The AAAAAAAA | Hand-Embroidery + Watercolor (wall decor)
Artist: RebordacaoEmbroidery
The AAAAAAAA:
Sometimes reality stops making sense and the only fitting response is a long, uninterrupted: AAAAAAAA!
No deeper meaning, no lesson to learn, just the correct emotional output at maximum volume until it passes!
Three months ago, I did a reading for someone who was looking for temporary work while relocating and asked me about their options. I pulled the Page of Pentacles, and my first interpretation was something like "starting a new, entry-level job, somewhere maybe in a food-related industry", mostly because, in that moment, the pentacle looked weirdly like a bun to me. Along with literal meanings, I always use my intuition. If it looks like a pastry, I will say it :)
Well, update: they just got back in touch, and it turns out they’ve been working as a postman!
Honestly, it felt like such a good reminder of how literal tarot can be sometimes: Pages = messengers, news, deliveries, Pentacles = physical, tangible things, Page of Pentacles = delivering physical items.
I love when a card comes through in a way that’s almost too on-the-nose. Maybe over time, I started looking at non-obvious meanings more just to prove that I have a lot of experience? (question to reflect on).
Has anyone else had a card manifest in a super literal way like this?
These drawers I found are practically tailor made for tarot cards. At 11x14cm per bin, they fit standard size tarot decks perfectly with extra room for boxes, oversized cards, pouches, etc. The bins come out all the way so you can take them out and put them on a table.
Also the drawers fit in an Ikea Kallax cube almost perfectly.
It's a fascinating deck, though the style is not to my taste. It's quite dark and sinister in places!
The chief 'selling point' is the clever way that the art flows across the cards when two sympathetic cards are drawn together, creating an additional depth of meaning. These are indicated by doodles on the border that join up with other cards.
I found the cards to be a little too literal in some cases (eg. a visitor, a kiss, a small party, accident in the street etc), and many to be completely different meanings to the more standard RW framework.
It's thought that the artist may have used this as a practice deck which is why the meanings are literally written on the cards, and I can imagine it being quite a unique foundation to build on if you started with this deck. I fear that I'm too set in my ways to find it useful, but I enjoyed perusing it!
I have heard several things about your first Tarot Deck. things like "it has to be a gift" or "it has to be insert whatever superstition you want" or "you can't buy it" "it finds you" ect ect.
I was in a class that spoke about Tarot recently and the Rider Waite Deck was "calling" to me. The images just struck me in such a way as to think "I want that".
While digging through some old books in a library, I came across a R/W Tarot Deck In its complete entirety that still has the original "here's how to use Tarot" insert in the box. it was also alongside 2 or 3 old Russian Cyrillic books of Magic, one white magic and the other black magic. Would it be wrong to think that Tarot Deck "called me" to it and that I should have it?
I Recreated the Thoth Tarot by Hand - As Actual Cards, Not Just Illustrations.
Do you use the Thoth Tarot?
Most people know the classic deck illustrated by Frieda Harris. It’s iconic, but also often described as complex, dense, and overloaded with symbolism. Many readers are drawn to it, but not everyone finds it easy to work with.
There are other interpretations inspired by Crowley’s Book of Thoth, but they’re relatively rare. Which makes me wonder:
- Why do you personally choose the Thoth deck?
- Have you ever looked for alternative versions that stay closer to the book itself?
- Have you ever thought about creating your own?
That’s exactly what I decided to do.
I wanted to study Crowley’s system not just by reading, but by reconstructing it - card by card, directly from the source material.
At the same time, it’s impossible to ignore the influence of Frieda Harris. Her images are deeply embedded in how we imagine the Thoth system. But historically, those were paintings - exhibited as artworks, not originally used as practical cards.
Crowley himself wasn’t working with a finished “deck” in the way we do today.
So I approached it differently.
I created a version of the Thoth Tarot as functional cards from the beginning - drawn by hand, with the intention that they are used, handled, read, and tested in practice.
Not just illustrations - but working tools.
I’m curious:
- Do you use the Thoth Tarot regularly?
- Do you find it intuitive or difficult to read?
- Would you be interested in alternative visual interpretations of the system?
- Or do you feel the original Harris deck is irreplaceable?
I just got into tarot maybe three weeks ago and bought my first deck. Today I decided to buy selenite and amethyst crystals for us and decided to ask my deck if they liked the crystals I bought .
This is how I read it:
So I pulled wheel of fortune, hanged man , and eight of wands, and bottom deck six of swords!
So I see the wheel turning from being stuck or stagnant with the hanged man to movement with the eight of wands (maybe the energies feeling like this?) and the six of swords bottom of deck, as moving from choppy waters (intuition/energy) to clear waters.
And then I felt like looking under the six of swords and it was the ace of swords with a new beginning with clear communication coming through.
Three weeks in and I feel like I’m getting the hanged of this now and love building the relationship with my deck ❤️
I was thinking about this the other night. I couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about so many things, and one thought pulled another and I just needed some rest. Then I started to think about which Tarot card I could focus on to have my mind clear. The 4 of swords was the one. I slept at some point after that \o/
What do you think? Which card is the one card that tells you to take a break of all your thoughts?
I have a modest collection of decks and I've learned that my favourites are RWS clones with a touch of diversity that I can see myself in. Here are some photos from a few of my favourite decks!
Top row: Pixie Pop Tarot (indie)
Middle row: The Original Tarot
Bottom row: The Weiser Tarot
Going on 27 months of NC. I blocked all my parents' numbers and emails from the get-go, so I only get the occasional voicemail or guilt gift (which is usually regifted trash). The voicemails stopped in 2024, though, so this one was pretty unexpected.
She didn’t say for what. Taxes? Can’t be for my siblings, because I imagine it’d sound more urgent and would be more clear if it was an emergency. It can’t be for any genuine attempt at a conversation—even if it is in her mind—because she sounded like she had a gun against her head to make the phone call lol.
Hey, Historical-Care. This is your mom. Give me a call when you get a chance. Bye. Pissed-sounding, short, and weird. Lol.
Why did my mom call me?
Page of Swords — Not only is it reversed, but it's a Page. Immature communication. A desire to guilt trip, manipulate? Not the most mature intentions.
Four of Pentacles — Might be something money related.
Three of Cups — She's feeling lonely.
Overall, at the heart of her emotions is feeling stubbornness at our NC, but reaching out to communicate immaturely and out of a lack of community.
I've been editing a documentary for over a year. I have difficulty finishing things—I tend towards ideas because of their speed, materialization can weigh on me—but the stakes are kind of high personally...this will be my first artwork in 3 years, the first thing I am broadcasting out into the universe after a long break brought on by a healing journey, and it's my return to both a process and a subject matter I hold dear to my heart. I've made a lot of sacrifices in terms of time money energy, have poured so much into it already. I had decided the film is done in March aside from sound, which can change a lot, and have been working on getting it to the colorist, sound mixer, etc. But after recently seeing some excellent video works from friends I admire, and having conversations with them (not directly about my work, but about art in general), I am not so sure. Am I just fed up with it? Instead of it actually being done/worth showing? I rewatched the doc with refreshed eyes last night, and while I see potential, I also see restraint, maybe some fake cheerfulness, room for there to be more layering, complexity, tension, emotion, guts. I've spent so long, and been so disciplined, about creating this careful structure, but it might not be enough. I'm worried about having rushed into "getting it out there" before it's ready, but I am also so over the little bubble I've created that has allowed me to get as far in the process as I have, and am feeling trapped, slow, anxious about whether I have what it takes to get it to a worthy place, if I have anything left to give that will make it transcendent. So I asked the cards in a general way about my film, throwing a bunch of related questions at it to create a question soup anchored by the large question of the film. I often do situation/advice/outcome in three card readings (I also always read the base cards, which you see below the main pull), or if yes/situation/if no, past/present/future, but I just wanted an overall picture (I love using tarot to create a scene, like a painting, that can be interpreted in a similar fashion) so didn't determine anything like card position meaning in advance.
I've been getting the two of disks in relation to changing fertility, so I know it can mean darkening, loss, not gain, but I'm tempted to see it here as "you had a starting point, you've twisted your material into this other shape [into a binaristic shape? I hope not], you've made two from 0," especially with the ace underneath suggesting a movement forward, 1 to 2. It's still wholeness but in these separated, artificially opposed pockets. I have made something from that with which I began...but these are low numbers too, early on in a journey of some kind.
Some context that the Thoth Queen of Cups has haunted me for some time. I don't have any main astrological placements that tie me to her, but I've been grappling with her as a kind of significator as I've been grappling with sharing trauma, from before I knew there was something I needed to share, to now (she may have helped me figure that out, amongst other things like therapy and friends). I associate her with emotional repression. 10 of cups saying I you are done being placid, done with nice facade that covers your invisible true feelings. Exhaustion generally (which is so so true), out of the sauce, the water, the juice. Obviously I have a fear that that means I don't have the flow at all in my calling, but hopefully it's more specific to this moment/piece, that I'm done with that version of me/the film, that I don't have the energy left to create that perfect picture (taken two ways)...and maybe I shouldn't. There's nothing flowing but light down from the dry cups to feed her waters.
I'm tempted to read this as advice but it could be something else, the passive why. There's also a clear mirroring happening between 2 and 3. Maybe fucking it up, painting with bold brushstrokes over what I've created, not being too precious about keeping it will lead to a progression that seems minor, barely perceptible to the distracted, unfocused eye (red on top, blue on bottom) but is in fact major, moving from tired, repressed princess, to a higher power, a higher register, a powerfully destructive, mysterious but all-knowing non-gendered goddess. I see the eye in the tower as a kind of editor's eye, looking at what's been built and tearing it down, but not for nothing—rather to reveal deep inner knowledge. The fire isn't just directed at the tower, it's directed at the satiety, the tower of cups to left of the tower. Fuck my complacency, knock it over. Maybe I'm being too optimistic in the face of the violence of the tower, but I'm reading it as that I don't have to destroy everything I've built—it's just introducing more chaos, the rage I and the world feels, etc. into what's already there.
So my question for anyone who takes the time to view this is if you think I'm right in my kind of softer interpretation of the appearance of the tower card, or if I I'm being delusional and I will have to tear it all down. I'm also wondering about the necessity of a break in all this. 10 of cups is suggesting I'm at my wits' end, but the suddenness of the tower next to it is kind of making me feel like it's a shift, it's a breaking point, not an invitation to set it aside for a while but to be active in tearing at it. Thank you to anyone who responds!
I completed a big house move recently but it's worth noting two things. First I'm not really out of boxes or settled yet, and secondly I have ADHD.
I tend to be seventeen steps ahead mentally, always.
I asked about what is next for creative or professional projects now the long awaited move has happened. "What's next?" essentially.
answer.... "Cool your damn boots."
So I know this is insane. My boyfriend has a “friend” that he has pushed boundaries with and we are in a state of trying to move forward. (We’re in couples therapy)
I wanted to know what he’s feeling currently about it. This is what I think:
He’s feeling the weight of his actions and they’re looming over him but he’s not willing to make a change right now. He knows he needs to make a decision but is dancing around that fact.
Thoughts?
I’m curious if anyone else feels this way or if it’s just me…
I’ve watched Tyler’s Tarot for a while, and I can’t deny that a lot of his readings are incredibly accurate. But at the same time, something about the overall energy feels off to me.
There are moments where the focus on money and success feels a little excessive, and some of the live interaction where he’s flaunting his home and material things are awkward and embarrassing. Also when people ask questions, he will go on these odd tirades which come across as really harsh. At times, it even feels a bit misogynistic, which makes it hard to stay engaged.
I’m not here to bash anyone, just trying to understand if others have picked up on this too. Can someone be gifted at reading energy but still feel misaligned in other ways?
Would love to hear your thoughts 🤍
Do your decks have a tendency to show and/or describe in a LITERAL way through imagery or keywords, OR do your decks tend to reveal information in a figurative or metaphorical way?
In my experience, the original RWS can communicate in both ways, and leans a little more towards figurative or archetypal imagery. This is probably because of the older, medieval imagery and the pretty esoteric scenes in some cards being more or less impossible for the average person to "literally" experience, i.e. Judgment.
I would think that if a deck is Marseilles-based or pipish, that this theory of mine probably would not apply. But if you can provide an example of a pip deck communicating through LITERAL imagery, do say so!
But for a few other examples I've encountered in my time reading:
Urban Tarot by Robin Scott always is LITERAL. (The Urban Tarot is a hybrid of RWS and Thoth but retains full illustrations across all 78 cards.) The imagery will be reflected in my daily life if I pulled it as a daily card. If I'm reading on a past event, it shows what actually happened. Even the Thoth keywords will show up in a LITERAL way.
Little Sister Tarot by Ginny Thonson (a RWS clone) is very similar to the original RWS, but tends to describe in a LITERAL way through imagery.
Wild Unknown by Kim Krans (RWS & Thoth hybrid, quite pipish) is reads as LITERAL for me despite featuring only animals and no modern human scenerios. I may have to search a little harder, but it seems to communicate in a way that is usually more LITERAL than figurative.
Game of Thrones tarot (RWS clone) reads FIGURATIVELY. It does not communicate directly, but tends to be far more loose and uses the cards to convey information in more archetypal or metaphoric way. It does not get literal. Reading between the lines is necessary for this one.
has he been thinking about me today? 7 of wands, the hierophant, and temperance
Yes he has but likely not in a light way. He may be thinking about me but wanting to maintain his space and boundaries (7 of wands). He may also be thinking about me in a more serious and committed way with the hierophant. And temperance shows him feeling balanced at peace in those thoughts.
His thoughts about me today. The magician, Queen of cups, and nine of pentacles
He is likely thinking about something he wants to happen with us and it may be something romantic or loving (the magician and Queen of cups). And nine of pentacles comes out a lot in his thoughts for me. I believe it could mean that he sees me as someone who is confident and doesn’t need him
I have a friend who carries a deck with her always. We are together a lot so she always has me pull cards. For the last dozen or so pulls, I have gotten the Staves card (she says it's also called Wands). It is not always upright. She says I am dealing with keeping something quiet or making a change. Can someone elaborate? I'm not sure I'm understanding correctly. I feel like the universe is really trying to tell me something and I am missing it. The coincidence of pulling it a dozen time in a row can't be, well, a coincidence!
hi all! I got this cute cat deck (by Megan Lynn Kott) and I wanted to give it a try!!
i was feeling bit depressed (have been diagnosed as such and under treatment) but I want to know what these cats think of me :))
I only took one card pull to make it easier, then pull a clarifier since I had a question to it.
on my first card, I asked why am I depressed and it gave me Knight of Wand. My interpretation is that I am someone who is high spirited but since the wand is fire element I tend to burn quickly. So I need to find balance and think through of what I actually want.
Then I asked for a clarifier, "what small/easy step can I do to fix it?" It gave me rx of four of wands. I am not really sure about it honestly. I've read the interpretations online but I don't really relate to them. What I think possibly is to reorganise my things at home and have better habit? I don't particularly have tensions with people at work or family or friends at the moment so not sure why 4 of wands popped out.
any feedback is welcome! thanks in advance :) ♡
And I don't think it's reading my energy. Despite what my parents believe, I've stopped being angry with them a long time ago. I still have deep love for them, but my conscious, day-to-day feelings are indifference and relief as I continue to heal away from them.
Whenever I do a read about my parents' feelings — how they feel about our estrangement, how they feel about me currently, why they think I did this or that, why they made this choice or that one — among other cards, Five of Swords comes out almost all the time.
Now I want to learn more about this card. I think 5 of Swords being so closely connected to my parents' energy is them indulging in mind games, fruitless battles, anger and bitterness, but it's all internal, because they don't have access to me to turn those inner battles into something external like the 5 of Wands.
What else should I know about this card in context of my parents and our estrangement?