In the traditional deck, the Hierophant is displayed as sort of a priestly/pope type character, sitting on a throne. There are two "monk like" characters standing in front of him toward the bottom of the card. Your image is not restricted to that type of character ... as long as it portrays the same sort of idea it's cool 8-) I'm trying to find a link that displays some pics of all these arcana cards. Denise

Ironbear, I have indeed confirmed that the Judgement card is also known as Rejuvenation in some decks. So shall I put you down for that one instead of the Lovers? Dee

Denise .. found a link that has pictures http://www.artoftarot.com/po.htm

I NEED to find a pic of a Hierophant Card so I have some idea of what I'm doing!!! HELP!! Verdie of Dreamspinner

Okay, I would like to use my Keeper of Wisdom figure instead of a man, but have a throne problem because Trav's robe doesn't bend when she's seated. LOL Can I make her a Druidess Prietess with two Druidess attendants, instead? I think it would go with the Pagan feel of it. Verdie of Dreamspinner

Thanks on that link Ghost! (I'm trying to address all these questions as quickly as I can so I appreciate the help!!!) Dreamspinner, your idea sounds cool. I'd probably do the same if I were you. 8-) Dee

Thank You Dee and that's a big help! Now I know what I can do. I was thinking and asked Dolly but haven't heard back from him yet as he may have gone to bed. We both LOVE your idea for my Crystal Ball pic and I was thinking that Dolly could widen that Black border some and put his Pagan Border there for the finished look of the cards and then all we have to do is fill in the Oval Middle with our pics and use the regular Crystal Ball Pic for the Back of the Cards. What do you think of that? Wouldn't this be GREAT if when we finished this project that they could be printed up for sale in the Store?? Verdie of Dreamspinner

That sounds perfect, Verdie 8-) The first border that Dolly did is actually generic enough (because it immediately made me think "Fire, Earth, Air, Water" type of stuff). I think it will work well for the border. I was thinking the same thing, that it would be cool to have them printed up and put in the store. Maybe for a community support sale item? I'd LOVE to buy a set myself! 8-) Dee

Woohoo! I missed alot again! I have to start over. LOL! What I have done so far won't work with that background....but that's okay...I love the background so I will just start over. I love the idea of a community support sale item! I would deifinitely buy one of the decks too! :o)

nikitacreed ... If it saves you the work, what you can do is render out your scene as it is ... then import it as a separate layer into Photoshop (or another program that works with layers). Draw an oval selection slightly smaller than the crystal ball thingy, then feather the selection somewhere around 25-50 pixels or so. Copy that feathered selection into your clipboard and paste over the ellipse. Voila, you have your card. 8-) Dee

If so, better decide that fast. We'll need to determine if we can use our intended props etc. early on (not all can be used in commercial renders). Verdie, the image you desribe sounds great, but it might be more appropriate for the High Priestess (#2, literally the "Keeper of Wisdom" card). The decks usually have 2 female figures (High Priestess and Empress, or whatever names they're given), and 2 male (Emperor and Hierophant, sometimes called the Pope, High Priest, etc.). If the figure was of obscured gender, that could work, and maybe add another element of mystery to the card (although "obscure" sometimes doesn't fit with the card's meaning). Most references are pretty open to interpretation, but I'm not sure if this one might be a little out of context. What do others think? I might try to do a point-form ideas list if people are interested.

Chas, that would be terrific, if you have the time. I was hoping that someone would offer some "technical advice" on this. I started reworking a page to list the differences between the R/W and GD decks and got totally confused . Dee

Verdie, I have the High Priestess card, and would be happy to switch to the Hierophant if you want to use your character. I haven't even started on mine, and have an idea for its male counterpart already anyway. 8-) Dee

YIKES this thread is filling fast....I need to know how to get the background image...is it going to be somewhere to download?

I can't seem to find the layered version of the background. Is it up yet?

Cool. My we been busy here. ;] Sorry folks... had to drop out for 12 hrs of zzzzz's - I burned the candle at both ends til I ran out of wick in the middle. No problem... I'll work up a list of the major arcana and post it here. I don't mind the lovers, just means I'll have an excuse to do some morphing on the poser dork. I may work up my 2nd choice just for grins as an alternate card for a non-standard deck. I do agree with whoever siad that - check readme's to see if the props ect allow commercial use of the images done with them, although I have to say... most people including that restriction on use are on pretty shaky ground on enforcing it. Resale or distribution of the item itself is one thing, but the image I do is mine, otherwise my copyright on the image would have no legal meaning.

Lorraine and Nikitacreed ... Verdie and Dolly will be working on the background together and it will be available at Morph World when it's finished (along with some props for the cups, wands, swords, and pentacles/discs). In fact, if you have anything to contribute (such as Chas's list) that would also be a good place to store it. As far as the thread filling up, let's start a new one now. This page is getting too big . PLEASE MOVE ON TO TAROT DECK, PART II .... Dee

Nah... this thread aint long. It hasn't even hit 500 posts yet. ;]

Yikes. I just got as far as the Magician. This is going to take more time than I can handle. Are there any specific cards that people would like hints on?

The first couple descriptions (before I take a break): First things first, I don't mean to dictate. I've got an essayist background among other things, so I write sounding "authoritative" out of habit -- I'm just used to persuasive-writing styles. This is advice only, use as you will. There's one little bit of advice I hope everyone will take to heart, though: the best way to create a great card is to aim for a multi-faceted meaning in your image. A tarot card isn't a pile of iconic images slapped together, but uses images, poses, expressions, etc. which can be interpreted in different ways when seen in different contexts. For example, the Fool can seem naive, reckless, childish, ignorant and frivolous; or he could symbolize light-heartedness, innocence, potential or "blessed madness" which can lead to discovery. Every card can have a positive meaning and a negative one (even Death, which is a signifier of change), depending on where it sits in context among the other cards in a reading. Below are some possible card meanings (there may be more than what I've included), followed by a description of what the card often depicts or includes. You can toss almost all of the description away if you want (although in the Major Arcana, you still have to have some semblance of the original characters), if you have another way to convey something with a similar meaning. Incidentally, this leans a little bit toward the Rider-Waite, but doesn't accept any as "authoritative." So there may be conflicts in the eyes of anyone used to any one particular system. I figure if this is a collective project, those conflicts will be inevitable anyway, unless someone were to become heavy-handed about it. Enough blathering. 0 the Fool: As mentioned, he can seem naive, reckless, childish, hasty, ignorant and frivolous; or he could symbolize light-heartedness, innocence, carefree, potential or "blessed madness" which can lead to discovery. He is either a seeker or a bumbler, either undertaking a journey of discovery or stumbling headlong into something. Often shows a young man wandering forward, not paying attention that he is about to step off a cliff. A dog usually nips at his heels to try to warn him, but without response. 1 the Magician: Confidence, seeming mastery. He might be a trickster or genuinely enlightened, but he conveys power wither way. Skill, craftiness, creativity, knowledge and influence. He is usually performing a magical work on a table, involving a wand, cup, sword and pentacle, appearing confident. There's often a lemniscate (sideways figure 8, the infinity symbol) over his head.

OK, here's a thought, since the symbology (and the numbering of the cards) is SO important ... if there are those who are not well versed in the meanings of the cards (like me, hehehehe), post a question (or your idea) here for comment or review before you start. Hopefully, one of the "experts" can give some technical advice. That way we won't have to dump it all on one person (like Chas so graciously offered ;-) Sound fair? 8-) Dee

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