The Tarot has fascinated me for quite a while. I remember when I first left home I was not quite eighteen. I moved into a large ramshackle house in Philadelphia, and I would climb over the fence dividing my place from the next-door neighbors. Why? Because the lady who lived there was an expert Tarot card reader! She would read my cards almost every night. Did I take it all seriously? Not really… but it was completely entertaining and sometimes the cards messages rang true.
Fast forward to present day, I’ve become an expert card reader, and I collect them for their variety, beauty and even humorous images. Most decks have spectacular art on them. As for their history, they are thought to have originated all the way back in ancient Egypt, as a cosmic source of wisdom and divination of the future. The Egyptian word tar means royal and ro means royal – thus the royal road to wisdom. Later, in northern Italy, a complete deck for card playing and gambling was devised. In France in the 1700s, a “cartomancer” named Jean Baptiste-Alliette created the imagery in the decks we often see today. There are cups, swords, wands, and pentacles. And the Major Arcana cards that hold great symbolism, such as the hermit, the world and the death card (which can also mean rebirth!).
In my novel, Witch of the Cards Peter Dune has a Tarot and Séance shop on the boardwalk, where he holds readings and séances. In walks Fiera, who not only has a mysterious and electric connection to Peter, she can do more outrageous and unexpected things with the Tarot than simply reading them! I won’t give away the surprise, I will only say I’m pretty sure you will not be able to guess. She is also a sea witch so her supernatural powers are twofold. I love reading Tarot for my friends, and I love writing dark fantasy with plenty of frightening magic and mayhem.
Do you know how to read the Tarot? What’s your favorite card?
How cool! I used to read the Tarot, but I had to have a book to help me with all the cards' meanings. I recently saw a show about how the Tarot might be the Egyptian Book of Thoth. Fascinating stuff!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what I read too.
DeleteCongrats, Catherine! I have read Tarot cards (with the help of the book), but I preferred the rune stones. I do have a lovely Goddess Tarot deck. There are so many beautiful cards.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I never learned how to do runes...
DeleteI did tarot readings one night in Spanish Harlem. There's a story! :) This sounds like a fantastic book. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteHaha, okay now you've got to tell me that story at some point.
DeleteI also like the artwork on the cards. Sounds like a fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteHuge congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated by Tarot cards, but have never had a reading. Not sure why. And of course death and rebirth are together. As they so often are...
The art work with the tarot cards are often quite beautiful. I have tried to read tarot cards but not sure how good I was-lol I like the lovers card actually.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine - what an interesting book - I've looked at tarots ... but don't pay much attention ... but I do find the cards and varieties fascinating .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI've always thought tarot cards were so cool even though I don't know anything about them. So looking forward to this book!
ReplyDeleteI don't know a thing about tarot cards. Catherine you book sounds intriguing...
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated!~ I love The Fool and The Star cards....new beginnings and wishes-always a great combo~ I will check it out-thank you and cheers to YOU!
ReplyDeleteThose cards are always interesting and if the reader is good, you can really become lost in the story. Congrats again, Catherine.
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