I often get mired in a project before I realize why I am doing it, like Dreyfus in Close Encounters. Anyone watching me here knows I’ve been obsessed with creating a deck of Tarot cards showing my Saints of the Grail, which is my rampage through the history of Western culture and spirituality, tracing the most important influencers, starting with Heracles.
My subjects all really walked the earth, so no Jesus, Zeus or Thor. Heracles comes first. Despite all the mythic magic stories, Heracles began in ancient Yamnaya, where horses were domesticated and bronze smelted in the shadow of Mount Elbrus, where Prometheus would eventually be born. The original story is based on the first great king, who became enshrined through Scythian culture documented by Greek Herodotus.
There are 60 saints and two demons. Many of my favorite artists are included in the deck.
Very few living people, however. You typically must die to be sanctified. Dylan and Patti Smith are there, however. I was planning to send out a few decks to close personal friends for Christmas, but now realize there are two names I should add to the list. When I started a Substack after Bozo called me a serial predator, I activated an awards system, where people can send money. Never paid any attention to it, never made up any awards, never expected anyone to send me money.
But, amazingly, two people have sent me $100 each.
I guess I should probably add the deck as a reward.