Evangelion Tarot Deck

[Somnius Kenate]

I am currently designing an Evangelion tarot deck. If anyone with interest in both Evangelion and the tarot would like to help me out, by all means, give your opinion. This is what I currently have:

Major Arcana:

The Fool - Kensuke Aida
The Magician - Asuka Langley Sohryu
The High Priestess - Rei Ayanami
The Empress - Yui Ikari
The Emporer - Gendo Ikari
The Hierophant - Ritsuko Akagi
The Lovers - Misato and Kaji
The Chariot - Evangelion Units 00, 01, and 02
Strength - Touji Suzuhara
The Hermit - Shinji Ikari
The Wheel of Fortune - Dead Sea Scrolls
Justice - MAGI Supercomputers
The Hanged Man - Kyoko Soryu Zepplin
Death - Kaworu Nagisa
Temperance - Kouzou Fuyutsuki
The Devil - Naoko Akagi
The Tower - Second Impact
The Star - Hikari Horaki
The Moon - Ryohji Kaji
The Sun - A.T. Field
Judgement - Lance of Longinus
The World - Instrumentality

The Minor Arcana will be events, and the Major Arcana will be people. If anyone has any questions on why these cards were chosen, please ask. If you have any comments, please do that. And I am sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

[EVA-01X]

How about for Judgement, the good ol' Lancei Longini? But then again I don't know enough about Divinination and Tarot Reading to be sure.

[Somnius Kenate]

"Judgment" represents:

making a judgment
having a day of reckoning
separating the wheat from the chaff
making an honest appraisal
getting off the fence
using critical faculties
taking a stand
making hard choices
feeling reborn
awakening to possibilities
transforming
enjoying renewed hope
making a fresh start
seeing everything in a new light
discovering joy
hearing a call
recognizing your true vocation
feeling inner conviction
feeling an impulse to act
deciding to make a difference
feeling drawn in a new direction
knowing what you must do
answering a need
finding absolution
feeling cleansed and refreshed
releasing guilts and sorrows
forgiving yourself and others
atoning for past mistakes
unburdening yourself
feeling sins washed away

Any ideas?

[EVA-01X]

The Lance would coincide with a few of those I suposse, the taking action and decideing to make a difference ones anyway.

[Nephilim]

You are going to design and draw the cards yourself?

[Somnius Kenate]

Sadly, I lack a lot of drawing talent. I was just going to get as for as designing the cards first. I am looking for a staff of a couple people who would like to add to the project. Neph, where you the person who drew the Evangelion's without armour? That was quite talented; very good job.

[The Eva Monkey]

Heh heh heh..... ^^;;;

I was supposed to give you some feedback about these tarot cards. I completely forgot.

Sorry... :oops:

[chocomanji]

Dude....sign me up to help with the art!!!! ^___^

That is...if you approve of my skills... :oops:

[Asuka Langley]

This sounds like an interesting project.
I once helped a friend who was attempting the same thing, but with different characters though.
Didnn't work out to well, however, with Evangelion's cast it seems like there's more of a chance.
I think the characters > cards you chose are very fitting, actually.

Good luck with this.

[Nephilim]

Maybe i could help a little bit too
only if you like my skills of course
You could tell me what you have in mind exactly and maybe chocomanji and me could help you with some sketches or something :P

[Somnius Kenate]

Eva Monkey: Hey, no problemo! You are a busy guy; I luckily have way too much free time on my hands.

chocomanji: Sure, I would love your additions. The artwork "Just a Doll" was great, and I enjoyed the symbolism.

Nephilim: That would be fantastic.

Asuka Langley: The problem with an Evangelion tarot deck (rather than my last project, Final Fantasy) is that there are not THAT many characters. My idea was that the Major Arcana would be actual people, and the minor arcana would be events (and/or character quotes). For example, Asuka's "I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest!" would be perfect for the Five of Swords.

The thing about tarot decks is that the image is supposed to reflect what the card means. For example, the Five of Swords:

http://www.learntarot.com/s5s.gif

You can see that this card is about self interest and open discord because of the symbolism.

The only major problem is that there are 78 cards. One person alone would never do that many drawings. But not all images have to be drawn. I could probably get some Minor Arcana images done on Photoshop. But, any and all suggestions are welcome, though I would like to get the Major Arcana done first. And any ideas for the Wheel of Fortune, the Sun, and Judgment are welcome.

[Asuka Loves Toji]

i think lillith could fit for judgement, but my first choice was kawaru, but i didnt see you already chosen him

[Asuka Langley]

Asuka Langley: The problem with an Evangelion tarot deck (rather than my last project, Final Fantasy) is that there are not THAT many characters. My idea was that the Major Arcana would be actual people, and the minor arcana would be events (and/or character quotes). For example, Asuka's "I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest!" would be perfect for the Five of Swords.

The thing about tarot decks is that the image is supposed to reflect what the card means. For example, the Five of Swords:

http://www.learntarot.com/s5s.gif

You can see that this card is about self interest and open discord because of the symbolism.

The only major problem is that there are 78 cards. One person alone would never do that many drawings. But not all images have to be drawn. I could probably get some Minor Arcana images done on Photoshop. But, any and all suggestions are welcome, though I would like to get the Major Arcana done first. And any ideas for the Wheel of Fortune, the Sun, and Judgment are welcome.

Using significant events seems like it could work for you then.
Also, why not get a small team of artists to help you out with the cards that will need to be drawn?
I've noticed that a few people have already offered, and (pending I'm up to your standard) I'd also love to help out if you'd like.
This seems like too good an idea to go to waste.

[Somnius Kenate]

This is why I chose each card.

The Fool - Kensuke Aida:

* BEGINNING
* SPONTANEITY
* FAITH
* APPARENT FOLLY

He is rather ignorant about the responsibilites of piloting an Evangelion. Also, he is a very spontaneous person who has faith in a better tomorrow.

The Magician - Asuka Langley Sohryu:

* ACTION
* CONSCIOUS AWARENESS
* CONCENTRATION
* POWER

Asuka is very good at speaking her mind and making her own actions. She shows her power whenever she fights.

The High Priestess - Rei Ayanami:

* NONACTION
* UNCONSCIOUS AWARENESS
* POTENTIAL
* MYSTERY

Just as the Magician and the High Priestess are polar opposites so is Rei and Asuka. This card is about nonaction and the potential for change.

The Empress - Yui Ikari:

* MOTHERING
* ABUNDANCE
* SENSES
* NATURE

There are very few caring, whole people in Evangelion. Yui is a very good mother and would be perfect for the perpetual yin mother figure.

The Emporer - Gendo Ikari:

* FATHERING
* STRUCTURE
* AUTHORITY
* REGULATION

I think Gendo is the perfect example of this card. He represents the demanding, yang father figure.

The Hierophant - Ritsuko Akagi

* EDUCATION
* BELIEF SYSTEMS
* CONFORMITY
* GROUP IDENTIFICATION

Ritsuko is more or less the cliched female scientist figure in fiction. She can be identfied as the person people identify NERV with.

The Lovers - Misato and Kaji:

* RELATIONSHIP
* SEXUALITY
* PERSONAL BELIEFS
* VALUES

The only real romantic relationship in Eva is Yui and Gendo. That one is over, and Misato and Kaji seem to really love each other. This card also represents sex, and they do a lot of that (ie One week!).

The Chariot - Evangelion Units 00, 01, and 02:

* VICTORY
* WILL
* SELF-ASSERTION
* HARD CONTROL

I was thinking of doing Asuka for this one, but just as a chariot is operated by its rider, an Eva is operated by its rider. Also, without the Evas, victory against the angels would be impossible.

Strength - Touji Suzuhara:

* STRENGTH
* PATIENCE
* COMPASSION
* SOFT CONTROL

This is not just about physical strength which Touji has, but compassion and patience (which he shows to his sister).

The Hermit - Shinji Ikari:

* INTROSPECTION
* SEARCHING
* GUIDANCE
* SOLITUDE

This is very suiting for Shinji; he perfectly fits this card.

The Wheel of Fortune - Dead Sea Scrolls (Unsure):

* DESTINY
* TURNING POINT
* MOVEMENT
* PERSONAL VISION

My reason for the Dead Sea Scrolls is because it is a guide to the artifical destiny of mankind via Instrumentality. The person vision of NERV let it to be this way.

Justice - MAGI Supercomputers:

* JUSTICE
* RESPONSIBILITY
* DECISION
* CAUSE AND EFFECT

The cold logic of a computer would be perfect for decision and cuase and effect.

The Hanged Man - Kyoko Soryu Zepplin:

* LETTING GO
* REVERSAL
* SUSPENSION
* SACRIFICE

This card is very complex. It tels you to let go. Kyoko killed herself by hanging herself, so it seems logical. The only thing that does not fit is sacrifice, she was rather selfish, but cards can be interpreted in many ways.

Death - Kaworu Nagisa:

* ENDING
* TRANSITION
* ELIMINATION
* INEXORABLE FORCES

Kaworu is perfect for Death. The card is rarely about physical death, but a transition to something new, and accepting the inevitable.

Temperance - Kouzou Fuyutsuki:

* TEMPERANCE
* BALANCE
* HEALTH
* COMBINATION

Fuyutuski is very calm and reversed in all situations. Plus he is rather old, but continues to have great health!

The Devil - Lorenz Keel (or maybe Naoko Akagi, they both fit)

* BONDAGE
* MATERIALISM
* IGNORANCE
* HOPELESSNESS

Both characters are ignorant in the sense they have lost all hope. Though Keel is more materialistic and Akagi is more hopeless.

The Tower - Second Impact:

* SUDDEN CHANGE
* RELEASE
* DOWNFALL
* REVELATION

Second Impact changed the lives of everyone on Earth. It was unexpected, and many thought it to be the end of the world.

The Star - Hikari Horaki:

* HOPE
* INSPIRATION
* GENEROSITY
* SERENITY

Hikari is the hope for a tomorow that might not come. She is generous to Toji, and has a certain cute sincerity about her to always speak her mind.

The Moon - Ryohji Kaji:

* FEAR
* ILLUSION
* IMAGINATION
* BEWILDERMENT

This card is about dreams, but also about secretivity and illusion. Kaji is a double agent, and fools everyone into thinking he works for NERV.

The Sun - A.T. Field (Unsure):

* ENLIGHTENMENT
* GREATNESS
* VITALITY
* ASSURANCE

The A.T. Field allows its user to achieve greatness and vitality through shielding from conventional weapons. It is also assuring to know you always have it.

Judgement - (Lance of Longinus? Still unsure)

* JUDGMENT
* REBIRTH
* INNER CALLING
* ABSOLUTION

I honestly still have no idea. This card is about transforming, opening to possiblites, and having a day of judgment.

The World - Instrumentality:

* INTEGRATION
* ACCOMPLISHMENT
* INVOLVEMENT
* FULFILLMENT

Once again, this idea is exactly perfect for this card.

Things that could replace for future cards:

Misato Katsuragi?
Adam?
Lilith?
Third Impact?
Pen-Pen? Lol
Chamber of Gauf?
Tree of Life?
Fruit of Wisdom?
Fruit of Life?

[/b]

[Somnius Kenate]

Sure, Asuka, I'd love for you to help. I like your drawing of the man in the black cloak. And thanks for your hope in the project. This was an idea I had late one night while eating pizza and watching Death and Rebirth, ha ha.

[Asuka Loves Toji]

pen pen could be the jester (if there is such a card)

[Somnius Kenate]

The best thing for PenPen would be the Two of Penatcles which is:

* JUGGLING
* FLEXIBILITY
* FUN

[TheMessiah]

i agree with most if not all of those (didnt read them all)


but i disagree with Keel,

* BONDAGE
* MATERIALISM
* IGNORANCE
* HOPELESSNESS


Naoka bonded more in the series(clinging to Gendo)
materialism doesnt REALLY apply to either of them
Naoko was ignorant to Gendo's distaste for her
Naoko lost hope after she killed Rei I


just my thoughts

[Asuka Langley]

Sure, Asuka, I'd love for you to help. I like your drawing of the man in the black cloak. And thanks for your hope in the project. This was an idea I had late one night while eating pizza and watching Death and Rebirth, ha ha.

The mark of true inspiration. ;)

Now that I can see your reasons for the card designations, it all seems much clearer.
Just wondering tho, did you consider Misato for "The Moon" as well? Those qualities seem to fit her to an extent.

And TheMessiah seems like he's on to something with Naoko Akagi in place of Keel.
I also love the concept for "The Hanged Man".

(let me know when things are ready to be drawn ^_~ )

[TheMessiah]

you have compelled me to go get a deck of tarot cards


-_-;


but thanks Asuka. after reading them, i think they all pretty much fit except where noted above