Walking Score, No. 2

What you will need:

1 deck of Tarot cards

1 landscape to explore (e.g., city, plaza, park, orchard, living room, etc.)

1 camera

π=  3.14159265358979323846264…

 

Steps:

  1. Shuffle the Tarot deck thoroughly.  As you shuffle, ask yourself “What shall I focus on as I walk?”, or use a similar phrasing that resonates more strongly with you.

  2. When you have finished shuffling the cards, place them in front of you.

  3. Select the top card and turn it over.  

  4. Focus on the details in the imagery of the card.  Rely on either your preexisting knowledge of Tarot or a guide such as one included with the deck, contained in A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray, on a website, etc. to familiarize yourself with the meaning of the card.  

  5. Note the number of the card (e.g., 7 of Wands, card 9 [The Hermit], etc.).  For non-numbered cards, use 11 for a Page, 12 for a Knight, 13 for a Queen, and 14 for a King.  This number will become the number of decimal places of π to use for the next section of this score.

    Example: Card 14 [Temperance]- an achievement of mental balance, adaptation, coordination, modification.  Successful combinations.    π is calculated to 14 decimal places at 3.14159265358979 

  6. Each digit of π will determine how many units you will walk before making a turn. A turn can range from 0˚-360˚.  This choice is yours, either as a firm decision to make prior to beginning your walk or in the midst of the structure. Turns will alternate right and left with each successive digit.

  7. Decide what will constitute one unit for the walk you are about to begin.  One unit could be one city block, one paving stone, the duration of one song you listen to on headphones, etc.   

  8. Begin the walk when you are ready.  If the number of the card you selected was even, begin your walk by turning to the right.  If the number was odd, this first turn is to the left.

  9. During the walk, give thought to the meaning of the card you selected.  

  10. When you finish walking the units prescribed by your calculation of π, pause and observe your surroundings.  Take a photograph of what you see.  

    Note:  On occasion, you might find you cannot walk the necessary number of units because of an obstruction or because the path in front of you ends.  If this occurs, ricochet your trajectory off that endpoint and continue to count units until the next determined turn.