Tarot Talks Volume IX: An interview with Mary Evans, creator of the Spirit Speak Tarot

Hi my beautiful souls! I hope that you are reading this surrounded with the most beautiful love and light! It continues to amaze me how many talented artists are working with the Tarot to bring their unique visions to make this tradition timeless. No matter who you are, your path or experience there is a deck for almost everyone, some are truly beautiful. The Season of Aces (Spring) is in full swing, take the time to enjoy new things budding. Put your cell phone away while walking and take a look at all the change!
-HERU JEROME

Interview
Mary Evans creator of the Spirit Speak Tarot

Mary has created a deck in black and white that is far from being sparse. It is filled with images that are traditional but also help to elevate her deck into an energy all its own! She primarily works in pen and ink and “is inspired by ritual and the occult” which tells very clear stories when laid out! I had the pleasure of interviewing Mary about the love and care that has gone into this transformational deck!

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

Mary: I grew up in Franklin Tennessee, a small town right by Nashville. As a child I spent a lot of time outside roaming around. There was a small creek behind my house and that’s where I spend most of my days. When my parents wanted to find out where I was playing, they would call for my dog Molly who would follow me on my adventures. I believe that’s where I started to believe in magic. Maybe not believe, but more, I was a part of this magical world. My neighborhood was built on a civil war site, around a plantation that served as a hospital during the war. The house is now a museum, with a graveyard for the soldiers and the family that lived there. I think my relation to that place is where I was first attracted to the idea of spirits, or the feeling of them. As a teenager, I hated living in Tennessee, I couldn’t see all that it had to offer. Now I see it as a sacred site, it has a special magic, unusual, a little dark. I also never quite fit in with the community there. Some of my artistic work in the past has focused on my place there (or lack of place), in religion, tradition, & gender roles. Not only has the spirit of my hometown influenced my creativity, but I think that the surrounding folk art affected my style as an artist. 

Currently I live in Oakland California, something I recently feel torn about. The areas surrounding Oakland are breathtaking, the nature here is incredible. However more and more the greed from the tech industry infiltrates communities here. People here seem to always be working, going, doing, I think that energy has definitely become part of my creative practices. Where as in Tennessee I didn’t see much hope for a life as a female artist, here the community embraces that. I find many like-minded people here, people who have similar goals, and we help each other out. The city takes its toll, the nose and lack of space is a lot to handle psychically. I do miss nature, and my family, so sometimes it’s hard. Most importantly I feel like this is the best place for me right now to create the work I need to be making.

Mary Evans, creator of the Spirit Speak Tarot

WT: What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

Mary: I used to live in Olympia Washington and befriended some ladies who were also interested in practices of the occult. I grew up religiously, and even though I had been interested as a child, I never felt comfortable being open about it. Spending time with those people was the first place I felt comfortable experimenting with the Ouija, tarot, spells, & rituals. I was like oh, witches are real, and I think I am one. After that initial experimentation, my journey with tarot continued to grow. When I made the Spirit Speak deck, I tried my best to let go of my attachments to it being “beautiful art”. It was more about intention, I wanted it to be easy to read and easy to use, mainly for myself. I do think that you can feel my personality and voice through the images. Love is so important to me, working from your heart, and I hope that people who use the deck can sense that. I am pretty childlike, and I think that element of my spirit talks through my artwork a lot.

I guess what is unique about my deck is that I do feel it is truly my voice, from my deepest heart. But I don’t think that makes Spirit Speak any more special or important than other decks. Why I like collecting decks is because each has its own way of talking, its own vocabulary. And for that reason, I like to have my cards read from lots of different readers. I think allowing many voices to have opinions in m study of tarot continues to give me a rounded view of the cards.

WT: We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

Mary: As an air sign I am happy to welcome in this time of movement and change! I have been thinking a lot recently about this growth within the tarot community. Not only in the bay area, but the resurgence of artist tarot decks. Tarot has been such an important tool for my personal and spiritual growth. It has helped me to be able to connect on a deeper level with so many people. And in that way it has given me a greater compassion. It’s so easy to disagree, and to fight with each other on our differences of opinions. Through tarot, I see that we are all just trying to move forward, and do what is best for our lives, our path. Seeing that has helped me to be more loving and compassionate. I think it’s great that more and more people are able to use tarot for the positive in their lives. I want to serve as a support to anyone wanting to experience all the wonderful things through tarot that I have. That’s why I started teaching.
Before there was Spirit Speak, there were other artist decks that inspired me, The Collective Tarot Deck & The Wild Unknown Tarot Deck. I thank and honor those artists so much, because this project has been such an amazing influence in my life. I hope that my deck, can do the same for others. For me, I would love to support others to use tarot in a way that feels right for them, it’s just is for you, how you want it to be. When I realized, oh wow, so I am actually the one who decides what these cards mean to me. It changed a lot. I hope that my deck can bring those elements to others.

WT: What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

Mary: I think most of all I am inspired by my experiences and environments. It’s less about visual inspiration, but more spirit inspiration. I love seeing people do what they love to do. I watched my friend Liz Migliorelli of Sister Spinster Apothecary grow her business up from the ground, all rooted from a true love of plants and plant medicine. That really moved me. Lisa Silva my collaboration partner for our project In The House of Lovers has been a big inspiration. She is a true creator, her visions and dreams, seamlessly intertwined. I am blessed with many people who move me with what they create in the world.
Since I was in high school, I wanted to use my art to make children’s books. I am in love with illustrators like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. The expressiveness of their illustrations is something that has played a big role in my own artwork. Roses, any form of adornment, animals, nature, hands, creatures, magic, and fantasy illustrations, all of these things visually inspire me.  

WT: If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

Mary: Lenora Carrington is one of my favorite artists and her work speaks so deeply to me, I would absolutely freak out to use a deck that she made.  A friend of mine, Alejandra Leon, of the Lioness Oracle, is in the process of making a collage tarot deck that I can wait to get my hands. I know that Alejandro Jodorowsky has a version of the Tarot de Marseille, and I have read that he feels strongly about using purely that deck, but I would love to see someone create a deck based on his film The Holy Mountain. 

WT: Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

Mary: Yes actually! I just finished a 35 card oracle deck that is in the process of being printed right now. I have also been thinking about making a second 78 card tarot deck. With Spirit Speak, its intention being simple and easy to read, I would love to make a deck with more detailed symbolism and an element of mystery. However, I think I need to take a break before jumping right back into a big project like that. Maybe in a year or two I will decide if I want to follow through with a second deck.  

WT: If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

Mary: Spirit Speak http://spirit-speak.com/tarot/

 @spirit.speak

Mentions from Interview
Lise Silva
www.lisesilva.com

In The House of Lovers
@inthehosueoflovers

Sister Spinster Apothecary
www.sisterspinster.net/
@sister_spinster

Lioness Oracle
www.thelionessoracle.com
@lionessoracle

Tarot Everywhere: An Interview with Ethony Dawn of Ethony.com

There is truly an amazing community of Tarot Readers and Healers who use their unique approach to change lives daily. Ethony Dawn is one of those people, it has been a wonderful experience getting to know her and how she works! 
-HERU JEROME

Interview
Ethony Dawn of Ethony.com

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are your currently. How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

ED: I was born in Ottawa, Canada and grew up in Australia. I moved back to Canada in 2013 and now live in Vancouver. 

My geographical locations have given me an interesting perspective. I grew up in a land where there are no real seasons. We have a wet season and a dry season and a lot of sun. Nature can be very harsh and brutal but it is also stunning. The environment is unique and the feeling of the Earth there is unlike anything else you will experience. I worked with the Pagan Wheel of the Year, which is from Europe and it can work when you change it to be more aligned with the seasons in Australia but it will never fit completely. Australia for me is the smell of the ocean and the flat red earth.

Then moving back to Canada and seeing really clear transitions of the seasons. Having long days in summer and very long winters. Watching snow fall and craving the sun's return it really put a lot of the Wheel into perspective. I love the magic of the forests and mountains here. Being connected to the natural cycles of where I live is important to me and my practice. 

Ethony Dawn, founder of Ethony.com

WT: What drew you to Tarot, when did you start reading it? What was the deck that you learned to read with?

ED:  I was drawn to the Tarot through my spiritual journey with Wicca. There is something so magical and mysterious about the Tarot and I have never looked back when it comes to it being my main spiritual tool of choice. I started to read the Tarot when I was 15 years old. 

The first Tarot deck that I really connected with was The Spiral Tarot. Before that deck and I connected, I was using the Mythic Tarot and The Celtic Dragon Tarot and while they were amazing when I started working with the Spiral Tarot my intuition really took off and I connected with the Tarot in a whole new way. 

WT: What are some of your favorite decks and why?

ED: This is hard with the collection that I have but I feel like I have a special connection to a couple of Tarot Decks. 
The Spiral Tarot - For a lot of the reasons I mentioned above and I have shared thousands of Tarot readings with that deck. It has a very special place in my heart. It has travelled with me to many countries and I love the feel of it. It holds a lot of memories. 

The Morgan Greer Tarot - It has been my go-to Tarot deck for years now and again, I have spent many hours reading with it, being in sacred space (cause I am that witch who has a Tarot deck with her all the time) with it and it has also travelled with me to many countries over the years. 

WT: How do you utilize crystals with your decks and readings, what crystals are you drawn to?

ED: I have a slight obsession with Clear Quartz, especially raw points and chunks. I just want to eat them. They help elevate my readings and bring the vibration up. 

Garnet always has a place in my collection. It is one of the crystals that I work with a lot, especially as an ally in readings. It is a lovely protection, grounding and energy boosting stone for me. 

Labradorite has become a new favourite of mine as well. It just shows so much when it hits the light. I just visually adore it as well as energetically like working with it. 

WT: We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of tarot readers just like our new age is changing, how do you think you are lending to this revolution?

ED: I hope that I am challenging some myths about the Tarot. That there are a number of ways to explore the Tarot and read the cards. That we can all bring something to the Tarot conversation. 

I guess it is all perspective, maybe I will never know what I am lending to the progress of our profession. All I can hope is that it is something positive.

WT: What inspires you, and how is that inspiration captured in your readings?

ED: So much inspires me. My family inspires me, to stay present and enjoy the little things. Nature has always been a huge inspirations as well. There is so much power in nature and it has so much to offer anyone who is open to its magic.

Amazing women and men in the Tarot community who are bringing it every day. Who are challenging perspectives of what is means to be a modern Tarot reader and being who they are, unashamed.  

WT: How have you pushed passed just being a tarot reader to make your brand convey many spiritual aspects?

ED: I feel that coming from the background that I have has really driven me. I found the Tarot through my spiritual path and I have a corporate background so those things certainly given me different perspectives. 

Being a Tarot Reader is just one aspect of who I am for sure. I am a mother, a teacher, a student and a creator. Those things are all a part of who I am and they bring depth to my practice. 

As with every spiritual path it has evolved through the years and will continue to do so and that is a very exciting prospect. 

Ethony*
Tarot Goddess
www.ethony.com
www.tarotreadersacademy.com

Tarot Talks Volume VIII: An interview with Taylor Ellis, creator of the Ellis Deck

Hi my beautiful souls! I hope that you are reading this surrounded with the most beautiful love and light! As many of us in this area have our backs recovering from shoveling ourselves out of 25 feet of snow, we have the time to reflect on what we would like to manifest this spring! I know that many of you are over the winter time. However, we cannot complain much because we have had very unseasonably warm temperatures, but the blizzard that we just had killed that! Taylor Ellis has created a deck that is rich in imagery and color, he has pushed the boundaries of what many have imagined the Rider Waite can be and created a cast of characters that are as charming as they are unique. I hope that you enjoy this volume of Tarot Talks, this deck brings warmth and color on dark days!

-HERU JEROME

Interview
Taylor Ellis creator of the Ellis Deck

Taylor Ellis has taken Chögyam Trungpa’s words to heart and has infused a sense of humor and whimsy into his deck. However, these characters are not a laughing manner they address all of the arcs in the Tarot with a style and sense of color that is unique to Taylor’s pallet. This deck is timeless, and will be on many reading tables for years to come.

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

TE: I’m from Richardson, Texas. I currently live in Dallas, Texas. That’s not very far geographically for one to have moved from their hometown, but I like to think that narratively, it’s been a great distance. I feel like my 36 years have been host to several different incarnations of what I would consider to be the whole me. I’ve been a graphic designer, a bartender, a barista, a figurative art model, not to mention all the side-trips and detours it’s taken to get to where I do art for myself. I would say as a creative person and definitely a weirdo, living in these places strengthened my use of imagination. Without trying to put anywhere down, I’ve spent my life in a pretty conservative place that can be repressive, at best, to the individual in one’s everyday life. I have met many wonderful, and creative people, but that in the day-to-day, you’ll find most people trying as hard as they can to fit some ideological role as the serious adult. People don’t really know what to do with things they find weird, and I’ve felt in a lifelong quest to FIND the weird in everyone. I was always looking to enhance reality by making things more than they seemed. I would spend at least an hour and a half a day just straight daydreaming when I was younger.

Taylor Ellis, creator of the Ellis Deck

WT: What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

TE:  Specifically, David Palladini’s work on the Aquarian deck drew me to Tarot. I feel like his imagery has a very modern look despite being several decades old. It manages to have a very bold appearance for the amount of muted colors he used. Not just to colors, but the fantasy look to his imagery does just the trick to get my imagination going. That was what really got to me. I saw this great feat in creation and imagined what an artist must go through to sincerely create a read-able Tarot deck. When I draw, I love world-building and I think this is what drew me in. It was such an opportunity to create 78 different windows into a universe that would only exist if I made it do so. It is probably the years spent as a designer mixed in with my love for colorful imagery that gives the deck its uniqueness. My work was constantly rejected for being too “cartoony” or too “busy.” Most design work I was offered was to make things “simple and clean” and free from any characters, especially ones in an animated pose. I’m also not the most serious person in the world, so there is still a little humor in even the darker cards. I believe the words of Chögyam Trungpa when he wrote that “A sense of humor cuts through everything.”

WT: We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

TE: You know, this is the question that made me put off the interview for two weeks. 

I have a lot to say about this revolution and especially the dichotomy of the thoughts shaping it as well. You want to have an open mind, but at the same time, you don’t want one so empty that the wind blows through it. You have people interested in psychedelics for their abilities to work with the mind and personality, but we also live in this time of excess where we fixate on the bliss of the experience. It’s like we fall in love with how fun it is to look at a map, and forget to take the journey afterwards. We would rather just get the map back out and see if there’s any little spot we haven’t seen on it before, we don’t necessarily want to commit to saving the money or organizing the time to take the physical journey that goes along with the head trip. It’s so important that we don’t separate the metaphysical from the physical when we function in reality. We can’t be drifting off to fantasies of other realms that we think we will disappear into if we would just get our breathing right and kill the ego. It’s better that we know the ego is like money, it kind of sucks, but it is a tool we have to use in this world. You have people claiming they are hippies, but they simply bought the costume and all the accessories, and may not even have a practice of kindness with others. We are embarking on a discovery of the self, but we have to remember that everyone else deserves the chance to do this freely and responsibly as well. So if we are on this trip, we have to be an example, not caught up in the idea we are on some level above others for doing it.

I think that Tarot, when used correctly, has the same benefits as the personal inventory that we take when we “trip” out. It was so important for me to really have my own over and understanding of the card meanings before attempting to represent them myself. I wanted to cut out a lot of the bullshit that people get so obsessed with when they first get into Tarot. Particularly in some of the older decks, you pull the Empress card, and you can get lost in how it may tie into the sign of Taurus, and what is must mean that the letter “YOD” is all over the Tower card and you forget the overall lesson of how the card plays into your life simply already, and you don’t have to try and forecast for Empress energy is going to wreck next April for you. This is why I stopped trying to call myself a fortune teller. You only get readings on that level. Someone wants to separate out their love life or their career from the rest of their life and have a mystic tell them exactly when they can expect to get what they want. If they spend their time understanding the growth available in each card, they may realize they ALWAYS have those things they think they want. You can’t tell someone that though, so it’s best if you help them relate to the cards to the point where they have that conversation with themselves and the cards. 

Just because I don’t think we all need to play like we are wizards and descendants of traveling fortune tellers or that we are 1/64th Native American doesn’t mean that it’s not what draws people in to begin with. Before we understand the true work we are doing, this sounds very appealing. Magic is not seeing the strings pulling what is in front of us, but the fact there ARE strings doesn’t make the reality that pulls those strings any less amazing. By giving the deck the ability to be fantasy, but not making it outright cryptic, it gives as mush space to the querent as it does the reader to have a real alchemical conversation. You use the initial bullshit to heat the flames, and then once you really get cooking, the self-tied into this physical world is faced with the dual reality they are trying to work with. Jim Baker (The patriarch of the Source Family cult) was a mess, but when he said “You can do anything you want in this world as long as you are kind” he was really looking into something true. My hope is that people stop trying to look chapters ahead in a book they are writing themselves. 

WT: What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

TE: At first, I wanted to answer that it is my hikes through nature and my conversations with others. The truth is, those things inspire me to be in the moment that I experience those things in, I don’t try to rob those experiences for my work later on. Cartoons inspire me, video games inspire me, myths inspire me. It is that escape from reality that is part of the dance of reality itself. I get sucked in by a call story with elves or androids or deities and then I start to think about the world it took to MAKE that world. It took the whole universe doing what it does to make someone have the life that makes them want to create something. So really, when you look at a cartoon, it is not nonsense, it is as much a nexus of the universe as each individual ego. These are the things that make me want to make. The deck was a chance to personally comment on the is-ness of the is and to do it with pretty pictures, which I love.  

WT: If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

TE: I would love a Holy Mountain Tarot Deck. Jodorowsky has a brilliant understanding of the workings of the Tarot and the self, and that movie is such a commentary on reality that is practically a deck itself. The adult kid in me would love to play with a Naruto Tarot. If Kurt Vonnegut had authored a Tarot, it would have been as adorable as his books. I know that Brian Froud has an oracle deck out (I have it), but I would have loved to see a Dark Crystal deck.

WT: Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

TE: Maybe after I live some more life. Right now, I’m pretty wrapped up in creating a graphic novel. I have about twenty-eight pages of it completed, and I know that it will be well over 100 by the time I feel it’s complete. I would say that it is demanding more energy that the Tarot did, but that if I had not completed a Tarot deck, I would have no idea how to channel this out. Every now and then, I get a different idea of one of the Major Arcana, but I don’t have any desire to put myself through the minors any time soon. I can’t speak for myself for any time later than now, however. I have had the pleasure of meeting authors who have made multiple decks, and they are truly incredible, but I don’t think that is me.

WT: If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

TE: The shortest number of moves is to go straight to http://www.ellistrations.bigcartel.com
You can also buy the app from the Fools Dog for iOS and Android. I actually love them for daily cards because of the automatic journaling feature that lets me look at patterns in cards and my own thinking. 
I always suggest going to http://ellistrations.net, I do like to blog about a Tarot card or two from time to time. It is mostly a ghost-town because of the demands of the graphic novel and my reluctance to show in completed work. That is not to say that new things don’t show up there from time to time.

Tarot Talks Volume VII: An interview with Marcella Kroll, creator of the Sacred Symbols Divination and Meditation Cards

Hi my beautiful souls! The season of Swords and the New Year is starting here in the Tri-State Area. This is the time for stillness as we reflect on what we want to manifest in the spring the time of Aces! Marcella Kroll has created a deck that is magical. The Sacred Symbols Divination and Meditation Cards is a tool for anyone that would like to incorporate the divine principles it covers into their daily practice. It was such an experience getting to know Marcella we are truly kindred spirits from the same tribe. I hope that you enjoy this volume of Tarot Talks!

-HERU JEROME

Interview
Marcella Kroll, creator of the Sacred Symbols Divination and Meditation Oracle Cards

Marcella Kroll has created an Oracle deck that is such a unique tool. As Marcella states, “I reawakened my love of iconic symbols… My deck is a combination of the symbols that have been showing up on my path over the years.” This is a deck that was written in the stars, every road that Marcella travelled allowed her to bring this deck to all of you.

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

MK: Hi! My name is Marcella Kroll. I am an Artist, Tarot + Spirit Counselor, and Lover of Magic. I have been reading tarot for 20 years. I was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is a Scorpio city and my Saturn line runs right through it. So for you astrology buffs, you can just imagine what that means. New England is rich with history, some good, some not so good. “Witch Burning  Country” is what I call it. It’s an inspiring place that has a deep sense of community and super supportive love of the arts. I’m very fortunate to have grown up and lived a good part of my formative years there. It was a place that I experimented with many things in the occult and allowed to support myself off of my art, a rarity in most cities. A high school dropout, I became a very active employee and resident of a nonprofit arts organization that was centered on helping locals get the support and access to create. It was life changing. 

In 2005 I moved to Brooklyn, NY and began a painful Saturn Return. I worked 2 jobs, and would meet private clients (by referral). After a life changing journey to South America, I came back to the states, and moved to Los Angeles on a whim and $800. There were no plans only a change of scenery was necessary.  In hindsight I can see how the universe made things happen. It was within a year of being here in LA, that I started my work as a Tarot + Spirit Counselor full time.

Marcella Kroll with her cards

Worthy Tarot: What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

MK: When I was 18 years old, I overdosed and went to rehab. That Christmas I was gifted my first Tarot Deck from my step dad’s Mother. The Egyptian Tarot, along with a fascination in Astrology. I reawakened my love of iconic symbols and developed an obsessive need to figure out what made my brain tick and how to be a better person. My deck is a combination of the symbols that have been showing up on my path over the years, and a desire to also teach. Which is what I think makes them unique. They have been created as a tool for divination, but also as a sort of learning flash card set of ancient symbols. 

Worthy Tarot: We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

MK: I see my deck as a bridge. It has accessibility to many, which I don’t think you see too often. Whether you have 30 years’ experience in reading Tarot or have never picked up a divination tool in your life, the simplicity is key. It also allows the diviner to create their own connection to it. There is a booklet that has some explanations, but I really encourage people to utilize their intuition. This is how I learned to read Tarot, essentially. This makes reading with the deck your own unique journey. I am able to bridge the old with the new, as each deck is blessed on the New and/or Full Moon before they are sent out. This ensures the decks ability to be utilized to its highest or your highest.

Worthy Tarot: What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

MK: Art, music & energy inspire me. Growth inspires me, feeling physically and emotionally moved by connection to Spirit (God/Universe/Source whatever name your resonate with) inspires me. These cards were created, written and brought into being in 40 days because I was truly inspired. I spent 5 years trying to create a traditional deck with no success. These came through when I let go of trying to control the outcome. I call it my guides funny way of getting me to do a 40 day mantra. 

Worthy Tarot: If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

MK: Women who run with the Wolves Oracle. Clash of the Titans Tarot, Lost Boys Tarot, Mad Max Tarot.

Worthy Tarot: Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

MK: I definitely want to make another Oracle deck or collaborate with someone on a full 78 card Tarot Deck.

Worthy Tarot: If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

MK: I have links to my Etsy site on my website www.marcellakroll.com or they can email me at bookmarcella@gmail.com. While I still have some copies of it on hand. I’m currently reworking the packaging of the deck. I plan on launching the new edition in October 2015. [This interview was conducted in 2015. A new edition of the deck is now available through Marcella's Etsy shop. - Ed.]

Tarot Talks Volume VI: An interview with Alice Smeets, creator of the Ghetto Tarot

Hi my beautiful souls! The Season of Swords is near, so is the energy of stillness that it brings with it. This is a great time to connect with psyche and truly delve within. The Season of Swords gives us the time to prepare for the opportunities that the Season of Aces or the spring time brings to us. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and a cold permeates almost everything Alice Smeets has created a deck that is truly aligned with the traditional Rider Waite decks, however the Ghetto Tarot is so far from tradition. It is set in the landscapes of Haiti, utilizing its  backdrop and beautiful faces to convey all of the arcs of the Tarot System. I hope that you enjoy reading about this deck as much as I enjoy working with it.  
-HERU JEROME

Interview
Alice Smeets creator of the Ghetto Tarot

Alice Smeets has used the landscapes of Port-au-Prince and its beautiful faces to challenge how most of us are used to looking at the Rider Waite System. Her deck pushes the boundaries of what the word “Ghetto” means for many. Instead of a word used for exclusion it has been redefined to address the inclusion and joy that comes when surrounded by an environment that causes one to search for that which will ground them.

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

AS: My name is Alice. I am a woman, a daughter, a friend, a lover, a photographer, a journalist, a filmmaker, an artist, a project manager, a tarot reader, a student, a teacher, a traveler and many more things. 

I am a free spirit. I follow my heart and make my dreams and ideas come to life. This is all in the pursuit of opening our eyes to what happens in our inner and outer worlds while exposing all the inherent beauty with the intention to spread inspiration. 

I was born in Belgium and currently reside there. I have lived in Haiti during two years and can say today that the country and its people were the best professor I have ever had.

Obviously both locations have had a great influence on my creativity as well as my life in general. But to explain this to you I would have to write a book, because the answer seems so long.

Alice Smeets, creator of the Ghetto Tarot

What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

AS: Everything started seven years ago, when I documented the modern witchcraft movement around Europe and the US as a photojournalist. One of the many gatherings I assisted was a Tarot workshop at the Far Away Centre in England. There I did not only take pictures but also followed the instructions of the teacher, Marcus Katz. Back then Marcus gave me a Rider Waite Tarot deck as a present that has been with me ever since. 

For a long time, I have wanted to interpret the Tarot Deck with my photos, but taking ordinary pictures of the scenes seemed too simple. My aim was to create a very personal deck without losing the different spirits of the cards. Then the idea entered my mind to combine three of my passions; the spiritual world, the Haitian culture and people as well as the philosophical reflections about the dualities in our world; in this case rich and poor. Since 2007 I have been a regular visitor to Haiti and have lived in the country for 2 years.

Its complexity and spirituality have played a big role in my life. The observations of the Haitian society have brought answers to man questions I have had. So taking the Tarot pictures in the ghetto of Haiti’s Port-au-Prince was the obvious choice to create a very personal deck: moving away from the clichéd images of poverty, illustrating the spirits and meanings of the cards with a touch of humor in the middle of the slum and showing black people for the first time on the traditional, old European cards to break stereotypes.

We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

AS: The Ghetto Tarot project aims to reach beyond the boundaries of judgement and beliefs to achieve a much-needed transformation of the collecting conscious perception of the negativity in our lives whilst discovering the power of our own thoughts. 

In Haiti “ghetto” means a life in the slums. It means living without financial security. Yet “ghetto” also means community, family, solidarity, strength and rich creativity. The Haitians are claiming the word “ghetto” as their own. The word reached the island from overseas where it was associated with racism, poverty, and exclusion. They liberate themselves from the unfavorable interpretations and are turning it into something beautiful.

Their act of appropriating a cheerless word by altering its meaning is an act of inspiration. It has inspired hundreds of visitors and it has inspired me.

My work with the Haitians has made me realize that only we, ourselves, are able to assign value of judgement to a tangible or intangible thing, which created with it a positive or negative emotion. We lend a word meaning according to the way in which we were raised, our personal experiences and depending on who taught us to speak. Every one of our sentiments is a choice based on our thinking. We can look at destruction and see either despair of the start of something new. With this awareness comes the power to change the meaning of every word, action and emotion. 

This means we are not claves to our past, we are not imprisoned by our current societal pressures, but we are free if we chose to be. We can give ourselves the freedom to create our own reality!

The Haitian artists are turning trash into art, they are turning the meaning of a word around and I would love to inspire others to do to the same- to turn any negativity in your life into positivity by changing your perception and as a result going into a state of non-resistance.

What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

AS:  Life inspires me, living every moment. Philosophy, questioning our thoughts. Questioning the way we were raised. Questioning what we were told.
That is translated into the deck. I decided to present the Haitian Ghetto in another light and to highlight the creativity and strength of its citizens. I am certain that each one of them holds a well of innovative ideas, enough to break out of the circle of dependence and victimization.

If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

AS: I already made my dream Tarot deck and I did it in collaboration with my favorite artists, Atiz Rezistan. 

Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

AS: I would definitely create another deck. It was so much fun to create this deck and I am already thinking about the next one… but it is still a secret. 

If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

AS: We started a crown funding campaign to raise funds for the initial production costs of the deck. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-ghetto-tarot-take-two
This campaign will still remain open until the 3rd week of November. Afterwards, an online store will go online on:
www.ghettotarot.com

Tarot Everywhere: An Interview with the creator of Tarot T-shirts Ciaran Gaffey

Tarot T-Shirts is an amazing company that was founded by Ciaran Gaffrey and Rosario Salerno. They have made a brand that incorporates Rosario’s amazing designs into T-Shirts, Bags, Mugs and much more. They have a very unique project that is brought to you with much love, light & care. This project was conceptualized when Ciaran’s partner Rosario decided to create his own tarot deck. The result of this was an entire line of items that connects deeply with the symbolism and mysticism of the Tarot. It was great getting to interview Ciaran and to know more about Tarot T-Shirts and what is in store, enjoy!
-HERU JEROME

Interview
Ciaran Gaffey creator of Tarot T-Shirts

Worthy Tarot: How did you come up with the idea for Tarot T-shirts?

CG: It all started when my partner, Rosario Salerno, decided to start creating his own Tarot deck. As a teenager he had been very interested in Tarot but it was in conflict with his Catholic upbringing. He comes from Sicily and back at that time he was studying in a Catholic private school run by nuns. His priest told him that he couldn't use Tarot anymore because they're a 'malevolent instrument', so he stopped, although he enjoyed Tarot so much. Then about a year ago someone told him that his tattoos, which he had designed, reminded them of their Tarot deck and that sparked Rosario's interest in Tarot again. It was shortly after that he decided to create his own deck. 
I had dabbled in Tarot when I was younger but similarly to Rosario I had fallen out of the practice. Once Rosario started creating his deck there was no way that I couldn't be brought back into the world of Tarot. I found the world of Tarot and the culture of Tarot to be so interesting again. I thought that Rosario's designs were so striking and bold that they would look great on a t-shirt. There's a lot of Tarot based t-shirts on the market but I find the majority of them to be quite dull. Rosario's designs I think are bold and sexy, they maintain the core elements and symbols of the Tarot of Marseilles but are also very modern and fashionable

Ciaran Gaffey, founder of Tarot-Tshirts.com

Who is the primary designer of your designs, and what is the process like to create a shirt?

CG:  Rosario currently is the primary designer. I am a graphic designer by trade so I know how to turn his designs into graphics for apparel. Sometimes the composition of the card doesn't lend itself to a t-shirt so it needs to be edited to work on a garment. This is the most fun part of the process for me. I'm used to working on very functional design so I really enjoy the creativity of making a design or a card work on a t-shirt. 

We hope in the future to bring more designers on board but for now the goal is to get all of Rosario's designs available on a t-shirt. 

Have you thought of taking your visions, designs and publishing your own deck?

CG: Well Rosario is in the process of designing his deck right now. Currently he has all the major arcana complete and is working on the minor arcana at the moment. He will be printing the major arcana deck soon and when the minor arcana are finished he intends on printing the entire deck. The deck will of course be available to purchase at Tarot-Tshirts.com.

What is one of the most rewarding experiences working with Tarot and other spiritual tools?

CG: For me Tarot is all about giving someone the tools to see their life from a different perspective. I don't believe that Tarot can predict the future or change your life, I believe that you can change your life and Tarot can give you the tools to find the correct path to changing your life. 
I think everyone who works with Tarot has this core belief more or less, any time something is shared by a large group of people it's a very interesting phenomenon. Since I've started Tarot-Tshirts.com I've felt like an anthropologist, I've been examining how people use Tarot and interact with other Tarot users. Everyone shares core beliefs about the cards but everyone has their unique meaning of Tarot also. It's very interesting.

The other rewarding experience has been engagement with our fans and customers. We're a very young enterprise but we've had a lot engagement from people all over the world. Seeing people react so positively to our designs and apparel has been amazing. It makes us want to show our work to more and more people. 

Your Death Card T-Shirt, is bad ass! Have you ever thought of bringing your products to pillows, cellphone cases, & laptop cases? I think many people would love them.

CG: I think so too! At the moment we're just concentrating on t-shirts but iPhone cases and laptop cases are something that we're exploring and hope to offer them in the future.

Are there any new designs on the horizon that we can look forward to?

CG: There's still several card designs that are in the works. The Hermit, Justice, and The Wheel of Fortune card are all forthcoming. Also we will be doing black and white versions of our more popular designs; The Emperor, The Fool, Strength, and The Hierophant. I'm very excited about that. People love our colorful designs but they also want black and white versions as they're more versatile in terms of matching them with an outfit. After all, everyone looks good in black!

If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

Tarot-Tshirts.com
instagram.com/tarottshirts/
Facebook.com/tarottshirts
Twitter.com/tarottshirts
Pinterest.com/tarottshirts

Tarot Talks Volume V: An Interview with Peter Rotin, creator of the Rotin Tarot

Hi my beautiful souls! The season of The Pentacles is in full swing here in the Tri-State Area. It has brought with it much understanding as we approach the stillness that the Season of Swords brings! Peter Rotin has created a deck that will stand the test of time. The Rotin Tarot pushes the boundaries of Tarot by encouraging the reader to examine the concepts of balance, by using sacred geometry and the use of black and white to view how opposites pair. I am tremendously lucky to have this deck in my collection as it is not produced anymore. It was such an experience getting to know Peter and how he works. I hope that you enjoy this volume of Tarot Talks!
-HERU JEROME

Cards from the Rotin Tarot

Interview
Peter Rotin creator of the Rotin Tarot

Peter Rotin has created a deck with a special fingerprint that is very unique in the world of Tarot. Reading statements such as, “The Magus, The High Priestess & The Empress, one can see the genesis of energy, the introduction of duality by the existence of a singularity and the eventual balancing act that this duality brings into the equation.” One can see the science & mystery that went into his deck.

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

PR: I am from Malta, a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea and now part of the European Union. I was born the youngest after four girls in a sea side village called “Wied il-Ghajn” (literally translated as “Valley of the Eye”). The customs and traditions of the Malta I grew up in where very much centered around the Catholic church and by the age of 7 I was an altar boy, which was a very common thing for young boys at that age. What was not common was the fact that my mum used to send me to help the local priest with the funerals (it seems that no one else wanted to do that). So, at a very young age, I was already well used to dead bodies in coffins, the smell of mortuaries and to the gothic beauty of cemeteries (in fact, one of my earliest ventures in “art” was a poem I wrote about being an altar boy during a funeral).

I was a very quiet, shy and introspective boy. I used to play a lot in my imagination, not with toys, but actually imagining different scenarios (usually taken from the cartoons that I used to watch) and literally immersing myself into a character and play/act for hours. As a child I also used to have very vivid dreams. In fact, I remember imagining myself getting into this submarine/spaceship before going to sleep and prepare for the “film” to start. I guess that from an early age I was more interested in the inside world of my imagination rather than the outside world.

Today I am married and have a 2 year old daughter who absorbs most of my energy. I have been teaching Personal, Social and Career Development to adolescent students for the past 17 years. 

Worthy Tarot: What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

PR: In my fourth and final year at University I felt completely empty. On the surface I was getting good grades and I was nearing the completion of my studies but deep down inside I was feeling broken to pieces and lost. It was as if I was living beside myself and I was getting episodes of what now I can identify as depression. One day I was looking through the book shelves of a newly opened book store on the university campus when P.D. Ousepensky’s “The Symbolism of the Tarot” found itself in my hands. The particular book had the Raider Waite deck in full color as the book cover. The images where looking at me as if they wanted to tell me something. For some strange reason my attention was drawn to the image of a young man inside a chariot driven by a black and a white horse with city walls far off in the distance. I opened the book to see what the author had to say about this image and I was completely shocked when I read that this was the image of one who has achieved but who has not achieved with the force of his will alone and that he is not in complete control of the chariot and that at any moment the two horses can leave him. It was as if this image was mirroring exactly what was in my soul at that precise moment. It goes without saying I was totally taken by the book and I read and re-read it all over again, spending hours looking at the images and reading Ousepensky’s incredible explanations. From then on I started reading all the books about tarot that I could get my hands on. At this point in time I had already been reading lots of Jung, Nietzsche and Dostoyevsky, was very keen on Buddhism, reading about relativity and the laws of physics and spirituality and had been reading loads of books on film. Without my knowing back then, all that I was and all that I had absorbed up to that point in time had started gravitating slowly towards those 22 images on the cover of that little book. One of the main strengths of my being and which I believe has influenced deeply the way I imagined the Rotin Tarot is that my mind has a tendency to take complex concepts and simplifies them. 

For example, let’s take The Fool. On one level I see the concentric circles as the frequency of the first sound that started creation, the om, expanding through the whole universe still undifferentiated, and thus, soundless. When seen with The Magus, The High Priestess and The Empress, one can see the genesis of energy the introduction of duality by the existence of a singularity, and the eventual balancing act that this duality brings into the equation. On another level, one can see the emergence of the concept of zero. The zero that is the basis of all the other numbers. Like the Buddhist concept of emptiness, which in itself is the root of all being. Closer to the surface meaning of the Tarot, one can see the concentric circles representing the path of each one of us, shackled by our own psyche and unconscious self, going round in circles over and over again. All of this in a couple of black and white concentric circles emanating from the center of the image space. One of the most important things to learn about the Tarot is that every image makes sense within itself but also acquires more meaning when interacting with other images. The Rotin Tarot tries to do this within itself, and more importantly, with other Tarot decks as well.

Peter Rotin

Worthy Tarot: We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

PR: I must admit that I am not a big fan of “thought”, in the sense that I do not agree with how we elevate thought above all the other aspects of the human being. I believe that one of the greatest lessons hidden in the path of the Tarot is that we come face to face with our animal/instinctual/feeling sides. This is parallel to Jung’s concept of individuation of the Self, where the person undergoes an inward journey in order to explore the unconscious functions and thus becomes more complete. The path of the Tarot leads us through the death of our sense of self and brings us face to face with our own demons on through to the destruction of the tower of our own ego before it allows us to reach the garden of our libido where the fountain of life can be found. From the age of the Renaissance onwards the human race has elevated thought above all else. Historically speaking I understand the importance this had after the dark ages, but we also need to be conscious of the fact that the path that led us to the industrial revolution also led us to butcher each other industrially in two world wars, on through to a cold war and ultimately to a techno society led by greed and social injustice, where the excess of some is paid for in blood by others in order to worship the gods of our time: money, power, success, ego etc.

I truly hope that the Tarot can help people leave the outside world for a while and guide them in an inward journey of self-discovery. I believe that this journey can be very difficult and painful because it puts one face to face with one’s own anger, fears and all those negative feelings that are repressed deep down inside. But if one can face those feelings one can also reach to a deeper fountain of love, compassion and life that is at the center of our source as human beings. I do not know how my interpretation of the Tarot can help. The Rotin Tarot was the fruit of the creative/imaginative/visual side of my unconscious. They are what they are. My hope is for the Rotin Tarot to reach out to people and help them build bridges between their conscious and unconscious sides.  

Worthy Tarot: What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

PR: This is a difficult question because more than 10 years have passed. Dreams were one of the main inspirations. Strength for example was inspired directly from a dream, and music. I used to hear lots of music back then. Artistically speaking I was inspired a lot by M.C. Escher and I used to study a lot of optical illusions. I used to read a lot as well. I was definitely inspired by many Buddhist readings and by the link between modern physics and the teachings of Buddhism. I had read a lot about relativity and black holes and how it is believed that our universe came into being. In fact, in the first cards (from The Fool to The Emperor) I tried to come up with the concept of how energy becomes matter. I was also inspired a lot by Papus “Tarot of the Bohemians” and was very much aware of the concept of theosophic numbers, where the fourth card is the last of one series and the beginning of another. That’s why both The Magus and The Emperor have a 1 at their centre. The back of the cards and the drawing on the box was inspired by a hall of mirrors.  

Worthy Tarot: If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? 

PR: I don’t know. The one thing that comes to mind is a Batman comic book, I think it was called Arkham Asylum, where Two-Face is taught how to use the Crowley Tarot in place of using his coin. I thought it would have been cool if he would have drawn his own set and come up with the Rotin Tarot. They kind of fit him. The Devil would have to be Batman or the Joker.

Worthy Tarot: Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

PR: No, I think not. The tarot came to me at that point in time, became part of my being, and then came out as you see them in that deck. I don’t think that in my lifetime this can happen again.

Worthy Tarot: If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

PR: The Rotin Tarot was available as a limited edition of 100 copies and they are now sold out. If someone would like to contact me they can find me on Facebook and message me. Or else they can email me at rotinpeter@gmail.com.

Tarot Talks Volume IV: An interview with Fabio Listrani, creator of the Night Sun Tarot

Hi my beautiful souls! The season of The Pentacles is upon us in the Tri-State area. We find our days getting shorter and nights longer. We look to the trees to paint the skies with vivid yellows, burgundies, and browns. This is the time to harvest all of our efforts in preparation for the Stillness and Contemplation that the winter time presents. October in particular is a special month because it is the time of Samhain where we find the veil thinnest. To honor this time I wanted to publish an article I had the honor to do with the very talented Fabio Listrani creator of the deeply mystical Night Sun Tarot. Fabio has created a deck that is deeply unique and filled with very old symbolism, leaving us a tool that builds a bridge to usher us into the Air Age of Aquarius.

-HERU JEROME

Interview

Fabio Listrani, creator of the Night Sun Tarot

Fabio Listrani has created a cast of characters that are equally balanced within Shadow and Light. He has brilliantly used ancient symbols from Alchemy, I-Ching & the Nataraja to create a tool that is magical. I found an instant and heartfelt connection with this deck. It will become a mainstay in anyone’s collection.

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

FL: I am an artist and graphic designer with several years of professional experience doing different kinds of illustration work, including comic book covers, artwork for bands, concept art and well Tarot. I come from Rome, Italy (I’m currently living here) and that has largely influenced my creativity. Rome is full of a history that is rich in art, cultural & historical heritage. My work and creative approach in general, even if developed with modern media and thematic, often reflects classical influences by religious aestheticism that I draw especially from our Baroque sculpture. It is not a coincidence that my work is a fusion of 3D, sculpture & digital painting. Moreover in Italy we have an important “responsibility” towards the origin of the Tarot. This is the reason why I was drawn to Tarot, because since I was a child I wanted to make my contribution to its legacy. 

Fabio Listrani, creator of the Night Sun Tarot

What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

FL: I don’t know if my deck may be considered unique, but my approach in its creation and conception was absolutely free from any other direct and specific influence to any other deck. Simply put, I just tried to create a “real” modern deck that incorporates references or elements less “obvious” that work well from my point of view in explaining and exposing the complete meaning of the cards.  This is why I chose images such as the I-Ching for my Wheel of Fortune or the Nataraja for the World Card.
This is a more holistic and global approach that I could not find in other Tarot decks. 
I have also tried to give different and more positive visions for some of the cards that are traditionally considered to have bad reputations. I was able to do this in connection with their meanings. For example, my version of the Death Card is a pregnant woman. I also introduced progressive and evolutionary aspects like the symbol of eggs, flowers or the recurring presence of some characters. Take a look at how the two fauns on the Devil Card evolve in the Sun breaking their chains or the Hermit administering the union or disjunction in the card of The Lovers. These are all aspects of my energy and my personal vision of Tarot, art and life in general.

We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

FL: I can say that my deck can certainly be used at different levels of depth. Instinctively you can follow the feeling evoked by the images in the cards, but with a more enlightened approach and use of rational thought. According with the new Air Age, you can delve more deeply and find new connections and ideas. 
This is why I wanted to include astrological, cabalistic and esoteric attributes into the graphics. However, I wanted to expand on these concepts. If you look carefully at my cards you can also find the sacred geometries corresponding to the cards or references to the Seals of Solomon. 
So if moved to, you can let the air blow on my deck and see where it will lead you! 

What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

FL: I am a very curious person and I’m a total believer of a “cultural nomadism”, so I love to study and borrow symbolic motifs from Western and Eastern cultures. For this reason I like to read a lot, from novels to various kinds of essays. This is the biggest source of my inspiration, for illustration as well as work within the Tarot. I am also a musician, so I cannot overlook music as another great source of inspiration! 

If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

FL: Oh well in this specific case, I don’t need to dig out from my dreams because many artists, filmmakers or writers that I love and admire, have already developed and produced Tarot decks. For example the awesome collaborations by Jodorowsky and Moebius on the comic “The Incal” have produced a Tarot deck which was inspired by it. There are also some of my favorite artists such as HR Giger or the Italian Artist Sergio Toppi who have created wonderful Tarot decks over the years.

Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

FL: Yes, creating the Night Sun Tarot was a very huge effort for me and I would have never thought about making another one but…. I have received a proposal in this direction so…. Who knows? Ha Ha…. 

If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

FL: My deck is produced by Lo Scarabeo, one of the biggest Tarot produces in the world. So it’s very easy to find it on their website or on the web, Amazon is a great resource. Otherwise it should be available in any esoteric library.

Tarot Talks Volume III: An interview with Oleg Mitrofanov, creator of the Eroteme Tarot

Hi my beautiful souls! Fall is approaching in the Tri-State area and the Summer is coming to a close. As we enter this time of harvest, it is important that we cultivate all that we have planted this year. We leave things behind, to bring new things in. The same is occurring with the changing of our ages. We are leaving the water Age of Pisces behind, to walk into the Air Age of Aquarius. It continues to be an enlightening experience, to interview artists who have created decks that I utilize on a daily basis. The Eroteme Tarot is as unique as its creator, in its ability to communicate age old theories with elegance, symmetry & grace. I hope that you enjoy this volume of Tarot Talks as much as I enjoyed interviewing Oleg.

-HERU JEROME

Interview

Oleg Mitrofanov creator of the Eroteme Tarot

Oleg Mitrofanov has transferred the beauty & precision of Opera and created a cast of characters that are not behind the velvet curtains of the many Opera Houses of the world, but spread throughout the Major Arcana of an incredibly vivid deck. The way that we choose to adorn ourselves speaks to who we are, that language is universal. It is beautiful to see how this is conveyed through the 78 stages of the Tarot. 

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

Oleg Mitrofanov: I was  born in Russia, well Soviet Union to be precise, & moved to London about 10 years ago to study fashion at Central St. Martins college of Art. I don’t suppose the locations per se influenced the cards, it was more the experiences I had in those places or rather stages of my life that are clearly visible. You see, from a very young age I was drawn to theatre. Thanks to my mother;s efforts I have seen all the children’s repertoire of Moscow theatres in the early 90s. I feel that even today theatres are much more popular in Moscow than they are in London. Somehow it is less elitist and virtually everyone goes there, not that there’s anything wrong with being elitist. 

Whilst in London I learned to appreciate fashion. I was and still am fascinated with the element of fantasy that fashion has, the way it reflects culture and society. It has always been the context of fashion that interested me, not what is actually “trendy”.

When I decided to create a deck of tarot cards, I wanted to combine those two elements, fashion & theater. Fashion designers have been designing costume for theatre for decades, from Gabrielle Chanel, Gianni Versace to Alexander McQueen and Zandra Rhodes and many others. However, my idea was to replace a costume designer with a stylist, not a designer. There’s a huge difference between costume design & fashion. A costume always represents the inner world of a character, it is a tool to convey a certain idea of what that character is. For example you will never see an innocent looking Queen of the Night from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in a light organza dress with ruffles. 

Most fashion magazines are desperately trying to find new ways to show the clothes, which is bery challenging because they have to use pieces from various collections, which have different themes, but need to be somehow united in a 10 page spread, this the key here is to find content that they will then “decorate”. With theatre, and opera in particular the emphasis is always on the content, which makes costume a secondary element. This project was a meditation on how I would combine beauty with integrity.

Oleg Mitrofanov, creator of the Eroteme Tarot

What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

OM: Well, I think what makes this deck unique is that is a very personal project, based on my experiences, knowledge and ideas, moreover it was never meant to be a commercial project. I didn’t have any restrictions in terms of market and so on. The only reason why I even printed more than one deck is because of the price difference between printing one and 30 was in fact very little. 

We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

OM: Oh people were always drawn to magic and spirituality. However just like any other phenomenon it comes and goes. You know, the moment something becomes fashionable, it is already on its way out. I suppose it’s not just the face of the Tarot, it is that the design at large that changes dramatically almost too often. Look at my deck, one could never presume that it was designed in 2015. I designed about 4 years ago and I must say it is very obvious. 

What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

OM: Well there are a lot of things that I like and find interesting, however when one talks about inspiration its crucial to mention timing, as the very same object can be perceived in so many different ways depending on your mood and the weather. So my deck is really a combination of some ideas and objects that I felt passionate about back then.

If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple Neverending Story Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

OM: I don’t think I would stick with one book or film, I would probably choose a genre instead, otherwise the choice of characters would be restricted. However, I could see it as a one actor project, one person who does all the cards, I suppose someone like Glenn Close or Tilda Swinton would do a marvelous job.

Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

OM: I almost did, but that I got distracted, perhaps one day in the future.

If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

OM: Well I think I only have a couple of decks left, if any, you (Heru Jerome) might have got the last one. I would need to double check that. I suppose if someone is interested they can get in touch with me via my agency – www.atelierresearch.com

Tarot Talks Volume II: An interview with Jason Gruhl & Andi Todaro of the Fountain Tarot

Hello beautiful souls! I hope that your summer is closing with love, laughter & fun! It continues to be an eye opening experience to connect with the artists who have created decks that have truly found a place in my spiritual practice. As we leave the water age, to enter the Air Age of Aquarius we are all trying to find that tiny line of illumination that lights our pathways. This time also continues to birth new light to old traditions. I hope you enjoy Volume II of my Tarot Talks series.

-HERU JEROME

Interview

Jason Gruhl & Andi Todaro, creators of the Fountain Tarot

I waited a long time for a deck like this! It is filled with wisdom, sacred angles, shadow & light. These cast of characters work together to spread messages that anyone will carry for the rest of their lives. Jason Gruhl, Andi Todaro & Jonathan Saiz have teamed together to “Compare hundreds of elements, distilling them down in terms of: visuals, meanings and reversals, archetypes and symbols, story arcs, design elements, typography, booklet length and features, quality of paper and packaging, and many others.” This deck is its own beautiful language that everyone should become fluent in. The packaging is mesmerizing, as beautiful as it is functional.

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

Andi: I’m a Colorado native originally from Aurora, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, Colorado, out in the plains. I now live in Denver, Colorado. The landscape here is so variable – forests, desert plains- that it’s a connection with nature I appreciate most about living here. The landscape informs a certain pace, people operate comfortably, and so crafts of all kinds keep me occupied, as I am very home-bodied. Colorado has a spirit that is earthy and grounded and health-minded. I’m not really any of these things, so it’s nice to have as an environment- like a perfect partner to keep you from being to frenetic. I love to carve dead aspen from places I’ve visited and they take center stage in my home décor. I like to work with small businesses for design, and it just ended up being that I work mostly with clients who are involved in yoga, education, acupuncture, and eco-conscientiousness. It seems pretty natural to work on this project as it encompasses many of these tenants.

Jason: I am currently in Denver, Colorado, USA, though I lived about half my life in Minnesota and was born in North Carolina. Jonathan and I lived in Mexico and France for the past year and a half as well. I think growing up in the Midwest was such an amazing influence on me. There are a lot of Lutherans and Scandinavians where I am from, religion and spirituality were never heavy-handed, but always present in the background. They were focused on kindness, community, and a lot of introspection around who I was as a person. I think that lack of heavy dogma really instilled a need for and a connection to spirit, in whatever form that takes. At this point in my life, I’m obsessed with that question of who/what are we REALLY? At the core of our existence. Mexico & France were great experiences for me (and I can’t wait to go to many other places) because it forced me to really see what parts of myself I brought along, what parts got emphasized and what parts got left behind. Many behaviors, beliefs, etc. are place specific, I think. Travel boils you down to your essence.

Jason Gruhl, Jonathan Saiz, & Andi Todaro creators of the Fountain Tarot

What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

Andi: Tarot drew me to it when I was at a loss for guidance in my younger years. My first deck was the Aquarian, as I am an Aquarian also, and was comfortable with astrology as an alternative to prayer. Spirituality, and the sheer importance of it, as well as its commodification and institutionalization, has always been a serious question to me, as I’m usually in the throws of a philosophical battle with myself and the world. The idea of concocting your own rules and path and truth is paramount in a mentally unhealthy time. My only wish is that the energy that we brought to producing this deck will allow people to use it as a tool for their own self-discovery, and that it performs the same miracles that the Aquarian Tarot did for me when I needed it most. The Fountain Tarot taps into a force of energy that I don’t know we can name, as it takes many forms, but its “our truth”- the thing that unites life as we know it. I didn’t know that we had the ability, as it is all a practice to really understand new concepts not only intellectually but emotionally, to manifest an object with a connection to this idea. When you set out on a path, you don’t know where you will end up, just that you are going, and simultaneously you are in the process of arriving, over and over, at a new Whoa! moment. Well, at least it’s what it feels like to make it, and mostly to use it when I do, so I think that is what makes our deck special.

Jason: I’ve always liked Tarot, but it wasn’t until we decided to make a deck that I LOVED tarot. What draws me to it is its ability to reflect anyone. It has an incredibly nimble quality about it that lets one identify with all of these instances and themes in life, and it allows the unspoken, or the suppressed, or one’s possibility to flow freely out into reality. I like the potential that Tarot reveals in each of our lives. I gravitate towards Buddhism, collective consciousness-type energy and the oneness of all things, and that comes through in my writing I think. I also don’t like to traffic in the impersonal, so I tried to write conversationally. Barbara Moore was a big influence for me when I read her Steampunk Tarot manual. It felt so personal and real. I wanted my writing to feel like that so people could use it right there in the moment. I don’t know if that makes my intuition unique, but I think the voice in the book is unique from other things I’ve read.  

We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

Andi: I absolutely feel this. I'm an Air sign, I feel like I'm always at odds with it, mostly because I'm probably the big gust pushing everything out of the way. Groundedness is so attractive, but I'm understanding more and more that fluid movement and thought and vulnerability are what manifest an existence with the most lightness. It was a challenge to make The Fountain Tarot sheerly because of the undertaking in a material sense, but then the emotional and spiritual challenge for me is its tone- one that has neither masculine nor feminine but both, neither heaviness or lightness but both, and neither modernity nor conservative reflection but both. This is one of those arriving moments I was talking about- when you are in the process you cannot choose these things actively, they just appear as a reflection of your own energy. I am personally very heavy and factual and efficient, and it was important to have these qualities but also let this creation arrive into its own as an abundant and expansive expression of not only our three energies but of the larger spiritual world- one that is evolving, timeless, non-discriminatory, enlightening, uniting and definitive in its unyielding knowingness. I can sense what I wish the world to be, I can only express that in what I make, and what I do, and who I am seen by, this is an extension of that will, to see a deliberate focus paid to the improvement of ourselves as a species, to see people make effort in personal internal development, and see that effort be a transforming force in how we live.  

Jason: What a beautiful context you just painted, Jerome. The Fountain Tarot was made decisively for this age. Our research was extensive across the history of Tarot to really get the essence of each card as a human experience or theme, but then all of our attention went into making this something that was relatable on a human level with as many people as we could right now. We paid close attention to the usability for real-world Tarot folk, but we also paid a ton of attention to making it relatable to the Wilsons down the street, or the cashier at Wal-Mart, the teacher at the local school, or the Executive at Apple. We tried to have it speak to the everyday circumstances we ALL find ourselves in, and to open up people's hearts and minds to what their world could look like. When we see possibility in ourselves, we can see it in others. And when we see our power, our choices, our connection, and even our sometimes ugly ways of being, we begin to see the way out, and that opens up the way for everyone. 

What inspires you and how was that inspiration incorporated into your deck?

Andi: I am very inspired by sacred geometry and color, implicit in those things is math and science. I appreciate the interconnectedness and patterns of storms and flowers and animals and rocks and chemistry and sound, and how it appears that everything came from a single mathematical blueprint. The rainbow foil is in abstract a representation this spectrum of forces and how it changes as it is in different environments with different light on it. I could never decide on one color for The Fountain design, because it is all colors, it feels like now it could have never been anything else than how it turned out. Of course the details were chosen, but it was all internally informed by the art and the writing and the conversations we all had about what it could be.  
 
Jason: People inspire me. I wake up every day so excited for interactions with people. I find us as humans very beautiful in all of our imperfect perfection. We're dynamic, emotional, reflective, unpredictable beings, and that makes our journeys so exciting. I also have a ton of respect for people, and even more respect for people who are really trying to be aware. I think that respect comes through in my writing. I believe in people's abilities to create the lives they want, and in their ability to always go deeper.   

If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

Andi: Milan Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being in how he describes the plain richness of interpersonal relationships, Haruki Murakami's 1Q84 in his graceful approach to the whimsical and Richard Feynman's knowledge and descriptions of the material world, physics and quantum mechanics, Francis Bacon's and Charles Bukowski's raw emotionality and the torment of a temporary physical form and the dark underbelly of existence. Those are all abstract, I know. I'm obsessed with sci-fi, and would love to see more of that.  

Jason: What a great question. Maybe a Donna Tartt Tarot, an Andrew Wyeth Tarot or Carl Larsson Tarot, and a Quantum Theory Tarot. Oh, and some kind of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Tarot! :) Oh gosh, now I want all of these Tarots!!

Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

Andi:  I have to defer to Jason's answer on this one. I'll add that it would be nice to do the 'dark' version of The Fountain Tarot. I'm not sure what that looks like. :) Also, we do want to do the expanded book, but also do some prints and scarves etc.  

Jason: Haha! Well. I'd have to ask my partners about this one because I couldn't do it alone. The collaboration was what made this deck so beautiful, both spiritually and in terms of an actual product. I'm so happy with this deck right now that I want to just be with it for a number of years, I think, and connect with how it is impacting people. But we've talked about doing an expanded book, special editions of The Fountain, and other goodies I can't talk about yet over the next few years, and that excites me. I'm open to other decks for sure.

If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

Andi: Fountaintarot.com! Yes, please let us know if there is a recommendation you have for a place local to you that would love to have The Fountain Tarot in stock and also, if you have any ideas about what you would like to see us do next! 

Jason: We are currently trying to expand our presence in stores and boutiques around the world, so first tell us where we should be calling in your area to make sure it is stocked locally! But you can buy the deck immediately on our website at www.fountaintarot.com ☺.

Tarot Talks: An interview with Siolo Thompson, creator of the Linestrider Tarot

Hi my beautiful souls! I hope that you are reading this surrounded with the most beautiful love and light! This is an interesting time that we have decided to incarnate in. We are leaving the water Age of Pisces to enter the Air Age of Aquarius. This has opened the way for much change which we all witness on a daily basis. One of the exciting things about this time is that it ushers in new light to old traditions. The face of the many beautiful Tarot Decks is changing just like our world is. Many talented artists have lent their expertise time and love to create decks that in my opinion are transformative. I have had the most amazing opportunity to interview many of the artists who have created these decks as part of my Tarot Talk’s series!

-HERU JEROME

Interview
Siolo Thompson creator of the Linestrider Tarot

Siolo Thompson uses “multiple mediums and techniques in her work with a focus on draftsmanship and narrative development.” This has given her the proper arsenal to execute a deck that is filled with love and care. From soft lines to hard lines, to white space to pastels she has fueled the traditional images that many are used to with a cast of characters that comes directly from the heart. I had the pleasure to interview Siolo about her deck and creative process. 

Worthy Tarot: Tell me about yourself, where are you from & where are you currently? How have these locations influenced what you do creatively?

Siolo: Currently I live in a big, strange, ramshackle house in Seattle, Washington. We have a garden full of magical plants and trees, many kinds of birds live in our garden and I can see them at play outside my studio window. I feel that my current surroundings really do feed into my creative process and have brought me to a more nature driven place. The tarot deck I created is full of plants and animals and very strongly related to the natural world.
As much as I now feel at home in the Pacific Northwest I am not originally from Seattle. As the child of a very adventurous mom, I was born in Apia, Western Samoa (to an American mother and Samoan father) and ended up spending my adolescence living in the mountains of Bolivia. Coming of age in a place like Bolivia I had a chance to see the clash and blend of indigenous belief systems and the Catholicism that sought to temper it. Ramshackle street shrines rose on curbsides ornamented with colorful offerings proffered to an obscure Catholic virgin, or just as likely, to a local lesser god. The perils of a place determined which deities got the most play. For example mining towns were partial to El Tio, a devil like character that rules the underworld. I was fascinated with all these figures, the little gods and the saints, the miraculous and the quotidian. I was raised in a very Christian paradigm but as soon as I was old enough to really think about it, the static concept of a monotheistic God never spoke to me. Where I could not connect with ‘God the Father’, I could absolutely connect with the ocean, the stars, the plants and animals around me and the quiet secrets of the natural world.”

Siolo Thompson, creator of the Linestrider Tarot

What drew you to Tarot, what aspects of your energy have found their way into your deck? How does this make your deck unique?

ST: When I chanced upon my first tarot cards as a teenager I was immediately hooked. While it would be many years before I came to a fuller understanding of the history of tarot and how to read from a deck, I found that meditating on the images of the cards provided focus and guidance. I felt that the archetypes represented on the tarot cards are universal and cross all the belief borders. It has really been in the past few years that I have more fully explored tarot as both a professional project and a way to navigate my life. The idea of creating my own version of the deck entered my mind and slowly grew into an obsession. The history, traditions, and community that surround tarot are an endless source of interest and inspiration for me. Each card I research and each tarot practitioner I talk to provide additional insight into the collective, living body of knowledge that I am attempting to add to.

We are entering an Air Age which is associated with thought. When you examine air it can blow everything around that is not tethered. People are trying to find their footing and light as they enter this age and are drawn to the magic and spirituality of the Tarot. The face of the tarot just like our new age is changing, how do you feel your deck lends to this revolution?

ST: In tarot the Sword cards represent the air element - that swift steely power of the mind, the dominance of the intellect. I can absolutely see these forces at work in the world around me and in a way it makes sense that the internet would be such a fundamental part of the way the future is taking shape. We are all in a transitory phase and things are in flux, the very nature of the way we communicate and relate to the world is changing. On a very practical level I think we will see an even greater shift toward the digital world and relationships that have their foundation in the electronic rather than physical realm. My tarot project, the Linestrider deck, fits into this new era of Air in the sense that it took shape on the internet (via a crowdfunding effort) and will be published as an app with Fool's Dog Tarot (for iphone and Android). Although I love that the deck exists as a physical object I am also happy that it has taken on these ephemeral, digital forms. 

If you could use a film, artists, novels to make your dream Tarot deck what would that be? (I have a couple NeverendingStory Tarot, Pippi Longstocking Tarot, Julie Heffernan Tarot like please now!!!!)

ST: Oh boy, there are SO MANY decks that I would like to see! I love scifi and comic books, a tarot deck using Science Fiction characters would be amazing. I have Salvador Dali's tarot deck and it's not always the best deck to read from (very funky energy in that deck!) but I love seeing the way other artists bring the tarot to life. It's a big undertaking but I would adore having decks from all my favorite artists.

Would you ever create another deck, think about this one as I know 78 cards are a huge undertaking!

ST: Yes, absolutely. I found this process so interesting and rewarding that I am already thinking about what I want to do next. I think I might do a traditional deck of playing cards, or maybe an oracle type of project. I am interested in Ichthyomancy (fortune telling with fish) which I know seems a bit weird, but I think I could present it as a very beautiful series of watercolor illustrations.

If someone is interested in your deck how would they get a hold of you?

ST: The indie version of the deck is completely sold out but the commercial version of the deck will be released by Lewellyn Worldwide next year. We are schedule to have the deck in stores by May 2016 and it will also be available on the Lewellyn website for worldwide distribution. I'd be super happy if folks would take a moment to visit the Linestrider website and sign up for the mailing list. I will be sending out news about the project and advance notice on special editions and things like that.

Find our more about Siolo and the Linestrider Tarot at www.linestridertarot.com/