Your Keys to Freedom
Page 3
If we use the example given earlier of the Ecology Deck, and our 9 of Pentacles was already sketched out as being a wooded area, but with a clearing in it, in which 9 trees grew in a circle, then we could add some notion of “simple living” into that design. Perhaps we could have the trees bending in towards the centre, forming a shelter, in which sat a figure by a fire? We would show that there were berries, animals, and other essentials available within reach of the glade, so the figure was entirely self-sufficient. In fact, as we designed the card, we might show sunlight shafts making 9 circles on the forest floor, in each of which were “9 essentials” of simple living … and so on. We can create whatever we want – it’s our card!
Now take that Unity card and pair it with every other card in your deck, and see if it casts a final light on their designs. You can engage in a final smoothing out (unification) process, to align the cards as a whole – find anything that sticks out too much like a sore thumb, or other card images that are too weak and need highlighting in some way or another. The aim is to have a “level” deck, like having a sound mixing desk and bringing all the cards to a harmonious sounding final piece of work.
Stage 14: Completing/Cascading Your Deck
In the same way that the Unity card is your own personal signature and something that ties together the theme of your deck, the cascade card (from the previous Book 10, last month) should be the “cover card” or “headline” card of your deck. Together, the unity and cascade cards should be the ones most often shown as representing your deck; perhaps on the front and back of the box (imaginary at the moment!) of your complete deck.
Take a look at the cascade card and re-shape it in terms of your experience of the previous month. Make something in it stand out as the magical and unique representation of your whole Tarot Life experience.
If our Cascade Card was the Blasted Tower, as we mentioned the strange synchronicity in Book 10, then we might add to the design a whole number of TV screens, instead of the windows of the Tower, all showing the image of the Blasted Tower, each of which of course would have screens showing images … in an infinite regress. This might symbolize that everything is interconnected, and every “shock” or “surprise” that happens, is reflected in a greater story. Sometimes, we can develop symbols and only later we realize their deep significance! That is one of the joys of developing your own concept deck; you may surprise out of yourself the deeper layers of symbol and interpretation. And this will be reflected in your readings, even when using all those tarot decks designed by other people.
You should now be able to initiate your deck by comparing your finished Unity card and Cascade card, the overall theme of your deck, and imagine how it would look on the shelf of a bookshop, on your reading table, or in a publisher’s catalogue.
You are done – you have created, from 10 month’s preparation and experience, your own deck, your own Keys to Freedom. In the conclusion of Tarot Life, next month, book 12, we will take those Keys (or any other deck if you decide to skip this stage), to dive into the depths of divinity, where we finish this journey together.
Conclusion
The Keymaker: There is a building. Inside this building there is a level where no elevator can go, and no stair can reach. This level is filled with doors. These doors lead to many places. Hidden places. But one door is special. One door leads to the source.
The Matrix Reloaded, 2003
As we make our way towards the end of our journey in Tarot Life, we will next take our very own deck, even if it is just 78 pieces of small card with a few words written on each, or some stick-figures, or a collage of magazine pictures, and conclude by using it to dive into the depths of divinity.
We trust that you have enjoyed the process as well as finding it insightful, and look forward to your creative results in this exercise, and the powerful revelations you may experience in our conclusion to this series, in Book 12.
You can share your experiences in our social site, Tarot-Town, and ask questions. The site is free with membership of your national Tarot Association, with many other member benefits.
Bibliography
Katz, M. Tarosophy. Chang Mai: Salamander & Sons, 2012.
Katz, M. & Goodwin, T. Around the Tarot in 78 Days. Woodbury: Llewellyn, 2012.
Katz, M. & Goodwin, T. Tarot Flip. Forge Press, 2012.
Steinbrecher, E. The Inner Guide Meditation. York Beach: Samuel Weiser, 2006.
Waite, A. E. Pictorial Key to the Tarot. London: Rider, 1974.
The Tyldwick Tarot
The Tyldwick Tarot, whose images grace the covers of this Tarosophy Kickstart series, is a fully complete Tarot deck published by Neil Lovell. It can be viewed and purchased online on the comprehensive and beautifully designed site:
http://www.malpertuis.co.uk/tyldwick.
Illustration: The Tower, Tyldwick Tarot © Neil Lovell, used with permission.
The theme of the deck is that of an elegant house, through which one can wander without “being distracted by a cast of characters” as might be found in other Tarot decks. The cards are beautifully layered and suffused with tonal casts from the international travel that the designer has enjoyed – and not so enjoyed - as described in some fascinating cases which are revealed in the extensive interview on the site.
The deck reminds us very much of the film, Last Year in Marienbad (1961, dir. Alain Resnais) which is a dream-like excursion into an environment which may or may not be real, in which the characters not so much inhabit the place, but are extensions of the place itself. In the Tyldwick Tarot, the few characters we see are the Court Cards where faces are reflected in mirrors – or perhaps are even looking out from the other side of the mirrors themselves.
The deck is available for purchase and you can view a straight out of the box review at: http://youtu.be/NX9qzCAdatM or type “Tyldwick Tarot Review” into Youtube.
We highly recommend this deck.
Websites & Resources
If you enjoy new learning, and want many more ways to use your Tarot deck, we encourage you to explore our websites. You are also welcome to join us in your national Tarosophy Tarot Association, where as a member you will instantly receive thousands of pages of materials, and tarot video courses for every level.
We look forward to seeing you soon on your Tarot journey!
Join the private Tarot Life Facebook group at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/150952695052327/
There are many threads, questions & answers, examples, discussion and sharing of this life-changing technique.
If you cannot locate the group, contact us directly at tarotlife@tarotprofessionals.com and we will be delighted to add you to the group.
Tarosophy Tarot Associations
http://www.tarotassociation.net
Tarot Professionals Facebook Group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/tarotprofessionals
Free Tarot Card Meanings & Spreads
http://www.mytarotcardmeanings.com
Hekademia Tarot Course
http://www.tarosophyuniversity.com
Tarot Town Social Network
http://www.tarot-town.com
Tarosophy by Marcus Katz
http://www.tarosophy.com
The Tarot Speakeasy Blog
http://www.tarotspeakeasy.com
Tarot Book Club
http://www.tarotbookclub.com
The Tarot Review
http://www.thetarotreview.com
TarotCon International Tarot Conventions
http://www.tarotconvention.com
Fortune-Telling Laws
http://www.fortunetellinglaws.com
The Original Lenormand Deck
http://www.originallenormand.com
Learning Lenormand
http://www.learninglenormand.com
Kindle Tarot Books & Series
Check out all our other books and series for original and exciting ways in which you can use a deck of tarot cards to change your life.
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Gated Spreads Series
Set 1
Book 1: The Tarot Shaman (Contact Your Animal Spirit)
Book 2: Gates of Valentine (Love & Relationships)
Book 3: The Resurrection Engine (Change Your Life)
Set 2
Book 4: Palace of the Phoenix (Alchemy)
Book 5: Garden of Creation (Creativity & Inspiration)
Book 6: Ghost Train (Explore Your Past)
Set 3
Coming Soon – Tarot Temple: Enter the Temple of the Gods.
Tarosophy KickStart Series
Volume I.
Book I: Tarot Flip - Reading Tarot Straight from the Box
Book II: Tarot Twist – 78 New Spreads and Methods [paperback]
Book III: Tarot Inspire – Tarot for a Spiritual Life
Tarot Life Series
Tarot Life: A revolutionary method to change your life in 12 Kindle pamphlets.
1. Discover Your Destiny
2. Remove The Blocks
3. Make Decisions Better
4. Enter the Flow
5. Ride the Lion
6. Connect to Service
7. Find Equality
8. Die To Your Self
9. Entering Unity
10. Becoming the Real
11. Your Keys to Freedom
12. The Depth of Divinity [available from December 2013]
Also in Print and Kindle
Tarosophy: A ground-breaking book packed with original ideas.
Around the Tarot in 78 Days: The ideal beginner book, a three-month course through every card. An award-winning book, recognized by the COVR New Age Industry Award for Best Divination Book 2013.
Tarot Face to Face: Take your tarot out of the box and into life!
The Secrets of the Waite-Smith Tarot: Learn the real meanings of the world’s most popular tarot deck [available Spring 2014].
Tarot Turn Vol. 1 - 3: A massive crowd-sourced reference guide to all 12,200 possible combinations of reversed Tarot card pairs.
May a full deck of possibilities be yours …