Sol Invictus: The God Tarot
From Tarotpedia
Contents |
[edit] Description
“Sol Invictus: The God Tarot” is a completed deck that seeks to explore the many faces of the Divine Masculine through the stories of Gods, heroes, and folklore figures, and legendary men throughout the ages. Using the traditional archetypes of the Tarot, the deck has a multicultural approach which expresses itself in the eclectic symbolism and imagery of the card. Both the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana are fully illustrated, conveying the meanings of the cards as well as the myths of each particular deity/figure.
Figures in the cards range from well-known historical men (e.g. Giacomo Casanova and Alexander the Great) to well-loved folklore (e.g. Santa Claus and the Selfish Giant) and the world's rich tapestry of mythology (e.g. Buddha, Odin, Osiris, Tsau Chun, and Baron Samedi.) Gods of many cultures, places, and times are found in this deck, including Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, Slavic, British, Chinese, Aborigine, Christian, Greek, Roman, Sumerian, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Native American, Vodou, and African.
The God Tarot has tried to break away from most traditional Rider Waite imagery, but in some cards retains it where appropriate. It also renames the Court Cards so as to fit with the deck's theme better: Pages become "Awakenings"; Knights become "Questers"; Queens become "Nurturers"; and Kings become "Masters". Where possible, symbols and images sacred to each deity have been placed in the card images, allowing this deck to be used for meditation and ritual as well as reading.
[edit] Creator(s)
Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips
[edit] Publishing details
The God Tarot is now complete, and has found a publisher. Schiffer Books Ltd. The deck can be purchased from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, and from schifferbooks.com
[edit] Date of Publication
October 31st 2007.
[edit] Publisher
[edit] Deck creation and/or publication process
Each card is coloured in watercolour pencils and inks by Nic Phillips, having been brainstormed, designed, and sketched by both Kim Huggens and Nic. The large accompanying book is written by Kim, and explains the card meanings as well as the stories, imagery, and historical worship of the deities in the cards. The book also features several unique spreads created by Kim and Nic for use with the God Tarot.
[edit] Creator's comments
The God Tarot began life when Nic and I were discussing the lack of God-oriented Tarot and oracle decks as opposed to the large number and variety of Goddess decks currently available. We both have a great love of mythology, and have recently been exploring the Divine Masculine as part of our own spiritual paths, so we set about creating this deck. Initially it was only a personal project, but it gradually grew and our intentions changed!
Creating the deck has been a mysterious journey in itself, and we have found ourselves lost in a labyrinth of ideas, research, Gods, and symbolism. Sometimes we have been brainstorming ideas for a particular card and found the appropriate God - complete with full card image - pops into our minds fully formed. Other Gods are more elusive, and their stories and symbolism only come to us after much work and research.
After three years of working on The God Tarot, we are pleased to say that the deck and book are now complete, and is currently going to press ready for release October 2007. Thanks to Schiffer Books we should be seeing the deck on the shelves in the near future.
