Wildwood Tarot SYNOPSIS
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E D D I S O N SA D D E D I T I O N S THE S T C H A D ’S H O U S E 1 4 8 K I N G ’S C R O S S R O A D WILDWOOD L O N D O N W C1X 9D H T: +44 (0)20 7837 1968 F: +44 (0)20 7837 2025 TAROT E: i n f o @ e d d i s o n s a d d . c o m I: w w w. e d d i s o n s a d d . c o m Wherein wisdom resides MARK RYAN AND JOHN MATTHEWS CARDS ILLUSTRATED BY WILL WORTHINGTON To walk among the age-old trees of the wildwood is to journey back in time. In this eye-catching deck, previously known as The Greenwood Tarot, Mark Ryan and John Matthews reawaken the classic forest archetypes of the Green Man and Woman, the Archer, the Hooded Man and the Blasted Oak. Will Worthington’s rich and vivid images bring this ancient world back to life and make it possible to feel the magic and power of the wildwood. THE WILDWOOD TAROT draws inspiration from pre-Celtic mythology and a belief system steeped in shamanic wisdom and forest lore. It connects us with a long-lost world – as we seek to make sense of our own. SELLING POINTS • Powerful pagan imagery by bestselling artist • Stunning re-creation of a cult classic • Author promotional opportunities SPECIFICATION 1 1 Box: 209 x 152 x 30 mm (8 ⁄4 x 6 x 1 ⁄4 in) 3 Book: 205 x 148 mm (8 x 5 ⁄4 in) 160 pages printed 1/1 Approx 40,000 words 3 78 cards: 120 x 75 mm (4 ⁄4 x 3 in) printed 4/2 Files prepared in InDesign D I R E C T O R S : S U S A N C O L E , N I C K E D D I S O N I A N JA C K S O N , DAV I D O W E N AN EDDISON•SADD EDITION E L A I N E PA R T I N GT O N , S A RA H R O O N E Y E D D I S O N SA D D E D I T I O N S L I M I T E D Copyright © Eddison Sadd Editions 2009 R E G I S T E R E D I N E N G L A N D N O. 1 6 2 8 1 6 8 OUTLINE For many people today, woodlands are the last vestiges of an ancient world in which we had our beginning. Such places are full of ancient archetypal beings, from the more familiar Robin Hood to the shadowy figures of the Green Man and Woman, the Archer and the King of the Wood. Others – creatures like the Lynx, the Wolf and the Bear that once walked the land beside us – now hide in the depths of the forest or are forgotten, marginalized by mankind’s rule over the natural world. To walk in the wildwood is to take a journey back in time to a place where we are ourselves different, where deep ancestral and shamanic wisdom still resides, and where our partnership with these characters and creatures is as natural as breathing. Few themes touch us as deeply as this. In 1996, Mark Ryan and artist Chesca Potter produced The Greenwood Tarot, a deck which proved very popular and quickly achieved cult status. Copies are scarce, however, and fans have clamoured for its re-release. Now, Mark Ryan and Tarot expert John Matthews, together with artist Will Worthington, have combined their skills and their love of the ancient woods to re- create the deck. Here, then, is the reconceived and redesigned WILDWOOD TAROT. Based on the seasonal rhythms and festivals of the ancient year, THE WILDWOOD TAROT draws its inspiration from pre-Celtic mythology and shamanic mysteries, placing mystical archetypes into a nature-based system rich in shamanic wisdom and forest lore. The archetypal forces of the deck act as both guides and interpreters, taking us on a spiritual, mystical and psychological journey deep into the labyrinth of primal Earth mysteries. Used as a meditation system, divinatory oracle, or as a reference work for the seeker of profound knowledge, THE WILDWOOD TAROT draws us into the heart of the ancient forest and connects us with a long-lost world – one that can now help us make sense of our own. THE MARKET The tarot market is constant and each new deck eagerly awaited by readers and collectors who keep in close contact via innumerable websites, webzines, podcasts and blogs. THE WILDWOOD TAROT will be a particularly welcome addition since the original and hugely popular deck, The Greenwood Tarot, has become such a rarity. THE WILDWOOD TAROT continues the Eddison Sadd tradition for decks with strong editorial concept, first-class art and high production values to delight tarot aficionados and ensure a wide international market and backlist life. New York Times bestselling author, John Matthews, and Mark Ryan, star of the Robin of Sherwood TV series and the voices of Bumblebee and Jetfire in the hugely popular Transformers franchise, offer promotional opportunities. The art of Will Worthington is widely acclaimed and sought by collectors. 2 CONTENTS RETURN TO THE GREEN Preface by Mark Ryan Describing how this deck was conceived. Its place in the modern world. THE WILDWOOD SONG Preface by John Matthews How The Greenwood Tarot has evolved to become THE WILDWOOD TAROT. INTO THE GREEN Introduction by Mark Ryan Introducing the wildwood, its history and mythology and universal archetypes. How to make best use of the Tarot. Fate and Tarot: what the Tarot can and can’t do. The Wheel of the Year: the journey of the Major Arcana. THE PATH THROUGH THE FOREST The Cards and their Meanings THE MAJOR ARCANA Detailed description of each Major card with its background in myth and history and divinatory meaning. The Wildwood Arcana Traditional Arcana 0 The Wanderer * The Fool 1 The Shaman The Magician 2 The Seer The High Priestess 3 The Green Woman The Empress 4 The Green Man The Emperor 5 The Ancestor The Hierophant 6 The Forest Lovers The Lovers 7 The Archer The Chariot 8 The Stag Justice 9 The Hooded Man Hermit 10 The Wheel The Wheel of Fortune 11 The Woodward Strength 12 The Mirror The Hanged Man 13 The Journey Death 14 Balance Temperance 15 The Guardian The Devil 16 The Blasted Oak The Tower 17 The Pole Star The Star 18 The Moon on Water The Moon 19 The Sun of Life The Sun 20 The Great Bear Judgement 21 The World Tree The World *See sample card THE MINOR ARCANA Each of the four suits represents a different season of the wildwood throughout the Wheel of the Year. Each features specific animals, in their archetypal form, as Court cards. The names of the suits reflect the ancient mysteries of the wildwood and will reflect these in the imagery of the cards. 3 Suit of Arrows • Air, Spring, Swords Suit of Vessels • Water, Autumn, Cups King of Arrows King of Vessels Queen of Arrows Queen of Vessels Knight of Arrows Knight of Vessels Page of Arrows Page of Vessels Ace of Arrows Ace of Vessels 2 of Arrows 2 of Vessels 3 of Arrows 3 of Vessels 4 of Arrows 4 of Vessels 5 of Arrows 5 of Vessels 6 of Arrows 6 of Vessels 7 of Arrows 7 of Vessels 8 of Arrows 8 of Vessels 9 of Arrows 9 of Vessels 10 of Arrows 10 of Vessels Suit of Bows • Fire, Summer, Wands Suit of Stones • Earth, Winter, Pentacles King of Bows King of Stones Queen of Bows Queen of Stones Knight of Bows Knight of Stones Page of Bows Page of Stones Ace of Bows* Ace of Stones 2 of Bows 2 of Stones 3 of Bows 3 of Stones 4 of Bows 4 of Stones 5 of Bows 5 of Stones 6 of Bows 6 of stones 7 of Bows 7 of Stones 8 of Bows 8 of Stones 9 of Bows 9 of Stones 10 of Bows 10 of Stones *See sample card FINDING THE WAY Working with the Deck Ways of using THE WILDWOOD TAROT, including new spreads, specially created for the deck, which will take you deeper into the wildwood. All spreads are followed by a sample reading. • How to try a visualization. • THE PATHWAY SPREAD: A simple layout for a swift and direct answer. • THE BOW SPREAD: Brings insight to clearly defined issues that require straightforward action. • THE WORLD TREE SPREAD: Offers a comprehensive overview to more complex questions. • THE HERMIT’S CAVE VISUALIZATION: A guided visualization to open the ways between the trees. Resources • Further Reading • Acknowledgements 4 THE AUTHORS Mark Ryan has combined his acting, singing, writing, and action-direction talents to enjoy an eclectic entertainment career, working in the international theatre, film and television indus- tries for some thirty years. He starred in several major musicals in London’s West End, includ- ing the Rice and Webber smash hit Evita originating the role of Magaldi and then playing Ché under the direction of Broadway legend Hal Prince. Mark originated the character of Nasir for the cult British TV series Robin of Sherwood on which he worked for three years, and in 1986 he won critical acclaim for the title role in the musical Elmer Gantry at London’s Gate Theatre and followed that with a national tour of the hit show Guys and Dolls, playing the part of Sky Masterson.