Welcome to the Association for Tarot Studies, an international tarot
society registered in Victoria, Australia, with a small but vibrant membership from various parts
of the world. The ATS encourages, and is joined by those who have a
keen interest in tarot studies and research in its various forms. Members
who have actively requested such have a link in the members' area.
If you have news items that may be of interest to tarot enthusiasts – whether you are a member of the ATS or not – please let us know, and we may include it in the ensuing month's News.
Contact us
If you have any queries, please
email jmd@tarotstudies.org who
will pass on your email to the appropriate committee member, or seek to answer you in the best way possible...
Final days of preparation are under way, and last days for registrations! It's not too late, so let others who may be interested know!
On the first weekend of this month (3rd-5th July) will take place our inaugural annual Convention. Of course, elements of the 2005 Conference will be evident, but despite having speakers from across the world, it is not organised as an 'international conference', but rather as a more intimate engagement.
As I write this Alex Ukolov from Prague (co-creator of the Tarot of Prague and numerous other tarot projects!) is in the skies for his 30+ hour flights; Ma Deva Padma (creator of the Osho Zen Tarot and tarot inspired projects) is working on finalising her presentation; Kat Black (Golden and Touchstone Tarots)'s probably already on her way from Perth; from New Zealand Fern Mercier and Lyn Olds (co-ordinaters the Pacific Literatarot project) have been busy preparing materials for their hands-on workshop; Shane Kendal's just had his book of tarot poetry published in time for the Convention; Anne Folleta and Nicholas Romas are putting the final touches to their workshop; and Zach Wong (Revelations – Tarot) and I are deciding on how best to engage everyone in our respective presentations!
From Motley Hat to Deathly Shroud Poems inspired by the Tarot
Shane Kendal, Blake scholar and the ATS's public officer, has previously contributed to the Association's Newsletter with the article 'A Poetry of the Tarot'. His recently completed series of poems was inspired by a journey through the deck's trumps. His book (109 pages with B&W images) is now available from the Association's Lulu.com's store.
From Jordan Hoggard who previously brought us the Mystereum Tarot, in artistic co-operation with Issac & Abra Bradfield and Sharon Gresham, now comes etchings on various metals (including gold and silver) based on his deck. For details, see his site:
June's poll has not yet closed, so if you'd like to have your vote on 'Who is the ONE top tarot book author you have read', it's not (yet) too late. Due to the Convention, it'll be altered following the first weekend of the month. As to the July poll, it'll be uploaded over the next week.
Visual Tarot Program Caveat Emptor
Many amongst you are already aware of the various assaults that the people at 'Visual Tarot' have made to Tarotpedia and their violation of various copyright of artists' work. What is of even greater convern is that the program may not be as safe or genuine as it presents itself. Please do read (and even link to to maximise the page by those who may search for reviews of the same) my mid-month entry, now in the archives amongst the Newsletters.
You'll also find therein a link to the long-standing thread on Aeclectic's TarotForum about various concerns with the program and the people behind it. Given our collective response, I personally strongly suspect that they shall soon simply re-market the same under a different name - probably something along the lines of tarot education software.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Convention if you're able to make it.
Until next month's Newsletter,
Jean-Michel David
A new deck from one of our members...
Portuguese author, designer and radio producer Mafalda Serrano has finally completed her deck which is for this month only available as a special Art & Tarot Deluxe Set edition.
The deck, formerly in e.form, was known as Lumina Divinæ, and is now printed in its closest English translation as the Light of the Goddess Tarot.
I’m not sure if it’s one the other both all or none. But I’m standing here contemplating my six dead rose bushes. Winter rocked their world, killed the canes, and long after the healthy twenty-five others were well into their spring growth, these were nothing but gray-brown dead things sticking up out of the dirt. Now perhaps it was the Reiki, the Matrix Energetics, both or combination, this is XX manifested.
Robert Place’s brilliant The Vampire Tarot is out available haunting creepy and shipping. Gotta have one, because you’ll want it when you re-read Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Especially for its time, racy stuff. Bring along Robert Place’s well thought out and gorgeous art work, and you’ll have a glorious time!
I’m looking at my ‘dead’ roses…Rio Samba is blooming. I suck the thorn drawn blood from my thumb.
I’m hearing that The Heart Tarot (with heart-shaped cards) is due out soon. There aren’t that many shaped decks. The shape of the cards is a nearly unexplored territory. The Shining Angel Tarot with round cards is due out soon also.
Round, heart, square, standard rectangular. All are frames for how we observe our art. I change my frame of focus by moving over towards Eye-Paint. The backside of Rio Samba is full and deep green.
Joanna Powell Colbert’s seventy-eight card version of her Gaian Tarot has been scheduled for 2011 (the Llewellyn edition) I do hear that there will be a collectors edition available in 2010. Some things we must wait for I suppose. It takes awhile for a perfect bud to become a blossom.
The Fifth Tarot is available, and explores the use of a fifth suit, giving us a deck of 92 cards.
Dame Fortune’s Wheel is also available, and although I’d venture to rate it in the ‘traditional’ category, it is anything but (traditional).
Dainty Bess survived her transplanting and the ‘killer’ winter. She looks healthy and well.
Ciro Marchetti’s Legacy of the Divine Tarot is due out around the time I have to start thinking about protecting my children from the winter.
Perhaps Tarot of the Eternal Night will be available by then also, along with Lisa Hunt’s’ Fairy Tale Tarot.
Taboo lost a few main canes, but looks better than last year. It looks like it enjoyed the harshness.
I’m hearing rumors that Londa Marks has a new Tarot deck due out…sometime somewhat soonish.
Maybe it was the Reiki, or the Matrix Energetics, or the coffee grounds or all or none of the above. But these guys are back from the dead, and July promises to be beautiful.
Was, as Marco suggests, Tarot originally based on the Roman Catholic Religion? Add your insights to the discussion on the thread, or bring your ideas and research to many other threads that open one's understanding to the depths of what is taking place when reading in such threads as How storytelling shaped humanity (in one of the areas for which you'll need to register to see it).
September 2013 marks another important year on our Tarot Calendars, with the expected International Conference to be held in the European Cultural City for that year: Marseille!
Membership and support for the ATS
2009 Membership
The Association for Tarot Studies undertakes various projects, supported in part by donations and Membership subscriptions.
Membership fees for 2009 have been lowered due to the current international financial situation. If you are also able to donate, it would be of great assistance.
If you are not yet a member and would like to join, please first check our membership page.
Donations
Please donate to support ATS and Tarotpedia development. Any amount is appreciated. Don't be shy of donating small amounts: $x £x or €x is better than $0 £0 or €0. So if you are able to assist the Association by making a donation, it will be gratefully accepted:
US Dollar
EU Euro
British Pound
AU Dollar
Tarotpedia
The Online Encyclopedia
of Tarot
Began only a few years ago, Taropedia – the online encyclopedia of tarot continues to grow and is establishing itself as a resource on tarot history, deck variety and tarot studies in general.
Currently wiki-based, it allows its members to contribute, edit and improve entries, thus developing our communal understanding of the world of tarot.
From Motley Hat to Deathly Shroud Poems inspired by the Tarot
by Shane Kendal
Shane Kendal, who has previously contributed to the Association's Newsletter with the article 'A Poetry of the Tarot', has recently completed a series of poems inspired by a journey through the deck's trumps.
The book is now available from the Association's Lulu.com's store.
isbn: 978-0-9757122-2-1
109 pages (B&W images)
The Story
of the Waite-Smith Tarot
by K. Frank Jensen
Frank Jensen has long been amongst the key players
in presenting information on the development of this
important deck in the history of Tarot. During the
second half of the 20th century, sales of this deck
surpassed all others.
We now have the opportunity to read on this deck's
history during its key phases during the past 100
years.
Whether a enthusiast for this deck or not, this
will become a classic in manuscripts that focus openly
on important developments. A welcome addition that
the Association for Tarot Studies is proud
to be able to present.
Various events have become regular occurances throughout
the western world, with numerous occasions to participate
in these in Australasia, Europe and North America.
Without tarot decks, there would be no tarot!
Various deck designers and commentators have presented a
wealth of information that is available online and in a
variety of publications.
Tarot Forums have become the dominant form for discussions
across the world, and tarot is no exception. Hundreds exist
take various forms in terms of e.lists, e.groups, and full
bulletin boards. Only a tiny number are listed. Please note
that the Association has decided to support these, rather
than add to the range.
Associations exist in many parts of the world, with most
having membership that cross national boundaries. Each
tarot association or society has its own orientation.
Without a sense of tarot's history, many claims are inaccurately
repeated. One of the best sources for an overview of tarot's
history is Tarotpedia's entry. Even its entry, however, is
dependant on the research of numerous others.
