Mark Ryan Gives A Sneak Peak Into The New Deck For "The Wildwood Tarot" Created With John Matthews & Will Worthington

    REDONDO BEACH, CA, July 06, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mark Ryan, actor and swordmaster, is best known for his role as Nasir in the TV series Robin of Sherwood and as the voice of Bumble Bee and Jetfire in the Transformers films. In 1996, Ryan and visionary artist Chesca Potter collaborated to produce The Greenwood Tarot. The Greenwood Tarot quickly achieved cult status and has been out of print for several years. Now Ryan and long-time friend and Tarot expert, John Matthews, have combined their skills and love of the ancient woods to reconceive the original deck and book pack and release it as The Wildwood Tarot. The Wildwood Tarot will be available spring 2011 through Sterling Publishing (US) and Connections Book Publishing (UK).

Ever since the original creation went out of print, people have clamoured for its re-release, something that Ryan has also wanted. The completely reconceived and redesigned Wildwood Tarot deck and book is the revival that fans and Ryan have been waiting for. Many of the original images have changed and the new artist, Will Worthington, has imparted his own aesthetic onto the deck. The result is a new deck that is reminiscent of the Greenwood deck, but now blossoms into a more powerful dimension.

Ryan describes this new journey into The Wildwood as a labour of love, one that by its very nature invites curious lessons and delightful insights. "This time along with fellow wanderers, John Matthews and Will Worthington, I'm very grateful to be given the chance to refine the original system and also chronicle the deeply esoteric mystery and enigmatic allure of The Wildwood's song," explains Ryan. "These timeless rhythms remain intrinsically powerful and deeply embedded in humanity's psyche, calling all those who know how to listen that we need to renew our efforts to protect, cherish and heal our home with refocused respect and a sense of some urgency."

Based on the seasonal rhythms and festivals of the ancient year, The Wildwood Tarot draws its inspiration from pre-Celtic mythology and shamanic mysteries, placing mystical archetypes such as The Green Man, The Blasted Oak, the Archer and the Hooded Man into a nature-based system rich in shamanic wisdom and forest lore. The Archetypal forces of the pack act as both guides and interpreters, taking the user on a spiritual, mystical and psychological journey deep into the labyrinth of Earth's primal mysteries. Used as a meditation system, divinatory Oracle, or as a reference work for the seeker of profound knowledge, The Wildwood Tarot will draws readers into the heart of the ancient forest world and enable them to realize interconnectedness with its green energy.

Ryan is offering a preview of six new images from The Wildwood Tarot to fans anticipating the release of the full deck. Card(s) copyright Will Worthington 2010, reproduced from The Wildwood Tarot by Mark Ryan and John Matthews with permission from Eddison Sadd Editions, London. Further reproduction is prohibited. The Wildwood Tarot is currently in preparation for publication spring 2011 by Sterling Publishing (US) and Connections Book Publishing (UK).

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