Movie Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Movie Tarot – A Hero’s Journey in 78 cards, illustrated by Natalie Foss and written by Diana McMahon Collis. Published by Laurence King Publishing, Boxed set of instruction booklet and 78 cards. Card size: 6.5” x 4.5” RRP UK £14.99 : US $17.99

Each card of the Major Arcana depicts the steps of the ‘Fool’s Journey’ also known as the ‘Hero’s Journey’ as the 22 energies are shown as heroic characters from popular films. In tarot tradition, the fool who embarks upon life, and has many hardships, joys and learning experiences, eventually to become mature, and be able to express spiritual values and empathy with others who are enduring difficulties.

Though I have not seen most of the films described in the deck, I want to make a point of watching them in order to use this deck more competently. For instance, Temperance, Justice, the Sun, the Moon, the World and other tarot energies are depicted as personalities that display characteristics of the cards. As we work through the deck, meditating on these energies and film characters, we gain skills and abilities, understanding, caring, strength and stability.  Only the Majors and Court Cards are archetypes.  

The deck focusses on what are known as ‘archetypes’ which is a psychotherapeutic term to describe a godlike character, greater than ordinary humans. They are perfect in their small specification, such as a leader, rescuer or warrior. By knowing the film characters’ motives and actions, you can understand how these archetypes are reflected in your readings. I was surprised that some of the movie characters described are far from ethical, such as Vito Corleone as The Godfather and Tony Montana in Scarface. I became aware of how hero characters in films are often aggressive and lack morality. When you perform readings, it is important to build an ethical foundation and basis.

 Interestingly, as very few modern spiritual teachers ever mention Cardinal Virtues and Deadly Sins, these are described in the text!

 There are three spreads suggested. The first is a one card reading titled ‘Close Up’ for general insight or an answer for a specific problem. The second is a three card spread, titled ‘Lights, Camera, Action’, to light up a helpful path forward, and lastly a six card spread, titled ‘The Big Picture’ to identify patterns and themes and for future suggestions.

 Traditionally, the tarot questioner is called a ‘querent’ and the answer sought is called the ‘quesited’. These terms relate to ‘questing’, a word given to a spiritua seekers who journey towards enlightenment, turning from outer gains to inner gains, pursuing revelations and allowing divine guidance to unfold the truth and authenticity of each individual’s life.

 The booklet provides ideas on how to shuffle the cards, stopping when it feels right to do so. Place the deck face down so the cards can be turned from the top or at a cut point in the deck or fanned out for easy card choices. Drawn cards are laid out face up. If you know the movie the character refers to, a similar behaviour is suggested for your query. If you prefer, you can look up the 50 word explanation for that Major card in the booklet. The Court cards have a few keywords for explanation so you are really dependent on knowing the films for understanding the card characters. The Minor Arcana cards have no Movie connection and are just like any other pip cards in any other ordinary tarot deck. The booklet advises “let your instincts guide you”. The first few times I worked with the deck, I drew all Minor Arcana cards, so now when I use it, I tend to use only the Majors as there are greater explanations for these. I would have preferred more lengthy explanations. Most designer tarot packs such as this usually have far greater information so I would think this deck is for an experienced tarot reader. I think I would have liked a few more symbols built into the cards to fill out the gaps in my film knowledge.  

 The deck prides itself on maintaining the clean lines and simple images of the Marseilles Tarot deck. Questions to ask of the cards are: What do I need to see? What do I need to know? What do I need to do? 

 As an example, I have chosen cards at random for the 3 card reading spread – Lights, Camera, Action:

 The first card highlights the atmosphere or feelings around your situation.

 XIX The Sun – Julie Andrews portrays Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Keywords: Daylight. Peace. Joy. Pleasure. Contentment. Love. Devotion. Rewards for Work. Achievement. Accomplishment. Success. Engagement. Team efforts bringing good results. Co-creation, Union of male and female. Fertilisation. Live in the Light of the Sun and experience the positive power of regular nurture. With the right support we can achieve so much. Discover your bliss; you are deserving of good results. Maria, explaining her unbridled happiness and subsequent lateness: Reverend Mother… sorry. I couldn’t help myself. The hills were beckoning… the sky was so blue today… everything was so green and fragrant; I had to be part of it.

 The second card is to help you prepare for progress:

 Ace of Swords – Truth. Courage. Vision. Insight. Power. Triumph. Accomplishment. Irresistible force. Cutting through to the heart of the matter. On a roll. Needed change.

 The third and last card in the reading suggests action needed for the most successful outcome:

 Queen of Cups: Audrey Tatou in Amelie. An older woman. Motherly. Nurturing. Supportive. Focused. Truthful. Reflective and Active. Concerned with security.

Information about cups as a suit: Love. Friendship. Family. Heartfelt involvements. Imagination. Intuition. Spirituality Desire for fulfilment.

 The deck creator is Diana McMahon Collis who is an experienced tarot reader and writer on topics relating to tarot and astrology. In 2001 she co-founded the Tarot Association of the British Isles. She has an online service on her website: mindbliss.co.uk.

 The illustrator is Natalie Foss, a Norwegian artist who draws in pencil and is known for her bold colour work, patterns and emotions. Her inspiration is found in observations of everyday life. She has a variety of clients, such as Penguin Random House, BBC, Planet Rock and others.

 Cinema Consultants who advised on the films and their characters are: Kathleen Killian Fernandez, Dana Cirelli, Chris Vander Kaay and a collective of movie critics, authors and writers. 

Review for Psychic News Magazine by Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk