H. R. GIGER TAROT. H. R. Giger

      

      AKRON

       H.R. GIGER TAROT

       H.R. Giger’s “Baphomet” The Spell IV, 1977, Work No. 331, 2.40m × 4.20m

      Laid out in the style of a triptych, the work has three panels that represent the various spheres of creation. To the right of Baphomet (and to the left of the viewer) is “Paradise.” Its luminous spheres are embodied by the bright, upright pentagram. To his left is “Hell,” symbolized by the dark inverse pentagram. Baphomet himself, in the center, represents the human plane of existence, the “reality” in which polarities intersect, engage in conflict, or counterbalance each other. This concept is depicted by the two interwoven pentagrams, which express the connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm. The symbolic and allegorical references of the portrayed figures refer to the realm of death and rebirth.

      List of Paintings

       The 22 illustrations opposite the card motifs (pen and ink and airbrush) were originally prepared by H.R. Giger as a cycle of illustrations to the mystical phantasmagoria in the original edition (‘Oracle of the Underworld’).

      EVERGREEN is an imprint of TASCHEN GmbH

      © 2000 TASCHEN GmbH

      Hohenzollernring 53, D–50672 Köln

      © 2000 Akron & H.R. Giger

      All rights reserved

      The original edition was published with the title of Baphomet in 1992 by Urania AG, Neuhausen/Switzerland.

      Publisher: Akron/H.R. Giger

      Overall layout: Akron

      Cover design: H.R. Giger

      Translated by Yvonne Chapman, Phil Goddard, David Hefford, Monique Simmer and Simon Wiles and edited by Christine M. Grimm in association with First Edition Translations Ltd, Cambridge, UK

      ISBN 978-3-9053-7289-2

      Château St. Germain

      CH-1663 Gruyères

      Tel:++41(0)26 921 22 00

      Fax:++41(0)26 921 22 11

       http://www.hrgiger.com

      CONTENTS

       Cover

       Title

       List of Paintings

       Copyright

       Warning

       Preface

       Introduction

       The Spread Systems

       IBaphomet

       IIThe Green Angel

       IIIThe Mirror of the Soul

       IVThe Big Bang

       VMephisto’s Hammer

       VIThe Norns’ Wheel

       VIIThe Five-Ray Spread (The Path of Decision)

       VIIIThe Nine-Ray Spread (The Relationship Game)

       IXThe Ten-Ray Spread (The Celtic Cross)

       The Tarot Meditation

       The 22 Major Arcana

       0The Fool

       IThe Magician

       IIThe High Priestess

       IIIThe Empress

       IVThe Emperor

       VThe Hierophant

       VIThe Lovers

       VIIThe Chariot

       VIIIStrength

       IXThe Hermit

       XThe Wheel of Fortune

       XIJustice

       XIIThe Hanged Woman

       XIIIDeath

       XIVAlchemy

       XVThe Devil

       XVIThe Tower