Playing Cards @ MindSay 
In the summer of 2005, I started to design a 36 card Mlle. Lenormand fortunetelling system deck and never quite got around to finishing it. Well, as the snow got to falling this last week, I was inspired enough to draw my way out of a lonely funk by going through my portfolio with the intent of reviving old works. What motivated me this time was the dire fear that I may die without leaving a legacy behind. It's like my work is the only legacy I have left to give. I don't intend on having children, and I'm not married, so who else but you, out there, do I have to share this wonderful thing I do with? I can't leave my drawings to gather dust anymore. But enough about me blah-blah-blah-ing on about this. If you'd like to find out more about Madame Lenormand and about these fortunetelling playing cards, I'll post an article about her later. Consider this just a preview of a product I think would sell. Let the images below ask for your approval:
Hearts
Ace (Gentleman), Jack (Heart or New Love), King (Home), Queen (Stork), Ten (Dog), Nine (Chevalier or Courier), Eight (The Moon), Seven (Tree), Six (The Star or Diva)
Diamonds Ace (The Sun), Jack (Scythe), King (Fish), Queen (Crossroads), Ten (Book), Nine (Coffin), Eight (Key), Seven (The Birds) -- this card is also sometimes shown as The Owls, but in this case I went with the former in tribute to an ancient alchemical symbol of three birds locked together which seems to fight the meanting, Six (Clover)
The Spades
Ace (Lady), Jack (Child), King (Lilies), Queen (Roses), Ten (Boat), Nine (Anchor), Eight (Garden), Seven (The Letter), Six (The Tower)
The Clubs
Ace (The Ring), Jack (The Rod), King (Clouds), Queen (Serpent), Ten (Bear), Nine (Fox), Eight (Mountains or Journey), Seven (Rat), Six (Cross)
I will comment more on these later, for now I just would like your reaction. Thank you!
Say "Leeeerooooy Jenkins!" -> Leroy has ferocity this turn. Oh man, if I get this in a tournament I'm going to die! *shivers with excitement* I'm going to yell that at the top of my fuckin' lungs! Everyone in the damn tourney had better shake with fear at the ferocity of my war cry! Every last bastard! I'll do it, just you watch me do it! It'll make everything in my life that led me to that moment worthwhile. Everything!
My brother got a heap of the new World of Warcraft (WoW) Trading Card Game (TCG), and as a result I am now the proud owner of a bunch of cards. There is some funny stuff, some awesome stuff, and some weak-as stuff. Now, you must understand that I've been playing Magic (another TCG) for a hell of a long time. Since I was ... seven, I believe. I was never as into as my brother, and never as good as him, but I've been in tourneys and won prizes and all that jazz. The reason I mention Magic is because the WoW game is so much freakin' like it that it's lawsuit worthy! That is to say "It's a cool game"! Now, it seems to have a few things that are unbalanced, or need ironing out, but hopefully it will be edited and such and all shall be excellent. It's a lot of fun already, and we're only using pre-made decks. Our goal is to make a good deck of 60 cards (standard pre-made are 32 at this stage).
You'll need to know about Magic to know what I'm talking about, but I'll try to explain it briefly:
It's a card game. There are a finite number of different cards that are released to the public in "Sets". Now, the point of it being a TCG is that it's hard to get allt he cards. You don't need anywhere near all of them though. What you want is certain cards that do certain things and you put them all together in a group called a deck. The point of a deck is to limit the number of cards that a person can use, and to make the game more uniform. If you try playing with a deck of 200 cards you're screwed before you start playing. That's just how it is.
It's so much easier to explain in person, but I'm talking Russian to most of you anyway. Point is, the goal of making a good 60 card deck is doable, expensive, and going to be fun!
If you don't get it after all that you can just ask me later; but you probably don't care. Suits me.
Anyway ... what the hell was I going to write about? I can't stand 'blogging about women, or flavours of the week, or whatever.
I think I've run out of crap to say ... Well, there is one thing that I feel like saying. Wait. Nope.
Goodnight. It's too early in the morning to be awake. Too f'ing early!
Oh crap. I'm high and I'm shaking. So high! Stupid kites down below. Oh no! I need sleep, ARGH! What am I going to do!?
-Mitch
Inspired by the 36 card Lenormand fortunetelling system, these card original card designs (by me) are referred to by their images and meanings, not just by their suit or number.
The Aces
Ace of Clubs (Ring), Ace of Diamonds (The Sun), Ace of Hearts (Gentleman), Ace of spades (Woman)
The Ace of Clubs, known as The Ring, deals with bonds, vows, marriage, relationships that bind one person to another for good and ill. If you draw this card with the frowning face on the ring facing you, it portends bad marriages and broken vows. If you draw the card with the smiling face beside you, you will have a good, harmonious relationship with others.
The Ace of Diamonds, known as The Sun, brings illumination, optimism, happiness; outlook good.
The Ace of Hearts represents a man and the Ace of Spades represents a woman. These cards are pulled out of the deck to indicate the sex of the significator (person asking questions). Usually in a reading, when it's a man asking the questions, the reader will take the Ace of Hearts and place it in the middle of the table. Nine cards are drawn and placed around the Ace of Hearts. If the Ace of Spades shows up close to the Ace of Hearts, perhaps the man is asking about a woman or is about to meet a new woman -- the relationship will be defined by the surrounding cards.
The Jacks (or Knights)
Jack of Spades (Child), Jack of Hearts (Valentine), Jack of Diamonds (the Scythe), Jack of clubs (the Rod)
The Jack of Spades is The Child; she brings trust, children, and innocence, maybe even a little foolishness. She is generally good but she can be a brat if surrounding cards indicate disharmony.
The Jack of Hearts carries a Valentine; the eyes indicate whether or not the romantic sentiments are wanted or not. The left eye is angry, the right eye open and alert.
The Jack of Diamonds is a man carrying a heavy Scythe; he indicates that something is about to be cut or someone(thing) needs to be cut from your life.
The Jack of Clubs is the general holding The Rod; he always brings war, conflict, adversity.
The Kings
King of Spades (Lillies), King of Hearts (House), King of Diamonds (Fish), King of Clubs (Clouds)
The King of Spades is King of the Lillies; he will either support or critique your work. Look at his eyes. Like the Valentine card, one is more open than the other. In all matters, this King means business, gives attitude, and is the one responsible for handing out rewards.
The King of Hearts has the House on his mind; he indicates domestic life, fruitfulness, prosperity, family, and projects that could be considered "close to home."
The King of Diamonds likes to play with the Fish; he takes you away from the doldrums, bringing fun, luxury, and a little bit of laziness with him.
The King of Clubs is a storm of Clouds; you're in danger if your significator (Ace of Hearts if you're a boy, Ace of Spades if you're a girl) is close to his dark side. If you're close to his bright side, you'll be okay.
The Queens
Queen of Spades (Flowers), Queen of Hearts (Stork), Queen of Diamonds (Crossroads), Queen of Clubs (Snake)
These were my favorite to draw! The Queen of Spades is your friend; she brings an abundance of love and indicates contentment.
The Queen of Hearts holds the Stork; meaning that change is coming and that you may have to sacrifice your time/energy for someone else who is younger or weaker than yourself.
The Queen of Diamonds finds you at a Crossroads; she tells you that some major decisions have to be made.
The Queen of Clubs is a caretaker of the Snake; she whispers all sorts of gossip -- of double-dealings, jealousy, hypocrisy, and petty politics.
The Sixes (not complete)
Six of Diamonds (Birds), Six of Hearts (Tree)
I still have 18 more cards to finish, so this is just a preview of how the next ones are coming along...
The Birds indicate troublesome thoughts and feelings; a person maybe so busy asking too many questions that they miss the answers.
The Tree deals with health issues, energy, and sex (just look at the trunk, nice, eh?). In fact, now that I think of it, I believe this card I got wrong! It's supposed to be the SEVEN of Hearts. Oh, well. I'll fix it later...
I also did an experiment previously to see what the cards might actually look like. Here's what I came up with:
I want to create these cards as a "reverse" of the traditional playing cards. The above are just rough thumbnails for now, I will have to consider more when it comes to the "numbered" cards. But that's all for now! I need a life...