The King of Wands has made the thing. It’s the end of the project, and time to confidently share it around to his community. He can lead, he can help others grow, and at this point, he’s likely helping other people on their own Wand-related path. Back to the Cards
The Queen of Wands is full of joy. She’s in the throes of the scene, she’s feeling herself, she’s fully present in the thing she’s doing. She’s in a flow state, comfortable inside her creative zone. Back to the Cards
The Knight of Wands is really *in* his prime. He feels very confident about his ability to generate something spectacular – honestly, he feels like he’s “on fire.” He likely believes he knows a little more than he does, or perhaps has blinders on because of his tendency for deep diving into his current obsession. […]
The Page of Wands is a messy messenger of a whole new idea or opportunity. They’re gonna make a mess. Things will get everywhere. The message might be a little garbled, but you have an opportunity in front of you. It would be smart for you to look at it, and try to explore the […]
When the 10 of Wands shows up, it’s time to give it a rest. The thing you’ve been making, the experience you pulled together, that amazing scene with your friend from out of town – it’s done. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just a *final* thing. It’s time to retire, to let that […]
This is where the final edits on your work can go. The 9 of Wands wants to reflect on how everything has gone so far, to smile at the tribulations you have faced, and enjoy the feeling of having gotten away with something… or at least, accomplished something. A brat sees this card when they […]
After passing the stress test presented by the seven, the 8 of Wands urges you on to forward motion. Flip your hair. Spin confidently, like your body can handle it. Move. Forward. You’re only here for so long, so don’t waste time. The thing you’re manifesting… deserves your swift motion. Back to the Cards
The 7 of Wands is a great indicator that you’re up for a challenge, or a foil to your plans. This is where shit gets stress tested. What happens next depends on how you respond to this card – do you pass the stress test? Do you rise to the challenge? Back to the Cards
The 6 of Wands wants you to accept your flowers. Wear that laurel wreath. Enjoy the heat of the spotlight. You’re on display, and you have absolute permission and encouragement to enjoy that acclaim. You deserve it because you’re doing such a great job. Back to the Cards
The 5 of Wands is willing to pick a fight in the interest of forward movement. This may be playful or bickering, and it doesn’t usually come with “teeth” (unless that’s been negotiated?). A brat might very much enjoy this card. Back to the Cards
The 4 of Wands celebrates a homecoming of our own making. We built this house, and now we can party in it. This is a beautiful home. Back to the Cards
When the 3 of Wands shows up, it’s a siren call to the horizon. What’s ahead? What is even possible? Where could we imagine ourselves ending up someday… and what might it take to get there? Back to the Cards
The 2 of Wands is about opportunities. This is where an idea begins to form into a plan. When this card shows up, it’s often the point of creation where the creator starts rubbing their hands together excitedly. What could we make, do, or experience with a little bit of oomph?! Nadia’s Notes This 2 […]
The Ace of Wands is made of potential. This is the beginning. This is where the idea first feels exciting. Something, somewhere, is about to catch fire. Imagine what can be manifested! Back to the Cards
The King of Swords is wisdom incarnate. He knows who he is. He knows what he knows. He’s confident in his “rightness,” and willing to defend it. But, he doesn’t really *need* to defend it, because he has the internal footing he needs. He doesn’t feel the need for anyone else’s buy-in, because he has […]
The Queen of Swords is right. She knows she’s right. She will school you on her rightness if you attempt to cross her without bringing a bibliography and receipts. She also comes with wisdom. You may as well accept that she actually *is* right, because more often than not, it’s the truth. Back to the […]
The Knight knows all the best words, all the best arguments, and has studied up on how to win the day. They stridently follow their curiosity, and they can argue their position quite well. They have devoted much of their life to the pursuit of knowledge, rightness, and intellectual clarity. They’re pretty well versed. And, […]
The Page of Swords is a messenger with a little argument inside her. She’s got attitude, and really, she’s spoiling for a conflict. It will make a mess, though, so consider carefully how much energy you spend when the Page of Swords shows up. Back to the Cards
Dude, you’re cooked. It’s time to put the swords down and admit that you just don’t have the argument. So what comes next? You may have to concede your point, and then what? Back to the Cards
Why are you your own worst enemy? This card is about self flagellation, shame, and self inflicted anger. Your own fingernails are your knives. The rage is coming from inside the house. Back to the Cards
The 8 of Swords has a blindfold of their own creation covering their eyes. This card comes to the same parties that self limiting beliefs come to. The blindfold is made by the wearer. If the person would just open their eyes, they’d see a Library of Alexandria full of ideas for how to approach […]
The 7 of Swords likes to keep its self to itself. This is where lies of omission go. It’s a card that cautions us to watch for discrepancies between words and actions, because willfully or not, the 7 of Swords comes with a disguise. If knowledge is currency, this person is trying to ensure no […]
The 6 of Swords has considered all the angles, and has reached the conclusion that it is time to create distance. This is the logical, mature kind of “conscious uncoupling” that all the celebrities did in the early 2000s. It still can hurt, but it’s not a slow moving thing. It’s final. Once it happens, […]
Are you pleased with yourself? You won the battle. Do you think you won the war? And what about the casualties? This card is about conflict. It shows up around the holiday dinner table, when it’s possible to completely dress down Auntie Karen for saying she doesn’t believe in pronouns. Sure, you’re correct in the […]
Burnout, thy name is the 4 of Swords. This card warns of a shutdown, the kind that *must* be rested through, rather than pushed through. You can’t possibly think another thought and have it be coherent; the knives have GOT to come down just because you need a damn minute. This might not be permanent. […]
The 3 of Swords alerts us to betrayal. Swords are about conflict, intellectual rigor, argument, and scholarship. This card might show up when you are being lied to, when someone is knowingly spreading disinformation, when someone is lying with statistics. This card can be willfully misinterpreting the rules of a space, and then pretending you […]
The 2 of Swords offers a view of two different paths, both available to choose. They will lead in completely different places, or at minimum, represent completely different experiences. The thing is, though, this card doesn’t believe it can cut both ways. There are no gray areas, and a decision must be made. Think it […]
The Ace of Swords is a notice. A statement must be made. A stand must be taken. A deep dive must be followed. As a one, this card is often about tentative new beginnings, but truly – it’s entirely possible that the sword escaping from her throat has been dying to be externalized for a […]
The King of Cups is the ultimate family man. He’s a leader, a lover, and someone who holds space for the people he loves. This king is willing to offer a drink and a nice long conversation. Back to the Cards
The Queen of Cups is a fountain of love, connection, and emotional warmth, inwardly. She may be a tad reserved toward the wider world, but she cherishes her people. This Queen would love to have a nice chat in a quiet corner. Though she has goodwill and positive regard for lots and lots of people […]
The Knight of Cups is a hopeless romantic. Their main motivation is connection – although, sometimes they are so serious and intense about their pursuit of this love. This can be endearing, and can be the “right” choice, but it can also be overdone. The Knight risks coming on a touch too strong, with perhaps […]
The Page of Cups is a messenger offering a glass, here to tell you about a great love, friend, or even scene partner. She is excited, ready to tell you *everything* and absolutely gush about this exciting new person, but they may not get all the facts right. In their excitement, they are tripping over […]
The 10 of Cups tells the story of a wild, passionately out of body kind of love. This is the apex state, where the angst and uncertainty is passed, where this connection can be fully enjoyed with the absolute understanding that the emotional relationship is mutual. Back to the Cards
The 9 of Cups is sitting comfortably on a throne, nine glasses lined up behind her. This is the Wish card – she’s connected, confident, happy with her emotional landscape, and ready to share a good drink with her favorite people. Back to the Cards
The 8 of Cups is a hint that it’s time to walk away. Though everything is technically right, it’s not right on a soul level – and honestly, you know it. It’s time to sever the connection. Everything is lined up how it’s supposed to be. It still isn’t fulfilling everything it needs to fulfill. […]
The 7 of Cups joyfully considers all the possibilities in this connection. It can be whatever the involved parties want it to be. Play with roles a little, see what lights y’all up, and keep it fresh by trying something just a bit… different. Back to the Cards
The 6 of Cups whispers quietly of nostalgia. It remembers the past through rose-colored glasses, painting history as “simpler times” and pulling focus away from the present. Sometimes this card brings comfort with it, and a chance to ease into a familiar story; sometimes it shows a myopic fidelity to a reality that no longer […]
The 5 of Cups tells us about the futility of crying over spilled milk. There are things that are desperately broken here; that is for sure. Three of these cups are shattered, their contents scattered, but we should really be looking at those two remaining cups. What’s in them? What can be salvaged from these […]
The 4 of Cups is trying to decide if she really wants this connection, or if, perhaps, there is one that will fit better. She’s retreating a bit until she has made her decision. She wants to be sure of her next move, but it’s difficult – there are three cups that are all perfectly […]
The 3 of Cups shows us friendship. It’s old friends, sitting around a patio table, smoking cigars, sharing stories, and laughing together. This card celebrates the time we spend together, the people who are important to us, and the beginnings of a community that will hold us. Back to the Cards
The 2 of Cups takes the first blush of relation with another, and takes that first step to genuinely connect with that special other. The night that the 2 reveals itself, perhaps, will be the anniversary that you celebrate years from now. Perhaps. Perhaps it’s the butterfly-winged plunge we take when we lean into vulnerability […]
The Ace of Cups is a flirtatious little thing. She speaks to the beginning of a connection, the first sweet kiss, the butterflies at the beginning. She shows up when we feel New Relationship Energy, and she brings with her the first blush of exciting connection. Back to the Cards
The King of Pentacles is self assured, confident in his competence, and ready to lead. After all, he has the skills and the backing to do it well. This card stands with his shoulders back, unworried about outside interests, because he knows he has built the home that can withstand any storms. Perhaps this card […]
The Queen of Pentacles is generous of spirit, generous of purse, and generous of her time. Though she wears a crown when she feels called to, she usually passes that crown like a hat, asking people to help each other. She’s here to raise support, fundraise for worthy causes, and connect people in need with […]
The Knight of Pentacles is an ardent caretaker of their collection. They’ve watched it grow, piece by piece, until it’s exactly how they want it. Perhaps a touch extravagant in their desire to have the best of the best, their deep devotion to steady growth has built a veritable treasure chest through hard work and […]
The Page of Pentacles brings with her a message, perhaps a clumsy one. She wants you to think about the things you own, the objects you collect, and the things you would *like* to have in your collection. Everyone starts somewhere. Back to the Cards
The 10 of Pentacles reveals itself when the deck wants to talk about legacy. This is the card that links ancestors with descendents in a continuous line. We aren’t necessarily talking about our families of origin; perhaps we are talking about the queer center we support, or the chosen family we celebrate holidays with. This […]
The 9 of Pentacles celebrates a field well-tended. We are absolutely encouraged and welcome to luxuriate in the abundance of our crops, the success of our efforts, the joy in the skills we have gained. This is a field full of flowers, and it is there to support us as we have tended it. Back […]
The 8 of Pentacles is a reminder of hard work and the value of skill building. It’s difficult to fully play, without the skills to do so competently. Practice these skills until they are safely in your body. Workshopping technical details makes it easier to focus on the connection between people, the cues you’re receiving […]
The 7 of Pentacles has worked so hard on his home. He has hit a groove, busted ass, and is having some real success. Today is a good day to just pause, for even one minute, and assess what he’s made. This is the place he wants to clean, to tend, and to cherish. Back […]
The 6 of Pentacles asks us to share our resources with each other. It celebrates giving and receiving care. This card reminds us to chip in to the scholarship fund at an event, if we can. It asks us to offer a meal, a quiet room to sit in, or our spare gear for an […]
The 5 of Pentacles is an acknowledgment of being shut out, a door slammed in a face. This card knows we need the resources, knows we need to have our support network around us – but also knows that, though it may be unfair, we are barred from places we should be perfectly welcome. The […]
The Four of Pentacles is about ownership, taking care of your possessions, and guarding them jealously. This card feels pretty confident that someone else is eyeing its stash. It owns things that others want, and it has a fear of those things being taken away by a peer. Back to the Cards
The 3 of Pentacles loves the home they are building with their chosen family. This is where people come together in the interest of creating a safe and comfortable place to enjoy and share… together. As a group. Back to the Cards
The Two of Pentacles is about finding balance between different paths, between dark and light, and it often shows up when the deck wants to talk about how much to take on, and how many different balls to keep in the air. The Two of Pentacles would likely be best friends with Temperance. Back to […]
The Ace of Pentacles suggests a new beginning in the realm of *things.* This is where we find out about the objects we own, and resources we possess. This card shows up on a good day when we are talking about work, or about new health endeavors. If this card were to have a favorite […]
The World is the culmination of everything you’ve experienced. It’s the end of the road. You can rest comfortably and joyfully in the world you have had a huge part of creating, and which you have a perfectly you-sized place in. Demands Come home. You belong here. Delights Falling asleep in a bed of feathers, […]
Judgment is just a mirror. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Something you like, or something you’d like to change? Demands Take stock of your whole self. What have you accomplished? What are you showing to the world? Are you happy with yourself? Delights Now’s a great time to make changes […]
The Sun wants us to enjoy all that we have now, brought by all we have experienced. This isn’t the Empress with her lush, verdant aura – this is a PARTY with our friends. This is Dixie De La Tour. Demands Get out of the workshop, get away from the desk, get off the computer, […]
The Moon reminds us of changeability, cycles, and things that maybe don’t look exactly as they are. Demands The Moon demands that you look through reflected light, to see what can be seen by looking at the edges. Delights The Moon delights in changing. Just when you think it’s going one way, predictably, it goes […]
The Star reminds us that something good can come after the end of something. You’re still standing. Now what? Demands Decide if you’re going to be alive or not. If you’re going to be alive, then… be alive. Delights You survived that which destroyed. Look at how strong you are! Back to the Cards
The Tower is destruction. It’s a building being imploded because of a fucked up foundation. This card is loud and final. Demands Accept that it’s over, or do what you need to do to MAKE it over. Delight Sometimes there’s beauty in watching the world burn. We love watching transformation; show me a neurodivergent queer […]
The Devil is the container of darker, more primal impulses. Fear, lust, anger, and self-interested motivations often drive the Devil. Demands Examine what scares you, what makes you ragey. This is the animal part of you. Delights Letting the monster out for a walk. You might be *very* surprised by what she’s got to tell […]
Temperance is a way to a good life. Don’t get too intensely into one thing or another, or you will fall off balance. No one wants that. Demands DO NOT fall for NRE or the fervor of new things. Likewise, DO NOT fall for corrosive negative rumination or bad habits, because it will hurt you […]
Death is an ending, but also a beginning. It signifies a transition, where one iteration ends and the next begins. Demands Submit to the fact that you can’t keep things going as they are. We’re all subject to death, but of the raw material, something new can come. Delights This is a season, and spring […]
The Suspended One, also the Hanged Man, reminds you that you’re kind of stuck right now. Maybe that’s okay. Stuck isn’t the worst thing in the world. Demands Sit still before you make things worse. Struggle is going to make it harder. Delights The Suspended One delights in the momentary breath. If you’re stuck and […]
Justice is about equilibrium and equity. When the justice card shows up, it can be a reminder that something doesn’t feel right, morally. It can be a clarion call to act in the interest of members of your community. It can be a notice that you aren’t being treated justly yourself. Demands Justice demands that […]
The Wheel of Fortune reminds you that you know nothing. You actually have no control over the ultimate outcome of your situation. This is a neutral fact – what happens next is yours to decide the meaning of. Demands The Wheel of Fortune demands that you submit to what you can’t control. It’s not a […]
The Hermit retreats to their own safe place to learn and meditate by themself, without the influence of other actors. Demands The Hermit wants to be left alone. There’s something they need to process, learn, or marinate on, and they can’t do it publicly – so please stand by while they go into retreat mode. […]
Strength is about quiet, deeply internal fortitude. It’s not muscles and brawn, it’s taming the lion through gentle leadership. This is the card that *could* be tempted to absolutely dress someone down for a minor, but extremely irritating nuisance… but instead, chooses to count to ten and act with grace instead. Demands Get your inner […]
The Chariot loves forward motion. This is the territory of an underdog on her way to accomplish amazing things. The Chariot is driven by someone with an objective, and a solid set of blinders. Perhaps they have had the experience of connecting with the Lovers, and now they are ready to build something, launch something, […]
The Lovers love love. The Lovers love connection. This *often* shows up as romance, eroticism, and those types of connections, but they are often the magnetic pull you feel toward a friend who started in the scene around the same time as you, or a volunteering buddy you’ve got a good rhythm with. This card […]
The Hierophant is the keeper of spiritual community knowledge. Like the bootblacks’ ethos, they aim to guide by service, care for their community, and do it with traditions and passed-down knowledge. Demands The Hierophant demands that you engage with dogma. At any point in our lives, we should be both teacher and student in this […]
The Emperor wants you to use your best sense of ethics to be a good custodian of your wider community. He’s the trusted dungeon monitor at the very best dungeon party. He cares about rules and regulations, following directions, and order. Demands The Emperor demands… just so many things. He demands order, fidelity to rules, […]
The Empress’s favorite word is “lush.” She brings with her fertility and creative abundance. She is, after all, abundance itself. She’s often depicted on a throne, in bountiful nature, and sometimes pregnant (though, I have to just interject here – if parenthood and pregnancy doesn’t do it for you, I try to think of it […]
The High Priestess is the conduit between the world we can see and touch, and that which lives beneath. She’s the one who shows you your shadows, and asks you to examine them. Demands The High Priestess demands that you poke at the edges of where things are dark and obscured, and sit with what […]
The Magician is a powerful creator, a maker of big things, ideas, and change. They conjure the things they want, from the resources they have. Demands The Magician demands that you look around at what’s at hand, and make something from it. You have plenty of things stacked in your favor – and you should build […]
The Fool is the most powerful card in the entire deck. They signify a new beginning, a clean slate, and a sense of freshness. They exist in all of us, in various points throughout their life. Demands The Fool demands that you do The Thing, whatever that might be. The fact is, you don’t know […]
“Echotherea Intimata” explores the intersection of ethereal and erotic through 24 pieces, each inspired by music. Themes of joy, shame, power, and sensuality unfold, with figures in shibari, embracing tension between freedom and restraint, self-discovery, and transformation.
The artwork shows a woman suspended in shibari rope from her hips, facing upward. Her feet and chest are tied together, and a potted Monstera deliciosa plant acts as a weight. The scene incorporates heavy plant motifs, with a color palette of gold, yellow, and green, symbolizing themes of growth and healing.
A person with brown hair is suspended in shibari rope from a tree, the forest surrounding them like a living embrace. The gold rope stands out against the earthy tones of brown, green, and copper, highlighting the interplay between strength and vulnerability as they become one with the forest.
The figure hugs their leg, bound in a futomomo tie, squeezing it tightly as if caught in a moment of deep contemplation. Beside them, a pair of rope shears lies on the ground, hinting at the possibility of severing ties—whether from a relationship, toxicity, or a source of inner turmoil.
this portrait features a figure in detailed pony gear. The eyes reveal the inner thoughts and emotions of the person behind the mask, while a pair of hands holds the reins, hinting at themes of control and power.
A female figure, head held high by hair shibari bondage, surrenders to the sensory delight of lilacs. The BDSM collar around her neck signifies a power dynamic that is gentle yet profound, revealing how kink can embody softness and warmth as much as intensity.
Inspired by Garbage’s Androgyny, this piece explores the fluidity of gender expression. The figure, adorned with shibari rope up their leg, poses against a pink and gold background. With a gesture that blurs traditional lines, they cradle something inside their underwear—whether it’s a penis, a packer, a vibrator, or something else entirely, remains ambiguous.
Upside down, her fingertips gently trace the surface of the water, creating a moment of serene connection. The hues of green, yellow, and blue evoke a sense of calm and expansiveness, capturing the desire to escape and find peace.
This surreal scene floats amidst a sky of blue, green, yellow, and silver, with the song’s words splashed across the background, amplifying the sense of freedom and escape.
Inspired by 311’s Amber, this piece intertwines warmth and mystery. A hand holds a cigar, with the smoke rising to reveal the ghostly image of a figure bound in shibari ropes.
Inspired by Slack Wax’s Sex Bomb, this piece exudes bold sensuality. It features a man in bikini underwear, his form confidently displayed with a leg wrapped in an intricate rope harness. The rope crisscrosses across his athletic thighs, highlighting the blend of strength and vulnerability.
At the center, a femme figure is bound in shibari, with the ropes transforming into the glowing filaments of the lights. It’s a playful and lighthearted take on the connection between energy and desire, radiating cheerfulness and a touch of the fantastical.
A figure is suspended in shibari ropes from a metal rig against a backdrop of blues, purples, and silvers. Lightning descends from the sky, grounding itself through the rig and dispersing around the model, visualizing the pull of unseen forces towards the earth.
Inspired by the evocative tones of Bell X1’s Flame, this piece captures a figure in a shibari partial suspension from a tree, set against an autumnal landscape. The warm colors of brown, pink, orange, red, and gold envelop the scene, while dandelions in the foreground hint at fragility and fleeting moments.
Inspired by Kongos’ Come With Me Now, this piece delves into the passage of time and the burden of overthinking. A pair of hands, bound in a shibari single column tie, cradle an analog clock, reflecting the tension between confinement and the relentless march of time.
This piece offers an intimate look at a basic double column tie, focusing on the intricate details of the knot itself. The absence of a figure draws attention to the rope, reflecting the artist’s own experience of exploring this art form with a mix of shyness and vulnerability.
Wearing tiny leather pants, he boldly presents himself with legs splayed apart, drawing attention to the boots and the rugged rubber sole of one prominently displayed. The grayscale palette of gray, silver, black, and white adds to the gritty, unapologetic tone.
A woman stands confidently in a purple latex catsuit, exuding an air of mischief. Her stance is bold, almost daring the viewer. At her spiked heel, a glass of spilled milk lies tipped over, echoing the puckish nature of a cat’s rude playfulness.
The figure grips their own torso with clawing hands, expressing a struggle that is both physical and emotional.
This piece depicts a Black woman engaged in pony play, exuding strength and grace. Seen from behind, she wears a pony mask and a high ponytail, accentuated by a sleek black pencil skirt.
The follower, in a flowing white dress, surrenders to the embrace, while the leader, dressed in a sharp white shirt and black pants, guides with strength and precision.
A nude man holds a Bible in one hand and a hank of shibari rope in the other, suggesting the complex dynamics between spiritual authority and the allure of dominance.
Facing forward with knees spread, she exudes a brazen audacity and comfort in her own skin. The use of pink, orange, red, and gold emphasizes the boldness of unapologetic self-expression.
“You’re Bright as the Morning, Soft as the Rain” (2024): Inspired by Hozier’s Too Sweet, this piece presents an evocative view of a woman’s torso, captured from just below the ribs to her mouth. Her long, dark hair cascades over bare skin, while she sensually licks her fingers.
“Meet Me in Outer Space” (2024): Inspired by Incubus’ Stellar, this piece features a nonbinary person with a beard and long, curly hair. They hold their hands in front of their face, with their arms bound together in shibari rope. The background is an ethereal blend of textures and glazes, with thick paint forming gel-printed circles in hues of blue, pink, gray, silver, black, and white. The abstract environment suggests a cosmic landscape, blending the personal with the otherworldly. By Nadia Vanilla, part of the Echotherea intimata series. © Nadia Vanilla 2024. All rights reserved.