Phantasmagoric - Knight of Cups

[Little Baron]

So, how did Tom Tom work within my day. You know, I am not that sure and that is what worries me somewhat. I am wondering if that 'little guy's' magic has been working in the background somewhere and I am going to see the outcome in events of the not so distant future. Besides, the day is not over yet. He still may raise that pretty little head yet!

My card for tomorrow is ...

The Knight of Cups - Howie

This knight and I have never been aquainted before and from the way in which he is standing with his head tilted back, I am not so sure he is pleased to see me.
What do I see? Well, as noted, his general posture could be perceived as a little arogant. Does this knight think he is better than me? The background of this room is pink and grey check. The floor is green. Howie stands infront wearing a black (cropped) top with a heart on it, some pink shorts and grey boots. There is an oversized coffee cup infront of him and two dice to his left. Howie has pulled his right arm behind his back and is holding his left arm with it. He has, what looks to be, a long spike peirced from under his lip.
There is a brown structure at the back of the green flooring. I can not tell if this is a chair and Howie is standing on the table, or if this is the top of a ladder.
On the wall are the numbers 2, 3, 7.

Graham Cameron says of this card -
"Welcome Howie, the Knight of Cups, to the table. Howie is impulsive, yet sensitive. When he feels his emotional needs calling he follows them, knowing that to ignore them will leave him feeling unfulfilled.
Howie, the Knight, knows how to have fun and flirt. He is artistic and represents the importance of letting go when we feel the need".

I can see elements of Howie in me. Being a water sign (Pisces), I can express myself emotionally; even though, unlike Howie, when these needs call, I don't always follow. Maybe there will be a situation tomorrow where I might need to reasess the way I respond to others and focus on letting go to make myself a little happier.

Jonathan Dee, in his book, 'Tarot', describes the traditional knight as a 'faithful lover or good friend, enthusiastic, passionate and amiable'. He says that this knight brings offers and opportunities. I do not have a lover at the moment, but if I did, Howie's offer of a chat and a 'large bottomless cup of coffee' is what I would want them to bring with them. I see this card as less of a lover and more of a friend. I do have a close friend who has been both the lover and the 'coffee bearer' and I wonder if this card is centred around them. At the moment, I am not 100% sure of the relevance. Why does Howie hold his arm like this? What is he holding himself back from? Does this card comment on the relationship that two friends have when their affection has been physical as well as that of a plutonic friendship. I may be seeing my friend tomorrow, or possibly, even tonight, since we have spoken on the phone.

I am not quite sure about the message of this card. There are points that 'ring true' for me but it is hard to define them properly; unlike my last three draws. I think that once I am in tomorrow, Howies energy may casually slip into the day, and by the evening, I would have understood him better.

Does anybody have anything to add to this? Does anybody know Howie a little better than I do? Do you see him as the person that you can never completely get close to and when there is just that little bit of an opening, he is off again, having fun, flirting and chasing his emotions in a different part of town?
For me, there is definitely an element of 'stand-offishness' here. Maybe even snobbery to some extent. He makes me feel that I am not so much part of this 'production' as I might want to be.

Thanks for listening.

Yaboot

[darwinia]

I was curious about these threads since no one seems to have ever devoted time to study on this deck.

BIG cards
Big Heads
Funny Names
Stories, and stories, and stories.

I used to be in a drama club. I played the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, one of the three wise men, and the narrator of The Haunting of Hill House. I also read poetry onstage and plucked flowers off the floor after funerals. We met in a church that had the only stage in town. I stopped when I became aware that group activities weren't a lot of fun (I think that was after a year of Girl Guides.)

I love the 2 of cups.

Everybody always goes on and on in reviews and comments about how hard bigger decks are to shuffle, so why shuffle them, try a new way, how about that? Sheesh, I love big cards.

Ah, look at their big heads.....just weird enough to appeal. Think of the stories one could tell--look at that big-headed person at the top of the stairs in the 6 of Swords.

Too bad I have no money.

[Little Baron]

Hey Freesiaskye!

Yes, I love the big heads as well ... and since we usually meet in the Rohrig forum, it is no surprise that we have a love for the 'larger' card.

Best wishes mate

Yab

[darwinia]

Well, if I can track a deck down today the spouse might be agreeable to letting me spend $25 on this.

Normally I don't like cute decks at all but he's got these characters and stories. I'm thinking of doing a collage with Tom-Tom trying his hand at gardening for a change. You know, Mother Nature tames the Naughty One, and gives him a focus in life.

How could he be interested in stealing toys when he's got a shiny new spade and trowel? Guys always prefer tools to toys, it's a well known fact.

Guys with big heads like this generally like a lot of attention too so maybe he'll get into sculpture and create a few statues and welded thingies in the garden and people will stop to visit him and chat and talk about their automated toy collections. Not just toys but automated toys.

See, his whole gardening thing has broadened his horizons and he can learn without theft and maybe pick up women who have teddy collections and he can learn about bears and growlie things inside their chests and then of course he's bound to meet someone with a Barbie collection. They'll need some landscaping done, so he'll go to the house and have a personally conducted tour of the Barbie collection and maybe some German chocolate cake and lemonade while sussing out the subtle differences in the Ken doll over the years, and she'll get a lovely yard and wonder why she never noticed this guy with the huge, fat head around town before.

Big heads don't cut it unless you have a trade. Mower power, that's the ticket.

[Little Baron]

YOU NEED THIS DECK FREESIASKYE!!!
PERSUADE THE SPOUSE!!!

Seriously, when you get into it, it isn't that cute. Sure, there are some lovely little bald heads with sprouting tufts of hair and loveable grins, but there is an element of the psychotic about the whole thing, which is probably why I like it! It's so different from my other decks which is why it is a dream to walk through. The Rohrig, is so dreamlike, vivid and powerful, as you know. This one has a different edge. I think you would like it in here!

I will leave you with a few bald tufty heads to wet your appetite. If you want to see any cards from the deck, let me know and I will post them up for you.

Best wishes

Yab

(detail from the 9 of Cups)

[Little Baron]

Another Bald Tufty Head to get you in the mood, Freesiaskye!

(I think I am losing my mind!)

(detail from Judgment -20)

[Little Baron]

And finally, a complete psychopath!

Look forward to talking to you soon.

Best wishes

Yab

(detail from the 6 of Swords)

[Maan]

Yes Freesiaskye you need this deck LOL
BUt i might be a little bias ;)

Oke yaboot lett me see were i can come up with concerning Howie.

The thing he has growing from his chin always makes me think of those lonf overgrown mustaches that some man wear in a curl. You know what i mean? This singles for me that Howie is a little idel, and that he is a big charmer.
But it also looks a bit like an antenna, like some bugs have. I think this means that he is very sensitive for the enegery that hangs around people or spaces. And he is also the kind of person that can feel what you feel, in a matter of speaking.

The big boots always make me think of how hard it is to stay grounded. Howie found his own wayfor doing this ;)

And the nakes belly makes me think that he is very intouch with his emotions and show/s them to the world. For the belly is the place most emotions are felt.

Well just my ramblings....al nonsens probebly ;)

Love
Maan

Ps I love discusing this deck!
And i'm glad you can put up these great scan's Yaboot...how i wish i had a scanner

[darwinia]

Well, she had it in stock at the tarot store so I bought it, it was fate. I was looking back at older threads and I remember a couple of people posted something about finding this unbearably cute and I went to look at it and thought much the same, but I didn't realize that Graham Cameron had put this much effort into the characters and story until I read your recent threads. The guy has an unbelievable imagination, which makes him appealing to me.

I might as well tell you up front, I am Madame Lola. I am Madame Lola in every deck no matter what they call her, and I am pleased to see that in this deck I have a lovely ginger tabby cat on the 4 of Swords. That is my favourite kind of cat. But you know, Graham says "Be careful when approaching her, as her time is precious" in the LWB--these archetypes are spooky sometimes for that is exactly the sort of thing that bugs me, and I'm always interested on each deck author's particular take on an archetype.

Skimming through the LWB I am muchly impressed with his turn of phrase and characterization. I am leaning toward the 9 of Wands--The Plasicine Junky as my favourite character. Look at that name.

What about this line:
"Inhabitants of Water Cup Desert gather around a broken cup, but do not allow themselves to be sad."

"Say hello to Fizzy, the Queen of Cups."

I absolutely loved this one for the 7 of Cups:

"Scoop realizes his days of being glove puppet master in Water Cup Desert are limited. He is faced with emotional confusion. His most loyal fan, "X", the box toy, wishes him to stay. But Scoop is realistic and knows his priorities. Using his dreams constructively, he has decided to head for the Theme Parks."

Graham Cameron is a genius, and Maan hiding him away like that and not telling us! Come on, how could any resist this completely delightful story?

The Earth Coin Village, Water Cup Desert, Fire Wand Circus, and the Air Sword Labyrinth beckon you. Mr. Dimp agrees with me that time is precious.

Maan, I guess you're going to have more company than you thought, but I am hopelessly lost right now as far as the characters go.
Wandering off to lay cards out on a table somewhere.............

[Maan]

Originally posted by freesiaskye
Maan, I guess you're going to have more company than you thought, but I am hopelessly lost right now as far as the characters go.
Wandering off to lay cards out on a table somewhere.............

Well, Lola ;) I certainly don't mind the compagny. It was kindda lonely....BTW you can cal me Polly LOL

I'm glad you like it so much as i do. And your right that guy has the most incredible imagination..i wish i knew him.
He does not even have his own website. Atleast i can't find it.
I would love to do an interview with him for aeclectic..or just for me ;)

Love
a very happy
Maan

[darwinia]

Originally posted by Maan
[B]And your right that guy has the most incredible imagination..i wish i knew him.
He does not even have his own website. Atleast i can't find it.
I would love to do an interview with him for aeclectic..or just for me ;)

You must entail the help of the people at US Games--they will be able to forward your request. That's how it's done in the publishing business, if you want to contact an author, you write his publisher.

They have a marketing department that deals with advertising and publicity--here are the various e-mails at the company. You are the one who knows this deck and has the experience and enthusiasm to interview the author, but just be up front and tell the company you'd like to interview him for Aeclectic, I'm sure they know of the forum, and say that there has been a surge of interest in Graham's brilliant deck etc.

http://www.usgamesinc.com/email_directory.cfm

If not the marketing department, send a general question to the Executive Offices, I'm quite sure they'll forward your message to Graham and you can maybe go from there.

YOU are the person to do this excellent interview and pull it off. How long have you loved this deck? How intimately do you know these characters? Honestly Maan, what a fabulous idea.

[darwinia]

I've changed my mind, my favourite character is Bundie, depicted on the Six of Cups and also front row centre <g> on the Nine of Cups.

I like him because he reminds me of Laura Ingalls Wilder's rag doll Charlotte in the Little House books. When Laura was older, some bratty kid was visiting and wanted Charlotte so Ma Ingalls let the kid have her, to Laura's horror.

Sometime in the winter, Laura found Charlotte frozen in a puddle of water with her hair and eye ripped out and no clothes. The nasty little brat had destroyed the doll. So Laura took her home and Ma repaired her and redressed her. But when Laura found the doll in the ice, Charlotte looked like Bundie!!

How could I not like him with his big, ripped head? He's trying to be nice and help people, Bundie has learned the gift of giving, he's a sweetie. And he's smiling, I like people that smile.

[Little Baron]

Freesiaskye! You don't hang about!

I am so glad you have this deck now and that you have fallen straight into it. I have had it for about a year or so and it has taken that long for me to realise what a true wonder it is.

I am just about to go out so I will write later.

I am sure Maan agrees that it is great to see these threads livening up.

Best wishes to you both

Yaboot (or Yab, as Freesiaskye calls me)

[galadrial]

Hi all,

freesiaskye thought I might like this deck (how did you know?). I figured I was currently "decked out" having just gotten the Margarete Petersen, the Tarot of Prague, and having ordered the Rohrig yeaterday. But when I checked this deck out I couldn't resist. It reminds me so much of other things I like: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, and, if you're into adventure games, Falderal and Ooga Booga from King's Quest VII: the Princeless Bride, and Zanydu and the Malevolands from Toonstruck. And the really cool thing is, stories from a tarot deck never end, and are tailored to yourself to boot. So, I ordered this deck this morning- but it really is the last one for awhile; I must give these decks some quality time!

P.S. Sing ho for Cups in the Desert. My heart belongs to the desert, where I was born, raised and still reside:-)

[darwinia]

Originally posted by galadrial
freesiaskye thought I might like this deck (how did you know?).
'Cause I can tell these things. <g> Actually, I can't quite figure out why it isn't more popular. We shall have to give credit to Maan for being the voice in the wilderness for so long, and for Yab for getting her talking about it again.
It reminds me so much of other things I like: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, and, if you're into adventure games, Falderal and Ooga Booga from King's Quest VII: the Princeless Bride, and Zanydu and the Malevolands from Toonstruck.
See, you're definitely a story person, and this deck has the most wonderfully, inventive story and characters.
So, I ordered this deck this morning- but it really is the last one for awhile; I must give these decks some quality time!
Oh that's great, what a happy thing to buy some new high quality decks. Yeah me too about giving them some time, but it just seemed right. I'm pretty picky about decks as I'm not a true collector and only buy ones I know I will use. I just knew I'd use this.
P.S. Sing ho for Cups in the Desert. My heart belongs to the desert, where I was born, raised and still reside:-)
It was meant to be!

[Maan]

Oh girls you made me sooooooo HAPPY!
( and you too Yaboot)

I knew i could not be the only weird one ;)

Love
"a dancing"
Maan

[Little Baron]

I am glad that you are dancing Maan!

I am also glad that this decks threads are building up as it really deserves some recognition. In time, if more people buy this deck, our views will have formed a catalogue of the cards and their interpretations. There is so little information, other than the LWB, so I think that that would be useful for any new reader of this tarot pack.

Out of curiosity, where do your cards 'live'? I read already, Maan, that yours live in a marble bag (am I right?). Mine do not have a home yet. I did buy them a very brightly coloured lay out cloth though. It is full of different coloured stars, has large suns in the corner and a childlike moon in the centre. At first, I thought it may be a bit distractive, but the colours work so well with the Phantasmagoric that it makes for a really lively and energetic spread. I have an old tin that was my Grandmothers and then, my mothers. It is so old, is black and has coloured and also gold pictures on it. I would like to use it for a deck but am not sure whether it fits with this one; thought something brighter would be more appropriate. What do you think?

The scan is not a particularly good one, I am affraid.

Best wishes

Yaboot

[Hedera]

Hehe, I'm so happy you all are happy...:D

See, Yaboot, no need to worry about boring people; you seem to have gotten a deck-buying frenzy going!

Now, where did I put that Phantasmagoric.... It's in a lovely, purple brocade bag, with silver oriental dragons embroidered on it..... Thematically perhaps not a perfect match, but the colours and the size fit so well!

[Maan]

Your right mine live in a marble bag.
Its a perfect fit. It actually has the same pattren as the back of the cards only in blue and white.

Did you see it Hedera? I forgot if i did..

I will see if i can get my brother to take a picture of it with his digital camera. Maybe i can get it uploaded her. If i ever manage to make the picture smalller..... i'm such a computer nitwit.

[Melvis]

Yay! More Phantasmagoric lovers! :D

I love your comments about Howie's "antenna", Maan! It kind of helps illustrate my take on this card, which is that this guy is everyone's friend. People love to talk to him and tell him their secrets. Why? His posture where he's 'hiding' his arm behind his back seems to indicate to me that he'll keep any secrets you tell him and not whisper a word to anyone else.

And the way he's tilting his head makes me think he's saying, "C'mon over here! Have a cup with me!"

I guess I don't get the same "stand-off-ish" feeling that you do, Yaboot, but I do see where it could be dangerous to say too much to Howie. Since he is such a good listener he doesn't actually do much talking, so it's hard to know what his feelings are.

Peace,

Melvis
:TSTRE

P.S. My deck lives in it's box, which sits in a lovely green basket full of my most often used decks (about 5-6).

[darwinia]

The first thing that struck me about his was his androgynous body--he does look kinda femmy, you know? I have a feeling he aspires to the market that Boy George used to sustain; he is the New Karma Chameleon.

He also seems to be wearing mascara and lipstick, is that a microphone hidden behind his back? Yeah, Howie's an aspiring rock star, and he's got a message of love, plus he's going to start a trend for pink shorts and combat boots--he's got a pink scarf on his neck too.

See that big hair on his chin, it's quite exagerated. It reminds me of those Gillette commercials where they do the close-up animation of how that razor just bites 'em off at the root for a clean smooth shave. Well Howie didn't quite get to the root of the matter despite his quest, either that or he's preparing to audition for a Gillette commercial. He looks like veering his head away so you don't stab yourself on that hair if you approach him, he's also trying to keep you from mussing his makeup before he goes on stage.

That thing behind him is a ladder to the stage and the dry ice in the cup is going to start smoking any minute now and the dice will act like disco balls on the floor, he'll rip the mike from behind his back and start singing his hit "273 Checks," which is the single he won the Grammy for. Yeah, he's got a zircon stud in his navel, number one with a bullet.

I don't have anything yet for my deck to reside in.

[Maan]

Freesaskye what a wonderful way to look at Howie
I never seen him like that before!

I hope you will find a home for them soon.

[darwinia]

Originally posted by Maan
[B]Freesaskye what a wonderful way to look at Howie
I never seen him like that before!

No one has! I had my doubts about posting that since it didn't seem terribly "correct." But I decided that I find the stories in the deck so charming that when I looked at a card myself, I would just say what it looked like to me as my own little story whether it tied into the conventional meaning or not.

So Howie turned into an androgymous rock star with alarming chin stubble and a personal sylist who is fond of pink. That's what I saw.

Of such things are eccentric recluses made. Now, if I get my William Blake poetry book in the mail today, I'll be all set.

[spoonbender]

Howie, the Knight of Cups (http://tarotkorea.new21.net/deck/Phantasmagoric/Cups12.jpg), is positioned on a platform – there’s a ladder leading up to where he stands. Maybe this shows that he isn’t exactly a ‘down-to-earth’ person? Or perhaps Howie just went up there because he was attracted to that large cup. The cup has a big heart on it, and could show Howie’s ideals and aspirations: true, unconditional, romantic love. It’s probably that large to show how important it is to Howie.

Howie is dressed rather... eccentrically: he wears a black top, pink hot pants and grey boots. I think he very much does what feels right to him, without paying attention to other people’s objections. I imagine he thinks it’s very important to express your personality and emotions to the fullest. That’s what I assume he was telling me about a drawing-course I’m following: don’t analyse or think too much, just draw spontaneously and with feeling. Actually, the teacher said that the quick sketches I did had the most character, and that I should continue in that spontaneous style.

Howie’s big head is hairless, except for a very weird-looking goatee. I was thinking about how this could show that Howie directs his growth in unusual ways, and that he has his own way of expressing himself.

Howie must practice yoga, because he’s holding his left arm with his right in a very strange way. I suppose this could show that he is actively and consciously (right) guiding and expressing his subconscious and his feelings (left)?
Originally posted by Melvis
[...] this guy is everyone's friend. People love to talk to him and tell him their secrets. Why? His posture where he's 'hiding' his arm behind his back seems to indicate to me that he'll keep any secrets you tell him and not whisper a word to anyone else.
I wish I could see Howie like that too, but to me, he seems somewhat absent-minded and dreamy (he’s probably fantasising about all sorts of things), and also a bit proud, as if he feels very important.

Spoonbender

PS: Maan, your interpretation of this card is wonderful - you should jump in more often!

[darwinia]

Ah, memories, memories.

Big heads and compelling characters and an endless story that goes on and on.

Something about this deck. . . it isn't cute in any sense of the word.