#timemongers

[comparativeoracle]

Happiness. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

UPRIGHT: joy, contentment

REVERSED: obsession, perfectionism

THE STORY: Characters in fairy tales wish for a variety of things – but the truth is they are all looking for happiness. Not just the fleeting feeling, but a perpetual state of contentment which can be so rarely attained. Based on the tree of life imagery in Oltenian rugs (in turn inspired by Ottoman Kilims), the card represents happiness as growing leaves, a motif later reprized in the Immortality, Temperance, Memories and Life cards.

[comparativeoracle]

Memories. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

UPRIGHT: solace, life experience

REVERSED: escapism, day-dreaming, living in the past

THE STORY: While life is a series of challenges and decision, and the passage of time is unstoppable, memories constitute the building blocks of our perception of reality and the nurturing ground for happiness.

[comparativeoracle]

Wealth. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

UPRIGHT: comfort, nurture, prosperity

REVERSED: poverty, see also: Greed

THE STORY: Wealth creates the context for comfort, but also culture, science and education. It allows for personal development and philosophical contemplation – but it also facilitates the fallacy of infinite growth.

The white flame motif, representing desire, is reprised in The Wish, Love, Power and Immortality cards.

[comparativeoracle]

Back of Card. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

[comparativeoracle]

Ace of Swords. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

The Swords represent power and control, justice and manipulation. The Politician is inspired by an older design for The Empress, the third card in the classic Tarot Deck. The cards do have a dual meaning, but not a reversed reading position, rather they should be interpreted in context.

THE JACK – JOURNALISM

THE CHEVALIER – JUSTICE

THE QUEEN – PROTESTS

THE KING – POLITICS

[comparativeoracle]

Ace of Coins. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

This suit explores wealth and comfort, respite and nurture, a context in which the self can grow and evolve. But it can also hint towards narcissism, selfishness and excess. The suits do have a dual meaning, but not a reversed reading position, rather they should be interpreted in context.

THE JACK – TRAVEL

THE CHEVALIER – LUXURY

THE QUEEN – SCIENCE

THE KING – CULTURE

[comparativeoracle]

Ace of Time. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

These were the first cards to be designed, and play on the visualization of time, either as an anthropomorphic ever-moving being or as a process (aging). The Times suit replaces the Wands from the classic tarot. The suits do have a dual meaning, but not a reversed reading position, rather they should be interpreted in context.

THE JACK – DAY/NIGHT

THE CHEVALIER – THE SEASONS

THE QUEEN – YOUTH

THE KING – OLD AGE

[comparativeoracle]

Ace of Cups. Art by Maria Surducan, from Timemongers.

The cups suit represents love in all its form, with Romantic Love being the governing card. The suits do have a dual meaning, but not a reversed reading position, rather they should be interpreted in context.

THE JACK – UNIVERSE

THE CHEVALIER – SELF

THE QUEEN – FRIENDS

THE KING – FAMILY