The intersection of music and spiritual symbolism offers a compelling lens through which to explore artistic expression. Contemporary artists often incorporate esoteric imagery to add layers of meaning to their work, creating visual narratives that complement their lyrics. One such example is the artist Halsey, who has notably utilized Tarot card imagery in the promotion and visual aesthetic of her album hopeless fountain kingdom. By examining the specific Tarot cards associated with her singles, one can gain insight into the thematic elements and archetypal stories she draws upon. This article explores the documented Tarot influences in Halsey's work, analyzing the symbolism of the cards used and their connection to the album's narrative structure, based on available source materials.
Visual Storytelling Through Tarot
The integration of Tarot cards into music marketing and album aesthetics serves as a method of storytelling that transcends lyrics alone. Tarot cards are rich in symbolism, each depicting specific archetypes, situations, and emotional states. When an artist selects specific cards to represent their work, they invite the audience to engage with the music on a deeper, more intuitive level.
According to source material, Halsey is a fan of the practice of Tarot (Source 2). This appreciation for the art form is evident in the promotional strategy for her sophomore LP, hopeless fountain kingdom. The announcement of the album's release date was uniquely handled through social media, where Halsey posted three images of Tarot cards featuring Roman numerals. These images were arranged to spell out the specific date of June 2, 2017 (6/2/2017), effectively using the cards as a cryptic message to her audience (Source 2).
This approach highlights a modern application of ancient divination tools. Instead of simply announcing a date, the artist utilized the visual language of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck to create intrigue and engagement. The use of Tarot in this context is not merely decorative; it is functional, serving as a cipher for information. This suggests that the artist views Tarot as a valid language for communication, capable of conveying specific data and evoking specific moods.
Furthermore, the visual aesthetic of the album appears to be heavily influenced by the RWS Tarot deck. Discussions among listeners indicate that the "entire album aesthetic" is based on this specific deck, though some note that certain imagery may be adapted or drawn from other Tarot sources (Source 1). The imagery has inspired fans to consider creating their own personalized decks using the aesthetic, demonstrating the powerful visual impact of the integration (Source 1).
The Artistic Commission: A Tarot Deck for hopeless fountain Kingdom
The connection between Halsey's album and Tarot imagery extends beyond promotional materials into a dedicated artistic project. Source 3 details a commission by Capitol Records for a set of Tarot cards specifically designed for hopeless fountain kingdom. This project, created by artist Svetlana Dorosheva, includes a card for each song on the album (Source 3).
This development moves the Tarot influence from a purely aesthetic choice to a structural component of the album's presentation. By assigning a specific card to each track, the album is framed as a journey through the Major and Minor Arcana. The artist behind the project notes that a full Tarot deck with this artwork does not yet exist but is a planned future endeavor (Source 3). This indicates a significant investment in the Tarot theme, solidifying it as the central visual motif of the album era.
The creation of a custom Tarot set suggests that the meanings of the cards are intended to align closely with the lyrical content of the songs. While the specific meanings assigned to each song by the artist are not detailed in the source material, the existence of the commissioned artwork implies a deliberate mapping of Tarot archetypes to the musical themes. This provides a framework for listeners to interpret the songs through the lens of Tarot symbolism.
Analysis of Specific Card Imagery
While the source material provides limited specific details on every card used in the singles, it does highlight one particular instance where a card's theme is explicitly referenced. Additionally, the description of the promotional release offers clues regarding the cards likely used to convey the date.
The Devil in "The Devil in Me"
One of the most direct connections between a song title and a Tarot card is noted in discussions regarding Halsey's music. The song "The Devil in Me" is suggested to refer to the Devil card (Source 1). In Tarot, the Devil card represents bondage, addiction, shadow self, and material attachment. It often signifies a situation where one feels trapped by their own desires or by external circumstances. Applying this to the song title suggests lyrical themes of temptation, a toxic relationship, or an exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. The imagery associated with the Devil card—often featuring figures bound yet capable of freeing themselves—parallels the complex emotional states often explored in the artist's work.
The Promotional Date Cards (6/2/2017)
The three cards used to announce the release date offer another avenue for interpretation. To display the date 6/2/2017, specific Roman numerals were required. While the source material does not explicitly name all three cards used, we can analyze the likely candidates based on standard RWS imagery and the numerals needed.
The date requires the numerals VI (6), II (2), and the year 2017 (MMXVII). In the context of Tarot, the numeral VI corresponds to the Lovers card. The Lovers represents choices, relationships, union, and alignment with values. It is a card of significant emotional weight, often signifying a crossroads or a deep connection with another.
The numeral II corresponds to the High Priestess. This card represents intuition, the subconscious, secrets, and hidden knowledge. It suggests that there is more to the situation than meets the eye and encourages looking inward for answers.
The year 2017 (MMXVII) would require cards representing the numerals M (1000), M (1000), X (10), V (5), and I (1). However, it is more common in such visual puzzles to use the Major Arcana cards which carry significant archetypal weight. The number 2017 can be deconstructed into Major Arcana cards if we consider the sum or specific combinations, but the source material focuses on the "three images of tarot cards" (Source 2). It is possible that the artist used the Lovers (VI), High Priestess (II), and perhaps another card to represent the remaining numerals or the concept of the year, though the specific cards for the year are not detailed in the provided text.
The choice of The Lovers and The High Priestess is thematically rich. The Lovers suggests the romantic and relational themes prevalent in hopeless fountain kingdom, which is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. The High Priestess hints at the mysteries and secrets woven into the album's narrative structure.
Understanding the Tarot Suits and Elements
To fully appreciate the symbolism in Halsey's Tarot aesthetic, it is helpful to understand the basic structure of the Tarot deck. The deck consists of 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana (Source 5).
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons. These are the "big picture" cards that often signify significant life events or turning points (Source 5). In the context of an album, Major Arcana cards likely represent the overarching themes or key tracks that drive the narrative forward.
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits, each corresponding to an element and an area of life: * Wands (Fire): Represents energy, passion, ambition, and creativity. This suit speaks to the drive to create and take bold steps (Source 6). Upright, it shows confidence and vision; reversed, it may indicate burnout or lack of direction. * Cups (Water): Represents emotions, love, relationships, and intuition. This suit governs feelings and connections between people (Source 5). * Swords (Air): Represents intellect, truth, conflict, and challenges. This suit deals with the mental realm and communication. * Pentacles (Earth): Represents material matters, work, finances, and physical health. This suit grounds the spiritual in the material world (Source 5).
By mapping the album's songs to these suits, one can deduce the energetic focus of each track. For example, a song paired with a Cup card would likely focus on emotional themes, while a Wand card might indicate themes of ambition or personal power.
Learning from the Imagery
The use of Tarot in Halsey's work serves as an example of how these ancient symbols can be utilized in modern creative expression. For those interested in the Tarot, the hopeless fountain kingdom project offers a case study in visual storytelling.
Source 4 discusses various methods for learning Tarot, including memorizing keywords, journaling, and meditation. However, the source also notes that relying solely on books can sometimes be overwhelming (Source 4). The visual nature of the Tarot is a powerful tool for intuitive understanding. As noted in Source 5, looking at the imagery and trusting one's intuition is a valid method of interpretation.
Halsey's use of the cards encourages fans to do just that. By presenting the cards visually, she invites the audience to bring their own interpretations to the music. This aligns with the idea that Tarot cards tell a story reflecting one's journey, emotions, and choices (Source 6). The ambiguity of which specific cards were used for the year 2017, or the exact meaning of the commissioned cards for each song, leaves room for personal interpretation, much like a Tarot reading itself.
The Intersection of Pop Culture and Esoteric Practice
The collaboration between Halsey and the artist for the Tarot deck (Source 3) represents a growing trend where esoteric practices are integrated into mainstream pop culture. This is not merely a superficial aesthetic choice but a deep engagement with the archetypes that Tarot represents. The fact that Capitol Records commissioned this work indicates a recognition of the resonance these symbols have with a contemporary audience.
The Tarot is fundamentally about the human experience—the struggles, the joys, the choices, and the lessons learned. Music serves a similar purpose. By combining them, artists can create a multimedia experience that speaks to the listener on multiple levels. The hopeless fountain kingdom Tarot project is a prime example of this synergy, where the music provides the narrative and the Tarot provides the symbolic framework.
Conclusion
The integration of Tarot card imagery in Halsey's hopeless fountain kingdom singles and album promotion demonstrates a sophisticated use of symbolism to enhance artistic narrative. From the cryptic announcement of the release date using the Lovers and High Priestess cards to the commission of a full set of Tarot cards for each song, the artist has woven the language of Tarot deeply into the fabric of this project. While the specific meanings of the commissioned cards remain largely private, the public-facing imagery—such as the reference to the Devil card in "The Devil in Me"—provides clear links between the music and the archetypal themes of the Tarot. This approach invites listeners to explore the music not just as a collection of songs, but as a journey through the Major and Minor Arcana, rich with emotional depth and symbolic resonance.