Spirit Science explores the big questions where science and spirituality meet. We share what we find with curiosity and care, say clearly what is proven and what is belief, and leave the conclusions to you.
Spirit Science facts and timeline
Spirit Science began on April 11, 2011, with a short animated video called Thoughts. These are the dates and facts behind it, from Spirit Studios. Updated October 31, 2026.
Spirit Science
Who created Spirit Science?
Jordan River, an animator and author from Winnipeg, Canada. He writes the series and voices its host, Patchman.
Where did Patchman come from?
Patchman started out as Patch, a slapstick character Jordan River bought from another artist for $100 when he was about 18, before Spirit Science. That first Patch had about 20 patches all over his body. Jordan developed the character from there and simplified the design into the Patchman who hosts Spirit Science.
When did Spirit Science start?
April 11, 2011. The first episode, Thoughts, went up on Newgrounds, DeviantArt and Jordan River’s personal YouTube channel that day. The Spirit Science YouTube channel opened in December 2011, and the early episodes later moved there.
How many episodes are there?
About 70 so far, and more are planned.
Who makes Spirit Science now?
Spirit Studios Inc., the small independent studio Jordan River founded. Rosalie Rae Knight is its Executive Director.
Is Spirit Science free to watch?
Yes. Every episode is free on the Spirit Science YouTube channel, and you don’t need an account to watch. Courses, books and the tarot deck are sold separately, and they’re optional.
How many views does it have?
More than 100 million on YouTube.
Does Spirit Science use AI?
Yes, with care. “We use AI carefully and pour our love into everything we make,” Jordan River says. The team writes its prompts by hand or with AI support, and Jordan made a video about AI and how it’s evolving. Patch Tarot is different: Jordan drew every card by hand.
Patch Tarot
Who drew Patch Tarot?
Jordan River drew every card by hand. There is no AI in the deck.
How many cards are in Patch Tarot?
It depends on the edition.
- Patch Tarot (2017) and Patch Tarot 2 (2018) were the first two editions.
- Patch Tarot 3 (2026) has 86 holographic cards: 25 Major Arcana, 5 Holy Arcana, 40 Minor Arcana and 16 Royal Arcana. Its companion book is The Book of Patch. Both are in the Spirit Science Shop.
- Patch Tarot: The Spirit Science Deck, from Schiffer Publishing (May 28, 2026), is a 78-card kit with a 192-page guidebook.
What do the extra cards in Patch Tarot 3 add?
Eight cards go past the traditional 78. The Alchemist and The Mystic join The Wizard as the Three Magi, and The Universe follows The World. The five Holy Arcana are The Life, The Truth, The Way, The All and The Child.
Is Patch Tarot based on the Rider-Waite deck?
Patch Tarot 3 brings the Rider-Waite-Smith and Thoth traditions together in one hand-drawn deck, and Jordan River wrote its card meanings himself, in The Book of Patch. The Wizard takes the place of the traditional Magician.
Elixir
What is Elixir?
An animated fantasy saga created by Jordan River. It started on Newgrounds on October 29, 2007, with an episode called Exile Preliminary 1.
What has been released so far?
- The original Exile episodes, on Newgrounds from 2007.
- Elixir Origins, parts I to VII, on the Spirit Science YouTube channel from February 23 to March 16, 2026.
- The main series is in development.
Timeline
- October 29, 2007: Exile Preliminary 1 goes up on Newgrounds. The story later becomes Elixir.
- April 11, 2011: Spirit Science begins with its first episode, Thoughts.
- December 2011: The Spirit Science YouTube channel opens. The early episodes later move there from Jordan River’s personal channel.
- 2017: The first Patch Tarot deck comes out.
- 2018: Patch Tarot 2 comes out.
- July 23, 2019: Name legally changed from Jordan Duchnycz to Jordan River (Manitoba Gazette notice).
- 2026: Patch Tarot 3 comes out, with 86 cards.
- February 23 to March 16, 2026: Elixir Origins I to VII premiere on YouTube.
- May 28, 2026: Schiffer Publishing releases Patch Tarot: The Spirit Science Deck.
- October 23, 2026: Quantum Daily Prophet starts daily Patch Tarot 3 readings on Instagram.
Official sites and accounts
- Spirit Science Central: articles, videos and news
- Spirit Science on YouTube
- Spirit Science Shop
- Patch Tarot World
- Patch Plus apps
- Spirit Science University
- Elixir
- Quantum Daily Prophet on Instagram: daily Patch Tarot 3 readings
Questions? Email contact@spiritstudios.com.