Using the Lord of the Rings deck to create the movie's storyboard

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Alissa	27 Dec 2002
(World's longest thread title, see above). The other night, while playing with my new LOTR deck (a surprise Christmas gift, yeah yeah!) I was also watching the movie on TV and pulled out all the cards that I felt were either a part of Jackson's LOTR "Fellowship of the Ring" or looked like a scene from the movie. Here's what I made, a storyboard of sorts for the flick (i know it's not accurate to the book, but that's not what I was trying to do) : 19 Sun -- The Sun shines over the Shire, where everything is growing in harmony. 9 Cups -- Bilbo holds his birthday party at Bag End. 8 wands -- Gandalf speeds through open country riding Shadowfax, bringing hope. 20 Judgment -- Gandalf reveals to Frodo the nature of the forces around him. 4 cups -- Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin meet with Farmer Maggot and become friends whilst out picking mushrooms. Page Cups -- Butterbur serves at his inn, the Prancing Pony. Many people come through it's doors. 9 wands -- Gandalf confronts Saruman with his betrayal, and maintains his defenses against Saruman's persuasive powers. 9 swords -- The Nine Riders know knothing except the will of their Dark Lord Page Coins -- Glorfindel comes forward to meet the Ringbearer on the road to Rivendell. Knight Cups -- Frodo, though injured, resists the call of the Riders. They are then swept away. 3 cups -- Frodo is reunited with Bilbo in Rivendell after a long time. 6 Lovers -- Aragorn is reunited with his love, the Lady Arwen. 4 Emperor -- Elrond refuses to touch the Ring, and thus retains his independence. 2 swords -- The Members of Elrond's council think deeply about the problem before them. 17 Star -- The Light of the Evening Star shines through Galadriel's Ring. Ace Cups -- Galadriel's mirror shows may things, but wisdom lies in understanding what is shown. Seven Wands -- At Weathertop, Aragorn musters his companions against the approach of the Riders. 7 Coins -- The Company try the mountain pass, but realize they must find another way into Mordor. 5 coins -- The Company of the Ring enter the Underworld Labyrinth of Moria. 8 Death -- Gandalf confronts the Balrog. Gandalf loses his life, but is to be reborn. 5 cups -- The Companions are disillusioned after the loss of Gandalf. 5 swords -- Pippin and Merry are captured by the orcs, and are bound and carried away. 3 wands -- Aragorn, Gmli and Legolas begin looking for their abducted friends. And that's it! I hope if you decide to pull out your own LOTR deck you let me know if I missed any. I am by no means a Tolkien scholar (I havent even read the entire trilogy (YET YET, I got it for xmas to go with the deck)). This was just a fun way I was using to connect more with the new deck, but it's interesting to see.

DeLani	27 Dec 2002
This might go on the "Tarot Decks" forum, but here goes anyway: I really love LOTR. I think I am part Hobbit. Is there only one LOTR deck? The one I've seen I'm not impressed with. I want to see one with pics from the movie!!!

violinlily	27 Dec 2002
hey Alissa (I get soo confused when I see that, my name's Alyssa.... lol)!! that list is really cool!! Another deck on my "to-get-within-the-next-year" list. I, too, love the books, the movies, the merchandise... everything!! I feel so connected to it somehow... **argggggggh... where're my Aragorn& Legolas (sigh) bookmarks?!?!?!?!** delani, it would be even better (if there was that deck) if the two were sold together!!

Trish	27 Dec 2002
Oooh! Ooooh! Something fun to do with the LOTR deck I got for Christmas! hehehe! Thanks for sharing! (BTW -- I really like the way they're working for me as Tarot cards too! Got a nice first spread from them!)

sagitarian	27 Dec 2002
wow sis, got a little bit of time on your hands for once hey? laughs. I too have this deck (I did a few readings with you using it), and I have to tell ya, if you don't read the books, you won't understand the cards very well. I got the deck long before I read the triology. AFTER I read the triology, the cards made sense, but as I stated in another forum, this deck seems to have a darkness to it. Maybe not necessarily "dark" but sullen, melancholy. I don't like using it unless it calls to me with a particular person. But I can definitely see where your coming from sis, and awesome on the finding of the order that matches with both the book and the movie.

Alissa	28 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by sagitarian I too have this deck (I did a few readings with you using it), and I have to tell ya, if you don't read the books, you won't understand the cards very well. I got the deck long before I read the triology. AFTER I read the triology, the cards made sense, but as I stated in another forum, this deck seems to have a darkness to it. As a matter of fact, I DO remember you reading for me with them when they were a new deck to you (about 10 years ago I'd guess). You hadnt read the books then and were telling me you ought to "just give the deck to me." Funny that I should end up with it now, huh? ;) I agree that reading and knowledge of the LOTR trilogy is essential to understanding this deck. But if you speak that "vernacular" then it's quite effective. Tolkien hit on many of the universals that Tarot addresses. It seems natural that epics (like Arthrian and/or Tolkien) should happen to have their own Tarot decks, i think.

neptune	29 Dec 2002
I saw the Two Towers the other night. *sigh* I wish there was just an Aragorn deck. He looked amazing! *sigh*

Alissa	02 Jan 2003
I also wish they would release another LOTR deck ... not necessarily one based heavily on the actors or Jackson's version of the Tolkien original, but definitely one with a bit better artwork. The captions are lovely, but the drawings in this deck are crude when examined closely. I've heard the same thing from others in many other postings. There's a real market for a deck designer... if U.S. Games will go for a new release. I personally would love to see a blend of the newer "contemporary" look of decks that use multi media and other new tech design stuff, mixed in with the archaic Middle Earth theme. Heck, I would love just to see something besides watercolors for a change though, I think. (One reason I DO like this deck is because it's darker overall though). In any case, its a good thing I'm getting so blind ... I get a nice soft patina glow over the cards while I'm looking at them, and feel like they're more "misty". :D That obscures the crudeness...... and neptune.. ohhh I finally saw the movie on Monday!!! It was excellent ... but aren't you tired of everyone asking if it's better than the first? To me, it's like reading the next chapter of one work, not something to be judged against the preceding or forthcoming chapers but judged as a whole once seen complete. Have you had a bunch of that too?

Cerulean	02 Jan 2003
http://www.topps.com/Entertainment/LOTRTwoTowers/LOTRtt.html I saw them at Borders this year, The Two Towers, and last year, The Fellowship of the Ring.

The Using the Lord of the Rings deck to create the movie's storyboard thread was originally posted on 27 Dec 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.