The Lonely Dreamer Tarot

We had the absolute pleasure to interview Melissa Wotherspoon about her new indie deck - The Lonely Dreamer Tarot, based on the artwork of Odilon Redon.

This Kickstarter has now finished. To pre-order, click here: - The Lonely Dreamer Tarot

Where in the world do you call home?

I feel so fortunate to live in a century farmhouse with happy ghosts, my husband, my two (teenage!!) children, and my pack of five wild dachshunds (they’re not really wild, but it builds their confidence and helps them stand a little taller if I say that). We overlook the rolling countryside outside of a quaint little town called Millbrook, Ontario, Canada. Many people have seen Millbrook before and they don’t even know it, because its main street is used in a lot of charming Hallmark Christmas movies :-)

What was your first experience with tarot and when did you fall in love with it?

I can’t remember exactly my first experience with tarot, but I remember walking with my best friend over to the local new age shop, where we bought each other our first RWS decks together. Then we’d sit on the phone for hours with each other, just shuffling forever, until - A JUMPER! - followed by the ensuing in-depth analysis. My best friend and I would keep dream journals and I will never forget one of the most vivid dreams I’ve ever had. At the very beginning of my foray into Tarot, I met the HIEROPHANT himself. He was very kind and mumbled in warm, deep tones, and I remember waking up feeling like I had just been set on a path, as though the Tarot had found me.

What made you want to create this deck? What was your inspiration?

I am a high school arts teacher. Needless to say this time at home has brought challenges as we try to take something so inherently hands-on into cyberspace. There has been a lot of grief to work through in the past few months, so many things that won’t come to be. As a musical theatre director with the perfect cast of students, that has been devastating and a lot to process. I often find solace in visual art, and in this case, Redon’s work came to the fore. I began to experience a dialogue with his work in a way that I hadn’t before, and virtually an entire Tarot deck unfolded before my eyes. I might have been going crazy at the time, because I thought I heard him whisper something to me….must have been the cold winter winds…Anyway, this deck has been my Hermit’s cave - a place to crawl into when I just can’t take anymore white noise. It has helped me process a lot. I didn’t plan on creating another Tarot deck so soon. My first deck, The Low Rider Dachshund Tarot, was born of a need to process the passing of my soul dog, Stella. My son became interested in Tarot, so then we created The Aurum Lenormand deck together, which I dedicated to my friend and her son, who both battle Marfan syndrome on a daily basis. My son is a gifted artist, and as such, tends to be on the quieter side, so this was a way to connect with him. I guess there is a pattern here of the process of creating the deck itself representing a key part of the journey.

Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?

I have a different relationship with my decks having worked so closely with them, but I still do pull from them. As an artist and tarot collector though, it’s nice to look at the work of others. Hard to pick just one, but I do love the Pagan Otherworlds. Everything about that deck gives me a buzz. The card stock is actually otherworldly. Another one I gravitate frequently towards is the Wildwood. There are ancient whispers with that deck, and I’m still early on the Fool’s Journey with it and figuring out what it is trying to tell me.

Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just the card in general). If so, why is it your favourite?

My favourite card would by The Moon card from my Low Rider Dachshund Tarot. This dog shows the side profile of my dog Stella. It’s a card that brings me closer to her as I still feel her presence quite often. Second to that would probably be the Strength card from The Lonely Dreamer Tarot. Who doesn’t need to be channelling Joan of Arc right now?

What have been your challenges in creating this deck?

Creating this deck was a unique experience because I never expected to create a deck inspired by the artwork of someone else. It took me a while to let go of feeling like I was doing something wrong. But then I thought that many people don’t know about Odilon Redon, and his artwork as a symbolist would be the perfect vehicle to get his work out to an appreciative audience.

What is one thing you really want people to know about this deck?

I want people to know that this deck is free from constraints. As I was creating it, there was an openness I felt, which seemed welcoming and comforting. Anyone can use this deck and hopefully they won’t feel like they need to be bound by the traditional meanings. There is lots of room for intuition here.

How did you first discover the works of Odilon Redon?

When I was in university, I first completed a Bachelor of Science degree and then stayed to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Fine Art. After the constraints of a pretty intense Science degree with a lot of labs and a lot of late nights, the arts degree was like the unfolding of a lotus. It was during this time that everything kind of opened up for me and I first encountered the work of the symbolists, and Redon in particular. I had forgotten about him for many years actually, and then came across his cyclops painting on the internet one day. The deck idea came to me in a flash at that moment.

How will you celebrate when your deck is finally published?

I will celebrate when every backer has their deck in their hands. A funny thing I’ve noticed about people who create - nothing is every finished, and closure is hard to achieve. I will be relieved though when everything turns out and people are enjoying this deck. As an empath I’m sensitive to their vibes and if they are happy, that will be cause for celebration, and I *might* have a gin and tonic and play some 80’s music at a moderate volume :-)

What is on offer for people who pledge?

This is a really amped-up deck with lots of upgrades under the hood. It is an 84-card deck (it has two versions of the Eight of Wands card, as well as an art card, and others called The Seeker, The Guardian Spirit, The Dreamer, and L’Ombre). The card stock is 330 gsm German black core paper, with satin finish and linen texture. The box is a fully designed sturdy book-style box with magnetic closure (the kind we all love as collectors) and luxurious flower petal texture, which includes a lift-out ribbon. Each deck comes with a physical 78-page little white book, included inside the box. The deck is going to look and feel very special. We are working towards a final stretch goal, which will include postcards and a magnet (possibly a bookmark as well).

Thank you for this opportunity!

This Kickstarter has now finished. To pre-order, click here: - The Lonely Dreamer Tarot

Oak, Ash & Thorn Deck

Meet Stephanie Burrows - creator of the absolutely adorable and whimsical Oak, Ash & Thorn deck.

This deck has now been fully funded and is in production!!!

You can pre-order your deck here:

https://www.threetreestarot.co.uk/shop

Where in the world do you call home?

Even though I grew up in the States, I consider my home to be in the UK now. Home is my wonderful, supportive husband, my two adorable, unruly dogs, my close- knit circle of friends and my house (that I no longer consider to be just a house, but the house we’ve fixed up and made into a home).

What was your first experience with Tarot, and when did you fall in love with it?

I grew up with my mother reading Tarot cards. I was always a bit interested in them, but it wasn’t until years later (when I was helping my mother organise her house a bit), that I stumbled across an Edward Gorey deck that she planned on using for a Halloween craft project. I was so intrigued by the cards that I bought my first deck (the Crystal Unicorn Tarot), and to this day, it’s still one my favourites (C’mon...unicorns? You can’t get much cuter than that). From there, my interest kept growing, and I dived right into learning as much as I could.

What made you want to create this deck? What was your inspiration?

I wanted cards that I could call my own. Living in the West Yorkshire countryside really inspired me to create this Tarot deck. Walking through the woods near my home is something magical (like something out of a Disney film). I’m still trying to convince my husband that a cottage in the forest is where we need to be.

Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?

I love decks that have a whimsical theme, so I would say ‘The Crystal Unicorn Tarot’ by Pamela Chen is my absolute favourite. It was the first deck I purchased for myself, and it always makes me smile. It’s my go-to deck.

On the other hand, I also love, love, LOVE the Oculi Occultati Tarot by Radomił Bogusławski (published by Scarlet Imprint). It’s just a GORGEOUS deck. The Queen of Swords (well, this particular Queen of Swords) is my all-time favourite queen. The deck as a whole is, simply put, enchanting. There’s no guidebook and no text on the cards, but it makes no difference for me. It’s lovely!

Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just a card in general)? If so, why is it your favourite?

Oh my goodness, that’s a difficult one because all of the cards in Oak, Ash & Thorn are so special. I would have to say the Eight of Swords. It’s a beautiful card. Since I always tend to be in my head and doubt myself, she is such a reflection of me.

What have been your challenges in creating this deck?

I consider myself to be a Tarot newbie, so overcoming my self-doubt about the process was a huge thing for me. Besides actually creating 78 artist descriptions in a way that reflect the traditional RWS meanings, it would be finding the perfect artist. Just like creating 78 artist descriptions, illustrating all 78 of them is challenging. Luckily, I found the perfect artist who was equally excited about illustrating the deck as I was in creating it.

What is one thing you really want people to know about this deck?

I want people to know that it’s an utterly joyful little Tarot deck. Every card makes me smile (even the darker ones), and I hope it does the same for you.

How will you celebrate when your deck is finally published?

Since this is an indie deck, I think the celebrations will come when our Kickstarter campaign officially comes to a close. I think, in normal circumstances, a big celebratory meal would be in order. Still, since this won’t be possible (the UK is in lockdown for another three weeks), it’ll have to be a takeaway meal from my favourite restaurant.

What is on offer for people who back your deck?

Not only will you help get our beautiful deck into print, but backers will get Oak, Ash & Thorn at a special ‘crowdfunding-only’ price.

Since launching, we’ve unlocked all sorts of stretch goals. Currently, decks will include art prints and extra art cards. We’ve nearly unlocked a stretch goal where each will include a beautiful, eco-friendly Tarot cloth (hand-made right here in the UK), dyed using plants and toxin-free processes, with only organic, reclaimed or remnant pieces. These cloths will be custom dyed in colours that coordinate with our deck.

Pre-order your deck here:

https://www.threetreestarot.co.uk/shop

The Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot

Our very first interview is with the talented Linzi Silverman from Eye of Astro.

The kickstarter has been funded, but you can pre-order here - Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot

Where in the world do you call home?

Brooklyn, NY is where I call home with my partner and cat.

What was your first experience with tarot and when did you fall in love with it?

My first experience with tarot was watching the movie Now & Then. The girls in the movie were investigating a ghost and went to a tarot reader played by Janeane Garofalo. She pulled a swords card and I remember wondering how someone could know how to interpret the meanings, thinking certain people were just marked at birth with understanding. I stayed curious about the cards for a while, having a fortune teller at my 12th birthday who read my cards, but didn't get my own deck until high school. I will say I didn't actually fall in love until I made my own deck though. For years earlier I always interpreted the cards of Tarot as too dark and would turn to other oracle decks. While creating my own language with The Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot, I learned to really understand and love the lessons of the system.

What made you want to create this deck? What was your inspiration?

I had always been a little curious to make my own deck as an artist and reader. I had completed a 100 days of Art challenge where I had to create a new piece everyday, and really enjoyed devoting myself to a project. After that, I decided designing my own tarot would be a great way to adapt that work process. I made several attempts at aesthetics but was never happy with what they looked like. A few years ago I took a solo roadtrip/camping trip around the Southwest and while meditating in the desert one evening, the vision of the cards came to me. Once I got home, I started working on them and they flowed with ease to create worlds full of magic, nature, power, and strength. I am an energy healer and that practice transformed the way I live my life and the way I experience each day and my own healing. I wanted to bring that experience into the cards and by extension, into the lives of the people who work with them.

Aside from your own deck, do you have a favourite deck? If so, which one?

I'm not sure I have a favorite deck but some decks that I really love are the Supra Oracle, Momento Mori Oracle, The Marigold Tarot, and the Jonasa Jaus Tarot.

Do you have a favourite card (either from your deck or just the card in general). If so, why is it your favourite?

For a long time The Moon was my favorite card because I am in love with the moon, but honestly my real favorite is the seven of cups. I love all the mystery and potential.

What have been your challenges in creating this deck?

The challenges in creating this deck were overcoming fear of sharing this deeply personal work as well as navigating the process of having a deck mass produced and making sure everything is as best as it possibly can be; i.e. technical aspects, finding the right printer. The writing of the companion guide was also challenging. I can read and talk about the cards all day long, but cementing and codifying took a while. I am really proud with the end results and every challenge met, made me feel good and made the next hurdle easier.

You state that each card was created through channelling and divination. Have you always been able to channel? Do you channel any specific being/s?

In some ways, I have always been able to channel. I was psychic even as a kid and very connected to dreams, but I wasn't necessarily spiritual. As stated earlier, I believed that psychics, mediums, and readers were these people marked at birth, and the rest of us were just others to their talents. My moments of intuition were just these little sparks that I couldn't connect beyond the weird or wow factor. When I began my spiritual journey just after graduating college, I learned that we all possess these gifts, some of us just have an easier time than others. I wouldn't say I necessarily channel any specific beings, but I work more with universal energy. I have guides that I call in that take the forms of animals and beings and they provide information and healing for me and my clients. My intuition is channelled but it feels more like its connected to everything.

What is one thing you really want people to know about this deck?

This deck is about empowering yourself, finding healing, finding grounding, finding strength. Through you, so much is possible and the cards illuminate these aspects while navigating the joys and hardships that life offers.

How will you celebrate when your deck is finally published?

I will celebrate with loved ones! I have two launch parties planned, one at Chinatown Soup in Manhattan, a space that has supported me for a long time as both an artist and healer. The owner, Michelle Esteva, was the editor of the companion guide, and it only makes sense to share in the splendor or our hard work in such a joyful space. There will also be a party at Catland Books in Brooklyn, an internationally known witch shop, that I have been a tarot reader and practitioner at for over 3 years. They have been super supportive as well in my journey with this project. I have so much gratitude to so many who helped along the way and these nights will be for us all.

What is on offer for people who pledge?

If people want to donate to the kickstarter, there are reward tiers for prints, decks, posters, cloths, and pouches. We are currently working towards our second stretch goal and if we make it, everyone who orders a deck will receive a complimentary tarot cloth and pouch.

To get your hands on one of these amazing decks, pre-order here:

Intuitive Night Goddess Tarot