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Today I became the very proud owner of the Pamela Coleman Smith Commemorative Set. (Thank you very much Mr. Vaughn!)
This special set includes the Smith-Waite Tarot Centennial Edition Pack, Postcards and 5×7 prints of some of PCS’s other artwork, a 5×7 of Pam herself and a book on her life, a non-pictorial Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Waite, and a little organza bag for your cards.
Well, most of this stuff will remain in the box for safe keeping. I will find an appropriate frame for Pam’s picture and put it in a place of honor. Her artwork is a major influence on Tarot readers. It is the standard classic imagery whether you are GD or Wiccan, or just a beginner playing around. She deserves the respect and recognition she failed to receive during life. I will be using this deck now as my regular deck and employing my other in various jobs in helping my studies and my Qabalistic altar.
When I began working with magic, I knew somehow I would need to at least play around with the Tarot. Little did I realize at that time how much of a role it would eventually take on in my studies of the Qabalah and other aspirations for enlightenment and personal transmutation. Although I had an interest in Egypt, I could not see myself starting off with the Thoth deck even though that surprised those that knew me. I wanted to start with the basic, classic deck. This was Pamela Coleman Smith’s artwork on the “Rider-Waite” deck. I found a deck that I liked at the time, the Radiant Deck.
Back then, I didn’t know that there were not only different colorings but different “copies” and “re-drawn” pictures. The deck I got was such a deck. It’s like seeing a Picasso and copying it onto paper in your living room. The picture is not going to be exactly the same, even though it is based on the original. And on top of that I had the pretty colors added, which I still like. Now I know that there are several variations of the actual Smith images due to the printing processes of the time.
In a 1999 article by K.Frank Jenson, I found the best explanation of the differences in what I have read termed “Pam A, Pam B, Pam C”…etc images. He states,
We do not know to what extent Pamela Colman Smith was
involved in the printing process of the tarot deck. In November 1909 in a letter to Alfred Steglitz she, however, mentioned that she had made the illustrations for the tarot deck „a big job for little money“. adding „I’ll send you a pack .. printed in colour by lithography… probably very badly!….“. At the same time she offered Steglitz some of the originals for sale. This indicates that she (and not Waite) was in possession of the originals and also that she had not much belief that the printing process would reproduce her works in an acceptable way. She could have made the material for the printing, by either drawing directly on the stones, or by using the transfer method. If she didn’t, another person had to redraw her illustrations, and add the coloring
tints (by hand or by the mechanical process). The use of a
transcriber would explain the many differences in the artwork
between the editions.
A copy of the entire newsletter including his article can be found HERE (His article starting on the 21st page).
If anyone happens to own this book and would be willing to answer a few questions and possibly share a particular ritual I am looking for from that book, please contact me.
Thank you.
Today is the 15th day of the 1st month of the 1st year Anno Luceferi according to the Book of Peter Vaughn. For me, at least, it is a major Holiday. Those who follow a LHP system of beliefs know that Self and the development of is extremely important. It is with this outlook that I declare the 15th day of the 1st month of subsequent years as the Epiphany of Naufragio.
In definition epiphany means:
an appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity.
a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
And so, being the day of manifestation in this mortal coil 39 short years ago, I think it an appropriate title for the first holiday of the new Era. Be forewarned, 15:1:2 is foretold to be a date of extreme change. More on this later.
As a note: This is the coldest week all winter with below zero (F) temperatures. The snow is piled high.
The snowbank at the local shopping plaza.
Snow last night off my porch.
I have set up a small elemental tarot altar (in hopes of making divination a larger part of my regular spiritual practice). These are the cards drawn today. Sorry for it being so dark, the batteries died in my camera. If I get a better one I’ll replace this one later.
Strength and 10 of Pentacles.
A Taurean holy man seeking spiritual peace by connecting personally with his God (bringing the relationship to an earthly level) and directing one’s will as symbolized by the ecclesiastical sign made by the two pointing fingers on his right hand. He represents traditional values and spiritual need for expression.
He is the culmination of human development. He can also be stubborn and unbending in traditions at his worst.
We have the answer within us, the key to our transformation. Maybe we have gotten some bad advice but it can be rectified. It is time to make decisions or take advice from someone with more experience, even if it is something we don’t want to hear. There is no quick fix, but it is attainable, if we listen to our selves and wise people around us.
What is the Heirophant saying to me? Well, spiritually, I have been seeking ritual, something to connect me on a more regular basis. I’ve been thinking of creating a more personal space of worship, a proper altar for myself and my work. Could this be representative of this? I don’t know.
Having researched and read much lately on LHP, transformation is what I desire. I want to begin that “dangerous” great work that will put me in touch with my true inner self. Some of that will require the assistance and participation of others. The fear and “tradition” of keeping silent and to myself needs to be addressed. There is something great and powerful inside myself, I know it is there, the long hard road of breaking through that will soon begin. It has to. I’m beginning to get a clearer image of what I need to to and to be. I just need to get there.
I guess it will soon be my time for action, the work that will bring me that closer, more personal connection with myself and therefor my God(s).
Basics: Sitting on a throne with rams heads at the top corners and armrests and a staff in hand. He is direct and instantly obeyed. A natural leader he must be careful not to fall into being a tyrant, inpatient and demanding. In control, the Emperor is forceful and ambitious but his throne can also be a trap leaving him restless, bored and unhappy. The meaning of the card includes being in control over your environment, your body, your temper, your instincts, your love life. This is not the time to give into the unconscious, not the time to let yourself be controlled by the wants and needs of others.
Control. Something I hold in abundance at times and yet feel I have none of most of the time, sometime concurrently. Calm and cool, able to handle matters that arise yet the world seems to swirl in an unending whirlwind that barely the angels can ride without ruffling a feather or two. I suppose that dismissing feelings and facts, pushing them aside isn’t necessarily being in control of them yet I know most who cannot separate from those that tend to drive their emotional instability. In that I feel superior….sometimes. I wonder if it would be easier to let chips fall where they may and play the game that everyone else does, without being so reigned in. “Be aggressive, be brave, be bold and in command!” But it’s my fear that drives my control of self. It also prevents me from being bold and aggressive, going after what I want. Because of this I have no control over others or the world around me. I have never been a leader, never had the desire to be one. Maybe it is something I have to work on, maybe it is an inseparable part of who I am, my personality and will never be changed. In part, I fear the Emperor. He is something I will never be and he will always hold power above me because I am not strong enough to assert myself, although I can fool others about that sometimes.
Basics: The Empress is a symbol of things coming to fruition. She is the womb in which your ideas grow and develop. A new life, a new love, a new endeavor will be nurtured and cared for with love. She is that love, unconditional with no demands or conditions. The empress is the mother, watching over her children and sometimes being overbearing and smothering them, killing them with kindness.
She tells us that things need time to develop and we have to be patient with a firm but gentle hand, paying attention, but not overdoing it until it is ready.
Today, the empress speaks to me. She is someone I can very much relate to on many levels. As a mother, I have always fought that balance between a firm hand and smothering, especially with the chalanging children I have. I worked hard to let them go and push them out of the nest and it pains me seeing them flutter around, not quite figuring out those wings yet. It is this that is driving me to my next big magickal work. Spreading my wings while unselfishly trying to give a boost to those whom have sprung from my womb. Hundreds of miles away and trying to reach out without getting sucked back in.
Of course there is also a lot of “new” things in my life that need nurturing and attention, things at work, in relationships with others, and my relationship with myself. Sometimes patience can be my enemy as I wait forever, procrastinating until it’s too late. The empress tells me to be attentive and not give up. Time will tell what will finally grow in my garden, I just have to keep out the weeds and keep the soil fertile.
It is my way to love and take care of those closest to me. It always has been. There are very few who get close enough. I tend to protect myself in the face of new friends but once a close friendship is founded I am hard pressed to let it pass easily. I don’t have the energy for lots of friends because I throw so much of myself into those I most value.
For some reason, she has calmed me today. I’m glad I decided to write a contemplation today. She has mothered and comforted me and I feel good.
Basic:The High Priestess is the card of knowledge. This knowledge is instinctual a secret knowledge. She is willing to illuminate all that you might not see. The curtain behind her hides the deepest most secret knowledge of all and she may or may not share it with you. Some things are known but never told. Be prepared to learn some very strange and wondrous things, however. She can be a sign that things are being withheld or when reversed, it is a sign to trust oneself.
What do I know? Nothing and everything and maybe somethings. I can’t teach anyone much these days, I’m so full of learning, even about myself and wondering about others. Maybe it’s the High Priestess whom I should be searching for in order to get my illumination. Maybe she isn’t a who. Maybe she is a what, the knowledge of how to use the idea that the Magician clarified.
I hold few secrets but those I still have I hold close to the vest and may never share. Then there are the things to “keep silent” about. Only a little thing here and there, nothing big. I’d have to share anything big with at least one person. That way he would know why he is scraping green globules off the ceiling! Actually, the only big thing I’m looking forward to attempting in the future won’t be alone for everyone’s safety.
What if information is being withheld from me? Well, I suppose I’d never know it, would I? Of course, nobody tells the 100% truth all the time or tells everything they think or say or do. That would just be weird. We just have to work to the best of our abilities with the information we do have, and just go on that. There is nothing else to do. Searching for more may only bring more misery. I read once somewhere ” The more you know, the more you have to do”. Sometimes less is more, and a whole lot less stressful too.
Basics: With skill and self-confidence, The Magician is powerful with the infinite symbol floating above his head. Wand raised Heavenward and, finger pointed to Earth, he calls on all powers. The Sword of intellect, communication and discrimination, the Wand of spirituality, energy and ambition, the Chalice of Love and emotions, the solid Pentacle of work, possessions, body, and wisdom are the tools with which one can create anything, make anything of his life. The Magician uses them deftly, performing the right act at any given moment. The Magician is a symbol of new beginnings.
The Magician is the male power of creation, by willpower and desire. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man – either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.
The Magician reveals new ideas and says that answers will be given. Charm and skill, cleverness and tricks up the sleeve, what is it that will be shown to me? Is it an answer I knew all along? I know a Magician that does just that for me. He tends to point out things in myself that I knew but didn’t pay attention to or perhaps chose to ignore whether a flaw or virtue. So often I have felt “reversed”, always getting it wrong. I know that means I’m not following my true will and that path should be abandoned. Some things shouldn’t be that hard. I wish I had the insight of a master mage on that subject, but maybe soon I will. Skill and Confidence are earned by hard work. The more my eyes are opened and the universe revealed to me, the stronger and more confident I feel. The world is mine to, no-the UNIVERSE is mine to create as I want it and I am going to take every moment to have fun doing it. One day I will be the magician I hope to be, only I will look more like this: (Because since when is the Male the creative force anyway.) 
The Fool Card
Basics: With his possessions in a small bundle at the end of a stick, the fool travels to places unknown. So busy with daydreaming, he may just fall over the cliff. A small dog is either warning him or jaunting along with him. Fool is the card of infinite possibilities. He’s on his way to a new beginning but stop daydreaming and fantasizing and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.
What do I hold dear in this world that could fit into such a sack? Is all I have that is truly valuable too large or would I need the sack at all, instead carrying what true treasure I have within myself? Am I too busy or careless to see what is in front of me as I travel through this world? What cliff shall I be in danger of falling over, will I drag others with me and will there be anyone there to warn me? If there is the latter, will I be listening? Is there fear in those new beginnings? What if it means new endings as well? When do wishes and dreams become the ground one walks on instead of the distraction leading to peril? Far from feeling light hearted and free, why do the possibilities feel like binding restraints instead? What if it’s the looking down and watching your step too carefully that blinds you to the dangers ahead. What shall I do, what shall I do?
