Tarot & Oracle
The Tarot is at its tabletop practical basis a deck of decorated cards. Its order and appearance began to be somewhat uniform in the Renaissance, roughly the 15th Century. More complex meanings and purposes of this tool of gamesmanship seem to have begun early in the 18th Century, eventually growing and roaming into the wide spectrum of entertainment, interrogation, divination, and cartomancy that we know today.
A friend introduced me to the I Ching in college, and I quickly understood it to be an effective and enjoyable method of psychological investigation. After years of being put off by some of the more arcane and ambitious claims of tarot enthusiasts, I finally saw the analogy to the I Ching. After many years of resisting carrying the tarot in the store, I now stock it in the simple and inquiring spirit of my understanding. I am attracted to eye-catching art, of course, and I like the idea of cats being involved, of course, although I suspect cats may be more interested in pushing the cards off the table than in being supportive familiars. I respect the tarot’s history, and I will seek out books that place in the context of its origin and survival.
I am aware that the supply and diversity of decks is enormous, but I begin simply and humbly, alert to what my customers like.
Halloween Tarot in a Tin
Halloween Tarot in a Tin
A black cat with glowing eyes leads us on our nocturnal sojourn through the 78 cards of the Major and Minor Arcana. The characters of the Major Arcana visit from the realms of horror stories and Halloween tradition. Frankenstein and his bride 'bring to life' the Emperor and the Empress cards. The Minor Arcana suits are Pumpkins, Imps, Ghosts, and Bats, each with a special significance. This is a pocket-sized deck.
"As the suit of the ancient element Earth, the Pumpkins describe all things that are physical and tangible, real and solid -- things you can taste and smell, and of course, count. The Ghost cards are haunted by the ancient element of Water, the symbol of the fluidity of the subconscious mind, dreams, instincts, and emotions. The Bats comprise the 'thinking suit,' reflecting a bat version of the intellect -- the uncannily sensitive 'radar' of these nocturnal creatures that helps them find food and avoid collisions even on the blackest of Halloween nights. Since the traditional Tarot suit of Wands is linked with the ancient element Fire, the devilish scarlet Imps make a delightful Halloween suit equivalent."