I just received my copy of The Neuroscience of Tarot by Siddarth Ramakrishnan today, even though it doesn’t officially come out until the 8th. It was a fun surprise to find in the mailbox today.
This book was pre-ordered as soon as I saw it recommended by Mat Auryn months ago. It sounded fascinating, and right up my alley given that I teach people how to make their own cards. In every one of my classes, I explain how to meditate, receive images in your mind, draw them down on paper, and then tell their stories. I teach people that no matter your drawing abilities, you can create your cards, and that if you stop at thinking about it, you’re missing out on the healing and full understanding of what you discovered in mediation.
I believe this book will give me a much deeper understanding of why and how I’ve uncovered these aspects of card design and art in general.
Since it goes so well with my work, and as a way to stay accountable, I think it would be fun to journal my way through the book. I’ll share my understanding of it, how it applies to my Card Creators Coven, and share my tarot insights as I go.
The first prompt asks me notice my surroundings and notice what I perceive and observe based on my surroundings and a card I pull for today.
I notice my light on my desk, the computer, clicking keys, the tv going in the other room, stacks of books and sensory input. I see chaos and clutter.
More abstract, I see circles, squares and rectangles. I feel stress in the mess. I feel overwhelmed, but optimistic.
I pulled the Hierophant. From far away I notice the colors, and stairs, (using the light seers’ tarot). I notice a face that from a distance I can’t tell if its happy or sad. Up close I see the finer details, all of the symbols that relate to many different cultures and myths. I see it’s joy. I see that the symbols are falling into their head. The placement becomes meaningful.