Category: Tarot Spreads

WORLD TAROT DAY: DEBUNKING 3 COMMON TAROT CARD MYTHS

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Charles Levin - Astrology, Card Designers, Collaboration, Manufacturer, Oracle Cards, Packaging, Tarot and Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot History, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

While SinceWorld Tarot Day, created by the iconic Den Elder, a prolific writer, Tarot Grandmaster, and founder of The Church of Tarot, got the idea for World Tarot Day back in 2003. Every May 25th, the rest is history in the making as celebrations are growing more prevalent and elaborate every year.

In celebration of World Tarot Day, Shuffled Ink is debunking 3 common myths about tarot cards.

Word Tarot Day – Myth #1- There are strict rules to tarot (Trionfi) reading

There is no right or wrong way of reading tarot cards. Actually, there are numerous methods, strategies, approaches and traditions used. There is no secret tarot rulebook or club, it’s all about what you make of it. Like any hobby, learning how to read tarot takes time and practice!

World Tarot Day – Myth # 2 – Your first tarot (Tarocchi) deck has to be a gift

The origins of this commonly accepted myth are unknown. Tarot cards make an excellent gift. And, there is actually nothing wrong with purchasing a tarot deck for yourself! Tarot experts say that making sure you like the look of your tarot deck is important! Beauty is subjective, it’s important that you like the style and artwork of your deck to ensure proper practice!

Shuffled Ink actually knows how important creating a beautiful deck is. This is why we offer vivid colors and dozens of finish and cardstock options to ensure your custom deck lives up to its full potential and is the most grabbed on the shelf.

World Tarot Day – Myth #3: Tarot (tarock) is used only for predicting the future

Tarot cards alone do not be able to predict your future. Many people utilize tarot cards to determine divination. Some believe tarot cards have divinatory power, actually, many do not necessarily agree on the source of that power.

The cards are simply a tool to use to try to interpret and understand a future or present situations. Tarot decks are used in different ways and for many reasons. Tarot is seen as a tool to guide one spiritually, or provide clarity on your current situation. They are not just to attempt to predict your future.

There are many reasons people use tarot cards. Some people incorporate it into a religion they already practice, some users are completely non-spiritual. Non-religious use their decks for inspiration

Tarot users who believe tarot can tell the future, collectively believe that it tells one possible future, and that future is not absolute. “Negative” readings should not be of such great concern. Actually, every tarot card communicates positive and negative messages.

World Tarot Day, May 25 – every year, your tarot future says be there!

FROM GRIEF TO TAROT PASSION PROJECT: LATOYA MARQUEZ’S CARD STORY

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Charles Levin - Affirmation Cards, Art, Artist, Card Designers, Card Innovation, Card Story, Client Feature, Custom Design, Custom Gifts, Design, Manufacturer, Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

After the sudden loss of her grandmother, grief fueled 37-year-old Latoya Marquez’s tarot passion project.

In this exclusive Shuffled Ink Card Story, Latoya Marquez, Government Mortgage Specialist by day and tarot designer by night, shares how writing self-affirmations to cope with grief sparked a fresh approach to tarot design and healing.

Now available and in-stock on Etsy here.

Shuffle Up! Tarot: A Work of He(art)

Complete with a blend of modern-day imagery and traditional Rider-Waite tarot elements, this personalized deck belongs to the beholder.

During the first week of August 2021, Latoya launched her brand Shuffled World Tarot and first tarot deck, Shuffle Up!. The idea for this project stemmed from the passing of her grandmother, Petra Torres Marquez in November 2020.

This traumatic and unexpected experience filled the artist with grief and heartache, which eventually led to sleepless nights. As a Communications Graduate from the University of South Florida, Latoya has always loved to write and often used it as a therapeutic release. But what was originally a curative method, soon resulted in an incredible and inspiring year-long passion project.

Latoya Marquez, Shuffle Up! creator, posing at a studio shoot.

Creativity is the Wanderlust of Satisfaction

Latoya’s design journey began when she requested a complimentary sample pack in order to see and feel the quality of our cards, various card stocks and size options.

“(Shuffled Ink is) all of what I wanted to experience in dealing with a local USA company,” she said. “I’ve already recommended Shuffled Ink to other creators wanting to do the same type of project.”

The Design Process:

Step 1

Latoya spent several weeks writing down ideas to illustrate on each card.

Step 2

It took a total of 60 days to sketch more than 80 cards by hand. In the early stages of the drawing process, she saw her Taurean grandmother alive and vibrant in the Hierophant card.

“She loved the color purple, lit candles, blessing her altars. A very spiritual Widow,” Latoya said.

Step 3

Thirty days to color in each sketch with a thick watercolor sketch pad, drawing utensils and quality markers.

Designing your own tarot deck means applying creative liberties as you see fit. Most tarot decks follow a standard formula: 78 cards with 22 Major and 56 Minor Arcana.

Shuffle Up! holds 78 hand-drawn, unlabeled cards as well as one dedication, which reads:

For every day we blink and breathe, the sun will always set. And when the sun rises, we have a new day to reset and be better than we were yesterday.

“One of the biggest obstacles in choosing a tarot deck is finding a great set of cards to identify with,” she said. “My format for the reader of any skill level is to identify the image and develop their own perceptions. This way, each Intuitive Reader can bond with my deck card after card.”

A Glimpse into Latoya’s 3 Favorite Cards in the Deck

Devil

She waits for the next contract to arrive. In the background, a shadowed arm lingers, eager to let new souls inside.

Exhaustion from a hard day’s work is symbolized by the removed horns which now rest on the bar beside the Devil. But the day is not over; there is still ink left in her pen.

Queen of Swords

Also known as the Hardcore Nun, she takes down names for the next man to behead as blood drips from her sword.

High Priestess

Drawn to the card’s beauty, particularly the 7-day color candle in the right-hand corner and the blended scroll of parchment at the foreground.

Connect with Latoya Marquez

The first 30 decks sold on Etsy come with a soft release bridge-sized 2″ x 2″ deck called, Shadow Affirmations. This Mini Deck is an all-in-one combined oracle, affirmation & angel number divination in a 30 count card set.

Latoya is on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook as Shuffled World Tarot. On YouTube, she posts ‘Tarotorial’ videos or in-depth explanations of each card in the deck.

Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business that specializes in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging and more for businesses and individuals worldwide.

To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form.

If we manufactured your card project and you would like us to share your Card Story on our blog, feel free to connect with our Marketing Team here.

TAR💗T SPREADS F💗R VALENTINE’S DAY

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Charles Levin - Astrology, Card Designers, Client Feature, Custom Design, Entertainment, Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot Spreads

The Twin Flame & Love Messages Oracle Deck

Tarot is used to explore your past, present and future. The Major and Minor Arcana, which consist of 78 mystic cards, can tap into nearly any life situation, including love and romance. So, regardless if you’re single, in a relationship, married or somewhere in-between, allow these 3 suggested tarot spreads to provide you with meaningful insight this Valentine’s Day.

1. For Past Love

This spread dives into your previous connections. No matter the relationship’s duration or level of romanticism, it acts as a guide, particularly when unresolved feelings exist. The Spread: Thoroughly shuffle the deck, then arrange 8 cards into a heart shape. The questions and statements listed are assigned to each numbered card.

Demise: The factor(s) that contributed to the relationship’s end.
Lingering: What are you/or they holding onto from the relationship?
Evolve: How do you overcome #2?
Details: Describe the relationship.
Feelings: How did you feel about your previous partner before/during/after the relationship.
Self: Your feelings toward yourself before/during/after the relationship.
Gains/Losses: Things learned from the relationship.
The Future: How this experience could impact your future relationship(s).

2. For Present Love

For this spread, focus on a current relationship (official, on a break, in the talking stage or longing from afar). While conducting any of these readings, it’s important to be transparent about your thoughts on love as well as where you’re at in the relationship. This will help you to accurately understand both yourself and the other person involved. The Spread: The Goddess of Love symbolizes the number 6, so place 6 cards side-by-side on the table. The Present Love spread revolves around ideals, sentiments and connections.

Your feelings toward your partner.
Your partner’s feelings toward you.
The type of connection you have (physical, mental, spiritual, etc.).
Any past relationships that directly impact this one? Elaborate.
If yes to #4, how do you overcome them?
Your expectations for the relationship?

3. For Future Love

This spread channels your past and present relationship(s) to prep you for future ones. You will be using the Major Arcana (22 cards). Arrange each one to your liking. (0) The Fool: The path you wish to venture. (1) The Magician: Readiness toward the opportunities of love. (2) The High Priestess: Understanding your instincts. (3) The Empress: Readiness toward having a family (if you do not have children). Balancing partner and children (if you do have children). (4) The Emperor: Past relationship pain (mental, physical, etc.). (5) The Hierophant: Commitment to your future partner. (6) The Lovers: Most important/least important type of connection. (7) The Chariot: Balancing work with a future relationship. (8) Strength: Obstacles in a previous relationship and how it made you stronger for what awaits. (9) The Hermit: Ensure time alone without completely withdrawing from your partner. (10) Wheel of Fortune: Respect and kindness toward your partner, their family, friends, co-workers, etc. (11) Justice: What holds you back? (12) The Hanged Man: Do not fester or hold onto negativity. (13) Death: Release toxicity from previous relationships to make room for a clean slate with a new partner. (14) Temperance: How to overcome future arguments, disagreements, obstacles, etc. (15) The Devil: Weigh all options about your expectations for a partner and vice versa. (16) The Tower: Your reaction to an unprecedented event. (17) The Star: Thoughts about romance. (18) The Moon: How your dreams showcase love. (19) The Sun: Taking love for granted. (20) Judgement: How your partner perceives you. (21) The World: Openness toward conversing about past relationships with your future partner.

Design the Cards & Tar♡t Spreads

The path is far from narrow when designing tarot spreads and cards. Similar to how tarot can guide any situation, our card products can serve any purpose. Consider pairing the spread with personalized card art that pertains to your Valentine’s Day theme. As a Shuffled Ink client creator, you determine every single component: the design and style, card size and the number of cards. You can even go above and beyond by implementing custom instructions, booklets and packaging. Highlighted below are a few tarot and oracle cards created by our talented clients that may be perfect to use for Valentine’s Day reading. Click on each image to visit their website.

Twin Flame & Love Messages Oracle Card Deck by Covetalchemy

This Oracle deck was created with the classical themes of unrequited love, twin flame and soulmate energy. These novels and themes are quite relevant today, as they are loved around the world. Each card has a theme followed by a quote from famous Classic Victorian Gothic Novels. The deck is a blending of quotes from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion).

The Twin Flames in Separation Oracle Deck by Liv Tarot

Separation Messages Oracle gives you 77 messages from your twin flame or soulmate’s higher self. This deck is for those who find themselves separated from their twin flames, soulmates or partners, withstanding little to no contact. These messages reveal what may be too difficult for your love to express: their thoughts and feelings toward your connection. The duration of separation, whether it has been a short amount of time or many years, does not matter.

Gratitude Grams by Rachel Desrochers

Gratitude Grams get you out of your head and into your heart. These cards are beneficial for when you’re feeling stuck, trapped inside your own head, or feeling alone. It is a great tool to support where you are now and where you are going. Designed to remind you what a divine, beautiful being you are and how the world is a better place with you in it. These cards will help you build your gratitude practice.

Messages of Love Oracle Cards from All Things Intuitive

This 54-card, candid romance oracle deck answers questions about love, sex, twin flames, soulmates, past-life connections and more. These cards are designed for any type of relationship. Take each message as it resonates. The deck can be used alone, as clarifies for tarot or alongside other oracle decks.

Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business that specializes in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging and more for businesses and individuals worldwide. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk

TAROT SPREADS FOR HALLOWEEN

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Charles Levin - Art, Astrology, Card Collectors, Card Designers, Client Feature, Custom Design, Entertainment, How To, Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot Spreads

A tarot spread is designed for nearly anything: guiding one’s love life, career path and uncertainties… there are even ones that align nicely with Halloween. So, while the world has been undeniably spooky since March 2020, let’s not press the snooze button on such a thrilling time of year! With Halloween in mind, we designed three spreads for you to incorporate into this Fall’s tarot card reading routine!

1. The 6s

This spread revolves around the number six. 6 cards, questions and rows (1 column). A number, title and open-ended question is assigned to each card.

The Tarot Spread:

(1) Monster Mash: How do you interact with others during social settings? (2) The Seer: What magic (passions) do you tap into daily? (3) Pumpkin Patch: How do you feel about the choices you have made? (4) Costume: When do you resort to putting on a façade? (5) To the Bone: Are you in-touch with your mind, body and soul? (6) Kindled Spirit: What is your relationship with love like (whether romantic or platonic)?

2. Hallow v. Hollow

In this spread, determine whether the presented statement is hallow or hollow to you. The Major Arcana, which consists of 22 cards, is suggested.

Hallow: to respect greatly

Hollow: without significance

It’s up to you whether to use these exact statements or pose your own. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, as the Hallow v. Hollow spread is designed to discover who you are.

The Tarot Spread:

(0) The Fool: Explore new paths. (1) The Magician: If the opportunity is presented, strive toward the aspiration(s). (2) The High Priestess: Listen to your instincts. (3) The Empress: Build a family of your own (if you do not have children). Fulfill your nurturing side (if you do have children). (4) The Emperor: Cut yourself slack when in pain mentally or physically. (5) The Hierophant: Commitment to your partner. (6) The Lovers: Use integrity to follow-through with decisions, regardless of difficulty. (7) The Chariot: Positive relationships with work colleagues and employer(s). (8) Strength: Prevail during dark moments and return stronger. (9) The Hermit: Ensure time alone without completely withdrawing. (10) Wheel of Fortune: Respect and kindness toward those around you (strangers, employees, employer, peers, family, friends, etc.). (11) Justice: Learn from your trials and tribulations. (12) The Hanged Man: Seek change when unhappy. (13) Death: Allow yourself to mourn the loss of a loved one, a dream, a friendship/relationship (14) Temperance: Pursue tranquility through breathing exercises, yoga, sleep, etc. (15) The Devil: Weigh all options even when overwhelmed with making decisions. (16) The Tower: Help others around you when an unprecedented event occurs. (17) The Star: Allow past negativity to follow once you’ve turned over a new leaf. (18) The Moon: Once you wake up, write down the dreams you just had. (19) The Sun: Read or learn about enlightenment so it can be fully sought. (20) Judgement: How others perceive you, whether accurate or not. (21) The World: Share your experiences and hardships with others to raise awareness. Arrange the cards to your liking.

3. Full Moon Scorpio

If you research the Full Moon Scorpio, you’ll find that many interpret the spread differently. But this isn’t to say that one spread is more accurate than the other. Ultimately, with any spread, it is up to you to decide how many cards to use and what questions will be prompted. We’ve chosen this spread for a couple of reasons. First, on Oct. 31, 2020, it is predicted that a full moon will illuminate the night sky…and second, the astrological sign, Scorpio (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) coincides with Halloween. You can use this spread directly, as a guide or disregard it completely. According to astrologers, the Earth’s gravitational pull, which influences many components in our world, is responsible for your personality, or zodiac sign. So, it is unsurprising that many people believe that a Full Moon can alter your behavior, mood and disposition. To provide some Scorpio-sign insight, the attributes include being curious without limits, trustworthy, devoted, persistent and strategic.

The Tarot Spread:

8 Cards to recognize Scorpio as the eighth astrological sign
5 Questions / Reflections to represent the number of attributes listed
1. How are you balancing various parts of your life?
2. What are your career goals?
3. Do you feel a difference in your mood as the full moon approaches this year?
4. Where do you stand with family members?
5. Reflect on your openness toward others.
Layout: 2 rows, 4 columns

Design the Cards and Spread

Whether the spread you use is original or taken from our suggestions, consider sharing your insight and knowledge with a custom-designed tarot deck. The options are unlimited: Choose and create your own personal designs, card size, number of cards, instructions, booklets or any custom-printed accessories and packaging. Print artwork that caters to the spooky holiday or any style. To spark some creativity, here are some tarot and oracle cards created by our awesome clients.

Oracle Cards by Everyday Magic

Featured deck: Clipart Tarot. Custom-designed packaging and cards.

The Fever Tarot Deck

This deck illustrates a collection of individuals including The Nurturer, The Scientist & The Maker

Shuffled Ink specializes in printing customized playing cards and games as well as tarot & flash cards for business, personal, promotional, advertising, and/or marketing purposes. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk

NINTENDO’S HANAFUDA PLAYING CARDS

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Charles Levin - Art, Artist, Card Collectors, Card Designers, Card Games, Custom Design, Design, Hanafuda, History, Manufacturer, Nintendo, Online Games, Oracle Cards, Playing Card History, Tarot Cards, Tarot Spreads

The Nintendo Company is a dominating force in consumer electronics, but what you may not know is it started out selling handpainted playing cards. Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo Koppai in the late 1800s, manufacturing Hanafuda, also known as flower cards.

Flower Cards

The cards represent the calendar of Old Japan.
12 suits dedicated to each month.
Four cards per suit.
The column on the far right represents the first month. Analyze from the bottom-up; the months are in order from right to left.
Used for gambling purposes and to play the Japanese Flower Game.

The 131-Year History

The Japanese government was against any Western influence, so in the early 17th century, they banned all playing cards and games that symbolized the culture. Yamauchi ended up successfully manufacturing the Japanese-inspired playing cards featured above. He worked around the restrictions by replacing the traditional Western-style suits, court figures and numbers with scenic nature landscapes. But the ban did not last forever. Once repealed on the cusp of the 1900s, Yamauchi established the Nintendo Playing Card Company. He continued to manufacture Hanafuda cards but added European-designed card products to the mix. On top of the tech consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Mario video games, Nintendo still creates playing cards to pay tribute to its roots.

Our Story

No matter what industry you’re in, redefining your products to keep up with the times is perfectly practical. In 1999, Shuffled Ink’s first product was the Super Deck, which came with a map and a deck of cards that included discounts and coupons for attractions, dinner shows, restaurants, shopping and golf & recreation. We marketed this product to Orlando hotels until 2006 when we reconstructed the company’s vision and became a custom game manufacturer. Today, we produce top-quality custom printed playing cards, customized card and board games, personalized tarot and flash cards and more! While Nintendo’s reach is on a larger scale than our family-owned company, the principle remains. Innovation is key.

Create Your Own

The playing card decks we all know and love are custom products, so who’s to say that you can’t create an iconic deck that’s similar to the Hanafuda cards? At Shuffled Ink, we have a vast amount of resources available. Not only is our graphics team by your side throughout the entire design process, but your artwork and colors will remain in its original form when printed onto our well-crafted card stock. Feeling inspired yet? Request a quote and get started on your special card project today! ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

TAROT READINGS IN FILMS

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Charles Levin - Entertainment, Film, Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

Tarot and oracle cards, regardless of how they are presented, add to a film’s narrative in many forms. While we now use these cards for fortune-telling and other mystical services, they were once played as a card game. The Trionfi game rules came from the four tarot suits (Swords, Batons, Coins and Cups) as well as card motifs and themes. But this card game was short-lived once it grew into its magical essence. Tarot decks have reigned in popularity for about six centuries, so it’s not surprising that Hollywood producers would want to weave the Major and Minor Arcana into the storyline. Here are some tarot card readings in movies.

Touch of Evil (1958)

When a card is drawn, the tarot reader connects the card’s meaning to the recipient. This practice, whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, creates a riveting cinematic moment. “Your future’s all used up,” the fortune-teller (Marlene Dietrich) says to the anti-hero in Touch of Evil. There are a few important moments in this scene that must be analyzed. The reading is brief but nonetheless daunting, and the ambiance is shadowed. Every detail, from the psychic’s eerie dialogue to the way the man sloppily disassembles the deck, leaves a pit in the audience’s stomach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=UWtAZwxK5H0&feature=emb_logo

Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965)

Every tarot reader has his/her personal signature. Perhaps it’s the manner that they lay out the cards or how they explain a card’s meaning. In this case, Dr. Terror asks the recipients to tap the cards three times prior to the reading. He uses his tarot cards, which he calls the House of Horrors, to predict the death of five men aboard the train. Upon explaining that the first four tarot cards chosen will predict their destiny, the men are clearly skeptical. While they crack jokes about past experiences with gypsies, Dr. Terror interjects. “The tarot deck is a serious matter. The cards predict the truth, the supernatural truth. Always.” (Reading begins at 5:27. Full movie available below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqW4t4IbNWg

Dead Alive (1992)

It’s unsurprising that horror films and thrillers often feature tarot. The unsettling feeling before a reading does add a nice touch on the big screen. Discussions about one’s future, particularly when it relates to death and misfortune, is anything but delightful. In the film Dead Alive, a young woman is seeking clarity on her love life. An interesting bit to mention is that once the cards are drawn, they take the form of both the woman herself as the Queen of Swords and her future love as the Knight of Swords. But this is nowhere near a fairytale story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuJMbjUSKKI

“The One with the Hypnosis Tape” (1994 to 2004)

To ease the terrifying tarot tension portrayed in the previous films, here’s an episode of Friends that shows Phoebe shuffling and placing tarot cards on the table. Now, she doesn’t actually give a reading during this episode but simply having the cards in the background while Rachel is discussing hypnosis methods for Chandler to stop smoking is enough to draw accurate conclusions. This adds to Phoebe’s spiritual personality and pushes along the narrative that with the presence of tarot cards and the use of a hypnosis tape, Chandler’s bad habit will end. https://youtu.be/MldH09kaSoQ

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

This action and fantasy film, which is based on the first book in the series The Mortal Instruments, uses tarot cards in both a comedic and dramatic way to drive the plot. This reading unlocks the protagonist’s past, which was stolen from her memories. Clearly a non-believer, she reminds the tarot reader that she doesn’t believe in psychic readings. But this wariness soon dissipates. The scene uses tarot as a tool for self-discovery and even implements magic as well, showing the tarot card lift into the woman’s palm without any manipulation. (Reading begins at 18:49. Full movie available below). https://youtu.be/gMyCfg8MZw8

In the Palm of Your Hand

The art of tarot is specific to its creator. No deck is entirely the same, which is why we offer complete customization options. From custom card sizes to your personal artwork, we produce quality tarot cards and related accessories that reflect all of your individual styles and desired preferences. Here’s a look into our process.

Select your own artwork or photography, or use pre-existing images.
Choose from top-quality paper, PVC or plastic card stocks with smooth, linen or matte finishes.
Use your unique card size or shape.
Apply your design to both sides of every card.
Pick the custom-printed packaging (tuck or setup boxes, cases, tins, etc.) that’s right for you.

To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on the custom request a quote form.

Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business specializing in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging, and more for businesses and individuals worldwide. To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk

CONNECTING TAROT & LITERATURE

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Charles Levin - Art, Artist, Client Feature, History, Literature, Novels, Oracle Cards, Poetry, Tarot Cards, Tarot History, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

Stories are told in many ways. Writers use poems and novels; artists put paint on canvases. The history between tarot and literature is prominent and continues to inspire both art forms.

THE OLDEST TAROT DECK

Francesco Petrarca’s series of poems called Trionfi, or Triumphs (1351), mirrors the oldest tarot deck, Visconti di Modrone (15^th century). The poem’s title is featured in the deck with 11 Triumph cards. Whether inspiration stemmed from Petrarca’s anthology is up to interpretation. Nevertheless, there are additional notions that lead many to believe his poetry inspired the earliest tarot designs because of his descriptions on Love, Chastity, Death, Fame, Time and Divinity. The Visconti Tarot collection, available at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University can be found here.

The Fool & Shakespeare

William Shakespeare’s various ‘fools’ characters are suspected to have influenced the tarot card that shares the same name: the Fool. In Shakespeare’s plays, the fool’s role is to entertain while cleverly commenting on the drama. In other words, this sensible character acknowledges nonsensical life events. With tarot, this card emulates the journey through life. The number 0 on the card reveals the unlimited potential to travel either to the beginning or end of the Major Arcana. The Fool’s spontaneous life experiences create a wise and free soul.

TAROT IN LITERATURE

Allegorical tarot figures often appear in literary pieces and vice versa. There are quite a few poets and writers who assemble their story’s theme(s) and characters based on tarot card meanings. William Butler Yeats, an Irish poet and avid tarot reader, was a member of an occult society called Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Yeats deliberately tied tarot imagery into his poems like Blood and the Moon and The Fool by the Roadside.

Blood and the Moon:

The Moon tarot revolves around illusion. The card’s artwork depicts a moon that sits in between two towers. This describes a misunderstanding or the inability to accept the truth. Yeat’s poem references the moon’s innocence and how it cannot be stained by blood: The purity of the unclouded moon Has hung its arrowy shaft upon the floor. Seven centuries have passed and it is pure, The blood of innocence has left no stain The Tower tarot often symbolizes danger, crisis, unanticipated change and liberation. It is believed that in this poem, the tower symbolizes Yeats himself: I declare this tower is my symbol; I declare This winding, gyring, siring treadmill of a star is my ancestral stair

The Fool by the Roadside:

Fool by the Riverside is brief and follows the rhyme scheme AABCCB, which is categorized as simple, juvenile, and in a way, foolish. In this poem, the Fool believes that life can spool backward and forward. This strongly relates to the Fool tarot card, which can appear either at the beginning or end of a deck. It is clear that both Yeat’s character and the tarot symbol are similar in the sense that they can exist in any direction or environment. When all works that have From cradle run to grave From grave to cradle run instead; When thoughts that a fool Has wound upon a spool Are but loose thread, are but loose thread; When cradle and spool are past And I mere shade at last Coagulate of stuff Transparent like the wind, I think that I may find A faithful love, a faithful love. W.B. Yeats is one of the most influential tarot poetry writers. He sought to implement allegorical imagery in a subtle way. This is because his involvement in Golden Dawn was a secret and exposing the organization and its members were strictly not in the cards.

The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot

While a poet may intentionally create specific themes, concepts and imagery, most of the time the poem’s deeper meaning and overall analysis fall on the reader to interpret. That is the beauty of literature; we speculate and dissect a piece until it makes sense to us. For example, in the poem “The Waste Land,” some believe that the drowned Phoenician Sailor is a reference to the Ten of Swords card and the Lady of the Rocks is the Queen of Cups. But the more obvious tarot indications by Eliot are the mention of The Hanged Man and the Wheel (The Wheel of Fortune).

The Connection

There are various ways to read poetry, but the basics include identifying the narrator and the tone as well as interpreting the deeper picture and overall theme. While reading poetry, you discover themes, understand the basic text and find a deeper meaning. Tarot cards have visuals, symbols and meanings presented to you. Both tarot and literature require you to interpret beyond what you are given. You are urged to find connections amid the metaphors, images, text, archetypes and more. Their similarities allow you to use one art form, like poetry to better understand the other: tarot.

Caos del Triperiuno

Among the first writers to feature tarot in poetry was Teofilo Folengo. In 1527, he wrote a poem called Caos del Triperiuno. The poem itself revolves around a poet who accompanies four people into a room where they each choose a fate-related tarot card. The poet then writes a poem that connects the person to the tarot card drawn. Tarot Cards Featured in Folengo’s Poem:

The 22 Major Arcana, or trump cards: The Fool (0), The Magician (I), The High Priestess (II), The Empress (III), The Emperor (IV), The Hierophant (V), The Lovers (VI), The Chariot (VII), Strength (VIII), The Hermit (IX), Wheel of Fortune (X), Justice (XI), The Hanged Man (XII), Death (XIII), Temperance (XIV), The Devil (XV), The Tower (XVI), The Star (XVII), The Moon (XVIII), The Sun (XIX), Judgement (XX), The World (XXI)
Major Arcana Meaning: A tarot reading with these cards use one’s soul to explore their long-lasting life changes.

The Breakdown:

Mary K. Greer, writer and professional tarot consultant, labeled each tarot card mentioned in Folengo’s poem: Love, under whose Empire many deeds (VI; IV) go without Time and without Fortune, (IX; X) saw Death, ugly and dark, on a Chariot, (XIII; VII) going among the people it took away from the World. (XXI) She asked: “No Pope nor Papesse was ever won (V; II) by you. Do you call this Justice?” (XI) He answered: “He who made the Sun and the Moon (XIX; XVIII) defended them from my Strength. (VIII) “What a Fool I am,” said love, “my Fire, (O; XVI) That can appear as an Angel or as a Devil (XX; XV) can be Tempered by some others who live under my Star. (XIV; XVII) You are the Empress of bodies. But you cannot kill hearts, (III) you only Suspend them. You have a name of high Fame, (XII) but you are nothing but a Trickster.” (I)

Judgment & Devil

Now, here is my insight into a couple of the tarot card meanings that are included in the poem above: That can appear as an Angel or as a Devil (XX; XV) The Judgement tarot card’s keyword is crossroads has always reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken. Here’s an excerpt from the 1915 piece: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. At the end of Frost’s poem, the speaker has realized that both paths cannot be taken. The Judgement tarot card advises that a decision must be made. The message encourages you to not allow anything to hold you back; you should release the parts of you that are unnecessary and untrue. In Folengo’s poem, the speaker is struggling with good and evil, where he/she transitions between both expressions transparently. Eventually, the speaker must decide if they will follow a light path or the dark one. This is a difficult choice being that the Devil card embodies entrapment and illusion. The only way to break free is to remember who your true self is, which brings us full circle in seeking guidance from the Judgement card.

Temperance & Star

can be Tempered by some others who live under my Star (XIV; XVII) The following sentence uses the Temperance card to reassure that although the choice between acting as an angel or a devil is difficult, you will find peace and balance through the people who love and care about your soul. This reveals that you need assistance from the people who you trust. Your life will transform as well as those who follow close to you. After all, our life decisions impact every single person in our circle or Star.

The Empress, The Hanging Man & The Magician

You are the Empress of bodies. But you cannot kill hearts, (III) you only Suspend them. You have a name of high Fame, (XII) but you are nothing but a Trickster.” (I) The Empress tarot card connects you to the natural world. Our soul consists of the Empress’ teachings and strength, but our self-expression is not always filled with positivity. The connecting theme throughout this poem is Love and Death, where Death has control over suspending the physical body (The Hanging Man card), but Love can never die. The speaker refers to Death as a Trickster or a fraud. This embodies the Magician tarot card, which manifests dreams and magic into one’s reality.

Tarot Poetry

Poetry and tarot have leaned on one another to further develop their respective craft. Without poetry, the modern tarot cards we use today may look completely different, or perhaps not exist at all. And without tarot, literary storylines, themes and characters would lack allegorical symbols and meanings. After all, when we allow art to inspire art, we gain access to groundbreaking work. Here are some of our clients’ custom tarot card designs, equipped with personalized designs, number of cards, instructions and more.

The Spiritful Tarot deck is complete with 78 custom-designed cards, an instructions booklet and a two-part box.

This nature-themed deck follows the conventional Tarot layout. Featured above are the King of Pentacles and the Page of Pentacles.

The Dark Exact Tarot deck — Illustrated and designed by Coleman Stevenson. The cards above are the Fool, the Magician and The High Priestess.

Postcards From the Liminal Space guides, comforts and aids on your journey through life.

The Vulture Tarot is a vibrant deck that radiates spooky vibes.

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAROT CARDS AND ORACLE CARDS

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Charles Levin - Art, Artist, Card Designers, Client Feature, Custom Design, Custom Gifts, Design, History, Oracle Cards, Tarot and Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot History, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

At Shuffled Ink, we manufacture both Tarot and Oracle cards. The designs and creative interpretations of these allegorical cards stem from our client’s profound vision. And as Halloween creeps just around the corner, “spooky” season begins to settle in. Naturally, personalized tarot and oracle cards go hand-in-hand during October. Whether you visit a fortuneteller for a card reading or read the cards yourself, have you ever wondered the difference between Tarot and Oracle cards?

What sets a Tarot deck apart from an Oracle deck?

When you create a Tarot card deck, you are following a standard structure: a set of 78 cards that follow the Major and Minor Arcana. The deck consists of 22 cards following the Major Arcana and 56 cards represent the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana portrays picture cards, numbered 0-21. These cards depict the realm of the material world, intuitive mind and change. Some of the titles given to each picture card include ‘The Fool (0),’ ‘The Magician (1),’ ‘The High Priestess (2)’, etc.

The Minor Arcana are issued into four groups with 14 cards in each: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Unlike the Major Arcana, the Minor represents your daily-life happenings.

Custom Tarot Cards

Oracle cards differ from Tarot cards because they do not follow a straight and narrow arrangement. Someone who customizes their own oracle deck of cards can create their own rules: how many cards go in the deck, the shape of the deck, the card’s images and meanings, the purpose of the deck. While you customize your oracle deck, you are also customizing your own theme. Oracle decks typically come with an interpretation booklet. This allows the reader to understand the images and words that you have created. When it comes to choosing whether you want to create a Tarot or Oracle deck, it’s all about preference. If you enjoy a preset structure to meet your creative needs, then Tarot Cards are the way to go. But if you would rather start from scratch and draw on your own rules and images, then the Oracle deck is a better route to pursue.

A Foreseeable Future

Shuffled Ink guarantees a foreseeable future for your custom printed Tarot card and Oracle card designs. Every single client adds their own personal and unique touch to their Tarot cards. With differing messages, visuals, colors and designs, it’s a treat to see your customized vision. Here are some finished personalized Tarot and Oracle cards we’ve printed. Perhaps, these varying designs will inspire you to create some of your own!

Personalized: Magickal Tools, Candles, Chakras

Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business specializing in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging, and more for businesses and individuals worldwide. To receive complimentary samples of our tarot-card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Flash Cards at: ShuffledInk

MORGAN STEWART’S TAROT CARD READING: REBEL DECK

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Charles Levin - Client Feature, Oracle Cards, Press Release, Rebel Deck, Tarot and Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot History, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

https://youtu.be/wQcKUYA-I6o

We are extremely excited that E! Online featured one of our favorite clients’ Rebel Deck on Necessary Realness with Morgan Stewart! Shuffled Ink is honored to have been working with Shannon Gomez, the creator and founder of the Rebel Deck, from day one of her incredible Rebel journey. We are so proud of the partnership we have established and her amazing success! Check out her story and all of her awesome products! Also, be sure to follow her on social media: Instagram: @rebeldeck // Facebook: REBEL DECK Cards ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk

REVEAL YOUR INNER SELF THROUGH TAROT CARDS

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Charles Levin - Self-Care, Tarot and Oracle Cards, Tarot Cards, Tarot History, Tarot Readings, Tarot Spreads

This is a guest post from the wonderful Jane Sandwood.

A tarot card reading can really help us to understand who we truly are inside. 79% of people found that this level of self-exploration gave them a sense of wellbeing, and in turn improved their mental health. Tarot can reveal so much about the decisions we make in life, pushing us on the path towards a successful future.

Having this insight into our inner self means that we can be completely true to our feelings. It helps us to connect to the world around us on a spiritual level, and be happy and contented. So what can tarot cards teach us about ourselves?

THE PAST

Using a classic, three card reading, the first card is representative of the past. The past is something that we can learn from, and in turn, it helps us to grow and mature. Even painful experiences shape the perspective and outlook that we have. When you turn over a card that represents your past, you should use it as an opportunity to address any unresolved feelings that you have. Memory is a powerful thing, it can be unhealthy to repress memories. Learning to move forward from your past is better for your mental health.

THE PRESENT

With the busy lives that we lead, sometimes it can be difficult to see the wood from the trees. Perhaps you might be unhappy about your job, but find it tricky to pinpoint why you should make a change. Or perhaps you want to move your relationship to the next level. The tarot card that represents the present can help you to pinpoint the current issues in your life, and work out what to do. Making pertinent changes to the present will help you to have a better future.

THE FUTURE

The tarot card that represents the future is all about your dreams and aspirations. It can teach you about what you really want in life, and how you can achieve it. You should be asking yourself where you want to be in six months, a year, or even ten years time. How can you make these dreams a reality? It is only by understanding ourselves that we can learn what we want. This means both spiritually, and in terms of financial or personal goals.

Tarot cards can teach us so much about the type of person we are, and who we want to become. We can use this knowledge to move forward and be true to ourselves.

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk