Illustrated Arcana PDF

The Illustrated
Guide to Arcana
A guide to the meaning and practical application of
ARCANA Tarot P laying C ards
Chris Ovdiyenko
A D ead on Paper P roject

dist r ibu t ed by de a d on pa per
Joh n stow n, OH 43031

Made in US A
The I llustrated Guide to A rcana

A guide to the meaning and practical application of
ARCANA Tarot P laying C ards
1st Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced

in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including
photocopying, scanning, recording, or information storage and
retrieval without permission in writing from the author.
Seriously, dont jack my stuff.
Copyright 2016 by Chris Ovdiyenko

ISBN-10: 0-692-74435-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-692-74435-2
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eclectic and unexpected products.
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This book is dedicated to:
My beautiful wife Adria, who is my partner in

everything and makes it all possible.
Dylan and Phaedra, the most amazing children who
teach me to never lose my sense of wonder.
My parents, who encouraged me to enthusiastically
try again, and again, and again...
Contents
iii Authors Note

v A
bout This Book
and A rcana Tarot
P laying C ards
1 C
hapter One:
Terms and Conditions
5 Chapter

Two:
A Guide to Readings
11 Chapter Three:
The Minor Arcana
13 Suit of Cups
28 Suit of Wands
42 Suit of P entacles
56 Suit of Swords
71 Chapter Four:
The Major Arcana
74 The Fool
76 The M agician
78 The High P riestess
80 The Empress
82 The Emperor
84 The Hierophant
86 The Lovers
88 The Chariot
90 Strength
92 The Hermit
94 Wheel of Fortune
96 Justice
98 The H anged M an
100 Death
102 Temperance
104 The Devil
106 The Tower
108 The Star
110 The Moon
112 The Sun
114 Judgement
116 The World
118 Chapter Five:
End Matter
122 Closing Thoughts
123 About the Author
ii
Authors Note
Are Tarot cards for real?
Many people think Tarot cards are a bunch of nonsense, while for
others, the Tarot has been life-changing. Ive had readings that didnt
seem to make any sense at all. But, Ive also had readings that shocked
me with how precisely and accurately they described my life. For me,
those readings stretched the bounds of coincidence too far.
Some say that any spiritual endeavor is real if you believe in it. That
sounds nice, but we can conceive of and believe in a lot of things.
Belief alone doesnt make those ideas any more real. Our capacity for
imagination is often rivaled only by our tendency towards self-delusion.
With that said, logic, reason, and facts arent a five-star recipe for
Truth with a capital T. The good news is I dont think its even close.
In our metrics-oriented, quantified culture theres sometimes precious
little room for Beauty or Mystery. But for me, those are exactly the
things that make life interesting, and I do believe there are beautiful
truths we can learn about ourselves through the Tarot.
Among the many techniques of self-discovery, theres something unique
about Tarot cards. Maybe they let us tap into universal archetypes
Jungian-type psychology archetypes. Or maybe they just get us to
open up to truths we already know, but are unwilling to face. I
consider a good Tarot reading to be a guided meditation of my own
psyche. Trying to be conscious of ourselves and the internal and external
forces that shape our lives strikes me as a pretty worthwhile pursuit.
For the open-minded querent with a talented reader, the Tarot
provides a medium through which youll be questioning yourself.
If you ask honest questions, youll likely learn more than you
might expect.
iii
iv
A bout this Book and

A rcana Tarot playing C ards
The Arcana project is a merging of two types of cards that, until now,
have been largely separate from each otherplaying cards and Tarot
cards. Its surprising, actually, that they are so different today since
they started out as the same thing.
Before playing cards were codified into the standard cards we know
today, they ran the gamut in permutations and differences.
Somewhere along the way, cards used for fortune telling and cards
meant for games separated from each other in design, number, and
meaning. Arcana brings these two card systems back together.
When I started the project, I didnt intend to create a full Tarot set,
but rather, I wanted to make a deck of traditional playing cards that
explored a Tarot theme. But as the project developed, it became clear
that I had to create a full Tarot setthere was too much creative
potential in Tarot cards to just ignore a lot of them. Plus, since my
intent was to create a union of playing cards and Tarot cards, it felt
like I would only being going halfway if I only created playing cards.
I knew I needed to work on the full Tarot.
So thats what I did. This book is a guide on how to use Arcana cards
for divination, but its also a chance for me to explain a little about the
artwork and the choices I made for each piece of art.
While there are many, many excellent books written about each card
and the Tarot history, this book is more of a general overview. It
focuses on the cards meanings, how to use them for simple readings,
and the artwork itself. Its intended to be a resource for anyone just
starting with Tarot cards, or for anyone who likes my art and wants a
peek inside my thoughts on each composition.
Arcana was my third Kickstarter project, and I feel Id be remiss if I
didnt mention that the community of 3,199 backers who supported
me in creating the cards and this book also helped with more than
just financial support. Throughout the project, I received notes of
encouragement, helpful questions, and insightful suggestions. Some
of the questions led to me thinking about the cards in a different way.

Some of the suggestions led to wholesale changes. This project was
truly a collaboration, and I want to say thank you to everyone who
was a part of making this happen.
vi
A further testament to the amazing community behind Arcana is that

over the past year and a half, everyone has continued to be supportive.
The artwork for the Expansion Cards took longer than I originally
anticipatedsome rewards were shifted to a second shipping that was
also many months later than expected. Through it all, the backers of
the project have been patient, considerate, and continue to show
excitement for the project. Truly, you are all amazing people, and the
book youre reading would never have been possible without you.
Chapter One
Chapter One

Throughout this book, Ill be using terms that might not make sense
to everyone. Here are some of the key terms that would be helpful as
you work your way through:
Querent
One who seeks is the person for whom a

Tarot reading is given.
R eader
The person who facilitates the reading for

the querent.
M ajor A rcana
If you look at the top of each card youll see

some of them have a roman numeral, from
O to XXI (021). These are twenty-two
Tarot trumps, starting with The Fool and
ending with The World. These cards
represent our journey through life and the
various steps we experience along the way.
Each card can be experienced at many points

in our lives and not necessarily sequentially.
These are especially powerful cards, and in a
reading its not just the cards themselves that
hold meaning, but also the relationship
between the cards.
The Major Arcana cards are generally
accepted to symbolize large turning points
in a querents life, whereas the Minor Arcana
are more about the details.
M inor A rcana
The 56 Minor Cards are suited cards

following whats known as the Italo-Spanish
Suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles).
These suits correspond to the French suits
of playing cardsClubs, Hearts, Spades,
and Diamonds.
Poker Suits
Tarot Suits
Element
Clubs
Wands
Fire
Diamonds
Pentacles
Earth
Hearts
Cups
Water
Spades
Swords
Air
Each Tarot suit has a corresponding Poker suit, and since so much of the Tarot is
based on Alchemy, Ive also included the alchemical symbol and element for each.
The Minor Arcana cards of each suit are

numbered one (ace) through ten, and also
include court cards (or courts). In Tarot
decks, the courts traditionally include page,
knight, queen, and king cards. In playing
cards, the page and knight of each suit are
represented by one card rather than two, the
jack card. The Minor Arcana reveal the
day-to-day insights of a querents life.
R eversals
This refers to cards that are upside down. Its

common to reverse the meaning of the card if
it comes up reversed. In the Arcana Playing
Cards project, the 2-10 cards are reversible, so
no inversion of the cards meaning is needed.
RWS Tarot
Also known as the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot,

this is the deck most people are familiar with
when they think of Tarot cards. Pamela
Colman Smith was the illustrator and her
superb drawings have fascinated people for
over 100 years since they debuted in 1910.
Chapter Two
A Guide For R eadings
Chapter Two
A Guide for R eadings

If youre anything like me, you probably want to jump right into a
reading. Below are two commonly used spreads, starting with the
easiest (Draw One) and followed by a not-too-difficult pattern called
the Celtic Cross. As you learn about the cards and their meanings,
itll be helpful to refer back to this book to see what each card in a
spread symbolizes.
6
D raw One
This spread is great to focus on one query without too many details.
Heres how it works:
The reader asks the querent to divide the deck into 3 stacks, then put
them back together in a different order. Repeat this 2 more times. The
reader then spreads the deck out in a large fan, and asks the querent
to focus on a question. While the querent is holding that question in
their mind, the reader asks them to select a card and turn it over.
The Celtic Cross

Every time Ive ever received a reading it has been through a spread
called the Celtic Cross. If you look at the illustration on the following
page, youll notice that its broken into two parts: the circle and the
staff. In general, the circle is thought to have a more feminine energy
while the staff has a more masculine energy. Together they form a
snapshot of the querents psyche at the time of the reading.
The reader shuffles the cards, then asks the querent to split the deck
into three piles. The reader then asks the querent to put the deck back
together in a different order. The querent is asked to create three piles
again, and again put them together in a new order. This repeats one
more time. Honestly, I think the idea is to get the querents hand on
the deck without having them mess up the card edges with bad
shuffles. Just a guess.
A G uide for R eadings
Once thats done, the reader then begins drawing the cards saying
This card represents Your Present. This card represents Your Past...
And so on until the entire spread is layed out. Once all the cards are
in position, the reader goes through and gives a detailed description of
what it all means.
In order to do a Celtic Cross reading, youll need to know what each
station represents.
Stations of the Celtic Cross
10
5
9
3
4
8
6
7
This illustration was drawn from the point of view of the querent. As the reader,
youll typically be sitting across from the querent, so you would need to place the
cards in this pattern, but upside down from how its shown here.
C ard 1: The present.

This part of the reading represents whats happening in the querents
life right now. The spin on this is that it could also be how the querent
is perceiving their current situation.
Chapter Two
C ard 2: The situation.

This is the querents #1 issueif it were resolved, the querents life
would improve. It doesnt have to be a negative card per se. Even if
the card drawn has a positive meaning, hints to what the issue is will
be inherent in that card.
C ard 3: The past.

8
This is the card that sums up the querents past leading to this point.
C ard 4: The future.

This is the card that speaks to the querents immediate futurenot
the long game, just the next few weeks/months.
C ard 5: A s above.
This represents the querents conscious goal or desire, the aspiration
they are actively working towards.
C ard 6: So below.
This card represents the subconscious motivations that the querent
might not even be aware of at all. Tread lightly in how you present
thissome folks get downright snippy if you tell them they have
motivations they dont agree with, know about, understand, or like.
C ard 7: Counsel.
When this card is drawn, its like the Tarot is suggesting a path
forward. Its a solution to the issue revealed in Card 2. Pay close
attention to this card, the nuances of the cards meaning will be
especially important to think through since this is the Tarots advice.
A G uide for R eadings
C ard 8: From without.

The from without card represents all thats outside the querents
control. These are external factors affecting the querent, positive
or negative.
C ard 9: From within.

This card speaks to the querents hopes and fears. It can be
surprisingly hard to distinguish between the two and to know
which the card represents.
C ard 10: The outcome.

This card represents whats going to happen if the querent follows
their current path. If the querent doesnt particularly like the outcome
card, they have free will to change the path theyre on. I would argue
thats the whole point anyway.
As you can see, this is a fairly straightforward yet very powerful way
of reading the cards. I would also add that if any of the above cards
seem ambiguous or unclear in any way, doing a one-card reading to
resolve the question is a good idea.
10
11
Chapter Three
The M inor A rcana
Chapter Three
12
The M inor A rcana
The M inor A rcana

Tarot cards can be broken down into two groupsthe Minor Arcana
and the Major Arcana. The Minor Arcana cards correlate to what
most people would think of as standard playing cardsAce through
King of each suit. Though, unlike playing cards, Tarot cards include
Knight and Page cards, but no Jack court card.
For the Arcana Project, the Jack is the stand-in for the Knight card.
As a blending of the two card systems, this seemed like the most
appropriate way to go. The Page cards of each suit are included in the
projects expansion deck.
During Tarot readings, the Minor Arcana cards are generally
considered to be indicators of immediate and passing events. So while
the Major Arcana cards are thought of as revealing large sweeping
issues in a persons life, the minor Arcana cards are more practical,
day-to-day events and themes that contribute to the arc of a
querents life-story.
This section of the book is organized by suit, with a general overview
of the suits themes and dynamics, and then by each card and its
meaning for readings. Ive also included a few notes about the artistic
intent with the courts and aces, which some readers might find useful
and interesting. Or not, but that would be hurtful for me to know. So
should we ever meet and discuss the book, please just graciously say
those thoughts were great. Im easily placated.
Suit of Cups
The Suit of Cups correlates to the poker suit of Hearts, and its
helpful to think of it that way because Cups reveal all manner of
emotions and matters of the heart. They point to the ways we express
our feelings (or dont), and are strongly linked to our subconscious
and creativity.
The Suit of Cups are water sign cards, aligned to the West
directionally, and correlate to Autumn.
13
Chapter Three
14
The Ace of Cups

The chalice in this card is actually based on a real one in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Its dated from 1462, originating in Southeastern
Europe, and was crafted in a gothic style known as modo transilvano meaning in
the Transilvanian style. Known for elaborate filigree and constantly varied forms,
The M inor A rcana | Cups
Ace of Cups
Joy. Love. Creativity. Beginnings.

The Ace of Cups is all about the love. Its not necessarily romantic
love (although it certainly could be). This card points to a connection
you feel with someone, starting a new relationship, or allowing emotion
and creativity to shine through. It is also a selfless card, and you
should be looking to be generous in spirit because this is, or is about
to be, a peaceful and joyous time for you.
It also could indicate the start of a new creative idea, a new project, or
the joy of a brand new beginning that you should pour your heart and
soul into.
If any card appears inverted in a spread, simply reverse
the meaning during your reading.
A rtistic I ntent
All of the RWS Tarot card aces show the suit being held by a hand
coming out of clouds. Back in 1908 it would have been fine, but the
giant hand felt very Monty Python to me, so I left them out of my aces.
But that still left a challenge to represent the Tarot suit, the poker suit,
as well as the various card elements in each composition. My solution
was to show a graphical representation of the poker suit and a more
realistic representation of the Tarot suit as shown in the Ace of Cups.
As a water sign card, I showed water flowing out of the large cup
overflowing with creativity and love. The dove bursting forth and
water lilies completed the necessary elements, and I was pleased to
present them in a new way compared to the RWS Ace of Cups.
the Hungarian/Transylvanian gold and silver smiths gained renown not just among
Churches, but the larger aristocracy of Europe as well. Its interesting to note that
a large quantity of ecclesiastical silver was destroyed during the Reformation in the
sixteenth century. Thankfully, this beautiful cup survived.
15
Chapter Three
Two of Cups
Joining. Harmony. Balance.
16
The seed of love that started in the Ace of cups is

starting to grow. The Two of Cups represents the
blossoming of a love or partnership, and its an
equal love. The joining of two people in a creative
and mutually supportive relationship where both
are better with each other its 1+1 equaling 3.
This card can often represent a marriage proposal or
the beginning of a serious relationship.
Though this card is very similar in meaning to The Lovers card, its
not quite as strong or as fiery.
If the cards lean away from a romantic interpretation, the Two of
Cups can also symbolize a successful partnership in a business
venture or even just a new friendship.
Three of Cups
Community. Friendship. Belonging.

The Three of Cups is a card of friendship and
represents the power of a group to help each other.
It speaks to the end of some problems and the sense
of togetherness that can be a source of strength.
Pulling together, problems can be solved, and peace
can be brought to everyone who is open to helping,
as well as receiving, others help. This is a strong
signal that joining a group of some kind or engaging
in group activities would be a very good idea. It also
could indicate that any problems with friends you might have been
experiencing are coming to an end.
Playing cards are thought to have first entered Europe around the 1300s. We can
pin that date down because there is a written record of them being banned in Bern,
Switzerland in 1367. The poker suits most people are familiar with (known as french
suits) can be credited to tienne Vignoles (also known as La Hire), and tienne
Chavalier in the 1400s. La Hire was a military leader in the court of Charles the VII.
He fought alongside Joan of Arc at the Battle of Baug, and is immortalized to this
day in the portrait seen in the Jack of Hearts.
Four of Cups
Indecision. Apathy. Stagnation.

Youve stalled out. There could be opportunity in
front of you, but youre stuck in a rut and unable or
unwilling to move forward. The Four of Cups is a
card to remind you that life should be grabbed with
both hands, and this isnt the time to lose your
inner drive. In order to move forward, you need to
look within and figure out whats got you jammed
up. The situation will only get worse if you dont fix it.
In the context of relationships, this could be a card showing your
dissatisfaction. A change needs to be made and now is the time to do
so. Look deeply and honestly at your feelings and the answer should
present itself.
Overall, The Four of Cups points to a longstanding issue that youve
been grappling with that youve almost given up on. Dont sulk or
withdraw, but take this card as a signal you could make long sought
progress. If you see a opportunity to make a positive change, you
should take it.
Five of Cups
Disappointment. Loss. Grief. Regret.

Not a lot to get excited about with the Five of
Cups. Its indicating that past hopes havent really
worked out the way you would have hoped. In a lot
of ways, youre thinking too much about the past.
Youre dwelling. It is, of course, always good to
learn from your mistakesbut right now youre in
an unhealthy place because youre not looking
forward. This would be a good time to let the past
be the pastlet go, pick up, and move on.

Chin up, Buttercup!
17
Chapter Three
Six of Cups
Nostalgia. Child-like joy.

Ah, the good ol days. We tend to look back on
early memories as a happy time, a less complicated
and simpler point in our lives. But, we forget the
jerk who took our lunch money and forced us eat
mud and dandelions (yep, Im still bitter about it).
18
I digress; whats important about this card is that it

represents the happiness we felt in a moment from
our past that was awesome-sauce. The salad days of
our lives. This card represents that feeling entering into your life now.
The Six of Cups could indicate that those warm feelings could be
brought about by a gift; or conversely, that you should share warm
feelings with others by being extra generous.
Enjoy the good vibe nostalgia brings, just dont cast your gaze
backwards for too long, and look for a way to bring those warm
feelings into the present.
Seven of Cups
Vigilance. Choices. Temptation.

Those single words may seem random, but theyre
linked in the Seven of Cups. We all have the
capacity to dwell on wonderful fantasies that have
no basis in reality, but this card is a warning and a
reminder to deal with our dreams with critical
thought instead of wishful thinking.
Think about the ambitions that are bubbling up to
your waking reality and make some smart and
honest decisions about them. You shouldnt be tempted by just any
flight of fancy, but neither should you close yourself off to possibility.
You need to choose which of your dreams would be the best, and
most realistic, to make real.
In most playing cards from Europe during the Middle Ages, each suit was meant to
represent a class of society. Hearts/Cups represented the clergy.
Eight of Cups
Abdication. Abandon. Apathy.

A trifecta of appalling alliterative words starting
with A. The Eight of Cups is a recognition its
time to move on. Things havent worked out and
your current path has lost meaning and purpose.
This card has implications for relationships, but it
can also signify a deeper, more spiritual realization
that for life to hold meaning, there has to be a
purpose, and one thats truer than it is today. At its
essence the Eight of Cups is a ringing bell telling
you that its time to chart a new path and find meaning.
Nine of Cups
Success. Satisfaction. Indulgence.

The Nine of Cups represents achievement after the
stagnation and difficulties of the Seven and Eight
of Cups. But, more accurately, its the glow and
after-effects of achievement. Along with success
comes self-indulgence and the satiation of desires.
Theres both a spiritual and physical enjoyment
thats implicit with this card, which could be why
its sometimes called the wish card. It portends
that for the immediate future your desires are
likely to be fulfilledif not necessarily in the way you expect.
Ten of Cups
Contentment. Harmony. Love

The Ten of Cups speaks to the end of hardship, the
harmony of love and relationships, and the attainment
of a deep and real happiness that is all to hard to
hold on to. There are two important meanings to
this card. Firstly, we should recognize that
happiness comes in different formsit can be
shallow and fleeting, or profound and lasting.
Secondly, the periods of true happiness should be
19
Chapter Three
recognized, celebrated within ourselves, and shared with those who

bring it. Its really our connections to those we love that matter. The
Ten of Cups reminds us to enjoy this time, because moments like
these dont last forever. Trust your heart, and look for ways to rejuvenate
the happiness you feel.
Page of Cups
Inspiration. Creativity. Intuition.

20
Page cards always speak to a new beginning, and the Page of Cups is
no different. A new project, venture, or relationship is bursting forth
and this is a time to be open to flashes of inspirationwherever they
come from. Embrace the unexpected, accept the unusual, and allow
your mind to take flights of fancy. Because the upside to being a little
dreamy, is that, without dreams, theres nothing to make come true.
Like the image being shown, the Page of Cups could also indicate
that an unexpected message could be coming to you from those you
love. Be open to receiving the good news, and dont shy away from
expressing the emotions it makes you feel.
A rtistic I ntent
With this card Im keying up the unexpected nature of the
subconscious. The figure is seen arriving in a boat upon a new shore,
holding a cup in his hand. Unexpectedly, a fish pokes its head up and
almost appears to be speaking to the figure. I put an expression of
surprise, almost alarm, on the Pages face. Sometimes when
inspiration strikes, it can be surprising, even a little alarming.
I also included a rock archa visual tie to the Queen of Cups, and a
nod to Monets and Courbets Manneporte paintings as well as John
William Waterhouses famous mermaid painting.
21
The Page of Cups

The fish speaking to the Page of Cups is a Brown Trout. Brown Trout have a natural
range from Norway and the White Sea to North Africa, Iceland to the Aral Sea
tributaries in Pakistan. The Brown Trout was introduced in the Americas in 1883.
Its now common in much of America. I selected it because of its gorgeous spots.
Chapter Three
22
The K night of Cups

Plate armor as depicted in this card had its heyday in the late 15th and early 16th
centuries. After the mid 1600s, it became more common to only wear breast plates.
This was due to the advent of the flintlock musket, which could fire projectiles that
had sufficient force to penetrate armor from a distance.
K night of Cups
Intuition. Creativity. Passionate action.

The Knight of Cups arrives bearing a cup, and with it, the promise
of a new beginning and the rewards endeavors can bring. A continuation
of the beginning of a journey shown in the Page of Cups, the
Knight of Cups is about making that flash of creativity real. This is
the time to start getting down to work and make decisions about how
to move things forward. At this point, its more important for you to
internalize the thought of becoming serious about your ideas rather
than start in earnest at a break-neck pace. Take your time to get
things right, but begin to channel your initial inspiration into action.
In the beginning this new endeavor, logic might not have all that
much sway and it could be more beneficial for you to follow the
passions in your heart. While you dont want to jump head-first into
the unknown, neither should you stifle yourself by over thinking
everything. Look for a balance between the exciting possibilities
youre imagining and some sure-footed tangible planning.
A rtistic I ntent
I felt it was important to carry the cards core meaning through in
the artwork, but I did take some license. In my version, the knight is
carrying the cup, almost as if its meant to be presented to someone.
That someone is you, the viewer. But, whereas in the RWS card the
knight is flamboyant, I chose to focus in on the intuition aspect of the
cards meaning.
Intuition is a bit of a mystery. Where does our inner voice come from?
With that in mind, I created a fully armored Knight with his headpiece
down. Echoing the nature of intuition, the knight is unknowable.
On separate note, all the Cup illustrations have water imagery in
them. For the Knight of Cups, the water sign aspect of the suit is
carried forth by the lake, but also by the fish pattern on his saddle.
23
Chapter Three
Queen of Cups
Emotion. Introspection. Creativity. Compassion.

The Queen of Cups is the purest of the water sign cards. As such,
she is deeply in tune with emotions, creativity, and the subconscious.
Shes also a card that embodies mature aspects of the water sign.
She is deeply empathetic and compassionate, and tends to think
with her heart.
24
Two important meanings of this card are that its crucial to not let
yourself get lost in the empathy and compassion you feel towards
others, along with a strong reminder to follow your own inner voice.
Seriously, this is the loudest card in the deck telling you to follow
your intuitionlisten to the voice thats rising from depths of
your subconscious.
A rtistic I ntent
This was the very first card I drew for Arcana. I love its symbolism
and gave it a slightly dreamy quality. The throne is covered in vines
and was inspired by the beautiful sculpture Sleeping Beauty by
Louis Sussmann-Hellborn. It really is the perfect embodiment (to me
at least), of the subconscious and a maturity in dealing with emotional
and creative forces. Furthering that dreamy atmosphere is the sea
arch, the shells, and fish life seen at the bottom of the card which ties
it in strongly to its corresponding water element.
Louis Sussmann-Hellborn isnt all that well known today, but he was certainly well
known in Berlin at the time this sculpture was placed in the Alte Nationalgalerie
(Old National Gallery) in 1878. The story of Sleeping Beauty is well known even
today. Whats less known is that the Grimm brothers adapted it from a story by the
French writer Charles Perrault, who himself appropriated the story from another
author, Giambattista Basile.
25
The Queen of Cups
Chapter Three
26
The K ing of Cups

The Kings hand holding the cup, as well as the leg below and lower folds of his
clothing, was lovingly adapted from the Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres painting
titled Napoleon I on his Imperial Throne. Its a painting that was met with controversy
and even outright scorn by many in France at the time. Even his former instructor
Jacques-Louis David, issued a harsh verdict on the painting at the 1806 Salon.
K ing of Cups
Control. Balance. Diplomacy.

The King of Cups is the embodiment of contradiction. Like all the
water sign cards, there are deep passions at play and emotions run
strong. But, the King is in balance with these strong forces. He has
gained the maturity to deal with strong emotions (his own, as well as
others) in a way that can bring people together. While there are
mighty forces afoot, he is steadfast and diplomatic. He has mastery
over himself and compassion with the strong passions of others.
This card could be a strong signal to take a balanced view of the
challenges you face. Dont try to repress your emotions, but evaluate
them in a stable way to find the best resolution. Likewise, be
compassionate and balanced in your counsel to others.
A rtistic I ntent
Whenever theres a strong contradiction in a subject, it tends to imply
a surreal solution. This card is arguably the most surreal, magicallyrealistic card in the deck. The impossibility of showing a calm king in
a turbulent ocean was the perfect challenge. I think my solution
captures the spirit of the card and has few nice extras. In poker cards,
the King of Hearts (Cups in Tarot) is the suicide king with a sword
through/behind his head. But in Tarot cards, that would imply hes
out of emotional balance. So, I put the sword behind his head,
hanging up. Easily within reach, but not wielded in a way thats out of
control. His passions are in check, and he maintains the balance the
card is intended to convey. This is also one of the few cards where I
could include a ship, and I was thrilled to show an old clipper ship
calmly making its way through difficult seas.
The prominent art critic (and writer, and poet, and revolutionary, and politician)
Pierre-Jean-Baptiste Chaussard wrote: How, with so much talent, a line so flawless, an
attention to detail so thorough, has M. Ingres succeeded in painting a bad picture?
Ouch.
27
Chapter Three
SUIT OF WANDS
The Suit of Wands is ruled by the element of fire. As you can imagine,
it reveals powerful raw emotions, the feelings you have at the core of
your being. Wands deal with our personalities, our mental picture of
ourselves, our egos, our intuitions, and our inner drivers. They also
show our original ideas taking shape and creative ventures forming.
Wands represent the spiritual when we are seeking meaning in our lives.
28
Ace of Wands
Eagerness. Transcendence. Instinct.

Man, you are ready to go! Something is brewing in your life, and its
big. A new project, an idea thats bursting forth, something that has
you fired up and feeling inspired. Follow your gut and just go with it.
Though, you probably couldnt stop yourself right now even if you tried.
The Ace of Wands is a very action-oriented card and symbolizes a
break-through moment. Like all the Ace cards, the Ace of Wands is
a beginning, a birth, an opportunity calling to youseize it!
A rtistic I ntent
Wands are fire sign cards, and the Ace brings all the fire-related
imagery forth. Working within the framework of the graphical poker
suit and representational Tarot suit, I decided to bring the wand to
life as a burning oak branch. The flames rip off of the wood and
leaves, but show no signs of scorching the wand. To me, thats a good
representation of the spirit of the card and suit in generalits a fire
that feeds creativity and, if managed in a healthy way, doesnt
consume it.
Wands correlate to the peasant or rural farming class in feudal society. In France
(where poker suits derive from), the peasantry was known as the Third Estate. In
the French suited card systems, the club is shown as a Trfle, a clover. The Wands in
Tarot derive from the baton-like clubs seen in Italian cards. It is also from Italian
The M inor A rcana | Wands
29
The Ace of Wands

card systems that the 5th suit of trumps are derivedthe Major Arcana cards. If
you look closely at the Ace of Wands and youll notice the drawing contains acorns.
Acorns are the equivalent suit to Wands in German card systems.
Chapter Three
Two of Wands
Preparation. Diligence. Discovery.
30
The drive and passion from the Ace of Wands

continues in the Two of Wands, but its a signal
that youre starting to make that passion real by
beginning to plan, prepare, and take those active
steps needed to realize the initial vision. This is a
card that speaks to careful planning, patience, and
decisions youre going to make. Take your time,
think things through, and make clear-headed
decisions to realize your goals.
Three of Wands
Opportunity. Vision. Expansion.

Your careful planning has paid off as ventures are
firmly underway. But could there be more? This is a
good time to think about expanding your
horizonspossibly literally, as there is a strong
travel theme with the Three of Wands. Regardless
of whether travel makes sense or not, the Three of
Wands is urging you to think big, and to find the
courage to take the next steps forward.
Four of Wands
Celebration. Accomplishment. Family.

The Four of Wands is a card of stability that
heralds good times and close relationships. Your life
is in a good place and who better to share that with
than the people closest to you? Its a good time to
celebrate the good times and bring together the
ones you love.
The Four of Wands also symbolizes an important
way point. This is a milestone moment, and while
you should celebrate whats brought you this far, dont lose sight of
where youre going.
Five of Wands
Conflict. Challenge. Tension.

The Five of Wands tells us to beware of conflict
and different opinions. On the surface it seems like
this could be a time where youre fighting with
others, but it also has a deeper meaning. Conflict
can actually be good. It helps us realize the limits of
our own point of view. So, read this card as an
invitation to be open to the ideas of others even if
they dont make immediate sense to you. You might
find that other folks have good ideas too! Its
important to keep in mind that sometimes the struggles we have with
others are really struggles we have with ourselves.
Six of Wands
Accomplishment. Victory. Acclaim.

Look at you, shiny penny! The Six of Wands is
recognition of all your hard work, careful planning
and flawless execution. Youre being celebrated
publicly and building your name. Youve harnessed
your talents in a way that has gotten results, and
people are noticing! One note of caution, its easy to
get a big head when so many eyes are smiling at
you. Keep the ego in check and enjoy this moment
without being insufferable. No one likes a gloater,
even if it is well-earned.
Seven of Wands
Challenge. Competition. Setbacks.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. After the
successes seen in the Six of Wands, the Seven of
Wands is about protecting your position against
challenges. You might be experiencing some
setbacks, but you should draw upon your talents,
your inner confidence, and repel any attacks with all
the determination you can muster. Its also
31
Chapter Three
important to have a clear purpose for going forward. After successes,

its easy to take a break and enjoy that success, but this isnt the time
for self-indulgence. Get back to doing what you do best, hold off the
challenges, and keep moving forward.
Eight of Wands
Productivity. Energy. Clarity.

32
Sometimes raw energy can be unfocused, so efforts

can be somewhat distracted. This isnt a time like
that. More than ever you have a clear path in front
of you and there are no distractions. This is a busy
timeand a highly productive time because youre
focused on your goal and have the energy to see
things through. Youre about to accomplish a lot in
a short amount of time. Get to it!
Nine of Wands
A final test. Inner strength. Vigilance.

Youve been working hard, overcoming challenges,
and moving forward. But, theres one last challenge
standing between you and success. You may feel a
little weary from working hard or fighting to reach
your goal, but you need to summon your resources,
draw upon your inner strength, and make one last
push to succeed. However, a little caution is in
order. The Nine of Wands signals that with all
youve been through, it would be easy to stumble.
Think through your next move and face this last
challenge with steadfast wisdom and resolve.
Ten of Wands
Completion. Burden. Adjustment.

Youve come full circle. The Ten of Wands speaks
to the success of a venture, but also the difficulties it
can bring and the need to adjust to your new
normal. Right now you may feel overwhelmed by
the responsibilities youve created for yourself. It can
be a struggle to live up to all you need to do, and
that weight feels oppressive and crushing. You need
to look for ways to distribute your responsibilities,
find help in others, and prioritize whats important
now. With so many competing needs it might be hard to balance your
work, so take some time, think it through, and consider the best ways
to manage your time and resources.
33
Chapter Three
Page of Wands
Restless potential. New beginnings. Enthusiastic spontaneity.
34
When the Page of Wands comes up, its a sure sign that youre
about to experience something new. You should be open to new ideas,
a new relationship, or the start of a project. This is a time to enjoy
unencumbered creativity, spontaneity, and the lightness of being.
Its a card of change, and the best thing to do is to go with your
ideas, explore the new possibilities, and be okay with knowing the
restlessness you feel is paving the way for a burst of energy.
You might find that all this energy and enthusiasm doesnt mean that
you have a clear direction of where youre going. For the time being
thats fine, the Page of Wands is telling you that you need to feel
things out and try out a lot of new ideas before choosing one path only.

A rtistic I ntent
Because the Page of Wands is a restless blank slate of possibility, I
put the Page in a landscape to matcha desert. With a lot of the
original RWS cards the relationship between the figures and the
landscape is strange. Theres a lack of perspective and the figures look
like enormous giants standing within a minuscule environment. I
sought to set the size relationships back to rights with all the cards,
and that reworking is arguably most prevalent in the Page of Wands.
Hes walking alone, and stopping to gaze at his wand, open to
possibility and what will come next. Creatively, I enjoyed the
challenge of drawing a blank landscape that was still visually
dynamic.
To bring visual interest, I accentuated the shadows of the dunes
against the lightening of the sky at the horizon. Coupled with the
strong directional lines of the dunes themselves, the Page stands in a
stark landscape, but one that has a lot of movement and conveys the
Pages bottled up energy bursting forth.
35
The Page of Wands

The desert depicted is the Sahara. In Arabic Sahara means desert, so calling it the
Sahara desert is a bit redundant. Though most of us imagine its a large expanse of
never-ending sand dunes, in fact, its only 30% sand. Also interesting to note that as
recently as 6000 BCE it was actually fertile land where millet and other grains grew.
There are even prehistoric cave paintings showing it as being green and fertile.
Chapter Three
36
The K night of Wands

From the Ancient Greeks and Romans right through the enlightened thinkers of
the Renaissance, there have been a lot of strange beliefs about the salamander. It was
purported that its fur (say what?) could be used to weave fire-proof clothing. It was
thought to be born in fire, and that a single salamander was responsible for 4000
soldiers being poisoned in the army of Alexander the Great when they drank water
from a river the salamander had crossed.
K night/Jack of Wands
Ambition. Determination. Energetic potential.

The Knight of Wands appears when the pursuit of a goal is a
dominant force in your life. Theres an implied confidence to this
card. The original spark of an idea has firmly taken root, and you are
pursuing that goal with dogged determination. But despite all the
energy and actions you are taking, you would be well advised to
temper that rashness. As a fire sign card, theres a lot of unbound
energy in the Page of Wands, but rushing into things could end up
backfiring on you. Confidence would pair well with consideration,
and though you are chock full of ambition, reign it in or there will
be consequences.
A rtistic I ntent
Theres so much I like about this card. Typically, its seen as an
indication of unbounded energy, but I also view the card as a sign that
temperance is called for. With that in mind I didnt show the card as
the Knight rushing in but rather implied all the energy in the
landscape with really strong diagonals and perpendicular movement
off those diagonals.
Youll notice theres a salamander on his shield and on the horses
headdress. The salamander has been used throughout history as a
symbol of fire, and were at one time believed to actually live in fire.
Doubling down on the alchemy reference to the fire sign, youll also
see the alchemical symbol for fire on the horses skirt. Energy
abounds in this drawing, but the Knight himself has a reserve that
mirrors the need to put ambition and energy in check.
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Chapter Three
Queen of Wands
Influential. Outgoing. Passionate. Independent. Masked.

The Queen of Wands is a fiery contradiction. Shes strong,
influential, a natural leader, and an influencer. The Queen of Wands
is highly adept at maneuvering social situations to realize her aims.
Shes always busy and is a master of keeping her focus.
38
She also has a hidden side. All that vitality and dominant feminine
energy is coupled with the tendency to be controlling and deceptive in
pursuit of her goals. The Queen of Wands possesses strength and
conviction, but when this card shows itself in a reading, its also a
suggestion to keep manic energy in check (shouldnt be an issue for
you), and let your darker side stay hidden.
A rtistic I ntent
Picking up a lot of the cues from the RWS illustrations, I drew the
Queen of Wands using many of the same symbols. Theres a cat in
her lap to speak to her darker occult side, and two lions on her throne,
both growling and menacing a perfect contrast to her strong and
in-control expression. She holds sunflowers, longtime symbols of
warmth and happiness because they follow the sun. There are
contrasts everywhere, just like the card itself.
39
The Queen of Wands

For many of the cards I used models rather than referencing figures from art history
and this is one of those cards. I used period accurate costumes, but I didnt always get
the size of those costumes right. This dress was actually several sizes too large, but it
worked out in the end.
Chapter Three
40
The K ing of Wands

Lions in art and literature have largely stood for regal stateliness and courage, although
that generality isnt universally true. Socrates described the selfishness of man as
metaphorically like a lionthe leontomorphic principle. In gnostic traditions, the
Demiurge, who is the false deity responsible for human suffering, is depicted as a
lion-headed figure to emphasize his selfish and animal-like nature.
K ing of Wands
Visionary. Leadership. Compassion.

The King of Wands is pure fire-sign energy. He is a natural leader
who sets his ambition on changing the world, and sees it through. He
is a master at rallying others to a cause and guiding people to the end
goal. He gets it done, and it is often an audacious and bold vision of
what could be. This card is the polar opposite of uncertainty, so strong
conviction and direction is called for with the King of Wands.
Be careful not to take the people youre leading for granted, though.
While you may be the mover and decider, dont let arrogance blind
you to the needs of others.
A rtistic I ntent
To me this card is all about strength, confidence, and controlof
yourself, of others, and of the situation at hand. I tried to portray the
king as calmly in control of his own strength. He sits upon his throne
next to a peaceful lion, perfectly symbolizing his own controlled
prowess. The salamander amulet and crown of flame emphasize his
fire sign energy and creativity, while the landscape (particularly the
bursting clouds) echoes the passion and action of the King.
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Chapter Three
SUIT OF PENTACLES
Pentacles (also known as coins or disks) is a suit that speaks to our
outward and material concerns. It has strong meanings for our
self-perceptions, our self-esteem, and how we believe others perceive
us. The Suit of Pentacles tells us a lot about our finances, what we
value in outward material concerns, our health, and business and trade.
42
Ace of P entacles
Health. Wealth. Prosperity.
Like all the Pentacle cards, the Ace is concerned primarily with
material matters. The ace in particular is a sign that theres a richness
and abundance in your life right now, or coming shortly. Typically, it
refers to financial matters but can also indicate that your goals and
ambitions are being made manifestly real. Theres also a strong
indication in the Ace of Pentacles that the time is ripe for
something new coming into your life. Consider the wealth of
opportunities open to you and choose the one that has a special
calling. With everything looking up, youre bound to succeed!
A rtistic I ntent
This card took a long time to draw and it also took a long time to
conceive. It was really important for me to portray a very lush garden.
The garden is the current state of abundance and plenty, but more
importantly, I wanted to get across the idea that there are infinitely
more riches waiting to be had. I used the pathway and arch as a
dominant element to point the way forward, to not be satisfied with
only whats here today, and to imply the beginning of voyage you
can undertake.
Pentagrams have a long and interesting history. Most associate it with either paganism
or the occult. But, its history can be traced back early Sumerian script where it
translates roughly as nook or corner. In western symbolism, the Pentagram was used
in early Christian times as a symbol for the five senses and also as a depiction of the
five wounds of Christ. By the 1800s it was a bona-fide magical symbol to many,
The M inor A rcana | P entacles
43
The Ace of P entacles

and took on an additional distinction of being good if it had a single point at the
top, and bad if it had a single point facing down. liphas Lvi in The Key of the
Mysteries (la Clef des grands mystres) wrote in 1859 that when turned upside
down, [it] is the hieroglyphic sign of the goat of Black Magic... It is the goat of lust
attacking the heavens with its horns.
Chapter Three
Two of P entacles
Competing concerns. Finding balance. Coming change.
44
resources well.
Those sentence fragments really do capture the

essence of the card. The Two of Pentacles is
about finding a balance between all the competing
concerns in our lives. Juggling work, family,
interests, wants, and desires is a constant struggle,
but its taking on new urgency right now. To live a
happy and full life, the Two of Pentacles is urging
you to take a down-to-earth approach to your
responsibilities and to manage your time and
It also suggests that changes are coming. Be prepared for them, and
keep your current house in order.
Three of P entacles
Diligence. Completion. Cooperation.

The Three of Pentacles indicates your hard work
on an endeavor is paying off and your project is
starting to come together. Having hit an initial
milestone and getting a first taste of completion is
great, but the Three of Pentacles is suggesting
you should listen to the feedback of others as you
continue to work diligently. This is a great chance
for you to cooperatively take your work to the next
phase and itll be better if youre open to what
others have to say. If youre anything like me, you might be tempted
to go it alone but this card is strongly urging you to curb that
instinct.
Pentacles correlate to burghers or town dwellers, typically part of the merchant

class. That makes sense in Tarot as Pentacles deal quite a lot with money and
financial doings.
Four of P entacles
Materialism. Greed. Possessiveness and isolation.

Sometimes we own nice things and sometimes
those things own us. The Four of Pentacles is a
warning to not let wealth and material possessions
cloud your psyche into valuing them over lifes more
important aspects. Having a rich life doesnt mean
you need to be rich, and being rich doesnt equate to
leading a meaningful life. You might be tempted to
equate wealth with emotional healthyou would
be sadly, sadly wrong. The Four of Pentacles is a
warning that coveting objects and wealth over everything else is a
dangerous perversion. Dont be a reptile, or youll end up hoarding
trinkets and counting pennies all alone in miserly fear and selfloathing. See? That sounds terrible!
Five of P entacles
Loss. Adversity. Envy.
If the Four of Pentacles teaches us to guard

against the pitfalls of wealth, the Five of Pentacles
urges us to accept and overcome the loss of wealth.
It suggests that there are serious financial issues,
possible unemployment, health problems, or other
difficult events that are negatively affecting you.
How you deal with them is going to be very
important. Some might react with envy and
jealousy of what others have. If you dwell on the
material gains of others, allow feelings of inadequacy to take over,
then youll never find the way to rise above. And ultimately, thats the
lesson of the Five of Pentaclescourage in the face of adversity,
knowing there are loved ones that can help you, and the selfdetermination to chart a course out of the storm. Heed the Five of
Pentacles and dont succumb to easy emotions that will only corrode.
45
Chapter Three
Six of P entacles
Balance. Generosity. Compassion.
46
After the warnings of the Four and Five of

Pentacles, the Six of Pentacles offers us a more
welcoming vision and message. Youve reached a
stable place of wealth, status, and material
possessiongood for you! But even better, youve
come to a point where you know lifes not all about
you. Your success is made brighter by your empathy
and goodwill towards others who arent as fortunate
as youve been. Or possibly, the card is suggesting
that you could be happier with a little more compassion in your life.
The path away from greed and envy is open to you, and the richness
of accepting that we share this world and are better off when all boats
rise is coming to the forefront of your psyche.
Seven of P entacles
Reward. Respite. Evaluation.
Youve been working hard for a long time, and

youve seen the value of having wide horizons. Low
hanging fruit and immediate gratification cant
really hold a candle to sustained work toward a
long-term goal. Youre starting to see the benefit of
your labors, but this is a time when you start to
wonder if its been worth it. There could be a tinge
of disappointment as you wonder if youre getting
diminishing returns. This is the right time to decide
if youve invested your time and effort in the right place. If you need
to make a change, so be it.
Eight of P entacles
Learning. Determination. Focused attention.

The Eight of Pentacles is a card that recognizes
youre working hard to attain a goal. In fact, youre
really, really focused on it. You may not have
mastery yet of what youre engaged in, but youre
working hard and the Eight of Pentacles is a
card that encourages all your hard work. It also
warns that you could be isolating yourself because
of the intense focus you have on your projects. Just
dont forget to lift your head up and see whats
going on around you from time to time.
Nine of P entacles
Well-being. Confidence. Self-reward.

Youre on the cusp of finishing an endeavor youve
been working hard to achieve. Thats got you feeling
pretty good, and rightfully so. Youve invested a lot
of time and effort and its about to pay off. You
should take this time to enjoy some of the finer
things in lifeyouve definitely earned them. Just
recognize that while you may have attained some
self-sufficiency, and are about to wrap up on a goal
thats been a long time in coming, youre not
completely there. The final stretch isnt a sure thing, so make sure you
dont over-indulge and lose sight of the finish line.
Ten of P entacles
Wealth. Accomplishment. Completeness. Family.

Tradition.
The Ten of Pentacles is the culmination of hard

work and steadfast determination to reaching an
end. It signals that wealth and security are now
yours, and youve earned all of it. Youve completed
a large endeavor, you have the security that comes
with financial success, and now youre turning your
47
Chapter Three
attention to your family and those who are closest to you. Its natural
to think of the traditions of your family and want to make sure the
same security you now enjoy can be shared. Youve reached a point
where you can provide, and ensure you set a foundation for all those
who come after you to be safe and secure.
Page of P entacles
Enthusiasm. Planning. Dreams. Beginnings.

48
Youre starting on a new venture, and planning to make your dreams

and ambitions happen. Its a tranquil time, before any setbacks or
challenges, and now is the time to work hard and set the stage for
whats to come. In the beginning of any project or creative venture,
there always comes a time where you need to stop dreaming and start
to make it happen. This is that time and what you do now will set the
stage for future success or failure. But dont let that bind you up. Plan,
think through what needs to be done, and channel all your enthusiasm
into your new path forward.
A rtistic I ntent
I set the Page in a field thats ready to be planted since this is a card
about beginnings and setting the stage for abundance later. I also
made sure that hes looking at the Pentacle hes holding with a serious
and thoughtful expression. On a purely mechanical level, I enjoyed
portraying all the different textures from the blades of grass to the
fur lined doublet. I was inspired by an old turn of the century
photograph of a production of Hamlet. Its interesting to note that it
was actually a woman playing the lead role. I wrestled with whether
or not it would come across as a woman, but I think in the final card
the Page appears to be a young man.
49
The Page of P entacles
Chapter Three
50
The K night of P entacles
K night of P entacles
Patience. Responsibility. Commitment.

Right now, youre engaged in a project that requires you to rely on
some trusted ways of getting things done. Youll need to take
responsibility and assume leadership in your work, but thatll come
fairly naturally to you. The Knight of Pentacles points to a time
when work needs to be your focus, and the best way to do that would
be to go with what you know. Youre going to be successful, but you
need to throw your shoulder into it fully, which you will. Theres such a
strong element of commitment to this card that if you have a partner or
partners, know that they are just as committed to succeeding as you are.
A rtistic I ntent
With all the cards I enjoyed mixing techniques while having the
overall design come together as a cohesive whole. Even though they
all use an engraved line style, I was able to change the way different
elements of the scene were drawn to create interest. With this card, I
used horizontal lines for the far receding landscape and the river, but
a more choppy style for the sky. It added contrast and made an
empty space more dynamic. I also used a tight style that I liken to
being somewhere between bulino engraving and pointillism.
In terms of composition, I put the Knight on a plow horsea work
animal. I also allude to the success and work meaning of the card by
putting the figure atop a hill overlooking his farm. It might not be the
most palatial spread, but it fits the meaning of the card. Methodical
hard work leads to good things.
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Chapter Three
Queen of P entacles
Love. Nurturing. Generosity.
52
The Queen of Pentacles suggests both material pleasure and also

nurturing domestic peace. This is bound to be a time of plenty for
you, and also a time when the requirements of family are on your
mind. This is ultimately about sustaining love and sharing yourself
with those you love. The Queen of Pentacles has material wealth,
but it pales in comparison to the emotional and spiritual wealth she
enjoys. Now is a time to express the love you feel and be generous of
spirit with those youre closest to.
If any card appears inverted in a spread, simply reverse the meaning
during your reading.
A rtistic I ntent
This was the second drawing for Arcana I completed, and it brought
together all the themes for the deck and set the model for which I
measured the other cards against. Here again youll notice a number
of styles that are woven togetherthe horizontal line work of the
receding landscape, the tighter bulino-style tree and closer elements,
and the almost painterly approach to the leaves and trees at the top.
Speaking of paintings, one of my favorite paintings is from the
Hudson River School periodKindred Spirits completed in 1869 by
Asher Brown Durand. I used the central element of that painting, the
pronounced cliffs and trees, as the focus of the landscape in the
Queen of Pentacles. Theres a lot of references from art history in
these cards, but this is one of my favorites.
This may be completely inside baseball, but youll also notice that a
lot of the angle repeat themselvesthe arm on the left matches the
angle of the tree on the right, the angle of the trees under the cliff
match the angle of the figures foot. I always look to create repetitions
of this kind as they create internal compositional harmonies that I
find appealing.
53
The Queen of P entacles
Chapter Three
54
The K ing of P entacles
K ing of P entacles
Material success. Abundance. Power. Control.

All you do is win. The King of Pentacles is the culmination of all
your work. You have earned all the success you now enjoy, along with
the fruits of those labors. You have prestige, wealth, and power, but
more importantly, along the way you also picked up wisdom. Youve
become a patriarchal figure whos in control and serious about all
matters financial. The King of Pentacles speaks to a time in your
life when youre able to provide, you have ambition to continue your
prosperity, and you have the discipline and trustworthiness to make it
all happen.
A rtistic I ntent
The original iteration of this card was good, but it didnt quite express
the abundance and material wealth that it needed to. This was pointed
out by one of the original Kickstarter backers, and I took it to heart. I
added the vines, grapes, and stalk of corn along the right side. Thats
just one example of the benefits of crowd sourcing projects, the
community helps to make the work better. Those additions coupled
with the original art of the fertile fields and large castle really brought
out the meaning of the card; abundance, wealth, and stature.
One last thing to note, I included corn on the right side of the
drawing. That was actually artwork from a card project I worked on
but never released called Volstead. That project was going to be
themed around Prohibition of alcohol. The cards never came to be,
but I was glad to include at least a little of the art in Arcana.
55
Chapter Three
SUIT OF SWORDS
The Suit of Swords is focused on change, power, ambition, courage,
and inevitably also deals with conflicts in your life. Swords can help
you understand the balance required to find the right path between
power and intellect. The tendency of the powerful is to abuse it, and
the Suit of Swords can help you keep those tendencies in check. As
an air sign card, sword cards are very dynamic, but whether thats for
positive or destructive ends will be up to you.
56
Ace of S words
Strength. Clarity. Power. Victory.

This is a breakthrough moment when the path you should follow has
suddenly become clear. Its also a card of great power, but therein lies
its true meaning. It would be all too easy to exercise this power in a
way that would be excessive. While your new project or endeavor is
likely to succeed, the Ace of Swords warns you to be judicious along
the way. Its very possible to wreak havoc in the journey in front of
you. This card makes me think of the old adage about breaking eggs
to make omeletsbe careful not to destroy in your quest to create.

A rtistic I ntent
This was the first Ace that I drew and I wanted to have some strong
links to the RWS version of the card. I was diligent to include the
laurel and palm around a crown. I even included the clouds, which
made sense to me since the swords are linked to the air element.
Overall, this card is a fairly straight translation of the RWS card into
the style of Arcana.
The combination of laurel and palm can be found on the reverse side of an oil-on-wood
portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci of Ginevra de Benci. Ginevra had a platonic relationship
with Bernardo Bembo, who was the Venetian ambassador to Florence. His personal
emblem is a palm frond and laurel branch bearing the inscription virtue and honor.
On the Da Vinci painting, the palm and laurel are inscribed with the words
The M inor A rcana | S words
57
The Ace of S words

beauty adorns virtue. Some historians think the Da Vinci painting was commissioned
by Bembo. Why would this matter? Well, its important to note that Da Vincis patrons
were the Sforza family. The Last Supper was commissioned by Ludovico Maria
Sforza. Ludovicos father commissioned some of the oldest surviving tarot decks
known as the Visconti-Sforza Tarot.
Chapter Three
Two of S words
Impasse. Indecision. Reluctance.
58
The Two of Swords points to a problem or

decision that needs to be made, but youre reluctant
to make it. However, problems rarely solve
themselves. Rather than shy away from a hard
choice, its better to face the issue headlong. Theres
also a strong indication with the Two of Swords
that youre not seeing, or not allowing yourself to
see, the solution.
In a relationship situation, the Two of Swords points to conflict that
both parties bear responsibility for, but neither is willing to face it
with truth. Rather than letting these problem(s) cycle further, take
down the walls together.
Three of S words
Loneliness. Loss. Pain. Sorrow.

The Three of Swords is a warning that pain, loss,
sorrow, or loneliness is probably coming your way.
Its not really a great message. But, there are two
positive takeaways from the card.
First, as terrible as it is, adversity and challenges
can make us stronger. Its through these types of
life experiences that we can grow and even be
motivated to achieve great things. Overcoming the
challenges life throws our way is part of the journey that each of us
must undertake. The best thing you can do is accept troubles for what
they are, and continue on.
The second aspect of painful experiences, is that they can sometimes
bring release and closure. Though its hard and might even sound
callous to see certain events this way, it is also about finding the path
forward, and the experiencing suffering without being defeated.
Four of S words
Pause. Rest. Recovery and introspection.

The Four of Swords indicates the calm after the
storm. A crisis has passed, and in its wake you need
time to process all the events youve been through
and understand what they mean for your path
forward. This is a time to stop and allow yourself
the rest that you truly need. You might want to pass
on any party invites and spend some time on your
own. After all youve been through, take some time
to healemotionally and psychologically. The Four
of Swords is also an allowance to free yourself from worry. For the
time being, reflection is going to serve you better. Theres a big
difference between worry and reflection.
Five of S words
Arrogance. Betrayal. Defeat.

Man, these Sword cards can be brutal! The Five of
Swords may sound terrible, but here too are some
lessons to be learned. The card speaks to your pride,
and pride can betray you. Or maybe its just that
someone is out to betray you. Your self-righteousness
in any regard is going to be a bad thing for you
right now. In fact, its most likely to lead to some
kind of defeat. But, here could be one of the great
lessons of lifethat defeat could be borne of
victory. Im sure youve heard the phrase winning the battle, but
losing the war. Thats all over this card. You might arrogantly battle
for what you think is right, only to score a hollow victory. Be careful
not to permanently alienate anyone right now, and pick your battles.
This one might not be worth fighting.
59
Chapter Three
Six of S words
Loss. Sadness. Change and transition.
60
Well, all that doesnt sound great, but the lesson of

the Six of Swords is actually forward-looking. It
might be hard to undergo a time of change, but the
card suggests that you might be moving away from
something painful thats caused you sorrow, and
towards better times ahead. Unfortunately, this
change isnt coming easy. The sadness and sense of
loss you might be feeling is necessary, but that
doesnt mean its any easier to bear. Try to keep in
mind where youre headed, which is going to be a better place allaround.
Seven of S words
Secrets. Cheating. Deception.
If youre thinking about taking an easy way out or

generally acting in a way thats in conflict with your
inner voice, take a second and reconsider. The Seven
of Swords is a strong warning to think twice about
being deceitful, no matter what the reason. Come
on, youre better than this!
Its also important to note that the card could be
warning you about the deceit of others. Dont get paranoid, but keep
an eye out for shady characters.
Eight of S words
Trapped. Conflict. Dilemma.

Theres definitely a conflict in your life and you are
feeling trapped by it. This isnt a time to make any
rash moves though. You need time to think things all
the way through. Though the Eight of Swords
speaks to conflict with others and an inability to see a
way out, you need to take this time to really look at
your situation from all angles. You might have a lot
of thoughts running through your head, but dont look at this as

powerlessness. Instead, realize you can take control of the time you need
to chart the right course.
Nine of S words
Fear. Anguish. Consequence.

Theres no sugar-coating this one, the Nine of
Swords is the worst card you can possibly draw in
the deck. Full stop. Some folks want to put a nice
spin on it, but in my opinion, theyre being
recklessly dishonest. This card is bad. I hate it.
It foretells a coming nightmare and unwelcome
events falling down upon you.
The only way I could even think that this card could
be an okay draw is if its in reference to the past (see Celtic Cross).
Then it more than likely indicates some past horror that youve moved
on from. But its still not good. *Shudder*
Ten of S words
Impending disaster. Change. New beginning.

The Ten of Swords is really similar in meaning to
the Death card, though the Death card carries
quite a bit more weight. The Ten of Swords
foretells an impending defeat, but, it also means that
youll pick up the pieces and move on. This is a card
of change and new beginnings. You just have to
make it through that nasty failure part first.
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Chapter Three
Page of S words
Excitement. Passion. Idealism. Recklessness.
62
Like all the Page cards, the Page of Swords is a card of beginnings.
You have a lot of energy and the prospect of starting a new venture has
you all fired up. What you really need now is a way to sustain your
enthusiasm. Look for those you can share your thoughts with, maybe
even those wholl be able to help nurture your ideas into a tangible plan.
Communication is a really strong component of the Page of Swords.
Its through the exchange of ideas that youll be able to hone what is a
little unformed at the moment. Be open to the ideas of others even as
you hone your own ideas. Often its the exchange of thoughts that can
make a good idea great, and this is one of those times.
The only real downside that you should be mindful of is that the Page
of Swords can also shine a light on recklessness. You might not have
acquired the maturity to proceed thoughtfully and would rather rush
in with a devil-may-care attitude. Heed the card, talk to others, and
try to stay thoughtful about the best way to make your ideas grow and
become real.
A rtistic I ntent
Given the meaning of the card, I wanted to portray the Page of Swords
as having vigor, enthusiasm, and a bit of the swashbuckler to him. It
was also equally important to temper the recklessness with more
maturity than The Fool. I think I struck a nice balance that captures
the spirit of the card. As with a lot of the cards, I wove in one of my
big artistic influences, N.C. Wyeth. I grew up a short drive to the
Brandywine Art Museum in Pennsylvania. I visited the museum
numerous times and remember staring with wonder at the illustrative
paintings of King Arthur, Treasure Island, and Last of the Mohicans,
amongst many others. For me, the Tarot has always had a fantastical
feeling to the illustrations so I loved being able to bring in this influence.
If you look closely at the clouds, the rock, and the coastline, you might be
able to see a number of Wyeth paintings that served as the inspiration.
63
The Page of S words
Chapter Three
64
The K night of S words
K night of S words
Impulsiveness. Blind by desire. Short sightedness.

There are times when you burn with energy and unfulfilled desire.
You want more than anything to get into the thick of it and rush
forward without thinking of the consequences. Hey, weve all been
there. But, this is a time to slow it down. Think through your actions
before you end up embroiled in a sticky situation. No ones saying
stop, but the Knight of Swords is a general warning to realize
that rash and reckless decisions are going to have consequences down
the road. Keep after your goal but dont cut corners or let obsession
cloud your judgment.
A rtistic I ntent
Ive been this guy. Rushing in headlong to a wall of swords that will
cut me down. With that personal understanding of the Knight of
Swords, I thought this rendering fit the meaning really well. The
Knight charges forth into battle, up a hill, into the inevitable
awaiting evisceration.
I really keyed up the diagonals in this composition to deliver the
dynamic meaning of the card. Sometimes its the little things, like
matching the diagonals of the sword, clouds, horse harness, and
even the mountains on the right and the hill hes climbing. Theyre
all lined up, but definitely off kilter. If hes not careful, that horse is
going to fall over!
65
Chapter Three
Queen of S words
Intellect. Reason. Impartiality.

The Queen of Swords is a card of pure intellect. Reason and
impartial judgment rule the meaning of this card. When it appears
in a spread, its a sign that you need to use critical thinking to
evaluate your situation without emotional bias of any kind. Dont let
attachments or your feelings for others cloud your judgment.
66
One of the great things about being impartial in your thinking is that
you also have the freedom to tell it like you see it. You see the signal
through the noise and shouldnt be guarded about sharing your
insights with those around you.
Along with keen insight and the ability to think through even
complicated issues, right now you also have a thirst for learning. This
could point to it being a good time to pursue studies, take a class, or
just self-learn. The indication with the Queen of Swords is that you
are in a time where intellect can serve you well, whether thats to work
through complicated issues or to pursue more learning.
A rtistic I ntent
For most of the cards in Arcana, I used multiple line drawing
techniquesfrom a scratchy loose style, to a purer line only
technique. For this card I stretched myself creatively to draw it with
almost exclusively a line-only method. Its the hardest and most
time-consuming of all the drawing styles I employed, and I only
reserved the looser styles for the chair and the Queens portrait.
Speaking of, this version of the Queen has an open but penetrating
gaze which fits the meaning of the card perfectly. The Queen of
Swords can see all with logic and reason, but her visage has
warmth too.
67
The Queen of S words
Chapter Three
68
The K ing of S words

The clouds in the background of the King of Swords is an adaptation of an N.C.
Wyeth painting titled The Air Mail. It shows a lone airplane soaring through clouds
at sunset with only a hint of the land below it. Its a beautiful illustration and worth
viewing if youre not familiar with it.
K ing of S words
Authority. Intellect. Clarity. Command.

The King of Swords represents the command that comes with
judicious use of intellect and the authority inherit with leadership.
This card is a strong sign that you possess a strong faculty to see
things as they really are. You need to be tough, but fair, with this
knowledge. Now is the time to leave emotions out of the situation,
and decide the path forward based solely on the facts. At this point in
time, this will be your natural inclination, and the King of Swords
serves to underscore your penchant for logic.
When this card appears, it could also signify that you would be well
served to seek out someone who has a solid reputation in law or
finance. Use your judgment and decide if outside counsel is necessary.
A rtistic I ntent
As with the Queen of Swords, I sought to portray the King of
Swords as tough but fair. He has an obvious command of himself
and even has a slight smile. Hes strong and determined.
As with the other Sword cards, theres a balance between emotion and
intellect, and I used turbulent skies to get that tension across. Youll
notice that the Cups and Pentacle royals are drawn with clear skies as
theres less ambiguity to them. The skies were the device I used to
show the more tumultuous nature of the Sword and Wand royals.
69
70
71
Chapter Four
The M ajor A rcana
72
The M ajor A rcana
The M ajor A rcana

The Major Arcana Cards are rich with meaning and symbolism. They
are often likened to stages of a path that each of us must follow, but
that path isnt necessarily in order.
Its likely, even probable, that youll experience these stages of your
journey in a non-sequential way. The cards will pop up in readings
depending on your situation, your aspirations, and the forces that are
affecting you at that time.
The Major Arcana cards come up in readings to point to important
themes, and generally its common to give more weight to these cards
over the Minor Arcana cards. While the Minor Arcana cards
represent more transitory aspects of where you are in the short term,
the Major Arcana cards point to larger themes in your life and denote
deep and powerful forces that are at play.
If you encounter a lot of Major Arcana cards in a reading, this points
to really important issues that are playing out. Theyre turning points
and the big milestones in your life.
Artistically, these were far and away the most interesting cards to
create. The Minor Arcana cards are great, but they generally follow a
bit of a formula: royal sitting on throne, royal on horseyou get the
picture. I ended up having a lot of fun with the Minor Arcana scenes
and did my best to break up those formulaic constraints.
The Major Arcana had so much to offer since they were freed from
the demands of showing royals. I could get closer in on the subjects,
or pull further away. I could create impossible scenarios. These were
freedoms that I enjoyed, and I hope that joy comes through for you in
the artwork.
73
Chapter Four
O | The Fool
Innocence. Fearless. Potential. Beginnings.
74
The Fool card gets a bad wrap. Who would want to be called a
fool? Hes shown stepping obliviously off the edge of a cliff, which
surely only a fool would do. But the meaning of the card is actually a
lot more promising than the picture shows at first blush. The Fool is
a card of new beginnings and innocence. The Fool is stepping off the
obvious path and starting a new stage of life with optimism and
boundless potential. In his hand is a rose, a symbol of his pure heart,
and he has a protectorhis loyal dog. With hopefulness and true
intentions, this is a time to begin a new journey in your life. Explore
the creative aspirations that have been building up within you and be
open to new adventures and new opportunities.
Turns out this card isnt so foolish at all.
A rtistic I ntent
Like many of the cards that have a dynamic meaning, I composed this
card with strong diagonals and squared perpendiculars. If you look at
the angle of the pole he has over his shoulder, youll see it intersects
the cross diagonal at a 90. Thats a tried and true compositional
device that creates a Golden Ratio. I composed a lot of the cards with
that device so I thought it would be worthwhile to point out. To really
capture the meaning of the card, I drew the main figure looking up in
total obliviousness while stepping off the pathway. His companion is
none other than my dog Ringo, and a better companion dog there has
never been. If youre wondering if those cliffs and rock formations are
from a real place, they are. I stylized them from the gorgeous cliffs at
Vila Franca do Campo in the Azores.
The M ajor A rcana | The Fool
75
O | The Fool
Chapter Four
76
I | The M agician
The M ajor A rcana | The M agician
I | The M agician
Creative power. Beginnings. Manifesting energy.

The Magician is a bridge between the spiritual and the physical.
This card is a strong sign that youre about to channel a lot of energy
into a new directionand youre going to succeed. Its going to take
everything at your disposal to make this happen, but you have a lot to
work with. On the table in front of the magician are the four suits of
the Tarot symbolizing all the elements, and the whole wealth of your
experience. Take action now, and be thoughtful about the decisions
you make to ensure this new path has the best chance to succeed.
Youre about to have boundless inspiration, and youll be working
hard to make your ambition come to pass.
A rtistic I ntent
This card has a lot of personal resonance for me, so I put myself in it.
Thats not my ego showing, its just that I feel like I am often the
conduit through which creativity passes (also, according to Tarot
astrology, this is my birth card). I think its a common feeling
amongst creative people that, like The Magician, were channels
through which inspiration passes. If youve ever been really into doing
something and hours pass by in a flash, youll know what I mean. The
light coming into the scene is channeled through the magician, who
points to the table holding all the tools at his disposal. Those Tarot
suits represent literally all of his psyche and experience, and thats
what creativity is in a lot of ways. Inspiration coming from without
and being channeled through experience into something tangible. Its
a boundless process, so I included an uroborus carved into the table
(the snake eating its own tail is an alchemy symbol of infinity
and eternity).
77
Chapter Four
II | The H igh P riestess

Intuition. Mystery. Change.
78
This is a card of spiritual wisdom, of change, and of bridging worlds

between the subconscious and our waking minds. Its a serene,
dreamy card, and suggests that you should tune in to your inner self.
Its a very feminine card and if youre a guy, it means its time to listen
to your emotions and be in touch with parts of your psyche you dont
exercise much. You need to be open to your inner voice and this is a
time when logic wont help you. Heed your dreams and be on the
lookout for serendipity. Coincidences right now might not be that
coincidental at all. Be open to the poetry of life all around you.
All this also points to changes that are coming your way. That could
be a very good thing, especially when it comes to being creative.
A rtistic I ntent
This might be my favorite card in the deck. The High Priestess
floats surreally between two columns above an ocean reflecting the
light of a crescent moon. Behind her are the squared circle and the
facade of a temple. Shes serenely entrenched in thought. Her
headdress is the waxing, full, and waning moon cycles. Shes topless,
open and uninhibitedall-in-all I think a full representation of the
mystery of the subconscious and the power of intuition.
I had to push my technique on this card. The balance of darks and
lights was tricky. One of the hardest things to pull off with engraved
line art in this style is tone shadows. I spent a lot of time working
to get the temple in the background light enough to see, but dark
enough to recede into the environment. I must have drawn and
redrawn it 3-4 times. The temple, by the way, is the Al Khazneh or
The Treasury at Petra in Jordan.
The M ajor A rcana | The H igh P riestess
79
II | The H igh P riestess
Chapter Four
80
III | The Empress
The M ajor A rcana | The E mpress
III | The Empress

Sensuality. Beauty. Fertility.
The Empress is the strongest card in the deck expressing feminine

energy. Beauty, fertility, nurturing and sensuality are all aspects of
that energy found within The Empress. Its a strong indication that a
pregnancy could be on your horizon (or someone very close to you).
Pay close attention to other cards that appear in a reading to see if
they point in that direction.
More broadly, youll soon be entering into a loving and nurturing role.
When The Empress shows up in a reading, its a strong indication that
you should be connecting with those around you. Strengthen your
connections of love and express your feelings.
Its also a card that advises you to seek out beauty, in all its forms.
Creative experiences should be enjoyed and embarked upon by you.
Its about both experiencing beauty and creating it. If youve been
considering beginning a new outlet for your creativity, go for it.
A rtistic I ntent
With all the feminine energy in The Empress, I sought to bring it
forward as much as possible. Shes a beautiful woman in a lush
landscape with streams running over into a deep pool of water. She
sits on a luxurious pillowed chair with a planchette emblazoned with
the symbol of Venus resting along her side. Upon her head is a crown
with twelve stars one for each month of the year. Lower in the
frame are stalks of wheat representing love, charity, and the bountiful
rewards of fertility. So in all, I did my best to load this card up with
symbols that express the meaning.
As with many figures in Arcana, I drew The Empress herself with
diagonals across the contour of her arms to bring out the volume of
those forms. However, I drew her face with horizontal lines. Faces
always look better to my eyes when the line work follows the contours
of facial features straight across.
81
Chapter Four
IV | The Emperor
Authority. Rule of Law. Masculine strength. Security.
82
The Emperor is perfectly situated coming after The Empress

because he is the male counterpart to the feminine energy of The
Empress. He is the patriarchal leader, operating best within
established rules and structure. His experience and knowledge are
expressed to the benefit of all he leads. He is the quintessential
provider for his family and those around him. Unafraid of conflict,
The Emperor will dominate in these situations.
When The Emperor comes up in a reading its a strong indication
that you need to take charge, and you need to do so in a structured
and methodical way. Dont let emotions cloud your judgment or
impair your actions. Remember that structure and rules have a
purpose too, and working within them youll find success.
A rtistic I ntent
To express the meaning of the card, I knew I needed to have a figure
that would be masculine, strong, wise, and stern, but not brutish. I
think the Arcana Emperor embodies all those things. He grips his
sword, unafraid to use force if needed. He has a regal cape over battle
armor to show both his experience as well as his status and powers of
leadership. Upon that armor youll notice a rams heada symbol of
virility and fearlessness.
In the original RWS Tarot on which much of Arcana was based,
there are symbols from Christianity, Egyptian mythology, and
Alchemy. I sought to minimize the Egyptian and Christian symbols
as much as possible in Arcana. It was a stylistic objective more than
anything else. The Emperor is a good example. In the RWS Tarot
he holds a staff with an Ankh at its top. I left that out completely. I
also moved the rams head from the throne to his armorright over
his heart. Its such a potent male symbol that it made more sense to
me that way. The throne is completely gone here toostanding makes
him less passive and a more dynamic figure.
The M ajor A rcana | The E mperor
83
IV | The Emperor
Chapter Four
84
V | The H ierophant
The M ajor A rcana | The H ierophant
V | The H ierophant
Tradition. Status quo. Indoctrination. Social institutions.

The Hierophant is a card that strongly suggests that now is not the
time to rock the boat. Rather, knowing your place and working
within the rules is the best path forward. Utilizing social connections
could benefit you, and you might consider joining a group or
institutional organization.
Truth be told, I have issues with this card. It speaks to not sticking
your neck out for anything, being one of the flock, and basically
relying on social structures to get you through. My distaste for all that
burns with the fire of a thousand suns.
However, I know thats just personal bias. There are actually a lot of
good meanings here too. The steady, though incremental,
accomplishments of institutions. The strength that comes from
traditions and groups. Seek out structures that are well established to
help further your own pursuits.
A rtistic I ntent
The Hierophant is the perfect foil for The Magician. Whereas
The Magician channels raw creative energy and inspiration, The
Hierophant is shown as the head of an institution manipulating
benediction and worship. Garbed in the vestments of spiritual power,
he is the leader in a social construct.
The way the card is drawn echoes those ideas. I surrounded the main
figure with his disciples that worship him as the center of their
organization. The power of the institution is brought out through the
architecture with soaring arches many times the height of the figures.
The focus of the art needed to be on the figures, so I drew the
architecture as one continuous tone with some highlights for details
brought out over the top. The building recedes back in space and puts
the emphasis squarely on the Hierophant himself.
85
Chapter Four
VI | The Lovers
Spiritual, sexual, emotional bond. Joining.
86
The Lovers is a card that speaks to the deep emotional connection

between two people. It goes way beyond just lust and physical
gratification. It speaks to the timeless and infinite communion of two
souls to each other and the harmony and joy that comes when two
become one. Inherent in that connection is the trust and
understanding of a serious relationship. The Lovers is a strong
indication that marriage is coming your way, or at the least, a very
serious and
lasting relationship.
Theres also a more subtle meaning to the card. The connection with
someone else cant happen without being open to it. It shows the
joining of two different energies coming together to form something
greater than they are alone. Theres a type of submission thats
required of both parties in a successful relationship. You need to
realize that youre part of something greater than just yourself.
A rtistic I ntent
I drew this card to have a timeless, infinite vibe. The couple is
embracing between two strong pillars echoes of themselves. Flowers
climb these pillars to symbolize the harmony, peace, and joy their
union brings. This is happening against a backdrop of stars that fill
the scene around them. Hes dressed in armor while her flowing dress
is coming off her shoulder. It implies a storyare they being reunited
or is he leaving for battle? Hard to say for sure, but whats clear is
their mutual attraction for each other and the love between them.
Drawing this card was a real joy because its such a timeless theme.
I drew inspiration from several sources; most importantly the 1968
film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, as well as several paintings by
Maxfield Parrish.
The M ajor A rcana | The L overs
87
VI | The Lovers
Chapter Four
VII | The Chariot
Determination. Controlled emotions. Assertive power.
88
The Chariot is a card of triumph born from determination and a

mastery over your emotions. Stay focused on your goal with selfcontrol and willpower and youll be bound to succeed. You might
encounter obstacles or opposing forces, but you might even be able
to harness those forces to meet your objective. The Chariot is a
warning that youll need to master your own emotional pushes and
pulls. You need to remember what youre all about here and let that
true North guide your actions. Discipline, hard work, good decisions,
and willpower will see you through.
A rtistic I ntent
The most interesting aspect of The Chariot for me is the idea of
harnessing opposing forces to accomplish your will. I sought to
represent that with the two horses that are opposed compositionally,
yet are working together at the behest of the rider to draw the chariot
forward. This is also a stark card in regards to the single-minded focus
it encourages. So, I put The Chariot on a scorched landscape
surely the rider will want to move to a more welcoming vista as soon
as possible. But hes gazing up, not out. He has his sights set on
something lofty, a higher purpose.
The M ajor A rcana | The Chariot
89
VII | The Chariot
Chapter Four
90
VIII | Strength
The M ajor A rcana | Strength
VIII | Strength
Inner determination. Responsibility. Compassion.

Its interesting that this card comes after The Chariot. The
Strength card is similar to The Chariot, but its differences are
key. Strength speaks to inner strength and resolve. Its a card
showing that the wilder base instincts of a lion have been tamed
and harnessed. Strength is clearly in control, but she also has
compassion and understands her sense of responsibility.
This card is really about trusting yourself, having confidence in your
abilities and your ultimate purpose. While obstacles may get in your
way, you have the experience and ability to overcome them. Youre
also not going to be swayed into bad decisions through your emotions.
They are squarely in check and if anything, youll be able to use them
to make informed, controlled decisions about what to do.
If any card appears inverted in a spread, simply reverse the
meaning during your reading.
A rtistic I ntent
In the midst of a formidable landscape, I drew Strength to have a
steely resolve and a calm control over the situation. She has her hand
gently resting on the lions headhaving tamed him completely and
brought him under her will. The lion is, of course, her wilder
emotional self that she has mastered.
While the original RWS card had a lot of symbolic embellishment,
I chose to portray Strength more plainly. I thought a more
minimal approach would help to underscore this cards power
and meaning better.
For the figure of strength I drew inspiration from the paintings of
John William Goddardto me, an under-rated giant in the
Neoclassicism movement.
Neoclassicism fell out of favor with the advent of the modern schools of art.
Goddard ended up committing suicide at age 61,
writing in his last note that the world is not big enough for myself and a Picasso.
91
Chapter Four
IX | The H ermit
Contemplation. Withdrawal. Inner truths.
92
Youre entering a phase in your life where you need answers, and
theyre not going to come from anywhere except from deep within
yourself. This is a chance to seriously evaluate your motivations, your
goals, and what youre hoping to do and become. Youre going to be
tempted to withdraw from other people and isolate yourself as much
as possible. This isnt necessarily a bad thing, but know that you cant
hole yourself up emotionally forever. Take this breather, and figure
out what you need to.
The Hermit card is also a realization that material pursuits might
not hold much meaning for you anymore. Be open to the idea that
things might not be as valuable as finding purpose and meaning in life.
A rtistic I ntent
The RWS version of The Hermit was made even more famous
having been the inspiration for the inside art on Led Zeppelins
fourth album. The image is a cultural icon of the 20th century, so
redrawing it came with a lot of pressure to re-imagine it in a creative
way. My solution was to simply rotate the figure so he was facing
outward toward the viewer. This also gave me the chance to show
more of what The Hermit looks like.
Theres a feeling of isolation and remoteness to The Hermit, so I
wanted to place him in a cold environment that had a beautiful
bleakness to it. The snow capped trees, and starkly contrasted rocks he
stands upon serve to convey the emotional isolation of the card.
The M ajor A rcana | The H ermit
93
IX | The H ermit
Chapter Four
94
X | Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune shows up in so much of history, it would be impossible to
sum it up here, but in general I sought with the card to capture the timeless struggle
between fate and will. Personally, I choose to believe self-determination wins out.
The M ajor A rcana | Wheel of Fortune
X | Wheel of Fortune
Change. Fate. Inevitability. Inner control.

The Wheel of Fortune is about fate, inevitability, and our place in a
world that will cycle through pain, hardship, and joybetween
wealth, plenty and scarcity. We might not be able to control all the
universe brings our way, but we can control ourselves and what we
want out of life. Fatalism is a terrible belief system (yes, Im being
judgy), and the Wheel of Fortune reminds us that control lies
within. We might not be able to completely control the world, but we
can influence the events in our own lives through all the ups and
downs.
The Wheel of Fortune is also a harbinger of changegood or bad.
Be willing to work through the changes coming your way, and dont
give in to fatalism. Youre the chief architect of your life!
A rtistic I ntent
Theres a lot of symbolism in the RWS version of this card (which was
likely inspired by an Albrecht Durer woodcut), but I wanted to
embrace the rich history of the Rota Fortunae (Wheel of Fortune). I
went way back to the origins of the idea:
In the second century BC, Vettius Valens wrote:
And the ninth wheel, the wheel of fortunes, moves from east
to west, and includes each of the twelve signs of fortune, the
twelve signs of the zodiac.
I chose to render the card showing a woman sitting on a ledge while a

great wheel turns in the sky. Each spoke intersects the wheel with a
sign of the Zodiac. To her right, she holds a bounty of coins and to
her left is the ledges end and certain death. In her left hand she spins
the yarn of her life.
95
Chapter Four
XI | Justice
Justice. Truth. Law.
96
Justice is, of course, about fairness. But its a meaning that cuts in
two directions. While on the surface, Justice urges us to be fair in
our dealings with others, and to listen to our inner sense of whats
right and wrong, it also warns us that our actions will have a cost. So
really, theres two forces at play; causality and karma. The first teaches
us that every action has a consequence and sometimes unintended
repercussions follow actions that arent well thought out. Secondly,
the intent of the actions are at least as important as the actions
themselves. When the Justice card appears in a reading its a sure
sign that you need to follow your inner voice and treat others fairly.
Its also a signal that you should evaluate your motives and make sure
they hold up under scrutiny.
A rtistic I ntent
While drawing the Arcana cards I wasnt just inspired by paintings
and drawings from art history. Sculptures played a big part, too.
Growing up outside Philadelphia, I was exposed at an early age to
much of the amazing art around that great city. With this card I
sought to capture some of the classical beauty of Alexander Stirling
Calders Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Square. About a decade
ago, I lived close by and would take my wife and young son down to
the fountain to enjoy it. Im not sure its exactly neoclassical sculpture,
but it shares some elements, and I wanted the card to carry the same
feeling. I also drew the figure of Justice blindfolded, a departure
from the RWS version of the card. Justice should be blind, after all.
The M ajor A rcana | Justice
97
XI | Justice
Chapter Four
98
XII | The H anged M an

The tree The Hanged Man is hanging from is the namesake of Angel Oak Park on
Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The tree is estimated to be over 1500
years old.
The M ajor A rcana | The H anged M an
XII | The H anged M an

Inaction. Reflection. Self-sacrifice.
The Hanged Man reminds us that in the absence of a clear path

forward, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. Waiting for
things to become clear is a form of action, and sometimes a wise one.
The generally understood meaning of the hanged man has a twist to it
as wellhes thought to have hung himself. This speaks to a suspension
of current ways of acting in favor of a new and better way of being. Its
a time where youll need to reflect on what youre doing and decide if
it serves a greater good. The Hanged Man asks you to think about
your actions, and to be mindful that even if its good for you, it could
be hurting others. Take some time to think through the path youre
on and decide if its a self-serving one, or if there might be a more
worthwhile pursuit that could do more for others.
A rtistic I ntent
I cant stand those periods in my life when I feel paused. Inaction
wears on me and is a personal hell, so I wanted to portray The
Hanged Man as being in some type of agony. Stalling out is a form
of torture to anyone trying to accomplish things, and while the RWS
version of the card shows a mostly complacent hanged man, I wanted
my version to speak to the inner turmoil I feel during these times.
One of the difficult problems I needed to overcome with The
Hanged Man was how to draw a figure hanging upside down. I
thought maybe I could get someone to model it, but that wouldve
likely ended up in some kind of lawsuit, so I opted to search art
history for something that would work.
I found the answer in a work by Cornelis van Haarlem painted in
15881590 called The Fall of the Titans. In it, theres a figure in a
similar pose, though I modified the left leg to match the position on
the RWS card.
99
Chapter Four
XIII | D eath
Transformation. Change. New beginning.
100
Though the Death card seems like a bad omen, its actually one of
the more positive cards in the deck. It means that youll be going
through some serious changes. As a Major Arcana card, you should
give Death serious consideration when it shows up. It points to old
patterns of behavior changing, being outgrown, and new approaches
to life breaking through. Think about who you were at age 7, age 15,
and where you are now. Youre the same person, but those versions of
you dont exist anymore. Youve grown, changed, and become stronger
all the way through. So when Death shows up in a reading, dont
take it literally. Think of it as a sign that a new you is going to be
growing through the old you. Embrace the new beginning!
A rtistic I ntent
Ooh, the RWS card is good. Death doesnt care if youre young, old,
rich, powerful, or otherwise. I liked that a lot, so I drew the Death
card as an even more sinister version of the original. Death looks
scary as hell, though I think his horse is even scarier! Hes bearing
down on children and a priestDeath doesnt discriminate and has
no mercy. I sought to underscore the cards meaning with a really
dynamic scene, and even the sky has drama to it.
I also particularly liked the way the flag turned out. It needed to be a
black flag in sunlight, and it really looks that way! I modified the rose
in the flag from the Tudor Rose in the 1527 portrait of Sir Thomas
More by Hans Holbein the Younger. Roses and lilies are found
throughout the RWS Tarotthey have alchemical meaning and were
even used as the card back in many versions of the RWS Tarot.
The M ajor A rcana | Death
101
XIII | D eath
Chapter Four
102
XIV | Temperance
The M ajor A rcana | Temper ance
XIV | Temperance
Harmony. Patience. Moderation.

Temperance is balance between competing forces; the material and
the inner realm of the subconscious. The card appears in readings to
show us that a path can be found between forces in conflict. Youre
seeking balance and taking your time, keeping the end goal in mind
and playing the long game so you can find it. Rash decisions right
now would be disastrous. But unlike The Hanged Man, Temperance
doesnt counsel inactivity. Rather, it advises you to judiciously walk
the line between your material concerns and your more meaningful
spiritual desires. Go forward with a sure footing and time your
moves precisely.

A rtistic I ntent
Theres a lot of symbolism with my rendering of Temperance. Shes
at the end of a path in the material world and at the edge of water
the spiritual world of intuition. In her hands she has two cups and is
pouring water between them. They symbolize the competing desires
and her ability to effortlessly balance and control both of them. Shes
dipping the toes of her right foot into the water, literally testing the
waters before moving forward. And, lest I forget, shes an angel. This
was a hold over from the RWS card, but I liked the idea of her being
above the competing interests and having that power of flight to
leave at any time.
103
Chapter Four
XV | The D evil
Fixation. Self-imprisonment. Negative self-delusion.
104
The Devil is an interesting card. At first blush it appears that he has

imprisoned the two lovers. But looking a little closer, its clear that
those chains are loose and both could walk away from the situation at
any time. The lesson here is that we can be entrapped by our own
animal nature. The Devil is ourselves when we surrender control and
become trapped by our base instincts. This card strongly suggests that
you might be in the midst of addiction, or have an unhealthy
obsession. Theres no way to counsel for these situations in a
paragraph, but maybe the best way to start is to look at yourself
critically. Ask yourself if youre on the right path, and think about
what your life would look like if you made some changes. Ultimately,
youre trapping yourself and you need to acknowledge that before
youll be able to move forward.
A rtistic I ntent
The devil lurks in each of us, and representing it in a card proved to
be a fun challenge.
I opted for a fairly straightforward representation of The Devil as a
satyr with a pentagram on his head. But whereas that pentagram is
typically inverted, I drew it straight as a hopeful signal. The base
impulses in each of us can be overcome.
With the figures I wanted to express a little more meaning than is in
the RWS cards. The male figure is naked and vulnerable, reaching
pleadingly toward the woman. She is clothed, oblivious to him and is
pointing to the devil. You could read this scene as the male figure
being trapped by his obsession and lust for her while she ignores him
completely. Alternatively, you could read it as her pointing to the object
of her obsession while he pleads with her to turn away from the devil.
Either way the point is cleartheyve trapped themselves.
The M ajor A rcana | The Devil
105
XV | The D evil
The Devil I depicted is based off the Baphomet, or Sabbatic Goat. Its traditionally
drawn having binary elementsgood and evil representations, male and female. I
opted for a more straightforward rendering without the binary elements.
Chapter Four
106
XVI | The Tower
The M ajor A rcana | The Tower
XVI | The Tower
Crisis. Unexpected turmoil. Catharsis.

Most of the time, we live our lives moving comfortably from one day
or event to the next in an easy flow. But, inevitably there are events in
our lives that shake us to the core. They overturn our preconceptions
of security and make us realize how fragile we truly are. The Tower
is a warning that such an event is quickly approaching. It asks us to
question whether our perceived security is actually built on a shaky
foundation. It urges us to consider what a flash of unexpected
misfortune could mean in our lives. Moments of turmoil and upheaval
can, and often are, followed by newly revealed insight and a healing
process. They can be cathartic.
The meaning of The Tower is two-fold. It warns of a sudden crisis
and the upheaval that follows, but it also counsels us to realize that
even the strongest held beliefs are susceptible to change. So dont be
so rigid that you cant flex with the events life throws your way. And
remember, in the aftermath of crisis theres a creative process that
renews and rebuilds all that was broken down.

A rtistic I ntent
The rebuilding part of the card is definitely true, and sometimes you
do have to break down the things in your life that are holding you back.
Creatively, I wanted to highlight the smiting and destructionits
just a lot more interesting. So I threw everything and the kitchen
sink at this one. The crown of the tower is falling and breaking apart,
fireballs are being hurled from the sky. The power of the lightning
strikes are heating the stones to glowing hot while fire and smoke
pours through the ill-fated building. People are jumping to certain
death upon the rocks that are being pounded by incessant and
punishing waves.
Yes, creatively very satisfying subject matter indeed.
107
Chapter Four
XVII | The Star
Renewal. Transcendence. Confident self-awareness.
108
After the upheaval of The Tower, The Star is a welcome

development. It points to a renewed confidence in your self and a
healthy self-esteem. You know you can weather the really difficult
points in life and come out on the other side. Youve transcended
negative feelings, negative thoughts, and are now confident in how
youll handle the hard times if they come again. The Star speaks to
you getting your life back on track and overcoming difficulty. You
might also be feeling like youre finally living up to the person you
want to be. Keep listening to that voice within you, itll keep you
honest with yourself and guide where the journey takes you next.
The Star is an incredibly powerful card and while it doesnt point to
a solution or definitive path forward, it does point to the faith you
have wisely put in yourself to get there.
A rtistic I ntent
The RWS version of the card is one of my favorites and I wanted to
stick close to it as a source. I kept a lot of the rich imagerythe eight
stars (one large, the others smaller), the ibis, one foot in the water, one
out, and the tree. The Star is a strong woman. Like Strength, shes
strong psychologically, though not necessarily physically. She pours
water from each jug both onto the water (emotional needs), and the
land (physical). Shes at home both in the deep waters of the psyche
and the more material aspects of life. The ibis itself has a rich
symbolism as the Egyptian god of knowledge, Thoth. All this came
together in my rendering of The Star, similar in spirit to the RWS
version, but completely different in the way it was rendered.
The Cult of the Ibis in Egypt cared for a massive amount of birds. At the archaeological site at Saqqara, about 1.75 million ibis remains were interred, and at Abydos
there are thousands more. Another four million were found in the catacombs of
Tuna-el-Gebel. The expense in land for caring for this many birds, as well as the cost
of the pottery industry in which they found their final home must have been massive.
Today, the ibis is extinct in Egypt due to the gradual aridification through swamp
drainage and land reclamation.
The M ajor A rcana | The Star
109
XVII | The Star
Chapter Four
110
XVIII | The Moon
The M ajor A rcana | The Moon
XVIII | The Moon
Dreams. Illusion. Instinct. Deception.

In the dark, shadows play tricks on us. We conjure things that arent
there because we cant see what actually is. When we cant see the
path forward, fear creeps in, and we rely on instinct to guide us. The
Moon is the last of the ordeal cards in the Major Arcana. Youll
need to feel your way, with no light to guide you, and your biggest
obstacle can be your own imaginationand your own projections of
fear and anxiety.
The lesson of The Moon is that you need to look at your repressed
thoughts and desires. Pull up the things that youve buried deep
inside, and bring them out into the light. Its your best path forward.
A rtistic I ntent
With The Moon, like a lot of the Arcana cards, my intention was to
follow the RWS Tarot cards as a guide, but also add to and reimagine them. I took the source material and made sure to include all
the elementsthe dog, the wolf, the crayfish crawling out of a pool of
water, and of course the moon itself. Since the meaning of the card is
centered around uncertainty and illusion, I drew the moon a lot
darker than it would actually appear, and set it against a star-filled
sky. Youll notice that the stars in the lower right form the
constellation Pisces, which aligns with this cards astrological position.
The crayfish represents unformed ideas taking shape, and I also
included a path that curves in and out of sight to key in on the
ambiguous nature of the card. From the point of view of the viewer,
the passage to that path is blocked by friend and foe alike (the dog
and wolf), similar to how we might conjure images in the dark of
things both benign and threatening.
From a technical perspective, the most difficult and rewarding part of
the card was drawing the animals fur fringed with moonlight. It took
a few attempts, but I think I got the right balance of contrast so the
animals are detailed and convey the back-lit moonlight well.
111
Chapter Four
XIX | The Sun
Success. Innocence. Joy.
112
What a great card to come up in a reading! The Suns meaning is

filled with the bountiful innocent joy of unencumbered success. The
conscious and unconscious is in check, plans have succeeded, and
everything is coming together with effortless ease. The Sun is the
source of all life on Earth and youre reflecting that life-giving force
outwards, sharing its light and radiance to all those around you. You
should really soak up this time, enjoy all the fruits of your labors and
know that the immediate future holds more of the same for you.
A rtistic I ntent
The original RWS drawing captures the meaning of The Sun really
well, and I didnt want to mess with the feeling it brings. My
rendition is compositionally very similar, though I did focus in on the
child riding the horse a little more. I love that hes riding the white
horse without reigns, fully confident and in control. The Sun shines
with radiance, and I swear I can feel that light and warmth coming
through the drawing.
While I was drawing the card, I actually found the stone wall to be
the most interesting part of the card to createwhich seems a little
counterintuitive. The reason was because it would technically be in
shadow given the position of the sun. The great thing about art is that
we get to take liberty with reality. Drawing each stone so that they fit
together naturally and conveyed form and mass proved to be a
challenge, too. The end result worked out, and given the subject
matter, is actually easy to overlook. It just showed me that sometimes
the judge of a successful drawing is being able to overlook some
details entirely.
The M ajor A rcana | The Sun
113
XIX | The Sun
Chapter Four
114
XX | Judgement
I mistakenly thought I had sent the cards to press with the wrong spelling for
Judgement. But, thankfully, I had actually gotten it right. The RWS Tarot has it
spelled with an e. Pamela Smith, the illustrator, was born in London and though she
lived in both America and Jamaica, she followed the British convention for spelling
Judgement. With an e.
The M ajor A rcana | Judgement
XX | Judgement
Awakening. Transformation. Absolution.

Judgement is another card of transformation, but it carries a different
meaning than the others. Its basically a reset button that wipes clean
the forces from the past and absolves you of all the baggage that
might have come along with past ordeals. The lessons from the trials
youve been through arent forgotten, but youve been lightened from
their burden.
The Judgement card is about a mature look at your life going
forward having learned from everything thats come before, but
also recognizing that youre reborn to new possibilities. Look for
opportunities for new experiences. Its especially important to think
deeply about long buried desires. This is the time to bring those
thoughts up to the surface and make them happen.
Unencumbered by your past, youre ready to start a new chapter.
A rtistic I ntent
What a powerful card. Gabriel, the angel of the Final Judgment,
blows his horn announcing the colossal crashing of waves that will
wipe clean the psyche as the main figure welcomes the renewal with
open arms. Theres a dreamlike quality to the card and it suits the
meaning well. This is one of the few cards where I let the Christian
symbolism stand, though I muted it since there is only one figure and
shes not rising from her grave as in the RWS version. Additionally,
I put her in a strange landscape, though a real one. Its an adaptation
of Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. The rocks are the remnants
of large molten basalt flows that cooled and crystallized into the
forms we see today. Theres an equally impressive counterpart to
Giants Causeway across the channel in Scotland called Fingals Cave.
They were part of the same volcanic flow. Giants Causeway was also
the location of the cover art for the 1973 Led Zeppelin album Houses
of the Holy.
115
Chapter Four
XXI | The World
Accomplishment. Attainment. Celebration. Expanded Consciousness.

The cycle has come full-circle and The World marks a major milestone
in your life. This could signal a graduation, wedding, or the completion
of a large project. Its a moment where youve attained a long-standing
goal and you should celebrate achieving what you sought.
116
On a deeper level, The World also signals that you have a broader
view than you did before. You can see the full scope of what youve
been trying to achieve and have a full understanding of all the moving
parts and your place inside a larger system. Your consciousness of who
you are is fuller, youre aware of how far youve come, and everything
it took to get here. You should enjoy this feeling of completeness, and
take some time to reflect back on the path youve traveled.
A rtistic I ntent
The World is the last card in the Major Arcana and marks the
completion of a cycle. As such, it bears a lot of similarity to the
Wheel of Fortune. In fact, in the RWS Tarot, all of the
mythological creatures seen on the Wheel of Fortune are repeated
on The World card. But just as I chose to leave them off my
rendering of the Wheel of Fortune, here too I wanted a less
encumbered design.
The World for me is first and foremost a card of celebration. The
Wheel is replaced with a giant laurel wreath (an idiomatic symbol of
victory), and the main figure dances in the center of it, lost in her own
thoughts and enjoyment. Not to diminish the cards nuances, but that
struck me as all it really needed to be to capture its meaning.
Anything more would have been unnecessary exposition.
The M ajor A rcana | The World
117
XXI | The World
118
119
Chapter Five
End M atter
Contributors
Arcana Playing Cards wouldnt have been possible without the
support of over 3200 project backers. Truly, they are an amazing
group of people and have my deepest thanks. Heres where they
hail from:
120
Australia 119
Austria 10
Belgium 6
Brazil 21
Bulgaria 2
Canada 172
Chile 2
Cyprus 2
Czech Republic
4
Denmark 13
Estonia 4
Finland 7
France 56
Germany 47
Greece 4
Guatemala 1
Hong Kong
11
Hungary 2
Iceland 1
India 5
Indonesia 2
Ireland 4
Isle of Man
1
Israel 6
Italy 23
Japan 15
Kazakhstan 1
Korea, South
8
Kuwait 1
Latvia 2
Lithuania 1
Luxembourg 2
Macau 1
Malaysia 7
Mexico 2
Netherlands 22
New Zealand
24
Norway 9
Peru 1
Philippines 1
Poland 7
Portugal 7
Puerto Rico
3
Qatar 2
Romania 3
Russia 7
Singapore 34
Slovakia 1
Slovenia 1
South Africa
3
Spain 21
Sri Lanka
1
Sweden 27
Switzerland 9
Taiwan 3
Thailand 5
Turkey 4
United Arab Emirates
3
United Kingdom
185
United States
2294
Uruguay 1
121
Backers By Country
In all, that represents 6 out 7 continents, 62 out of 196 countries.
Thats pretty good, but 7 out of 7 continents would have been better
Im looking at you Antartica. Theres anywhere from 1000 to 4000
people on the continent depending on the season. Couldnt one of you
have backed the project?
Just one would have been enough, Im not greedy.
Closing Thoughts
122
Thanks for reading! I hope this book has been informative and an
enjoyable read whether youre an adept with the Tarot or just getting
started. I do truly hope itll be a resource youll turn to often, and I
designed it for just that purpose. From page numbers on the outside
of the pages to the short single word synopsis to capture the essence
of each card, I strove to make this an enjoyable and easy tool for you
to use.
For those interested these things, I typeset the book using InDesign
with Mrs. Eaves for the headlines and Caslon Pro for the body copy.
Huge shout out to my editorsMichael Nichols, and Adria
Ovdiyenko (see honey, that English degree was useful!).
Additionally, thank you to everyone who had a hand in the
Arcana project. From my super-supportive friends and family,
to all the manufacturers who helped to produce the many different
Arcana rewards:
United States Playing Card Company
Osbourne Coinage
Panda Gaming
TreeToBox.com
Fashion Silk
Bella Forte
Graphic Chemical
Boxcar Press
Lastly, a huge thank you to Tame Impala for the song Apocalypse
Dreams, it was my personal soundtrack for this project. Played over
and over again, it somehow still sounds amazing.
A bout the Author

When you read this part of any given book, arent you weirded out
when its written in the 3rd person, but it was almost certainly written
by the author themselves? Ill spare you that unpleasantness, and keep
this mini-bio graciously short.
I was born in New York City, but was grew up in a rural area about an
hour and a half outside Philadelphia. I was fortunate to have lived just
a few miles from the studio where Harry Bertoia made amazing
modernist metal sculptures (and designed the famous mid-century
modern Knoll Chair). I learned metal sculpture basics from his son for
many years while I was in high school and when I was home from college.
I went to college in New York at Parsons School of Design where I
studied Fine Art with a focus on sculpture. I have a strong love/hate
relationship with New York, having lived and worked there at
multiple points in my life.
Professionally, I went into advertising and currently work as a
Creative Director for an amazing agency in Columbus, Ohio.
Im married to the most beautiful and wonderful woman, Adria. I like
to pull over and call her in the morning just so I can hear her talk a
little before the work-insanity begins. Then I call at lunch. Then again
on my way home. I really like talking with her. She usually picks up.
Together we have two awesome little peopleDylan and Phaedra.
It amazes me how much they can be like us and how completely
different too. I see a lot of my parents, Adrias parents, my siblings
and even our grandparents in those two. And yet, they are completely
their own people. Theyre amazing.
Along with Adria, our children, our 5 cats, and our dog Ringo,
we started Dead On Paper in 2013. Since then, weve been hard at
work creating unique and unexpected creations a lot like the book
youre holding.
123

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The I llustrated Guide to A rcana

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced

Copyright 2016 by Chris Ovdiyenko

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This book is dedicated to:

My beautiful wife Adria, who is my partner in

iii Authors Note

A bout this Book and

of the questions led to me thinking about the cards in a different way.

A further testament to the amazing community behind Arcana is that

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

One who seeks is the person for whom a

The person who facilitates the reading for

If you look at the top of each card youll see

Each card can be experienced at many points

The 56 Minor Cards are suited cards

Terms and Conditions

The Minor Arcana cards of each suit are

This refers to cards that are upside down. Its

Also known as the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot,

A Guide For R eadings

A Guide for R eadings

The Celtic Cross

A G uide for R eadings

Stations of the Celtic Cross

C ard 1: The present.

C ard 2: The situation.

C ard 3: The past.

C ard 4: The future.

A G uide for R eadings

C ard 8: From without.

C ard 9: From within.

C ard 10: The outcome.

The M inor A rcana

The M inor A rcana

The M inor A rcana

The Ace of Cups

The M inor A rcana | Cups

Joy. Love. Creativity. Beginnings.

Joining. Harmony. Balance.

The seed of love that started in the Ace of cups is

Community. Friendship. Belonging.

The M inor A rcana | Cups

Indecision. Apathy. Stagnation.

Disappointment. Loss. Grief. Regret.

Chin up, Buttercup!

Nostalgia. Child-like joy.

I digress; whats important about this card is that it

Vigilance. Choices. Temptation.

The M inor A rcana | Cups

Abdication. Abandon. Apathy.

Success. Satisfaction. Indulgence.

Contentment. Harmony. Love

recognized, celebrated within ourselves, and shared with those who

Inspiration. Creativity. Intuition.

The M inor A rcana | Cups

The Page of Cups

The K night of Cups

The M inor A rcana | Cups

iii Authors Note