Different religions agree on one thing: this world is a temporary plane for the spirit. Once our soul is freed from our earthly body, we will reach our full potential. Sacred texts promise life after death, but there have been no guarantees so far.
Facing the uncertainty and anguish of this promise, humanity searches for ways to discover its destiny through divination methods based on the occult, one of which is Tarot cards, illustrator Matt Bailey’s favorite way of finding out the future.
The Tarot deck has 78 cards in total. They’re then divided in major and minor arcana, which given the Latin translation can be called secret or greater mysteries.
The greatest intrigue is found within the 22 major arcana, each one represented by an archetype which is symbolic and susceptible to esoteric interpretations. There’s the Wizard, the Empress, or the Devil. Among them arcane number XIII, the character we know as Death, stands out. This peculiar image is also the central focus of Bailey’s work.
Referencing himself as Skeleton King, Bailey draws this icon in order to unravel what hides in his soul. Following Carl Jung’s theory that “Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.”
Skeleton King is borne out of the need to capture life’s darkness and eroticism: the dark side of sex and relationships. Matt Bailey’s drawings might shock those who believe love to be a divine act. But by delving deep into Jung’s framework and the shadow archetype, we find that there is darkness inside all of us.
According to Jung’s theory, sexual depravity is something we all have a taste for, regardless of how secret we choose to keep it.
At this point you might be wondering what’s the link between images of a woman giving in to her desires and a set of Tarot cards?
Some Medieval books mention a woman who protects the deck of cards. By being on the side of the occult she’s seen a demon. On the other hand, these illustrations present a woman who loves the dark arts and surrenders to Death to satisfy her earthly desires. But could a girl like that be for real?
Matt Bailey lives in Cheltenham, UK. He shares his work through social media and sells merchandise including his drawings on his business site. Aside from the usual stickers and t-shirts, you can even get a Tarot set drawn by him.
Translated by María Suárez
