creating text-based symbolism

[TarotText]

I'm interested in exchanging ideas through the possibilities of creating tarot symbolism with minimalistic text imagery instead of a picture. Pictures are wonderful, but to find words that are equivalent can be a creative challange of thought.

-Chris

[zoso]

Wow, what an inventive creativity you have! What about converting the meanings into a short written piece or poem that you can associate with like: lone, massive fervently vital truncheon ablaze! endeavoring enterprising expressing or whatever for Ace of Wands. I think making your own versions of tarot is an art, and your art is like your personal magick, and I envision wands as involving using your magick, or creating your art. So, to you I say, Ace of Wands! and please post some of it (the idea is refreshing)

[Astra]

I wish you all the best with this, but have some extreme reservations about the concept from a reader's viewpoint, if only in the availability of multiple levels of interpretation that graphics have as opposed to text.

F'rinstance, you could do some great poetry about a catafalque for the 4 of Swords, but the image lends itself to many other things - recent post in point about seeing the slab as a massage table to pinpoint a querent's occupation.

Still, it's worth trying, I think, if only as a potential enrichment for the journey.

[Ravenswing]

TarotText--

the deck I'm working on is gematric based. I take a pool of words that are numerologically equal to the concept of a card (I have a whole dictionary of over 1200 words that I've created).

From these, I write a verse about it. From there I do the card illustration.

Sounds like we're running a bit parallel here. If you check in the 'Gematric Tarot' thread in this forum, you can see the results for DEATH.

I'd like to see your results-- words can paint rather intense pictures.

fly well
Raven

[le pendu]

Hi TarotText,

If I understand correctly, you are conceiving a deck that's "imagery" is words.

How much emphasis do you plan on placing on typography? In my experience, the type chosen to communicate a word has exteremly strong resonance. At the ad agency where I work we spend days choosing type to correctly emote the essence of the message.

Do you plan on mixing fonts? Or do you think that might be visually confusing?

I look forward to seeing samples should you choose to share them.

robert

[TarotText]

This text idea is an experimental process on symbolism in general. It could be even more closer to basic cards of fortune, not necessarily needing to be structured as a tarot deck.

I'm just very interested in text symbolism and have a constant enthusiasm for visual writing of overlooked everyday life. I enjoy when a few words capture what has been missed by the eyes..or to frame words in such a way that triggers memory and deeper perceptions. I'm hoping this kind of forum motivates me more to experiment with the text-based idea.

As you expressed Astra... it is a kind of potential enrichment of the journey to exchange the symbolism we see and try to put it into words.

-Chris

[lionette]

Hi TarotText,

I'm intrigued by your idea -- having a graphics background and being rather fond of the typeface as visual art.

Wondering if you're thinking of doing these as freeform letters? I think if you stay away from fixed type and fixed lines, then it could give a real visual impact.

Any samples yet??

[HudsonGray]

Having subscribed to the magazine SomersetStudios, they have pages on Calligraphy in each issue & I can see something like that being a great visual plus on cards like these. You're not limited to computer fonts you know! Hand drawing the words may give extra oomph.

[rota]

This idea is fascinating. I can't wait to see more samples to get a clearer sense of a finished deck!