Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1 is the first installment of a popular comic book series created by Jim Balent. The book revolves around the adventures of Tarot, a witch and warrior, and her loyal companion, a black cat named Pooka. The main idea behind the book is to showcase a blend of fantasy, magic, and action, primarily targeted towards mature readers. The story begins with Tarot, a powerful witch, who is on a mission to protect the realms from evil forces. With her knowledge of the supernatural and her mystical abilities, Tarot becomes the last line of defense against dark creatures and beings. Along with her cat Pooka, Tarot embarks on various quests and battles to restore peace and order.
Along with her cat Pooka, Tarot embarks on various quests and battles to restore peace and order. Through the course of Book 1, readers are introduced to a vibrant and visually stunning world filled with supernatural beings, magical spells, and mythical creatures. Jim Balent's artwork brings the characters and their surroundings to life, immersing readers in a rich and detailed fantasy setting.
The Meanings of the Runes
This page is the fourth part of a five-part article on the runes. The other four parts are:
This section provides the sign, name, phoneme (sound), and short description of the meaning of each of the twenty-four runes that comprise the Elder Futhark. The given meanings are based on the medieval Rune Poems (which are conveniently available online here) exclusively. Where our present knowledge isn’t extensive enough to give an explanation of which one can be reasonably certain, this is noted and the meaning is left unexplained or only partially explained. This article is hardly the place for esoteric speculations, which have been avoided. (If you’re interested in going beyond the evidence and using less academically acceptable means of discerning other meanings of the runes, you have to do that yourself. The books on my list of The 10 Best Books on the Runes might help.)
Name: Fehu, “cattle.” Phoneme: F. Meaning: wealth.
Name: Uruz, “aurochs.” Phoneme: U (long and/or short). Meaning: strength of will.
Name: Thurisaz, “Giant.” Phoneme: Th (both soft and hard). Meaning: danger, suffering.
Name: Ansuz, “an Aesir god.” Phoneme: A (long and/or short). Meaning: prosperity, vitality.
Name: Raidho, “journey on horseback.” Phoneme: R. Meaning: movement, work, growth.
Name: Kaunan, “ulcer.” Phoneme: K. Meaning: mortality, pain.
Name: Gebo, “gift.” Phoneme: G. Meaning: generosity.
Name: Wunjo, “joy.” Phoneme: W. Meaning: joy, ecstasy.
Name:Hagalaz, “hail.” Phoneme: H. Meaning: destruction, chaos.
Name: Naudhiz, “need.” Phoneme: N. Meaning: need, unfulfilled desire.
Name: Isaz, “ice.” Phoneme: I (long and/or short). Meaning: unknown (the rune poems are ambiguous and contradictory).
Name: Jera, “year.” Phoneme: Germanic J, modern English Y. Meaning: harvest, reward.
Name: Eihwaz, “yew.” Phoneme: I pronounced like “Eye.” Meaning: strength, stability.
Name: unknown. Phoneme: P. Meaning: unknown. (Note: the theory that this rune’s name was “Pertho” is just speculation. No one really knows, because the Viking Age and medieval sources are too vague.)
Name: unknown (the rune poems are contradictory). Phoneme: Z. Meaning: protection from enemies, defense of that which one loves.
Name: Sowilo, “sun.” Phoneme: S. Meaning: success, solace.
Name: Tiwaz, “the god Tiwaz.” Phoneme: T. Meaning: victory, honor.
Name: Berkanan, “birch.” Phoneme: B. Meaning: fertility, growth, sustenance.
Name: Ehwaz, “horse.” Phoneme: E (long and/or short). Meaning: trust, faith, companionship.
Name: Mannaz, “man.” Phoneme: M. Meaning: augmentation, support.
Name: Laguz. Phoneme: L. Meaning: formlessness, chaos, potentiality, the unknown.
Name: Ingwaz, “the god Ingwaz.” Phoneme: Ng. Meaning: fertilization, the beginning of something, the actualization of potential.
Name: Othalan, “inheritance.” Phoneme: O (long and/or short). Meaning: inheritance, heritage, tradition, nobility.
Name: Dagaz, “day.” Phoneme: D. Meaning: hope, happiness.
Name: Wunjo, “joy.” Phoneme: W. Meaning: joy, ecstasy.
One of the key elements of the book is its mature and sometimes controversial content. Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1 explores themes of sexuality, sensuality, and nudity, making it a choice for adult audiences. These aspects are woven into the story in a way that is integral to the character development and plot progression. Overall, Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1 offers an enticing blend of fantasy, action, and mature content. It introduces readers to a world of magic and adventure through the eyes of the powerful witch, Tarot. With Jim Balent's captivating artwork and storytelling, this first installment sets the stage for an ongoing series that continues to captivate readers..
Reviews for "Comparing Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1 to Other Tarot-Themed Works"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1" to be a disappointment. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked proper development. The artwork was subpar and lacked creativity. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I did not enjoy "Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1" at all. The story was poorly written and felt disjointed. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The portrayal of women in this book was also problematic, as they were overly sexualized and lacked agency. Additionally, the artwork was crude and unappealing. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. David - 2 stars
I was expecting so much more from "Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1" and was ultimately let down. The plot was weak and predictable, leaving little room for surprises or twists. The dialogue was extremely cheesy and often cringe-worthy. The artwork, although visually appealing at times, lacked attention to detail and seemed rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Lisa - 2 stars
"Tarot Witch of the Black Rose Book 1" was a let-down for me. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in their journey. The storytelling was also lackluster, with a predictable and unoriginal plot that failed to hold my interest. The artwork, while visually striking at times, felt inconsistent and rushed. Overall, this book failed to deliver on its promises and I wouldn't recommend it.