The Tarot of Individuation, by Arpheros

I need to tell you all* (optimism) about this fabulous new-ish deck (2024). Maybe everyone else already knows about it, but I don't get out much these days, social media-wise, so it was a Wow! moment for me when I first saw it.

The Tarot of Individuation [link], by Arpheros (Irina Chirita)

From the intro - 

"The Tarot of Individuation it was born first and foremost, from a quest to bridge the gap between art, psychology and magick, aiming to guide the seeker on their own path of self-knowledge...

[It] is rooted in Jungian theory, drawing inspiration from mythology and dreams, while also incorporating astrological, alchemical and kabbalistic references to enrich its symbolism."

 

Irina is a self-taught artist from Romania, with studies in clinical psychology and the history of religious ideas, and a deep-seated interest in the occult.

I'm totally infatuated, and this deck has quickly become a favourite. If it has been flying under the radar, I want to help make it better known!

*US-based readers, please be aware that Irina has had to temporarily suspend shipping to the United States due to ongoing tariffs negotiations. She will announce as soon as she is able to lift the restriction.

Share: Cassandra/Tarot Underground - Interacting with your cards

When You're Ready to Stop Being a Control Freak [link]

I appreciated this post. I'm a strong advocate of having conversations with your cards.

Like buses*

So -

I did a reading and wanted a wrap-up card. Grabbed the Tantic Dakini, thinking "My Cosmic Carrot deck. 😊... Wouldn't it be funny if...?"

Does anyone else's scalp tingle when they make a strong connection with their cards? Mine was tingling like mad, LOL!

*No posts for ages then two come along at once.

April Foolishness

Over on Tarot Talk, we were invited to pull a few cards for an April overview. Pulling cards for the month or the year is not something I ever do, but I had a bit of free time so I joined in.

Seeing as I haven't posted anything in ages, and seeing as I have this ready-made reading, imma stick it here, too.

Russian Tarot (2013 Vektor reprint of the Tarot Avvadona 1994)

Card of the Month: 2 of Swords - Uncertain choices/options. The way is not clear. 

Biggest challenge: 8 of Swords - Feeling overwhelmed, hemmed in, not free to go in the direction I wish to go. 

Biggest victory: 10 of Swords (yes, these were well shuffled) - The problem will be resolved. 

Advice: 4 of Coins - Hold on, stay grounded. Let things be. 

I pulled a card to see if the resolution of the 10 of Swords will be in my favour, or more to the point, to my liking, or not (I may not like it but it could still be in my favour) - 7 of Coins. More “wait and see.” Some rethinking/ reconsideration will be needed. 

And there endeth the reading... Except...

Later yesterday evening, I heard from a relative who'd just had some troubling news about a situation which involves a decision, which will take most, if not all, of April to resolve, and about which there is nothing they themselves can do. Seeing as my heart wasn't really in it for a monthly reading for myself, could I have tuned into their timeline instead?

It's Like This, Like This Spread

A little 3-card general reading / heads-up / "What gives?" spread for you.

QYAC Deck of Many Things

There are so many interesting and/or quirky indie decks out there. But if, like me, you live in the UK, trying to get a hold of many of them can be a costly exercise. 

Being independently produced, they tend to be pricey to begin with. Add shipping and it’s often a deal-breaker. 

So imagine my delight when Imogen from Sapling Tarot showed a UK-made oracle in one of her recent videos. 

The QYAC Deck of Many Things 

- an LGBTQIA+ oracle deck. 

Seventy-eight cards designed by 49 artists belonging to the Queer Youth Art Collective, based out of Greenwich, London.

https://queeryouthartcollective.bigcartel.com/product/deck-of-many-things 

It’s colourful, it’s fun, and it’s got some cool titles. The booklet that comes with it notes the artist for each card, along with their socials. There are also “Up" and “Down" meanings should you want them. 

And the price, at time of writing, is only £20 + £4 postage. 

You’re welcome.

Heads up! Blog recommendation

I have just discovered a wonderful blog: The Uncrossed Path

If you're into capital-F capital-T Fortune Telling, this blog is for you!

Here's a couple of my favourite observations so far (I'm working my way back through their posts), to give you a feel -

"... [G]eneral readings can be useful, but only up to a point. They provide a landscape, not a verdict. You’ll see where the ground might shift, where something may knock at your door - but you won’t get far if you don’t know what you’re actually looking for... If someone sits in front of a fortuneteller expecting Delphic proclamations without knowing what they want, or without the courage to ask, well, good luck with that."

"Social media 'experts'... constantly reassure us not to fear the Death card: 'Don’t worry, it means change is coming…' And that’s when I die a little inside. Yes, my dears, it means change is coming—if by 'change' you mean the transition from living to no longer living... What might come after is a separate matter entirely..."

This, and their post about card meanings and common sense, reminds me of one of my favourite quotes from Andy Boroveshengra - "The cards are never something else before they are themselves."

One (new to me) way of approaching numerology with the Tarot de Marseille

In his latest blog post, "Returning to the Tarot de Marseille", Jack Chanek mentioned an approach he's tried for assigning a general theme to each of the numbers in the pip cards. A kind of “implicit numerology” based on the trumps. He didn't mention an original source for this method, if such a source could actually be identified, but noted that Caitlín Matthews and Alejandro Jodorowsky both discussed it.

If you set aside the Fool and the World cards, you're left with two sets of ten cards: 1 to 10, and 11 to 20. You can pair these cards up, 1 with 11, 2 with 12..., and the resulting pairs can provide a thematic framework with which to consider the pip cards – 1 + 11 are reflected in the Aces, 2 + 12 are reflected in the Twos, and so on.

1 Magician + 11 Strength

2 Popess + 12 Hanged Man

3 Empress + 13 Death

4 Emperor + 14 Temperance

5 Pope + 15 Devil  (lol)

6 Lovers + 16 House of God

7 Chariot + 17 Star  (“Hitch your wagon to a star”)

8 Justice + 18 Moon

9 Hermit + 19 Sun

10 Wheel of Fortune + 20 Judgement

As you can see, these pairings seem to make some logical sense. I have my own ideas about their relationships and how those could be applied to the numbers, but I won’t state them here. I'd like to leave you clear to make your own connections. Jack did list a few ways these could be perceived – see his post if you're curious.

Have fun.

#WitchesForTransRights

I've deleted my Facebook and Instagram accounts*, so this is the only place I can share stuff now.

And I really want to share this video. 💜

Activist Witch - You're Not Witches, You're Abusers. #WitchesForTransRights

 

 

(*I may try something like Mastodon at some point, but for now I'm good.)

Print/Save and keep close

A mojo/talisman for you. ❤️

Be safe, be well, be happy.

The Ace of Diamonds from Portable Fortitude Cards, by Corina Dross (2018)