by

yousef bushehri

DEDICATION

To the most talented artisti know,my sister Yousra,for always inspiring me to further my art.

To my aunt Layla for teaching me to paint as a child and to love creating visually.

To my cousin Faisal for being an endless fountain of support.

To Taylor for encouraging my fascinations always.

STORY

The world has been weird lately.We have undoubtedly contributed to the changes we've been experiencing. We can also contribute to healing it and building a better future.

Tarot can be used in many ways. To me it was a way to examine my inner-most thoughts that I was having trouble bringing to the surface.

I created (or built) The Architect's Tarot as an exercise in meditation, self-reflection, skill development, and to connect with the world beyond myphysical experience.

This project was made possible by the incredible and unbelievable support of mycommunity. They encouraged me to continue painting and illustrating when things were difficult.

After a year and a half'of painting,the compiled deck was put on kickstarter and was fully funded in 3 hours. By the end of the month long campaign, the project had raised 500% of the target goal.

Without all those backers,this deck wouldn't have been possible. To every single person that believed in me,you have my undying gratitude.

May it bring you the insight, help you set any foundation, and bring you into an alternate reality.

INTRODUCTION

The Architect's Tarot deck is broken down into two main sections:

23 major arcana cards:

Depicting the fool's journcy as they

created the deck. The cards are organized

along 3 planes- the physical,the

emotional, and the spiritual.There is an

additional card (the architect) who is also

the fool.

56 minor arcana cards:

Organized along 4 suits, each of which

depict unique worlds and themes.

The cards are a panoramic view into a world.Laying out all the cards of a suit in sequence creates a larger image.The same is true for the planes of the Major Arcana. There is no beginning or end-the first and last card also connect creating a loop.

The minor arcana have bands of color framing each card.These colors corrospond with the suit.

swords-green

wands-red

cups-blue

pentacles-brown

The major arcana cards are unframed.

HOw TO USE THIS DECK

However you want to.

I suggest you use it:

With respect.

With an open mind and heart.

With patience.

Some examples:

As part ofyour morningritual: shuffle the deck and draw a card. Carry that card's message with you for the day and may it bring lightness and compassion into your interactions

When stuck on a problem: shuffle the deck, focus on your problem at hand, draw 3 cards and lay them out in order. May they give you a different perspective toward resolution.

THE MAJOR ARCANA

When laid out in sequence, the major arcanaare a metaphor of the fool's journey through 3 planes. Cards 1-7 are the physical plane,8-14 are the emotional plane, and 15-21 are the spiritual plane.

O-The Fool                          UranusUprighc:innocence,spontaneity,positive change. Reversed:naivety, risktaking, holding back.

I-THEMAGICIAN                       Mercury Upright:concentration,beginnings,self-belief. Reversed: manipulation,unplanned,arrogance.

2-THE HICH PRIESTESS           Moon

Upright: wisdom, intuition,sacred mystery.

Reversed:superficiality,ignoring intuition, harmful secrets,repression,silence.

3-THE EMPRESS              Venus

Upright: maternal figure,fertility,abundance.

Reversed:resistance,infertility,creative block.

4-THE EMPEROR              Aries

Upright: structure,authority,paternal figure.

Reversed:inflexibility,domination,controlling.

5-THE HIEROPHANT                     Taurus Upright: determination,tradition, education. Reversed:stubbornness,rigidity,hypocrisy.

6-THE LOVERS                                Gemini

Upright: love, choice, duality, harmony.

Reversed:ego,indecision,conflict,disconnection

7-THE CHARIOT                           Cancer Upright:success, ambition, motivation,action. Reversed:Pyrrhic victory,conflict,setbacks.

8-STRENGTH                                LeoUpright: compassion,head over heart,courage. Reversed:aggression,rage, pride, struggle

9-THE HERMIT                                          Virgo

Upright:introspection,solitude,reflection.

Reversed:withdrawal,isolation,depression.

10-WHEEL OF FORTUNE                   Jupiter

Upright: luck, destiny, karma,turning point.

Reversed:misfortune,chaos,resistance.

11-JUSTICE               Libra

Upright:fairness,truth,law,equality.

Reversed:unfairness,dishonesty,dispute.

12-THE HANGED MAN                  Neptune Upright:patience,pause,awakening,surrender. Reversed: delay, indecision, delusion,stalling.

Scorpio

13-DEATH

Upright:transition,change, release,endings.

Reversed: stagnation, resistance, immobility.

14-TEMPERANCE                      Sagittarius Upright: balance, moderation, purpose,patience.

Reversed:imbalance,excess,self-healing.

15-THEDEVL            Capricorn

Uprighc:challenge,addiction,ambition.

Reversed: detachment, freedom,awarenesS.

16-THE TOWER

Mars

Uprigh: upheaval,unexpected events,crisis.

Reversed:fear of change,denial,avoidance.

17-THESTAR                              Aquarius

Upright: confidence, hope,respite,clarity

Reversed:faithless,avoidance,despair.

18-THE MOON                          Pisces

Upright: illusion, subconscious, intuition.

Reversed:distress,repression,anxiety.