Sixth Stretch Goal UNLOCKED - An Arkartian Fable
over 3 years ago – Mon, Oct 03, 2022 at 01:32:55 AM

666

We did it! In just one day - again - we reached our 6th stretch goal, which means we will include An Arkartian Fable with the deck rewards, which are growing literally by the day.

And even better, we get to set a 777 stretch goal, as numerology has naturally dictated where we put these goals. Whilst I decide on the reward for that goal, here is a sneak peek of the Three of Swords, in pip and scenic versions, both from the keyword deck.

Blades

In one of the design decisions I have taken with this deck, the pip Sword cards will be called "blades". This is for a number of reasons, the main one being I love the Google mistranslate of 'cards' from Spanish to 'blades', as in "the seventy-eight blades of the tarot deck". This reminds me that each card can cut to the truth.

Another reason is that in the pips, I want the meaning to be clearly obvious, so reducing the swords to "blades" in their images is also cutting to the chase without any ornament or flashy backdrop, etc.

A third reason is in my conversations with A.I., it kept telling me that what I actually wanted was blades and steel and razors and edges, not swords. So, the Machine said so and I listened.

Hopefully, the designs impart a visceral sense of the meaning and potential interpretations for even an absolute beginner, whether the pip or scenic version.

Keywords

Marisa Dinis asked an interesting question this morning in our Facebook Group, Tarot Professionals, wondering about the choice of keywords and also why there was a slight difference between pip and scenic versions of the same card. She kindly said I could share her question and my answer in this update, which was as follows:

I'm still experimenting with the keywords, placement, etc. but they are all from the same sources, such as A. E. Waite's published writing - and unpublished in the case of some of the Majors, Book T of the Golden Dawn, and my own experience and teaching methods over the last 40 years, refined (hopefully) into the fewest possible words with the most application to actual readings. And there may be slight differences in the keywords for the pips and scenic Minors, as the pips are also being calibrated against cartomantic meanings we covered in 'Tarot Time Traveller', our book (co-author Tali Goodwin) on the history of cartomancy and tarot. As a teaching artefact, considering NLP & Ericksonian Language Patterns, the slight difference or 'dissonance' sets up a 'cascade' in the mind as it automatically tries to find connections, producing even more meanings and variations unique to the reader and drawing from their own unconscious.

Next Stretch Goal & Production Test

What will follow if we reach 777 backers? Watch out for the next update as we approach the noontime of the Everlasting Day! In the meantime, I am today ordering a sample of the double-tin and 130 cards, to check where the text is being positioned on the final cards, and to ensure they do indeed fit in the tin.

Any questions, do put them here, or ask in our Tarot Professionals Facebook Group, I'm happy to answer and help!

Again, with all my sincere thanks and gratitude, your support and encouragement means more to me than I can really say,

Marcus

Sixth Stretch Goal Revealed - An Arkartian Fable
over 3 years ago – Sun, Oct 02, 2022 at 10:29:33 AM

Tarot is a Fable

By our Work we are Changed.

As the popularity of the campaign has increased beyond my imagining, I want to be careful not to over-stretch our ambitions whilst at the same time aiming to give as much as possible for backers. 

So, for the 6th stretch goal I would like to offer every backer a Fable from Arkartia.

This reward can be unlocked should we reach 666 backers.

This narrative tarot teaching is based on material that was already part-written, but eventually unused within our Arkartia site. Your backing of the project can give me opportunity to finish writing it.

The Fable is a special story that teaches the cards in a unique manner, and is suitable for all levels of experience, particularly new readers - or those who have not encountered this way of teaching tarot.

It will be delivered as a PDF so we do not have to risk shipping costs and delays. It may take a little time to complete, but certainly for delivery at the start of next year - not long away already!

Please continue to share the progress of the campaign and I look forward to making this story with you!

With all my many thanks and wonder,

The Worker is Hidden in the Workshop.

Marcus

Fifth Stretch Goal UNLOCKED - Animated Online Major Arcana
over 3 years ago – Sun, Oct 02, 2022 at 05:25:23 AM

Liber 555

Wow, everyone! I mean, really. Wow.

Thank you so much for sharing your encouragement, messages and shares of the campaign across your socials, as we have breezed through our next stretch goal in just one day - again.

Everyone now will receive access to Liber 555, the animated Major Arcana.

Please keep up with the sharing, and if you have opportunity, I would be grateful if you could mention the campaign in any groups or to Youtubers, who might want to feature the deck, interview, etc.

We are just in the first week of the campaign, can you believe it? We've already been able to add FIVE new things to your deck - and for everyone else. That's the best thing about crowdfunding. We go together.

The next stretch goal is already within sight and I will reveal it separately in a following update.

Again, thank you one and all - and YOU in particular. You have shown your support for this work, and it will be an honour to bring it to you.

Thank you, thank you.

Marcus

New Countries Added for Shipping
over 3 years ago – Sat, Oct 01, 2022 at 02:29:53 AM

A Global Deck

Hello

By our Work we are Changed.

Thank you again so much for your support, encouragement, engagement and pledges. It has been staggering to receive this level of backing, for a tarot which has emerged from 40 years of passion.

I've received many requests for additional shipping options, and have been pleased to add countries as far apart as Norway, Singapore, Bahrain, Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.

Please let me know if your country is not yet on the list and in most cases I will be happy to add it now that I think I've figured out current worldwide postage costs and the risks of them shooting up again.

USA BACKERS

I believe the pound sterling, in which the deck is priced, is currently at a staggering all-time record low against the dollar (and many other currencies) so the dollar conversion for you is likely the best you will ever see, which I hope works in your favour - or favor, should I say.

EVERYONE

Thank you again - we are so close to the 5th stretch goal of £55,555.55 , which I set a bit higher for the Book 555 Animated Majors, and as we were meeting all the previous goals within a day and because, well, it was impossible to resist all that numerology! 

Incidentally, the aptly named "Liber 555" also references a piece of writing by Aleister Crowley subtitled "the book of the cult of the infinite within." It is a series of steps of meditation and living practice that aims to attain - amongst other things - "Samadhi of the two Infinites" and "prolongation of life." 

I cannot promise to deliver on those, but I will aim to at least try and add shipping to your country if it is not there already.

Thanks again all.

The Worker is Hidden in the Workshop.

Marcus.

Fifth Stretch Goal Revealed - Animated Online Major Arcana for Deep Diving the Cards
over 3 years ago – Fri, Sep 30, 2022 at 03:45:26 PM

A Living Book

Kenneth and Steffi Grant, esoteric author and artist both now passed, were in my dream last night.

They were running a bookshop, and we talked about occultism, Kenneth's "Nightside" and "Typhonian" works, and Steffi's artwork before turning to what I was doing with the Kickstarter campaign.

I was expressing that I wanted something unique for the next stretch goal, that served our teaching intent, and Kenneth Grant was telling me that it was nothing that I did not have "all the angles" for already, but I was still in the dark.

Then Steffi Grant went and got me something she had made, like a chapbook of handmade paper. It was both ancient and yet entirely modern - an important thematic element, she told me.

I opened it and each page had a short verse in it, accompanied on the other side of the page with a small circular illustration, like a 'work of each month' medieval woodcutting.

As I awoke, I heard her say, "make of this a living book."

And now I know what to do for the next stretch goal. This is Liber 555, the Book of the Infinite Within, an animated book of the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot of Everlasting Day, with verse and sound.

It will be designed to automatically instill the nature of the card in the unconscious by active viewing and contemplation. It is also an introduction for beginners into pathworking the cards, in a safe yet powerful manner, for just 30 seconds.

Here is a sample of the Devil card, showing how it is endlessly attracting to matter, from which it is itself constructed. And a hint of the temptation to worship in its most ashen and material sense. There is a similarity between the Devil and the Death cards of this deck, as they form an important pair in the creation process of all existence and our lives.

This is the stretch goal for all backers if we surpass £55,555.55, which should be roughly around 555 backers, hence for one reason, Liber 555. The other is a reference to a magical book, beyond the scope of this present deck!

I will aim to make this available to all backers (if we meet the goal) in the New Year, likely with a personal and secure link an online site where Liber 555 will be accessible. I will be able to share work-in-progress through the Kickstarter updates during that time.

Again, with all my personal thanks for your support, please do continue to share the deck - perhaps reaching out to Youtubers or Bloggers you know and letting them know about the Kickstarter.

That would be really helpful as we approach the second week of the campaign!

May a full deck of possibilities be yours,

Marcus.