Nonsensical or Insightful? How About Both?
I was so excited to get my Arcane Bullshit cards I could have pooped! But I didn’t, There is so much poop in this deck that it would have been overpoop. So, I settled for a big loud, "WOOP," then opened the gorgeous box! Yes, gorgeously lowbrow and proceeded to be dazzled, delighted and completely overwhelmed. The deck is huge! There are so many cards! It’s full of brilliant, crass, "nonsense" images that will actually, as many decks with seemingly absurd themes do, work surprisingly well for divination.
At 105 cards, this deck is not really a tarot deck, but don't let that discourage you. There are many different types of divination decks available for those who use cartomancy. Playing cards, Lenormand, oracle decks and even old postcards can help you visualize and analyze an issue in a helpful way. I like to use a variety of tools so I don’t see one as better than another. It’s a collaboration between reader and tool and you may find you are more effectively able to use one kind of tool over another.
At 105 cards, this deck is not really a tarot deck, but don't let that discourage you. There are many different types of divination decks available for those who use cartomancy. Playing cards, Lenormand, oracle decks and even old postcards can help you visualize and analyze an issue in a helpful way. I like to use a variety of tools so I don’t see one as better than another. It’s a collaboration between reader and tool and you may find you are more effectively able to use one kind of tool over another.
What Is Arcane Bullshit?
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Arcane Bullshit is the divine madness that sprouts from artist Evan Doherty’s imagination. Doherty’s Arcane Bullshit threads on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have given as many laughs to occult practitioners as they have the general internet meme lover so it seemed only natural that Doherty would eventually produce a tarot or fortune telling deck.
Evan Doherty’s deck deserves a more thorough review, but I am not going to do that now, That is going to take some time. I want to, yes seriously, work with it a while AND I also need to figure out how to shuffle this monstrosity. One of the things Doherty did to add to the ridiculousness and possible frustration was number the cards in the guidebook, but there is no number on any of the cards so you get to hunt through for his funny definitions each time.
Evan Doherty’s deck deserves a more thorough review, but I am not going to do that now, That is going to take some time. I want to, yes seriously, work with it a while AND I also need to figure out how to shuffle this monstrosity. One of the things Doherty did to add to the ridiculousness and possible frustration was number the cards in the guidebook, but there is no number on any of the cards so you get to hunt through for his funny definitions each time.
THE SHIT SANDWICH!
So, today, because it’s Tarot Tuesday somewhere, I’m just going to settle for doing a three card reading; The Shit Sandwich, a Past, Present, Future, Spread. My results can either be read for fun with the guidebook definitions or interpreted as one would do with any cards.
1. Past: 101 Holy Shit! Stop Asking.
BuLLSHIT: At this point, you probably fucking know the answer. Just fucking meditate or ask a crystal or a weird gnarled tree branch or your friend Cheryl. I don’t fucking care.
ME: This is actually a valid point. I have known what I’m dealing with for a long time. It’s not a bad idea to go inward and reflect. I do know a Cheryl who has always given good advice. Coincidence? I think not. I’m aligned with the bullshit here. In the past, I often wasted too much time trying to figure out things I already knew the answer to. Also, people often bombard me with questions they can easily look up the answers to. I know how this guy feels.
ME: This is actually a valid point. I have known what I’m dealing with for a long time. It’s not a bad idea to go inward and reflect. I do know a Cheryl who has always given good advice. Coincidence? I think not. I’m aligned with the bullshit here. In the past, I often wasted too much time trying to figure out things I already knew the answer to. Also, people often bombard me with questions they can easily look up the answers to. I know how this guy feels.
2. Present: 49 It’s Probably Nothing.
BULLSHIT: You may see signs everywhere, but it’s generally safe to assume that you are not special in any way and anything that might be happening is the product of randomness.
ME: Ouch. Okay. Thanks. Good to know that the passing thought that someone hated me enough to try to curse me is just my own ego. Things have been really nebulous, chaotic and weird lately, but rather than worry, I’m just going to decide it’s not worth worrying about. The picture will come into focus on its own.
ME: Ouch. Okay. Thanks. Good to know that the passing thought that someone hated me enough to try to curse me is just my own ego. Things have been really nebulous, chaotic and weird lately, but rather than worry, I’m just going to decide it’s not worth worrying about. The picture will come into focus on its own.
3. Future: 71 A Skeleton Eating A Banana.
BULLSHIT: This is probably about death and also penises.
ME: Well, an important male mentor in my life did just pass away and I can already see that is going to affect a number of tangible things in my life. However, I think this is about trying to find a way to feel nourished, to find spiritual food and put more focus on self care.
Also, now I’m thinking about sex. Thanks.
BULLSHIT: You’re welcome.
ME: Well, an important male mentor in my life did just pass away and I can already see that is going to affect a number of tangible things in my life. However, I think this is about trying to find a way to feel nourished, to find spiritual food and put more focus on self care.
Also, now I’m thinking about sex. Thanks.
BULLSHIT: You’re welcome.
So, you can see, it is perfectly possible to enjoy the absurdity of a novelty deck, but still effectively use it for serious divination.
Encourage Art!
The other great thing about decks like, Arcane Bullshit, is the gratification that comes from supporting a small independent artist when you buy one. There are so many marvelous little decks being produced and sold via Kickstarter and Etsy! Sure the commercial, mass produced decks are exciting and definitely more affordable, but it is worth your while to look around and grab something unique that also feeds a starving artist!
Wild thought. How about instead of buying that "Witch Starter Kit" from Sephora, you buy tarot decks directly from artists and support them. Let me show you a few faves of mine...
— Sam Guay (@SamGuayArt) September 1, 2018
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