In the first book-length study of Tarot cards on the silver screen, Emily E. Auger contextualizes cartomancy—the practice of fortune telling via playing cards—and dives deep into its invention and promulgation in film. After providing an introduction to divination and cartomancy, Auger offers detailed descriptions and analyses of the roles that cartomancy and Tarot cards play in films. The book features an abbreviated filmography—including nearly 200 films—detailing their relationships to cartomancy. As Tarot communities continue to grow worldwide, Cartomancy and Tarot in Film will be of interest to scholars of esoteric studies, film, folklore, playing cards, popular culture, and religion, as well as diviners the world over.
Reviews
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
Part 1 Divination, Cards, and Culture
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: A Brief History of Cards and Cartomancy
The Invention of Cards and Cartomancy
Cartomancy Prototypes in Narrative
Chapter 3: A Brief History of the Tarot Trumps
The Gaming Deck: From Paint to Print
Tarot and Cartomancy
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Popularization and Commodification
Part 2 Cards and Cartomancy in Film
Chapter 4: Cartomancers and Querents as Film Characters
Gender, Age, Marital Status, and Profession
Ethnicity, Eccentricity, and the Supernatural
The Mystic
Nomadism
Chapter 5: Cartomancy and Tarot in Film Narratives
The Cartomancy Reading
The Narrative Roles of Cartomancy and Tarot Scenes
Cartomancy and Tarot in Genres and Themes
Chapter 6: Tarot Trumps in Film
Chapter 7: Conclusion
Appendix 1: Filmography
Appendix 2: Charts
Appendix 3: Cartomancy and Tarot Films by Date
Appendix 4: Carmen on Screen
Appendix 5: Directors of Cartomancy and Tarot Films
Appendix 6: Actresses and Actors Playing Cartomancers
Appendiz 7: Actresses and Actors Playing Cartomancy Querents
Bibliography
Sources for Films (Novels, Graphic Novels, Video Games)
Cartomancy Decks Cited
Index
Preface
Part 1 Divination, Cards, and Culture
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: A Brief History of Cards and Cartomancy
The Invention of Cards and Cartomancy
Cartomancy Prototypes in Narrative
Chapter 3: A Brief History of the Tarot Trumps
The Gaming Deck: From Paint to Print
Tarot and Cartomancy
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Popularization and Commodification
Part 2 Cards and Cartomancy in Film
Chapter 4: Cartomancers and Querents as Film Characters
Gender, Age, Marital Status, and Profession
Ethnicity, Eccentricity, and the Supernatural
The Mystic
Nomadism
Chapter 5: Cartomancy and Tarot in Film Narratives
The Cartomancy Reading
The Narrative Roles of Cartomancy and Tarot Scenes
Cartomancy and Tarot in Genres and Themes
Chapter 6: Tarot Trumps in Film
Chapter 7: Conclusion
Appendix 1: Filmography
Appendix 2: Charts
Appendix 3: Cartomancy and Tarot Films by Date
Appendix 4: Carmen on Screen
Appendix 5: Directors of Cartomancy and Tarot Films
Appendix 6: Actresses and Actors Playing Cartomancers
Appendiz 7: Actresses and Actors Playing Cartomancy Querents
Bibliography
Sources for Films (Novels, Graphic Novels, Video Games)
Cartomancy Decks Cited
Index