I first stumbled across the visually appealing Daemon Tarot on Tumblr and decided I had to have it, not knowing if I would be able to divine with it or not. This is not a Tarot deck at all, by the way, as the guidebook clearly states. It’s a 69-card oracle – each card depicting a demon/daemon.
If I got rid of my demons, I’d lose my angels.
― Tennessee Williams
After looking through the images and reading snippets from the guidebook, I’m still not sure if this deck is readable even though the antique images by Louis Breton are really cool. There is a brief introductory snippet about each daemon in the book by Ariana Osborne but the actual divinatory guidance is scant (only one sentence for each card). However, Osborne does encourage the reader to come up with their own meanings.
He who has rejected his demons badgers us to death with his angels
― Henri Michaux
The thought of interviewing a deck based on the demonology of the Infernal Dictionary didn’t make me nervous at first but when I edited the deck interview picture it showed up reversed in the editing window in spite of me taking the picture with the camera upright. That has literally never happened before *cue spooky music*
Daemon Tarot Deck Interview
Daemon Tarot – click to enlarge |
1. Describe yourself in three words or less – Agares
DT: Order, defence and communication
Me: I get a feeling that this deck comes in handy if I should find myself under fire. Is that right?
2. How would your best friend describe you using only three words? – Marochias
DT: Fierce, realistic… sly 😉
Me: Aha… So… umm… can you guarantee you won’t be playing tricks on me when I come to you for help.
CT: Nope.
3. What gift do you bring? – Caym
DT: The gift of premonition.
Me: Hey, that’s pretty nifty… considering you’re an oracle and all. But I get a feeling that the gift may surface at other times than the actual reading, through observance of signs in nature etc. Is that correct?
DT: That’s a distinct possibility.
4. What do you expect in return? – Bael
DT: Self-mastery
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
― Buddha
DT: By helping you see beneath the surface
6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself? – Barbatos
DT: The more you attune yourself to Nature and the kingdoms of plants and animals, the better you will be able to hear our voice
Me: Thank you, Daemon of the Daemon Tarot. I feel the presence of the Horned God here more than that of the Christian version of Satan and his demons. One last question… Are daemons evil and anything like the Christian Devil?