Introduction

You and I, we’re similar—away from home, with a fragmented memory of our cultural identity. Salman Rushdie’s ‘Imaginary Homelands’ touches upon a critical element: we lose touch with the physical reality of the places in which we grew up, and as time goes on, our minds create fictionalized versions of them. A chunk of what drives our memory is the physical space, but moreso the folklore narrated to us by the older generations.

Folklore often serves as the underlying tapestry that we depend on to elucidate the ebbs and flows of life, offering us a narrative to decipher the serendipitous and unfortunate events that befall us. When we seek luck, we may instinctively find ourselves caressing a rabbit's foot, meticulously scouring for a four-leaf clover, or placing wagers on numbers we deem to be auspicious. And when fortune smiles upon us, we instinctively attribute it to the benevolence of the spirit folk, those mystical beings who inhabit the natural world and hold the power to either assist or hinder us.Within the realm of Christianity, these ethereal entities toiling for our benefit are known as angels, while in the rich tapestry of Japanese folklore, they take on the form of the enchanting Kitsune. In Africa, with its vibrant cultural heritage, these unseen beings are referred to as the Aziza. Folklore, in its very essence, serves as a conduit through which we gain insight into the inexplicable, encompassing both the fortuitous and the calamitous.

At its zenith, folklore establishes a framework of norms, codifying rules and principles that govern human behavior. It delineates the repercussions that follow certain actions and behaviors, providing us with a moral compass to navigate the intricate web of existence.

Traditional, Digital and everything in between

My Oracle series is an attempt to demonstrate the versatility of this spoken word, illustrating how storytelling is similar from one culture to another and from one generation to the next. From an artistic standpoint, it’s an ongoing exploration of how lore travels beyond geographic borders, varying slightly but still holding on to a core meaning, an innate feeling, and common lessons that continue to influence our lives today. Despite our cultural differences, when it comes to our daily ambition, the pursuit of joy, and our hopes and fears, we are more similar to one another than different.

As I embark on my research and conceptualize each card of the deck individually, my goal is to explore the intriguing relationship between tradition and modernity. I aim to bridge the gap between long-standing beliefs and the rapidly evolving digital world. That's why the Oracle series is being built on-chain, ensuring that each card's origin is traceable and allowing every holder to share their unique story.

The initial phase of this project focuses on creating each card from the major Arcana, reimagined through various cultural perspectives. Some cards draw inspiration from biblical references, others from Indian mythology, and some explore the realms of Nordic folklore. Additionally, there are cards that incorporate elements from different cultures within the context of the digital age.

How does it work?

I think you’ve done a whole lot of reading already, so here’s a TLDR of the mechanisms:

1. 78 cards, 78 1/1 artworks for oracles inspired by cultures and mythology from around the globe

2. Each auction reserve will be set at 0.2024 eth on Superrare (tis the szn!)

3. Physical deck will be shipped to all the 1/1 collectors once the deck is complete, along with the signed print of the artwork(some from the deck will be holographic)

4. Holders will receive an airdropped template version of the card they possess. They will have the option to customize the card and add personal symbols before it is airdropped.

5. Happy to incorporate any custom symbols to the physical twin

I’ll continue sharing updates on my takeaways, research, a couple of interviews with folks well experienced in this particular realm, etc. Now, if you’d like to follow me along on this journey, make sure to stay tuned for updates on twitter and Check out all the progress so far on SuperRare!