Monday, December 14, 2009

Tarot Two Times


The Collective Tarot is being re-released this January. It is not quite done, but so, so close. I am so excited. This will be the second printing of the original deck, but it is unique in that it has a few new cards and a few new versions of cards and new color combos. Published by Eberhardt Press in Portland, the Collective consists of a 78-card deck +200-some page booklet. If you want to reserve a copy (the first press run was 500. This time around there will be 750, but they are going fast), you can pre-order them here:
The deck was conceptualized by a core collective of five: Sacha Marini, Lori Lawrence, Jackie Davis, Clio Reese Sady, and me Annie Murphy. Sacha, Clio, Lori and I each drew a suit, while Jacques and a fine ensemble of rad talented artists each drew a card from the Major Arcana. We then each wrote definitions for our cards for the accompanying illustrated booklet (thanks Charles!).
This project has totally blown my mind. It's been 2 and a 1/2 years and we are still working on it, but since its original release in may 2008, it has proved to be more magical than we ever imagined. Whether it is the combination of amazing creative talents, the use of modern-day archetypes while building on the vast knowledge seen in previous decks, or that many of us drew actual people and places into the cards--this deck is fucking uncanny. The stories I hear about this deck from far and wide...it clearly has a mind of its own. And a hilarious sense of humor. But seriously folks, this deck isn't fucking around. The Collective Traot project has really led me to believe in the healing power of pictures, and the magic that images create in the world--both good and bad. Also, I've learned a shit-ton about the origins of the Tarot and its relationship to the origins of comics--but more on this at a later date.
For now, check out this picture of a person I've never met who walked into Clio Sady's tattoo shop the other day. I take this as a huge compliment!

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