Back in 1981, Donald Beaman, a professor of theatrical design at Boston University, visited Saqqara, the burial grounds for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.
Inspired by what he saw and felt at the 3,000 year old site, Beaman set about creating images based on early Egyptian systems of spiritual divination and transformation.
This past year, decades after their creation, dozens of these paintings were discovered in an old Inn and are now being made into a Tarot deck – The Tarot of Saqqara.
It’s quite beautiful. And if you’re a fan of sacred geometry, I think you might especially like it.
To learn more about the cards, the artist, and how this project even came into being, take a look at the video below.
Clear rational thinking is at the fore today. Is there something you need to take control of? Have you been wavering and wishy-washy lately? Stop procrastinating.
Focus, take charge and get it done. Have the courage to be clear and rational. Cut through the fog and let logic rule the day.
You know who you are, you know what you want and you’re sure you deserve it. Go to it. But beware of dictating what’s best for those around you.
You might know how to take care of yourself, but let others take care of their own lives, their own way.
And not only are these Tarot icons going to be on the show, they’re going to be interviewing each other. I can hardly wait to hear what they have to say.
He’s also the author of multiple books on the histories of Tarot, magic, astrology, and alchemy.
Enrique Enriquez is an inspirational Tarot poet and author of Tarology. He’s also the star of Chris Delio’s most excellent recent Tarot documentary, Tarology: the poetics of tarot.
This is going to be a fun night – I hope you can join us. We’ll be live in the chat room. And if you’d like to call in to listen, the number is (646) 200-0765.
The Moon moves into Cancer today, and stays there until Wednesday.
Looking at this transit through the lens of the Tarot, you might describe it as the High Priestess dressed in the clothing of the Charioteer. She’s left the safety of her pillars and veil, and has hit the road.
The Moon in Cancer, or the High Priestess dressed as the Charioteer, can be a powerful time of comfortable change and emotional resilience.
Knowledge gathered in silence has coalesced and it’s time to share without fear of being hurt.
Emotional loyalty, intuitive direction and strength of character can give you the resolve to go forward. Even into the unknown.
Try not to coddle yourself. You can only win if you have the courage to play to the end.
Swift communication is at the forefront today. Have you applied for something and been waiting to hear back? Expecting some news to finally come down the wire?
Or maybe it will be a surprise. One way or another, the message is on its way and your wait is almost over. You’ll know soon enough.
Now that your plans are in action, things will start moving quickly. Communicate what you want and don’t be shy about it.
How else will people know what you’re thinking? This is the time to get your ideas out there and your message heard.
Marie Anne Lenormand was a French fortune-teller born in the late 1700s. Through the Napoleonic era she was heralded as one of the greatest cartomancers of all time.
Mlle. Lenormand was said to have read for the likes of Robespierre, Marat, the Empress Josephine, and Czar Alexander himself.
She made quite a stir during her lifetime, writing books and other texts, causing many a public controversy, and sometimes even ending up in jail.
And though she herself didn’t use the deck her name was later attached to, her cartomantic powers seem to have lived on through it.
The Lenormand deck in its various manifestations has become quite in fashion among the Tarot folk these days. Even I recently caught the bug.
At BATS I attended a seminar on the topic with Mary Greer and within hours I had myself two news decks of 36 cards each.
You read these cards a little differently than Tarot. The meanings of each are much more fixed. They’re more like words in a sentence than symbols in a dream, but I’m starting to catch on.
Beyond Worlds has a Lenormand tutorial series and Donnaleigh herself has been posting how-to videos. I’ve got a lot watching and listening to do.
And though I’m looking forward to having a new divinatory tool to play with, I’m afraid I’ll find all the new Lenormand decks hard to resist.
It’s a wonderful day to say thank you – to your family, friends, and even your enemies.
Nostalgia and happy memories might fill your head and it’s worth remembering all the love there is around you. Take pleasure in acknowledging it and grateful to extend it further.
Giving and receiving are two sides of the same joy. Take pleasure in both and don’t be shy to tell people how much they mean to you. You’ll probably be surprised by how much they love you back.
With close relationships, this is an especially important time to remember the history and strength of your time together. It’s these ties that have helped you through your most serious moments – both good and bad.
Don’t take them lightly, close friends really are special, and not as common as you might think.
It’s extraordinarily fun to watch. And since he created my very favourite art deck ever, I feel justified in posting this video here at The Tarot Room …
It’s Salvador Dali on What’s My Line back in 1952. Unbelievable as it might seem, it’s very true and you can watch the evidence for yourself.
I just love it! Dali’s a mad man. It would have been great fun to read cards with him.
Thanks to my friend JM for sending this video my way.
The Moon moves into Gemini today and will stay there until Sunday.
From a Tarot perspective, this transit would be like the High Priestess is dressed as the Lovers’ Angel. She floats above the naked couple, blessing their sacred union.
The Moon in Gemini, or High Priestess dressed as the Lovers’ angel, can be an emotionally confusing time, one where internal conflicts arise in order to be reconciled.
But it can also be a time of clarity, honest communication and almost intuitive understanding about yourself and those around you.
Quiet faith teams up with commitment and the Angels approve of the whole thing.
Try to keep your emotions in line with your reason. Going too far either way could disturb a really nice balance.
Today you’ll likely see some movement. The Chariot is the card of change, the card that takes you places. Having finally determined the direction you’d like to go, now is the time to get cracking and go there.
Changing jobs, moving house or some sort of travel are the larger manifestations of the Chariot energy. Sometimes though, it might bring no more than a strong desire to redecorate your living room or go for a long drive.
However it plays out, try not to give up if the going gets a little tough. More often then not, just sticking it out and playing for real is all it takes to ensure victory. You’ve come this far already, why would you give up now?
