Five by Five—Magic series focuses on the story of tarot

Susan Wands

By Max Bowen 

Susan Wands’ Arcana Oracle Series was inspired by the story of Pamela Colman Smith, who co-created her tarot deck in 1909, and would go on to become the best-selling deck worldwide. Now three books in, the story is set in Gothic London and has its own system of magic. In this Five by Five, Susan talks about Smith’s story, her own experience in tarot and how she built the series around this.

Let’s begin with who Pamela Colman Smith is and how she inspired the book.
Pamela was born in London to American parents in 1878, and lived in Manchester, Jamaica and New York City, and returned to London at the age of 20 to work at the Lyceum Theatre. Pamela was a child prodigy, a natural artist, storyteller, and published author before the age of 19, and the first artist exhibited by Stieglitz in NYC. Mentored by Bram Stoker, she was introduced to the Golden Dawn, a magician’s group. With member A.E. Waite, she co-created her tarot deck in 1909, which eventually went on to become the best-selling deck in the world.

What is your interest/experience in tarot and how does this factor into the book?
I was a tarot reader for decades, and when I first started researching, Pamela’s name wasn’t even on her tarot deck! For 100 years, it was known as the Rider Waite tarot, not the Waite Smith. But I started researching her before the advent of the internet, so finding out about Pamela’s background required requesting materials through libraries and handwritten letters to museums. I finally tracked down a number of Pamela’s artworks and celebrated Pamela’s name on her tarot deck in 2009, 100 years post-publication of her first deck.

I love the idea of Gothic London as a setting. Have you been to London before? What kind of research did you do need to do?
I lived in several London neighborhoods when my husband was acting on the West End. Since Pamela was first hired by Bram Stoker to work at the Lyceum Theatre, I spent a lot of time there and took the tube to her different residences. Two bookstores, Watkins and the Atlantis, feature heavily in my books, as she was a patron at both shops, and I went there frequently as well as to the British Museum, where she researched tarot cards. I also walked Pamela’s paths from Chelsea to the Lyceum Theatre and across the Thames to last known addresses.

How did you develop the system of magic used in this book?
I studied the Golden Dawn’s degrees of study, Pamela’s group, to understand what kind of magic they practiced and why. The Golden Dawn had two women leaders, Annie Horniman and Florence Farr. Florence developed a secret method of astral projection, outside the auspices of the Golden Dawn, and W.B. Yeats and others were not in favor of her methods of channeling magical resources. The idea that women could belong to a club in the Victorian Era was challenging enough, but that women presidents and leaders insisted on their own formulas for magical practice was a huge inspiration for my series.

What can we expect in the rest of the series?
Each book pairs Pamela with tarot muses. In the first book, “Magician and Fool,” Pamela bases the Magician on the owner of the Lyceum Theatre, Sir Henry Irving, and the Fool on William Terriss, a matinee idol. “High Priestess and Empress” brings in Florence Farr and Dame Ellen Terry, to guide her to own her cards, and the third book, “Emperor and Hierophant,” has Bram Stoker and Ahmed Kamal help her battle ownership for her magic. The next books will follow the 22 card archetypes of the Major Arcana in Pamela’s tarot deck. Next up: Lovers and Chariot!

KIN talk about creatives crossing styles, and adventures in music videos

The London-based pop band KIN have been making the most of 2020, releasing three new singles and music videos. In this episode, band members Grace and Adam talk about the story told in the videos and how they worked with the limitations brought on by the lockdown.

The band—Grace, Adam, and Ritu—all have lengthy creative backgrounds, including modeling, starring in Netflix shows, and on stage with the National Theater. We look at how they've been able to apply this work to their music and some of the different directions it's taken them in.

The members also have a lot in store for 2021, from new EPs to live performances—which I sincerely hope can happen.

Following this, enjoy the band's recent single “L.O.V.E.” I really loved the vibe of this song, and the music video touches on the festivals that we all miss.

Jerry Hull embarks on a variety of stories and sounds with his new albums

A year and a half ago, I first interviewed England-based singer/pianist Jerry Hull. Since that time, he's been anything but idle, putting out two albums and a compilation. Jerry and I talk about the different stories he takes on in the new releases, “They're Looking for Me” and “Ordinary Man,” as well as the signature sounds of each one.

Jerry is originally from Memphis, Tenn., but moved to England 19 years ago. As he approaches this major milestone, we talk about life in the town of Hull and how he's adapted, as well as if he ever considers returning to the U.S. We also look at how he's kept his creative energy going since last March.

After this interview, enjoy three of Jerry's songs—“1969 Mexico Connection,” “Antoinette,” and “Victim of Circumstance.”

Kieran Lancini returns to the country scene with new singles after 18 years

After an 18-year hiatus, Kieran Lancini is back in the music scene in a big way. This UK-based country singer-songwriter from North Queensland, Australia saw success at an early age after being named Star Maker Winner at the 2002 Tamworth Country Music Festival. This led to worldwide traveling and touring.

Things happened and Kieran thought his music career was a thing of the past, but after attending the Star Maker 40th anniversary show, he felt the fire inside him and decided to jump back in with two singles, “The Reason,” followed by “I Need You.” We talk about the process of re-becoming a musician and how it felt to once more release new songs.

Kieran looks back to his time with Star Maker and some of the more memorable experiences at the show and other highlights of his music career. He also talks about the future and what plans he's got in store.

Following this interview, enjoy “The Reason” and “I Need You.”

Chashe speaks on Boston/London music scenes, being a full-time musician, and the different twists of life

London-based songwriter Chashe has certainly had an interesting life story. Born in Zimbabwe, educated at the University of Cape Town and Berklee College of Music in Boston, she has a lot of stories to share. We talk all about her time in Boston and the different bands she got the chance to see, with plenty of my own stories from living there.

Chashe's mom has been a central figure in her music career, whether it was encouraging her to pursue her dreams at a young age, to being the ultimate 'band mom' today. She also talks about working with her partner in the studio and how they complement each other as a team.

“Lucid” is Chashe's newest album, and it's an eclectic mix of styles and sounds. We look at the different stories she shares, from there being no rules when it comes to love, or moving ahead without looking back. She's also got new music in the works, and potentially some events to look forward to.

Following this, kick back and enjoy “Lucid,” followed by “9:45,” both from the new album and two of my favorites.

Red Tan on loss, perseverance, and a new career in music

Red Tan's music career began in the Philippines and has taken her to the U.S. and London, building her electronic/pop style to what it is today. Her late husband convinced her that she had what it took to make it in the music industry, starting with a competition in Los Angeles in which she won several award.

She recently released a new song called “Don't You Dare,” which tells the tale we've all heard time and again—you aren't good enough. Red turns this negativity on its head, thanking detractors for giving her the drive to succeed.

Following this, I give you two songs from Red Tan, "Don't You Dare" and "Don't Let Go."

Musical journeys from London to Nashville to Atlanta

Kicking off this week's program is London-born and Atlanta-based hip-hop artist Poni Capri. She's got a new EP out called “Dark Candy,” which touches on her time in the world of drugs and gangs and how she's made her mark as a musician and model.

The Nashville-based folk duo of Lost Hollow tell us all about their adventures in Europe, plus their new release, Looking for Happy and the release show planned later this month. Included in the album is the song “Shine On,” which is dedicated to the memory of Sancy Shaw, who died tragically in a drunk driving accident.

Plus, there's great music from both guests. From Poni, we've got “Chosen” and “Rich Sex,” and Lost Hollow brings us “Shine On” and “We Are One.”

The guys at Rough House Publishing take us on a gory ride

Love gore and comics? Then you'll want to listen to this week's show! I sit down with Derek Rook and Steve Van Samson of Rough House Publishing to talk about their new Gore Shriek® Resurrectus project. We talk about the killer art, great stories, and what led to this new release. We also look to their upcoming appearance at Rock and Shock, and past experiences at this epic convention.

And for tunes, enjoy “Sun Ra” from the London-based Between Suns. The video for this was so damn cool and the song is a great way to kick off the day. Sick rock and stellar vocals.

Following that, Echoheart, a two-piece pop-rock group from Maryland brings you their new song, “Void.” I loved the chill opening flow of this one, and the way it ramps up is very smooth and well done. A great follow-up to “Sun-Ra.”

June 3, 2019: Jerry Hull

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, singer-songwriter Jerry Hull made the big jump 17 years ago to the UK, where he lives today. He's got years and years of show stories, and he shares a few of them, including one where a malfunctioning piano required some impressive improvisation. He talks about some of his favorite venues in England and Memphis and how he adapted to the new life.

Jerry has a new album out, “When You Were Famous.” It's got some pretty great stories, and Jerry talks about these, including one song that he cannot listen to—it's just too personal. 

After the interview, I'll be playing three of Jerry's songs—“Claire,” “Matchbox Cover,” and “Punky, I Love You.”

April 2, 2019: Kitty Game/Amrit Ghatore/Naomi Westwater

Amrit Ghatore

Opening this week's podcast, I talk to the husband and wife comic-creating team of Comfort and Adam. I interviewed them a couple months ago for their comic “Rainbow in the Dark,” and this time, we look at their cat-inspired title “Kitty Game.” Based in part on their cat Obi-Wan, this comic follows and adventures of Marty the cat as he traverses lands of science fiction, fantasy, and action.

London-based musician Amrit Ghatore has a new music video out for his song, “It's OK.” This video includes a detailed battle scene that Amrit helped to choreograph, and we talk about the work that went into it. In addition to his work as a musician, Amrit is a model and actor and he tells us how he balances these various aspects of his career.

Naomi Westwater

Boston-based artist Naomi Westwater closes out this week's show with a look at her life as a modern mystic, how it's changed her life and factoring it into her music. She's got a new album out, “Huntress: from dark to light,” inspired by the Roman Goddess of the hunt and moon, Diana. Naomi talks about the many sides to a huntress, both positive and negative. 

And for new music, I bring you “Flowers on the Moon,” from Stereo in Solo, from a new album by Thierry Noritop, a member of the French synth pop duo Stereo.