I'm having a go!

trytarot · 16-03-2006

I am quite new to the world of Tarot, and I'm loving the learning process! And I've decided to dive straight in and design my own deck. I think the reason for this is that the research I will have to do for each individual card will help me to understand the different aspects of Tarot in a deeper way. I am also keen to see if such a personal deck will provide me with accuracy!

I only own two decks at the moment - RWS and Gay Tarot (Lee Bursten) - so I am relying on books, deck reviews and in internet resources to research the multitude of meanings associated with the cards.

I am going to concentrate on one card at a time. Starting of course with the Trumps, I will try to really portray the journey throughout the cards.

I don't yet have an idea for a theme, so it may be a little while before things get going, but I'm going to begin my research in to The Fool today. Perhaps I will conjour up an image which will suggest a style or theme!

Any ideas or help with research would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you, and I hope I can see this through to some creativity!

xx

temperlyne · 16-03-2006

Congratulations! You have just embarked on a great journey!

I have never learnt as much about tarot as since I started working on my own deck. It is more enlightening than reading to me personally. It plays a major part in my personal development, as well as my development as an artist. (and I didn't really consider myself an artist before I started ...)
I wouldn't worry to much about style or theme, just use what feels good to you. If you are comfortable with your tools, your creativity will have more freedom to blossom.
Before I start working on a card I look up all the different meanings I can find, from Mathers to Crowley, Waite and Eteilla. Than I just think about what that card means to me personally, which images and symbols speak to me most. From their I can start making sketches. I'm not sugesting this is the way you shoud do it, this is my way. I think it is important that you find your own way, because it wil be YOUR deck. The deck that will speak to you and will get its power from being created in your heart and soul.

I'm sure you will love this journey. And make sure to post your images here! I love to see how different people come up with different visions on the tarots archetypes.

**Chronata** · 17-03-2006

Blessings and well wishes for the start of your tarot adventure...

It truly is one of the best ways to learn about the tarot...and yourself along the way!

Enjoy the journey!

I can't wait to see your cards!

**The 78th Fool** · 17-03-2006

This is the best way to learn! Go for it.

I've just completed my second deck last week (a gay themed deck that Lee Bursten will be writing the book for if we can get a publisher). I can honestly say that I've learned more about myself through this project than any other.

It's not always easy to read with your own decks - sometimes you're just too close to the images. At other times they can be a quite unforgiving mirror !

The research is the best bit - you'll learn far more about the Tarot than you could otherwise, precisely because you have a very specific aim. If you're looking for a really good starting point, have a look at this deck:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/sharman-caselli/

This comes as part of a deck and book set that's quite cheap. The book is really thorough in explaining what each element of each card means and the imagery is deliberately traditional. it's geared for beginners but I've found that you return to it again and again, even as an experienced reader.

In the meantime, if you want to see where my deck creation journey took me I've included the link below.

http://www.butlerart.co.uk/Tarot/Son.../View-Deck.htm

Good luck and do keep us posted.

Chris. xx

trytarot · 17-03-2006

Thanks a lot guys! Some great advice! And so much suuport! I think I would like to design a deck with imagery based in the modern world, so I'm looking to discover different ways in which to interpret the traditional scenes so that they are recognisable, but applicable to our lives today.

As yet I haven't decided which medium to design the cards in. And believe me Temperlyne, I am genuinely no artist! So to begin with, after I am happy with my research, I will just be making simple sketches in pencil and coloured pencil.

I was discussing the project with some work colleagues today and we got to talking about the different mediums people have used to create decks. (Some that I've found on these threads really). Things like wood and the Tarot Garden and even chocolate!! (apparently!) As I said I'm no artist but I do have basic music skills, so I wonder what peoples thoughts are on the idea of interpreting the trumps musically?! Of course the music couldn't be used in the form of spreads, but once a spread was created, the music for each card as it was turned over could be played in the background to enhance the messages being read?!

Anyway, thanks again, and I hope to have my fool visible, at least in his early stages, within the next couple of weeks!

xx

orczy · 17-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by trytarot

T As I said I'm no artist but I do have basic music skills, so I wonder what peoples thoughts are on the idea of interpreting the trumps musically?! Of course the music couldn't be used in the form of spreads, but once a spread was created, the music for each card as it was turned over could be played in the background to enhance the messages being read?!

As someone who is composing music for the trumps, may I suggest that you use your intuition to guide you. Images and sounds work ij very different ways, the main being music is a temporal or time based art, whereas an image exists for as long as the viewer looks at it.

There are actually quite a few cds of tarot music, many new age style ones, and a few rock ones. Probably the most interesting rocks ones are "Voyage of the Acolyte" by Steve Hackett (1975), and "Tarot" by Walter Wegmuller. This one is fantastic, and very strange, but the essense of each card is quite admirably portrayed. Mike Batt did an album called "Tarot Suite" in 1979, but it is very MOR and bland, and I don't think he expresses the cards very well.

Good luck with your project, and I look forward to seeing or hearing your work!

**Major Tom** · 17-03-2006

Creating your own deck is the very best way to learn tarot. I would suggest that rather than literally trying to reinvent the wheel as you learn, you chose a model from which to work. I would recommend you use at least one of these three (if not all three): The Tarot of Marseilles, The Rider-Waite-Smith and the Crowley-Harris Thoth. Using these will insure that your resulting product is a tarot instead of an oracle (if that is important to you of course).

I would also recommend you work in a structured fashion. The 78 Weeks of Study Threads started by Jmd are ideal. Both CreativeFire and I created decks on our first go through these threads.

Good luck and please do keep us posted.

woodwind bard · 17-03-2006

I would really like to make my own deck, but i want to get used to using the ones i have first. I hope you have a fun making them and researching

temperlyne · 17-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by trytarot

As yet I haven't decided which medium to design the cards in. And believe me Temperlyne, I am genuinely no artist! So to begin with, after I am happy with my research, I will just be making simple sketches in pencil and coloured pencil.

Believe me when I say that didn't realise I was an artist before I embarked on this journey! You never know what you might learn about yourself

Quote:

Originally Posted by trytarot

As I said I'm no artist but I do have basic music skills, so I wonder what peoples thoughts are on the idea of interpreting the trumps musically?! Of course the music couldn't be used in the form of spreads, but once a spread was created, the music for each card as it was turned over could be played in the background to enhance the messages being read?!

What a great idea! There a some songs that I have come to associate with perticular cards and it is very helpful to meditate on a card while listening to the right music.

trytarot · 18-03-2006

firstly, I don't have any intention of trying to musicalise the tarot myself! especially not at the moment! however, I certainly think it would be interesting for an author, an artist and a composer to work together on a complete set. That is to say, book, deck and 'album' - creating the possibility for a reading to incorporate written suggested meaning, visual interpretation and musical inspiration and understanding, all from the same creative centre.

Anyway, I now have some ideas for my Fool Card. But whilst thinking of these, I find my mind wandering way ahead to the Death Card. I get the sense of the two being intrinsically connected, to the point where I feel it will make more sense to me personally to work on them as one effort, resulting in two cards?!

It had been my intention to work through the trumps one by one in numerical order. But I think that if my instict is telling me to try this other way, I should follow it!

Thoughts?!

xx

trytarot Resident Join Date: 15 Mar 2006 Location: England, UK Posts: 11	I'm having a go! I am quite new to the world of Tarot, and I'm loving the learning process! And I've decided to dive straight in and design my own deck. I think the reason for this is that the research I will have to do for each individual card will help me to understand the different aspects of Tarot in a deeper way. I am also keen to see if such a personal deck will provide me with accuracy! I only own two decks at the moment - RWS and Gay Tarot (Lee Bursten) - so I am relying on books, deck reviews and in internet resources to research the multitude of meanings associated with the cards. I am going to concentrate on one card at a time. Starting of course with the Trumps, I will try to really portray the journey throughout the cards. I don't yet have an idea for a theme, so it may be a little while before things get going, but I'm going to begin my research in to The Fool today. Perhaps I will conjour up an image which will suggest a style or theme! Any ideas or help with research would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, and I hope I can see this through to some creativity! xx

16-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #1

temperlyne Citizen Join Date: 11 Oct 2002 Location: between memory and destiny Posts: 1,029	Congratulations! You have just embarked on a great journey! I have never learnt as much about tarot as since I started working on my own deck. It is more enlightening than reading to me personally. It plays a major part in my personal development, as well as my development as an artist. (and I didn't really consider myself an artist before I started ...) I wouldn't worry to much about style or theme, just use what feels good to you. If you are comfortable with your tools, your creativity will have more freedom to blossom. Before I start working on a card I look up all the different meanings I can find, from Mathers to Crowley, Waite and Eteilla. Than I just think about what that card means to me personally, which images and symbols speak to me most. From their I can start making sketches. I'm not sugesting this is the way you shoud do it, this is my way. I think it is important that you find your own way, because it wil be YOUR deck. The deck that will speak to you and will get its power from being created in your heart and soul. I'm sure you will love this journey. And make sure to post your images here! I love to see how different people come up with different visions on the tarots archetypes. __________________ Painting my way through the Arcana

16-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #2

Chronata Dreaming...Professionally Join Date: 03 Jun 2003 Location: A State of Grace...and Cheese Posts: 8,748	Blessings and well wishes for the start of your tarot adventure... It truly is one of the best ways to learn about the tarot...and yourself along the way! Enjoy the journey! I can't wait to see your cards! __________________ Out Of Body...Back in 5 Minutes

17-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #3

The 78th Fool Quantum Tart with a wicked deck of cards Join Date: 02 Jul 2004 Location: UK. Posts: 1,343	This is the best way to learn! Go for it. I've just completed my second deck last week (a gay themed deck that Lee Bursten will be writing the book for if we can get a publisher). I can honestly say that I've learned more about myself through this project than any other. It's not always easy to read with your own decks - sometimes you're just too close to the images. At other times they can be a quite unforgiving mirror ! The research is the best bit - you'll learn far more about the Tarot than you could otherwise, precisely because you have a very specific aim. If you're looking for a really good starting point, have a look at this deck: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/sharman-caselli/ This comes as part of a deck and book set that's quite cheap. The book is really thorough in explaining what each element of each card means and the imagery is deliberately traditional. it's geared for beginners but I've found that you return to it again and again, even as an experienced reader. In the meantime, if you want to see where my deck creation journey took me I've included the link below. http://www.butlerart.co.uk/Tarot/Son.../View-Deck.htm Good luck and do keep us posted. Chris. xx __________________ Illustrator of Quantum Tarot 2.0. Lo Scarabeo 2010. Writer and illustrator for The Son Tarot. Schiffer Books 2012. Writer and Illustrator for Lenormand Cartomancy. Schiffer Books 2013.

17-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #4

trytarot Resident Join Date: 15 Mar 2006 Location: England, UK Posts: 11	Thanks guys! Thanks a lot guys! Some great advice! And so much suuport! I think I would like to design a deck with imagery based in the modern world, so I'm looking to discover different ways in which to interpret the traditional scenes so that they are recognisable, but applicable to our lives today. As yet I haven't decided which medium to design the cards in. And believe me Temperlyne, I am genuinely no artist! So to begin with, after I am happy with my research, I will just be making simple sketches in pencil and coloured pencil. I was discussing the project with some work colleagues today and we got to talking about the different mediums people have used to create decks. (Some that I've found on these threads really). Things like wood and the Tarot Garden and even chocolate!! (apparently!) As I said I'm no artist but I do have basic music skills, so I wonder what peoples thoughts are on the idea of interpreting the trumps musically?! Of course the music couldn't be used in the form of spreads, but once a spread was created, the music for each card as it was turned over could be played in the background to enhance the messages being read?! Anyway, thanks again, and I hope to have my fool visible, at least in his early stages, within the next couple of weeks! xx

17-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #5

Major Tom Papa Toad Join Date: 06 Aug 2001 Location: Suffolk, England Posts: 8,902	Creating your own deck is the very best way to learn tarot. I would suggest that rather than literally trying to reinvent the wheel as you learn, you chose a model from which to work. I would recommend you use at least one of these three (if not all three): The Tarot of Marseilles, The Rider-Waite-Smith and the Crowley-Harris Thoth. Using these will insure that your resulting product is a tarot instead of an oracle (if that is important to you of course). I would also recommend you work in a structured fashion. The 78 Weeks of Study Threads started by Jmd are ideal. Both CreativeFire and I created decks on our first go through these threads. Good luck and please do keep us posted. __________________ "We are all free to do whatever we want to do...Isn't that a great way to run a Universe?" from 'Illusions' by Richard Bach "Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility." Eleanor Roosevelt

17-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #7

woodwind bard Resident Join Date: 17 Mar 2006 Location: New south wales, Australia Posts: 52	I would really like to make my own deck, but i want to get used to using the ones i have first. I hope you have a fun making them and researching

17-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #8

trytarot Resident Join Date: 15 Mar 2006 Location: England, UK Posts: 11	Keeping an order. firstly, I don't have any intention of trying to musicalise the tarot myself! especially not at the moment! however, I certainly think it would be interesting for an author, an artist and a composer to work together on a complete set. That is to say, book, deck and 'album' - creating the possibility for a reading to incorporate written suggested meaning, visual interpretation and musical inspiration and understanding, all from the same creative centre. Anyway, I now have some ideas for my Fool Card. But whilst thinking of these, I find my mind wandering way ahead to the Death Card. I get the sense of the two being intrinsically connected, to the point where I feel it will make more sense to me personally to work on them as one effort, resulting in two cards?! It had been my intention to work through the trumps one by one in numerical order. But I think that if my instict is telling me to try this other way, I should follow it! Thoughts?! xx

18-03-2006	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #10

Support the Forum via Google Adsense
	#ADS