The universe · the Farmers' Tarot
The 21 Farmers
Every character of the Atanor is a Farmer: the one who harvests the state its card is named after. Learn to recognize it. Seeing it gives you no power over it: only sight.
In the order of the round, from the Black towards the White. Three cards have no Farmer: Anger, the Black and the White.
IAn InitiativeThe walker with golden legs: it harvests the spark of a fresh start, then impatience when the world lags.
IIAn IsolationThe silhouette shaped like a keep: it harvests the solitude that mistakes itself for a refuge.
IIIA PrideThe mother-of-pearl robe and the moon with a pearl: it harvests the ovation, then the craving once it fades.
IIIIA MysteryIt harvests the slight recoil you feel each time you are seen, and the hesitation before every word.
VAn InsightIt harvests the pleasure of seeing clearly, and the distance that lights up everyone but yourself.
VIA DangerIt harvests the vigilance that never sleeps and the choice put off until tomorrow.
VIIAn AffectionIt harvests tenderness that turns in on itself, when feeling takes the place of what needs doing.
VIIIA LaborIt harvests the tension of work that never stops, when the burden becomes a way of existing.
VIIIIA JudgmentIt harvests the verdict: indignation at someone else’s fault and the sweetness of being right.
XA ChanceIt stands where your happy surprises fall, and picks the spark they make in you.
XIA StrengthIt never carries a stone: it stands beside the one who pushes, and counts the victories.
XIIA QuestionFor every answer you find, it quietly sets a new question down beside it.
XIIII BlockIt holds the lantern high enough for you to search, never low enough for you to find.
XIIIIA RenewalIt harvests the thrill of every blank page, then the weariness after it, then the next thrill.
XVA SuccessIt stands near the stage and harvests the joy of the laurels, down to the silence after the applause.
XVIA SufferingIt stands near the wound and gathers the sorrow that returns, the kind you retell and chew over.
XVIIA HopeBehind its ticket window, it gathers the waiting: “tomorrow will be better”, the letdown, then hope again.
XVIIIA TranquilityUnder its celadon bell, it gathers the calm of days when all is well, while you pass through them unseeing.
XVIIIIA BlindnessThe hood with a barred window: it harvests the sweet honey of what we would rather not see.
XXAn AllianceThe robe in tiers of flame: it harvests the warmth of our bonds, and the fear of losing them.
letter USilenceThe winged guardian who harvests nothing: she keeps the door of the Third Honey.
ATANOR — the Farmers' Tarot · A deck for reflection: it contacts no one and predicts nothing.