what's in a name? the stygian darkness tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

archeon	03 Sep 2004
I've seen this topic come up a few times here on this message board and other places... so I thought maybe I'd offer a little insight. There seems to be a little confusion over the name "Stygian Darkness" and how it relates to the imagery of the the Tarot. ( http://www.stygiandarkness.com/tarot/index.html ) Some people tend to avoid the deck because of the name thinking it's a "Goth" or "Vampire" style deck, which it isn't. The main reason that I chose that title for the deck, and really for my "unoffical" studio name is its relation to classic literature and greek mythology. I have always been enamored with and inspired by the artists of the Symbolism movement of the late 19th Century... (which you can read more about here http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/symbolism.html ) In particular I find their fascination with ancient mythology and mysticism to be quite unique. While so many other artists were content to churn out Judeo-Christian works... this small group dared to embrace their imagination and indulge in a bit of escapist fantasy. In essesnce, "stygian darkness" is an ode to those artists whom I so admire. The term itself doesn't see much use anymore, but I stumbled across it in an old pulp magazine story... and the imagery it conjured up (with the ancient Charon ferrying across the river styx) just seemed like the kind of thing the symbolists would have loved. So if you have been avoiding the deck because of the name, I hope this thread will convince you to give it look, you may find yourself surprised to see that's really not what you were expecting. -Tim

The 78th Fool	03 Sep 2004
Hi Tim, I for one find your deck really inspiring and can't wait to get hold of it in print. Well Done - It's a beautiful work of art and it's really helpful to get some insight into your inspirations. Chris. xx

archeon	03 Sep 2004
thank you! Quote: Originally posted by The 78th Fool Hi Tim, I for one find your deck really inspiring and can't wait to get hold of it in print. Well Done - It's a beautiful work of art and it's really helpful to get some insight into your inspirations. Chris. xx

Leleii	04 Sep 2004
Hi Tim When will the deck be available? I am very interested in the deck. I like what I saw. Will a book be available wth the deck? Will it be mass market or ordered through your website? I can't wait for the deck.

archeon	04 Sep 2004
Hello! and thanks! the deck will be published by US Games in 2005 and will be available mass market. (I'll likely offer signed copies and what not through my website as well.) I've just mailed off the revisions to the art director, so hopefully I'll be able to announce a publishing date soon. There will be a booklet incleded with the deck. -Tim Quote: Originally posted by Leleii Hi Tim When will the deck be available? I am very interested in the deck. I like what I saw. Will a book be available wth the deck? Will it be mass market or ordered through your website? I can't wait for the deck.

Sulis	04 Sep 2004
I think this deck is lovely too. I don't generally like photographic style artwork but I like the darkness of this deck - I'm not prone to gothyness by the way :) The artwork is beautiful and from the scans I've seen on your site your seem to have got quite a lot of symbolism in the cards - they look as though they'd make a good reading deck. I should think you'll find quite a few folk on this site who will like your deck :) Love Sulis xx

tao51	04 Sep 2004
How could someone feel an aversion to a name? I thought the name evoked mystery. The tarot always helps solve mystery. I have been anticipating reading with this deck since I first viewed it. This is one of the top decks for 2005! Many blessings on your talent and efforts!--Tao

Trogon	05 Sep 2004
Archeon... fantastic artwork, great looking deck. I do like your deck for the art itself. You've obviously put a great deal of work and emotion into these images. However, I'm just not certain how it would work for me as a deck for reading. Some of the cards have images which don't portray the same meanings which I've gotten "used to"... for example, the 8 of Swords - the woman is in a situation from which she can not really free herself. To me this card is usually more about being able to free yourself, but not being willing to or not having the presence of mind to do so. Then again, most of the Majors are excellent... I loved your Sun Card, Strength, High Priestess, Heirophant and The Fool. I also really liked your Temperence card. Hmm... okay... maybe it would work as a reading deck after all... though many of the images would bring some very different "meanings" to my mind. Oddly enough, when I first started typing this reply, I thought it would end up being a "I don't think I'll like this deck" type of reply. Then, as I revisited many of the cards while typing this, I found myself liking them more and more. Now, I'm definitely going to be watching for this to come out. Another deck for my collection... my wife's going to want to slap you. ;)

Leleii	05 Sep 2004
Jim, I have another question. Will the deck be Thoth based or a RWC based deck or a combination of the two.? I loved the scans of the deck and I await its arrival in anticipation. Thank you for replying to my previous posts.

archeon	06 Sep 2004
Thanks! Quote: Originally posted by Sulis I think this deck is lovely too. I don't generally like photographic style artwork but I like the darkness of this deck - I'm not prone to gothyness by the way :) The artwork is beautiful and from the scans I've seen on your site your seem to have got quite a lot of symbolism in the cards - they look as though they'd make a good reading deck. I should think you'll find quite a few folk on this site who will like your deck :) Love Sulis xx

archeon	06 Sep 2004
Well I was certainly surprised by that too... it never occured to me that the name would cause people to avoid the deck, but it certainly seems to be the case in some instances... hopefully the word will spread however, and people will give it a chance... Quote: Originally posted by tao51 How could someone feel an aversion to a name? I thought the name evoked mystery. The tarot always helps solve mystery. I have been anticipating reading with this deck since I first viewed it. This is one of the top decks for 2005! Many blessings on your talent and efforts!--Tao

archeon	06 Sep 2004
Ha! well... hopefully she doesn't hit very hard... Thanks! Quote: Originally posted by Trogon Archeon... fantastic artwork, great looking deck. I do like your deck for the art itself. You've obviously put a great deal of work and emotion into these images. However, I'm just not certain how it would work for me as a deck for reading. Some of the cards have images which don't portray the same meanings which I've gotten "used to"... for example, the 8 of Swords - the woman is in a situation from which she can not really free herself. To me this card is usually more about being able to free yourself, but not being willing to or not having the presence of mind to do so. Then again, most of the Majors are excellent... I loved your Sun Card, Strength, High Priestess, Heirophant and The Fool. I also really liked your Temperence card. Hmm... okay... maybe it would work as a reading deck after all... though many of the images would bring some very different "meanings" to my mind. Oddly enough, when I first started typing this reply, I thought it would end up being a "I don't think I'll like this deck" type of reply. Then, as I revisited many of the cards while typing this, I found myself liking them more and more. Now, I'm definitely going to be watching for this to come out. Another deck for my collection... my wife's going to want to slap you. ;)

archeon	06 Sep 2004
I think you'll find that the RW deck is probably the more influential of the two, but there is a degree of variation where I felt that certain themes or ideas needed to be added or altered from the standard interpretations. -Tim Quote: Originally posted by Leleii Tim, I have another question. Will the deck be Thoth based or a RWC based deck or a combination of the two.? I loved the scans of the deck and I await its arrival in anticipation. Thank you for replying to my previous posts.

oceanpoetry	06 Sep 2004
Thanks for the clarification, Tim! This deck is really beautiful - the artwork has lots of depth. The images are rich and textured. I noticed from the first view of your deck that it doesn't really fit into the same category of what I would consider a "dark" deck (vampire, goth, etc). You are really breaking new ground with your artwork - it is in a class by itself! Please keep us updated on the publication date! :)

archeon	06 Sep 2004
Thank you for the kind words! Quote: Originally posted by oceanpoetry Thanks for the clarification, Tim! This deck is really beautiful - the artwork has lots of depth. The images are rich and textured. I noticed from the first view of your deck that it doesn't really fit into the same category of what I would consider a "dark" deck (vampire, goth, etc). You are really breaking new ground with your artwork - it is in a class by itself! Please keep us updated on the publication date! :)

Eco74	06 Sep 2004
This one is on my wishlist and has remained there through the last three revisions. I'm sure to get one once the deck is published. At first the "darkness" and the somewhat dark imagery got me a little unsure of it, but looking at the images I was definately swayed. That empress, and so many of the other images just stare right out of the image and speak heaps already through the computerscreen. I second the "breaking new ground" comment. This is a very own style and a lovely one at that. Dark-ish images yes, but not dark-themed and it's obvious that there is a lot of work put into it.

archeon	06 Sep 2004
Thank you! Quote: Originally posted by Eco74 This one is on my wishlist and has remained there through the last three revisions. I'm sure to get one once the deck is published. At first the "darkness" and the somewhat dark imagery got me a little unsure of it, but looking at the images I was definately swayed. That empress, and so many of the other images just stare right out of the image and speak heaps already through the computerscreen. I second the "breaking new ground" comment. This is a very own style and a lovely one at that. Dark-ish images yes, but not dark-themed and it's obvious that there is a lot of work put into it.

Leleii	06 Sep 2004
I want the deck...I want the deck...I want the deck.... I hope US Games publish it like they did the Golden Tarot in a box. I think that is the best way to package tarot cards with a small book....

rabble	10 Sep 2004
I *love* this deck. I am so looking forward to it's release!! I already have prints (small ones) on my wall beside my desk. Your artwork is absolutely amazing, Tim. I love it. I think, actually, that you were my inspiration for believing that a photographic collage based deck can still be art, and not a bunch of photos pasted over the top of one another. I am eagerly awaiting this deck, more than I ever have any other.

ihcoyc	10 Sep 2004
I may have to pick this up, just because of the mention of the Symbolists. FWIW, I wrote most of the Symbolism page on the Wikipedia; the period has always interested me as well.

archeon	10 Sep 2004
Wow! Thank you so much for saying that... I really try to take that "photoshop" look out of my work, so its always very rewarding when someone notices the effort... thanks! Quote: Originally posted by rabble I *love* this deck. I am so looking forward to it's release!! I already have prints (small ones) on my wall beside my desk. Your artwork is absolutely amazing, Tim. I love it. I think, actually, that you were my inspiration for believing that a photographic collage based deck can still be art, and not a bunch of photos pasted over the top of one another. I am eagerly awaiting this deck, more than I ever have any other.

WolfyJames	29 Sep 2004
I want to say that, just like the others, I love this deck and that I'm eager to see the published version. I was scared at first of your deck, not because it's dark and gritty or because of the name, but because my tolerance to real people in pictures is really really low. Actually, your deck reminds me of the Vertigo, an unattainable deck to me, but it is quite different at the same time. I love the black and white and the rare and sudden appearance of colors in the cards (your deck, of course). It took me some time to get past the real people, the eerie effect on each card is really good. Plus, there are so many moons in your deck, I love the moon. Good work! :)

archeon	29 Sep 2004
Thank you! Quote: Originally posted by WolfyJames I want to say that, just like the others, I love this deck and that I'm eager to see the published version. I was scared at first of your deck, not because it's dark and gritty or because of the name, but because my tolerance to real people in pictures is really really low. Actually, your deck reminds me of the Vertigo, an unattainable deck to me, but it is quite different at the same time. I love the black and white and the rare and sudden appearance of colors in the cards (your deck, of course). It took me some time to get past the real people, the eerie effect on each card is really good. Plus, there are so many moons in your deck, I love the moon. Good work! :)

The what's in a name? the stygian darkness tarot thread was originally posted on 03 Sep 2004 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.