Tarot Thrones | The Court Card Blog

Month: June 2013

  • Review | Lenormand de Marseilles | Edmund Zebrowski

    Lenormand de Marseilles (and Mini Me)

    *theme from Love Story plays in background*

    Like so many love stories for the social-networking age, I fell hook, line and sinker for the Lenormand de Marseilles when I saw her photo on Facebook.

    It really was luff at first sight.  But with none of that why-he-hasn’t-called-me-in-three-days nonsense.

    I bought the Illuminated version (limited and signed) and the mini version too, just as soon as a kind hearted fellow addict friend sent me a link to Edmund’s shop.  I don’t have a compulsion to buy decks.  I DON’T.

    *eyelid twitches*.

    Once you click through to Edmund’s shop, you’ll see the clutch of Lenormand decks that he has created – try not to give in to temptation and buy all of them.   *looks guilty face*


    As you may have guessed by the deck’s name, the imagery is inspired by the artwork of the Marseilles Tarot.

    The Illuminated version measures 3.5″ x 2.25″(9cm by 5.5cm for you new-fangled and modern types)  and is made from wonderful card stock that has a linen-effect surface.  The cards slide over each other wonderfully well, which is handy when you want to start shuffling as soon as you’ve slipped the cards from their smart little cotton draw-string bag!

    Happy Day! The arrival of the Lenormands!

    Card numbering is in Roman Numerals, paying tribute to the numbering method of the Marseilles Tarot itself.

    The card names are in French (again, homage to the Marseilles!) and I adore the antique font that Edmund has used – that has the old long ‘s’ that looks to our eyes like an ‘f’. The net result is that Les Poissons (Fish) looks as if it’s called Lef Poiffonf.  Thank goodness there isn’t a card called The Sucker *gives her reader a moment to work that one out*.

    Cards are unfussy white, providing a perfect foil for the images and punchy colours.  The card backs are decorated with tiny black and white pattern on rear.  Since one doesn’t use Lenormands in reversed positions (generally speaking!) it doesn’t have to be a mirroring image, and it’s not.

    The playing card inserts are also inspired by the Marseilles Tarot’s Minor Arcana – and the overall effect is classy and in keeping with the whole ethos of the Lenormand oracle.  Please note that card four is shown as IIII, not IV,  as you might expect.  That’s because in the Marseilles, the four is shown as IIII.

    There IS an error, and Edmund is now on the case to rectify it, but if you look closely at XXXVI above, you will see that the large card has 6 of Wands illustrating the playing card inset, but the tiny roman numerals at the side show ‘IV’.  The mini version of the same card also has an error, the 4 of Clubs is the insert, and it should be the 6 of Clubs.  Yes, these are errors, but I can honestly say that it doesn’t impinge on my use of these Lennies at all *whispers* because I’m not good enough to bring in the playing card inserts to my interpretations yet šŸ˜€

    Looking more closely at the Mini  (which also comes in its own teeny tiny bag).  It measures 2.5″ x 1.75″ (6cm x 4.5cm) we can see that the playing card inserts are standard, the titles are in English and the Roman numerals of the large illuminated version have been replaced by the more familiar Arabic numerals.

    So it’s been a week or so that we’ve been together and things are going well.  She’s just as beautiful in the flesh card than she was in the first picture that I saw of her.  And you can’t say THAT about many things on Facebook.  I think we’re going to be very happy together…..

    You can explore Edmund’s work here:

    http://delphischamber.bigcartel.com/

    What have Lenormand cards got to do with Court Cards?!  See earlier posts by Andybc and Helen Riding

  • Litha Blog Hop | Spread | Embracing Your Gifts

    TADAAAAAH! Welcome
    to This Game of Thrones Litha Blog Hop for Midsummer 2013!!  You may have happened along here from the last blogger in the train, the lovely Joanna Ash or be working your way back through the list (because you’re a REBEL!) and have alighted here from Cher’s site.  Heck, you might even be here because you are already familiar with the rose-strewn path that leads to Throne Towers šŸ™‚


    If you’ve not been across the draw-bridge before, you are very welcome.  Here at Tarot Thrones I focus on those pesky critturs the Court Cards and hope to persuade you that they are excellent allies in all your Tarot work and that they are nothing to get into a hyperventilating fug about šŸ™‚

    Please, take a seat!  *beckons towards an empty Throne*.  Just let me fluff up the cushions…….. A poorly fluffed cushion can lead to discomfort on even the loveliest throne. Just ask The Queen of Pentacles. She’s always crocheting us comfy stuff to sit on*

    There, now that you’re comfortable, let me explain this Litha Blog Hop theme.  Our
    challenge seemed quite straightforward – shed some light on something
    that we are good at.

    I sat and stared at the blank screen for quite a long time with this one.  I struggled to accept that I was good at anything!  Well, certainly good enough at anything that I wanted to toot my own trumpet about in public šŸ™‚

    That got me thinking – why is it difficult for some people to accept – and promote – that they’re good at things?



    It can take a lot of courage to say aloud (or in pixels!) that you want to achieve something, that you have a goal, a skill, and that you want to take that skill to the next level.  And I think that’s because to admit that you are GOOD at something is to invite criticism that you’re simply NOT good at it!

    Thinking of publishing a book, a deck…launching a teaching package…. creating tap dancing tutorials on youtube!?  You can bet your bottom dollar that there is someone out there sniggering into their coffee at the very IDEA of YOU doing this – just who do you think you are?!  They will be gleefully messaging their friends and together they will privately mock and deride you for your efforts.  Have you heard of Tall Poppy Syndrome?  Yeah? That’s it at its worst!   

    I think that we are all guilty of Tall Poppy Syndrome, in some way or another.  It might be nothing more than a slight green-tinged pang when a friend makes an announcement – quickly scorched and replaced by genuine delight at her success……or it can be something much more insidious – a resentment that grows and festers, sending out deep, irrational roots and poisoning you from within.

    And do you know who is the worst person for it? That’s right – YOU!  How often do you come up with something that you’d love to do, but you immediately talk yourself out of it because inside your head is a little voice that says ‘How DARE you think that YOU might succeed at this! People will totally laugh in your face!’ yada, yada, yada….. 

    Now, one
    of the things that *I’m* good at is helping other people make the most
    of their ideas and opportunities. I get REALLY enthusiastic about
    people’s ideas and can see so many ways to help them along the
    road that they want to be on…. Honestly, I get as excited as Kim Kardashian with new shoes!


    I say: Don’t let that irrational stuff poison your dreams from within!


    I
    LOVE it when people feel that they can trust me enough to say ‘this
    is my Big Idea’ and I can help them work out those first little steps to working towards it! I get such a kick out
    of it, I can’t tell you!  I get to over-ride the little How Dare You voice inside that person’s head AND be part of their journey (squeak! did I really just use the word ‘journey lol!?’

    So, today, I decided to come up with a spread that might help you embrace your
    qualities and admit that you are good at stuff and that you have not only a RIGHT to pursue it, but a duty to the WORLD to pursue it!

    SHINING YOUR LIGHT IN THE WORLD SPREAD

    I’m taking my inspiration from the Queen of Wands (this is a Court Card blog, after all!).  The Queen of Wands is the epitome of enthusiasm and the fire in
    your belly that you need to engender to make your dream a reality. She’s also got nurturing Queenly energy to help things progress.


    In the RWS, the other queens focus on their suit symbol, not the Queen of Wands,
    she looks out at you ā€“ daring you to look back at her and get
    engaged!  Are you ready to engage?!  Don’t expect a lot of emotional sympathy from this Queen when you are pummelling yourself with self-doubt and listening to the Witch of the Tall Poppies that lives inside your head.  Her message is:  Get. On. With. It.






    Card 1:            I am a Queen:  In what way do I manifest mastery?

    I hold my Wand, like a walking support:

    Card 2:          What
    supports me in developing this mastery?

    I offer you my sunflower totem:

    Card 3:          How
    will this gift of mine shine light in the world?

    Here is my little companion animal:

    Card 4:          This is untapped energy, make use of it – it’s here to help.


    I’d love to hear how this spread turns out for you in the comments!  And now on to the next blog in the hop!! Hope you come back to visit me and the Courts soon!!  We always have biscuits and fancy tea……..


    To visit the next blog in the train, Tarot by Cher, click here.
    To visit the previous blog in the train, Sun Goddess Tarot, by Joanna, click here.

    Broken links?  Here’s the master link

  • Spreads | James Wells – Regret to Authentic

    The man has GLOWING HANDS!!! What’s not to like?!

    I’m a big fan of Canadian Tarot author James Wells.  If you’ve not read his blog, you should mosey on over there tout-suite to find out what he’s up to.  You can go now if you like.  Honestly, I’ll wait here for you.

    *calls out* I’m just putting the kettle on, so come back when you’re done and tell me what you found!

    James recently posted this spread – about taking steps to ensure that you don’t leave this world burdened with regret.  Something that far too many people do.

    And, with his permission, I’m sharing that spread with you.

    1. How can I remain true to myself?
    2. How can I remember to set work aside for other important things?
    3. How can I develop and maintain the courage to express my feelings?
    4. How can I remember to stay in touch with people whom I love and value?
    5. How can I demonstrate my choice to be happy?

    I used the RWS. Here’s mine:
    1 How can I remain true to myself?
    7 of Cups – A figure in silhouette stands before 7 Cups that float on clouds, like dreams.  Each cup offers a different wonder – riches, beauty, mystery, victory etc.  I am minded that this card is called ‘Debauch’ in the Thoth.   All the things that lie in the Cups SEEM to be valuable, but really, they’re not worth anything once we are Past The Gate.  I remain true to myself by reminding myself that although these things seem fabulous, these are not the goals worth pursuing in life.
    How can I remember to set work aside for other important things?
    The Queen of Cups –  The Queen sits on the seashore, admiring an elaborate cup as the tide laps around her feet.  As Water of Water, this queen governs and is governed by her relationships.  She’s about empathy and understanding and being able to truly SEE the other person. So when I am seated before the flickering screen in the corner of the room that threatens to consume my very soul, I shall call upon her energies to help me focus on what matters: relationships.
    How can I develop and maintain the courage to express my feelings
    6 of Cups – The scene is a domestic courtyard with a home or town buildings in the background.  A young person hands a cup containing a white-starred flower to a smaller person.  The message is simple – By giving and sharing what is beautiful and important to me, I will develop and maintain the courage to express my feelings.  
    How can I remember to stay in touch with poeople whom I love and value?
    VII Swords – I am shockingly bad at staying in touch with people that I love and value.  Really.  Embarrassingly bad.  In the 7 of Swords a character tip toes out of camp in an exaggerated fashion.  He holds 5 unsheathed swords in his bare hands and over his shoulders.  He leaves two behind.    Maybe it’s about admitting that I AM really bad at keeping in touch with people – and by admitting it, I disarm my enemies (well, at least those people who are hurt that I have not been in touch).  However, just like the character in the card, simply disarming the opposition doesn’t actually protect you – those swords need to be sheathed. I need a practical reminder to keep in touch with folk – maybe ical or something? Google must have something that can remind me to phone people on a regular basis?!
    How can I demonstrate my choice to be happy?
    2 Cups – Love – A man and woman face each other and toast each other with their golden cups.  Behind them hangs the caduceus. This is a card about love and peace.  I demonstrate my choice to be happy by being loving and acting as an equal, not subservient, nor superior, but equal and worthy.

    In a five-card reading, I drew four cups cards – the answers are, therefore, in the realm of the Cups energies – emotion and relationship.  And the number seven showed up twice – I am a seeker after truth šŸ™‚  But number symbolism changes from person to person – what does a seven mean for you in your system, I’d love it if you shared that with me – help me create a more rounded picture?

    Find out more about James Wells here at Circle Ways .

    ‘Like’ James on facebook too

  • Page of Swords | Sola-Busca Tarot | Giordano Berti

    The Page of Swords – Sola-Busca Tarot
    If you have a passion for classical Tarot decks, you will know that the Wolfgang Mayer version of the 15th century Sola-Busca Tarot is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.  


    Giordano Berti, Tarot author and scholar, is the man behind this work and he has very kindly agreed to answer some questions about the deck, and, more specifically, the Court Cards.


    First of all, Giordano, tell me how you came to reprint the
    Sola-Busca Tarot?



    The version of
    the Sola-Busca Tarot     I’m promoting is not my
    work. As you know Iā€™m writer, not Tarot producer.     This is the deck realised by
    Wolfgang Mayer in 1998 in Germany, faithfully reprinted from the
    original deck of 1491.

    Mayer made an edition limited to 700
    copies.  Each of these decks has a Warranty card numbered and
    hand-signed by Mayer.

    In 2012 the Mayer family decided to
    sell the warehouse stocks, the printer having died, and I have bought
    about 300 decks.
    What is your involvement with the
    artwork – has it been edited or recoloured?

    Mayer’s version is really
    extraordinary because it respects both the measurements and the original
    colours of the fifteenth century deck.

    Since the decks that I bought from
    the family Mayer had no packaging, I asked an Italian craftsman to
    manufacture two types of box. A book-shaped box, with marbled paper
    in Florentine style (DeLuxe box), and a box with sturdy golden
    cardstock (Golden box).

    Then, I added the
    deck’s 8-page booklet where I summarise the story of this deck.      I also give the meanings of  the 78 cards taken from the book ‘Sola-Busca
    Tarot’     by Sofia Di Vincenzo (US Games
    Systems, Stamford, 1998) and a simple method to use these cards.
    Is is quite a large
    format deck?

    Each cards measure exactly 150 x 82
    mm, i.e. 5.9 x 3.2 inches.      Wolfgang Mayer used a cardstock
    slightly larger so you can see exactly the boundaries of the paper in
    its original size.
    The Sola Busca is the first Tarot to
    show fully illustrated Minor Arcana cards, is that correct?
    We must remember
    that     the Sola-Busca is the only Tarot deck
    that came up to our day complete with all 78 cards. But this deck is
    very important historically because is the first fully-illustrated deck.     It was necessary to wait for the
    Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, printed in 1909, to find a new deck
    illustrated in the Minor Arcana.     In fact,
    some of the Sola-Busca served as inspiration for the Arthur Edward
    Waite and Pamela Colman Smith.
    This is, of course, not your first
    Tarot deck – which other decks have you been involved with, Giordano?

    I started to study the Tarot around
    1974 and afterwards I studied at the University the relationship
    between art and esotericism … but the Tarot are my first love and I
    have devoted a lot of effort both in the historical study and the
    design of new decks.

    I have created many
    h    istorical exhibits about Tarot in
    important places such as the Castello Estense in Ferrara (1987), the
    Archaeological Museum of Bologna (1983) and the Museum of Castel
    Sant’Angelo in Rome (1985).

    On Tarot I also wrote several books
    and exhibition catalogues, but one of my biggest satisfaction has
    been the design of new Tarot decks.

    Since 1994 I have
    created eleven new decks, all illustrated by great artists.     The
    complete list can be found on the website Tarotpedia, at the page dedicated to Giordano Berti.

    I couldn’t say which of these is
    most important, because each deck requires a great effort and
    each one almost becomes a child to you.
    • Celtic
      Tarot       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 1994), 78 illustrations by Giacinto Gaudenzi and Saverio
      Tenuta.
    • Tarot
      of Druids       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 1994), with Bepi Vigna, 78 illustrations by Antonio
      Lupatelli and Severino Baraldi.
    • Enchanted
      Tarot       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 1995), 78 illustrations by Giacinto Gaudenzi.
    • Dante’s
      Tarot       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 2001), 78 illustrations by Andrea Serio       Dante_Tarot.
    • Ramses.
      Tarot of Eternity       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 2003), 78 illustrations by Severino Baraldi.
    • Golden
      Tarot of Renaissance – Estensi Tarot       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 2003), 78 illustrations by Jo Dworkin.
    • Bacchus
      Tarot       (Dal
      Negro, 2005), 78 illustrations by Luigi Scapini.
    • Venice
      Tarot       (Dal
      Negro, 2007), 78 illustrations by       Davide
      Tonato       ([8]).
    • Angels
      Tarot       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 2007), 78 illustrations by Arturo Picca.
    • Universal
      Wirth Tarot       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 2007), 78 illustrations by Stefano Palumbo.
    • Initiatory
      Tarot of the Golden Dawn       (Lo
      Scarabeo, 2008), 78 illustrations by Patrizio Evangelisti.
    I think that the
    artwork is beautiful and I have been looking at the Court Card
    images.     Why are the Pages the only
    rank who do not have names?

    I suppose
    the inventor of these cards have not given a name to the Pages
    because there are few references to famous servants in ancient
    literature.
    What significance
    are the names of the remaining Court members?     Are
    they characters from classical literature?

    Some
    famous Knights, Queens and Kings are included in the Sola-Busca Tarot with the
    clear intent to put them in relation with the life of the Alexander
    the Great, represented in the King of Swords.
    Tell me about the Major
    Arcana of this Tarot, how is it different to other Tarots?

    The Major
    Arcana of the Sola-Busca Tarot portray characters from Greek and Roman history,
    except for     Nenbroto
    (Trump XX) and     Nabuchodenasor
    (Trump XXI), who are Biblical characters, and the     Fool
    (Trump 0), which has no name.

    I suppose the
    intent of the inventor was not to create a gallery of ancient
    celebrities, because many of the names of the     Major
    Arcana are not famous for anything. Probably there is a profound
    mystery in choosing these characters: they could refer to friends of
    the author of the deck, who shared philosophical interests with him.

    In any case, the
    iconography of the     Major Arcana in
    the Sola-Busca Tarot is very different from the traditional one. In many figures
    there are torches and altars with fires: a detail that, according to
    Sofia Di Vincenzo, alludes to the practice of Alchemy.

    Apparently the
    supposed inventor of the     Sola-BuscaT, the
    painter Nicola di Maestro Antonio, was a friend of alchemists.
    The Page of
    Swords is a wonderful image – he seems to be strumming a tune on his
    lute to the sword in front of him!     Tell me about his
    character and how he is interpreted in the Sola Busca Tarot.

    This image, in my opinion, show in
    allegorical way the ambiguity of feelings that animate the immature
    people, not just those who are young. The contrast is given by the lute,
    an instrument of peace and poetry, near the sword, instrument of war
    and death.

    The proximity of the sword means
    that at any moment the Page could take it in his hand with menacing
    intent, both defensively and offensively.
    How is your Sola Busca edition
    different to other issues of the deck?

    I am convinced, along with Sofia Di
    Vincenzo, that the Sola-Busca Tarot is the first deck to be designed
    with non-gaming purposes, but this is purely speculative.  It is evident in
    many cards references to Alchemic tradition, which must be
    interpreted not as a way to make gold but as practice for improving
    the individual.

    I hope to
    publish    , before the end of 2013, a
    book I’m working on, entitled     Sola-Busca
    Tarot. Secret Code of Alchemy.


    If you would like to buy the Sola-Busca Tarot,  write to: giordano.berti@gmail.com

    Many thanks to Giordano Berti for taking the time to answer my questions about the Sola-Busca Tarot.  You can explore the deck here.

    Giordano provided his answers in English, which I edited in one or two places to read more smoothly.  Any translated errors are, therefore, entirely of my own making šŸ™‚

    ‘like’ the Sola-Busca Facebook page!

    Visit Giordano’s website to explore the deck in greater depth.  Read other articles about the Sola Busca Tarot here 

  • AnnaK Tarot | Deck Review

    Oh this is loooooovely!

    Originally self-published in 2009, the
    AnnaK tarot has now been taken up by Llewellyn – thank goodness,
    because it’s a charming little deck that deserves to be widely
    seen.

    It arrives in a nice presentation box
    along with a chunky little accompanying book of 230 pages. Not every page of the 230 is filled with writing ā€“ some are blank (well, they are lined for you to write on)  and 78 of them are the card illustrations themselves. Each
    card is illustrated in B&W with the
    interpretations on the facing page, sometimes including a little tip from Anna. 
    The deck measures 7cm x 11.5cm (3″ x 4.5″ in
    old money!) and is of thin ā€“ but beautifully slippy ā€“ card stock
    which ensures the deck shuffles like a dream from the start. 
    With an her World tree motif on the
    back (see scan below), the cards can easily be used for reversals.
    Anna K touches on reversed meanings in her accompanying book, but they are not integral to her
    use of the deck.
    Having the cards bordered in black
    really makes the colours of the deck really pop ā€“ golds contrast
    magnificently and dark cards are, erm, darker. 

    As far as card names go, no great
    changes here ā€“ suits are Swords, Rods, Pentacles and Cups with the
    Majors as you would expect (note: Strength is XI and Justice is
    VIII)
    The book also contains hints on how to read, as well as some of Anna’s own insights into using Tarot – and some spreads for you to play with too, of course!

    *rubs hands together*  Let’s dive in!
    The deck is based on the Rider Waite
    Smith and if you can read with the RWS, then you can read with the
    Anna K. It’s not a simple clone though, there ARE cards that Anna
    has depicted in a different way to the RWS ā€“ the 2 of Swords for
    example (see above).

    Despite this rooting in The Golden Dawn, Anna has
    pared back the occult symbolism. For example, there is no mention
    made of any astrological associations for the cards. However, the suits ARE
    accorded elemental associations (eg Rods are related to Fire) and the
    ranks of the courts are Page, Knight, Queen and King.  

    Each Page is depicted as a very
    young person involved in recreational activity that one might
    associate with the suit.  For example, the Page of Swords is
    practising with his Sword (literally, striking at a straw man!)
    and the Page of Wands gazes longingly over the restraining wall of his compound.
    Anna says that the Pages are ‘invitations to cultivate certain
    attitudes’.
    The Knights are interesting because
    they are not on horses (or creatures of any kind!) Anna does
    provide sufficient symbolism that you can quite easily read what the
    Courts are about. Our Knight of Rods for example, is running (just
    as he would be on his horse) with a cloudy sky behind (perfectly
    fitting the Knight’s blustery ‘rush-in’ attitude) with a banner in
    hand ā€“ a banner that obscures the perilous path that he is running
    along!
    The Queens, like the Kings, are not
    depicted on thrones. Intriguingly, the Queens are all depicted
    outside, in nature ā€“ representing ‘values or habits’. Conversely,
    the Kings are all depicted indoors (with the active King of Wands
    striding towards the outdoors!) and show outer life or actions.
    ‘Well, this is all GREAT’ you might be thinking, ‘but whaddya REALLY think of
    the deck?’
    Truthfully, I really like it. It’s perfect for a
    beginner, freeing you from the confines of Golden Dawn inspired ‘bolt ons’ such as astrological associations and complex
    alchemical/hermetical symbolism which are often not needed in a Tarot
    reading.
    Anna works from her imagination, the
    figures are not taken from life and while most of the illustrations
    are attractive (especially Death ā€“ he’s totally smokin’ hot btw!)
    her emphasis is on the card’s character’s emotion and expression, so
    if you like all your figures to be pretty and serene, this lively
    little collection might not be for you.
    To find out more about the deck, visit Anna K’s site:  This is the English language version site (Anna K is Austrian)