the (awkwardly named) Teacher/Student, the Reformer, the Oracle, and the Sage.

- Joseph Earnest Martin's Quest Tarot strikes a more deliberate gender balance with its Father, Mother, Son, and Daughter.

- Catherine Cook and Dwariko von Sommaruga's Songs for the Journey Home abandons gender-based assumptions entirely, substituting functions: Innocence, Awakening, Creating, and Resolving.

- My own Bright Idea Deck associates the courts with four different problem-solving approaches: learning, doing, feeling, and controlling.

So ... how about it? Do you prefer traditional courts? (If so, why?) Do you know of a deck that has a clever way of redefining and revitalizing the court cards? Do you have a personal method for interpreting traditional courts that you feel inclined to share?

Tell us about it in the comments ... and you'll automagically be entered in a drawing for a new copy of Llewellyn's "just in time for Halloween" Necronomicon Tarot!

I Don't Believe In "It"

Have you ever encountered an amazing artist and thought "Wow! Can you imagine what a Tarot deck by [him/her] would look like?! I want! I want!"

Well, this happened to me over the weekend. I was at a local juried Arts and Heritage Festival and came across the utterly gorgeous watercolors of artist James Browne who, incidentally, lives in the same town where I went to college!

So anyway, I purchased The Lost Button and The Lost Linden, and Mr. Browne was kind enough to offer to sign them for me. Of course, I just had to ask, "Have you ever considered doing a Tarot deck?"

Sacred Contracts and the Arcanas

A term first coined by Caroline Myss, Sacred Contracts are the pre-incarnation agreements we make with the individuals who weave in and out of our earthly lives--including the archetypal roles adopted to fulfill these contracts. For example, Damsel often teams up with a Knight or Rescuer, while a Child may look for a Mother/Father.

The books Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls, both by Dr. Michael Newton, catalogues dozens of "between life" case studies generated from hypnotherapy regressions. Courageous Souls by Robert Schwartz describes the participation of souls in the designing of intricate plot lines that will eventually play out in our earth-bound existence.

These theories are extraordinary in that humans are no longer portrayed as puppets tossed to and fro by the whims of the gods--and neither are they objects of divine punishment or reward. If true, this would also mean that there is no such thing as a "victim", for to be a victim means something happens to you without your consent.

Mystic Faerie Tarot: An Appreciation

Have you met my new friends?

Well, if you haven't yet made the acquaintance of British artist Linda Ravenscroft's Mystic Faerie Tarot, you have a treat ahead of you.  And a lively one, too, let me tell you!

In Smith's Own Handwriting, a Reference to the Waite-Smith Tarot

Editor's Note: I've seen many references to a letter in which Pamela Colman Smith describes her work on the Waite-Smith Tarot ("I have just finished a big job for very little cash!"). This is the first time, though, that I've actually seen the letter itself. The photo -- and the rest of this post -- comes to us courtesy of Riccardo Minnetti at Lo Scarabeo. Thanks, Riccardo, for making this touching piece of Tarot history available to us and our readers.

This letter is the first historical reference to the Waite-Smith deck. (You can see a larger version by clicking the image included below.)

While this letter is an important document regarding the history of the early editions of the Waite-Smith, I just simply wanted to say that reading it has strangely moved me. Maybe it’s the way it’s written, so simple and sad, and childlike in the way only adults can be.

Pixie’s life is just another sad story of this world. Even so, it is part of the history of Tarot, and we should remember it. It is possible that Pamela Colman Smith's little, humble, art has changed our own history, and I think she deserved to be remembered as a person, not just as a "maker." When I found the letter, I appreciated the small window it opened into her life, her concerns, her way of writing.

Dear Mr Steiglitz

I wonder where you are!! I want Some money for Christmas !
I wonder if you got mrs Busches money for the “moon”?
Can you send it to me?
I have 8 or 9 new things. I am sending over next week. You will like them I think.
Perhaps a few people may care for one or two.
They are careful and nice color. And larger than any except the Wave one.
I hope you are doing well. And the little Galleries are still there!
I have just finished a big job for very little cash! A set of design for a pack of Tarot cards. 80 designs.
I shall send some over of the original drawings as some people may like them! I will send you a pack (printed in color by lithography) – (possibly very badly) as soon as they are ready – in Dec 1 I think.
With good wishes to you and mrs Steglitz and the ????? all of it.
From yours sincerely,
Pamela Colman Smith

-- Riccardo Minnetti

Giclee Prints By Baba Studio

Recently I purchased The Tarot Reader print online from baba studio and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am with it! The vibrant, saturated quality of the giclee prints are outstanding--truly a work of art. In addition to The Tarot Reader, an image from baba studio's Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot (2nd Edition), I also received The Hermit--my favorite card in the Tarot.

I swear, it's as if I could actually reach out and feel the burgundy satin on The Tarot Reader's cowl and the plush purple velvet of The Hermit's robe! While The Tarot Reader isn't a limited edition, most of their other prints--including The Hermit--are limited to 150.

For authentication, all prints are signed and numbered by Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov--the geniuses behind baba studio/Magic Realist Press in Prague. For those of you unfamiliar with Alex and Karen, they are the artists, designers and authors of beloved Tarot decks like The Fairytale Tarot, The Tarot of Prague, The Victorian Romantic Tarot, and The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot.

Each print is made individually according to giclee standards with archival inks on thick, high quality Archival Matte Paper. The size of the prints are around 9 x 6 inches and although I couldn't find any suitable frames for a "perfect" fit, I found that 8 x 10 frames can work beautifully with some kind of paper behind the print (white worked great for my purposes, complementing the white outer border).

Other Tarot card prints from several of their decks include The High Priestess, The Star, Justice, Temperance, The Hanged Cat and many more. In addition to their high-quality giclee prints, baba studio also sells Tarot bags, cushions, bucket bags and other distinctive items--many Tarot related.

-- Janet Boyer

Tarot Update: A Trip to New Orleans

While in New Orleans this past weekend -- my first post-Katrina visit -- I made a beeline for Jackson Square.

In its heyday, Jackson Square played host to dozens of competing street readers. (My personal favorite, Professor Purple, lost everything in the hurricane and moved to St. Louis.) On Saturday -- a glorious day, with bright, clear skies and cool breezes -- there were only four of five readers lined up in the shadow of St. Louis Cathedral. Only one was giving a reading; the other four were sitting there, their well-worn deck weighed down by stones and crystals, watching the meager crowd passing by.