THE TAROT SERIES 1

1. The Candle of Vision (Hermit)

Oil on canvas 30 x 40cm (2023)

INFLUENCES

The writings of George Russell (1867-1935), known as A.E. From his book The Candle Of Vision:-

“ We have within us the Lamp of the World; and nature the genie is Slave of the Lamp, and must fashion life about us as we fashion it within ourselves. What we are alone has power.”

2. The Magician

Oil on canvas 30 x 40cm (2024)

INFLUENCES

A photograph taken by Olwen Holland of Max Ernst’s bronze sculpture Le Grand Génie 1967-1998, (Museo Botera, Bogota).

The Wizard of Oz as revealed by Toto behind the emerald curtain. MGM. (1939).

Myth of the Magus, (1948), Ritual Magic (1949), The Fortunes of Faust (1952) by Elizabeth Butler.

Butler’s masterwork in three volumes explores 1) the origins and historical development of the archetype of the magus, 2) the history of the traditions and practices of ceremonial magic and 3) the emergence and construction of the Faustian legend by Christian mythologists and the subsequent development of the theme in literature and culture.

The Magician Tarot card

The lesson of the magician card is one of discernment. There is an a abyss of difference between the Magician and the Juggler. The ability to change consciousness in accordance with will rests on seeing reality clearly. Wishful thinking based on disinformation is a treacherous path. We can’t all rely upon Toto to pull back the emerald curtain

3. Strength

Oil on canvas 40 x50 cm (Spring 2023)

INFLUENCES

Theme Tune: Lily, track from Kate Bush’s album The Red Shoes (1993).

Surrealism and Magic
The Esoteric Secrets of Surrealism by Patrick Lepetit (2014) quotes Michel Löwy: “Sparks flying from the different forms of magic could set fire the powder and thereby help Surrealism in its eminently subversive enterprise of poetically re-enchanting the world.”
Whilst magic and the science of names attracted the surrealists it was not because they wanted to control the forces of nature by these methods. They wanted to change life.

Magic In Theory And In Practice
Dion Fortune’s definition of Magic: “The art and science of causing change in consciousness in accordance with will.”