Dressed for Success

The idea for this card came to me just the other day. Because this deck is such a personal one, I am trying my best, where possible, to match people and situations to my understanding of the cards. The majority of meanings stem from the interpretations offered by Edward Arthur Waite and the paintings of Pamela Coleman Smith, which were published in 1910.

The 6 of Wands is a card I am always happy to receive, but I have to say that I don't draw it as often as I would like. In the traditional image, a man arrives home on horseback. He has most probably been in battle, and crowds gather to celebrate his victory and welcome him back. In their eyes, he has achieved something and gains a level of notoriety.

In my card, I have chosen to illustrate it with my two friends, Jojo and Malou as subjects. I have already used Malou for the Knight of Pentacles, but here, she is joined inside the laurel reef by her close friend and business partner.

I met both girls in 2000, when we all began to study at art college. After that year, Malou and I went to the same university to complete our studies, and Jojo went to another. After we had all finished our degrees, Malou and Jojo joined forces and began their own ladieswear label. In the years that followed, with a lot of skill and hard work, they have developed a keen following and have successfully carved out their place in the fashion industry.

I have a lot of friends who are successful, but few have achieved this level of public acknowledgement. The Six of Wands recognises fame as part of it's identity, but warns us not to gloat or revel in our triumphs at the expense of those less fortunate. I have chosen my two Swedish friends for this very reason. As well as my being very proud of what they have achieved, they are also two of the most down to earth people you could meet.

What can I get you?

Even though I am still wondering how to do the minor cards for this deck, they are beginning to create themselves. I have decided that 'having no rules' should be my only rule. I started this project for myself, but now that I have had much interest in it, I don't want to lose that focus by trying to impress or hook any kind of market.

With this in mind, I had become a little worried that the pack would become 78 portraits, but this morning, in thinking about the 6 of Pentacles, I feel that in most cases, the subtlety of limited symbols is enough. Besides, once you get to know the many faces in this tarot, their unique personalities could feasibly talk to any reader.

In the 6 of Pentacles, a young man sits at a table. In front of him is a beaker. Despite the fact that this card is grounded in the element of earth, this man is sensitive and has a creative mind. He thinks of more than just himself.

In Waite's traditional card, a merchant is shown passing coins to two beggars. In mine, just a simple cup joins the young man with whoever has drawn the card. It has two straws. One for him, and one for someone else. Either we are sharing our drink with him, or he has chosen to share his with us. The 6 of Pentacles is a card of generosity, charity, giving, and receiving.

For this card, I have chosen my friend, Anthony. We met through the internet over a year ago, but have been speaking online for much longer. He has a cheerful and warm personality, and with a great deal of passion in both art and music, has much to share. For our first meeting, he made me a CD of some of his favourite music. And that wasn't all he gifted me on that day. As well as another present, he also treated me to dinner, which I was very touched by.

When the 6 of Pentacles turns up in readings, it notes acts of sharing. This sharing does not always have to be about money. It might be our precious time that we choose to offer another person, or it might be a situation which requires compromise. When the card arrives, it either highlights something of need which we will soon receive, or asks us to look at what we have and can spare. With that in mind, I hope that this card's model accepts this illustration as a thank-you for the kindness and generosity he showed me on our first meeting.

A Stab at the 3 of Swords

Taking on the minors of this deck has been on my mind for some time. I have only completed two aces so far. In the Ace of Swords, a young man has an aha moment from within the frame of a light bulb. In the Ace of Wands, another young guy represents the first spark of new passion and excitement.

I have had many ideas for the 3 of Swords. As a card of separation, my initial idea was of a broken bridge. Beneath it, would have been a stream of red, suggesting blood and pain. I photographed a bridge and began to draw from the picture, but the illustration felt lifeless and did not fit in with the others I had done already. This deck has become a very 'people oriented' collection of images, and with a card that endeavours to communicate heartbreak and hurt feelings, the 3 of Swords needed that personal touch as well.

I have tried to acknowledge tradition once again. In Pamela Coleman Smith's original painting, we are shown a heart which has been stabbed by three swords. In my card, I have tried to add that flavour, but in a more emotionally subtle way. A handsome young man stands in front of several dark clouds. From what he wears, he could be a boxer and might have been amongst a fight or two. Two plasters are placed over his wounded heart, suggesting upset and emotionally difficult times.

Even though this card presents a difficult transition, it does suggest repair. Covered up from further infection, this man's wound will heal. We already know he is a fighter and is strong enough to deal with his previous or present pain. As with traditional versions of this card, I have added the rising rays of the sun to show that despite how he is feeling now, the future will eventually be brighter.

For the second time, I have chosen Christopher de Gabriele for an illustration (a friend I met when I was at university). He was also the model for the second card I created, The Magician. This time, it is an aesthetic choice. The illustration is taken from a series of photographs that I made in my last year of studies, and he wears a pair of shorts which I both designed and made.

Better the Devil you Know

This card has been part of a conversation between a friend and I for some months. Talking our way through the cards, we joked about how her sister, Katie, would be the perfect little Devil.

The Devil is a card which has stayed close to my side for many years. She comes in all forms of temptation; be that alcohol, drugs, sex, or cigarettes. Whichever vice it is that you know you should be moderating is where she lurks. As someone who is still lured by cigarettes and a few too many drinks, she will advise me to buy an extra pack or succumb to the late bars. She is not all bad, for she allows us to let our hair down once in a while, but once she has tightened her grip, there is often no return.

I have known Katie for nearly as long as I have known the devil. At first, she became a familiar face amongst the backdrop of local pubs and clubs, and a friend of friends. But as the years passed, our friendship has tightened amongst mutual loss and many a night out. As a friend, she is more than just a little devil. But as a devil, I have to agree with her sister, that she is the best.

As with other cards in my pack, I have decided to change the title for this one. I felt that 'The Siren' is a more alluring title and better depicts the seductive characteristics of both this model and temptation itself, but I chose to add the pitchfork brooch as a nod to tradition. This siren stands in front of iron bars, for when we yield to temptation and excess, we create our own prison. Behind her, we see a dark landscape. These are the rocks where sirens would entice sailors to their death, and behind them, we see the setting sun.

Man of the Earth

On completing my last court card, I introduce this king to his tarot family. He slots in well between the enthusiastic student, hardworking knight, and luxury-loving queen. With his feet firmly grounded in practicality and Mother Earth, please meet the King of Pentacles.

The King of Pentacles is a man of the earth and his environment. You may find him fronting his own business, or alternatively, in his wellies at the bottom of the garden. This man is all about the physical realm. Like the other three courts in this suit, he is not scared of hard work. He may play a little safer than the other kings, but this cautious approach in business and other matters has brought about successful and consistent results.

For this card, I have chosen my friend Matt. He is married to one of my closest friends, and through time, has become very dear to me and I know I can trust him. While talking to him last weekend as he washed up after the barbecue, it dawned on me how suitable he would be for this card.

In recent years, he has started his own business. As with anything like this, it has had the occasional challenge, but he has built it up and works very hard to keep it performing. None of the characters from the suit of Pentacles are work-shy, and as a one-man-band (with a little help from his wife), his achievements are all down to his own effort.

Matt and his wife enjoy walking. On a few occasions, they have had me stumbling through fields (cigarette in hand) and on nature tracks in their local area. They both like to be outdoors and part of their natural surroundings. For me, the reward has always been a pint or something to eat at the other end. Like this king, Matt appreciates the physical too. This stems that bit further than his environment. Like the queen, he likes good food and comfort.

I am pleased to have finally finished the sixteen court cards now, and can slot the king into his suit. I really never thought I would get this far.

The Entertainer

As I have said before, the process of finding the right models and subjects for my cards has been extremely natural. With just two kings left to design, I ran into both at a barbecue last week. I hadn't expected to find either there, but in the same way as it has with nearly every card so far, I knew that the subject of this card was right for the King of Wands as soon as he came and sat down next to me.

I have known Marc for a few years. He is a friend of a friend and we occasionally meet at social gatherings. He is one of those guys I always enjoy running into, because he has a vibrant personality and can be very entertaining. As do all of the figures in the Wand court.

Think of the sun bursting through the clouds in this illustration. People represented by the suit of wands radiate excitement and are a lot of fun to be around. Now think of this man. A king is the highest rank in his family, and here, he handles his playful side with maturity. The knight doesn't always know what to do with all of his energy, but with experience, the king can use it to guide and inspire others. He is a warm and popular man, who has many a follower.

Since this card shows one of the two remaining kings, this card completes another tarot family. The King and Queen of Wands are an explosion of energy when together. As are their presentational offspring, the knight and page. Altogether, this fiery crowd make for a creative and exciting group of people to spend time with.