EmpyreanKnight Posted December 30, 2017 Posted December 30, 2017 I have been working with the Sol Invictus: The God Tarot for quite a while now and it is indubitably one of the best ever Tarot decks that I chanced upon. I have always been a fan of luxurious, opulent, and lushly dreamy art in Tarot, and the deck's aesthetic is honestly quite the opposite of that. You heard that right - the images in the cards are a bit "naive" and certainly not what I would rave about as I would with most of my decks. But that really is quite the point - the whole execution of the deck is so excellent, so competently-done, that its art was not enough to turn me off. Au contraire - the intellectual delights that the companion book offers and the almost-complete concurrence which I had for how the author, Kim Huggens, assigned the diverse gods or divine myths to each card had me warming up to the cards' aesthetics. I think that they can definitely be improved, but as it stands, the images actually exude a warmth and even sagacity that I'm beginning to love. And I don't say this lightly - if I dislike a deck I can just regretfully disregard it but for me to actually learn to like cards whose pictures I was initially quite disappointed with is very rare indeed. Let me say this again - Kim Huggens ranks among the very best Tarot authors with her scholarly, visionary, and fresh approach to the divine masculine. The companion book for this one certainly puts her in the same class as Robert Place and Brian Williams, among other Tarot luminaries. The actual gift here tho are the loads of new deities and novel (at least personally) mythological themes that the reader is bound to discover. You'd be left nodding at how the deities she assigned for each card perfectly fits the archetype/s it signifies, oftentimes effectively overriding what divinity one would have attributed to it. And it's not just the joy of discovering new stories of ancient gods in diverse cultures - even with the deities that one is familiar with, she offers fresh perspectives and lessons that would make one see them in a new light. And again - as most reviews would tell you the scholarship of the book is topnotch so that you're sure that the legends, myths, and discourses in it are accurate. For a Tarot deck that deals with a plethora of Godheads - it exhibits a certain warmth and big-heartedness which I didn't quite expect. I'm just glad that I gave the deck a chance even if I was initially doubtful about Nic Phillips' art. The cards are much better in actuality than seen across a computer screen - the colors are more lively and the subtle shading makes a world of difference. That's why when he was asked to do another collaboration with Huggens - on a goddess deck at that (!) - I thought that he was the best choice. I definitely would have been disappointed if it were someone else.
EmpyreanKnight Posted December 30, 2017 Author Posted December 30, 2017 That brings me to my real questiom tho. Does anybody know the status of the Pistis Sophia - their goddess Tarot which was supposed to have been the feminine complement to the Sol Invictus? They have already began to work on it years ago, they set up a website for it which has since been taken down, exhibited a lot of the wondrous art that Phillips created for it, and even sold merchandise at one point, and all of a sudden - nothing. And I thought it was close to being released under the Schiffer imprint too. I just wish to know if it has a chance of being published at all - I so want it. :(
FLizarraga Posted December 31, 2017 Posted December 31, 2017 I cannot believe that you are selling ME on the Sol Invictus, EK! For reasons that I cannot articulate very well, I am not drawn to overtly masculine decks, yet I have no problem embracing all-female decks. So I simply avoided the Sol Invictus. Until now, that you are making me reconsider... ;D That said, I love the idea of a complementary goddess deck, and the Pistis Sophia would have been a wonderful counterpart. I can imagine pairing them up for readings. And I didn't even know about it! It completely flew under my radar. I am sorry that the project seems to have been derailed or something...
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 1, 2018 Author Posted January 1, 2018 Tbh tho, the Sol Invictus has a warm rather than hot energy, so it is not too strident, too insistent in its masculinity. It's quite strange, but they're like those guys who are outwardly chill and unassuming, but who you know would come through in the clutch. Maybe it's the rather soft coloring and the dreamy art, but it does not simmer with testosterone as I initially thought a deck on male godheads should. It's just confident in its manliness, and I like that. :) Also, I do hope that they can do something about the Pistis Sophia: The Goddess Tarot (that seems to be the official title). It's such a perfect complement to the Sol Invictus that I shall definitely grab it like no one's business once it's available. And while the SI has grown on me, the art in the PS has definitely come to its own. Phillips's aesthetic style is such a good fit for a goddess deck. Take a look at the card images in Kim Huggens's Flickr site so you'd know what we're missing on. :'(
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 1, 2018 Author Posted January 1, 2018 Btw, there's another deck on the Divine Masculine that I used along with the Sol Invictus on this season's Sacred Days of Yule group reading. It's the Gods and Titans Oracle and unlike the SI it's brimming with testosterone and so aggressively muscled that they have to be on juice. It's like when you meet these gods you would like to pepper them with questions about the universe and existence etc, but most of all you just have to ask - are they cutting on tren? Lookit the images in the deck's page on their publisher's site to see what I mean. Surprisingly tho, it works very well with the Sol Invictus in my paired readings. I so love these decks.
FLizarraga Posted January 1, 2018 Posted January 1, 2018 Hmm. Myself, I'd would like to pair the Gods and Titans with the Goddesses and Sirens. They look like they go to the same gym and get their juice from the same supplier... ;)
Tanga Posted January 1, 2018 Posted January 1, 2018 Ahh - Sol Invictus. :-* :-* It's delightfull! ;) I promise - it doesn't make you wanna hurl at the masculine. ;D ;D - quite the opposite. I too really enjoy how the characters are put together, and learning all about them. And - I was also waiting with baited breath for the Pistis Sophia... :( SIGH. ...Gods and Titans Oracle... looked at it closely and something about it just doesn't quite work for me.
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 2, 2018 Author Posted January 2, 2018 I'm so glad to finally meet somebody who shares my passion for the Sol Invictus too, Tanga! :D
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 2, 2018 Author Posted January 2, 2018 Hmm. Myself, I'd would like to pair the Gods and Titans with the Goddesses and Sirens. They look like they go to the same gym and get their juice from the same supplier... ;) Lulz FOUND a fellow gymbrah. Tell me, are you on dat dere gear, FLiz? I ain't cuz I'm all natty. ;) About the Goddesses and Sirens - they're a bit distracting but knowing myself, I'm eventually going to get them.
Flaxen Posted January 2, 2018 Posted January 2, 2018 I've also been waiting for the Pistis Sophia. It's such a shame it seems to have been shelved for now. The companion book for Sol Invictus is brilliant and I was looking forward to something similar with goddesses.
FLizarraga Posted January 3, 2018 Posted January 3, 2018 Hmm. Myself, I'd would like to pair the Gods and Titans with the Goddesses and Sirens. They look like they go to the same gym and get their juice from the same supplier... ;) Lulz FOUND a fellow gymbrah. Tell me, are you on dat dere gear, FLiz? I ain't cuz I'm all natty. ;) About the Goddesses and Sirens - they're a bit distracting but knowing myself, I'm eventually going to get them. LOL. You seem very up-to-date on the lingo, EK... ;D No, I've never juiced. And I've never been a bodybuilder, either, though until not too long ago I was a serious gym rat, and did pump iron like there was no tomorrow.
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 3, 2018 Author Posted January 3, 2018 Me neither. If I competed it would have been a different story, but since I don't, I thought that it would have just been an exercise in vanity. But you know what - I sometimes get sorely tempted. Because you do get results - they're visible and tangible. I know since I have two buds who are ridin that tren to Valhalla. I sometimes think - what could one cycle hurt, really? I'm glad I got that out of my system. Or have I? ;) But FLiz - have you stopped lifting? Why tho?
RavenOfSummer Posted January 3, 2018 Posted January 3, 2018 So I reached out to Nic Phillips, the artist of these decks, to see if he could give more information on the status of the Pistis Sophia. He just sent me the following response: "I’ve been speaking to Kim about what we should do with the deck, and what would be the best form for the book to take. As you probably know, the cards have long been finished and the book is about 3/4 done. We are deciding who and how to approach publishing it. As you may know, a lot of publishers don’t want the level of information we put into it so we need to decide if we compromise over that. I’m pleased to hear there is still interest in the deck, and the opinions of the people we are publishing it for are always welcome! Best wishes" Any advice people have to pass on to them? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
FLizarraga Posted January 3, 2018 Posted January 3, 2018 So I reached out to Nic Phillips, the artist of these decks, to see if he could give more information on the status of the Pistis Sophia. He just sent me the following response: "I’ve been speaking to Kim about what we should do with the deck, and what would be the best form for the book to take. As you probably know, the cards have long been finished and the book is about 3/4 done. We are deciding who and how to approach publishing it. As you may know, a lot of publishers don’t want the level of information we put into it so we need to decide if we compromise over that. I’m pleased to hear there is still interest in the deck, and the opinions of the people we are publishing it for are always welcome! Best wishes" Any advice people have to pass on to them? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk That’s wonderful news, actually. Well done, RavenOfSummer! As for advice, well, just one word, really: Kickstarter. It’s the way to go to realize a project without having to compromise with publishers who want a thinner book. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
FLizarraga Posted January 3, 2018 Posted January 3, 2018 Me neither. If I competed it would have been a different story, but since I don't, I thought that it would have just been an exercise in vanity. But you know what - I sometimes get sorely tempted. Because you do get results - they're visible and tangible. I know since I have two buds who are ridin that tren to Valhalla. I sometimes think - what could one cycle hurt, really? I'm glad I got that out of my system. Or have I? ;) But FLiz - have you stopped lifting? Why tho? The long version is that I moved to a colder climate where going to the gym becomes a tiresome production, that I no longer have the time, blah-blah-blah. The short version is that I’m getting older, and feeling good takes precedence over looking good naked... [emoji854] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 That's great, FLiz! I'm just glad you didn't get injured or something so you had to stop.
RavenOfSummer Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 So I reached out to Nic Phillips, the artist of these decks, to see if he could give more information on the status of the Pistis Sophia. He just sent me the following response: "I’ve been speaking to Kim about what we should do with the deck, and what would be the best form for the book to take. As you probably know, the cards have long been finished and the book is about 3/4 done. We are deciding who and how to approach publishing it. As you may know, a lot of publishers don’t want the level of information we put into it so we need to decide if we compromise over that. I’m pleased to hear there is still interest in the deck, and the opinions of the people we are publishing it for are always welcome! Best wishes" Any advice people have to pass on to them? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk That’s wonderful news, actually. Well done, RavenOfSummer! As for advice, well, just one word, really: Kickstarter. It’s the way to go to realize a project without having to compromise with publishers who want a thinner book. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I was also thinking Kickstarter! And also possibly Schiffer, for a potentially more open-minded traditional publisher...I believe I've heard that about them? I know Poppy Palin had a similar issue with her forthcoming Everyday Enchantment deck, which I'm guessing has been resolved since there's now a release date, but I don't know how things panned out in that case.
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 So I reached out to Nic Phillips, the artist of these decks, to see if he could give more information on the status of the Pistis Sophia. He just sent me the following response: "I’ve been speaking to Kim about what we should do with the deck, and what would be the best form for the book to take. As you probably know, the cards have long been finished and the book is about 3/4 done. We are deciding who and how to approach publishing it. As you may know, a lot of publishers don’t want the level of information we put into it so we need to decide if we compromise over that. I’m pleased to hear there is still interest in the deck, and the opinions of the people we are publishing it for are always welcome! Best wishes" Any advice people have to pass on to them? Thank you so much for taking the initiative to contact one of the creators themselves, RavenOfSummer! I can so hug you for this. :D To me tho - the companion book for the Sol Invictus already possesses a wonder balance between erudition and brevity. It's not so short that it seems half-baked, leaving readers wanting more. It's not so overwrought as to be dry and boring either. It's just right, as so many reviews have acclaimed. If Schiffer is willing to maintain the same size for the companion book - I would say that this is an agreeable compromise. I think Schiffer knows that they will have a winner here - even tho the Sol Invictus is one of the first Tarot sets they ever released it's still not OOP, since it's currently displayed in their own website, marked Available Now. There is a market for scholarly Tarot decks - and if it can be published as the rightful twin sister of the SI, with matching sets and companion books and art and whatnot - then it's a great marketing strategy that will allow them to sell two sets instead of one. If a compromise can't be reached - can they market it to the other major Tarot houses? Or can the deck and companion book be offered separately sigh? If push comes to shove and none of the terms the major publishers offer are satisfactory, I fully agree with FLiz that Kickstarter or any crowdfunding site would be the way to go. They could also go indie if they have the capital. Better those than to publish a book that's an inferior shadow of its predecessor.
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 I was also thinking Kickstarter! And also possibly Schiffer, for a potentially more open-minded traditional publisher...I believe I've heard that about them? I know Poppy Palin had a similar issue with her forthcoming Everyday Enchantment deck, which I'm guessing has been resolved since there's now a release date, but I don't know how things panned out in that case. The Sol Invictus was published by Schiffer, so I hope they would take the Pistis Sophia under their wing too. :-\
RavenOfSummer Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 I was also thinking Kickstarter! And also possibly Schiffer, for a potentially more open-minded traditional publisher...I believe I've heard that about them? I know Poppy Palin had a similar issue with her forthcoming Everyday Enchantment deck, which I'm guessing has been resolved since there's now a release date, but I don't know how things panned out in that case. The Sol Invictus was published by Schiffer, so I hope they would take the Pistis Sophia under their wing too. :-\ I must have cross-posted with you EmpyreanKnight! I will gladly accept your hug [emoji847] I hadn't realized that Sol Invictus actually was Schiffer!! So even more so then, I would think that would be the natural fit, as you suggest. I shouldn't think there would be any issues preventing that, although it's interesting in that case that Nic brought this up. Do you happen to know what transpired when Poppy Palin was having this issue with the publisher for Everyday Enchantment? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 The warmest of hugs on the coldest of winters for you, RavenOfSummer! I don't know what happened regarding the Everyday Enchantment, but HERE is a post purporting to tell what happened, even saying that the account she wrote came from Poppy Palin herself. If it is true tho, it seems like some emails addressed to Schiffer supporting the Pistis Sophia is due. But maybe we must let Huggens finish the book first before we jump the gun.
RavenOfSummer Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 The warmest of hugs on the coldest of winters for you, RavenOfSummer! I don't know what happened regarding the Everyday Enchantment, but HERE is a post purporting to tell what happened, even saying that the account she wrote came from Poppy Palin herself. If it is true tho, it seems like some emails addressed to Schiffer supporting the Pistis Sophia is due. But maybe we must let Huggens finish the book first before we jump the gun. Brr, and it is COLD here!!! The next few days are supposed to have HIGHS of around 20 degrees Farenheit, or about -7 degrees Celsius. Tonight the wind chill is going down to about -2 degrees Farenheit, or about -19 degrees Celsius. These kinds of temperatures are quite uncommon in Washington DC. So warm hugs are very much appreciated! :D I agree with you...I'm sure many of us would be happy to reach out to a publisher in support of this deck, but first we'll need to wait and see what happens and what Kim and Nic decide to do. If I do hear anything else from Nic, I will pass it along here!
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 5, 2018 Author Posted January 5, 2018 Thank you so much, RavenOfSummer, and please do so! If I get any news on the deck I shall definitely pass it along here too. :D
EmpyreanKnight Posted January 14, 2018 Author Posted January 14, 2018 I'm just posting this public Facebook group here. It looks like the official one of sorts since Nic Phillips sometimes posts and comments there: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42499059316
Alta Posted January 14, 2018 Posted January 14, 2018 Thanks for the update on Pistis Sophia. I also have Sol Invictus, and was pleased that Schiffer had been willing to publish Kim’s Book with it. Thanks also for the chuckle about not being that concerned any more about looking good naked. For me that ship has sailed but I still like modest weight workouts and some cardio. My guess is that Nic’s naive art is stopping the publication more than Kim’s scholarship. Can’t be sure but guessing the tarot buying public would no longer want Shining Tribe or Rock Art tarots any more either. (Alta)
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