So, a few weeks back, I saw that Hit Point Press had announced that their Animated Tarot Deck would soon be available. I remembered it from when it was on Kickstarter, a year or two back. I got a few of their lenticular animated spell cards along with the Humblewood 5e campaign set four or so years ago. They were pretty neat so I thought I’d backed the tarot campaign, but I checked my Kickstarter account, and it wasn’t on the list. Drat.
So late last night, I got an email saying that my deck had shipped and was en route. Woot! I must have been feeling flush with cash back at the start of COVID when I backed it, because I got the deluxe edition, and a reading mat. I wasn’t feeling too rich, I guess, since I didn’t spring for the boxed set.
There are also what I assume are tier rewards, a few pins of things in the deck.
I’m fairly sure that the deck I the one now listed on their website as the Fablemaker’s Tarot is the one I‘m getting. Can’t be sure till it gets here from Ottowa, Canada in a few days. I can’t wait for it to arrive. Thanks, Hit Point Press!
Didn't get to watch CR last night so I'm catching up now, and wow, gotta say, I love seeing ads for the Hitpoint Press cards I backed on Kickstarter that were supposed to be delivered *checks calendar* a year ago.
A while back I said I wanted to make a set of original tarot cards, but the first attempt was not so great... So here's a second attempt, with animation :D
Got my first tarot deck from Hit Point Press/The Deck of Many, the Animated Tarot, and oh BOY is it gorgeous. I'm not a really woo-woo, sage burning, witchy type, though I do like crystals (because ooh shiny), am vaguely spiritual, and enjoy fantasy media. Mainly I just wanted something pretty and cool to display and admire. But I figured I should give the actual practice of tarot reading a shot and did a "get to know you" draw for this deck. It was a pleasant, amusing exercise.
I put on some ambient music (Morning Vibes by Blue Turtle, if you must know), popped open a candle (Stonemoss Chapel, by Cantrip Candles), and asked the following questions (as recommended by The Little Red Tarot's post on the Interview spread).
What is your most important characteristic?
What are your strengths?
What are your limits?
What are you here to teach me?
How can I best learn from or collaborate with you?
What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?
Below is the result, reading left to right, top to bottom. (Close ups under the cut, and video to show off the animation at the end of the post!)
What is your most important characteristic?
Answer: the Queen of Coins
Card Description
A black woman sits on a golden throne, wearing a long green dress and holding a spinning golden coin in her hands. Her throne, dress, and crown are all adorned with leafy vine and flower patterns, and a tree branch bearing a pair of ripe, red fruits hangs over her head. In the background, a verdant landscape rolls away to the horizon, cut by a wandering river. At the woman's feet, more vines and flowers are growing, and a white rabbit hops in and out of view.
Interpretation
I think this deck wants to be a nurturing guide, and a generous spirit in terms of the material (Coins are the suit that represent material things, and the element of earth). I'm glad that it seems happy to be what I initially wanted it to be, a beautiful, tangible display of art, quietly inspiring and content to just *~be~*.
The little white rabbit appearing and disappearing might be the deck's cheeky way of saying it might also be a good luck charm.
What are your strengths?
Answer: Justice
Card Description
A woman with medium brown skin stands perfectly still on a polished stone floor between two white pillars. She wears a golden crown on her head and holds a sword, pointed upwards, in one hand, and a set of balanced scales in the other. Her long red robes, and loose brown hair wave gently in the breeze. Her face is serene and her eyes are closed. Behind her, a gauzy lilac curtain also flutters in the wind.
Interpretation
The deck's strength lies in telling the truth, in honestly, and fairness. (An encouraging thought!) It won't hesitate to call out bias, and will hopefully help keep me honest with myself as well. Maybe it also seeks to do the practice justice as well? Since this is my first tarot deck, it would make sense for it to prioritize giving a fair representation of what tarot reading is. Or it might be asking me to give tarot reading a fair shake.
What are your limits?
Answer: Three of Coins
Card Description
Three black people stand in front of a large, stained-glass window, with three spinning golden coins floating in front of it. One of the people, a woman in a headscarf, holds a sheaf of papers in her hands, while another one holds a hammer. The third stands beside the woman. All three appear to be participating in a friendly, cooperative conversation. Green, leafy vines grow upwards along the edges of the card.
Interpretation
It seems this deck's weakness is in working together or cooperation. Perhaps this card means to point out the solitary tendency of tarot? Or is it saying that it is a deck more suited to my personal readings, instead of readings for others? I don't imagine I'll ever read for another person in their presence (though maybe I'll ask questions on their behalf). Maybe it's just the jealous type, and doesn't want to be shared or share my affections.
What are you here to teach me?
Answer: Two of Chalices
Card Description
A man in a blue coat and woman in a yellow dress and red headscarf face each other, exchanging two cups of sparkling liquid. Beyond them, the sun rises above rolling green hills. A winged, golden lion's head and a caduceus float above and between the couple.
Interpretation
Hmm, I think this deck is here to teach me about new relationships, specifically between itself and me, and me and the practice of tarot reading. Chalices are the suit of water and emotions, and the exchange of the the two cups symbolizes a promise made, and the establishment of respect. I can get behind this!
How can I best learn from or collaborate with you?
Answer: The Sun
Card Description
A pure white horse gently nuzzles the tiny blonde-haired baby riding on its back. Behind them, four huge sunflowers sway in the breeze, while the enormous golden sun shines down, bathing the entire scene in its warm glow.
Interpretation
It seems like I should approach the deck and this practice with optimism and enthusiastic energy, which certainly being made easier by this reading. I'll achieve the best results by having an open mind about this whole thing. Perhaps, since this card also represents the outdoors, I should try doing a reading outside (weather permitting) or in a sunny place.
What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?
Answer: Six of Chalices
Card Description
A young boy and girl stand facing each other in front of a humble cottage built of thatch or bamboo. The boy is crouched slightly, handing the girl, who appears several years younger than him, a golden chalice. In front of the two children are four more chalices and another chalice is on display an a stone plinth next to the cottage. All the chalices are filled with the same sparkling white flowers, which open and close. In the distance, an adult man walks further into the background.
Interpretation
How very delightful! It looks like this deck just wants to provide me with fond memories, or a metaphorical return to childhood. It did occur to me while writing this summary that I was essentially doing a 'describe this picture/write a story about what is happening in this photo' writing exercise, like what elementary school kids might do to practice their creative writing. It's been quite a while since I've done anything so simple as that, and it's been a real treat.
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All the cards in this reading, in all their animated glory!
Conclusion
It seems to me that this deck has a very experienced, benevolent, feminine energy, since the first two draws about its defining quality (Queen of Coins) and its strength (Justice) featured female authority figures. It seems it just wants to help me along on this first step into tarot reading, which I am not mad about in the slightest.
This was a very interesting experience for me, as I'd done a few casual "test pulls" before with no music or candle, and the results were much less coherent than this reading. I suppose it just goes to show that even a little more intention and conscientiousness can make all the difference.
I can't say that this will become a regular exercise yet, but it is very encouraging. We'll just have to see!
