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Martin Sharp’s psychedelic tarot cards from 1967
02.04.2016
02:43 pm
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Martin Sharp’s psychedelic tarot cards from 1967


 

Martin Sharp was an incredibly important figure in the development of the psychedelic aesthetic in the 1960s. He was an artist from Australia and from 1963 to 1965 he was the art director for Richard Neville’s influential underground newspaper, which was called OZ Magazine. In 1966 Sharp moved to London and a year later began working for the London version of OZ, which lasted until 1973.

In addition to his many, many artworks that appeared in OZ, Sharp pursued his own art, and he also designed two extremely influential album covers for Cream (Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire) as well as the first Ginger Baker’s Air Force album. He also co-wrote the Cream song “Tales of Brave Ulysses.”

Issue #4 of the London incarnation of OZ came out in June 1967, and it featured a large spread containing a full tarot deck by Martin Sharp. The spread looked like this (click the picture for a larger view):
 

 
Here are all of the cards followed by the text that goes along with the set, in case you should find the text hard to read.
 

1. The Magician (or Juggler)
 

2. The High Priestess
 

3. The Empress
 

4. The Emperor
 

5. The Pope (or the Hierophant)
 

6. The Lovers
 

7. The Chariot
 

8. Justice
 

9. The Hermit
 

10. The Wheel of Fortune
 

11. Force
 

12. The Hanged Man
 

13. Death
 

14. Temperance
 

15. The Devil
 

The Tower of Destruction
 

The Star
 

The Moon
 

The Sun
 

Judgment
 

The Fool
 

The World
 

 

1. The Magician (or Juggler)
Will
Male inquirer, the man who changes things and has powers. Willpower.

2. The High Priestess
Wisdom
Serene wisdom, knowledge. Woman, a wise woman.

3. The Empress
Action
Action: initiative. Worldly powers which cannot be fought as they are the result of science and will.

4. The Emperor
Realization
Worldly power, wealth or a man with power. Effect.

5. The Pope (or the Hierophant)
Mercy
Mercy, beneficence, kindness, goodness, inspiration, wisdom, spiritual growth, good advice.

6. The Lovers
Harmony
Love, proof or trials surmounted, wise disposition. A union, not necessarily between lovers, can be a reunion, business association, etc.

7. The Chariot
Triumph
Triumph, victory of justice or judgment, providential protection. Conflict, two people or influences pulling in different directions.

8. Justice
Justice
Equilibrium and justice. Balance—it all works out in the end (slightly in the seeker’s favour is implied).

9. The Hermit
Prudence
A withdrawal, going away.

10. The Wheel of Fortune
Fortune
Fortune (good or bad). Destiny. The situation or question is not very important. What goes up comes down; it will even out in the end.

11. Force
Strength
The strongest card in the pack, means that the person has the necessary strength to do the things that he wants to do, that influences are favourable, also implies that he has right on his side.

12. The Hanged Man
Sacrifice
A threat hanging over the situation or person.

13. Death
Change
Transformation or change, death. An abrupt and complete ending, not necessarily a death.

14. Temperance
Combination
Patience, and waiting are necessary and right—if next to a person it may mean by that person or may be general.

15. The Devil
Fate
Fate or Fatalists (good or evil). Immense force or illness. Temptation to cause trouble or be destructive. This is a strong card and is a warning that great self-control will be needed.

16. The Tower of Destruction
Ruin
Ruin, Disruption, deception. End of a dream, destruction of a creative enterprise.

17. The Star
Hope
A great ambition, an unrealistic dream, wish or enterprise.

18. The Moon
Danger
Hidden enemies. Danger, twilight, deception, error. A slow but sure growing endeavour.

19. The Sun
Material Happiness
Earthly happiness, marriage. Very benefcial influences, the time is right and the thing is right.

20. Judgment
Result
Result, renewal, change of position. A wrong will be righted, this implies that someone had been hardly treated, not necessarily the enquirer and the judgment may well not be in their favour.

21. The Fool
Folly
Folly, expiation, inconsiderate actions. The unexpected newcomer, the creative person, the changeable.

22. The World
Completion
Success, reward. A representation of what you really are and what life is really all about.

 

Posted by Martin Schneider
|
02.04.2016
02:43 pm
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