The Philippine artist Lynyrd-Jym Narciso is no stranger to designing divination tools. If you look on the page of his studio Paraluman you will see several published and (as of yet) unpublished tarot decks and Lenormands. His most recent project is the Anino Lenormand – now on Indiegogo. A…
What to expect in the land of Tarot de Marseille Modern Marseille decks and reproductions for 2016/2017 + one big reveal at the bottom! Tarot Decoratif (2016/2017) Some time ago I mentioned Ciro Marchetti’s newest tarot project on my Facebook page. Back then the name wasn’t certain yet, only that this deck project started after a lecture from Russel Sturgess on TarotCon about the Tarot de Marseille. After some discussions in TdM-groups the deck soon became known as ‘inspired by’ or a ‘hommage to’ Tdm. The name: Tarot Decoratif. The deck is printed and can be ordered from his website. While not even the designer himself calls it a TdM, the symbolism and pattern (though not the *style*) is definitely there in the Majors – as well as the research into the traditional deck. In my book that makes this one a modern take on the Tarot de Marseille. Tarot Decoratif is absolutely recognisable as a ‘Ciro’ and it’ll probably attract many ‘hesitators’ who are interested in TdM but don’t like the style of the original woodcut decks. The only ‘negative’ I can (so far) see with it is the fact the pips have Waite-Smith elements. I would have…
It’s always very exciting when a designer announces a new project and I feel especially flattered that this one decided to use The Queen’s Sword as his podium for The Big Reveal. In 2017 we can enjoy a modern take on the Tarot de Marseille called Arcanum X.
The Arcanum X Tarot is currently being designed by… …..drumroll….Orbifold Tarot creator and tarot reader, Michael Bridge-…
A look behind the scenes. Sneak peek through the designer’s eyes. Evalyne Hall – J.Jerger’s Tarot de Besançon “Why do an historical reproduction?, I was asked for The Queen’s Sword. The journey with the deck began when I began translating Du Jeu des Tarots and Recherches Sur les Tarots from Le Monde Primatif Volume 8. As I was translating the essays, I realized that two different decks were used for examples in the book. Antoine Court De Gébelin used an unidentifiable TdM and le Comte de Mellet (Louis-Raphael Lucrece de Fayolle) described a similar deck with Jupiter and Junon replacing the Pope and the Popess. I had never heard of this deck, having a limited Marseille knowledge (back then), but I knew that those images had to be included in the book. Based on Jupiter and Junon, I first found the 1JJ Swiss deck (OPP and much too new). A Google image search then led me to the British Museum and the Biblioteque National de France where I was able to locate four Besançon style decks; however, each deck had difference in some of the cards. In particular, with the Devil and the Four of Pentacles, Mellot used the phrases “He…
Tarot with cats…to some it brings a smile on their faces, others might have clicked away already. Better hold on! I am not talking about a tarot deck – although there is one from the same creator – but a Rune deck. Yep. Runes. On paper. With 1 cat. PookieCat Rune cards are definitely meant for divination, but more for that smile. Because we shouldn’t take life so seriously, according to their designer. And if you ever needed a simple way to introduce your child (or cousin) to your world, PookieCat has your back. Of course, I am paraphrasing Maria van Bruggen here, designer of all things PookieCat and currently running the last week of her already fully backed Kickstarter campaign. I am not into animals on my decks and have yet to become acquainted with runes, but I can definitely see why this divination tool might appeal to both kids and adults. Especially to those who could use some sunshine in their lives. Laughter When Van Bruggen – and yes I am a little proud she’s Dutch – explains the inspiration for her rune deck, this is what she emphasized: “Life is full with unpredictable moments. Some are happy,…
