Promises, Part 1

Two decks . . .

Last time, I committed to keeping some content promises—

Today, I’ve sent Promise 1 (the Rachel Notes) in a separate email. If you didn’t receive it, you can access the post here on EP.

Now for Promise 5, highlighting two very different decks. Different from one another—and also quite different from most other decks . . .

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The American Renaissance Tarot

I came across this unusual deck while doing research for the Arthur Corwin story (coming soon!), possibly through an indirect connection with baseball history. American Renaissance is derived from the creator’s study of occultism in American history, as related to literary and cultural developments.

If that sounds like a complex premise—well, it is. And creator Thea Wirsching has put a great deal of thought, research, and imagination into constructing a Tarot that links every card with noteworthy 19th-century authors and works. Artist Celeste Pille renders the deck in a style that fits the period very well.

That’s Ralph Waldo Emerson as Magician, Emily Dickinson as Priestess, Henry David Thoreau as Hermit, and Lydia Marie Childe as Strength. (Childe was an opponent of slavery, as well as a crusader for the rights of women and Native Americans.)

Here are all of Wirsching’s choices for the Major Arcana:

Her treatment of the Minor Arcana is equally inventive. For example, the suit of Swords is devoted to Edgar Allen Poe, Melville’s Moby Dick dominates the suit of Wands, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work is featured in Cups. Black authors and the literature of slavery are found in the suit of Coins.

If you are even remotely interested in American history and literature—or would like to know more about these subjects—I think this deck (and the companion book) would be of great interest. You can find out more on Wirsching’s website.

There is also a long essay on her blog, addressing concerns that have apparently been raised about various aspects of the project. It’s very illuminating.

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The Linestrider Tarot

Siolo Thompson’s diaphanous Linestrider deck is at the opposite end of almost any spectrum from the American Renaissance Tarot. Publisher Llewellyn describes it this way:

Spun with soft strokes of vibrant color and intricate detail, The Linestrider Tarot features gentle yet evocative images that dance on the edge between magic and logic. With grace and innovation, Siolo Thompson's captivating minimalist art will enhance your readings in powerful and profound ways.

Linestriding is about walking in two worlds—one foot in each to discover guidance. Drawing inspiration from the edge while still moving forward on the Fool's journey, this Rider-Waite-Smith-based deck helps uncover the answers you seek about health, love, career, and much more.

I’ve had this deck on my list of EP candidates for quite a while, but to be honest . . . I couldn’t think of anything substantive to say about it. It’s just visually striking.

About half of the card images are human figures, while half are animals. The rest of each card is white space.

The deck is also available in a mini version.

You can find reviews and flip-throughs online—and if you like Thompson’s style you’re in luck, since her other works include the Otherkin Tarot and the Winterseer Animal Oracle.

My own favorite Linestrider card is the sublimely ambiguous Fool . . .

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This weekend, another Promise kept—and a provocative AI update. C