Frequently Asked Questions

The Hermetic Flight combines the transformative art of aerial performance with traditional tarot symbolism in a way no deck has done before. Each card features real aerial artists captured in movement, creating a living embodiment of tarot archetypes. Unlike generic photographic decks, our imagery is intentionally choreographed to reflect traditional Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism while introducing fresh visual metaphors through bodies suspended in air—representing the liminal space where divination happens.

Key differentiators include 21 professional aerial performers and 100% human-created photography. All cards feature real humans, photographed and edited by David Horvitz.

Absolutely. The Hermetic Flight was designed with beginners in mind while remaining valuable for experienced readers. The aerial imagery provides intuitive visual stories that help new readers understand card meanings without pure memorization.

Yes! The Hermetic Flight honors traditional RWS symbolism while introducing aerial metaphors that deepen familiar meanings. If you know RWS, you'll immediately recognize the archetypal structures.

Start simple and build gradually:

• Begin with daily single-card pulls - Pull one card each morning and reflect on how its energy shows up in your day
• Focus on the imagery first - What do you see? What emotions does it evoke? Trust your initial impressions
• Then reference the guidebook - Compare your intuitive read with traditional meanings
• Journal your interpretations - Track how your understanding evolves

Don't try to memorize all 78 cards at once. Our guidebook includes a structured learning path that introduces cards in manageable groups, starting with the Major Arcana's 22 cards before moving to the suits.

No. While some readers incorporate psychic abilities, tarot works equally well as a psychological tool, creative prompt, or decision-making framework. The cards create a structured space for reflection—the insight comes from your own wisdom, not supernatural ability.

Many successful tarot readers approach the practice completely secularly, using the archetypal imagery to unlock perspectives they already possess but haven't consciously accessed.

You can give meaningful readings from day one, even if they're simple. Most people feel comfortable with:

• Single-card pulls: Immediately
• Three-card spreads: Within 2-4 weeks
• Complex spreads: 3-6 months
• Reading professionally for others: 1-2 years of regular practice

The Hermetic Flight's visual storytelling accelerates this timeline by making card meanings more immediately accessible than text-heavy or abstract decks.

That's completely up to you—there's no "right" answer. Some readers use reversals, others don't. Both approaches are valid.

Arguments against learning reversals initially:

• You're already learning 78 cards; don't double your workload unnecessarily
• Many professional readers never use reversals and read beautifully
• You can always add reversals later if desired

Arguments for learning reversals:

• Adds nuance and depth to readings
• Helps identify blocked or internalized energy
• Some spreads benefit from directional indicators

Our guidebook includes reversed meanings for those who want them, but frames them as optional rather than required.

Court cards (Pages, Knights, Queens, Kings) are notoriously tricky because they can represent:

• Actual people in your life
• Aspects of your own personality
• Situational approaches or energy
• Messages or stages of development

The Hermetic Flight addresses this confusion through distinct physical embodiment. Each court card features a performer whose presence, movement quality, and energy clearly conveys whether you're encountering:

• Page energy (curious, learning, grounded exploration)
• Knight energy (dynamic action, forward momentum)
• Queen energy (mastery, internal authority)
• King energy (external authority, established power)

The guidebook includes a dedicated court card section with specific guidance on determining which interpretation applies in context.

Standard tarot size: 2.75" x 4.75" (70mm x 120mm). This is the most popular size because it:

• Fits comfortably in average-sized hands
• Shuffles easily without strain
• Fits standard tarot bags and boxes
• Doesn't "shoot off into space" when handling

We specifically avoided oversized formats after research showed they create significant usability frustration, particularly for readers with smaller hands or joint issues.

Premium 300-350 GSM card stock with a matte linen finish. This combination provides:

• Substantial feel without excessive stiffness
• Smooth shuffling without cards sticking together or flying apart
• Durability for daily use
• Matte finish that reduces glare and fingerprints
• No sharp edges that cause paper cuts

The cards will arrive pre-conditioned for immediate use—no breaking-in period required.

The backs will be directional initially. This was a collaborative effort with several people making contributions, including the art for the back of the cards. Yo-Jelly-Belly created the initial design by hand, which was embellished upon and vectorized by a freelance graphic artist.

That being said, we are open to your input! Let us know your preferences and we'll do our best to make it happen.

The deck includes a custom rigid 2-piece box—significantly more durable than standard paperboard packaging. This protects your investment through:

• A secure friction-fit lid that keeps cards safe
• Superior structural integrity for travel
• A premium "ritual" feel every time you open the deck
• Long-lasting construction with no hinges to wear out

Stretch goals may include fabric storage pouches and travel tins for backers who want additional protection options.

Potentially as a stretch goal! We're tracking community interest in a travel-sized version (approximately 2.25" x 3.75"). If you'd like to see this option, let us know in comments or through our newsletter feedback.

Our comprehensive guidebook goes far beyond standard "Little White Books":

For each card:

• Detailed description of the aerial imagery and symbolism
• Upright interpretation with deck-specific context
• Reversed interpretation (optional use)
• Keywords for quick reference
• Questions for reflection
• How this card commonly appears in readings

Additional content:

• Introduction to aerial arts symbolism
• Structured learning path for beginners
• Guide to reading for yourself objectively
• Court card mastery section
• 10+ original spreads designed for the deck
• Tips for connecting cards into coherent narratives
• Stories from the creation process and performer interviews
• Suit system and elemental correspondences
• Care instructions for your deck

The guidebook is written in clear, accessible language—not dense esoteric jargon—making it valuable for beginners while offering depth for experienced readers.

Yes! Each card description explains the intentional choreography choices and how they relate to traditional tarot symbolism. For example, you'll understand why a specific inversion, suspension point, or fabric configuration was chosen to embody that card's energy.

This behind-the-scenes insight helps you understand not just what the card means, but why this particular image captures that meaning—deepening your reading practice.

Not at all. The deck is designed for tarot readers, not aerial performers. The guidebook explains any aerial-specific concepts needed to understand the imagery, but no prior knowledge is required.

The aerial elements serve as visual metaphors that enhance tarot meanings—suspension represents liminal space, inversions show perspective shifts, and apparatus choices reflect elemental qualities. These connections are intuitive even without aerial experience.

Aerial arts and tarot share profound symbolic resonance:

• Suspension = Liminal Space - Both practices exist between earth and sky, between the conscious and unconscious, between question and answer.
• Defying Gravity = Transcendence - Aerial performance literally transcends normal physical limitations, just as divination transcends ordinary perception.
• Trust and Release = Surrender - Both require releasing control to discover what's possible.
• Physical Embodiment = Grounding Abstract Concepts - Aerial artists physically embody archetypes, making abstract tarot concepts viscerally tangible.
• Risk and Transformation - Both practices involve calculated risk in service of transformation.

The combination creates a uniquely powerful visual language for tarot divination.

The 78-card deck features 21 professional aerial artists across multiple cards. Not every single card shows aerial performance—some cards require grounded or environmental imagery—but the aerial aesthetic and symbolism thread throughout the entire deck, creating visual cohesion.

The Hermetic Flight intentionally features diverse representation across:

• Body types and sizes (aerial arts welcomes all bodies)
• Ages (from 20s through 50s+)
• Ethnicities and skin tones
• Gender presentations
• Abilities

This wasn't tokenistic—aerial communities are genuinely diverse, and we documented that reality. Tarot speaks to all humans; the imagery should reflect that.

No. All Major Arcana retain their traditional names (The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, etc.). We believe radical renaming creates unnecessary confusion and can indicate an oracle deck rather than a true tarot deck.

However, our interpretations honor both traditional and modern understandings—for example, The Devil addresses both shadow work and systemic oppression, and Death explores transformation beyond the individual level.

You can absolutely read for yourself! While reading for yourself presents objectivity challenges (emotional investment in outcomes can cloud interpretation), millions of people maintain successful self-reading practices.

Our guidebook includes specific techniques for reading objectively for yourself:

• Using clarifier cards when confused
• Journaling before and after readings
• Setting clear intentions before shuffling
• Waiting 24-48 hours before rereading on emotional topics
• Treating yourself like a client you're reading for

Self-reading is also more affordable, private, and convenient than regular professional sessions.

Tarot isn't fortune-telling—it's reflection, pattern recognition, and intuitive synthesis. "Accuracy" isn't about prediction but about resonance:

A valuable reading:

• Provides new perspective on your situation
• Resonates emotionally even if intellectually challenging
• Offers actionable insight
• Creates clarity where there was confusion
• Feels neither overly vague nor impossibly specific

A less useful reading:

• Feels completely disconnected from your situation
• Uses only generic statements that could apply to anyone
• Leaves you more confused than when you started
• Makes you feel anxious without offering constructive guidance

The cards reveal patterns and possibilities, not fixed futures. Your free will always determines outcomes.

These cards have unfairly frightening reputations! Understanding their actual meanings eliminates the fear:

• Death - Transformation, endings that make space for beginnings, shedding what no longer serves you. Rarely literal death.
• The Tower - Sudden revelation, necessary destruction of false structures, breakthrough after breakdown. Liberation disguised as disaster.
• The Devil - Recognizing bondage (to addiction, toxic patterns, limiting beliefs), shadow work, reclaiming power from what controls you.

These cards often appear during our most significant growth periods. Our guidebook includes detailed explorations of commonly feared cards, reframing them as powerful allies rather than omens.

There's no "should"—it's entirely personal. Common practices include:

• Daily single-card meditation
• Weekly deeper spreads
• Monthly overview readings
• As-needed guidance on specific questions

Warning signs you're overreading:

• Pulling cards repeatedly on the same question seeking different answers
• Feeling anxious when you can't read daily
• Making no decisions without consulting cards first
• Reading becomes compulsive rather than reflective

If you notice dependency developing, consider taking a break and consulting a therapist or trusted friend about decision-making patterns.

Coming Soon! Sign up for our newsletter at www.thehermeticflight.com to receive launch notification and early-bird access.

We're finalizing tiers, but exploring the following options:

• Early Bird Special - Deck + guidebook at reduced price (limited quantity)
• Standard Pledge - Deck + comprehensive guidebook
• Deluxe Edition - Includes premium packaging upgrades (may include gilded edges, fabric pouch, or other enhancements)
• Retail Bundle - Multiple decks at reduced per-deck pricing
• Supporter/Collector Tiers - Signed editions, original photography prints, or other exclusive items

Follow the campaign for official pricing and tier details.

We're committed to realistic timelines with buffer room. Current estimate: Q4 2026 (October-December 2026).

This timeline accounts for:

• Photography complete (already done!)
• Graphic design and layout: Q1 2026
• Proof review and revisions: Q2 2026
• Printing and production: Q3 2026
• Shipping and fulfillment: Q4 2026

We'll provide monthly updates throughout the process. Delays can happen in printing/shipping, so we've built in cushion time rather than promising aggressive timelines we can't meet.

Yes! We plan to ship worldwide with appropriate customs declaration and tracking. International backers should expect:

• Additional shipping costs (calculated by region)
• Potential customs duties (determined by your country, not by us)
• Longer delivery windows for some regions

We'll clearly communicate all costs before campaign launch so international backers can make informed decisions.

We understand! The deck will be available for retail purchase after Kickstarter fulfillment, though likely at a higher price than campaign early-bird tiers. You can also:

• Follow free content on our blog and social media
• Join our community Discord/Facebook group
• Sign up for the newsletter for future sales and promotions

The Kickstarter exclusive items (if any) will be clearly marked so you know what's limited vs. what will be available later.

Absolutely not. Every image in The Hermetic Flight is human-created photography featuring real aerial performers. We believe tarot's power comes from authentic human experience and artistic intention—something AI cannot replicate.

All 21 performers were compensated fairly, and credited in the guidebook. This is a collaborative human creative project from start to finish.

Potentially in the future, but not as part of the initial Kickstarter. We're focused on delivering an exceptional physical deck first. If there's significant community interest in a digital companion (for journaling, learning, or virtual readings), we may explore that in a later phase.

We're open to community input! Possible future projects could include:

• Oracle deck exploring aerial arts more abstractly
• Expanded guidebook with additional spreads and techniques
• Educational content (courses, workshops, videos)
• Collaboration decks featuring different aerial disciplines (pole, hoop, rope, etc.)

For now, our energy is devoted to making The Hermetic Flight the best possible tarot deck it can be.

We're building community spaces where readers can:

• Share interpretations and insights
• Post photos of their readings (with consent)
• Ask questions and get support
• Connect with other aerial artists and tarot readers
• Access exclusive content and advanced techniques

Details will be announced during the Kickstarter campaign. Join our newsletter to stay connected.

Absolutely! The Hermetic Flight is suitable for professional use. The premium quality, clear imagery, and comprehensive guidebook make it excellent for:

• In-person readings
• Video chat/online readings
• Workshop teaching
• Photography for your marketing materials (with credit)

Professional readers backing at higher tiers will receive multiple decks at reduced pricing.

The Hermetic Flight was materialized by Deirdre Quigley, an aerial performer and Reiki master who recognized the profound symbolic resonance between aerial performance and tarot divination. After overcoming physical and spiritual battles, she realized these were the same journeys tarot guides us through.

The project combines Deirdre's background in:

• Aerial arts performance
• Energy healing and intuitive work
• Tarot reading practice
• Visual storytelling and creative direction

David Horvitz is a Seattle-based photographer with over 20 years of experience behind the lens. His work celebrates the unique, the unconventional, and the beautiful—specializing in flow arts, performance, and alternative communities including fire-spinners, witches, and cosplayers. With roots in production work from childhood and a self-described "weird perspective," David finds inspiration in showing the world the unexpected beauty within every subject. His passion lies in capturing fantastic people doing incredible things and sharing the odd, beautiful moments others might overlook.

All 21 performers are professional or advanced aerial artists from the Pacific Northwest aerial community. They were selected to represent:

• Diverse body types, ages, and backgrounds
• Specific movement qualities matching card archetypes
• Willingness to collaborate on choreographed embodiment
• Ability to physically execute required poses safely

Performers were compensated and credited. Many are excited to share how they personally connect with the cards they embody.

"The Hermetic Flight" references:

• Hermetic tradition - Esoteric wisdom, "as above, so below"
• Hermes/Mercury - Messenger between worlds, traveler of liminal spaces
• Flight - Aerial arts, transcendence, movement between realms

The title captures both the tarot's hermetic philosophical roots and the literal flight of aerial performance.

Website: thehermeticflight.com

Blog: In-depth articles on tarot divination and aerial arts symbolism

Newsletter: Campaign updates, behind-the-scenes content, early access

Social Media: @thehermeticflight (Instagram, Facebook) for daily card reveals and performer stories

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Thank you for your interest in The Hermetic Flight Aerial Tarot Deck. We're creating something truly unique for the tarot community, and we're honored you're considering joining us on this journey.

"Between earth and sky, between question and answer, we find our truth in suspension."