Non-Tarot Oracles

I enjoy working with non-Tarot based oracle decks on occasion. Sometime I add them to a Tarot reading, sometimes I read with them alone and sometimes I draw a card in the morning just to see what wisdom I need to take into my day. The following are a few non-oracle decks that I find interesting:

AngeLynx Divination Deck (John Sacelli, Chris Deschaine) – This deck is a 52 card deck from John Sacelli – shaman, astrologer and spiritual counselor. The cards correspond to 52 Strengths. To work with this deck, you need to open your mind, and your heart, and see the English language in a different light.

Book of Doors Divination Deck (Athon Veggi, Alison Davidson) – This 65 card oracle deck is based on the symbols and deities of ancient Egypt. The two occult keys that the deck is based on are the alchemical text known as the “Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus”, and the numerical system of Pythagorus.

Celebration of Love Oracle Cards (Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan) – This is a very gentle 60 card deck that focuses on celebrating the world through love. The imagery used is that of angels, dolphins, fairies and the fantasy realm in general. For me, this is a “feel good” deck.

Crystal Ally Cards (Naisha Ahsian) – This deck is based on the healing power of crystals and gems, with a focus on healing.

Egyptian Pyramid Oracle (Verona McColl) – This is a 25 card deck based on Egyptian mythology. The cards are broken down into five houses (Power, Temptation, Inspiration, Wisdom and Change), with five cards each.

Goddess Inspiration Oracle (Kris Waldherr) – This is an 80 card deck based on Goddesses from diverse cultures. I love the artwork here, and the range of Goddess energy, including Athena, Isis, Venus, Baba Yaga and Abeona. All that Goddess can and does do is reflected in this deck.

Healing With The Angels Oracle (Doreen Virtue) – This is a 44 card deck, representing a trait, or action, such as Listening, Forgiveness and Spiritual Growth.

Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards (Chief Lame Deer, Archie Fire) – I have had these cards forever! This is a 50 card deck, with a focus on self-discovery, rather than divination. The deck is based on personal sweat lodge experiences, and is used for healing and protection.

Medicine Cards (David Carson, Jamie Sams) – This is a 53 card deck, based on animal energy as reflected in the Native American culture. Each animal is seen against the background of a Dream Catcher. The cards are based on Native American teachings from the Lakota, Aztec, Cheyenne, Choctaw, Cherokee and other tribes.

Secret Dakini Oracle (Nick Douglas, Penny Slinger) – This is a 64 card deck that acts as  a tantric oracle, with collage artwork and Hindu references.  It is based on the 64 Dakinis of the Ranipur Jharial Temple in Orisa, India honoring intuitive wisdom.

I have found that most non-Tarot oracles have a sense of reason, or a way of being on their own. There is a structure, and the wisdom comes through the structure. My thought is that if an oracle appeals to you, that you will be able to work with it. If the oracle does not appeal to you, then you need to let it go. Empowerment is where you look for it.

© September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

NuLife Radio

I had the good fortune to be in the chat room for the premier episode of NuLife Radio (Dax Carlisle and Mark Reed, co-hosts). The featured guest was my good friend Anna Burroughs Cook, author of “Tarot Dynamics” (www.tarotdynamics.com). In fact – I ended up being the inadvertent co-host! The show was wonderful – both Anna and Dax had many interesting things to say, and Anna’s readings were incredibly empowering!

 To compliment the radio show (which will cover Tarot on Tarot Tuesday’s, and other personal empowerment modalities on other days), Dax has set up a social networking site – www.nuliferadio.com. Site members (membership is free!) have their own page, can take part in blogs and forums, upload content and interact with other members in an empowering environment.

 The premier episode is up on the site – please visit, and listen. There is also a listing of future episodes, along with listings for the Healing With The Masters series. On Sunday, September 26^th Dax will be interviewing Stacey Tallitsch CEO of Corporate Prophet.

 The NuLife Radio site will cover such interesting topics as consciousness, abundance, personal growth, the Law of Attraction, hypnosis, wellness. Life coaching, meditaiton, NLP, Helath & Fitness, Tarot, Social-Media/Network Marketing and much more.

Here is a wonderful place to interact with like-minded people, share blogs, pictures, videos and set the tone for what is to come!

 I look forward to seeing you there!

 © September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Interacting With Blogs

So … what is interacting with blogs? Is it doing a guest blog? Is it leaving comments? Both of these actions are indeed interacting with blogs. Guest blogs allow us to get our names known to a wider audience, will keeping our blogs “fresh”. Leaving comments is a courtesy – one that I highly recommend. One note on leaving comments – please have your comment actually say something! If you just want to leave your name, and perhaps a link to something that you are doing, this is not the place! The blog owner has every right to delete comments of this nature. Address the issues, keep it real (i.e. don’t flame in a comment!), and you will be fine.

There are blogs in which visitors are encouraged to interact, for a specific reason. On Douglas Gibbs’ blog (http://taroteon.com/forums), he has started a forum where site visitors can talk about problems they may be having related to either their Tarot studies, or their Tarot readings. Other site visitors then place comments as to how they would handle the issue, coming from their own life experience.

I find this to be a very valid forum, especially for this blog, where the focus is on Tarot Tutorials, Tips and Techniques. There are currently threads up on Symbolism, How Does Tarot Work, Has A Deck Ever Stopped Speaking To You and more. The interactions are honest, polite, and leave one feeling that they have had a great time with like minded people. This is a fairly new forum, and I hope to see it grow. If you have Tarot related questions – take them here!

There is another blog that is just up, specifically related to individual card study. A product of the ever active imagination of Catherine Chapman (co-author of “Beyond The Celtic Cross), her newest blog (http://www.tarotelements.com/tarotcardmeanings/) gives site visitors a chance to express their take (give their interpretation) on specific Tarot cards. Catherine provides the card image, attributes (element, season, direction, symbolism and keywords), an excerpt from the “Pictorial Key To The Tarot”, and comparison scans from diverse decks.

This is meant to be a teaching forum, where site visitors can get a basic feel for a card, and read other individual’s interpretations for any given card. I am happy to be a part of it – fresh eyes are always a good thing! I don’t feel that posting an interpretation here interferes with, or takes away from, any work that any of the site visitors may be doing elsewhere. It is, pure and simple, a chance to be involved in a group project that all levels of Tarot students will benefit from.

I hope that you choose to become involved with one or both of these sites – they are incredible learning experiences!

 © September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Fool’s Journey – The History, Art & Symbolism of the Tarot

The Fool’s Journey –

The History, Art & Symbolism of the Tarot

The Fool's Journey

Author: Robert M. Place

Talarius Publications

2010

ISBN #978-0-557-53350-3

Illustration Credits: Illustrations from the Aquarian Tarot, c. 1970, Deviant Moon Tarot, c. 2008, Fenestra Tarot, c. 2008, Paulina Tarot, c. 2008, and Visconti-Sforza Tarocchi Deck, c. 1975, reproduced  with permission by U.S. Games Systems, IN., Stamford, CT. Copyright by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.

Illustrations from the Jean Noblet Tarot, c. 2007 and the Jean Dodal Tarot, c. 2009 reproduced with permission by Jean Claude Flornoy, Cartier-Enliumineur, Au Lion d’Or, 53700m Saint Mars du Desert, France. Copyright by Jean Claude Flornoy. Further reproduction prohibited.

Illustrations from the Facsimile Tarocchi of Ferrara, c. 2009, The Alchemical Tarot, c. 1995, and The Annotated Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery, c. 2008 copyright Robert M. Place. Further reproduction prohibited.

Illustrations from The Alphabet Tarot, c. 1997 Thalia Took, reproduced with permission. Further reproduction prohibited.

Illustrations from The Legacy of the Divine Tarot, c. 2008 by Ciro Marchetti reproduced with permission. Further reproduction prohibited.

Photos on pp 4 and 127 by www.noelbass.com, 2010, provided courtesy of CAFAM.

I am truly experiencing a “Slap myself on the forehead!” moment here! Why, one might ask. From January 24^th to May 10^th Robert M. Place curated an extraordinary exhibition of Tarot art, originated at The Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles (www.cafam.org). For heavens sake – it was there for months, on “my” coast, curated by someone that I highly respect, and I didn’t take the time to go? Lesson learned – this will not happen again!

We are very graced that Robert Place put together an absolutely amazing book that shares, through text and photo’s, the story that was (and is) this extraordinary exhibition. The book is available in digital format and in print. I am reviewing the digital version, but have the print book on my “short, short” list! Early (very early!) Christmas present to self, perhaps. J

I would like to start out talking about something that everyone basically ignores – and that is the name of the publishing company. Place is independently publishing this work through his publishing company, Talarius Publications. Being curious (much better than being nosey!), I asked him where that name came from. The logo that he uses is that of Hermes winged sandal. (Hermes being the psychopomp who leads the soul to the otherworld, and also acts as the guide for poets and mystics.)  Talarius is the name given to this sandal.

There is no one better than Robert Place, in my opinion, to curate this exhibition. He has an artists eye, combined with a scholar’s wisdom, and brings to the Tarot world the best of the best. In his forward Place notes that this exhibition was designed to focus on modern occult and divinatory Tarot as it is popularly known in American culture. He then goes on to discuss Tarot’s background, and its beginnings as a trick-taking game.

He paints a picture of the 21 Trumps as expressing the mystical allegory of the Tarot – the “Fool’s Journey”, as it were. The Fool’s Journey of the Tarot is a spiritual progression. The story of this exhibition is that of the “Fool’s Journey” of bringing appreciation of the Tarot and its mystical tradition to a wide audience. It also carries the purpose of replacing false notions about Tarot with real history and insight.

The list of thanks to people involved with this book read like a who’s who of the Tarot world. Some of these people I have been graced to have either met or worked with – or both. The world of Tarot is an amazing world, filled with incredible people who are willing to share their wisdom unconditionally with others. Kudos to all of you!

There is a well written section on the history of the Tarot, and some of the misconceptions that have come down through time. One point comes out right in the beginning – Tarot is connected to ancient mystical, Neoplatonic and Hermitic beliefs about the nature of the soul. Place discusses early Tarot decks, who they were created for (in general, moneyed, or royal families), the area they originated from and the artist/illustrator. He also talks about existing examples of these decks, and where they are currently being housed.

Imagery in the Tarot is very important. Throughout this text Place has included full color graphic charts, beginning with a chart showing the traditional suit symbols for four-suit decks in Western European countries. I have a personal interest in the different ordering of the Trumps, so I appreciated the chart comparing the Bologna/Order A, Ferrara/Order B and Milan/Order C series.

In discussing Tarot imagery, Place notes that it is important to understand the ancient view of the cosmos, and its mystical significance for the individual. The seven planets were thought to be the soul centers of the cosmos, with corresponding centers (chakras) located along the human spine. Place notes that this is the probable source for the seven virtues and the seven vices. (There is an eye-catching graphic of the Seven Ancient Planets as the Seven Soul Centers – food for though all on its own!)Plato’s three-fold concept of the soul – the Soul of Appetite/Desire, the soul of Will/Spirit and the Soul of Reason is also presented.

The decks included in this exhibition are printed decks that were in popular use from the 15^th century to the 21^st century, focusing on the Fool and the 21 trumps. The decks included were chosen because they represent pivotal points in the history of the Tarot, and because they allow us to view the evolution of Tarot symbolism throughout the centuries. These decks are:  the Monde Primitif, the Etteilla a Jeu de la Princesse, the Waite-Smith Tarot, the Aquarian Tarot, the Alchemical Tarot, the Alphabet Tarot, the Twilight Tarot, the Fenestra Tarot, the Paulina Tarot, the Deviant Moon Tarot , the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Annotated Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery,   the Tarot of Ferrara and the Tarot of Marseilles. (Note: the Tarot of Marseilles refers to a style of Tarot, rather than to a specific Tarot deck.)

Place presents each of the Major Arcana Trumps (The Fool and the 21 Trumps), through text and imagery. He has included images from modern decks, as well as reproductions from older decks, such as the Monde Primitif and the Etteilla a Jeu de la Princesse. This is an absolutely incredible opportunity to not only see a discussion of each of the Major Arcana Trumps, but to see an in-depth range of comparisons between decks. This is a quality of work normally only seen between historians or researchers, presented in a manner in which all levels of Tarot students will be able to enjoy it, and learn from it.

The sheer amount of cards presented in comparison in this book is overwhelming, to say the least. The quality of the reproductions is clear, full color, and just … amazing! I do so wish that I would have taken the time to see this incredible exhibit! I would have wanted the book anyway – it is research quality, and beyond “nice to have” as a Tarot reference.

One thing that I neglected to mention – each card section opens with a full page, full color representation of the card (from the Annotated Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery). There are notes right on the card naming the symbols within the card. For example, for the Magician the notes are: lemniscate, wand, crystal ball, dagger, secret fire, magic circle, coins, 3 X 7 = 21, and the annotation that the sum of opposite sides of a die is always seven. Around the edge of the card we see written: (left hand side) There are twenty one possible combinations of two dice and twenty one trumps. (top) The Magicians wand, held above, is creative and active. (right hand side) The Magician’s crystal ball held below is passive and divinatory. (bottom) The Magician gestures “As above do below”.

I just finished reading “The Fool’s Journey”, and am sitting here absolutely transfixed. This is an incredibly powerful work, and will touch its readers on many different levels. This was a project (the exhibition and the book) whose time had come, and which was executed with the greatest of poise, grace and mastery of subject. Many thanks to Robert Place, and to all of the artists involved in this project. What you were willing to share has made a difference, and will continue to do so.

For further information, and to purchase the book, go to http://https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=9015699. I do want to mention that the book is available in digital format, as well as hard copy. Secret – once you see the digital copy, you will lust after the hard copy!

 © September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

September 11th, 2010

Gaian Tarot Tower

Gaian Tarot Hermit

Gaian Tarot Sun

In many places around our country today people are paying homage to 9/11.  Three little numbers – leading to so much devastation. Three Tarot cards came to mind – The Tower, for the heartbreaking attacks, stunning damage, and horrific aftermath – The Hermit, for how each of us processed these events – and the Sun, for the wisdom we have gained and are taking into the future.

On September 11^th, 2001, the United States endured three coordinated suicide attacks by terrorists: two commercial passenger jetliners were deliberately crashed into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. Everyone on board was killed, and there was tremendous loss of life in the two buildings themselves (both buildings collapsed). A third airliner was crashed into the Pentagon, in Arlington, VA. A fourth airliner crashed in a field in rural PA, after some passengers and crew tried to retake control of the plane, which had been redirected to Washington, D.C. No one on any of the four flights survived.

Our nation watched on TV as first responders hurried to the sites. I remember watching the news almost from the first moment, transfixed and in shock that something like this could happen. We all heard and read the stories of people in the buildings helping each other, of the endless shifts for police and firemen, of the loss of hope for more than the initial survivors. We had our Tower moment.

The Hermit took over as we began the cleanup, and pieced together the information about the terrorists. Many things changed overnight – including security at our airports. To this day, we are still recovering from this devastation. As a nation, we let our guard down. We cannot afford to do that again.

We are now in the period of the Sun, where we can accept the loss of lives, and know that we have learned from it. We have a much better idea of what is important, and what is not. We live our lives differently – with more of a conscience.

Let us honor our fallen heroes, the families that were left to move on without them, the people who helped each other, with no other thought than what was the right thing to do, the first responders that will never be far from the horror that they saw. Let the biggest monument that we build be within ourselves, that we become stronger as individuals, as a people, and as a nation.

 © September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Picture Postcard Tarot

Picture Postcard Tarot

 Author: Marcia Mc Cord

Illustrator: Images From Vintage Post Cards

Limited Edition

2010

I feel very blessed that I fell into a forum conversation concerning this deck, just at the time that it was getting ready to go to press! (This is also the same time period that the “Tarot of the Boroughs” came into my life.) This is a Limited Edition of 50 signed and numbered decks (which I believe is sold out). Marcia was very gracious in that we got to pick the deck number that we wanted, and I was lucky enough to get the number that I asked for – number Nine, for the Hermit (one of my birth cards).

In her notes, Marcia comments that between 1900 and 1909 picture postcards were the e-mail, text message and Tweet of their time. That has really not been all that long ago! She goes on to say that picture postcards were approved by the US Post Office Department in 1898. Same day delivery allowed friends to keep up with the evenings entertainment, as well as personal news.

In the older picture postcards the back of the card was reserved for the address only. This has been very nicely taken into this deck, where the card backs (which are reversible) portray the back of a vintage postcard – including the stamp! The images for this deck were taken from photograph postcards from this period.

This deck is dedicated to Marcia’s mother, who died of breast cancer in 1983. Her mother had run an antique shop for over twenty years, and their last conversation concerned antique postcards. I love visiting antique shops, and adore the ones that have vintage books, postcards, knick knacks and cloths. I step into a world that I love, if only for a short time.

The traditional 78 card format is followed, with the lovely addition of the Happy Squirrel. I do love decks that include this card – an automatic smile! An extra card is included – a cover card with the date and deck number. Traditional titles are followed, with Strength at VIII and Justice at XI. The suit titles are Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The Court Cards are entitled King, Queen, Knight and Page.

The LWB (Little White Book) contains an introduction by Marcia, followed by a few words on the imagery/background of each of the cards. From the LWB:

“The High Priestess – This Hue priestess captured the look of dedication to guardingthe mysteries, a lifetime commitment.

 The Sun – When the sun shines, all the world looks golden at Chautauqua Lake, New York.

 Ace of Pentacles – A 1908 card with an American Liberty coin.

 Three of Swords – Like swords in the heart, or reader succumbs to great sorrow.

 Queen of Cups – Lili’uokalani, Queen of Hawaii, was originally named Lydia Smarting Tearful Anguish The Sore Eyes, but her name was changed by her brother to “the smarting of the royal ones”. She had a tumultuous life, including being imprisoned and force dto abdicate her throne to commute fellow prisoners death sentences. Her music, and her Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Trust to help orphaned and indigent children live on today.”

Before we go into the cards, I have to discuss the packaging! One of the reasons that I am such a fan of Indies (independent publishers) is that the can present their product as they see ift, and that they generally see the packaging as part of the presentation. Marcia has done a bang up job with the packaging for this deck – the box is heavy duty cardboard, and looks like a steamer trunk, complete with ink stamps on the sides. It has a lift off top, which has the decks name superimposed over the image from the cover card – that of a beautiful Argentine woman. The cards come wrapped in waxed paper, and tied with brown string. There is also shipping information included within the box, so that should it not make it well through the mail, whoever found it would be able to get it to the intended person. Now, this may not have been Marcia’s intention when she boxed the decks up, but it could well be one version of life! The other version might be that specific decks need to go to specific people, as this is a Limited Edition deck, and the deck numbers were chosen by the recipients. So the inclusion internally of the shipping address and deck number were for the benefit of those doing the final packaging.

The cards are a small size – 2 ½” by 3 ½” – greatly appreciated by people like me who have both smaller hands and arthritis! The artwork is taken from photographs of antique postcards, and is a combination of sepia toned and colored. Several diverse cultures are included in this deck.

The Major Arcana have the card number (in Roman numerals) and title along the bottom of the card, The Pips (numbered cards) show the card number (in Arabic numerals) and suit along the bottom of the card. The Court Cars show the card title and suit along the bottom of the card. There are no card borders, which (a) is the way I wish all decks were, and (b) would be next to impossible with this small a card.

There was really only one card in the deck that I did not relate to, and that was the Hanged Man. The back story here is that this is one of two postcards that Marcia found that applied to this archetype – the other one being a literal hanging, which I for one am very happy that she did not choose to use! In this card, we see an individual hanging in mid air, legs flailing and arms down.

The Magician shows a gentleman in formal attire, wearing a fez and holding a magic ball in one hand. The Emperor (one of my favorites!) shows a gentleman sitting on a wicker settee. Marcia notes that due to overexposure of the film, a halo effect was created over his heart. Yes – our Emperor needs to lead with his head and his heart!

I adore the Chariot, which shows a young boy, wearing a straw hat and sitting in a child’s wagon, made from boxes, very intent on controlling his vehicle! I also adore Death in this deck – which shows two skeletons smoking and playing cards. Hey – it is cute! The Queen of Pentacles shows a beautiful photograph of the Queen of Portugal. (I do so love these sepia tones!)

All in all, the imagery shows a good representation of this time period. I love the cloths, the atmosphere, the attitudes – I love the whole thing! For those who may be interested in Indie decks, Marcia has two more possible projects in the wings. Let’s support our Indies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

More information can be seen here – Marcia Mc Cord

 © September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

New Moon In Virgo Reading

Three of Swords

There is a very gentle rain going on outside – nicely conducive to doing a New Moon reading! This New Moon is in Virgo, focusing on introspection, patience, and the how and why of what we are manifesting. This is a time of moving past limiting beliefs from the past and bringing Mind/Body/Spirit into alignment. Virgo asks us to see the truth in a situation – even when it hurts! We can only pretend for so long – then we need to own our thoughts, own our actions, and own that we are co-creators of our own life.

Deck used: “Sun and Moon Tarot” (Vanessa Decort, U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

1. What actions do I need to take to become more self-aware? – Nine of Pentacles
2. How can I best connect with my emotional self? – Seven of Wands
3. How can I best connect to, and express, my creative (spiritual) self? – Three of Swords

To become more self aware, I need to pay closer attention to what success means to me. What in the material world reflects my idea of success? What do I need to have to feel successful? What choices have brought success to me? What sense of confidence has success brought to me? I need to honor the success that is already there.

To connect with my emotional self, I need to accept the battles of life, give my best, and honor my “wins”. Conflict helps me to focus, and to move past stagnation and depression. Conflict literally “gets my blood up”! Conflict can make me feel alive. The caveat here – not to become so involved in conflict that I can’t see past it.

To connect to my creative self, I need to allow myself to acknowledge the pain that can be in life, and move through it. I need to use this pain to transform myself.

© September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Latest Shopping Trips

Interesting shopping trips lately. Sunday we went to the local grocery chain that we go to every Sunday – me for the Sunday paper, my mother for her main grocery shopping. I am going to name names here – because they deserve it. The store is in the Red Apple chain, and is located in Shelton, Washington. The lovely owners decided to do a massive revision – changed the entire store around – some of which was needed, some of which was not. Did they not think that (a) we have noticed the prices going up, (b) the decided lack of stock (we have walked in more than one Sunday to bare shelves in more than one area of the store), (c) that when you decide to break up the long aisles into two parts, with a good eight foot space between them, that your customers are not going to realize that the merchandise that was three is no longer being carried? It is not a good idea to carry a limited quantity of the smaller milk carton sizes, and stick them on the top shelf. It is not a good idea to pimp up your store brand, and not carry major brands that you have been carrying. The store looks good, but the customers that go there all the time will agree that it is a disgrace.

On to Wal Mart. Still in Shelton, in case you wanted to know. I am going to be looking for an online pharmacy – for the simplest of items – Tylenol Arthritis and St Joseph’s aspirin. I also take Ginko, so that will be added to the list. Buying over the Internet, in quasi bulk looks to be the best bet to me. I should not have to go from store to store (and Shelton does not have that many stores) to find the products that I want. Wal Mart is also raising prices, and pushing their store brand. Fine if that is what you want, but the store brand is not what I want. Oh – Wal Mart did also not have in stock the wine that I was looking for. They had the brand, but Pear Chardonnay is not the same as Peach Chardonnay. I can never find Cherry Kjafka here anyway, so online I go. Make a list, order in quasi bulk, and hope for the best.

What in the heck is this world coming to?

© September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Tarot of the Boroughs

Tarot of the Boroughs

 Author: Courtney Weber

Artist: George Courtney, Courtney Weber (The Seeker), Derek Jensen (The Tower),

Chris Ross (front of box and card backs)

Independently Published

2010

I feel very lucky to have had this deck come unto my life. It is a very unique, 78 card deck based on the traditional Tarot template, but in a contemporary incarnation – specifically, that of New York City. The esoteric energy of the traditional Tarot is replaced with the vibrant energy of that which is familiar, allowing the reader ready access to the stories that are the Tarot (and to their own stories).

Traditional Major Arcana titles have been kept, with the Fool becoming the Seeker, Strength at VIII and Justice at XI. The suit titles are Wands, Cups, Swords and Coins, with the Court Cards entitled King, Queen, Page and Knight. Coins are listed as “Matters of livelihood”, Cups are “Matters of the heart”, Wands are “Creative endeavors, passions”, Swords are “Conflicts, drama, problem solving”.

To tell the Tarot’s story, Weber and Courtney have featured New Yorkers from all walks of life, including well known writers, visual and performing artists, and many others. On the “Tarot of the Boroughs” site (www.tarotoftheboroughs.com) there is a very unique feature – short bios for each of the models featured in the cards. I was quite interested to read the bio on one of the women in the cards – she is featured in the suit of Cups, and comes across as a powerful, independent woman. Reading her bio, her name is Imakhu Mwt Shekemet, and she is a Kemetic Priestess, storyteller, lecturer, motivational speaker and more. Her personal power comes across incredibly well – this is a real life person, with a real story to tell! The intent and purpose of this deck works!

There is a small (15 page) booklet that comes with the deck. Photography and modeling credits are given, as well as a sample spread (interesting inverted triangle format), short interpretations for the Major and Minor Arcana, short bios for Courtney Weber, George Courtney and Chris Ross, a listing of which models are on which cards, and a page of thanks.

From the LWB (Little White Book – Booklet):

The Seeker –  The start of a new journey

The Hermit – Solitude, wisdom

King of Coins – The boss man

Two of Cups – Personnel connection

Four of Swords – Picking up the pieces

 As you can see, the definitions given for each of the cards are very basic, very utilitarian. In fact, the reader is encouraged to develop their own interpretations.

The cards themselves are approximately 2 ¾ by 4 ¾, and of sturdy, glossy cardstock. The backs are reversible, with a dark background surrounding a beautiful center photo of the New York skyline. For me, the backs are really haunting! You stare at them, and there is so much energy there you do not want to look away!

The card faces have a black border surrounding the images. For the Major Arcana, the card number, in Roman numerals, is at the top of the card, with the card title at the bottom. For the Minor Arcana Pips (numbered cards), the number and suit are across the bottom of the card. The Court Cards show the title and suit across the bottom of the card.

These cards are incredible! Each card in this deck is impressive in its own right. The Seeker shows a young man, jacket open and head up, walking down a New York street. The Magician – all I can say here is … WOW! We see a gentleman in a long coat and beret style cap, carrying a book under his left arm. He faces the camera, about to go up a set of stairs that look to be in a very old setting, with a candelabra shining at the landing. One feels that one has stepped back in time.

The High Priestess is a very woo woo looking woman gazing into a lit candle, Tarot cards in front of her. She seems mesmerized by what she sees in the flames. The Empress, quite appropriately, is a pregnant woman. The Emperor brings tears to my eyes – portraying a young father holding his infant daughter up in the air in front of him, a smile on hs face.

The Hierophant is the ultimate politician in the white suit, at a rally yelling into a huge white megaphone. The Lovers is a card that may be controversial, as it shows two nude female lovers. The Chariot? What else – a New York taxi! Strength bothers me – we see a female figure in a doorway, in a stance to me that is much more physical strength than inner strength. You would have to read the bio for this model to understand where the inner strength comes in. The Hermit – one of my favorite cards  in most decks, if not my most favorite – is much too dark in this deck/ Literally – one can only see the face and hands, as the Hermit sits outside of a chain link fence.

The Wheel of Fortune is portrayed as a Ferris Wheel – very appropriate! Death is portrayed as a memorial of candles and flowers on a city street. The Star is portrayed as an opera star. The Moon is quite evocative, showing a young lady from the back, as she looks out over the water, with a full moon high in the sky. Judgment is a gavel (very simple, very effective!), while the World shows a hand holding a small glass globe, reflecting the scene around it.

I am intrigued with the suits in this deck – each has a multiple storyline running through it, with models from the day to day story of the suit becoming the Court Cards. I loved the Four of Coins, which shows a gentleman in a suit, holding folded bills (money) in his right hand. He is looking to the left of the picture, where all we see is a female hand reaching out for the money!

I adore the suit of Cups – beginning with the Ace, which shows a very chi chi cup of coffee with sprinkles of perhaps cinnamon or some other spice on top. It looks so inviting! The storyline of two different couple runs through the pips – very well done! This is also the suit that has my favorite model in it – the very powerful, very feminine Queen of Cups.

The suit of Swords begins strongly with the Ace of Swords – a female hand, with bright red nails, holding a short knife, blade straight out to the onlooker. The suit of Wands begins in just as strong a manner, with a bright red paintbrush upright in the center of a white background. The Five of Wands has its own story, showing a woman breaking through a canvas, screaming.

This deck is not for everyone. It is for New Yorkers, for those who want to read outside the box, for those that relate to a more contemporary imagery, or for those who want to break out of a reading rut. And, of course, for Tarot collectors. This deck represents what may well be a new line of thought for Tarot imagery. I can see this deck being done using the imagery of several different cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami.

Because these are my interests, I am also going to mention that I feel that these cards could easily be used for ritual and journeying.

 

© September 2010 Bonnie Cehovet