I have been studying esotericism for around years now. Merging my passion for divination and art, I have decided to start this project of creating my own deck. Most of these cards are through my own interpretation with my own symbolisms, but all revolve around the story each card wants to tell, as per the original deck The Rider Waite.
This project is currently unnamed as I have created only a handful of cards.
Numbered as "O" - the number of unlimited potential, it can go either at the beginning or at the end of the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana has been represented as the journey of The Fool, always present, and thus, does not need a number. The Fool card is represented by a young man standing on the edge of a building, unknowingly about to fall off, but still has a confidence in his step. The fountain of fire as his head, going in to the heavens, represents the excitement of new beginnings and the eagerness for new adventures. The white halo is for purity and innocence but also the confidence to commit to something new and take that leap of faith. The buildings behind him are the other challenges in life he has yet to face. The Fool card is the card of potential, opportunities, new beginnings and development, and it calls you to be open-minded, curious and excited.
The Magician, with all his worldly knowledge and wisdom, has the power to create anything and manifest goals. All of the elements, the cups, pentacles, swords and wands, carved in the medallions he is juggling, shows The Magician has all the tools he needs to materialize and his intentions in to reality. The infinity symbol, etched near the wick of head of the candle, signifies endless opportunities and unlimited potential, while the lush flora behind him symbolizes the ripening of thoughts and aspirations.
From Persephone to the Temple of Solomon, The High Priestess has always had a connection to the divine and cosmic knowledge surrounding the world.
The two pillars serve as markers for the entrance of the sacred space of The High Priestess, akin to the entrance to the Temple of Solomon. The pillars are wrapped in black and white cloth, embroidered with the letters B (Boaz, meaning 'in his strength') and J (Jachin, meaning 'he will establish') respectively, symbolize the duality of masculinity and femininity, and the balance required to enter the space of The High Priestess. A veil behind her represents the thin line between the conscious and the subconscious world, the seen and the unseen, and how it keeps the eyes of the uninitiated onlookers out. The veil is also adorned with pomegranates as a sign of fertility, abundance and feminine power. It is also a reference to Persephone, eating pomegranate seeds, forcing her to spend a portion of every year with Hades in the underworld. The High Priestess herself wears a horned crown, symbolizing divine knowledge. She holds a scroll with the letter TORA, representing the Greater Law, and how it is only visible to her, and covered from others, showing that the texts will only be revealed when the individual is ready. Finally, the crescent moon at the foot of the stairs shows her heightened intuition, connection to the divine feminine, and the cycles of the moon.
The two pillars serve as markers for the entrance of the sacred space of The High Priestess, akin to the entrance to the Temple of Solomon. The pillars are wrapped in black and white cloth, embroidered with the letters B (Boaz, meaning 'in his strength') and J (Jachin, meaning 'he will establish') respectively, symbolize the duality of masculinity and femininity, and the balance required to enter the space of The High Priestess. A veil behind her represents the thin line between the conscious and the subconscious world, the seen and the unseen, and how it keeps the eyes of the uninitiated onlookers out. The veil is also adorned with pomegranates as a sign of fertility, abundance and feminine power. It is also a reference to Persephone, eating pomegranate seeds, forcing her to spend a portion of every year with Hades in the underworld. The High Priestess herself wears a horned crown, symbolizing divine knowledge. She holds a scroll with the letter TORA, representing the Greater Law, and how it is only visible to her, and covered from others, showing that the texts will only be revealed when the individual is ready. Finally, the crescent moon at the foot of the stairs shows her heightened intuition, connection to the divine feminine, and the cycles of the moon.
Femininity, beauty, mother nature, growth and abundance, The Empress embodies all of these with grace and a peaceful, radiant aura. Above in the sky, she is followed by twelve stars, representing the twelve zodiacs. Her head, presented as a heart with a silver diadem, with fire flowing from its top, is a sign of her status. Her dress is a luscious red, a sign of femininity, adorned with golden roses, accompanied by a golden scepter with a glowing ruby, shows that she is richly verdant, regal and opulent. To her side, golden wheat, a symbol of abundance, harvest, nature and growth, springs from the ground, further showing her as the Mother Earth archetype.
Masculinity, power, passion, authority and structure, The Emperor is the father figure archetype of the cards. The constellation Aries, the zodiac aligned with the planet Mars, follows The Emperor. His ermine robes, is a sign of power, heraldry and the structures and rules that The Emperor abides by and upholds strictly. His robe is adorned with a golden rams head as the pouldron, symbolic of the connection he has with Aries or the planet Mars. His under clothes are red, showing his passion and energy for life. He is stoic, firm, and exudes wisdom and experience, the hallmarks of a good leader, and one that should be listened to. Behind him are strong, large mountains, implying that his actions and thoughts are built on a solid foundation, and are resistant to change and persuasion.
The Hierophant. The purveyor of structure, rules, traditions and institutions. The male counterpart to The High Priestess, The Hierophant can also sometimes be known as the pope or the teacher, and is ruled under the star sign Taurus. He stands on top of a high pillar as the deciding body of who is worthy to ascend. He wears a three-layered crown, representing the conscious, sub-conscious, and super-conscious, the worlds he rules over. His right hand, similar to The Magician, has two fingers pointing up in to the heavens, and two fingers pointing down to earth, as a sign of benevolence and serves as a blessing. His left holds the Papal Cross, a triple scepter that not only signifies his religious status, but also serves as a representation for the Holy Trinity. The two keys are the balance of the conscious and sub-conscious worlds, and its mysteries only The Hierophant can unlock. Beneath him are two scholars, intently praying and listening to him, as it is The Hierophants purpose to pass down knowledge and traditions, and initiate those who are worthy.
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