songwriting

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Ambrosia	12 Jul 2003
hi everyone. I am a singer songwriter , and i have found it very interesting reading people suggestions on using the cards for writing stories. There are alot of good ideas which could be applied to songwriting. My question is though, have any of you used the tarot specifically for songwriting and if so what are your thoughts on this?

Jeannette	12 Jul 2003
Ambrosia: I have seen numerous threads on different boards where people discuss existing songs that they believe relate to certain tarot cards. But most those songs so not appear to have been specifically inspired by tarot cards. They simply "tap into" the universal archetypes that tarot makes salient. However, there have been various musical compilations released that have been inspired by tarot. Most of the ones I'm familiar with, such as Steve & David Gordon's Music of the Tarot, appear to be instrumental only. But I know of at least one -- Emerald Joy & Paul Tye's 14-song tribute to the suit of Cups, called Cups of the Heart -- that includes vocals/lyrics. My original training was as a musician. I've always wanted to compose my own tarot-inspired suite of songs, but my life-situation is such now that such an ambition will have to wait for another time. I would be interested, however, in hearing about any such musical projects you or anyone else on this forum decide to undertake. Good luck! -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Ravenswing	16 Jul 2003
Ambrosia-- One of my facets is the singer/songwriter angle. And Tarot comes through in a few of my songs... There's one incomplete song-- I'm not even sure where it is; I'm rather chaotic at times. Each verse is about one of the major arcana cards. I've gotten as far as justice... Since I identify with the Fool, the Magician and the Hermit, they will appear in various guises... Here's the lyrics to one song... The Minstral of the Streets I am the minstral of the streets, a wandering troubador Please stop and listen while I sing, I ask-- I do implore I'll show you the most marvelous things, place wonders 'fore your eyes But one thing I must ask you first, when was your last sunrise? I am the minstral of the streets, sometimes I play the Fool An idiot is what I'll be, and go and break your rules You laugh at me, and what I do much to my surprise My mask must be on very well you ne'er see the disguise I am the minstral of the streets, a wild, wide-eyed sage At times I'll talk in platitudes, then I'll rant and rave I'll show you your many sins, the dangers of your wealth And then I'll do the cruelest thing, I'll show you to yourself I am the minstral of the streets, a carefree magic man I'll lay the tricks before your eyes, catch me if you can Illusive and incredulous, the sights that you will see But none are more miraculous than either you or me I am the minstral of the streets, I'll sing out for a song Better catch me while you can, I won't be here for long It seems the time is growing short, I must be on my way But if your one of the lucky ones, we'll meet again someday. fly well Ravenswing

Flidais	04 Jun 2005
Ravenswing, this is a beautiful song! I want to try to write some songs related to Tarot cards (with or without lyrics) but haven't taken the time to get started. Thank you for inspiring me!

catti	04 Jun 2005
this is a little off topic but in the same area i believe~ i tried to make storytelling readings from the arcus arcanum in the reading exchange. i turned out to be very difficult to edit the story so it was suitable for reading online but it was a great approach to reading and really fun. the particular deck is drawn in a comic book style and really lent itself to creating myth and magic around it. i think from as a creative tool throwing three to five cards and then writing a song around the images would be a really helpful exercise and you might get some wonder ful songs out of it. even melodies could be given their structure from the numbers on the card? and what a lovely song Ravenswing in the tarot creations forum their is poetry created from each card in the Major Arcana, its worth checking out !

The songwriting thread was originally posted on 12 Jul 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.