Holy Tarot Of The Parallel Universe

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Nov 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

migueldart	06 Nov 2002
I haven't logged in for a while due to the fact that I've been busy, busy, busy, trying to finish my Tarot deck by New Years (Winter Solstice for a lot of us!) Well, I missed you guys, and I come offering you some treats. I want you all to know that I've posted some of the finished cards of my Tarot work in progress, along with another 3 of my photo-illustration portfolios at the ADOBE web site: http://eportfolio.studio.adobe.com/user/migueldominguez I hope you get a kick out of them! And please... give me as much input as possible, I'd really appreciate it.

truthsayer	06 Nov 2002
i really enjoyed looking through your whole web page. it shows that you've worked very hard on your deck and other art work. i would like a copy of the deck whenever you get it published. it is a beautiful and compelling deck. just a few observations that might help you.the images are intense-i love intensity but occasionally too strong or busy for me. i prefer the softer less busy images. let me give a few examples of my fav images:nocturn, hermit, aces, death, tower, iovian dream, into the woods, spirit of the earth, starman, angel brook, black madonna. some images remind me of both the sacred circle tarot and the cosmic tribe. both also use graphics and real ppl. best wishes to you!

migueldart	06 Nov 2002
I can see you have a preference for dark and moody images, which I also find very restful and conductive to meditation. A lot of the Minor Arcana I am making very simple, just a beautiful landscape photo as a background , each suit representing each of the 4 elements, with the symbols placed on top strategically as to enhance rather than block the background. As I finish more of the cards, I'll be adding them to the site and posting notices here for all of you who care to follow my progress (and critic it, please!)

Keslynn	06 Nov 2002
I went to the webpage, but out of the tarot, I can only view the very first cards. I click on the black arrows but nothing happens. :( I do like the Ace of Swords and I would like to see more. :) Kes

Jeannette	06 Nov 2002
Very impressive, Miguel! I see from your online resumé that you are a photographer as well. Did you do some of the photography work yourself, as well as the design and composite work? -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

migueldart	07 Nov 2002
I noticed when I was uploading the images into the site, that at times the processing would get very slow. Maybe you didn't give time to the site to fully load all the images on the Tarot portfolio. Try again, please. Nobody else seems to have your problem with the site.

migueldart	07 Nov 2002
Hey, jeannette! I recently bought a persian divining deck from your company, remember? While talking on the phone with you, I did mention that I was working on a Tarot deck...Well, this is it!!! Yes, I have photographed a good 98% of all the images in the deck. What I don't shoot, I take from royalty-free photo cd's. I definitely want to make some money selling this deck, so I'm very careful not to steal images from other photographers. Making this deck I have gathered so much material, I can very quickly create a second, totally different deck. I also have plans for a "KAMA SUTRA" Tarot, and it definitely won't be for kids! Thanx for you imput! Miguel

Jeannette	07 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by migueldart I recently bought a persian divining deck from your company, remember? Yes, I remembered -- the Persian cards and one other deck. Your orders were much appreciated! :) Quote: I definitely want to make some money selling this deck That's great news! If you publish the deck, and will be making it available to resellers at a quantity wholesale price, please do contact me anytime! -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Page	07 Nov 2002
Nice one migueldart I just had a look at your site and I cracked up when I saw THE EMPRESS. Who is she? I really like the cards. I can't wait to see more! maud

Sulis	07 Nov 2002
Lovely, I really liked the Hermit , The Empress and The Star. I`d love to see what your High Priestess is like. A couple of questions: Are you going to do illustrated minors or pips? Will it be based on RWS, Thoth or are you making up your own system? I`d be really interested in getting this deck when you publish it. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Demonesse	07 Nov 2002
Gorgeous! Reminds me of the Cosmic Tribe somewhat, but with a few more clothes :P Love the Ace of Swords (most beautiful card, methinks) , Lovers, Hermit and Star - and that's one controversial Chariot, hehe. Truthsayer is right though - some cards, like the Wizard, are overly 'busy' and colourful; this distracts the viewer from the figure.

purplelady	07 Nov 2002
migueldart, I like so many of your images! Bright, colorful , and firey. They do remind me of the cosmic tribe. I love "orient gate" , and ionian moon, and many others. And that has Got to be the rocky mountains on the Star card.......

migueldart	08 Nov 2002
Thanx for offering to distribute my art product once it's finished. I can use all the help I can get getting my art work into the market. Before I publish it though, I have to design a box for the cards, and more important, I have to come up with an instruction manual even if it is just a folded up leaflet to explain the meaning of the cards with key words for each. I will be going to the traditional publishing houses first, but if nothing jells, I'll publish a limited edition myself. Again, thanx for your encouragement. Miguel

migueldart	08 Nov 2002
That big, black mama overseeing tropical produce is actually wearing a lot of padding. I photographed her at a New York disco Halloween party where she was part of the entertainment as the fat lady. The event was themed as a circus midway with all kind of clowns, freaks and circus acts going on. As a matter of fact, all the costumed people you'll see in my tarot deck, I shot at different NYC Halloween parades and parties from 1984-1993. Wait till you see my FOOL card... Miguel

migueldart	08 Nov 2002
Glad you like my Tarot! I'm trying to follow thru the symbolism of RW on all my cards, but at the same time I don't want to slavishly incorporate all the imagery of Pamela Colman Smith. A good example of the direction I'm taking is the Empress card. The symbolism of the plenty and fruitfulness of the Mother Goddess is all there, but it doesn't look at all like the Empress by P.C.S. Hopefully by this Sunday I'll have some more of the Minor Arcana posted on my site and you'll get a better idea, so keep on checking this thread! Miguel

migueldart	08 Nov 2002
Thanx for your input! When creating a work of art that requires certain specifics, such as a particular set of symbols or images, sometimes I have to walk a tightrope between content, feel and look. Even though I could have used several other images for the garden, or even the Magus, no other combination felt right. I also thought it was overly busy, but it just seems right to me. Sometimes one comes accross a work of art that is extremely intricate, and the whole fun of looking at it is to very carefully to pore over it and savor the details. Thanx for your critique, I really appreciate it! Miguel

migueldart	08 Nov 2002
I'm very happy you like my art! There will be more coming very soon. The mountains you're refering to, I lifted from one of my royalty free photo-cd's with nothing but images of American Mts. So it must be the Rockies or thereabouts. Thanx for your input! Miguel

MeeWah	08 Nov 2002
Miguel: Your deck is entrancing; so much to look at in every card!! Very skillful & creative use of photography. The images remind me of the Cosmic Tribe, but with clothes. Overall, the impression is of celebration & joy. The Aces are my favorites: especially vibrant with their raw energy. I also like the Mardi Gras look of the Majors--The Devil especially has that feeling. I am looking forward to its completion!

migueldart	09 Nov 2002
From the very begining I set out to make a fun deck of cards--the kind that would make the viewer (or reader, in this case) want to be there, inside the universe represented by the art, just like a lot of the surreal and fantasy art I've seen in my life makes me wish I could. That's why I called it Holy Tarot of the Parallel Universe. To me that universe is very real inside my head and the source of my artistic inspiration. Makes me feel great being able to share it with others. I'm very happy you like it. Miguel

The Holy Tarot Of The Parallel Universe thread was originally posted on 06 Nov 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.