i guess i should update...

so i made a vow at samhain to work on the deck for 2 hours a week. i've managed to do deck related things since then. what i need to do is decide a final medium. it's been brought up that paint might be better but i'm not sure of this. so i may start posting some pics of drafts in color in both pencils and paint to see.

kings

the kings will be either third degrees or priests. not sure yet. they again have both the element and the symbol in a slightly active stance.

depending on the naming of the cards, the "queens" will be blue and "kings" will be red. (likely)

queens

the queens will be either first degree or priestess of the suit. not sure yet. they will sit on a throne with the element incorporated and the symbol on their lap.

knights

the knights are the neophytes! this really seemed to fit with the knight persona. they are in green with grey cords. the neophytes hold the symbol and the element of the suit.

pages

pages are dedicants in the blue star deck with green robes and gold cords. each holding the symbol of their element.

the court cards

next up - court cards. i started to draw them and had originally made the page, knight, queen and king in the blue star context as dedicant, neophyte, first and third degrees. cai suggested that maybe the queen and king could be priestess and priest. then, i believe cat? maybe someone else suggested the page and knight be hm and summoner.

my stance right now is, i want to keep dedicant and neophyte as is. i am considering the change for the queen and king position.

also, a note on the genders. at this point, all dedicants are female, neophytes male, first/priestesses are female and third/priests are male. i probably will be changing this. i will most likely - unless a strong argument comes up in opposition, be doing dedicants as both male and female based on the suit's elemental association. of course, as with other things, this may change but that's the plan for now!

tens

ten of wands - holding onto the ten wands - a burden

ten of swords - all at odds with the red cord weaving in between them all, they are sliced in one spot...

ten of chalices - ten chalices with a rainbow...i may add more imagery here

ten of pentacles - inside the cozy home and a full cauldron which means full bellies...

nines

nine of wands - two wands tied with red cords protecting the rest of the wands

nine of swords - hung over a bed.

nine of chalices - laid out nice with a feasty like look

nine of pentacles - a nice cozy home from the outside

eights

eight of wands - flying through the air...movement, speed

eight of swords - stuck but if she just opened her eyes and looked around, she may find a solution

eight of chalices - walking away and leaving things behind

eight of pentacles - polishing skills, creating, the apprentice. paints and brushes are out.

sevens

seven of wands - in a position of being attacked...or defending oneself!

seven of swords - taking five, leaving two behind in the cover of darkness...

seven of chalices - all full of different things, save one. the veil hides some of them though...which are real, which are fantasy?
the veil part will have a sheer looking effect on the ones it covers...

seven of pentacles - a septagram with the pentacles all around, each one in a color of a chakra red to purple.

sixes

six of wands - the victory walk...garlands of greenery and flowers falling...

six of swords - leaving things behind (but then why take all the swords with you?) the boat is still not on the other side of the river yet, but it is in sight...

six of chalices - full and happy - the flowers and rune "wunjo" or joy are on the border of this card.

six of pentacles - the same generous person from the five, this time from the inside.

fives

five of wands - five wands "in conflict". this one has to be probably designed a little more.

five of swords - self explanatory.

five of chalices - three spilled chalices and two full on the other bank...which do you focus on?

five of pentacles - fairly traditional - two people in a poverty stricken situation looking in at a generous person giving money away. why don't they ask for some as well? perhaps some snow on the window sill, a fire in the fireplace etc.

fours

four of wands, one wand as a maypole attached to three others with colorful ribbons, lush green grass.

four of swords...time out...the swords are there but not in conflict right now...introspective.

four of chalices - three chalices on one side of the creek, one on the other...the grass is always greener...

four of pentacles - tucked away in a box, potential for saving...not locked away - yet. warns of being miserly.

threes

three of wands - looking out to sea (ships coming in view)

three of swords - the lotus/heart from the star card being pierced. (i love this card - not in a reading, just like the design)

three of chalices - the cup runneth over! but only one...flowers overflow onto the border here too...

three of pentacles - three pentacles being "displayed".

twos

the two of wands, the two wands at a crossroads.
roads to be drawn less...straight!

the two of swords. two swords crossed but stuck in a stone...truce for now...

two of chalices, a handfasting!

two of pentacles, very traditional.