High Praise for THE KINGDOM WITHIN TAROT!Review by Solandia, webmaster of Aeclectic Tarot( http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/kingdom-within/review.shtml)“An innovative system of divination and spiritual transformation that uses Tarot to unite Astrology, Qabalah, Mythological Archetypes, the Elements, the Cyclical Seasons and Elements of the Year, and the sacred story of the Sacrificial Saviour; this new tarot deck is based upon the ‘Restored Tree of Life’ and ‘Q.B.L.’ as proposed by A. Crowley’s star initiate Frater Achad (aka Charles Stansfield Jones).”
The Kingdom Within Tarot* is a dense, interwoven synthesis of astrology, Qabalah, philosophy and Tarot in a deck of 79 cards. Juno Lucina, the deck’s conceptual creator, is a ‘poet, philosopher, and pilgrim’ who has shared her knowledge and wisdom gained from her studies in self-development to help others.
The majors are designed to visually illustrate astrological energies – ten planets and twelve zodiac signs – and the 22 paths of the Jewish mystical Qabalistic system. There are actually 23 major cards in the deck: there’s an extra, un-numbered major arcana card called ‘Kingdom Within All’ that encompasses the entire Tree of Life, rather than just one single path. The Qabalistic Paths used in the Kingdom Within Tarot are also non-traditional, based on an alternative system by Frater Achad. Here, the placements of the paths begin at the bottom, rather than the top, of the Tree of Life, in order to mirror the ascension of the Serpent of Wisdom up the Tree of Life.
The minor arcana are built around an astrological and Qabalistic correlation to the 36 planet-in-sign combinations as influenced by the corresponding Sephiroth, the four elements and cyclical seasons of the year, and the spiritual ‘Story of the Sacrificial Redeemer that infuses our holy traditions’. The court cards of Page, Prince, Queen and King correlate to the Myer-Briggs personality sorter, and have been illustrated and titled as deities or historical figures from around the world. The King of Pentacles is Father Time, the Capitalist/Authority/Destroyer; the Queen of Pentacles is Mary, the Virgin Mother, the Channel/Queen/Pilgrim; the Prince of Wands is Dionysius, the Philosopher/Rebel/Player; the Prince of Cups is Sir Galahad, the Mystic/Innocent/Romantic.
Some familiar Tarot imagery is discernable in the 79 scenic card illustrations, but traditional Tarot symbolism is really only a minor influence overall. The astrological associations and combinations are the dominant influence on the illustrations, both on the overall energy of the card and the individual artistic elements. The Qabalistic associations are made evident by coloured spheres on the corners of the majors and court cards (or edges, in the minors) that symbolise the placement of the card on its path between the spheres in the Qabalistic Tree of Life.
The illustrations by Shannon Thornfeather, a self-taught intuitive artist, practicing ceremonial magician and student of metaphysics, have been crafted the reveal the energy of its card in its imagery. Visually, they have computer-generated, collage style artwork in very saturated, vibrant hot pinks, deep purples and yellows. Each scene is thick with crisply outlined detail and colour, and a wide array of symbols competing for attention. In theme the cards span cultures and eras. There are scenes of myth and legend – satyrs, winged centaurs - next to those with very modern elements: The Chariot has a car and a contemporary-looking bungalow; the Hermit is a priest or reverend in his office, surrounded by books; and the Seven of Cups has become a white, sandy beach populated by families and bikini-clad babes.
Some cards have just minor modifications from familiar symbolism - The Devil has two people chained to her pedestal, who are also chained to scenes of cars, coffees, kissing, shopping and surprises - others are familiar in mood and scenery but with basic differences to the scene - the Four of Swords is very similar to the Rider-Waite scene but for the addition of a second person lying on the bier – and others make complete departures from the familiar and cross the line between reality and fantasy. Green gremlins appear in otherwise regular-looking Three and Nine of Cups, and there is an eerie blue figure sitting at the table in the Seven of Swords.
The companion book comprehensively explains the foundation energies and concepts that have been expressed as the 79 Kingdom Within Tarot cards in its seven chapters. After introducing the Kingdom Within system in the first chapter, the ideas and astrological basis of the cards are explored in three chapters on the major arcana, court cards, and minor arcana. Each card has its concepts, energies and unique interpretations explained: the archetype, astrological and Qabalistic associations are outlined, and key phrases and upright and reversed divinatory meanings are given. These meanings are serious and are meant to be taken in conjunction with the other cards around it – whether it is well aspected or not – and mention health associations as well as practical and spiritual concerns.
The fifth chapter, “Remembering the Art of Interpretation”, explores the astrological meanings of essential dignities, aspects, houses, combinations, and using them in a reading. An explanation of tarot spreads and how they ‘reveal the interweaving of energies and at the question’s inception’ is followed by simple divination spreads and advice on readings, and more complex spreads for spiritual progression or pathworking.
The Kingdom Within Tarot deck is one that benefits from serious study of its concepts and imagery. (Tarot knowledge is not a pre-requisite, but an acquaintance with Qabala and Astrology would speed up the initial process of becoming familiar with the energies illustrated in these cards.) The deck interweaves three complex systems in their own right – Tarot, Astrology and Qabala – into an original and multi-layered tool for spiritual development and practical divination.
“Use the Kingdom Within Tarot to discover the Kingdom of Heaven, the Buddha Within, the City of Brahman, the Philosopher’s Stone… to unearth the divine secrets that you’ve too long buried within.”
* Not yet a published set, I reviewed a sample copy with a bound 413-page copy of the companion material, and cards printed on photographic paper.
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