A pony dropped this off in the ol' inbox yesterday evening, requesting that I pass it along to you guys in case you were interested in practicing pony magic. I'm sure that the vast majority of you are not all that familiar with tarot, except maybe any fans of the Persona series we might have floating around (brief aside: why has there been, like, no crossover art between these two series?), but this is a bit removed from that.
Despite that, the image is packed with pretty much all the information you need to understand it. Not to mention it's just extremely well constructed and bursting to capacity with interesting interpretations of the Elements of Harmony as they apply to our every day lives. There's Friendship in our veins, everypony. Can you feel it?
New Stuff After Page Break! Lookee Lookee!
Not content with with just the spread, Ciaran has begun work on a fully Pony Tarot deck. Now, what makes this actually cool is that instead of slapping ponies onto traditional cards and starting us on an argument about whether Nightmare Moon or the Cutie Mark Crusaders more accurately depict the Death Arcana, what we have instead is a totally original Values Deck outlining the core lessons from the show. All of the mane six are represented here, as well as several other key players representing some of the more memorable things one Twilight Sparkle has written letters about. Also a very... enlightening look at Celestia. But, the "Vision" card is definitely my favorite.Find more information at this website. This is still a work in progress, although these 10 are usable on their own (and the creator has outlined some interesting possibilities in their own writeup). Click it, check it out. Give some feedback. Help cite sources for the fanart used in some of these. Look at ponies. Yay!
67 comments:
There's that one brony who wrote "Celestia's Reading"
ReplyDeletex()~
A Persona/Pony fanfic. WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS?!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... first time im ever considering doing Tarot nonsense.
ReplyDeletePonies make everything better!
i guuuuuuuuess its right
ReplyDeleteCurrently studying Tarot
ReplyDeleteWill read eventually
Izanagi No Ookami
TIS OF THE DEVIL!!!! REPENT REPEEEENNNNNT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell the devil and con artists if you pay money for it anyway :P
lol i've been thinking about doing a P4 crossover but, well with english not being my primary language i don't know how well that would fare...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteREPEEENNTTTT!!!
ReplyDeleteUm, for Kindness I got The Devil, and Honesty was the Fool Reversed. And Laughter was the tower. So applying that, I take delight in the misery of others, am cruel, and lie to myself......pony tarot sucks. Also Magic was the freaking Reverse Hangman, showing closed-mindedness. Generosity was The Wheel and I have no idea how to intemperate that in that context, as The Wheel represents balance or cycles. Is it saying I give if I expect in return? I always repay my debts, is that what it means? For Loyalty I got Strength, and considering how freaking loyal I am it makes sense. Oh, and Cutie Mark was the moon. I am a night owl...well not a real owl but still....HAIL LUNA!
ReplyDelete@x()~
ReplyDeleteWhere is that?
And tried it with my one deck out of curiosity.
ReplyDeleteMostly lower arcana, but curiously the two that were higher arcana were Kindness, and Magic. And both were rather unique ones: The Hierophant for Kindness, and Strength for magic.
I also couldn't help but notice the unique numbers. I got almost nothing but fours and fives for all the others, with the exception of a page, knight, and a queen. 2 of each suit, now that I look at it.
All in all: it's nifty, though I admit the reason I have tarot cards is just for the novelty of pulling them out and trying to pull some kind of meaning from the draw...
Why do I suddenly feel like I would buy a pony tarot deck?
So.. for someone who wants to give it a try but has no deck, how would we go about doing so?
ReplyDeleteI shall have to try it with my deck at some point. XD This looks pretty neat...
ReplyDeleteI'd totally do a Persona/Pony fanart...if I could draw.
ReplyDeleteI've never used tarot cards so I can honestly say that I have no idea what this is =(
ReplyDelete@Sterling_Facade
ReplyDeleteDoc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VpuIQ8VSN31VSxkcsvbvqJbuRCgE6VkVXXG4b103H6s/edit?hl=en_US&authkey=CNyP4JkE
DA
http://emoticonmouse.deviantart.com/#/d3hwekf
@Naxts
ReplyDeleteTarot cards, apart from being a card game nopony plays or even knows the rules to, are stuffed full of symbolic meaning and tell a story about the journey through life. You take the deck, shuffle, and draw off the top laying the cards down in order. There's a metric ton of potential explanations depending on order, orientation, number, major or minor arcana, et cetera and so forth, but essentially what's going on here is you arrange colorful cards on that there pony and they tell you about your connection to the Elements of Harmony, as well as interpret your past, present, future, and special talent.
Exactly how much real-world significance you place on that is your call, but I think it's a lot of fun to play around with. So I posted this.
And now Seth's inbox will be full of P3/P4/Shin Megami Tensei in general/and Devil Survivor Fanfic. -_-
ReplyDelete@x()~
ReplyDeletePretty good short. Thanks for the links.
@Phoe
ReplyDeleteit's also used for divination in certain 'high magic' forms. kabbalah and the rituals derived from that use it almost exclusively (thanks MacGregor...) though it's not limited to 'high magic.' i think certain wicca-inspired rituals use the tarot for similar purposes.
i'm sure this spread could be used by almost any random-draw divination system with little tweaking. if you're into that sort of thing.
guess I have to find a tarot deck now. though I do remember this awesome picture of nightmare moon as XIII, or "death" in one of the drawfriend things awhile back.
ReplyDeleteWhat is "Persona"? Anime? Sounnds interesting...
ReplyDeleteI think Tarot is bullshit, but this might be fun to do.
ReplyDelete@Mockingbird
ReplyDeletevideo games, and by shin megami tensei no less, the best known titles are probably number 3 and 4. google it for more info.
If someone makes a Pony-themed Tarot deck, this is what they should use for the Major Arcana:
ReplyDeleteThe Fool: Pinkie Pie wearing her fake mustache-glasses-noisemaker... thing.
The Magician: Twilight Sparkle studying
The Empress: Rarity, modeling her Gala outfit.
The Emperor: Prince Blueblood, basking in his ego.
The Hierophant: The Mayor, struggling to support two stone columns.
The Lovers: Lyra and Bon Bon standing side-by-side, looking around awkwardly.
The Chariot: Two soldiers of the Royal Guard, pulling a chariot carrying Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
Justice: Ditzy Doo, holding a pair of golden scales. (Well, justice IS blind, or at the very least has bad vision.)
The Hermit: Spike walking through Everfree Forest carrying a bindle stick.
Wheel of Fortune: The Cutie Mark Crusaders, tied by their waists to a small wooden wheel.
Strength: Applejack bucking an apple tree, with Winona next to her.
The Hanged Man: Rainbow Dash, tied up in a tree after her epic failure with a lasso.
Death: Angel the Bunny, wearing a black cloak and wielding a scythe.
Temperance: Fluttershy, pouring a bucket of water into an empty bucket.
The Devil: The Great and Powerful Trixie on Stage, with Snips and Snails standing in front of the stage showering her with accolades.
The Tower: Bloomberg, planted in Appleloosa.
The Star: An Ursa Minor looking up at the night sky.
The Moon: Luna raising the Moon
The Sun: Celestia raising the Sun
Judgment: The Parasprite swarm consuming Ponyville.
The World: Doctor Whooves floats in the middle, surrounded by Gilda, the Manticore, the Bison Chief, and Twist.
Give me a chance to break out my old tarot deck...
ReplyDeleteCool!
@ Anonymous
ReplyDeleteWhy not Zecora for The Hermit? Makes more sense to me.
On the lack of a Persona-Pony crossover, it's because I'm still trying to work out the kinks on how it would work. And, y'know, it wouldn't be short.
ReplyDeletePony Tarot...! This is great, I have to try this out with my deck sometime! Thanks to the Pony that made this~
ReplyDeleteWhen I was writing "Celestia's Reading" I also made a Major Pony Arcana list
ReplyDeleteFool = Pinkie Pie
Magician = Trixie
High Priestess = Derpy
Empress = Fluttershy
Emperor = Mayor Mare (this was before Blueblood)
High Priest = Cheerilee
Lovers = Rarity and Blueblood (again before Gala)
Chariot = Rainbow Dash
Strength = Applejack
Hermit = Zecora
Death = Spike (I used a Nightmare Moon pic from drawfriend 55 for the story)
Devil = Nightmare Moon
Tower = Twilight at Canterlot
Star = Twilight Sparkle
Moon = Luna
Sun = Celestia
World = A Sonic Rainboom
Never did find a Wheel, Justice, Hanged Man, or Judgment I liked. Kept falling back to the CMC for each.
x()~
I've been working on a Ponysona fic for a few days now, you mind reader you.
ReplyDelete@Phoe I agree completely
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of fun, and I look forward to the occult/comic/MLP geekery that will result from doing a reading. The comic bit comes in because I have the Dave McKean Vertigo-based tarot deck (http://www.elsewhere.org/tarot/vertigo/).
If anypony would like me to do a reading for them, email me here: destroyerbaby@gmail.com
I think that a Persona/Pony hasn't been made because if you think about it...they're all pretty depressing. P4 might have the best chances cuz I think its the least depressing...
ReplyDeleteI have long been considering drawing a My Little Pony tarot deck since I got into MLP:FiM around the same time as I started looking into tarot. Perhaps I should consider starting on it?
ReplyDeleteI've seen pony versions of some of the Persona 4 characters over on deviantart not too long ago. I can't remember where though. Closest to a crossover I've seen so far.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there isn't a cross over yet, because ponies can't hold a gun to their heads and pull a trigger to summon their persona.
ReplyDelete@Luna
ReplyDeleteUm, no offense your majesty, but that was only for the third one. Admittedly it was the most famous, but it's not a series wide requirement.
a hamfisted 10-card spread that just shoehorns stuff. nice.
ReplyDeletehey shitheads: the celtic cross is terrible and you shouldn't emulate that when making your own spreads!
OMFGP♡NIES! Thank you for posting this ^_^ It was a huge hit at the intermediate tarot class last night - lots of folks taking notes and I ran out of copies of the spread that I'd printed out.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher said; "Ok, now I have to watch this thing and figure out what's the deal." ^_^
If anyone has any questions, you can reach me at ciaran@twincitiestarotguild.org
@Phoe
ReplyDeleteWell said ^_^
Tarot is first and foremost ink on paper. They're cards, and they always have been.
But like any stack of paper with ink on it, there's a ton of information that has been crammed into them, and with study and practice they create a very handy vocabulary for discussing patterns in people's lives.
In this spread, as you said, the focus is to see how well you are integrating the Elements of Harmony into your own life.
Which, you might guess, means that I basically used the Elements of Harmony as a kind of Pony Chakra system ^_^ I don't know if Lauren intended that (or if she even had time to think about it given their production schedule) but the elements do result in a very interesting set of spiritual tools.
I have to admit, I was surprised when Pinkie ended up being the Subconscious ... that seems just about right.
@Destroyerbaby
ReplyDeleteYikes! That Vertigo deck is amazing 0_o I'm gonna have to get a copy of that ... thanks for the link!
@Parodius
ReplyDeleteRe: MLP:FiM Tart Deck.
Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes. The Hello Kitty deck proved that there is a place in the world for such a deck.
By the end of the second season I'm sure there'll be enough going on that there will be something for the minor arcana too.
The court cards are a challenge, because it's tempting to use the mane ponies as higher arcana - but I think Trixie would actually make an excellent Queen of Wands.
I've never interest in Tarot but now...
ReplyDelete@Luna Neither could Koromaru, but he managed perfectly fine. :P
ReplyDeleteI am totally using this...
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a pony tarot deck.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
The minor arcana of the tarot deck roughly corresponds to a basic playing card deck. So you can do a basic reading with any deck of cards. A quick google search brought up this eHow page though I'm sure there are better instructions out there on the internets. Anyhow, it's a way to try it out without investing in a tarot deck.
An Anti-Persona Fan-fic would be even more interesting. How would they get around that?
ReplyDeleteI need to buy a tarot card set. I just have to find a cheap one.
ReplyDelete@kriss1989
ReplyDeleteI know that. I played all the big-consol games and the MMO (which at least gives you a gun).
But staying with the gun gives Cereal a reason to invent the Pony Phinger, and combined with the self-adhesive strips, would allow ponies to pull the trigger.
@Tiroth
If he'd done it right, there wouldn't have been a second time.
I just used this spread on myself. My Cutie Mark was the 5 of Cups. NOOOOOOOOOOO!
ReplyDeleteSo are we only supposed to use the major arcana or the full deck? Just the major arcana makes more sense but it doesn't specify anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll have to hunt for my old tarot deck, I think I left it at my parents' house.
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely use the full deck for this one.
Doing readings at BroNYCon.
I like the quote on the Vision card.
ReplyDeleteDude needs to change the Celestia one - too much fanon bleeding into the design and moral choice rather than actual attention to the show.
ReplyDeleteTrollestia is hilarious in comics, but dude, seriously. That moral doesn't fit her.
Phoe, thank you so much for being the first person I've ever seen mention Persona WITHOUT saying its a ripoff of Yu Gi Oh.
ReplyDeleteShin Megami Tensei is one of my favorite video game series, and it pains me when people judge it "Monster collecting? Gay; Yu Gi Oh hur hur hur" without knowing anything about the mythos or elements the series utilizes.
Phoe, your eloquence and your knowledge;
These are why your my favorite blog author on EQD.
*facepalm* Why did you have to plant the idea of a Pony/Persona crossover? Now it won't be long until Pinkie going full Cupcakes will lead to her summoning up devils.
ReplyDeleteEh, I guess it's alright. I'm not a huge fan of the Celestia card though.
ReplyDeleteThe spread is still fantastic, however.
I am currently working on a Pony/Persona 4 PMV
ReplyDeleteThis update has made me nervous now that someone will finish one before I do...
I did Tarot a lot a long while back. It can be eerie, some stuff I wrote down happened but some stuff is a bit of a stretch.
ReplyDeleteBut just thought I would caution: for a Tarot deck to work I've heard from many sources that it must be a gift. Not something you just go out and pick up yourself. It took me a while to receive my deck.
Also, many believe nobody else should touch the cards except the owner or else they may be influenced or corrupted. I've seen quite a few rituals to "cleanse a deck". Mostly involving certain stones and minerals in a certain arrangement, nothing too out there.
actually, some guy posted a pony based tarot deck in ponychan a while ago, he said it was inspired by one chapter of "out in the cold" where midnight got her cutiemark...
ReplyDeleteI remember some of these:
Fool = Snails
Magician = Trixie
Empress = Rarity
Emperor = Rainbow Dash
Lovers = Rainbow Dash and Pinkie pie
Chariot = Twilight in the pegasus chariot
Strength = Fluttershy slaying a Dragon
Hermit = Zecora
Death = Pinkie Pie
Devil = Pinkamina
Star = Twilight Sparkle
Moon = Luna
Sun = Celestia
Judgement = Octavia performing for the doomed ponies
World = Luna and Celestia, mantaining the world order
I started a thread looking for these cards
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ponychan.net/chan/pic/res/175491.html
Well, I'm certainly satisfied. Not entirely sure how to interpret having my Honesty as The Devil, but I think a Cutie Mark of the Ace of Pentacles seems favorable enough to me, :D
ReplyDeleteI tried this spread out last night with a friend of mine (using real tarot cards). Comes out of it pretty accurate, oddly enough :P
ReplyDeleteAnd we come out with some interesting cutie marks ;P
Funny that people in this thread seem to be interpreting the fool as an idiot. From what I've read, the actual meaning of the card is more akin to someone setting out on a spiritual journey—innocent, naive maybe, but not a moron. "Fool" seems to be one of those words whose meaning has changed over time.
ReplyDeleteBecoming a good tarot reader takes more than just memorizing tarot card meanings and knowing tarot spreads. check reading requires practice, patience and, most importantly, a willingness to trust your own intuition. Whether you are reading for yourself or for someone else, there are some very useful practices you should follow to ensure a good reading.
ReplyDeleteReally Helpfull Post. Thank you so much. উড়াল পঙ্খী
ReplyDelete