The idea to create The Music Tarot first occurred to me in 2014. But I didn't start writing until five years later. Before I could begin, I had to recover from my previous attempt as a professional artist. That earlier music didn't pan out how I wanted, and I thought I was done forever. But a soul's purpose has a way of creeping back in. So, I set up a home studio and learned a new software program. I decided to write and record at home by myself this time. It wasn't easy, but I took it step by step. I focused on the present moment and the pure enjoyment of creation. One day in 2019, I shuffled my deck, picked a card at random, and saw if I could write that card's song. It worked! That was the first of many, proving I was on the right path.
As I write, I visualize "they on the other side," giving me the music and lyrics. There is a window positioned to the left of my piano. Somehow, the messages come to me from that direction. It is a unique process, writing the tarot this way. I feel no different on a writing day. I only feel drawn to try. And then I motivate myself to act. And when everything aligns, and I am grounded and settled, the words and music form. The initial songwriting process is pure bliss. I find these melodies, plucking them from the ethers. Sometimes I get the words wrong. The vowel sound is correct, but I must search for the right phrase. For example, in Awakening / The Sun, “The part that bleeds for relief” later became “The part that screams for relief.” I enjoy hunting these chords. I imagine them waiting to be found in a mystical hide-and-seek game. And when I say “Gotcha!” they are glad to take my hand and settle into their song. I love songwriting so much.