The Transparent Tarot

Well the T.T is out there, and I can't believe it's made it to no.1 in tarot on Amazon! Thank you all so much for the wonderful feedback and reviews. I am so glad you are enjoying the deck

I also wanted to mention that I will be at the Reader's Studio in New York at the beginning of May next year to sign copies of the deck and chat. Hopefully I'll meet some of you there!

Many Blessings,

Em x

www.childofavalon.com

The advance copy of the Transparent Tarot has arrived! I am thrilled with the job that the publishers, Schiffer Books, have done. It really is a splendid package, and the cards have turned out wonderfully!

Here are a few pictures to wet your appetite for next month's release:

Blessings to all,

Em xx

The T.T and brainstorming.

Brainstorming is the process of trying to bypass the stodgy rational mind, which can sometimes block inspiration, and come up with as many solutions or ideas as possible in a short amount of time, no matter how silly. It is a technique which can benefit everyone, from businessmen looking for new approaches, to writers looking for characters and stories, to artists looking for new inspiration, to just a simple person stuck in a rut who is looking for fresh ideas on what to do in life.

The Tarot, with its evocative seventy-eight images, is a great tool for brainstorming, provoking responses and ideas that would not otherwise surface. Well, imagine the possibilities of using The Transparent Tarot, which can produce an almost infinite array of images! Either by drawing cards at random, or by using the whole deck at once and seeing what different images emerge, or by many other methods, the resulting images will be a great source of inspiration and ideas.

The first three cards to be placed are combined normally in the centre of the spread. These three cards may be consciously chosen or randomly selected, and represent the central figure of the issue, whether it be a character in a story, a business, or an individual. Then, starting at the top, three cards are placed in a vertical filmstrip. Starting closest to the middle, the first position indicates a motivation for action. The following card shows the action, and the third in the sequence represents the consequence. This process is continued round in a clockwise direction, until you have a layout resembling a star with eight rays, or a wheel with eight spokes, (see illustration). When all positions have been interpreted, you may wish to unlock more ideas by revolving the meaning of the positions. Thus the first card becomes the action, the second the consequence, and the third the motivation, and so on. This can also work as a divination spread, if you wish. It has enormous potential for offering fresh perspectives and ideas.

Another level of meaning may be added if you associate the shape of the spread with the ancient Celtic wheel of the year. This holds particular promise for divination, if you wish to seek guidance for the year ahead. Each spoke of the wheel may give an idea of the events or atmosphere of that eighth of the year, as divided by the festivals, (see illustration.)

So a brief interpretation of this spread might go something like this:

The querent, (represented by the central Two of Wands), is part of a new creative partnership which needs to choose its direction. They care deeply about this situation, and are able to empathize with the other party and their opinions, (Queen of Cups in the West, for water and emotions). While the querent brings this sensitive and creative side, the other party brings an idea with the potential for great success, (The Sun in the East, for air and ideas/thoughts/communication). Look at how these two cards interconnect with the central Two of Wands, and we can see that they flow nicely into, and complement the figures, showing how these two forces are natural parts of the two sides at work in the central card. In the North, we have the Magician, which seems to interweave with the Two of Wands, showing that each side brings valuable qualities together in balance, and they have everything they need to make this project a commercial success. Slightly disconnected from the other images, we see the Nine of Cups in the South, (Fire and the will/spirit), showing that this may bring the querent’s dearest wish into reality, but its lack of interconnectedness with the other cards may mean that it seems too far off yet to really believe. So, there we can see how a simple spread like this can give a clear and insightful reading.

One of the concerns that has been expressed by those unsure about the idea of a Transparent Tarot, is that the images would become just a muddled mess. While I have already demonstrated the extent to which the images can combine elegantly, obviously in a deck of 78 cards, there will be times when figures overlap and confuse the image, not matter how carefully it's been designed!

If you are not a fan of a seemingly clashing image, an option you can always take is flipping one of the cards so that they no longer interfere with each other. This is one of the possible ways that I reccomend you can combine two or more of the same court card,(which will normally take up the same space), within a combination, like so:

But what if we accept the chaos, and try to read a 'muddled' image? I played randomly with combinations on my computer, and it took a few attempts before I found one where figures overlapped. The below combination shows the Hermit, Six of Swords, Ten of Wands and Five of Cups.

Those two at the bottom really look as if they're under each other's feet, don't they? But could this be talking about a couple? One represented by the Ten of Wands- working too hard, taking on all the responsibility and not noticing the emotional pressure that has been put on the partner, the Five of Cups, who has started to feel the onset of depression, feeling invisible and overlooked due to the others' work commitments. But perhaps there is hope- for not only is the Ten of Wands reaching to the largest of the upright cups, so may be able to show the positive emotional presence that the partner needs, but the Hermit shows a calming and introspective presence. Perhaps some space and time alone is indicated here, which eventually would be all the better for the relationship, as they do seem to be crushing each other! Or perhaps a romantic or spiritual retreat as a couple...

Using intuition here is key, as there are so many possibilities when we look at a combination- what if in fact his reaching for the bottom cup will result in the rest falling over? After all, he is carrying a heavy load- perhaps this will be the last straw that drives them away to a solitary existence, (Six of Swords/Hermit)?

This shows that the very nature of how the figures interrelate can provide insights into a reading - even, (or especially), when they're muddled! It also shows how these interactions can provide an inspiration for stories, character development or situations for those who like to use Tarot creatively.

I hope you are looking forward to exploring the myriad of possibilities as much as I am!

Blessings,

Emily x

The foreword to the Transparent Tarot workbook was written by the wonderful Naomi Ozaniec, whose own contribution to Tarot and the Qabalah has been many intelligent and insightful books, such as The Aquarian Qabalah, Teach yourself Tarot, Initiations into the Tarot and many more.

Here is what she had to say:

"Having found inspiration in the images of the Tarot for many years, I am delighted by Emily Carding’s sheer originality and new vision, The Transparent Tarot. In an area constrained by tradition, innovation is unexpected but Emily's concept has achieved a remarkable feat. The Transparent Tarot pays due homage to tradition while taking the familiar images into a new realm. The traditional pack of cards has become a series of transparencies, the characters of the Major Arcana now appear in their essential forms, simple and minimal and the Minor Arcana appear as silhouetted figures. The result is a new fusion between a modern material and the realm of archetypal ideas. Overlapping transparencies enable the reader to combine several cards and interpret symbols like layers in the mind. Emily's considerable design and graphic skill enables each of the cards to interrelate visually with others; the symbolic connections then speak for themselves.

Emily Carding is emerging as one of our most original and talented Tarot artists, this landmark deck forms a nodal point on the Tarot family tree permitting a new course of development to unfold. Whether you are a collector of outstanding Tarot design, a reader or a student of Tarot, The Transparent Tarot will engage your full attention just as it did for me."

Thank you Naomi! xx

See more about Naomi and her work on her website- www.thehouseoflife.co.uk

A wonderful new addition to the ever evolving world of modern Tarot is now available- The Quantum Tarot.

And I'm not just saying that 'cos I'm in it!

Here I am as the Empress:

Combining modern quantum science and esoteric symbolism, Kay Stopforth and Chris Butler's unique new deck looks set to be a treat not just for the senses, but for the mind.

I look forward to giving it the full attention it deserves once I get to see it in the flesh!

Em x

Coming out at around the same time as the Transparent Tarot is Janet Boyer's wonderful new book, Back in Time Tarot. I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview of this work, and here is my review in full:

"I thoroughly enjoyed Janet Boyer’s fascinating book, ‘Back in Time Tarot’. Janet takes her many years of experience and knowledge of Tarot, and passes them on generously with a warm and down to earth writing style which instantly engages the reader. The ‘Back in Time’ or ‘BIT’ method, which is the focus of the book, is a wonderfully refreshing approach to Tarot which any reader or Tarot enthusiast will just be itching to try themselves!

The bulk of the book is made from various examples of this method in action, not only from Janet herself, but also some very well known names from the Tarot world, such as Lon Milo Duquette, Lisa Hunt, and Mary Greer. This gives great insight into not only the many possible ways to perceive a card, but also a fascinating peek at how these great Tarot minds think!

Janet’s book, and the ‘BIT’ method, gently encourage you to think outside the normal strictures and methods of Tarot, teaching us to look at the cards in a new way. This method can help novices really start to understand and acquire their own personal meanings for the cards, and offers experts a much needed refreshing new angle to take. Rather than learning by rote from a book of essential meanings, we are encouraged to look at situations from our life and THINK for ourselves about which cards would describe or evoke that situation, thus enabling us to build up our own database of very personal meanings. This has enormous potential for improving reading skills and understanding of Tarot, which can be daunting for some.

I would heartily recommend this book and Janet’s innovative method to anyone with an interest in Tarot, an open mind, and willingness to learn. You won’t be disappointed!"

I think Janet's book would be a wonderful complement to the T.T.- and vice-versa! Using the Transparent Tarot, you could create unique scenes, combining cards to evoke any circumstance or character, learning through really thinking about how the cards interact with each other and what images form, and what atmospheres and effects can be created- I can't wait to try!

Blessings,

Em xx

Here we see the Empress as a backdrop for the Two of Wands and the King of Cups. The Wands card shows a passionate debate and the need to choose between two directions. Perhaps it is the start of a new business partnership, or the querent is in two minds himself over which path is best. The King of Cups seems to loom gently over the fiery wands, and indicates clearly which side he favors. He is a mature figure of great emotional depth and wisdom, and it would be prudent to follow his guidance! Along with the gentle yet powerful energy of the Empress in the reading, it is clear that a patient and caring response is needed. The Empress here shows us that there does not need to be haste in the decision making process, but to take time to find the true insight of the King of Cups, and follow your inner wisdom.

Here we are at the beginning of the journey of life- the journey through the Major Arcana of the Tarot. The Fool is numbered ‘zero’, which in a sense makes him numberless. So what does this mean? The zero tells us that our journey starts in a void, in the very centre of our selves. The Fool is the inner spark of breath, soul and action that must ignite before any true adventure can begin.

A popular portrayal of the Fool in many decks is that of a young figure walking carelessly towards the edge of a cliff, his belongings carried in a tiny pack on the end of his staff. There is usually a small dog or other animal biting at his ankle, and a white rose in his hand. In some decks you may also spot a butterfly.

In my quest to find the simplest image to sum up the Fool, I eventually settled on one of the smallest details from traditional Tarot, the white rose, in combination with a universally recognizable symbol, the butterfly. The white rose is readily accessible as a symbol of purity, but why the butterfly as the main feature? The butterfly and its incredible journey from caterpillar to chrysalis to winged beauty is a powerful symbol of transformation, and it is that potential for transformation that the Fool represents. Its flying form is also suggestive of the great ‘leap of faith’ that must be taken in order for this transformation to begin, for one thing is certain if you make such a leap- for better or worse, things will never be the same again. The subtle spirals on the butterfly’s wings are an echo of the World card, the last card of the Major Arcana and the true potential contained within each of us.

Divinatory meaning

When the Fool appears in a reading, he almost always represents the querent or an aspect of themselves. The Fool is the great innocent, the one who is not afraid to ask the ‘silly’ question. But remember, without asking questions, how do we ever learn? It is of all the cards, the Fool who has the most potential to become truly wise, as he approaches life with an open heart and mind, and sees the world with the eyes of a child. Within a combination, the Fool brings a sense of freedom and faith to a situation. If the other cards speak of a choice to be made, the Fool, so long as he is upright, will advise us to take the leap and trust that we have the wings to carry us safely. There is a certain quality of ‘blessedness’ about the Fool, which hints towards greater forces protecting us in what may seem to be risky actions.

However if the Fool appears reversed in your reading it is advisable to tread more carefully, and take a good look at where you are going before you make a move. Take your time with any decision, because the Fool reversed can often be a fool indeed.

 
                                                  

In this image, the Fool is combined with the Eight of Cups and the Ten of Wands. We can see the oppressed figure of the Ten of Wands at the bottom of the image, struggling with her burden. Directly above her we see her dream of leaving this weight behind and breaking free to a better future, as the figure of the Eight of Cups stretches his hand towards a ‘Holy Grail’. There are still perhaps obstacles in the way. After all, the burden is still carried, and there are still stairs to ascend before the goal is reached. But the presence of the Fool here shows us the true underlying nature of the querent that has been suppressed, and is longing to surface again. He speaks of the need to fly free, and offers protection and blessing for the needed change in life pattern. Fling aside those burdensome wands, and reach for your dreams.

The Fool is in a sense the hero of the Tarot story, and so is intended to combine equally favorably with any of the major arcana. Here you can see the Fool, the beginning of the journey, combined with The World, the completion of the journey: