Blake's Tarot in the Ripper Game

     As their investigations continued, the company have found a series of mysterious Tarot cards apparently penned by William Blake. The deck bears different imagery and titles from standard Tarot decks, but subtlely related. In the game-world, the Blake paintings on these cards are virtually unknown (instead of being often famous images as they are in our world).

     The cards found thus far are:

NOTES:
II and XIII found in Dr. Lorenz's notes at Malbray Asylum (1/30/89).
X and XX found on the wall which mysteriously appeared at the destruction of the Afterlife Club.
XVII, XVIII, & XIX found in the sarcophagus puzzle box from Merriweather's trunk.
0 and XXII found in Sir Simon's book -- in Grimmond's notes.

History

     As Eck looked into the background in the game, he found that there are some rumored Tarots constructed by Blake, which might very well accord with the cards you've seen. Unfortunately, he painted them while on a vacation in Mortlake (a suburb west of London, near Kew), and the house burned down essentially while he was there; the assumption has been that the cards (if any) and other sketches and writings were burned in the house. It's unclear, though. Certainly, if these cards exist, they are priceless! If it really exists and is a secret, it's a surprisingly well-kept one. On the other hand, there have been various rumors of people buying odd Blake pieces and vanishing (usually dead) shortly thereafter. Depending on how much time you want to spend, you might look into the records of auction-houses which deal in fine art, such as Christies; alternatively, there are a few booksellers in places like Cecil Court (near Leicester Square) who might know about the Tarot end of things.

Descriptions

     Each card has on the back a picture with 3 colorful dancers in the foreground. Behind them on the left, giant vultures attack a giant dark figure (Promethean?). Behind them on the right, a woman cradles a giant figure's head which is contorted in sorrow. In a box is the poem which reads:

Discontent: Clouded  with discontent &  brooding in their minds terrible  things

     The fronts of the cards we have found thus far are described as follows:

0   THE BEGGAR

A child stands with his back to a mysterious door that is slightly ajar, symbolizing both opportunity and the unknown. Beside him a dog growls at the opening.

In traditional tarot, the Fool shows a highly imaginative and open minded person. It indicates immaturity and foolish risks, but also untapped (and unexpected) potential.

II   THE WHITE LADY

This is represented as a woman kneeling (? weeping) beside four bloody heads. Behind her, on a hill with Stonehenge-like megaliths, is the word ``Jerusalem.'' Above is a line of clouds, then a night sky with an enormous sickle-moon being dragged by some sort of bridled or harnessed nude woman.

In traditional tarot, the High Priestess represents education, knowledge, wisdom, and esoteric teachings. It can also represent intuition, foresight, or spiritual revelation. In Blake's card, it seems to represent albedo, the purifying force in alchemy -- knowledge, order, and boundaries.

X   THE WHEEL

A crouching, unidentified figure sits in darkness, beneath speckled hoops of blue and red. Behind these are four figures which could be angels, winged fairies, or perhaps some kind of insects with human-like shapes. In a box is the poem:

In futurity I prophetic see, That the earth from sleep (Grave the sentence deep) Shall arise and seek For her maker meek: And the desart wild Become a garden mild.

In traditional tarot, the Wheel of Fortune always indicates a change of fortune, usually for the better. It also indicates cycles of change and randomness.

XIII   THE BLACK KING

A blonde, muscular figure, entirely black but for the hair, stands in clouded shadow. His right hand is raised before him, fingers spread. In the top left are the letters ``MIL''; along the right the letters ``TON.'' At the bottom, a small caption reads, ``To Justify the Ways of God to Man.''

In traditional Tarot, Death indicates a major change or transformation. This change may be traumatic and unexpected, but can also open the way for a positive new beginning. In Blake's version, it seems to represent negredo, the alchemical force of putrefaction and decay -- breaking down boundaries. (This as explained to the company by John Dee.)

XVII   THE SHADOWS

Shows the back of a man walking into a dark doorway. In his right hand is a shining disk.

In traditional tarot, the Star usually signifies a time of new hopes, splendid revelations of the future. It represents insight and inspiration, courage and enlightenment.

XVIII   THE LONG NIGHT

Two couples are in the foreground, in the background the moon shines over water. The placid couple on the left stand in the light holding their child. The barbarous couple on the left crouch in shadows holding knives.

In traditional tarot, the Moon is a card of deception, dreams, and mystery. It indicates insecurity or uncertainty. The Blake image suggests specifically a dichotomy: a unresolved struggle between dark and light.

IXX   DAWN

A river flows down the center to the setting sun. Three figures (a woman? and two children) are in the water in the foreground swimming while another stands upon the water's surface. Another figure in the background floats in the air over the river, reaching downwards with a finger. Other figures stand with trees by the water's edge.

In traditional tarot, the Sun signifies a time of contentment, freedom from restraints, and achievement. In Blake's imagery it suggest baptism and renewal as well.

XX   THE ARISEN

The dead rise from their graves; angels look on smiling. In the night sky, above a large low moon, is a strange rainbowed image; it is as though a tear has been made in the sky, and a figure (female?) surrounded by moons of different phases appears in a burst of multicolored glory.

In traditional tarot, Judgement represents a final decision in respect of the past. A time of atonement, healing and fulfillment. Overcoming negative situations and the problems associated with them. Blake's image adds the female figure who seems to embody the release -- lying between worlds or times.

XXII   THE CITY

This image is from Jacob's dream in the book of Genesis, showing Jacob and his ladder to heaven. In Blake's myth, this is Albion asleep on the Rock of Ages.

In traditional tarot, the World signifies well earned recognition, achievement, and reward. It indicates a time of prosperity and fulfillment. Blake's image is quite distinct, while also indicating material prosperity -- as God promised to Jacob in his dream, that his ``seed would be as the dust of the earth''.

Additional Tarot Links

     These are links not directly related to the William Blake tarot in the Ripper game, but which could be useful reading nonetheless...

• Michele Jackson's Tarot Page
• Tarot Readings Site
  This includes the Buryn deck of William Blake images, and the more standard Rider-Waite. It will give random readings using either deck.
• Standard Interpretations of the Waite deck (by Joan Bunning)
  A set of descriptions for each of the cards and their reverse.
• Local Summary Pages:
  Complete Rider-Waite Tarot images
  Complete Buryn (William Blake) Tarot images

• Tarot Layout FAQ (text file)
• The Marseilles Deck ... a printed deck from 18th century France.
• Excepts from Women of the Golden Dawn