# Question about Shadow System **URL:** \ **Category:** General Memory Chat\ **Created:** [January 16, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/question-about-shadow-system/89762 "2024-01-16T16:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AndersonAraujoBrasil](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/andersonaraujobrasil/32/20801_2.png) [@AndersonAraujoBrasil](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/AndersonAraujoBrasil)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/question-about-shadow-system/89762/1 "2024-01-16T16:28:28Z")
Hello, my English is not perfect… I intend to use 2 cards per image in a few months… you correct me… I have 000-999 in mind… the cards have 2704 possible combinations… using the shadow system it would be just 1352… in other words… there are only 352 new images left… from what I understand in English, cards with a black suit value 1 are worth an object and a red suit with value 1 is worth the equivalent of the black ones… then I add a shadow on the red object… that’s what I understand… well, that’s how it is… a shadow can be placed, an object moving, to differentiate it from the corresponding one… is that really what I understand? Thank you good morning ---
**Author:** ![TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/thehumantim/32/17301_2.png) [@TheHumanTim](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/TheHumanTim)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/question-about-shadow-system/89762/2 "2024-01-16T17:32:19Z")
Hey @AndersonAraujoBrasil! I think you misunderstand a little bit how the system is set up. You’re correct that there are 2704 possible pairs of cards (if you allow for duplicate cards.) Shadow cuts the number of images you need to learn to half of that by associating the same image to both a black-first pair and its equivalent red-first pair. Example: ![Screenshot_20240114-084721~2](https://forum.artofmemory.com/uploads/default/original/3X/9/2/92640b4d643eaaed512a115c3998d31be4e6c9cd.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20240114-084704~2](https://forum.artofmemory.com/uploads/default/original/3X/a/0/a05f03c194bbef76b7f0d213f434d31d754fe4f2.jpeg) When you are memorizing the cards, if you see either of these card pairs, the image you need to visualize and memorize is the same. In my case here, both card pairs associate with the image of SaNTa. In order to differentiate between the two card pairs, you’ll use a method described as a “2-Block” system. Explanation here: > [@Double-2-Block System for Memorizing Cards (2x676 images)](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/double-2-block-system-for-memorizing-cards-2x676-images/88313/18): > > A “2-block” system is just a way to have a single encoded element represent two different card pairs, typically one with a black suit in the first position and the other with a red card first. This cuts the number of elements to learn down from 2704 in a true two-card per element system to “only” 1352 images. > > For example [Ace ♠ Ace ♠] is represented by the same image as [Ace ♥ Ace ♥] (in my Shadow list this is a bottle of “SoySauCe.”) By doing this, you only have to learn 1352 images and then the technique for differentiating the pairs that start with red cards from the pairs that start with black cards. This is done via the variable image stacking technique where you continue to add elements to a single scene at a single loci until you encounter a red-first pair. This is the signal to finish the scene and begin a new scene with the next pair. When you go to recall mode, you’ll know that logically the last pair represented at any loci will be it’s red-first version. The phonetic structure Lance designed for Shadow will allow you to possibly import 992 of your three-digit images, BUT they need to follow very specific rules. In your 000-099 word set, there can’t be any S-blends to start the words (specifically, no words that start with the SW, ST, SN, SM, SL, STR, SK, or SP sounds.) There also can’t be any words in all of your 000-999 list that start with an H sound because that sound is used in Shadow to designate Kings in the first position. The normal design of Shadow has nothing to do with visualizing actual shadows. There’s also no rule about using only objects or people or any other type of image. There is no requirement that your images be of any specific type. My original list had a mix of people and objects. There is no rule that designates motion or color or any type of overlay to differentiate red-first or black-first. That is all dependent on position in the image stack at each loci via the 2-block technique. For more details, check out the following doc. I typed up instructions and tried to clarify all of the different phonetic rules, image stacking, every aspect of the system. There are also tabs in there with worksheets that list every phonetic structure for every card pair and suit combination so that you can fill them in accurately. > **[Shadow System Cards Info.xlsx](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rqUtoGbRkKJIgnfkWSZeULGdV2mb0PpX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102242410047473047474&rtpof=true&sd=true)** > > This Sheet is private Happy to help if you have other questions. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![AndersonAraujoBrasil](https://forum.artofmemory.com/user_avatar/forum.artofmemory.com/andersonaraujobrasil/32/20801_2.png) [@AndersonAraujoBrasil](https://forum.artofmemory.com/u/AndersonAraujoBrasil)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.artofmemory.com/t/question-about-shadow-system/89762/3 "2024-01-16T18:06:44Z")
Very thanks, @TheHumanTim… i will to study it…