The Salem Arcanum Tarot
Photographic Interpretations of the Tarot by James Bostick
Photographic Interpretations of the Tarot by James Bostick
The images and symbols of the Tarot tradition have a rich and ancient history. I’ve been inspired by these images and here attempt my ownphotographic interpretations of the visual language that is the Tarot. For me thisseries attempts to deconstruct the symbol systems of the Tarot in an effortunderstand the evolution of meaning attached to these images. In a time whenit’s far to common to believe each photo we see has been digitally manipulatedI also strive to only capture the scene as seen before my camera. In my studioI create theater and story telling for each theme, captured for others to findtheir own meaning and symbolic value. For those who believe in the mysteries ofthe Tarot they contain personality and attempt divination at the heart of eachimage. Combined they become a secret language and form of expression uniquelytheir own.

0 - The Fool

I - TheMagician

II - The High Priestess

III - TheEmpress

IV - TheEmperor

V - The Hierophant

VI - The Lovers

VIII –Justice

IX The Hermit

X - Wheel fo Fortune

XII - The Hanged Man

XIII – Death

XIV - Temperance

XV - TheHorned God (the Devil)

XVIII - The Moon

XX - Judgement

XXI - The World

Queen ofCups

King of Cups



Ace of Cups


Three ofCups


Five of Cups


Seven of Cups





Knave fo Wands

Ace of Wands









Knave of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles




Seven of Pentacles




Queen of Swords




Ace of Swords


Three ofSwords

Four ofSwords


Six of Swords


Eight of Swords
The spiritof restlessness. You are a temporary prisoner of the self. Lack of confidenceand motivation to initiate a necessary change is blocking progress. Eight ofSwords reveals a temporary loss of sight of the circumstances around you.Discard old ideas for new ones.
“If there isdissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much thebetter. If there is restlessness, I am pleased. Then let there be ideas, andhard thought, and hard work. If man feels small, let man make himself bigger.” -Hubert H. Humphrey
The spiritof restlessness. You are a temporary prisoner of the self. Lack of confidenceand motivation to initiate a necessary change is blocking progress. Eight ofSwords reveals a temporary loss of sight of the circumstances around you.Discard old ideas for new ones.
“If there isdissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much thebetter. If there is restlessness, I am pleased. Then let there be ideas, andhard thought, and hard work. If man feels small, let man make himself bigger.” -Hubert H. Humphrey


Ten ofSwords