The Cosmic Tribe Tarot

by Stevee Postman (Artist), Eric Ganther (Contributor)

• The first tarot deck for the neotribal technopagan from an avant-garde computer revolutionary

• The most revolutionary tarot deck to appear since Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot

• Synthesizes classic archetypal imagery with state-of-the-art electronic wizardry to create a deck that maps the modern psyche like never before

The Cosmic Tribe Tarot is the most revolutionary tarot deck to appear since Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot. Synthesizing classic archetypal imagery with state-of-the-art electronic wizardry, Stevee Postman has created a deck that maps the modern psyche like no other before. Drawing equally from nature, myth, psychedelics, and contemporary neopagan culture, The Cosmic Tribe Tarot speaks to the fears, hopes, and desires of a new generation. Without abandoning the traditional structure that has made the tarot a successful divination tool for centuries, Postman charges his deck with an erotic, mystical energy, showing that the modern tribal movement is at heart a spiritual one. Never before has a tarot so boldly reconnected the contemporary soul to the eternal cosmos.

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction, Divination

208 pages, Paperback with deck of cards

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the deck I use for others and myself. A beautiful deck with vivid colors and much to say.

[Idea Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deck screamed out to me from a bookstore shelf a few years after I'd stepped away from doing tarot readings or even publicly admitting to a relationship with tarot (I hadn't protected myself & had ended up taking on a lot of pain from the people I read for). My previous decks had all been purchased from a friend who ran a store of crystals & such. That friend had to shut shop & move to another country so I didn't anymore have a guide or link to the tarotverse. I was at an old favorite bookshop when this deck literally called out to me and when I saw it, it felt like I had found an answer that I hadn't even realised I was looking for.

At the time, I also didn't know the variety of threads within the space of decks (the reviews here tell me this is more like Thoth tarot and I've been within the Rider-Waite tradition myself). I was also new to the idea of nude imagery on tarot decks. So it surprised me that this deck felt so familiar and known. It has always felt welcoming, even with some of the darker imagery. All these years later, I still find myself mesmerised by some of the cards and find minutes have gone by and I'm still staring at the card, awash in feeling.

The cards are very evocative, mixing modern symbols like computers with ancient myth imagery. Yet they don't feel strange or cacophonic (except for The Tower, which after all, is intended to be that way, with even the book description likening it to the Tower of Babel). The nudity feels honest rather than sexual and brings a quality of vulnerability & unselfconsciousness to each card. It is also wonderfully inclusive, spanning models from all races, genders & body types. Even a card like The Moon that superimposes a woman's facial expression on a full moon doesn't look grotesque but strangely compelling.

The book also makes for a really wonderful read, carrying a poetic description of the visual elements of the card and an interpretation ending with a short, snappy suggestion. The deck feels very emotional, overflowing with feelings rather than tangible meanings. I find it really helpful when I'm struggling with difficult emotions or overwhelmed by complex feelings. A reading is always intense but makes me feel like I'm unburdened and have a life raft to keep from sinking in them.

I would not use this deck for readings with other people. It feels too raw & personal (not just because of the nudity but definitely aided by it). But this is an excellent deck for deep meditations.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a different kind of Tarot! The pictures for the cards are unique!!! I use this as my "every day" Tarot. Easy to read book too!!!

[Pixelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankly it does feel a bit dated, but perhaps that is also why I quite like this set and still use it. The book is pretty ok, but it is the cards that are the main thing here, you don't need the book, although it sure adds a few ideas if you are stuck.
The nudity don't bother me much, just keep in mind that people might object to it, if you read for others. Also watch out if you post photos online that not all places take so kindly to full frontal (mainly male) nudity.
With that out of the way, this is a very 'Thothy' deck so don't expect a Waite-Smith clone.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the accompanying book to a tarot desk. The images are by Stevee Postman and intergrated beautifully fantasy scenes with real people's images. Many of the these people are friend or part of my sub-culture of the Radical Faeries. It is also very queer friendly, having 3 versions of the lover cards, one for male-male, female-female and male-female couples represented.

The book overall is slim, but covers all the basics of tarot. It all goes into detail for each card included in the accompanying deck.