The Occult Detective’s #LastWrites with Madame Pamita

I bought my first Tarot Deck, Pixie’s Rider-Waite, 38 years ago this summer. I still consider myself a student of the art and science of the cards and I’m always on the lookout for a new and fresh take on interpreting them.

That’s why I found Madame Pamita’s Magical Tarot: Using the Cards to Make Your Dreams Come True such a delight.

The author writes passionately and you get a true sense of her enthusiasm  and warmth. She has a style that’s all her own, with a clear, confident voice.

She takes the reader on a terrific journey, with the cards as milestones, or better still, doorways into strange new lands of possibilities. The author’s positive spin is refreshing and I’m thrilled to add her knowledge and inspiration into my arsenal.

Madame Pamita has a real gift and plenty of otherworldly charm. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, whether you’re a grizzled old veteran like me or new to the realm of card reading.

I was lucky enough to get Madam Pamita to sit down with us and take part in our little requiem-esque departure, taking a glimpse into her pre-inhumation, if you will.

The premise is simple. My guests face their final rest, but before Death claims them they are granted a few earthly pleasures, the memories of which will travel with them into the great unknown.

What would be your last meal? Take me to a Michelin 3 star restaurant in France, please! I’d like really fabulous wine with my meal, and yes, we would like a bread basket and yes, I will be having a dessert. Make that two desserts!

What would be the last book you’d like to read? I want to read something funny so I can go out laughing. Perhaps “The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!” by Gideon Defoe – nothing like a story of hapless, arrogant and naive pirates battling the evil Queen Victoria to set me in the mood to take off on my own adventure into the unknown.

What is the last movie you’d like to watch? “This is Spinal Tap” – it has everything a movie should have – hapless, arrogant and naive musicians battling the evil music industry plus amps that go to 11.

What is the last song you’d like to hear? This is the hardest question of all because music is my thing! I’d like to see a live band for my last song because live music is the total experience for me. Oooh.. choices now… Is time travel allowed? If so, let me see the Kinks in 1968, David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust or the New York Dolls in 1973. Or, if time travel isn’t allowed, let me play music with one of my own bands just one last time. Music is everything!

Who is the first person you’d like to meet on the other side? It’s corny and not very exciting or clever, but I would love to see my mom again. I’d love to get a big warm hug from her. She was the best hugger ever!

Madame Pamita’s Magical Tarot is available wherever books are sold. Mine came by way of Red Wheel/Weiser. That’s a fine place to start. If you’re new to the path, or have been on the journey as long as I have, you’ll find tremendous value in this work. I truly believe it should grace the shelves of any and all tarot enthusiasts.

Sneak Peek: The Court of Swords

Here’s a quick look at the Court of Swords from the forthcoming Occult Detective Illustrated Tarot.

A reminder that all my Tarot Decks are available through my Etsy store, TheOccultDetective.

And my occult detective collection — First Born: Tales of the Liber Monstrorum — is available via Amazon and other online retail outlets in both ebook and trade paperback.

 

My future’s in the cards. So is yours… #Tarot

Here’s a sneak peek at the Tarot Deck I’m in the throes of designing.

Taking a cue from my short-lived Weirder Tales online serial and even shorter-lived Occult Detective Illustrated comic magazine, I tapped into those past resources and conjured some additional art to create my latest deck experience.

Pictured above (from left to right, naturally) are The Magician (Landon Connors with Boo), the Queen of Pentacles (Sarah Jones), The Hierophant (Guy Starbiter, co-created with Freeman Presson), The Star, and The Devil

The Occult Detective Illustrated Tarot will be available soon, as will a deck of Rune Cards.

In the meantime, you might like to check out the other Tarot Decks I have available through my Etsy store, TheOccultDetective.

And don’t forget my occult detective collection — First Born: Tales of the Liber Monstrorum — is available via Amazon and other online retail outlets.

.:.

The Occult Detective is open for business

On Tuesday, whilst America was celebrating its Independence, I was busy launching an etsy store. That’s right, The Occult Detective is open for business.

The first item being offered is The Landon Connors: Occult Detective Tarot. Originally designed for use in Occult Detective: The Roleplaying Game, I quickly developed a deep connection with the cards and felt that they had a greater purpose beyond the game itself.

I wanted to make the deck available to those who would have little to no interest in an RPG, but would understand and intuit the value of these cards as a divination tool. I think you’ll agree, they are brimming with potential.

In the coming weeks I’ll be adding The Occult Detective Skrá Tarot to the store.

Skrá is an old Norse word. As a noun, it meant “skin” as in parchment, but as a verb its meaning is “to write”.

The Skrá Tarot was my first attempt at a personalized deck, where the symbolism was mine and mine alone.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Ever since I first started revealing images from this deck back in 2012, the response has been overwhelming.

For whatever reason, a lot of people have felt a real connection to these images. So, after a wee bit of soul-searching, I decided to release them. I have had to reformat them somewhat to accommodate the print shop doing the work, but I think in the end, this will make the cards even better.

As for what else I might be offering, I foresee signed books, perhaps more Tarot Decks, maybe even some readings.

I’m also offering up my services to create custom cards or full decks for those interested.

As you can see, there’s lots going on at my new storefront. Come on by and check out The Occult Detective and browse around. I’ve a feeling something might grab you…

The Queen of Pentacles

The Queen of the Court of Pentacles
in the Occult Detective Skrá Tarot.

Its meaning relates to sensuality and
abundance, representing a mentor or
benefactor who is a patron of the arts and
supportive of creative endeavors.

Tarot Tuesday: Liber Monstrorum

Liber Monstrorum is the Twenty-Second Trump
in the Occult Detective Skrá Tarot.

Its meaning relates to creativity and
sacrifice, representing artistic expression
with the support of loved ones and
surrendering yourself to your true will.

Tarot Tuesday: The Ace of Cups

The Occult Detective Skrá Tarot’s
Ace of Cups

Its meaning relates to intimacy and
intuition, representing inspiration,
creative expression, and love…

The Aces of the Occult Detective Skrá Tarot

The Minor Arcana Aces
The Occult Detective Skrá Tarot

The Court Cards of the Occult Detective Skrá Tarot

 

The Minor Arcana Court Cards
The Occult Detective Skrá Tarot

Tarot Tuesday: Confrontation

Confrontation is the Eighth Trump
in the Occult Detective Skrá Tarot.

Its meaning relates to strength and
self-control, representing
discipline, perseverance, and
the overcoming of great obstacles.