yipe said:
I love this deck, were it not for this deck in fact, I would probably still not be a tarot reader. Yes I did just reveal that I'm pretty new to this
If someone knows a way to ask Moonboy about the lettering, then please by all means do, I'm dying to know what on those tombs!
Hi yipe!
Thanks for asking about the pedestals. I hope this answers your question!
Many of the photo's I took for the DM where of bits and pieces of my normally-odd childhood. When I began to create the deck, I went back to places of meaning for me, and incorporated memories into the images.
When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my father used to take me with him to the post office. Back in the 1970's, it was not unusual to leave a child alone in a car while the parent shopped. Well, this post office was across the street from a very large "modern" cemetery, but it did have its "old" part, and that's where he used to park the car all the time. While he was in there, I would sit quietly and stare out the window, feeling watched by two very large moldy monuments. They both had giant trophy type cups on top. I knew they were from another time and I knew those souls had left the earth a VERY long time ago. They scared the heck out of me, but got me to think about the mystery of life and death at an early age. I used to think...."they are long dead, yet I am still a KID!" Yet I KNEW that when I became old and feeble, the stones would STILL be there...waiting for me to be like them!
I finally got to visit them in person when I made the deck,
The stones were from a husband and wife...both died 1858 (maybe together-just gave the month), and they had the noble titles of Baron and Baroness! The pedestal of the High Priestess and Heirophant are made from their epitaph. I felt it was fitting.
(I was going to use the actual tomb cups for a card, (8 cups) but the composition didn't work out)......
For the Empress and Emperor..their letterings are both from the same stone....the first death-head stone I ever saw, back around 1979 on a trip to East Hampton LI. The art carvings always fascinated me, and gave birth to so many creative ideas in my youth.....fitting it should be used for the "Mother and Father" of the tarot!
Thanks so much for asking!
.....Hi irisa...
I know USG have been asked, and so have I, about a companion book. I would love to do it. I think the economy is a big factor, but I think if more folks petition USG the book could easily become reality.
Sincerely,
~Patrick
PS...Thanks Lisa
....Hey, I have to tell you a pretty cool story about the FairyTale Tarot...talk soon!