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Reviews: Tarot Cartomancy & Oracle Decks
Oracle Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet
Tarot Master
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Non-Tarot Deck Review: The Book Of Doors Divination Deck: An Alchemical Oracle From Ancient Egypt
by: Athon Veggi and Alison Davidson
Destiny Books
Inner Traditions
1995
ISBN #0-89281-512-4
"The Book Of Doors" is based on the concepts of the universal language of the symbols of Egypt, and on the archetypal nature of Egyptian deities. Two occult keys comprise the magical system behind this deck: the alchemical text known as the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus (which describes the transmutation of primal elements to pure gold), and the numerical system of Pythagorus (specifically the magic square that provides the basis of the numbering for the Neteru).
Within this magical square the eight families of the Neteru are arranged according to element (which defines their function) and by the evolution of the Mysteries in the major religious centers of Heliopolis, Memphis and Thebes.
This is a system meant to be used with great care - with emphasis on the sacred when working with divination, meditation, and magical invocation and evocation. It is meant to act as a doorway to the voices of ancient Egypt, much as Tarot acts as a doorway to the archetypes that it represents. The Neteru as presented here represent their evolution over the ages - some merging with others, some fading away, some coming to the forefront of their time.
The eight families of the Neteru are based on the four elements and the principles of alchemy. As represented by the Emerald Tablet, they are as follows:
1. Tepi-Aui-Un: The Family of the Eight Primordials
1 Nu
2 Nut
3 Hehu
4 Hehut
5 Kekiu
6 Kekiut
7 Kerh
8 Kerhet
2. Pet: The Family of Heaven
1 Kem-T
2 Shen Ur
3 Ra
4 Kheper-Ra
5 Sepdet
6 Neith
7 Sesheta
8 Maat
3. Aakhut: The Family of Fire
1 Ptah
2 Bastet
3 Sekhmet
4 Bes
5 Nefertum
6 Het-Hert
7 Asthoreth
8 Imhotep
4. Aah: The Family of the Moon
1 Amon
2 Apet
3 Amsu
4 Khnemu
5Tehuti
6 Mut
7 Khonsu
8 Kematef
5. Ra: The Family of the Sun
1 Atum
2 Shu-Tefnut
3 Seth
4 Nebt-Het
5 Auset
6 Geb-Nut-Shu
7 Heru
8 Ausar
6. Nef: The Family of the Wind
1 Meskhenet
2 Renenet
3 Meh-Urt
4 Af-Neteru
5 Bennu
6 Serqet
7 Shai
8 Mafdet
7. Ta: The Family of Earth
1 Geb
2 Sobek
3 Udjit
4 Nekhbet
5 Hapi
6 Akeru
7 Satet
8 Aner-En-Rekh
8. Duat: The Family of Duat
1 Sokar
2 Apep
3 Anpu
4 Shesmu 42
5 Ammit
6 Amenta
7 Unu-T 4-5
8 Pert-Em-Hru
The "Book Of Doors" consists of 65 cards - the eight cards of the eight families, and a final card called the Neter of Neteru, which has no number and belongs to no family. It represents the All, the Absolute.
At 2 3/4" by 4 1/4", the deck is slightly smaller than the regular size Tarot deck, and is a very nice size for those of us with small hands. The card stock is stiff and glossy, but not coated, and will take care to keep in good condition.
The backs of the cards have a 1/4" white border, followed by a labyrinth like series of gold lines that surround a blue scarab on a gold background. The face of the cards has a 1/4" white border, followed by a 1/2" gold border. The family name, number, and function title are presented at the bottom of the card in white on a black background. The pictures themselves are combinations of Egyptian hieroglyphics and symbology.
The authors go into great depth to explain the Egyptian system of deities, the Pythagorian theory of numbers, and the alchemical meanings behind the numbers. Quite frankly - they go into a bit too much depth, sometimes with little backing. I also know more than I thought that I wanted to know about Egyptian hieroglyphics and their pronunciation! Having said that - when I went to do readings with the deck, I found the results fascinating - and accurate.
There are two methods presented for setting up a reading with this deck: the first method involves using the eight sides die provided with the deck. The die is rolled twice - once to obtain the column in the Pythagorian square where the Neter will be found, and a second roll to determine the number of the row, or family, that the Neter belongs to. The second method is to shuffle the deck and draw the cards in a manner similar to drawing cards for a Tarot reading.
The spread that was presented by the authors is the ten card Tetractys Spread. It is presented in the form of a pyramid, with the following position definitions:
1
2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
1. Sirius, the Sun beyond the sun, the archetype shaping of all matter, the cause of the situation.
2. Shows how past thought patterns and actions affect the present.
3. The inner energy that we carry for transformation - this is a guide for our future actions.
4. This represents sexual energy, and the point of contact between the Seeker's inner and outer worlds.
5. This is the connection between our physical and spiritual lives, and speaks of the type of emotional and social relationships that the Seeker will have.
6. This represents the flowing of our emotions, expectations and wishes.
7. This card relates to past actions and how they are currently influencing us.
8. This card shows how the Seeker will act in given circumstances.
9. This card speaks of our power to manifest - to do things.
10. This card speaks of what actions we can perform to accomplish our goals.
Each card is presented with a black and white scan of the card, a discussion of the energies held within and a divinatory meaning (there are no reversed meaning given). From the book:
The Family Of The Eight Primordials
Number 8 - Kerhet
Secret
Kerhet is standing int he primordial water, with the two-headed snake of Kerh now out of the mud and in the light. The power is thus being manifested as the seed is emitted into the world;
the transmission has been given. In the mark of an adept, she holds her finger to her lips.
In Kerhet the quality of secrecy is recognized int he oath to Keep Silent, to keep the creative operation in perfect secrecy. Kerh and Kerhet are the Neteru to whom we have to call for the secret initiation as there are no intermediaries. These initiations lead to an accelerated spiritual metamorphosis, and can give information in the dream state to the higher bodies, to the ba and ka. This is the initiation which permits us to transform our destiny.
Kerhet is number eight, meaning resurrection. The final sound he in her name describes the bringing forth of light. With love Kerhet distills the energy from the dense matter of the physical , to take control of the subtle bodies and the many dimensions of existence. She is the only female primordial with a frog head, showing the dominion over the earth element we must achieve before the "leap" into the spirit.
Kerh and Kerhet show how to use the power most effectively, that is with great secrecy. Every useless exhibition of this power linked with the ego, every use not strictly necessary for the spiritual work, is severely punished by losing the power, and in extreme cases, by losing the life.
The silence of Kerhet relates to the Saturnine influence within all of the Primordials. It holds the secret of the formation and aggregation of matter, the seeds of existence and karma. And so Kerhet concludes the powerful, the awe-ful, the magical ogdoad.
Divinitory Meaning:
Secret initiation. The Transmission of occult power.
This is definitely not an oracle for beginners, or for those that have no interest in Egypt and Egyptian symbology. For those with an interest in things Egyptian, who are willing to do the work required to understand this deck, the "Book Of Doors" is exactly that - a book containing the doors that open to ancient Egyptian archetypes and archetypal wisdom.
Shamanic Experience: A Practical Guide To Psychic Powers
reviewed by Bonnie Cehovet
author: Kenneth Meadows
Bear & Company
Inner Traditions International
1991
ISBN #1-59143-002-X
I have a great deal of respect for Kenneth Meadows, having read some of his previous work, including "Earth Medicine" and "The Medicine Way". Meadows work has one overall theme: that of adapting shamanic wisdom from diverse cultures into contemporary usage. He never talks down to the reader, he never hints of "secret wisdom" - he presents his thoughts clearly and concisely, and asks the reader to respect the wisdom that he is sharing.
When speaking of shamanism, and why one would choose to walk this path, he speaks of different kinds of "magic" - the "magic" of the illusionist, the "magick" of the ceremonial occultist and the "magik" of bringing desired changes into physical manifestation. The latter is the world of the shaman - the magik that comes from taking control of ones life.
In the beginning of the book, Meadows share the commission that he was given by the mystic Medicine Chief "Silver Bear". From the book:
"When you walk in darkness
It is no use carrying a lantern
Whose light cannot be seen.
For, then, every step you take
Will be a hesitation into the unknown.
Where any tiny pebbles on the path
May cause you to trip or stumble,
Or the slightest impediment,
A cause for you to give up
And abandon the journey
To try, perhaps, another path.
So make a lantern,
Lit from the Red Indian fire
And whose light shines clear
For the way you've come
To be seen and marked,
And the way ahead to hold no fear
For others who come after you
To walk with an assurance,
Seeing by light from a torch you have left.
For those who walk this Path
Should not be left to walk in the dark
When light can make them aware
That the Path is beautiful
And the steps they take
Can be a choreography of beauty too.
For this Path is the Beauty Way, the beautiful way,
Where all who will may dance in beauty
Around their own hearth fire
What they need to light the Way
Is a lantern that is bright.
So make one.
Lit from the torch you have been given.
The eight-rayed Torch,
The Flame Within
That illuminates the Eight Directions
And the Eight Dimensions.
Make One.
Be a Sun, Grandfather."
"Shamanic Experience" begins at the beginning - with the very roots of the shamanic path. Meadows presents a shamanic concept, then he presents an exercise for the reader to do to help incorporate the concept into their lives. Meadows discusses the concept of the Medicine Wheel, as it represents the "realities" of shamanic life.
He shows the reader how to stretch their site, and how to begin seeing/sensing auras. There is a really good discussion of relaxation, and of how important that one little thing is to shamanic work. From here, we learn about finding our power places - one inside and one outdoors - where our shamanic work will be done.
Meadows discusses the four worlds of the shaman - the Upper World (the place of spirit), the Middle World (the realm of physical being), the Lower World (the world of unmanifested energies) and the Underworld (the place of potential). Complimenting this is a discussion of the chakras, chakra energy and the importance of balancing the chakras in order to allow the bodies energy systems to flow freely.
There is a very complete over-view of shamanic tools - what they are, how they are used, and how to consecrate them. This is where the foundation for shamanic work is done - in setting one's intent by honoring the tools that one uses. I would personally call this a precursor even to breath work.
Now we are ready for the shamanic journey itself - where to go (upper world or lower world), and how to get there. This is where we learn about power animals - what these energies are, how to recognize them and how to work with them. There is a fairly general section on the more common power animals, and the energies associated with each of them.
Meadows next visits the plant and mineral kingdom, and discusses totems and allies. He introduces the reader to the world of crystals, and the energies that they manifest. He then moves on to the plant kingdom, how to locate the "medicine" of each plant and how to work with it.
At the end of the book Meadows presents a glossary of terms specific to shamanism - a definite aid for those that are beginners on this path.
To compliment the very well done instructions on how to undertake a shamanic journey, Meadows has included a drumming CD with this book. I found that to be a gift - an act of thoughtfulness from a mentor that I have never met, but that has had a great influence on my life and my path.
"Shamanic Experience" is a very basic, general book. It is primarily for beginners, or for those that have perhaps gone a short way on their path, or those that have picked up shamanic knowledge in dribs and drabs from various sources. It presents the basic shamanic precepts in a knowledgeable, coherent and respectful manner. It allows the student to understand the commitment they are making if they choose to walk this path. It gives them a hand up. I highly recommend it.
(c) July 2003
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Bonnie Cehovet ,
Tarot Master, and Reiki Master/Teacher.
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Master, professional Tarot reader and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Bonnie has been reading the Tarot professionally for over ten years. She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, including Secretary and Web Assistant For Links. She is currently Certification Director and Secretary for the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie is also a founding member of the World Tarot Network.
Bonnie has had her work published in the ATA newsletter, in Geraldine Amaral's "Celebrating The Tarot" print newsletter, on the World Tarot Network and other internet sites. She is editor for her own monthly newsletter "Gateway To Tarot" (Yahoo Groups).
www.tarot.
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