The Harrow deck is part of the Pathfinder RPG and is a fun alternative to a traditional tarot deck both for those familiar with the game, or those looking for a different framework for divination.

Come one, come all.

In British English, a publican is the keeper of a public house or a tavern, and it’s in this context that we meet the Harrow card of the Week, the Publican. This card features a cyclops tavern-keeper, effortlessly pouring ale from one mug to another in a seemingly impossible fashion. His drinks are quite potent, as we see at least two passed-out patrons on the floor.

A cyclops may only have one eye, but he is often far more insightful than his appearance may suggest. In the Pathfinder role-playing game, a cyclops is able to see brief glimpses of the near future, allowing it to avoid danger or harm to itself. Their origins are shrouded in mystery, so they are unable to look backward for the answers and must continue moving forward, and this serves as a reminder to us not to live in the past.

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The Harrow deck is part of the Pathfinder RPG and is a fun alternative to a traditional tarot deck both for those familiar with the game, or those looking for a different framework for divination.

Don’t worry. You got this.

This week the Harrow focuses on one of my personal favorite cards, the Wanderer. Like all cards from the suit of Books, it corresponds to Intelligence, but that doesn’t mean it’s strictly about what you know. It’s also about how to use that knowledge and turn it into something practical.

This last point is especially true of the Wanderer. The Wanderer carries a collection of miscellaneous, seeming random items with him at all times, but everything has a purpose. He’s armed with a sword, a bow, and a staff, so he’s ready to take on any opponent. He has a sturdy gauntlet to protect his hand. He has a map to guide his way and a set of chimes to gauge the wind. He has a frying pan, a tankard, and even a birdcage. The Wanderer himself is [Read more…]

The Harrow deck is part of the Pathfinder RPG and is a fun alternative to a traditional tarot deck both for those familiar with the game, or those looking for a different framework for divination.

It may feel like the Zombie Apocalypse

This week’s Harrow card comes from the suit of Stars, which corresponds to wisdom, intuition, and willpower. The Eclipse represents self-doubt and a loss of purpose. Its alignment is Lawful Evil, which is an indicator of oppression and tyranny. Thus, the Eclipse can represent a situation in which we find our sense of the world held captive by outside forces or authorities. The image depicts a man in fear of a horde of zombies that have risen during a solar eclipse, indicating that we may feel restricted and paralyzed by the wills of others or swept up in mob mentality. In such a circumstance, [Read more…]