The Mathematics Tarot!

[Masa]

Yay!! Go you!!! I like 'em.

[Metafizzypop]

The deck looks great. But I agree that it needs a book to go with it, or at least something more than a LWB that gives only the divinatory meanings. What I'd really like to see are the connections between the math concept and the tarot card. For example, in the book, I'd like to see how you connected string theory to the 7 of Swords.

Schrodinger's Cat on the 3 of Swords – I like it, but still I'd like to see the connection between this feline, living or dead, and the card. All the cards probably will need at least a little something explaining the connections. I think it will help people work with the deck.

What I was thinking, and I'm just throwing out a suggestion, is that the companion book should ideally look like a college textbook. It should be a big hardcover book, and when you open it it should say “This book belongs to____”. But since that's not practical, it could just be a miniature version of that. It needs a good title, though, something geeky in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Something like, A Manual for Use of the Mechanics of the Pythagorythmic Strategies for the Physical Manifestation of the Tarot Enigma as Propelled by the Engine of Synchronicity. Or something like that. A couple of math-oriented spreads would be great, too.

Just thinking out loud.

[Alamaris]

Originally Posted by Metafizzypop

What I was thinking, and I'm just throwing out a suggestion, is that the companion book should ideally look like a college textbook. It should be a big hardcover book, and when you open it it should say “This book belongs to____”. But since that's not practical, it could just be a miniature version of that. It needs a good title, though, something geeky in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Something like, A Manual for Use of the Mechanics of the Pythagorythmic Strategies for the Physical Manifestation of the Tarot Enigma as Propelled by the Engine of Synchronicity. Or something like that. A couple of math-oriented spreads would be great, too.

Just thinking out loud.

This is wonderfully cheeky and I absolutely adore the idea. Shame it's impractical, given the price of self-publishing hardcovers, but I could certainly do a look-alike sort of deal. Hopefully everyone's questions and confusion about my choices will be clearly answered, if I can get my head on straight long enough. You'd think 7+ years of novel-writing experience would be a little more confidence-inducing, but non-fiction is rather a different beast...

I'll give some thought to the math-themed spreads as well! Another great idea. I'm sure I can think of a handful of those to stick in the book.

[Masa]

Originally Posted by Metafizzypop

What I was thinking, and I'm just throwing out a suggestion, is that the companion book should ideally look like a college textbook. It should be a big hardcover book, and when you open it it should say “This book belongs to____”. But since that's not practical, it could just be a miniature version of that. It needs a good title, though, something geeky in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Something like, A Manual for Use of the Mechanics of the Pythagorythmic Strategies for the Physical Manifestation of the Tarot Enigma as Propelled by the Engine of Synchronicity. Or something like that. A couple of math-oriented spreads would be great, too.

I flat-out adore these suggestions. The LWB could still be as cheap as usual and just written this way.

[Lotus Padma]

alalmaris, when I used to attend art classes in college, one of the students there used to tell me that math was the basis and answer to art, and to everything in life. *urk* as I am completely unable to understand math, and yet weirdly right brained and *totally* able to understand math, (don't ask me to explain!) I was all *ugh* I will never understand art or life, if it is all math....

I love the concept of your deck; I know several who would appreciate it...I want to buy some for gifts and, I love the Shroedingers' cat....that is awesome! You go, I want one! Chalk me down to buy a few...

[LRichard]

Algebra is predominantly left brain, geometry is mostly right brain. The two merge in analytic geometry and calculus. I suck at math. However, I love a challenge, so that's why my PhD is in math. Tarot was always my escape from professional life, so I doubt that I would purchase a mathmatics themed deck.

Lotus Padma, I think that math does play a role in art, particularly the golden mean and the associated Fibonacci sequence. Apparently many artists have been aware of this, but I don't think it is necessarily a prerequisite for artistic expression.

[Alamaris]

Originally Posted by LRichard

Algebra is predominantly left brain, geometry is mostly right brain. The two merge in analytic geometry and calculus. I suck at math. However, I love a challenge, so that's why my PhD is in math. Tarot was always my escape from professional life, so I doubt that I would purchase a mathmatics themed deck.

Lotus Padma, I think that math does play a role in art, particularly the golden mean and the associated Fibonacci sequence. Apparently many artists have been aware of this, but I don't think it is necessarily a prerequisite for artistic expression.

It certainly isn't necessary, but in my opinion it does improve the appreciation of art if you know about some of it! I was making art for years before I learned to love math (though I still suck at the practical aspects), and while I don't consciously use mathematical principles when I'm painting, they're there, at the back of my mind.

I'm hoping to combine the two with a career in architecture.

[rachelcat]

I love this! and need it to go with my science-y deck collection (Science, Physics, and Quantum)! I so didn't want to read through this thread because I knew it would be a must-have!

I really like the spare and elegant artwork, too!

If there's a buyers list, put me on it!

[Lotus Padma]

Originally Posted by LRichard

Algebra is predominantly left brain, geometry is mostly right brain. The two merge in analytic geometry and calculus. I suck at math. However, I love a challenge, so that's why my PhD is in math. Tarot was always my escape from professional life, so I doubt that I would purchase a mathmatics themed deck.

Lotus Padma, I think that math does play a role in art, particularly the golden mean and the associated Fibonacci sequence. Apparently many artists have been aware of this, but I don't think it is necessarily a prerequisite for artistic expression.

LRichard...if you sucked at math, you'd never have been able to earn the actual PhD! lol...

Wow - well, my art teacher always told me I had NO left brain...and I never had problems with geometry - so I guess that just makes me right brained thanks for the explanation, LRichard!

And now I am wondering if a math tarot deck would actually stimulate both the left and right brain hemispheres....and make them work together more sympathetically...this is actually really interesting!

[Alamaris]

The deck is done, packaged, and available!

You can grab it from Ye Olde Etsy (click my username for the link). There's a discussion thread up in the Tarot Decks subforum for it as well.

Thank you all so much for your support!