+ touchstone tarot +

Touchstone Tarot, a new deck by Kat Black, author of the popular and critically acclaimed Golden Tarot, is coming soon.

The artwork used in the deck is digitally collaged composites from the artwork of the European Old Masters from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, with expressive and surprisingly modern looking faces to communicate the meanings of each card.

What's so special about the new deck? A few things....

It's primarily a tarot deck for digital delivery, such as online, mobile phones and handheld gaming consoles, although due to public interest there WILL be a 'real' deck. This will be released by the innovative publishing house Kunati, scheduled for release in Spring 2009 (that's Northern Hempishere Spring!). It will be a small pocket deck, about the size of playing cards, and will also be available with a Companion Book.

Kunati are a Mass Market publisher who specialise in edgy, innovative titles. Their first tarot deck, the fascinating Quantum Tarot: A Tarot of New Physics is pre-selling very well, and Kunati author Derek Armstrong is writing a lively series of novels with a tarot theme, the first of which has been released - The Last Troubadour: Song of Montsegur.

In addition to the Mass Market release of Touchstone, there will be a limited edition for Collectors published by Leisa ReFalo at TarotConnection.net. This will be available around mid 2008. Pre-orders will be taken soon.

(note: the 'real' version will not have the name 'Touchstone Tarot' on the card).

IX - the Hermit

Meaning: Look within to find your true place in the world.

Reflection, contemplation and self-acceptance. Introversion and solitude. Take care not to become too detached from the world around you.

(Reversed: Stubborness, loneliness and inability to communicate)

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Edit notes: One of my mentors mentioned that the animals (and his rapture) make him seem not as alone as this card usually indicates. I know my association of the Hermit with Francis of Assisi (as per Golden) isn't very traditional, but it's how I've always felt about this card. ie, it means drawing away from human company, but not necessarily non-human company. Closer to nature, closer to God (or spirit, or whatever you call that force).

Queen of Wands

Meaning: A woman of passion and strength.

Knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go for it - but she'd never step on anyone along the way. Passionate and creative. Down to earth, pragmatic and generous.

(Reversed: Passion unresolved leading to jealousy, frustration and petty retribution)

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Edit notes: I have used the body of a young Queen Elizabeth I, and a Baroque-era face that reminded me of Queen Elizabeth II (current Queen of the United Kingdom) circa her coronation. I feel they both started out as Queens of Wands, but the weight of their responsiblities later made them more Queens of Swords. So, in a way, this is my tribute to them both as young, passionate idealists (and hotties!).

I have used venetian red as the colour for the suit of Wands.

Eight of Coins

Meaning: From Apprentice to Master.

Creativity used to overcome financial hardship. Making do with little by acquiring new knowledge and skills. Apprenticeship and hard work will lead to a better future.

(Reversed: Taking the easy option will not solve a problem. Impatience and distraction will prevent goals being met)

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Edit notes: I'm fascinated by the tools here. A cartographer or engineer perhaps? Being a bit of a compulsive workaholic, I love the Eight of Coins.

I have used forest green as the colour for the suit of Coins.

Two of Swords

Meaning: Choices must be made.

Compromise - sometimes hard choices must be made, and indecision will only aggravate the situation. Choose the lesser of two evils, and work to minimise any damage that may be done. You have the ability to make the best of a bad situation.This card can also mean meeting a worthy adversary who will challenge you. Friendship may result once initial conflicts have been resolved.

(Reversed: Indecisiveness, falsehood. Beware of those who seek conflict for its own sake).

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Edit notes: Portrait is of Kristina of Denmark, who said she'd consider marrying Henry VIII 'if I had two heads' :P

Unlike RWS, she is not blindfolded - I am NOT covering up those lovely eyes, and also I think that all choices need to be made with eyes wide open.

I have used black and gold as the colours for the suit of Swords.

Page of Cups

Meaning: An emotional youth.

Creativity and inspiration.

Development of a strong emotional tie. An important time in a relationship - deep and significant change. A quiet, gentle and studious youth, or an older person with youthful qualities. A message, or news.

(Reversed: A shallow person who likes to get what they want, regardless of the consequences to others. Spoilt and self-indulgent, this person would benefit from being forced to face their responsibilities)

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Edit notes:

All of my Pages are students, in black cap and gown - a common format for portraiture of the era.

My little, fluffy cat Ellie sleeps beside me as I work. She's not grey, but she's just as sweet.

I have used ultramarine (blue) as the colour for the suit of Cups.

The name of the deck Touchstone Tarot - was chosen for it's metaphorical meanings. Something small, that can be held in the hand... a tool used to assess if something is true... sounds just like the Tarot! This picture gave me the idea for the name.

Also, the fact that Touchstone is the Fool in Shakespeare's play As You Like It... tarot symbolism, the Fool... and of the right era even!

Given the piracy of Golden Tarot before it's publication in 2004, images of the whole deck will not be put online prior to publication. Here are a few though, and companies interested in partnering to develop products for digital delivery can contact me to discuss such collaborations.

The collages I create are new works in their own right, and so although the images with which she work are public domain (as the artists have been dead for hundreds of years), the collages are her own creation, and thus her copyright. They will be formally registered as such in the US Library of Congress, to give additional protections against copyright theft.

Kunati are deeply interested in Tarot, and I believe that they will become a major player in the field over the next few years. They are a thoroughly modern publisher in every sense of the word, requiring their authors to interact with fans online on an intensive basis through websites, blogs and social networking - which you probably know is what I've been doing since 2000 with Golden :)

If you want to ask me questions about the new deck, the best way is on the thread at Aeclectic - then I don't have to keep answering the same questions, so I can spend more time writing the companion book!