So, In theory, I'm writing a book right now. This is to be the companion book for the Ellis Deck and it is meant to go deeper into the card meanings than I do here on the website, as well as in the deck's booklet. If things go right, there will be a bit more of the story aspect and I'm hoping my personal musings on the cards will keep it from being ANOTHER sterile book of meanings. To be fair, I love sterile books of fixed meanings, I usually leave the bookstore with at least one per visit. I'm just hoping this book has a little more flavor to it.
    On top of that, I'm trying to get things in order for the next run of the decks. Trying to find the correct-size mailing envelopes, figure out shipping prices, getting a P.O. box, all these things need to get done. On top of that, I just typed "On Top of That" again, I didn't even look up at the top of this paragraph to see I've already used that piece of language. This probably means I've depleted my "Writer's Chi" for the rest of the evening, and I'll probably move on to a more passive activity after this.
    In all this "To-Do," it doesn't hurt to invoke the Knight of Pentacles. This is the Knight who gets the work done. He's interested in moving something from the "talking about an idea" realm into the "something you can see with your eyes and touch with your hands" realm. He's not afraid of the work it takes to do this and is eager to prove it can be done. If you are in a situation with a lot of talkers with no results, the Knight of Pentacles rode on a long time ago.

Since he's a Knight of Few Words, I'll cut the talking and save the rest of the writing for the book....for now.

    Coming back from B.A.T.S. with no more decks was a big thrill, but it also meant I have a lot of work to do. I've been researching print prices, figuring out the best way to sell the cards through the site once the order gets here, and increasing my internet presence a little bit. 
    For example, The Ellis Deck now has a Facebook Page of its own. As much as I have begun to feel that Facebook is a never-ending dump of brain garbage, it is the never-ending dump of brain garbage people are paying attention to fairly consistently. It's kind of the default go-to for the common bored internet user. 
    The Three of Rods is our work gaining attention. This can be an active or passive role. Perhaps people take notice of our work independently of any advertising or posting. This work just shines bright enough. 
    Problem being, we live in an age of a LOT going on. Driving down a highway full of billboards, Scrolling down the feed of your Facebook, or checking out a local paper for upcoming shows, there are a tons of things trying to stand out as the activity, service, or purchase worthy of YOU! In order to win that attention (yeah, I'm afraid it's a contest) the Three of Rods means we have to be sure there is someone around when that tree falls.
    With either passive or active role being taken, it is the three behaving as the foundation (allbeit a wobbly three-legged stool) that holds our work higher for public notice. Whatever we have done, the right people are starting to see it. So as I set my intention for work earlier this was the card I pulled out to stare at for inspiration.

FanTASTIC photo thanks to Rhombi Survivor's "Float" series. (disclaimer: I do not levitate during readings)

   This is a Repost of a Front Page Entry I made last week, this site will be slowly evolving to have a blog as the front page. Thank you for tolerating all the flux - :)
     First of all, a big thank-you to everyone who purchased one of the first one hundred decks. The time spent on the project was not without some antagonizing moments where I wasn't sure I would be selling ten decks.
    I owe a second big thank-you to Thalasa Therese and the Daughters of Divination group for having me so very last minute to the Bay Area Tarot Symposium or B.A.T.S. This was a wonderful opportunity to get the Ellis Deck out of the Dallas bubble and into the world of Tarot readers from all over the country. The cards got such enthusiastic reception that the idea I had ever doubted myself seemed silly. By the end of the conference, I had sold my last deck!
    Being my first symposium, and being a young and eager vendor, I spent most of my time glued to my seat at the vendor table. Fortunately, that did not limit my experience in making contact with some very interesting people. If you are a card reader and wish to expand your knowledge of cards through classes, exposure to new materials, and incredible converstations, you cannot go wrong with this annual event.

For anyone that has purchased The Ellis Deck, I present to you its missing booklet. I am grateful for everyone who had the patience to look online at my site for card meanings and reading techniques. I am happy to send anyone already owning a deck a copy of the booklet for their use.
The booklet contains a foreward from my mentor John "Ashley" Bellamy, some words from myself, a brief introduction to the Tarot, a How-to for three tarot spreads, and brief interpretations of each card.

A larger companion book is in the works. I'm looking forward to fleshing out the card meanings and doing a bit more storytelling.