""""""""The Book of Knowing"""""""" - Extraordinary Playing Cards

The Book of Knowing is a unique 54-card deck that reinterprets the standard playing card format (52 cards plus 2 jokers) with original, large-scale oil paintings by C.J. Freeman. Conceived by Freeman and brought to fruition by his daughter, Ana Cortez, the project sought to transform these powerful, archetypal artworks, created 35 years prior, into a functional and divinatory card deck. The campaign emphasizes the detailed illustration of every card, not just the court cards, aiming to bring each number and suit to life with distinct imagery.

Designed to serve multiple purposes, the deck is presented as suitable for meditation, inspiration, divination, traditional card games, and storytelling. It includes a color guide booklet with card meanings and original layouts based on the lunar calendar, reflecting Freeman's extensive research into the esoteric origins of playing cards. The deck's name, "The Book of Knowing," stems from the belief that the unbound pages of a playing card deck hold ancient secrets and knowledge, offering an esoteric perspective on a familiar object.

The physical production planned for oversized cards (3 x 4.5 inches) printed on heavy 350 gsm playing card stock with a durable linen finish, intended to mimic the texture of the original canvases. The design prioritizes minimal embellishment, allowing the artwork to extend to the card edges where possible. The deck was intended to arrive in a sturdy lidded box, enhancing its presentation as both a functional tool and a collectible art piece.

The artwork for The Book of Knowing consists of large-scale oil paintings by C.J. Freeman, described as archetypal, powerful, and lucidly rendered. The style is characterized by an otherworldly quality, with detailed imagery on every card, not just the court cards. The campaign highlights the immersive experience of standing before these "gigantic painting[s]," suggesting a rich, vivid, and perhaps dreamlike aesthetic. The choice of oil as a medium implies depth, texture, and a classic fine art feel, which the creators aimed to emulate with a linen finish on the card stock.

This deck is ideal for individuals interested in the esoteric and divinatory aspects of playing cards, particularly those who appreciate unique, art-driven decks. It appeals to collectors of unusual playing cards, as well as readers seeking a tool for meditation, inspiration, or divination that diverges from traditional tarot or oracle systems. Its oversized format and detailed artwork also cater to art enthusiasts who wish to engage with the imagery on a deeper level.

The Book of Knowing is a collaborative project between Ana Cortez and her late father, C.J. Freeman. Freeman, an artist with a strong connection to the spirit world, created the original oil paintings for the deck 35 years before the Kickstarter campaign. He also conducted extensive research into the esoteric origins of playing cards, believing them to be a "book of secrets." Ana Cortez, who previously collaborated with her father on "The Playing Card Oracles" published by U.S. Games Systems, took on the task of converting his large canvases into this unique card deck, driven by a shared passion for the divinatory potential of playing cards.