Dancing the Tarot: Session 1
October 11, 2020
“The standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into 2 sections: the major and minor arcanas. The word arcana is the plural of arcanum which means “profound secret.” To the alchemists of the Middle Ages, the Arcanum was the secret of nature. The tarot cards are therefore a collection of the “secrets” that underlie and explain our universe.”
The Big Book of TAROT, How to Interpret the Cards and Work with Tarot Spreads for Personal Growth by Joan Bunning.
FOOL’S JOURNEY
Many have interpreted the major arcana cards as showing the different stages on an individual’s journey of inner growth. Also known as the Fool’s Journey, each card stands for some quality or experiences that we must incorporate before we can realize our wholeness.
This is the journey we will be taking as we dance through each of the 22 major arcana cards. We’ll be working primarily with the Tarot of the Sidhe, both text & artwork by Emily Carding.
So now we begin with the Fool, a card of beginnings, standing for each of us as we begin our journey of life by first mastering the external & material world.
0 – Fool
Tsadik Katamar (The Wise Man & the Fool)
Additional Card from Motherpeace Tarot by Vicki Noble
1 – Magician
Shaman Dance Choreography: Lucy Van Leeuwen, Music” Medicine Wheel from CD The Kate Wolf Anthology
Additional Card from Lumina Tarot by Lauren Aletta & Tecan Svyny
2 – HIgh Priestess
Hallai Pontos (Traditional)
Additional Card from The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne
3 – Empress
Cantus Interatus Choreography: Nanni Kloke, Music: Track 6 Songs of Adiemus
Additional Card from Playful Heart Tarot by Chicken Chops
4 – Emperor
Lore – Choreography Stefan Freedman, Music: by Clannad from CD Lore
Additional Card from The Fountain Tarot created by Jonathan Saiz, written by Jason Gruhl, designed by Andi Todaro
5 – The Elder (The Hierophant)
Hanac Pachap Choreography: Pablo Scornik Music: Traditional Quecha (catholic) sung by Savac Vocal Ensemble
Additional Card from The Numinous Tarot by created, written, illustrated by Noel Arthur Heimpel
6 – The Lovers
This Love Will Carry Choreography: Lucy Van Leeuwen Music: This Love Will Carry from Solas – Another Day, Steps: Part A only
Additional Card from The Housewives Tarot by Paul Kepple & Jude Buffum
7 – The Chariot
On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
Additional Card from Vanessa Tarot by Lynyrd Narciso
Dancing the Tarot Session 2:
October 18, 2020
Now that the Fool has completed the first leg of his journey and explored the material world, it is time to journey through the mental world.
In this part of his journey, the Fool learns lessons that have less to do with the outer environment and functioning in the physical world, and more to do with his own psyche and moral lessons. Here, he starts grappling with larger forces and philosophical questions
8 – Justice
Cleopatra – Music by Vas, Steps by Stefan Freedman
The Cook’s Tarot written & illustrated by Judith Mackay Stirt
9 – Hermit
Pradesh – Music is Shanti chant from Inside the Kremlin by Ravi Shankar, Steps by Peter Vallance
The Wild Unknown Tarot created by Kim Krans
10 – Wheel of Fortune
Namah Shivaya – Music Krishna Das
Visions Tarot illustrated by James R. Eads
11 – Strength
Boadicea – Music Enya from the “Celts” Steps by Nanni Kloke
Boudicca, also spelled Boadicea or Boudica, (died 60 or 61 CE), ancient British queen who in 60 CE (Common Era or AD) led a revolt against Roman rule.
Hezicos Tarot created & illustrated by Mary Griffin
12 – Hanged Man
Verstilling – Music Pantha Rei by Peter Groeneboom, Steps by Nanni Kloke
Hearts & Hands Tarot illustrated by Liz Blackbird
13 – Death
The Crossing (Osiyeza) – Music by Johnny Clegg, (Song about the journey from this life to the next and what you go through in that space after you die before you reach the next place. It was written for his Zulu dance partner of many years after he was shot in the back with 9 bullets.) Steps by Andrea & Ted
Mary el Tarot created by Marie White
14 – Temperance
Chiaroscuro – Music by Ferron, Steps by Nawal Godalla
Chiaroscuro means to bring form out of light & dark, a technique that is used in art to create the illusion of a three-dimensional solid form. The two contrasting parts of this dance strike a balance between light & shade and can be seen in many different ways.
The Dark Mansion Tarot illustrated by Magdalen Kaczan
Dancing the Tarot Session 3
October 25, 2020
We have now completed our Fool’s journey through both the material and mental worlds. On this the third and final part of our journey, we start exploring the spiritual world and communing with the divine. We will overcome our final challenges, ascend to the heavens, and find enlightenment at last.
15 – Devil (Pan)
Adversary by the band Crime in the City Solution with singer-songwriter and mainstay Simon Bonney on CD Until the End of the World
A person, group, or force that opposes or attacks, opponent, enemy, foe, the devil, Satan
Devil (Shadow) The Sirian Starseed Tarot, author Patricia Cere and artist Alysa Bartha
16 – Tower
Hex, Music by Mari B. Persen on CD Gula Gula, Steps by June Watt
Opening to the self
making space to grow – clearing the old and building energy
listening to guidance and connecting to higher wisdom and change
Efflorescent Tarot by Peony Coin Archer, Efflorescent means “bursting into flower”
17 – Star
Connected to the Stars, steps by Friedle Kloke-Eibl, music Days of Honey by Asher Quinn
Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, conceived by Edward Waite, artist Pamela Coleman Smith, both members of Order of the Golden Dawn
18 – Moon
In the Path of the Moon, Song by Savina Yannatov called “El Sueno de la Hijo del Rey” on CD Primavera en Salanta, Steps by Bobbi Bailin
Wildwood Tarot created by Mark Ryan & John Matthews, illustrated by Will Worthington
19 – Sun
Alegria (Spanish word for joy) Music Cirque du Soleil CD Ref 09026 62701 2, Steps by Rosie Fagg
Tarot de Marseille
20 – Judgement
The Awakening, Music The Awakening – Jan Erik Noske, Tract 1, Steps Nanni Kloke
Maroon Tarot, Polish deck created by Tomasz Maronski & Maja Zaworowska
21 – The World
Halleluia for the World, Song Kuule Minum, Steps by Nanni Kloke
Gypsy Palace Tarot by Norah Huszka