July 23rd 2018:
I'm embarking on a 22-week journey to complete the 22 Major Arcana cards of my deck which is as of right now entitled "The Abstract Tarot."
The intention of my deck is to interpret each of the cards visually through my abstract and geometric illustration style and emphasize the essence and core symbolism and emotion behind each card. The idea is that without the highly detailed and figurative images to lean on, you can create interpretations of each of the archetypes and messages of the tarot in a brand new way. I am leaning heavily on the symbolism as it relates to the kabbala because it is more closely tied to my ancestry (being an American Jew.)
Last week, I was focused on designing the High Priestess card of the deck. This is hands down one of my absolute favorite cards. As a water dominant person I really connect to the High Priestess' ability to see beyond the veil of illusion and command and guard the the secrets of the unknown.
Since the High Priestess is the gatekeeper to the unknown...for my design I really wanted to incorporate the idea of a gateway...the journey of traveling from our physical reality into the Great Mystery which is what I chose to rename the card as well.
I love the symbolism of the moons as well as the pomegranates which show up as a pattern behind the figure in the Rider Waite deck. I am not sure if this will be the final treatment of the 2 pomegranates you see present in the design...I may expand on it further...but I resonate deeply with the overall direction of the visuals.
I am also still working out how I will color the final designs. I have been playing around with watercolor...but I am not 100% sure this is the direction I want to go in. The back of the card design and border are also temporary...as we move through the meditations of each of the cards you may see these shift as well. I am playing around with different ideas for the backs of the cards and the typographic details and will share updates as they become more refine.
What do you think!? Do you resonate with this interpretation of the Fool Card? If you are interested in following along on my Tarot deck creation journey...like and follow my deck's Facebook Page and on Instagram!
AND...if you are interested in receiving intuitive and branding related offers, messages, guidance and magic from me in the future, become a member of the BADASS list!
Bye for now!
Love,
Rachel