As previously seen on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pvogeler/the-stars-over-me
WWW.THESTARSOVERME.COM
WWW.PAULVOGELER.COM
THE STORY:
Life is beautiful, but it is also unforgiving. We live with the illusion of control, but fate is left out of our hands. Is there some way to predict the future? Is there a way to tap into the Anima Mundi, or soul of the universe, a vast timeless repository of all human knowledge and experience? If we know beforehand what will happen, could we change anything? Culture continually asks these questions, but they have yet to be resolved. We are only able to live, hope and pray, and do our work to the best of our ability with the intention of bettering humanity.
I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. Creating Die Sterne Über Mir became both a prayer and meditation. I began carving this deck as a way to process and channel the uncontrollable confusion I suddenly faced; like the Tower Card, everything I had worked hard to create fell apart. Die Sterne Über Mir expresses the pain of lost love, the slow weakening of a cancer stricken parent followed by his eventual death, and the ongoing self-realization of an artist. In order to rise from the ashes, I needed to dig deep and create. This project allowed me to investigate the hidden and darker parts of my subconscious, and gave me the opportunity to explore new symbols, iconography, and pictorial solutions that I could then bring back into the studio and express through new drawings and paintings.
THE DESIGN:
Die Sterne Über Mir arose from 78 hand-cut, 4" X 6" linoleum blocks. Each of the blocks was hand printed, scanned, and sent to Portuguese designer João Machado who then worked on the digital manifestation of this deck. The idea was to keep the design and printing of the cards as simple and as elegant as possible to preserve the authenticity of the original blocks. Creating a work of art was our goal.
Some cards reference the widely recognized Rider-Waite deck and often reduce that original card to a new symbol. Many cards feature a single figure, tool in hand, caught in a moment of inward reflection. Other cards depict eroticism, fetish, and memento mori. Several are based on memories, especially the memories of my father’s decline. Overall, the deck expresses a feeling of loss, but not the loss of hope: it is a self-portrait.
THIS LIMITED EDITION TAROT DECK BY PAUL JOSEPH VOGELER WILL INCLUDE:
-78 digitally printed, hand-cut, 4 x 6 in. tarot cards printed on 110lb matte "silk" paper.
-1 4 x 6 in. booklet describing divination and meaning behind each card printed on 80lb "text" paper. Booklet authored by Paul.
-1 tuck box printed on 130lb "gloss cover" paper, hand cut, and hand folded.
-The Tuck box is numbered and signed by Paul, ex: "46/300"
- The entire deck is made in New York City at family owned Unique Visuals printer.
I hope these physical cards can offer a brief moment for inward reflection. Shuffle them. Carry them in your bag. Share them with your friends and loved ones. Cheers!