 The Lion's Gate, a celestial stargate, is when the 2nd brightest star in the heavens, fixed star Sirius (aka our "Spiritual Sun"), aligns with Earth; and it is “activated” with the New Moon this weekend. As I continue to read and travel through 36 Secrets, A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot by T. Susan Chang, I keep finding fascinating connections between the cards and the stars. For example: The Lion’s Gate happens during this Leo II time, the decan of the 6 of Wands “Lord of Victory” card (Jupiter in Leo). (Also, Sirius rises in the sky on August 11th, within the Leo II decan, which is 8/3 - 8/12.) The Lion’s Gate is an abundant & creative time to tap into the opportunities that abound. This New Moon opens the Lion's Gate portal and gives our magical work and intentions an extra zap of mystical potential. As Leo is about shining one’s light and Jupiter is about expansion and optimism, we can see how a positive attitude and confidence can lead to opportunities! Because if you believe you will succeed and trust in the abundance of the Universe, manifestation is within reach. So, the Lion's Gate energies are ripe for the success we see in the 6 of Wands card!  Wheel of Fortune (Jupiter), Six of Wands (Jupiter in Leo), Strength (Leo). The Antiquarian Tarot. One of the influencers of the "Lord of Victory" is the Wheel of Fortune card, which is ruled by Jupiter. It is all about opportunity, luck, and the cycles of change and getting into the universal flow of life.
This really feels like the energy of this Leonine New Moon coupled with this most potent portal. The energies of which are most powerful on August 8th, but can also be harnessed up to the Full Moon and through the rest of the month! This convergence on August 8th is fortuitous! 8 is a blessed number. In China, the number 8 is a most lucky number of success and wealth. 8 also reflects the Strength/Leo card, which is the number VIII Major Arcana (in the RWS Tarot). In the card, there's a sideways 8, a lemniscate, that hovers over the lion tamer’s head, a symbol of infinity linking her to Universal Wisdom. So, this New Moon is potent! Whatever intention setting you do today, whatever work you harness, or endeavor you set yourself upon, will have extra cosmic fuel! May you have a blessed New Moon through this most auspicious Lion’s Gate portal!
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We started off the year with some positive energy last week! We're into week two and there are already three potent cosmic events, making it an intense start—and not the best way—to the year. The Cancer Lunar Eclipse is Friday January 10th at 11:21 am (not visible from America). The year begins with Full Moon in Cancer and we will end the year with one too (though December 29th won’t be an eclipse)! This puts a spotlight on feminine energy (Cancer is a super feminine and maternal sign). This year will bring more awareness to the topic of feminine empowerment and leadership. However, 2020 is a 4 year, meaning the tarot's paternal Emperor is the archetypal energy for the year (leadership, authority, action, stability, structure and order). But, if you combine this with the Full Moon Cancer energy, we have the Solar Feminine archetype: leadership roles merging with feminine, nurturing qualities. The Solar Feminine card from my Divine Muses Oracle deck is basically a merging of the Empress and Emperor cards. This year we will see women in roles of leadership continuing to increase, and people wanting to combine the nurturing quality of the feminine in their leadership roles. What would the world look like if everyone (not just women!) led with love and not fear-based energy. We are already starting to see this in various ways and it's so inspiring. The occult significance of the Emperor looking to the left shows that he draws from the qualities of the Empress in order to rule in a positive way—that is based on love and understanding, not fear and greed, which is Emperor reversed energy. It's lovely to see 2020 with Cancer Full Moons bookending the year.
Uranus goes direct on the same day as the eclipse! This planet is the rebel planet—the revolutionary. Uranus has been retrograde in Taurus since August 11th 2019. There is an evolution waiting to happen and it is going to break us all out of a collective rut this year. The Cancer Lunar Eclipse energy will precipitate this change. With Uranus going direct in Taurus, it's a powerful time to embody the revolution. Taurus lessons are around the body and material realm, so moving the body is a healthy way to break out of ruts: exercise, dance, or whatever movement you are craving.  Mystic Rapture from the Divine Muses Oracle. When reversed talks about being in the midst of eclipse season. Eclipses bring change and force us to grow beyond our current perception of ourselves and the universe. The Saturn-Pluto ConjunctionSunday, January 12th is one of the major cosmic events of the year. Saturn and Pluto join together at 8:59am PST. This "Great Conjunction" happens once every 33 to 38 years. This one marks the end of the Saturn-Pluto cycle that began in 1982! Sunday we come full circle to complete this cycle. Historically, this has been an intense aspect! Saturn-Pluto conjunctions have seen major wars and economic upheavals that defined their particular era. (This is interesting given what has been happening between President Trump and Iran for the past few days. We will have to see what happens by Sunday.) Saturn-Pluto conjunctions are a collective experience that happens over a period of time where economic downturns, trade concerns, corruption and misuse of power are observed. Saturn wants to protect the old ways—the established order, and Pluto wants to transform and reveal what’s hidden beneath the surface. I don't think it's a surprise that we'll continue to see (all over the world) political infighting and further division between those who insist things should stay the same and those who are ready to usher in something new! This is not just a singular cosmic event happening on January 12th. This cycle has been ongoing since 1982. In 2001, Saturn and Pluto were in opposition (180°, the halfway point) the month before 9/11. Saturn has been approaching Pluto for the past year. January 12th marks the end of the 38 year cycle of Saturn and Pluto, and the start of a new cycle. As Saturn slowly moves past Pluto this year, this cycle of change brings challenges, especially around the need to break down old structures with weak foundations. This transit expresses the Tower card perfectly, where chaos is necessary to clear out the debris of the past in order to rebuild something better for the future. What comes after the fall of the Tower is the Star, where hope and clarity reigns.
And on that Star note, 2020 does show some positives, though wrapped in intensity. The planet of expansion and abundance, Jupiter, will conjunct Pluto 3 times this year (April 4th, June 30th and November 12th). Plus, Jupiter will conjunct Saturn in Aquarius on December 21st (Winter Solstice), which is known as the "Great Mutation in Air" and also believed by some astrologers to be the official gateway to the Age of Aquarius. I’m seeing Jupiter's conjunctions with Pluto and Saturn as a sign that things are evolving even if it seems things are devolving at times. Jupiter meeting Pluto (and then Saturn at the end of the year) means there's a powerful force that's pushing for expansion and growth. Jupiter is the planet that brings optimism and luck to everything he touches (like the Sun card does in a tarot reading)! However, Jupiter is connected to the tarot's Wheel of Fortune card, with its cycles of fortune and misfortune. Big change is on the horizon...and like Friedrich Nietzche's quote, we need chaos in order to give birth to a dancing star. That quote encompasses the tarot cards Tower + Star perfectly. This is what this Saturn-Pluto conjunction is all about. So when things feel like they are effed—and, well, they might be—try to remember that Jupiter, the “Greater Benefic," is kissing these two planets with its "luck" through the year for good reason. If things seem intense and uncertain, know that there are lessons in transformation for the highest good of all.  The Antiquarian Tarot's Companion Guidebook is now available as an eBook! It's in the Divine Muses Etsy shop HERE.
Obtainable via immediate digital download of the following two file types. .epub (EPUB files can be opened in most eBook readers, including the B&N Nook, Kobo eReader, and Apple's iBooks app.) .mobi (MOBI files can be read by eBook readers like the Amazon Kindle and many smartphones that support that format.) Image shows the eBook on an Ipad mini, which was from the EPUB file. Please note: I cannot provide assistance on how to open these files on your particular device. The best I can offer is to point you to a google search of how to open EPUB or MOBI files for your specific gizmo. The Antiquarian Tarot & Companion Guidebook are available again. They were sold out for just a short while. I have a new case, which now has a red inner-lining. The red color represents the root chakra and helps to ground out & protect the cards when they are kept inside the case. You may choose to add an obsidian, smoky quartz or black tourmaline chunk for further grounding and protection. You might also prefer to add a crystal quartz or selenite piece to clear the deck and invoke divine peace. The Antiquarian Tarot deck always comes with the padded zipper case. If you're looking for an introduction to the tarot, the Antiquarian Tarot Companion Guidebook is a primer on how to start reading the cards. It's clear and concise, yet offers the new student a lot of information about the tarot and card reading. The appendices has tables and references to make learning the tarot accessible. This deck is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot and anyone with knowledge of it can work with the Antiquarian Tarot. If you're just starting to explore the tarot, many teachers recommend learning with the RWS, but the Antiquarian Tarot is an alternative if you want something with a unique design and style. You can buy one or the other, but divineMuses offers a discount if you want to purchase both. Happy Autumnal Equinox (& Spring to those in the Southern Hemisphere)! I posted a new video going over the Antiquarian Tarot Companion Guidebook in more detail. I also reveal the new Lovers card and the other minor changes that I made to the deck.
The deck and book go on sale Monday, September 26th! If you're on my notification list, I will send an email when they go live. I received the Antiquarian Tarot companion books yesterday and am excited to launch them on September 26th. I'm preparing my website (and also Etsy) to sell the books and the tarot decks. Here are the details for shipping domestically (USA) and internationally. Domestic shipping within the USA: I will ship the deck OR book via Priority Mail in a Small Flate Rate box, which is $7. Priority Shipping is my preferred method because it is insured and has tracking information, plus I can print labels and ship from home. This means faster shipments and turnaround. I do not like to send Media Mail as the post office often inspects Media Mail and I do not want any of my packages being delayed like that. As for the USA combo packages (book with tarot deck), the book and tarot deck (with padded case) do not both fit into the Small Flat Rate Box. They do fit into a Padded Flat Rate Envelope, which is also $7 to ship. Multiple deck and book purchases will be upgraded to the Medium Flat Rate Box, which is $13.50. Worldwide shipments: The problem I'm running into is shipping this book internationally. It is very expensive to ship worldwide! USPS is $23 to the UK, EU and Australia and $16 to Canada. I had no idea how expensive this book would be to ship. This is because the book is just under 1" (22mm) thick and weighs 13 ounces. Basically, if a padded envelope is thicker than 3/4" (19mm) USPS considers it a "package" and charges as such. In most cases, it is more expensive to ship the book than what it costs. I apologize for these obscene shipping costs, however, I have decided to offer it in my etsy shop for those who are still interested in purchasing the guidebook. International orders of the Tarot (and Lenormand): Decks will still be shipped print on demand (POD). The printing company I use has a distribution center in the EU. Because of this, if you live in the EU, you might not have to pay VAT. I have heard from several customers that they did not had to pay VAT, because shipment came from Germany. However, I cannot make any promises. International buyers will still be responsible for whatever VAT and custom taxes are issued. I posted pictures here to show you all the angles of the book. I'm really happy with how they turned out. They have a lovely silky laminate coating—very tactile and soft. The book has 386 pages (actually 397 counting the opening pages) and includes pictures of all the cards, including the first edition and second edition Lovers card. Check out my previous post to see the Table of Contents.  It's here! The printed proof is in my hands. I'm going through it and working with my tech to make sure it is exactly how I want it. Look for the Antiquarian Tarot Companion Guidebook at the end of the month. I'm planning to release it on September 25 along with the release of the 2nd edition of the Antiquarian Tarot deck.
There are a few changes that I made to the tarot. It is basically exactly the same minus one complete card change and a few minor, possibly unnoticeable changes. The most major change is to the Lovers card. It is a completely different image on the card. The first Lovers card was one of the earliest cards that I created for the deck and it was my least favorite card in the deck. I like the new card so much better. I'll post a picture of it soon. The other changes are more detail-oriented—little changes that most people will not notice. There were four or five of these little changes. There are a few more things that I needed my book tech to fix before going to press. It looks like I'll be approving the final proof tomorrow. I'm thrilled to be finished with this project. I'm very excited to share this with you. It's really fun that all of this is happening during eclipse season! The cover has an eclipse on it. I did not plan this and love the synchronicity. If you have any questions, please leave a comment. I do get notifications when people post and I am always happy to converse with fellow tarotists and enthusiasts. I'm practically finished! The book layout is complete and the book cover's design is done. I'm just waiting to hear back from an editor who is doing a final pass through for me. It looks like it is going to be 385 pages. The guidebook will include all the images from the deck, as well as information about the cards and my artwork.
I've copied and pasted the Table of Contents for you to give you an idea of what to expect from my guidebook. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION........................................... 1 The Arcanas............................................... 4 Numerology & Tarot................................. 6 About the Creation.................................... 8 About the Glyphs...................................... 10 The Qabalah and the Tree of Life........... 11 PART ONE, THE MAJOR ARCANA.............. 17 Symbols & Glyphs.................................... 18 0. The Fool................................................. 21 1. The Magician......................................... 25 2. The High Priestess............................... 31 Poem, Daughter of the Moon.............. 35 3. The Empress......................................... 37 4. The Emperor........................................ 41 5. The Hierophant.................................... 47 6. The Lovers............................................ 51 7. The Chariot........................................... 61 8. Strength................................................ 65 9. The Hermit........................................... 71 10. The Wheel of Fortune........................ 75 11. Justice.................................................... 81 12. The Hanged One.................................. 85 13. Death..................................................... 91 14. Temperance......................................... 95 15. The Devil............................................. 101 16. The Tower........................................... 107 17. The Star................................................ 111 18. The Moon............................................. 117 19. The Sun................................................ 123 20. Judgement........................................... 127 21. The World............................................. 133 PART TWO, THE MINOR ARCANA........... 139 Court Cards............................................. 141 The Aces................................................... 146 The Suit of Wands ................................. 147 The Suit of Cups .................................... 183 The Suit of Swords ................................ 221 The Suit of Pentacles ............................ 267 PART THREE, USING THE CARDS........... 311 Ritual........................................................ 313 Asking the Question............................... 317 Shuffling & Cutting the Deck ............. 319 Drawing Cards........................................ 321 Tarot Spreads.......................................... 322 Analyzing the Reading........................... 328 Significators............................................ 329 Reversals.................................................. 333 Divining Your Life & Soul Purpose...... 333 APPENDICES................................................ 337 Appendix A: The Chakras ..................... 338 Appendix B: MBTIs & the Court Cards..361 Appendix C: Yes, No or Maybe.............. 367 Appendix D: Keywords......................... 370 Appendix E: Lists of Correspondences....375 BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................ 381 ABOUT THE AUTHOR............................. 385 ©2016 by Maree & divineMuses. All rights are reserved. Exciting news! The Antiquarian Tarot Companion Guidebook is almost finished. I have an editor doing another pass through it before I send it to the book printer. Also, the last details of the book cover are coming together.
I am feeling really close to completion. It is looking like an early September release at the latest. The Antiquarian Tarot deck will be rereleased with the book. Thanks for your patience and support! I've been writing the Antiquarian Tarot's Companion Manual for about a year now. It has been a much bigger project than I anticipated, but I am editing the final draft! If I wasn't a writer before, I am now! I am working with an editor and also waiting on some printing quotes from different presses. I will have a better estimate of its release in (hopefully) the next month. Though it will be available in an actual book format, I'm still considering an eBook route as well. However, at this point I feel the companion manual will be far better in paperback. If you have been waiting for the companion book, I thank you for your patience! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! That is all I have to report. I hope this update is helpful. Have a wonderful weekend! Love and Light, Maree  Decks I took to the 2016 NWTS. I still have a couple of the Standard size Antiquarian Tarot in stock to ship right away. Top Left: Antiquarian Lenormand in the black tin (poker size). The little white boxes next to the black tins are the Antiquarian Lenormand miniatures. Center to the right: the Antiquarian Tarot standard size, showing the title card (l) and the back (r). Bottom center and right: the Antiquarian Tarot in the standard size inside the accompanying case. |
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