Editor

Game of Thrones, American Gods and Carta awards voting

Game of Thrones TV show tie-in deck artwork The official Game of Thrones Tarot (Chronicle books) released this week. Written by Liz Dean and artwork by Craig Coss the deck and book is presented in a wide flat box with hinged lid. Last year three cards and early box artwork was ‘socialised’ at fan events, it must have gone well as it is unchanged. If you enjoy the TV series (and actors) then you’ll have plenty to swoon over with the recognizable stars and sets. The archetypes of the show work well matching across to the tarot structure (as long evidenced by the many fan decks already out there). Early reviews suggest it works well as a freestanding deck. The fawn borders leave something for forums to agonize over and the choice for the Devil (Ramsay Bolton for those of you following along at home) will produce a staggering array of opinions (and hopefully soul-searching). We hope that overall this tie-in with such a massively popular show will bring more interest and understanding of tarot to mainstream audiences . Oh and yes, that one to the deck’s an affiliate link – please support your local store as much as possible.

An unofficial American Gods (TV series) Tarot (majors only) is also released this week (with much less publicity). Read an in-depth review and interview with the creater Anastasia Kashian about this passion project which shows all three designs for The Lovers. Only 25 copies of this first edition (artist’s store on ebay). A revised edition is planned, but no date as yet.

In other news, voting is open (until 01 April 2018) in the International Tarot Foundation Carta Awards. The categories are: Upcoming cartomancy deck, Best Lenormand Deck, Best self-published deck, Best oracle deck, best illustrator, Best new illustrator, Best author, Best new author and of course, Best tarot deck. Each category page provides images relevant to the nominee.

The shortlist for “Best Tarot Deck” is:

Santa Muerte Tarot: Fabio Listrani
Viceversa Tarot: Fabio Listrani
Spiritsong Tarot: Paulina Cassidy
Beautiful Creatures Tarot-2nd Edition: J.R. Rivera & Jasmine Beckett-Griffith
The Sickly Tarot: Fred Sickly
The English Magic Tarot: Rex Van Ryn, Steve Dooley, Andy Letcher.

Best equinox wishes to all.

More Alice, Tinkers and Wolves

In news this week, we look at what’s new, the projects on the go, those closing now and a few coming soon.

Two covers of new Alice in Wonderland themed decks due in 2018 More Alice in Wonderland themed decks are on the way this year with “Tarot in Wonderland” (Barbara Moore and Eugene Smith) this April and oracle deck slated for October “Alice: The Wonderland Oracle” (Lucy Cavendish and Jasmine Becket- Griffith). Can we ever have enough? No, of course not.

Doug Thornsjo’s current project – the new edition of “Tinker’s Damn Tarot and Mantegna” is closing for funding in just days. The project is in his signature style and in his description it is ‘a thoroughly original Tarot (with) a cranky, steam age soul.’ The project is well within sight of the goal but still needs support to go ahead. Thornjo’s other sucessful crowd-sourced projects include the fabulous Tarot of the Zirkus Magi.

Devany Amber Wolfe of the audacious “She Wolfe Tarot” announced via instagram (@serpentfire ) that the second edition is sold out (unless your local store has a deck or two left in stock) and the third edition (no listing of specific changes yet) will drop in April. The demand on this bold deck is sure to grow. Her first deck “Serpentfire Tarot” is currently selling in sixth edition (Aeon of Horus edition) and is being released in 2018 in a seventh (final?) border-less edition. An oracle deck is underway (The Sigil Oracle) and available in June. With a new studio to inspire and focus her from May, we can’t wait to see what unfolds. Could She Wolfe Tarot be the next indie deck to go mainstream?

Also due in April is Matt Hughes’ beautiful “Ethereal Visions Tarot“. This Art-Nouveau deck includes two extra cards and the booklet was written by Matt’s wife. If this deck seems familiar – you may remember it from the successful 2017 crowd-sourcing campaign. That limited edition (signed and numbered – 1100 total) has gold foil stamping and is still available directly from him.

“The Everyday Enchantment Tarot: Finding Magic in the Midst of life” is a new deck from Poppy Palin (text and art) available now. This is her fifth deck, long with her many other contributions to our community.

All links are non-affiliate. We’ll let you know when that changes.

Indie tarot – Starchild, The Wild Unknown and Uusi

A quick round-up of some of the terrific independent tarot action going on right now.

The popular Starchild Tarot deck is again sold out in standard size (reprint underway, preorders available and back in stock April). The forthcoming Moonchild tarot deck is looking lush and quite close to completion.

The team at The Wild Unknown tarot are doing a great job of building a solid range of accessories and desirable items around their juggernaut indie-to-trad success. No hints of new decks yet, but the supply of beautiful and shiny things is very satisfying.

Uusi studio are offering a limited edition Pagan Otherworlds Tarot Uncut Set for sale directly. Each is three full sheets of cards (making the full 84 card deck) removed from the process before trimming and then numbered and signed. It’s an unusual offer in the tarot world, showing once again the strong art and design influence they bring to their work.

There is so much happening in the indie-published tarot. It is an exciting time to be in the tarot tribe.

(All non-affiliate links)

Our Lady of Tarot: Pamela Colman Smith

A black and white photographic portrait of Pamela Colman Smith (Pixie) from fairly early in her life — Portrait of Pamela Colman Smith (Pixie)
Year unknown, Copyright holder unknown.

There is no better to launch our humble blog than in recognition of the contribution of (Corinne) Pamela (Mary) Colman Smith (1878- 1951). Her work with Arthur Waite basically created modern tarot as we know it. That generalisation, comes with a nod to the rich history of antique European decks (including, of course, the Sola Busca which she saw in reproduction before her own work began) and the other active decks of the Golden Dawn (private and or delayed).

Take a moment now to appreciate all over again the artistry of her work, the warmth of expression and of characterisation. Hers was a flurry of creativity inspired and lightly guided that took intuitive turns and included personal flourishes and jokes. A hundred years on it is too easy to see it as staid or tired, yet dozens of decks each year repeat her symbolism, her poses for the actors and her staging. For most of us, her images are the one we learn with, the ones that enticed us into the art.

For her huge impact the tarot we know and love, we acknowledge Pamela Colman Smith (Pixie) as a Titan of Tarot. It is a double pleasure to be able to do so on International Women’s Day because she was a suffragette and lived through women receiving the vote in England.

Tarot cards and part of book cover Read more about her in this stunning essay or in the excellent book “Secrets of the Waite-Smith Tarot: The True Story of the World’s Most Popular Tarot.” (2015) Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin (Llewellyn Publications).

Dedication

Divination, secrets, beauty, truth and love. Insight, awakening, desire and expansion. Oh tarot you are so many things to so many of us!

The Tarot Tribune is dedicated to exploring, sharing and enjoying tarot. News, views, reviews and anything to do with this glorious tool that is so rightly experiencing a popular renaissance.

Dedication ~ Hermes and the Silent Priestess ~ you know who we are.