Focus on your question, shuffle the deck, and let's dig deep for our first Bonus Episode of Series 5, in which Eleanor offers an introduction to and history of Tarot!

Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, we start by exploring how relatively young Tarot is, tracing the route playing cards took from the Chinese Tang Dynasty to Egypt and on into Medieval Europe. From there we dig into how simple games of leisure began to take on new meanings, informed by scholars like Antoine Court de Gebelin and Jean-Baptiste Alliette, whose interpretations - or misinterpretations - led to the creation of Tarot as we might recognise it.

With pit stops to discuss Aleister Crowley, The Golden Dawn, the Kabbalah and much more besides, it's surprising episode in many ways - and one which culminates in a discussion of how the Tarot deck is structured in most modern examples, the differences between the Major and Minor Arcana, and some examples of ways in which Tarot can be read to inform future life decisions and, perhaps, help us discover routes to self realisation...

Martin will be back on Saturday for our Local Legends interview with Stephen G. Rae, The Bard of Cumberland, and - aside from today's brand new Patreon Exclusive Romney Marsh Ghost Tour, we will then be back on Monday with our next county episode, in which we will be exploring the history and folklore of Dorset.

The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.

With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?

Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast

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