Divine Muses
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
  • divineMusings
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Retraction

3/13/2020

0 Comments

 
I have to retract something I wrote in the Divine Muses Oracle Companion Guidebook about the Eternal Student card that could spread negative perceptions about Sikhs and those who practice Sikhism.

In the Essence and the Shadow section, I don’t write about specifics regarding religion, Sikh or otherwise. However, the last sentence of the In the Card section, I write that the artwork leans towards the shadow side of the card’s definition and that isn’t fair. I can see how that is highly problematic and I’m so sorry I didn’t see this sooner.

In a world where there’s anti-Sikh sentiment and Islamophobia, pointing the artwork in this way misrepresents the historical figure I used in the artwork, and could reinforce negative stereotypes. That was not my intention. However, I see how pointing the artwork towards the shadow could denigrate Sir Rajinder Singh specifically. I will not make excuses as to what I really meant to say because in the end, it can still be misinterpreted and cause harm.   

I am sorry for causing offense. I know where I went wrong in writing about the artwork. I will continue to use the card in the deck, but I will be removing that last sentence from the guidebook in all future printings.

I’m grateful to the woman who contacted me and brought this to my attention. She is Sikh and is well-placed to comment about her experience and that of her community. I couldn’t have asked for a more compassionate email. Her kindness and understanding is rare in a world where lobbing accusations online is seemingly becoming the norm. She said that she was really pleased to see Sikh representation in a deck, and explained to me why she thought the description was harmful. When I reread the entry I saw my mistake immediately.

As a deck creator, collage artist, and archivist, I strive towards creating more diverse and inclusive card decks. It can be challenging to find photographs and imagery that I can use in my work. One must be sensitive and conscious when working within the 19th century archives.

Even though I was careful with my work, I still made a mistake. The next course of action is to own it, fix it, and share my mistake, so those of you who have the oracle set are aware of this.

It’s a fitting lesson this should happen with the Eternal Student card.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    ​Divine Muses​

    Subscribe to automatic updates to this blog, Divine Musings, by using a feed reader service or app. Here's the RSS Feed info: 

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Maree Bento is a collage artist and practitioner of the mystical & healing arts.

    She’s a tarot reader and deck creator who enjoys studying the stars and using astrology in her readings. She was 
    born under a Sagittarius Sun with Libra Rising and Capricorn Moon conjunct Pallas Athena. 

    Maree has been a licensed massage therapist for 18 years practicing various holistic modalities for body, mind, and spiritual well-being & connection. 
    ​​
    ​
    Her background in the healing arts deepened her intuitive abilities and inspires her approach to tarot, creativity, and divination. Music, dancing, poetry, and lemon balm tea are her current well-being aids.

    She's a Portuguese-American who loves to travel and connect with family, friends, & animals. She lives in Pacific NW with her beloved, David, and their huggable hound, Dante, who perpetually reminds them to laugh and play and take walks in nature, whether rain or shine. 

    Blog Categories

    All
    Antiquarian Lenormand
    Antiquarian Tarot
    Astrology
    Card Of The Day
    Card Reading Misc.
    Deste
    Divine Muses Oracle
    Happenings
    Lenormand
    Lua Lenormand
    Lua Tarot
    Lua Tarot: In The Card
    Magical Child Oracle
    Pluto Return Posts
    Reviews
    Tarot
    Tarot Decans


    Picture
    Help me help you restore Earth's forests! One tree planted with every deck order.
    ©2013 Antiq. Lenormand
    ©2014 Antiquarian Tarot
    ©2016 AT Companion Book
    ©2019 Divine Muses Oracle
    ©2020 Lua Tarot
    ©2020 Lua Lenormand
    ©2011–2022 Content + photos, Copyright Maree Bento
    All Rights Are Reserved!

Home

SHOP

Subscribe

About

BLOG

Contact

Copyright © 2011-2023 Divine Muses. All rights are reserved.
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
  • divineMusings
  • Subscribe
  • Contact