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Find out how to register for my grand tableau class and other Lenormand, tarot and oracle classes at NW Tarot Symposium in Portland, Oregon, March 6th-8th. This is year six of NWTS!
I'll have a booth in the vending hall, which is free to attend! I'll have all of my decks and books for sale. AND...I'll be showing the progress of my two latest decks that I'm currently working on. If you're planning on attending, please come by and say hi! I'm excited to be presenting again at the NW Tarot Symposium 2020. This time on the Lenormand's Grand Tableau, the queen of the Lenormand layouts. The class, Keep it Simple Sibyl, K.I.S.S. Tips & Tricks to Flow through the Grand Tableau, is Sunday March 9th at 9:00am. I will also have a vending table at the Vendor's Bazaar where I'll be selling my decks all weekend. Looking forward to year 6!!
**Update: SOLD OUT.** I am thrilled to be hosting the Nosotras Tarot! I have never hosted someone else's deck on DivineMuses.net, but I felt compelled to invite Elisa Riemer and Paula Mariá's gorgeous indie deck, Nosotras Tarot, to be a tarot guest here. One reason is because I am really struck by the collage artwork and overall energy of the deck. There are so many interesting and magical details throughout. Plus, I love that the titles are in Portuguese! (I'm Luso-American.) And, it felt like a good fit to support a fellow collage artist and tarotist from abroad. This is a Brazilian feminine/feminist tarot deck with antique photo collages featuring a diversity of ladies of varying ages and sizes. Hence, the name Nosotras, meaning "we" or "us" women.
It's interesting that they chose to use the feminized Spanish word, nosotras, as opposed to the Portuguese word, nos, which is not feminized. (Though Portuguese does have feminine and masculine words like the other latin-based languages, nos, meaning "we" or "us," considers everyone—masculine and feminine. However, Nossa, is the feminized word for "our," as in Nossa Senhora, or Our Lady.) So it seems that they specifically wanted to feminize the title, as they did with the whole deck. (I'll have to confirm this!) It's of note that each card's title in the deck has also been feminized. In Portuguese, the Sun card would be considered masculine and therefore named "O Sol." In the Nosotras Tarot, they rename it "A Sol." (In Portuguese, O is the masculine word for "the" and A is feminine for "the.") Another example is the Chariot card: In Portuguese it would be called "O Carro," but in Nosotras, they feminize it and rename it "A Carrauagem". "O Diabo" became "A Diaba" (the Devil), "O Louco" became "A Louca" (the Fool), "O Mago" became "A Maga" (the Magician) and "O Imperador" became "A Imperadora" (the Emperor). ABOUT THE LWB The LWB is in Portuguese, but has translations in Spanish and English. There are short descriptions of the artwork, and a bit more than general meanings for the cards in the Major Arcana. The Minor Arcana has general meanings and no descriptions of the artwork. The Major Arcana cards include an affirmation to go along with the interpretation of the card. Sometimes the translation from Portuguese to English is a little off, but it's charming, and you really get the feeling and overall meaning of each of the cards. Pretty good for a LWB! IMPRESSIONS I am enjoying this deck so much right now! It's a great size, it's a little smaller than what we consider standard tarot size around here. It's narrower (2.5" instead of 2.75") and a tick longer. The card stock is matte and feels thick. It almost seems too thick to riffle shuffle, but it does so well enough. Overhand shuffling works well, but prefer to riffle this deck. If I trim the borders, overhand would work better. (UPDATE: about card stock and shuffling this deck. I've been using this deck quite a bit and read with it at a ladies night party. Sadly, there is no core inside the cards, it's just paper stock. Riffle shuffling bent and broke a couple of my cards, so PLEASE be careful riffle shuffling this deck. It's small enough to overhand shuffle so I'm now exclusively overhand shuffling this deck. I do prefer to riffle shuffle at events, as this is the quickest way to mix all of the cards before reading for the next sitter.) I love collage decks. This deck looks like a mix of handmade with digital collaging. Most of the collages work really well in this deck. Even when some of the digital collages aren't seamless, they're still interesting and beautiful...I think because of the coloring used throughout. The skies used in the backdrop are colorful yet muted giving the collages an otherworldly vibe. I will have to be conscious with who I use this deck with, since there are so many nude images in the deck. I've been using it for daily draws and readings for myself, and I love how it's reading so far. It's definitely a Waite-Smith clone, so a breeze for me to use, but there's also extra intriguing symbols to glean from. E.g., Death has a third nipple! BONUS CARD I'm really enjoying the extra card, Anima Mundi, the Soul of the World, which is supposed to represent the creative energy of the deck. It is meant to remind us of our infinite creative potential. From the LWB, "This Arcana is always about essence before form and guides you toward the most creative and lively ways to share with the world." To me, it seems like a merging of the Empress and the World. It's a lovely bonus card and I shuffle it and use it in the deck. SEPARATE EDITIONS It's really interesting that the creators chose to release this deck in three stages between 2017 and 2019. They started creating the Major Arcana in 2014 and released it on its own. They then released the Cups and Swords as a separate edition, and then the Wands and Pentacles as another. The complete set was released earlier this year. I've not seen this before. I imagine they did this for their fans to be able to purchase the later editions separately. This is such a kind thing to do for them! The separate editions are all available on their website. FEMINISM As I work with it, I get the feeling that it is a third wave feminist deck. This could turn into its own topic, but if you're interested, research the difference between first wave, second wave, third wave and the current fourth wave feminism. I'll summarize quickly:
Since the creators are from Brazil, the definitions of the different waves of feminism might not line up with the above model since it's based more on American history. The reason I was thinking about this and comparing it is because of another feminist deck I acquired this year, the Modern Witch Tarot, which seems to align with modern fourth wave feminism. It got me thinking about other feminist decks and how they fit into this feminist model, like the Motherpeace Tarot and the Daughters of the Moon. I'm just pondering here, so don't read into anything more than that. It's just been interesting to consider feminism and the time and place a tarot deck is created. Perhaps this is a subject for another blogpost?! The Nosotras Tarot creators are self-proclaimed feminists, as they indicate in the LWB, and political, openly objecting to the "fascist" Bolsonaro being in power! "We will not let them take down our utopia." "Already whole, already strong, robust and indestructible. You woman". Yes! I only have a limited number in the shop right now, so it might be sold out by the time you read this! UPDATE: It's now sold out. I was going to get more, but I will not be restocking for a couple reasons: one being an increase in shipping costs for me to order more decks. It'd be more affordable for you to just buy directly from them. You can get the complete deck from them here and have it shipped from Brazil. The website is in Portuguese, but you can navigate to their email for easier communication. I'm thrilled to be joining my friend and colleague, Theresa Pridemore, for the Power Archetypes: For High-vibe Women in Business, an online speaker series that Theresa has designed to help women "raise power, shift paradigms and forge pathways for world rEvolution via the Divine Feminine and the Sacred Rebel" archetypes. My talk with Theresa, "Tapping the Solar Feminine to Make the Vision Real—and other Archetypal Forces from the Divine Muses Oracle," will be announced soon. Registration is free! Click the banner below to sign up.  The NW Tarot Symposium is March 1–3 weekend at the Monarch Hotel in Clackamas, Oregon. Divine Muses will have a table at NWTS Vendors Bazaar, a free admission Psychic Fair and Metaphysical Market open to the public Saturday and Sunday. The vending room is also open Friday, but for NWTS workshop attendees only.  NWTS attendees will have the first opportunity to get a hold of my latest offering. A new oracle deck with handmade mixed media collages using nineteenth century artwork and cabinet card photography. Each card was intentionally crafted to form a functional working deck for the practitioner of mystical and healing arts. Hope to see you at NeWTS!  Hanged Man from the Mystical Tarot, by Giuliano Costa I've been at work on the Divine Muses Oracle! I think I'm halfway through the cards. The thing about oracle decks is that one can create as many cards as they want. There's no exact system, but the cards need to be readable and evocative for intuitives. Pretty artwork isn't always enough. It's no easy task, I'm finding out, but I'm exploring and enjoying the process. I have 50 cards planned and 26 completed; merging archetypes, bringing in alchemical & mystical animals and the Greek Muses, of course! I'll post pictures soon.
In other news, the Antiquarian Lenormand is being retired this year! It's been 5 years since its release and I thought it was time to put it to rest. I reprinted 30 more poker decks in the black tins. This makes 600 copies total, including first edition decks. There are also mini lennies available. I've moved them all to the divineMuses Etsy shop. I'm also taking pre-orders for the Antiquarian Tarot. I've deactivated my Facebook account, which meant unpublishing my Facebook Divine Muses, Antiquarian Lenormand and Tarot Pages. I'm not going to post the reason, but I'm sure you can understand the FB dilemma. So I'll just leave it at that. My Youtube channel has not had a new video in quite some time. Alas, I'm so focused on my oracle deck and running my business, that videos are not a priority. However, I do reply to the comments and will update the Edge Treatment video, as there's new information to share. I invite you to post a comment here if you wish or contact me via email. (There's an email icon at the top of the page or contact button in the About tab.) I appreciate the emails I've received and I love to read them, so don't hesitate to write me if you have any questions. I'm still here, just not on social media right now. Things have been SUPER intense in the world and astrology seems to reflect this. Uranus entering Taurus in Mid-May didn't make things easier. Uranus wants freedom, evolution and progress, but Taurus is nostalgic and resists change. Uranus' heart is on the future, Taurus holds to the past. Sound familiar? Can you feel the progress that wants to be made, however things keep holding us back? Oh, the growing pains of revolution and evolution. Hang tight! It's not easy and no amount of fairy dust is going to help. It'll just get in our eyes and irritate more than help. So don't sugar coat, be real with how you feel! All we can really do right now is surrender and trust that we will get through this time. I have pulled the Hanged Man from the Mystical Tarot, by Giuliano Costa, several times in the past few days, so this message has been especially clear. Look at that volcano in the background! It's reflecting Hawaii's Mt. Kilauea and Guatemala's Volcan del Fuego's eruptions. And it's the Hanged Man card! Sigh. The message is strong and reflects much of what's happening in the world. It's been difficult and painful for many of us to witness or even bear. But we may find the answer lies in this Hanged Man card. The card of reversal. (Can we see the situation from a different perspective?) The surrender, trust and sacrifice card. But, also the card of detox (not just food and drink, but toxic people and situations), self-reflection, patience, pause, faith and acceptance. Neptune rules the Hanged Man and is nebulous, sensitive and idealistic. Neptune's energy is creative and intuitive, but also hopeful. How can we be as calm as the Hanged Man with all that chaos going on around him? I suppose we can be more compassionate with ourselves and have faith—so Neptunian. We can remember to check out of the chaos at times and check into a short meditation or contemplation. Tap into our artist/healer self and stay devoted to our dreams. Onward and upward! It's coming up on that time again! I've been getting together my vending table for the 4th annual Northwest Tarot Symposium (NWTS), also known affectionally as Newts. I'm so grateful this is in Portland. I've come to this every year and it's such a fun conference! Wonderful people, workshops and vendors. Jay and Jadzia DeForest have really put something special together.
If you're in the area, come say hello! I'll have: *Sample cards from the up and coming Divine Muses Oracle. 1st time reveal! *LTD ed signed & numbered decks of the Antiquarian Tarot Gold (GILDED) *The Antiquarian Tarot Companion Guidebook *The Antiquarian Lenormand, poker and mini sizes, and *NEW: Divination jewelry! Power pieces created by me specifically for practitioners of the Mystical and Healing arts. As a professional card reader and bodyworker, I find certain crystals help to enhance my work. I have been inspired to create something I could wear while doing readings and massage work. It's useful to have on a power piece when working, especially when mobile. FYI, I closed my online shop temporarily to make sure I had products for this event. (Plus, I needed a short break.) I'll reopen if I have decks leftover. Whatever I don't sell I'll list here again, as well as in my Etsy shop. I may have to order more, so it may be a few weeks before I have decks & books up for sale again. Thank you for your patience! Posted below is the info for the vending area of the tarot conference. I hope to see you at NeWTS! FREE PSYCHIC FAIR & MARKET Saturday & Sunday, March 3rd & 4th, 9am–5pm Monarch Hotel & Conference Center 12566 SE 93rd Ave Clackamas, OR 97015 Held in conjunction with the Northwest Tarot Symposium, the Psychic Fair and Metaphysical Market is free and open to the public! We have readers and merchants from all over the US and beyond coming to Portland for the symposium, and to offer their goods and services for your benefit! Please note: Admission to the Psychic Fair & Metaphysical Market is Free. Readers and Merchants charge for their goods and services. Admission to this part of the event does not include the symposium workshops and related events. To attend conference workshops and weekend social events, please sign up for the Northwest Tarot Symposium here. |
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