The Tarot Photo Project
This initial series of images is intended to represent the beginning of an ambitious study of the complete deck of tarot interpreted through photographs.
Published on: 
2011
Photography, Writing
  • The Tarot Photo Project
    Photographic Interpretations of the Tarot by James Bostick
  • The images and symbols of the Tarot tradition have a richand ancient history. I’ve been inspired by these images and here attempt my ownphotographic interpretations of the visual language that is the Tarot. For me thisseries attempts to deconstruct the symbol systems of the Tarot in an effortunderstand the evolution of meaning attached to these images. In a time whenit’s far to common to believe each photo we see has been digitally manipulatedI also strive to only capture the scene as seen before my camera. In my studioI create theater and story telling for each theme, captured for others to findtheir own meaning and symbolic value. For those who believe in the mysteries ofthe Tarot they contain personality and attempt divination at the heart of eachimage. Combined they become a secret language and form of expression uniquelytheir own.
  • 0 - The Fool
     
    Before thebeginning. The fool represents the space before a decision or choice is made. Anew cycle is about to begin that the seeker will enter inexperienced. New and EndlessPossibilities. New Life. Pure energy. Chaos.
     
    You may bewondering what’s in the sack? It contains the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire,and Water. The fool caries them always but he has long since forgotten why. Allhe knows is that they are his to protect.
     
    “Order isthe pleasure of reason, but disorder is the delight of the imagination.” - PaulClaudel
  • I - TheMagician
     
    The “One”card in the Tarot deck considers singularity and the oneness of the humanspirit. Will, originality, invention, and concentration are all key aspects ofthe magician. He can also be a trickster. With his blade toward the heavenswhere power emanates and the other hand toward the earth where power manifeststhe magician gains control over the elements.
     
     “It is the function of art to renew ourperception. What we are familiar with we cease to see. The writer shakes up thefamiliar scene, and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it.” - Anias Nin
  • II - The High Priestess
  • III - TheEmpress
     
    The Empressembodies the female side of nature. She protects and nurtures. She is full ofopportunity. Just as a mother must anticipate her offspring's birth we arereminded that only time can manifest our desires. She teaches patience and theneed to prepare for times ahead. When the Empress’ influence is present it is aclear indication that creative endeavors are encouraged and outcomes promising.
     
     “In seed time learn, in harvest teach,in winter enjoy.” - William Blake
  • IV - TheEmperor
     
    The Emperorrepresents the male side of Nature. He is a self-made master and desirescontrol of his surroundings. The Emperor's conviction brings us comfort andreminds us to be aware of our motivations. He also reminds us to be aware andto avoid falling in to a sense of entitlement above what we deserve. Foursymbolizes his strong foundation. Fours are stable and require great energy toinfluence them. The risk of stagnation is his weakness.
     
     “The clearest way into the Universe isthrough a forest wilderness.”  -John Muir
  • VIII –Justice
     
    Justice isnot as blind as you might think. She represents good instincts and keenperception. Justice brings order, balance, and harmony. Setting a confused lifeto order successfully. Adjustment. Strength. Protection. Mercury in the houseof Libra rules Justice and Mars provides strength and power. Justice alsorepresents the equinox.
     
    “I love theevil man who knows he’s evil more than the righteous man who knows he’srighteous.” - Tales of the Chassidim
  • IX The Hermit
     
    Only alonecan we find ourselves. The Hermit’s lantern lights the depths of out innerbeing. He represents a teacher with profound insight and asks that we searchthe soul. Step back and reevaluate goals. Search for something more than youhave. Listen to advice and keep an open mind. Meditate. The number 9 drawswithin itself indicating completion of a cycle or a foundation to begin anew.
     
     “Solitary Man you are going the way toyourself! And your way leads past yourself” -Friedrich Nietzsche, Zarathustra
  • X - Wheel fo Fortune
  • XII - The Hanged Man
  • XIII – Death
     
    The GreatLetting Go. Relinquish. Renew. Change is due. The present situation is outwornor unproductive. The end of a particular phase, time, or feeling is at hand.The cycle ends at 12. If it does not begin again at 1 the cycle ends. Thescythe represents the harvest hope and rebirth. The white rose is theimmortality of the soul. The petals within the rose are concentric circles seenas stages of transformation.
     
     “No witchcraft, no enemy action hadsilenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The people had done itthemselves.” - Rachel Carson
  • XV - TheHorned God (the Devil)
     
    The god ofthe old religion becomes the devil of the new. The Horned God thrives onritual. He feeds uncivilized aspects of our psyche. He lives in the hiddenparts of our nature. And is material in the sum of unlived possibilities.Fifteen is the number of the full moon and represents destructive energy.Antlers are symbolic of this god’s male virility and rivalry.  We are all, male and female, lost soulsenslaved by temptation.
     
    “God comesdown to earth to found a religion and the devil comes right after him and organizesit.” - Swami Vivekananda
  • XVIII - The Moon
  • XX - Judgement
  • XXI - The World
  • Ace of Cups
  • Three ofCups
     
    One of the mostjoyous cards in the Tarot. Abundance, great happiness, friendship, celebrationand Fulfillment are key attributes of this card. The shadow of this cardhowever holds lust, hedonism, and raw sensuality.
     
    Spiritual,emotional, and physical healing and maternal instinct is also called for, asthis card is often the representation of conception. Development of the seed(one) in union with the earth (two) produces a plant (three). Three of Cups iscompletion.
     
     “Believe me! The secret of reaping thegreatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to livedangerously!” - Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Five of Cups
     
    The water ofstagnation. This is not good. The Five of Cups illustrates the effect if weallow matter to triumph over spirit. With our emotions fixed on misfortune thegood in life is overlooked. All is not lost, there is something left to buildon.
     
    The need tolet go brings with it some regret. While wondering where we belong in the worldwe are called to rediscover. Five of Cups beckons us to appreciate theperception of chaos around us.
     
     “Come up, O lions, and shake off thedelusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits free, blest andeternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies; matter is your servant, not youthe servant of matter” - Swami Vivekananda
  • Seven of Cups
     
    The water ofdelusion. The Seven of Cups offers fantasy and dream, power and greed, andindecision. On one level the card represents the need to be realistic about thechoices we make. But this is also a warning against illusion and confusion. Wemust understand reality and not get caught up in daydreaming. Focus on one goalto achieve success.
     
    “It is farbetter to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion,however satisfying and reassuring.” - Dr. Carl Sagan
  • Queen ofCups
     
    This is avery powerful card. The Queen of Cups is the source and guardian of the essenceof life.  When she appears you mustexamine your deep and unconscious feelings. She will help you to be immersed inyour inner emotions and provide guidance to help you to see and follow yourinstincts. Give yourself to the things you hold most sacred and go aboutprotecting these in your life.
     
     “I am an intelligent river which hasreflected successively all the banks before which it has flowed by meditatingonly on the images offered by those changing shores.”  - Victor Hugo
  • King of Cups
     
    This deepand reflective spirit guards hidden mysteries. He brings an end to care andworry, liberating one from ones normal self.  The King of Cups is an influential voice in a sea ofopinions, which reminds us to be cautious when counseling others. His hold on emotionand areas involving creative intelligence can lead to devious behavior when outof balance. Be warned to carefully understand your strong feelings withoutrepressing emotions.
     
     “The experience of life consists of theexperience which the spirit has of itself in matter and as matter, in mind andas mind, in emotion, as emotion.” - Franz Kafka
  • Knave fo Wands
  • Ace of Wands
  • Ten of Rods
     
    The flamesof self-determination. Struggle to see a very demanding effort through. Theburden is borne, but in the end may prove to be too great. The Ten of Rodsteaches the importance of learning your limits. Stop to examine what you canand cannot handle. The burden is self-imposed. Lighten your load.
     
     “The will is a beast of burden. If Godmounts it, it wishes and goes as God wills; if Satan mounts it, it wishes andgoes as Satan wills; Nor can it choose its rider... the riders contend for itspossession.” - Martin Luther
  • Knave of Pentacles
  • Ace of Pentacles
  • Seven of Pentacles
  • Eight ofPentacles
     
    The power ofthe overall view. The Eight of Pentacles is often viewed as the “Talent” card.It represents great enthusiasm for learning and discovery and the peace andcontentment of fulfilling a promise to ones self. In bringing concepts toreality we continuously satisfy a desire to express ourselves in life and learnnew skills.
     
    Financialgain from using your talents wisely is a key message too. We are warned,however not to neglect or misuse our abilities. Worst of all would be to notrecognize our possibilities.
     
    “Greattalents are the most lovely and often the most dangerous fruits on the tree ofhumanity. They hang upon the most slender twigs that are easily snapped off.” -Carl Jung
  • Queen of Swords
  • Ace of Swords
  • Two of Swords
     
    The spiritof Balance. Weighing the consequences of a situation that is not clear. Nothingcan move forward or change until right action is taken. Are you hiding from thetruth? Do you fear change or upsetting the status quo? Two of Swords calls forreconciliation of differences and recognition of reality vs. emotion.
     
    Polarities.Duality. Opposing forces are creating deadlock. The spirit of balance may befound within the spiral of life. Think carefully in this quiet moment butunderstand that this may be the calm before the storm.
     
     “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keepyour balance you must keep moving” - Albert Einstein
  • Three ofSwords
     
    Matters ofthe heart are at stake. While a reversal of fortune may be indicated it is alsoa time to stop and count your blessings. The light is ahead and will guide youthrough. Get in touch with your pain and sorrow to begin the process ofreshaping your thinking. Denial will lead only to hostility. What you are goingthrough is a prerequisite to growth. Focus on the heart of the matter and gainunderstanding from it.
     
     “Only by joy and sorrow does a personknow anything about themselves and their destiny.”  - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
  • Four ofSwords
     
    Take noaction. A time of reflection is called for. The battle is behind you and neednow calls for a retreat within our deeper selves for recuperation. Examine youractions, successes, and defeats and let higher energies honor your stillness.Let intuition take course and move within your soul. Find your prime directive.
     
     “Inside myself is a place where I liveall alone and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up.” - Pearl S.Buck
  • Six of Swords
  • Eight of Swords
     
    The spiritof restlessness. You are a temporary prisoner of the self. Lack of confidenceand motivation to initiate a necessary change is blocking progress. Eight ofSwords reveals a temporary loss of sight of the circumstances around you.Discard old ideas for new ones.
     
    “If there isdissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much thebetter. If there is restlessness, I am pleased. Then let there be ideas, andhard thought, and hard work. If man feels small, let man make himself bigger.” -Hubert H. Humphrey
  • Ten ofSwords
     
    It doesn’tlook good, but surprisingly the trouble represented by the Ten of Swords isoften more melodramatic than real. The suffering may be sincere but could be anexaggeration. Ten swords do seem excessive when one would clearly have done thejob. Being a martyr isn’t always the same as making a sacrifice. On the brightside this card sometimes signals the point where things start looking up sinceit typically can’t get much worse than this.
     
     “There are no hopeless situations; thereare only men who have grown hopeless about them.” - Clare Boothe Luce