Diving Into the Recesses of the Psyche
Once upon a time a world-renowned artist named Arthur Taussig, PhD, decided to create a Tarot deck. That deck, he decided, would respect the past (Tarot de Marseilles, Rider-Waite-Smith) while calling forth the mystical powers of the cards to help The Traveler on his journey. Thus was born The Alchemical Visions Tarot.
You might have already heard about the Traveler’s Journey, called by another name – the Fool’s Journey or the Hero’s Journey. Like most adventures, including Bilbo’s and Frodo’s, it begins by setting off into the unknown. Because the artwork in Alchemical Visions is so unlike traditional tarot, it really does challenge the Traveler to step out onto the road, open to whatever creatures, forces, or goblins he might meet. (If the Hobbit doesn’t work for you as an analogy, try Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)
Not Your Mom’s Tarot Deck
If you’re looking for a deck to do a predictive reading for your friend, roommate, lover, or client, this isn’t the deck for you. But if you want to deep dive into the symbolism of each card, journaling what the colors and imagery trigger for YOU, now that’s another thing. The deck was created to lead you into a process of transformation (alchemy) and towards ‘unlocking the deep secrets of the subconscious mind’.
But rather than try to explain it, let me show you a card and how that process might work.
Here we have the Ace of Swords, most typically the card of new ideas, clarity, sharp focus. It portends a period of intellectual work.
Looking at the Ace of Swords from the Alchemical Visions Tarot, what are the symbols that most catch the eye? For me:
- the arm without skin, showing muscles and vessels
- the Moai (heads on Easter Island)
- the birds around the crown
- the (what looks like) acid rain
- the vines
- the jeweled crown
- the red sword
- trees and possibly water in the background
What speaks to thought (Air) is the crown, as it relates to the head. Also the birds and the clouds are both Air elements.
But if I were to journal via this card, the questions I would ask are:
- Why am I seeing muscle and vessels?
- The red in the muscles is the same as the red in the sword. Why?
- Why the Moai?
Hang in there with me a moment and let me tell you why the Moai are the most meaningful of the symbols for me, and what that might trigger.
Years ago I was part of a large experiment in sending imagery by thought waves. The people doing the experiment sent out (by thought) images of a place or a thing. Images went out at specific times over the course of the day. Each participant was given a time slot to try to tune in and then sketch what they ‘saw’. What I drew was akin to this image:
After the experiment was over, we received a photo of what had been broadcast during our time slot. My slot was a photo of the Moai – the heads on Easter Island. I felt like I did fairly well.
So, if I were looking at this Ace of Swords and seeing the Moai, I would journal about that long-ago experiment. And, I would have to examine why I no longer spend the time working on my mental receptive skills (Air).
And that’s just one element of one card. Imagine the journaling, reflection, and inner journeying you could do with an entire deck. If this feels like a good fit for you, you can order at Amazon or your local bookseller. If you do, I’d be most interested to hear your experience.
