#detectmagicreview

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: the Sixth World Tarot by Echo Chernik

(pictured here- the deluxe edition [left] and the Arcanist edition of the Sixth World Tarot by Echo Chernik)

Y'know, it's been a long time since I did one of these, but here goes. It's time for another Detect Magic review. I haven't put the Dork Magician hat on for a while, so let's give this a whirl!

Today we're taking a look at the Sixth World Tarot, by Echo and Lazarus Chernik. She has this available on her website (click the above link), which come signed by the artist and the author. I'm a bit bummed, I bought a copy of this deck juuuuust before she started signing them. Not her fault, but still. XD

For those of you unfamiliar with Shadowrun, it's a cyberpunk dystopian magic-and-mech RPG setting and fantasy novel universe which originated in the late 80's. The premise is that magic is growing stronger, the world experienced a big Awakening in the early 2000's, right around the same time that corporations managed to gain extraterritoriality. So, you have dragons running huge megacorps, which basically enslave people to be lifelong wageslaves from birth (or as soon as they can get their hands on a desired talent), immersive VR Matrix hackers, cyberware enhanced fighters and magic practitioners acting as "deniable assets" to said corps for all sorts of shady business.

Hence the name "Shadowrun."

This setting, one of my absolute favorite settings out there, has had the misfortune of developing a sort of eerie prophetic element akin to the Simpsons and its bizarre track record of prediction of ludicrous world events. Shadowrun was intended to be a cautionary tale, not an oracular one. That being said, that does make a tarot based on Shadowrun more than a little on-the-nose for predictive purposes. After all, they're telling the future without even trying. Wait until they actually put some effort into it...

All right, time to Detect Magic!

Accessory- Crit (4 out of 4) Stunning artwork, evocative imagery... this deck is gorgeous. It's so beautiful, and so intricate and well made, that people who don't even read tarot (or even particularly like tarot) buy several copies for their geeky collections, and even people who don't particularly care about Shadowrun have dropped their jaw when I showed the deck to them.

A bit busier than I'm used to working with (not the art, but the extras which I'll explain later), I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved the cards when I first got them. The box for both editions I own are a nice durable gloss with a magnetic foldover closure, there's a ribbon inside each to help pull the cards and book out of the box, and the decorative artwork is gorgeous and fitting with the setting. Definitely aesthetically pleasing enough to take places, and durable enough to resist scuffing or tearing for on-the-go divination and gaming use.

Tome- Crit (4 out of 4) So, the Tome section of this review is supposed to be about how well the cards help one in the pursuit of learning magic and practicing geekomancy. And... really, I don't think I've found a deck (or any artifact of fandom) quite as good as this.

Let me explain.

Tarot, in the sorcery practice I teach, are already basically a pictorial grimoire, describing life in a way that allows us to learn the hidden movements, mysteries, and forces at play in our world. Art is good for things like that in general. It helps you see the world through a special lens, one which allows you to see things you might have missed.

The thing is, the lens of this deck is the Shadowrun continuity, which as I said earlier, has proven to be more than a little prophetic, and alarmingly so.

The magic system of Shadowrun is pretty adjacent to our own. Life force lines, spiritual power sites, astral projection and spirits and magical "energy" forms, initiatory mysteries... it's all pretty much the same as our own reality, just juiced up a bit, with some extra game elements added (don't even ask me about insect spirits).

This makes the deck particularly helpful if one wishes to learn magic in any of the myriad ways described in Shadowrun (and they're particularly respectful and diverse and true-to-life in their tradition descriptions).

BUT, it also has an entire lore-book called the Book of the Lost associated with it, which explains all these little secret sigils and images and easter eggs stored throughout the deck, which can be used for gamebuilding and storytelling, but are designed to be arcane indicators and omens, among other things. And the kinds of symbols they use range from sentences or mottos in dead languages, all the way to waveform patterns and dot-matrix maps. I swear, if you're one of those people who like puzzles and cryptography, this deck is even more fun than the Hermetic Tarot.

In summary, while you'll have to get some Shadowrun sourcebooks to really get deep into the canon lore, there's so much of it that the cards really show you on their own that I don't consider this a setback at all. Feel free to deep-dive with this deck, you'll learn a TON about magic if you let it guide you.

Relic- Success (3 out of 4) If you read the Book of the Lost, or Unearthed Arcana, or any of the 5th edition Shadowrun magic sourcebooks, you'll see that "tarot magic" is an up and coming thing in their canon. Each text helps you see how practitioners use the cards in-game for spellcasting, ritual magic, initiation practices and spirit summoning. The Tarot are already really valuable as central objects of importance to certain kinds of magical practice. This particular deck is designed to be so handy a central object that there's an entire book dedicated to it.

Weapon- Success (3 out of 4) The only reason I'm rating this a success instead of a crit is because they don't provide enough spreads in the various associated books for one to immediately begin casting spells with them, which means you'll have to do some designing. They do have a couple solid unique spreads for basic divination though.

The deck's canon in-game suggests ritual practices like gathering and doing a ritual with sets of related cards, and one such ritual was easily adapted in my own practice, into the Lucky Kimono spread I designed (which people can read about on my Patreon at the higher tiers). So, even without outright including spell-spreads, they sort of gave us clues anyway.

Again, you're going to need the sourcebooks, but it's only a few of them, and they're well worth a read even if you're not planning on playing the game (and I don't play in the actual Shadowrun mechanical system, though I do like the sourcebooks for campaign setting ideas).

Overall Rating: Critical Success (14 out of 16)

Achievement Unlocked: Novahot Echo's artwork is already legendary in the dork realms of geekomancy. She's done work for Dungeons and Dragons, Mage: the Ascension, House of Night... she's even working on a Fate: the Winx Saga playing card deck right now. Her art-nouveau delicacy combined with the powerful non-pandering way she draws women means that her paintings pack a punch!

That being said, it's rare that we see professional artists create a tarot deck of this magnitude as a gaming accessory. Most tarot decks of this caliber are found in professional occult catalogues or as independent projects by artists just wanting to flex their skills for their own reasons. To have a deck like this, clearly a labor of love by all involved, as a major element of gameplay within a franchise is really very special. And something this diverse, deep, and absolutely saturated with layers of ciphers and riddles... it's a geekomancer's dream come true.

Level Up: 2 Levels I think the only way anyone's going to be able to top this deck is if they manage to design a tarot deck that's also a fully immersive VR video game AND an AR game and divination tool useable with one's iPhone or Android. Legit, Echo and Lazarus left everyone in the dust. I haven't been this excited about Shadowrun since Shadowrun Returns first came out, and I got a set of dogtags that had a USB drive with the game on it.

It's just... crazy cool.

Full disclosure, I've had the deluxe edition of these cards for a while now, so I've basically been low-key squeeing about this deck since I first heard about it in 2018, even before I got it. I've been utterly astonished that people weren't more excited about them, and I wasn't hearing about them everywhere.

Before this, I created my own Shadowrun tarot method using the Universal Transparent Tarot (cuz, y'know, plastic and see-through and weird little mosaic readings all in one place, seemed fitting to me), and when I got the Sixth World Tarot? I don't think I've opened the UTT since!

Anyway, this is my review of this deck! Go follow the link up at the top of this post, and buy yourself one! And hey, let me know if you figure out the cool little map trick. My jaw literally dropped when I was shown that!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: Selena Lin’s “Manga Tarot” (by request)

Wow, it’s been a super long time since I’ve done a Detect Magic Review!  Partially, this has been because I’ve been super tired and wiped by the holidays, and partly it’s because I ran out of inspiration for what objects to review next!  Fortunately, one of my followers came to our rescue and suggested two subjects for review, so here’s the first one!

The Manga Tarot, produced by incredibly popular and well-loved Taiwanese artist Selena Lin, is a standard 78 card tarot deck with RWS trump symbolism coupled with non-pictorial pips of an artistic style that speaks of fantasy and shojo manga.  In addition to their obvious (pink holy crap) service to the teen girl demographic, they also include some surprisingly well thought out occult symbolism.

Let’s roll a Knowledge: Arcana check and see what’s there, shall we?

Accessory: Crit (4 out of 4) This deck comes with a box that is frankly worth the price of purchase all by itself.  As you can see above, it’s tiered- the top section holds the book (which is a pretty warm and inviting text, they didn’t just go the LWB route), and the bottom, which hinges out sideways, is designed to hold the cards.  This unique design makes the box worth keeping around as a talking point for the deck as is.  And, if it weren’t for the fact that the box has large pieces of art from the deck all over it, and “Manga Tarot” emblazoned everywhere, it would be fun to use just as a carry-box of various different things, and a little creative work can always cover those up.

The box is sturdy, and is a great carrying case for the deck, and is one of the few boxes I recommend as a carrying case instead of using a pouch for a deck.  While pink is definitely not everyone’s aesthetic, this box is still... just really neat.

Which brings me to the cards inside!  Symmetrical backs (always a plus for me) of a simplistic sun-moon-star motif, these cards are also pink on the back, and they’re more slender than usual tarot, giving them a unique feel when shuffling and laying them out.

The artwork is manga, and it’s lovely!  Selena did a great job!  These cards are reminiscent of Card Captor Sakura in layout, with kanji and English titles near the base of an ornate card frame, and the number of the card up top.  The surreal and mystical feel to the cards even makes the non-pictorial pips still feel like they’re art, which is a wonderful consolation to those of us who like art decks.

If Asian, pink, and mysterious is your aesthetic, I recommend this deck purely for fashion reasons!

Tome: Success (3 out of 4) The Manga Tarot isn’t based on any particular fandom, so it doesn’t have much in the way of a paradigm of occult resource to draw upon for anime fans... unless one is seeking to learn how to work with the Waite Smith symbolism of the Trumps.  If that’s what you’re looking for?  This deck is about half of what you’re looking for, and it’s the important half!

Each card is loyal to the older traditions of RWS artwork, while still being innovative and evocative.  Add that to the spiritually-minded book which comes with the set, and you’ll be well on your way to developing your abilities as a tarot reader!  While this deck is not necessarily a gateway to other mystical traditions, its non-pictorial pips allows for easy learning of card-based thaumaturgy later, and the Trumps are easily adapted to any JRPG system with pretty pointy-eared people in it (Zeal and Chrono Trigger come to mind for myself).

Finally, the cards have a sun/moon/star/earth symbolism, which is the basis of CCS’ magic circle tradition, and that may help you work with some of the East/West combination magical traditions out there, like the Clow.�� Perhaps this deck will become your version of a Lasin Board?

Relic: Success (3 out of 4) For geekomancers who are also cartomancers (such as myself), having a versatile and aesthetically pleasing tarot deck to work with is a necessity, and Selena’s Manga Tarot does not disappoint.

Personal confession: I hate the color pink.  It reminds me of Pepto Bismal.  That being said, even my distaste for the color couldn’t dissuade my affection for this well-designed magical tool.

Those who wish to have an Asian-themed magical practice which marries Eastern and Western elements would be hard-pressed to find an affordable tarot deck that was also not horribly inaccurate to either Western tarot traditions or Eastern mysticism.  Selena’s deck marries both paradigms excellently well, and for that reason alone, this deck is the one I recommend to all anime and manga fans who can’t afford the Poisoncage (and even those who can).

Possession of it doesn’t afford magical potency from a tradition, as it isn’t a Medium for any paradigm aside from “I like manga but I also like tarot”, but it is still an excellent find in the Relic arena.

Weapon: Success (3 out of 4) Three words: NON-PICTORIAL PIPS.  Those of you wanting to learn tarot magic?  Get a deck with non-pictorial pips!  One of the fundamental rules of magic in general is to never give your secrets away, and learning to read with non-pictorial pips is a step in that direction.  All the others see is six cups on a piece of pasteboard, but you see a spell of reverie and remembrance! 

(A note: I cannot stress how valuable and important it is to learn a system of numerology and the actual meaning of the suits by themselves outside of single-card context if one plans to practice cartomancy.  Counting and numerological symbolism are crucial to most traditions of magical practice, and they are a key to the way I personally teach and practice cartomancy, so I really do highly suggest a deck with non-pictorial pips for use in learning that basic aspect of tarot magic.  Knowing not only that the six of cups is about reverie and remembrance, but also knowing why, because the six means ___ and the cups are about ___, is NECESSARY for advancing one’s tarot magic practice.)

In addition, the “secret” tradition of the Sun (wands), Moon (cups), Star (swords), and Gem (pentacles) allows one to blend the magic of the tarot with anything from Sailor Moon to Final Fantasy with ease, and also lets one tie in various magical traditions into one’s spreads or practices.  This makes the deck versatile as a weapon of arte, on a level that even traditional decks sometimes lack.

For myself, using this deck to cast cartomantic spells has been entirely easy, and I recommend it to any cartomancer looking to expand their practice into something thaumaturgical (i.e. practical magic).

Overall Rating: Crit (13 out of 16)

Achievements Unlocked: The Heart of the Cards As one of the first really feasible tarot options for manga and anime lovers, this deck brought a sense of legitimacy to 90′s anime nerds who wanted representation in the realm of tarot.  While there were several earlier options available, they were often badly made with shoddy art or clumsy numbering and naming conventions.  Selena Lin’s offering to the community has been invaluable.

Level Up: 1 Level Selena’s deck was commercially available all over internationally in places like Barnes and Noble and other bookstores of that variety.  It became very well-recognized in a very short time by those of us shopping for tarot decks in mainstream locations.  Before that time, buying anything manga and tarot related was an eBay gamble, and as I said before, often not worth the effort.

Selena Lin’s Manga Tarot made it possible for people to have a tarot deck that was not only functional mystically, but also aesthetically pleasing, elegant, and sturdy!  Definitely a level-up for the community of Asian artists seeking to expand into tarot, and a serious level up for those of us seeking manga-themed tools!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: PixelPerk’s Legend of Zelda Tarot

FINALLY I’m going to do this month’s Detect Magic review!

This month’s review is about PixelPerk’s Legend of Zelda Tarot, found here!

Framed in gold, with the six Sage Medallions, each card painstakingly hand-drawn and colored, with the images loyally adherent to multiple LoZ games as well as the Rider Waite Smith tradition of Tarot, this deck is frankly exquisite.  Any geekomancer with a predilection for Hyrulean magic should consider adding these to their inventory!

Let’s break it down!

Accessory: Crit (4 out of 4)

I cannot tell you how many compliments I’ve received over this deck whenever I read with it.  I love it so much, I had to buy a second copy for a backup, because I know one day I’m going to need it!

The backs are asymmetrical and easily recognized as upright or inverted, which is actually irrelevant in this case because the illustrations on them are a talismanic and amuletic wonder!  The very sight of the deck evokes a feeling of vitality and vibrancy, and even my non-gamer clients often request them simply because they set people at ease.

In addition, this deck comes in Majors only, Minors only, and Full Deck options!  So, for you Trump readers out there, there’s an option for you too!

Tome: Crit (4 out of 4)

I’m not even sure why, but linking the RWS symbolism system with LoZ imagery just really works to kindle gnosis!  I’ve let my students play with this deck, and within moments they’ve been able to put together new spreads, new reading methods, and even spells based on drawing a few cards!

In addition, the cards themselves speak very clearly, a fact which has been commented on by psychics of every kind in my area.  As Legend of Zelda NPCs are nearly always helpful or informative in-world, the deck’s willingness to advise shouldn’t be surprising.  Honestly, someone should have done this a long time ago!

Relic: Crit (4 out of 4)

As of this moment, there are only two Legend of Zelda tarot decks available anywhere.  Both are excellent, but PixelPerk’s deck far outshines the other for traditionalists.  Its careful adherence to the traditions of the Tarot allows it to be an easy method of linking various magical traditions (both old and new) to a geekomancer’s practice.  Add that to the fact that it is in fact a fully functional tarot deck, and one can easily adapt some cartomantic ritual or talismanic work to the deck, and craft oneself a portable magical inventory of artifacts to rival even Link himself!

Weapon: Success (3 out of 4)

The only area in which this item falls even slightly short is in its use as a weapon by itself, and it even succeeds there.  Clearly this deck is a sorcerer’s weapon rather than a warrior’s- but don’t let that stop you from using it!  Imprinted and invested with the symbols of Hyrule’s magical practice, it channels the magic of that realm as easily as any talisman might channel the light of the stars.

Whether the bearer is inclined toward Power, Wisdom, or Courage, this deck suits any spiritual denizen of Hyrule.

Overall Rating: Crit (15 out of 16)

Achievement Unlocked: Hyrule Historia

Not only is this one of only two Legend of Zelda tarot decks available, it’s also the first!  And as we all know, there is a magic in firsts!  Innovation blends with legitimacy to make a splash that they can feel all the way in Koholint Island!

Level Up: None

As this deck is a handmade Etsy item (with all that entails), its style is of course going to be singular and homey.  The cardstock is well suited to its purpose, and the unevenness between the Majors and Minors (in its first print, I don’t know about subsequent printing runs) only add to its charm.  That being said, it is a solidly exceptional item in a market where we as consumers have come to expect miracles for bargain prices- which unfortunately does not serve Etsy artists in the slightest.

But don’t let that discourage you!  With the highest rating we’ve awarded yet on this blog, PixelPerk has firmly established a position as a lead artist in the LoZ fandom!

Don’t just stand there!  Go grab her brilliant tarot deck today while you still can! 

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: Badahori’s New Clow

Yes, that is my own personal copy of this new deck- the one I advertise for in this post.  And yes, I am still offering the deal in that post.

For those of you who missed the news, Badahori aka Daniel Badai created a new deck of Clow cards with redesigned images!  Let’s review them now!

Accessory: Crit (4 out of 4) The artist knocked it out of the park!  From the newly designed card backs, to the parchment-like texturing of the fronts and the graceful and simple design of the cards themselves, this deck is elegant and beautiful, both to look at and to shuffle.  Any cartomancer will find it an excellent addition to one’s aesthetic.

They have a very different feel from working with the original Clow cards, to be sure- especially if the version one has is the rather deplorable toy version released for Cardcaptors in the US.  There’s a mysterious quality to them- a quality I think would be appreciated by other characters in the CLAMP universe, like Yuuko Ichihara, for example.

In any case, it’s definitely a deck for divination, and lovely at that.

Tome: Success (3 out of 4) When working with a geekomantic artifact, one must take into account that the designers often didn’t intend for us to use said object for occult purpose.  Often, they desired precisely the opposite.  Fortunately, magic has a tendency all on its own to make some objects into natural teachers, and the New Clow are no different.

Being a divination deck, they naturally possess the ability to inform and advise, which makes them a handy teaching tool for anyone wishing to learn the Clow’s unique system of sorcery.  However, the lack of a book included in the packaging does make the cards a bit difficult to use.  For this reason, it is strongly recommended that one acquire a book of Clow magic (my own is one example, and I’ll give it to you for free if you show me proof of your purchase of this deck) in order to really harness the full strength of the artifact as an educational tool.

Relic: Success (3 out of 4) Decks like this have an all-too-sadly-common way of suddenly disappearing from the market without a trace.  For the price given (a mere $9.89 for a single deck), it is a remarkable find.  And, if one wishes to learn Clow magic, one needs a set of Clow cards, and this deck is entirely well-suited to the work.

Weapon: Success (3 out of 4) When tested, the New Clow work just as well as the old Clow, and better yet, they’re more portable and easily shuffled.  The backs of the cards don’t have a magic circle on them, but for some of us (who prefer to use our own circles rather than Clow’s or Sakura’s), that’s actually a plus.  Their images function very well for summoning, and as the deck doesn’t come with unique packaging in any way, it’s a simple matter to wrap them in a cloth and use that cloth as a mahoujin and a reading cloth.  It is recommended that one acquire a wand to work with this deck, however- it doesn’t come with one included (and neither do any of the “official” replicas).

Overall Rating: Crit (13 out of 16) 

Achievements Unlocked: The Guise You Were Meant To Be In This deck is the first fan-made innovation I’ve ever seen that was anywhere near a viable tool for Clow Sorcery.  Unofficial replicas aside, a great many people during the late 90′s and early millennium created their own Clow cards, sometimes altering the tradition to suit their own means.  This deck is both innovative and loyal, and accomplishes its goal of re-envisioning the Clow in an amazingly successful way- and for no other reason, the artist deserves kudos for that!

Level Up: 1 Level! Look out, fans- this deck is professional quality, aesthetically pleasing, and a major step forward in the realm of fan-made objects.  Clow cards are definitely no longer a tool for grade-school girls (not that I believe they ever really were), and I don’t think fans who buy this deck will ever be satisfied with anything less again.

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: the Homestuck Tarot

Hey guys!  Rune Emerson from Grimoire of Geekery for another Detect Magic Review!

Today we're looking at the Homestuck Tarot, available here at What Pumpkin!

Created as a compilation work by 39 different artists as a Kickstarter perk for the hotly-anticipated Homestuck Adventure Game (currently entitled Hiveswap), this tarot deck has the standard 78 cards, with each card possessing detailed illustration depicting characters from Homestuck in scenes that marry the divinatory meanings of various tarot traditions to Homestuck canon.

Once a rare collector's item, this deck is well-loved as a fan favorite, and its popularity in the community helped pave the way for it to enter What Pumpkin's stores of more commonly available merchandise.

Now, onto the review!

Accessory: Success (3 out of 4) This deck is gorgeous.  Brilliantly tricked out with relevant scenes and figures, and entirely appropriate art styles for the canon of Homestuck, this deck is an excellent addition to the work of any Seer or Witch.  The backs depict the four Beta aspects surrounded by the twelve signs of the Zodiac (in calendar order, rather than the familiar Mobius Double Reacharound order from canon, alas).

The cardstock is spectacular, and doesn't wear easily, but is flexible without being flimsy, allowing for easy shuffling.  

Only one thing bothers me in terms of the aesthetic appeal of this deck- the fact that the backs are not symmetrical and allow a reader to easily tell without flipping the cards whether a card is inverted or not.  Which, to be honest, is a personal prejudice, and as the shades of brown and iconic symbolism on the card backs is absolutely lovely, I can't complain.  So, for the sake of my prejudice, I will give the deck a 3 out of 4.

Tome: Failure (2 out of 4) Unfortunately, the eponymous SEERPAK (so named for the Kickstarter reward level associated with it) has very little aid to offer in the way of teaching Homestuck-themed magic to an owner.  The cards are designed more around significant moments in the canon or facts related to character background than anything to do with the universe.  While each card depicts a memorable scene, the artists who drew their cards clearly did so with very little cooperative theme in mind.

No references are made to any of the Aspects or Classes in a way we can access, nor are there any hidden connections or mysteries woven into the illustrations.  Geekomancers seeking deeper education into the mysteries of Thee Occolt Majyyks are going to have to fend for themselves when using this deck.

Relic: Success (3 out of 4) If you are a fan of Homestuck, and of the occult or mystical, you really should buy this deck.  Once a status symbol of Kickstarters for the game, the Homestuck Tarot became popular enough to earn its way into the public's hands for a reason.  The deck is a fantastic look at the mindset of Homestuckers everywhere, and is always relevant as a divinatory tool for precisely that reason.

Bringing this deck out at a convention, a meetup, or a party with fellow Homestuck fans has never failed to garner interest in the fandom from strangers, as well as support and camaraderie from other fans.  And it reads perfectly- the cards are very well suited to divinatory practice!

Weapon: Crit (4 out of 4) Already accepted as a literal weapon for the cardkind specibus in the Overseer Project's system, the deck's ability to inspire the mind and bring one's power to bear within the Medium is its greatest feature.  Whether using it to divine the fate of a subject, or calling upon its power to influence luck, or simply using it to speak to the Horrorterrors, the deck is flawless as a focusing tool.

Of course, true facility with the deck will require one to learn to handle tarot effectively- designing new spreads, learning how to use the cards for simple spells, and developing esoteric communication skills are a must.  But, that's the fun of studying magic- the Medium embraces all magic as equally fake (which means equally real) so you can adapt your Homestuck Tarot to any kind of fan-based sorcery you desire, and the cards will assist.

Overall: Success (12 out of 16)

Achievement Unlocked: Magic is Fake Debunk! Becoming so popular that it kicked its way out of the Kickstarter rewards into public sale!  That's a miracle if I've ever seen one!

Level Up: None (save from its associations with the MSPA game Kickstarter)

Now go buy the thing before it's gone again!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: Fangamer’s “Legend of the Hero”

This month’s Detect Magic review is on Fangamer’s “Legend of the Hero” bestiary and field guide!  A sourcebook for all aspects of life in Hyrule, including a breakdown of monsters and creatures, artifacts, deities, and much much more, this book is one of the most highly-prized releases by Fangamer to date!  You can find it at their website!

Let’s get down to business!

Accessory: 4 out of 4 (Crit) Beautifully made, with exquisite art on point, and a stylish dust jacket which includes a poster, the aesthetic appeal of this book is absolutely undeniable.  Every page is amazingly well done, and the Hylian captions are a really nice touch!  Any Hylian geekomancer will find this book a welcome addition to their cosplay or ritual attire, and it looks perfect on an altar.  Well done, Fangamer!  This is the kind of excellence we love to see!

Tome: 3 out of 4 (Success) Filled with lore from each and every one of the games up to Link Between Worlds, it certainly does aid us in learning.  However, no actual spells are in the book- the closest things we have to spellcraft instructions are an appendix regarding how to play the sacred songs of OoT and WW and such.

However, the lack of spell instruction isn’t likely to stop a geekomancer!  We tend to draw our gnosis out of our love and our sense of wonder within our fandoms, and this book will definitely help us do that.

Plus, the book teaches us a form of Hylian!  That’s an invaluable skill for anyone wishing to work sorcery relating to Hyrule.  And, the book’s detailed accounts of artifacts, animals, and deities is simply irreplaceable as a reference for anyone wishing to practice Hylian magic in an immersive fashion.  The whole first section could be exactly what a summoner of Hylian beasts could want!

Relic: 4 out of 4 (Crit) This book is designed in exactly the right way to channel power through pure nostalgia or wonder.  While it is not rare (at the moment, these things do change), its functionality and beauty make it a perfect addition to any Hylian practitioner’s inventory.  Definitely I recommend any Hyrulean geekomancer buy this book.

Weapon: 2 out of 4 (Failure) This is the one area where this book fails, and I’m actually glad for that.  The book is completely useless as a weapon of magic, as it doesn’t provide any sort of channeling ability or talismanic function.  The pages which make up the bestiary are crammed together, so one cannot simply open the book to a page and release the beast depicted (there are too many, it would take extra work, and that’s bad for a weapon).

In addition, the book describes weapons, but it doesn’t really describe enough about what is needed to make them.  It is little more than inspiration in that direction, which can be useful, make no mistake.  It simply isn’t enough to rate a success in this category.

But, that’s all right!  Wands or swords are far more the weapon style of this fandom anyway!

Overall Rating: 13 out of 16 (Crit)!

Achievements Unlocked: None (but possibly working on one) With Fangamer’s “Field Guide to Kanto,” they’ve already proven that they’re capable of pushing the envelope in regards to game guides like this; and with the Hyrule Historia to compete with, “the Legend of the Hero” waits in the shadows like the Master Sword- destined to one day break through the darkness that is commercial favoritism.  Perhaps it just needs a little help from some heroes, to help it become noticed and wipe the ugly slate of past mediocrity clean.  It certainly deserves a better rating in this category.

Level Up: 2 Levels Skilled artwork, actual Hylian captions, full explanations about gods and beasts and artifacts, AND it comes with a dust jacket that also acts as an inventory poster?  Sorry, guys, this one is firmly in the lead for awesome fandom artifacts.  Fans would be hard-pressed to duplicate something this complete and gorgeous; hell, Nintendo would have a hard time making something like this!  Definitely a game-changer.

Grab your copy today, while supplies last- Fangamer has a bad habit of being sold out on the really great stuff, and sometimes they retire something for seemingly no good reason!  Best to hurry!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: Bayonetta 2 “Loki” Tarot

So, I am incredibly excited to review this deck, as it comes from my favorite video game series in the whole entire world ever.  Fellow geekomancers, meet the limited edition Bayonetta “Loki” tarot deck, a majors-only collector’s item that came exclusively with the collector’s edition of Bayonetta 2 in Russia’s official Nintendo store.

Let’s Detect some Magic!

Accessory- Crit (4 out of 4) The artwork on this deck is straight out of the game although why they couldn’t include the rest of the Verse cards I’d like to know and they’re beautiful; the stylized artwork is somewhere between a relief-etching and stained glass, and each of the cards relates directly to the game itself, which is excellent.

One thing this deck has going for it- a completely unique method of denoting numerical value of the card.  No Roman numerals, no numbers, no words- just an interesting collection of symbolically arranged shapes at the top and bottom of the card.  In some cards, that means there’s no clear up or down when the card is face up.  The backs are just like Loki’s cards- portraying a gilded border around what appears to be an expanse of space.

Tome- Success (3 out of 4) Possibly its least potent aspect, this deck is a little lackluster in the whole magical-instruction arena.  Still, it doesn’t let us down in the long run- each card’s association with its standard Trump counterpart brings up a question which can teach us more about the Umbran Witches and Lumen Sages and how they did what they did.  For example, the Magician is replaced by the Lumen Sage’s card, and the Umbran Witch’s card steps in as the High Priestess, but the Right Eye comes in as the Empress’ replacement, with the Left Eye as the Emperor’s.  Why is that, one might wonder?

In any case, the deck’s magical potential as a divination system is by no means hindered by this unique approach, and any student of Tarot can probably put these Trumps to work as a guide to gnostic inspiration at the very least, and perhaps even some practical training. Relic- Crit (4 out of 4) A divination tool is invaluable to any magician, and anyone who works with Bayo’s magic will find this deck incredibly helpful.  There are perhaps other methods one could do divination, of course- and other methods more potent in summoning demons and/or angels and working spells.  However, one thing is specifically to be noted- if one wishes for any reason to do magic using Loki’s method from the second game (involving the Remembrances of Time), this deck is absolutely a must-have. 

Whether one is creating a spread based on the entire game (16 chapters, a prologue, and an unnumbered chapter) or simply seeking to remember time in a certain way, investment in this deck will not be a waste for the canny geekomancer. Weapon- Success (3 out of 4) Actually not bad- the game itself shows you how to use Loki’s cards as a weapon (a spread of six, a thrown card, etc), and this deck’s small size and sturdy cardstock makes it resilient and portable!

Use of the deck as a weapon may take some improvisation, but it is already perfectly designed to operate as a channel for the might of Aesir and command both Eyes of the World (no matter who may possess them now, the deck holds their Remembrances very solidly).

Overall Rating: Crit (14 out of 16) Achievements Unlocked: In Russia, the Tarot Reads You! There’s been a trend lately where game makers will release collectors’ editions of their games with tarot or oracle decks included- effectively placing the game on the map for those who like collectible decks but aren’t necessarily gamers.  However, Russia has become rather a new star in the tarot field, and Nintendo of Russia’s decision to print a completely limited tarot deck for just their collector’s edition has certainly reminded the world that they often put just that little extra touch into their own work, and perhaps people should think about that.  Definitely an achievement.

Level Up: 1 Level This deck (and the accompanying Art Book of Laguna/Lemegeton which comes with the collector’s edition of Bayonetta 2, which I sadly did not get) do more than just make the game feel alive to us as geekomancers- it actually places the power in our hands directly and makes us active participants in the lore of Vigrid and Noatun.  While that is by no means a new thing in the realm of gaming and certainly not new to geekomancers, the rarity and region-specificity of this deck does bump up the game... for all of us.  If we as loremasters and magicians of the geeky world want more tools like this deck, we need to say something about it.  Time to speak up, my fellow nerds!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Introducing... Detect Magic: Scrolls of the Dork Magician!

That's my title for my geekomancy reviews!  :D  And it took me ninety thousand years to come up with it, so yeah...  Thanks to my hubby for part of the idea, and to my friends on Skype for helping me with the rest!

What I'll be reviewing:

Movies

Books

Toys

Games

Comics

Cosplay items and other fandom objects (the Tardis jewelry box on Etsy, the My Little Pony wallet from Hot Topic, etc)

New additions to the fandom canon (Shadowrun Returns, Legend of Zelda- a Link Between Worlds, etc)

What I will not be reviewing:

Original fandom sources- for example, I'll not be reviewing episodes of Doctor Who or My Little Pony, because obviously those are valuable to pursuers of those fandom paradigms

The criteria of review will be based on four categories:

Accessory- basically how aesthetically pleasing and fun an object is, which can help one maintain one's creative vision as a magician

Tome- a gauge on how helpful the object is as a source of education or further training in one's geekomancy

Relic- a measure of how useful and important an object is to a geekomancer's practice, by its own virtue and worth

Weapon- how well the object safely allows one to channel the power of a fandom into form.

There will be four rating levels as well (as you can see, I like fours):

Botch- a critical failure, wherein the trait might actually work counter to its goal

Failure- missed its mark, the item did not achieve the outcome it attempted within that category

Success- achieved its goal well within acceptable parameters

Critical Success- an exceptional win, this trait is far better than expected

I'll also have two optional categories:

Achievement Unlocked- if the review subject has managed to make a significant splash in the fandom for some reason

Level Up- if the subject has managed to up the bar for the fandom, to a degree that they have changed the criteria of success

I'll of course be accepting submissions to my Askbox for possible items to review, but I'm pretty much going to stick to things I like, and I'll probably be doing a review twice a month.

If anyone would like to do their own, I'll make a special tag: #detectmagicreview

Feel free to send suggestions for me to review, or post your own reviews, and I'll reblog them!

I'll start working on my first review now, expect it within the hour!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: Marvel's Mystic Arcana (Hardcover)

Today, I'm going to review the 2007 hardcover release of Marvel's Mystic Arcana!  Designed as both an in-depth look at spellslingers and the arts of sorcery within the Marvel Universe and as an attempt to repair the damage of lazy writing and Magic Gun Syndrome handwaving present within the representation of magery in the realm of comics, this overlooked gem is a veritable Darkhold of information on Marvel sorcery.

Accessory- Crit (4 out of 4) Artistically, this book is (pun intended) a marvel- the different art styles represented in the five comics is exemplary, but the real strength lies in the "grimoire" style of the Marvel Tarot book.  Designed as an analysis of the Tarot reminiscent of Alan Moore's Promethea and Neil Gaiman's enthralling Book of Magic series, it uses everything from scattered note pages and coffee stains to psychedelic blacklight posters to teach the reader about the mystic arts of Marvel.

Add that to a brilliantly illustrated dust jacket over a red leatherette cover, with the words "Mystic Arcana" emblazoned upon it in a very interesting font, and you have an exceptionally aesthetically pleasing package for any would-be sorcerer or adept.  About the only thing that might make it better for some might be if it came in a limited print cover version of the Book of Vishanti, which we all can readily admit might be a bit much for a commercial item. Tome- Crit (4 out of 4) This book is an absolute must-have for anyone seeking to practice Marvel-themed geekomancy.  Its page of "correspondences" are perfect for designing rituals of summoning or evocation, as well as creating a space in one's home for one's ritual practice.  It also incorporates the standard RWS Tarot, which is easily adapted to the use of Marvel magic thanks to the brilliant work of the artists.  It has a bit of a pantheist/soft polytheist approach to its deity structure, with its own myths and stories tied into ancient and modern mystical cultural beliefs. Its real brilliance, however, lies in how it gets one to think.  The use of the Tarot to represent different magic-touched or mystically-relevant Marvel characters is brilliant, as it allows comic-book readers a method of learning the Tarot, which is built upon through the five comics in the book (each of which teach valuable mystical secrets straight from Marvel's continuity by themselves). This book, as a comic resource, is readable again and again.  As a source of magic, it teaches something new every time you read it.  Absolutely brilliant! Relic- Success (3 out of 4) The Mystic Arcana book does not have to be purchased in this format- each of the original comics is still available through various sources, and they're probably more valuable that way.  The book's size (standard for short edition collections) isn't entirely helpful either- unless one wishes to make this book an obvious part of one's aesthetic, it's a bit unwieldly. Still, it is a book- which of course lends it to all forms of bibliomancy and stichomancy (which I have tested and found useful). Weapon- Success (3 out of 4) The book is, of course, a book- not meant to be wielded like a weapon, although I'm sure the sturdy hardcover could probably work well as a source of handy bashing damage. More important is how well it works as a magical focus.  On that train of thought, of course the images are useful for evocation- moreso than perhaps anticipated, as the glossy pages are perfect for talismanic images, and the use of Tarot cards in the back (with a handy almanac) lend themselves easily to pathworking. The book isn't the Staff of One or the Eye of Agamotto, but it is still useful for some practices.  I would say it would be best employed through a ritual, and one should probably acquire a more personal artifact of focus if one wants a handy weapon, but this book wasn't intended for that in the first place, so it's ability to do so is definitely a marked plus.

Overall Rating: Crit (14 out of 16) Achievements Unlocked: None With the establishment of Neil Gaiman's Sandman, the Crossgen Mystic series, and Grant Morrison's The Invisibles, comic fans with a magical or occult inclination have come to expect a lot from their fandoms.  The Mystic Arcana comics do well by maintaining this standard, but they do nothing to add to it at the moment.  Perhaps if Marvel licenses a printing of the tarot cards in the back of the Marvel Tarot book... but I digress.

Level Up: 1 Level This book does much to not only improve the perception of magic in the comic world, but also to remind other artists that magic does not equal "a wizard did it."  Plotholes are plotholes, and consistency is not only admirable, it is crucial to continuity (and, consequently, to the stability of a magician's paradigm).  The Mystic Arcana series does much to uphold this understanding- magic (whether fictional or otherwise) should be about discovery, exploration, initiation, mystery, and wonder. 

All in all, I heartily recommend this book to any magicians who practice with Marvel magic!

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic Reviews: Helpmehelpmehelpme!

Srsly though, I’m trying to make a list of subjects for things to review!  I’ve got a list already, but if you guys have any suggestions on what you’d like to see get some exposure in a geekomancy review, lemme know!

Consult this link for guidelines on what I consider review-worthy!  Send me a private message if you have an idea; anon is on!