Maree Bento is an artist and a practitioner of the mystical & healing arts with 20 years experience. She is a tarot and astrology reader, Divine Muses founder, and creator of six divination decks, three of which were nominated in global tarot and oracle awards.
Her background comprises training in massage therapy, yoga, feng shui, and Reiki, including Thai massage, chakra work, and space clearing.
The synthesis of her understanding of tarot, astrology, and alchemy and her expertise in the healing arts guide her to deliver a comprehensive experience in her intuitive readings and deck creations.
About Me
As a collage artist, deck creator and writer, I strive to make working decks for modern readers, healers, mystics and intuitives like me, who are drawn to antique imagery for use in archetypal self-reflection, spiritual, and ancestor work.
My tarot cards are The Empress (soul card), The World (life card), and The Hanged One (teacher card). I'm a 3rd House Sagittarius, Libra Ascendent, and Capricorn Moon, which is conjunct Pallas Athena. I've been deepening my astrology studies the last few years, after a years-long hobby interest in the subject.
I love to travel and spend time with my family, connect with kindred souls, and talk about finding balance and living creatively with courage in the world.
A Deeper Look
Ten years ago, I created my first deck for personal use. Divination decks are fascinating and I've been reading and studying them for over twenty years. I am also a student of astrology and use it in my readings. It has become an indispensable tool for me to get a more comprehensive picture for client sessions.
My career as a healing professional in massage therapy, energy work, and yoga inspires my present approach to tarot and divination.
I enjoy studying depth psychology and Jungian topics on the collective unconscious, alchemy, and archetypes and how they connect with tarot and show up to help direct us on our path to growth, healing, understanding, and spiritual Wisdom.
How I Came to Tarot
My curiosity with divination and the mystical arts was piqued as a teenager in the mid-nineties during the second major tarot explosion. I think it really began with an antiquarian book that I bought for 10 cents at a library sale written by a Mrs. Edwin Symmes in 1905 titled: Palmistry or Scientific Cheiromancy. The simple handdrawn illustrations & astrology connections that I found in my hands captured my heart. It is a relic that I still own and treasure. Around that time, I acquired a book on cartomancy, and that was my earliest introduction to reading fortunes with a pack of playing cards! A few years later, I picked up my first tarot deck.
My First Deck
Some Tarotists like to know what your first deck was, so I'll share mine. It was the Karma Tarot by the Danish artist Birgit Boline Erfurt. Its dream-like artwork captivated me. It had a mysterious personality and was an expressive deck that I used for several years. Even though it was not the best deck to learn Tarot basics, I still adored using it like an oracle. I rarely use it now, but I do get it out on special occasions.
I have amassed a small collection of Tarot, Lenormand, and Oracles. What makes them special to me is that each deck is like an art exhibit in a magical little pack. I love art galleries and magical things, and the cards breathe both, a two-in-one delight!
Tarot Studies & Evolution
I studied and completed coursework on the Western mystical tradition of the Sacred Tarot, Hermetic magical practice, astrology, numerology, depth psychology, and mediumship. I also work with various oracles, especially Lenormand, which I have taught about at tarot conferences.
As a budding artist and tarot reader in the early oughts, I had dreamed to one day create a deck for myself. This is an impulse for many tarot readers. As Tarot initiates, it is a great way to progress on the Tarot and Magical journey. Interestingly, the Golden Dawn required its members to create their own deck in order to be initiated into the next level.
Deck Creations
I started with a Lenormand deck in 2012. Upon the completion of those 36 cards (2013), and the lovely support from my community, I had the confidence to create my first 78-card tarot deck. After the Antiquarian Tarot release (2014), I spent the following year writing its guidebook (2016). I then released the Divine Muses Oracle set (2019) with a companion book. I did not expect to become a deck creator or writer, but the Muses inspirited me to keep on with the Lua Tarot and Lua Lenormand (2020), and finally the Magical Child Oracle set (2022).
Mystical & Healing Synergy
Thank you for visiting my page and for taking the time to read about me!
It is my hope that the synthesis of my studies in the healing and mystical arts will be a holistic experience for my clients and customers who buy my deck creations.
I am taking appointments for readings and deck creator consultations. Feel free to contact me if you would like to book some time.
Divine Muses Gratitude
I am grateful for my allies and guides, and the teachers who have shared their knowledge and wisdom. The manifestation of my current work could not have been possible without the masters, writers, healers, and artists who danced with their Muses.
Features, Reviews, & Nominations
► Prioritize You Retreat: featured speaker "Getting Clarity with Tarot and Oracle Cards" April 26, 2022 ► Lua Tarot nominated for 2021 CARTA Awards: Best Tarot, Best Self-published Tarot, & Outstanding Artistic Achievement ► Lua Lenormand nominated for 2021 CARTA Awards: Best Oracle Deck ► Lua Tarot nominated for WDA 2021 Awards: Best Indie Deck ► Lua Tarot featured in Parq Magazine article"Tarot Today" June 2021 ► Mellissae Lucia's Deep Play 2021: Art & Oracles, featured speaker "Power of Paradox" June 2021 ► Lua Tarot Video Review by Tarot Map Jan. 2021 ► Lua Tarot Review by Benebell Wen Dec. 2020 ► NW Tarot Symposium Lenormand presenter, Le Grand Tableau, March 2020 ► Divine Muses Oracle nominated for 2020 CARTA Awards: Outstanding Artistic Achievement ► Lua Tarot walkthrough videoOld Soul Mermaid ► Cartomancer Magazine: Winter 2020 (Lua Tarot & Lenormand article) ► Cartomancer Magazine: Spring 2020(Divine Muses Oracle featured) ► Tarot Map's review of the Divine Muses Oracle ► Benebell Wen Review Divine Muses Oracle, 2019 ► Tarot Map Inspired Tarot Series, Dec. 11, 2019 ► Balance Shared Podcast Dec. 11th, 2019 ► Power Archetypes for High-Vibe Women in Business "Tapping the Solar Feminine (and Other Archetypal Forces) to Make the Vision Real, Oct. 4, 2019 ►Biddy Tarot Podcast Aug. 2017 ► Tarot Visions Podcast: Nov. 2017 ► NW Tarot Symposium Lenormand presenter, Le Petit Tableau, March 2017 ► Cartomancer: Vol. 2, Issue 3 2016 (Antiquarian Tarot featured) ► Lenormand Lovers Calendar: Sept. 2014 (Antiquarian Lenormand featured)