That done and dusted I made my way to Dulcé's for some hot chocolate (cocoa fans, I suggest the Belgian Hot Chocolate!). I still debated making eyes at the cute waiter, but didn't have the guts. Anyway, I paid my hot chocolates, got up and started making my way to the cinema. Thankfully I discovered right outside Dulcé's that the fekking ticket was missing. I can't tell you how many times I checked my bag (where I so do NOT put same-day tickets anyway) and my pockets. I want to cry.
Anyway, that's neither here nor there. As I am wont to do when I have a table to myself, I did some research and came across mention of a novel called "Nova", originally written in the 1960's. It's a science-fiction novel ("space opera") playing off around the year 3172. It seems to be a very involved novel, and in fact got some good praise and was well-received, but the point of interest for me in this novel is its use of tarot as an accurate science. one of the characters, The Mouse, is in fact made fun of for being sceptical of it (ironic, since the character is identified as a Gypsy).
Beyond that, I am actually surprised by how much tarot-related literature there is out there. I don't mean only in terms of tutorials and psychological analyses, but poetry, fantasy, science fiction and "how to" books for the business aspect of the cards. In this list, include "Fortune's Lover by Rachel Pollack (who has a whole collection of tarot-related literature to her name), "Tarot" by Piers Anthony, "Professional Tarot" by Christine Jette, and any of the highly involved companion books to the Thoth Tarot, which (as far as I've seen) all deal not only with the psychology, but the Kabbala, symbolism and occult in this deck as well. Phew, let's all take a deep breath here!
I actually just ordered the "Professional Tarot: the Business of Reading, Consulting and Teaching". The delivery date is marked at the 2nd of Jan, so let's see. I'm curious to see what the author says about making the tarot a viable business. I'll post on it as soon as I've read it.
OK, so back to the Grail Tarot. I love it! I've only just started reading the LWB, which starts off with a brief history of the Holy Grail and The Knights Templar. The artwork is VERY 12th/13th Century (which makes sense, considering the time of the founding of the Templars) with a slight Rensaissance feel. The artist is an Italian by the name of Giavanni Caselli, who seems to be a paleoanthropologist as well as an artist. The actual author of the literature is John Matthews, who, with wife Caitlin, is known for over 90 books on Celtic mythology, alternative history for magic and Neoshamanism.. This is all Wikipedia speaking, by the way.
The names of the cards are also quite different from what we're used to, named Stones, Lances and Vessels; the Swords keep their name. In the Majors, none of the original names have been kept (unless you count "Fortune's Wheel"), with such names as "Sheba" and "Solomon" for Keys 3 and 4; "Lucifer" for Key 15; "The Gnostic Christ" replaces Key 1; and finally, Key 21 is replaced by "The Grail Procession. The entire major arcana are also renamed "The Seeker's Quest and can be laid out side by side to form a complete story (in most tarot this can't be accomplished fluidly). Doesn't this remind one of the "Da Vinci Tarot"?
When it comes to the interpretations, they often have an extra, added little aspect, such as the 8 of Stones (Pentacles) still referring to work and details, but also bringing up honesty, prudence and discrimination. The 7 of Stones, usually the representation for hard work rewarded, here stand for time-outs, getting lost, fear of failure and fruitless efforts. Have any of my readers ever seen this card to represent such unhappy things? And reversals don't count, hey?
Anyway, I'm off to bed (^_^) Below are two images (sadly, not my own) of the Grail Tarot. If any of you want to see them, let's arrange a visit, shall we?
Much love, friends and fandamily!!
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