As regular readers here know, I love the way Enrique Enriquez approaches Tarot reading. I found his approach to the Marseilles deck to be refreshing beyond belief and have used his Invisible Tarot methods for years.
The full length film documentary Tarology, The Poetics of Tarot (http://www.tarologyfilm.com/) discusses the art and usage of tarot cards most notably by focusing on the practices and interpretations of Enrique Enriquez. A tarot card reader with a unique vision, Enriquez doesn’t see it as his job to divine anything from the cards or focus on the esoteric or the occult; he simply describes the cards that are dealt, and how the different artwork and appearances can relate to each other, and lets the meaning reside with those willing to decipher it for themselves.
I have been studying, collecting, and using Tarot for decades . . . a very long time indeed. In my classes, when folks ask me for references regarding whose ideas I recommend they explore for more – particularly those who come to me for my approach to Intuitive Tarot – I will encourage them to read Enriquez’s works. I used to have to refer folks to rather particular specialty shops that tend not to allow outsiders access to their material but this documentary will serve as a solid introduction to the ideas of Enrique Enriquez and for those wishing more, he has recently publishes a book of ideas, TAROLOGY:
In TAROLOGY, Enrique Enriquez sees the Tarot de Marseille through the prism and science of pataphysics, the science of imaginary solutions. By following into the footsteps of Oulipian writers, he applies the idea of constraint and the rule of restriction to the surprisingly visual and gestural nature of Tarot. The result is not only illuminating but also enriching for all those interested in the history of Tarot and its divinatory practices. Enriquez develops a whole new method of reading cards, which combines careful considerations of chance with choice. By using a phenomenological and constructivist approach to the cards, Enriquez shows how the Tarot de Marseille speaks poetry and thus reveals some of our deepest concerns with language, with what we can say when we are at a loss for words. — “In TAROLOGY, going from pataphysics to poetry, Enrique Enriquez PERFORMS tarot in a way that is marvelously free of cultural preconditioning to the workings of myth and symbol, while at the same time proposing following the rules of ‘watch and learn’, ‘keep it simple’, ‘stay on track’, ‘be surprised’, ‘be fearless’, and ‘let the image talk the walk’. This is no small achievement.” (Camelia Elias, Professor of American Studies and Tarot de Marseille Reader)
In the film, Enriquez’s vision does not just stick with the cards themselves, as Enriquez finds beauty and value in the relationship and interpretation of everything from the shapes of buildings to the curves of individual letters in words. In that way, everything, including the seemingly mundane, suddenly seems to have a more elevated meaning. In Enriquez’s own words, “anything you stop ignoring, becomes absolutely fascinating.”
While Enriquez is the main subject of Tarology, The Poetics of Tarot, the documentary by Chris Deleo and Kimberlie Naughton does talk with other tarot practicioners and offers some historical perspective. Still, this is not an exhaustive history lesson on tarot nor is it an exhaustive biopic on Enriquez. Instead it is an exploration of a unique way of looking at the world, and how the use of tarot cards helped influence that vision.
In other ways, it is as much an appreciation of Enriquez’s vision as his vision is an appreciation of all that surrounds him. In other words, there is value in everything, but what value that is there rests ultimately with the viewer. Just as tarot can be considered “visual poetry,” so too can sequences of this film.
Those who get their own copy of the DVD and watch the film will note that I am listed in the closing credits as a supporting producer. When I found out Enrique was to be the subject of a documentary of this type, I was sure to support it.
Tarology Trailer from chris deleo on Vimeo.
Read more at the review site.
If you’re not familiar with Enrique Enriquez and his intriguing work, check out his TAROLOGY blog at http://tarology.wordpress.com and the Facebook page for the documentary at http://www.facebook.com/tarologyfilm (click the “like” button, go ahead, you know you want to).
If you’re in Taipei and interested in Tarot, intuitive readings, hypnosis or more, check the services page linked to in the top left sidebar. Not in Taipei, check the store for recordings in the same menu area as well as links to lots and lots of info and goodies.
Brian
www.BrianDavidPhillips.com
