Sacred magic tarot is a form of divination that has long been embraced as a way to gain insight and guidance into various aspects of one's life. This ancient practice involves the use of a special deck of cards, known as tarot cards, which are shuffled and drawn by the individual seeking answers. Each card in the deck is adorned with rich and symbolic imagery, alluding to different themes and concepts that hold significant meaning. The main idea of sacred magic tarot lies in its ability to tap into the collective consciousness and to provide a glimpse into the hidden realms of the human psyche. This form of magic is often considered sacred because it is believed to hold ancient wisdom and truths that can guide individuals on their spiritual journey. The tarot deck is viewed as a sacred tool that can connect the conscious mind with the subconscious, allowing for intuitive insights and revelations.
The deck gives flight to the Fool’s Journey through the Journey of the Sacred Bee. Divided into four phases that should be pretty familiar to anyone who’s worked with the journey aspect of the Majors: Consciousness, Society, Individuality, and Spirituality. Of course, every bee’s flight isn’t linear and I like that the creator makes this explicit and notes that our journeys are no less valid for making their own way through these phases.
Divided into four phases that should be pretty familiar to anyone who s worked with the journey aspect of the Majors Consciousness, Society, Individuality, and Spirituality. Madame Pamita s Magical Tarot is suitable for beginners just encountering the tarot, especially as she examines the positive aspects of each card, including those that many frequently find unnerving, such as Death, The Hanged Man, and the Ten of Swords.
The tarot deck is viewed as a sacred tool that can connect the conscious mind with the subconscious, allowing for intuitive insights and revelations. The practice of sacred magic tarot involves various spreads, which are specific arrangements of the cards that provide different insights or answers to specific questions or areas of life. Common spreads include the Celtic Cross, the Three-Card Spread, and the One-Card Draw.
Deck Review: Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot, a 78-Card Tarot Journey
A brightly-colored deck full of bees and their medicine? Did someone say my name?
Now while I’m sure Kelly Burton wasn’t thinking of me specifically when she crowdfunded this amazing deck, in fact I’m pretty sure she was thinking about The Honeybee Conservatory to which a portion of the proceeds from the deck go. I still like to think the universe made a special effort to ensure I’d get a chance to work with it even though I missed the Kickstarter.
The deck gives flight to the Fool’s Journey through the Journey of the Sacred Bee. Divided into four phases that should be pretty familiar to anyone who’s worked with the journey aspect of the Majors: Consciousness, Society, Individuality, and Spirituality. Of course, every bee’s flight isn’t linear and I like that the creator makes this explicit and notes that our journeys are no less valid for making their own way through these phases.
a selection of favorites from the Minor Arcana of the Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot (10 of Wands, 3 of Swords, 6 of Cups)
Look & Feel:
In terms of storage, it’s my favorite kind, outside of a tarot bag (which it comes with too, by the way): magnetic flip top hard box sized to fit the cards and not an inch larger with a helpful blue ribbon attached to help remove the cards from the box. The cards are wonderful to handle, a bit larger than usual at 5x3.09in. They don’t feel too big in the hand and shuffle like a dream. The matte cardstock is a bit thicker than your usual but not so thick that riffle shufflers will balk at it. Oh and did I mention the blue foil edges? Because there are blue foil edges, y’all. I gasped when I first saw them. The back of the deck is reversible with drawings of Sacred Geometry shapes and two bees lined in blue foil matching the edges.
The deck’s guidebook is its own little treasure. Sized to fit in the box with the cards, it’s not too bulky and doesn’t take away from the quality of the deck overall (a failure of so many other recent decks that prioritize the guidebook over card quality). It includes an accessible how-to for working with the deck, some insight into the Journey, a collection of useful spreads, along with the card meanings in both the context of the Journey and divinatory meanings for reflection. You even get a quick intro to sacred geometry and how it factored into the images in the deck as well as the dimensions of the cards themselves which reflect the Golden Ratio.
The Emperor and Death from the Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot
Imagery & Content:
Both the imagery and the keywords for this deck lean more Thoth than RWS, though both traditions’ influence is present. The art is done in a mixed media collage style with bright beautiful colors drawing the eye in and keeping your attention. It can be a bit much at first sight, but I love how it forces me to quiet down and look for the details in the card, like the young ivy plant growing at the bottom left of the Death card. If you love a good symbol hunt, and don’t we tarot readers all do, then you’ll enjoy working with this deck.
A good deal of the cards have sacred geometry embedded into the background, which I’ll admit I need to do more research on because I’m sure the choice of shapes included matters. Additionally the two top corners include a Hebrew letter (I’m thinking Kabbalic reference) and an astrological symbol which deepen the meaning, though once again I’m not as familiar with the Hebrew alphabet and so the astrology symbols are the only ones I include in my interpretation of the card. Though this is likely an influence of the Thoth tradition which works with Kabbalah systems (there’s more to be said here about the appropriation of Jewish spiritual technologies that I’m not versed enough to get into but I recommend folks do their own research on). One thing I did like was that the Courts included alchemical symbols to highlight elemental correspondences (ex: King of Swords as Air of Fire) which I find has enriched my work with the Courts. I’ve also grown to enjoy the addition of the phrase “Root of the Powers of [relevant Element]” for the Aces. I think it clarifies their meaning wonderfully.
The deck, no surprise here, primarily features bees so there’s not much to say about diversity. Most of the people included are white or look white passing or Hellenic statues, primarily found in the court cards. I did notice that The Lover’s card is queer which I of course adore. Still, not much to be impressed with or bothered about because people are really a minor character in this deck and the ways that color is used muddle that, which may or may not be intentional (not that it excuses the reality that even where few people are featured, the default in most tarot decks out there seems to overwhelmingly prioritize whiteness).
a selection of Court Cards from the Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot (Queen of Wands, King of Swords, Princess of Disks, and Knight of Cups)
The Journey of the Sacred Bee is the journey of us all, as we unfold, grow and expand. — Kelly Burton, creator of the Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot
Additional Thoughts:
I wouldn’t recommend this as a first tarot deck. I see it as a deck to work with after building up familiarity with the tarot. It’s obviously not necessary to understand the Hebrew alphabet or Sacred Geometry, though obviously that along with knowledge of astrology and numerolgy will deepen your reading of the cards. The guidebook also provides some helpful insight into the images for most of the cards.
I do have to say that an affection for bees and the medicine they offer the world is a prerequisite for enjoying your work with this deck. Or at least an inclination to forming an affection for bees.
Remember, “no bees, no life!”
Where to Get Yours:
You can purchase and see more of the deck at the author’s site and at various indie small magic online shops like Phoenix and Lotus which is where I got mine (no affiliation just love). Follow along with Kelly Burton’s work with the deck and watch for new projects at their Instagram.
Each spread has its own unique purpose and can provide different layers of information and guidance. While the tarot deck itself does not possess any inherent magical powers, it is the intention and connection of the individual that allows for the magic to unfold. The sacred magic tarot is a tool for self-reflection, introspection, and self-discovery. It invites individuals to tap into their intuition, to trust their inner voice, and to explore the depths of their own psyche. Ultimately, sacred magic tarot can assist individuals in gaining clarity, understanding, and guidance in different areas of life, whether it be relationships, career, spirituality, or personal development. By delving into the symbolism and interpretations of the tarot cards, individuals can gain insights into their own strengths, weaknesses, and patterns, and make empowered choices moving forward. The main idea of sacred magic tarot is that it is a powerful tool for self-reflection and guidance, allowing individuals to tap into their intuition and gain insights into various aspects of life. Whether used by seasoned practitioners or those new to the practice, sacred magic tarot can provide a sense of connection, clarity, and inspiration on one's spiritual journey..
Reviews for "Sacred Magic Tarot for Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with the Sacred Magic Tarot deck. The illustrations looked promising, but once I started using them, I found that the symbolism was confusing and inconsistent. The guidebook provided didn't offer much clarification either, and I ended up feeling frustrated and lost during my readings. The cards also had a weird glossy finish that made it difficult to shuffle them properly. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this tarot deck to anyone looking for a meaningful and accurate reading.
2. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars
I regret buying the Sacred Magic Tarot. The artwork is beautiful, but that's the only positive thing I can say about it. The cardstock quality is very poor, and after only a few uses, the corners started to fray. The guidebook that accompanies the deck is vague and doesn't provide enough information to understand the cards fully. It's almost like the creator assumed the reader already had extensive knowledge of tarot, which isn't always the case. I ended up giving up on this deck after a few frustrating attempts to use it.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
The Sacred Magic Tarot did not meet my expectations at all. The cards are oversized, which makes it difficult for me to handle them comfortably. The illustrations are intriguing, but the symbolism is overly complex and confusing. The guidebook lacks depth and doesn't provide enough explanations for the meanings of the cards. I found myself more frustrated than enlightened when using this deck. I would recommend seeking out other tarot decks that are more user-friendly and accessible for beginners or even experienced readers.
4. Michael - 2.5 out of 5 stars
Although the Sacred Magic Tarot deck has some visually striking and enchanting cards, I struggled with connecting with them on a deeper level. The symbolism felt forced and convoluted, which made it challenging to interpret the cards accurately. The glossy finish on the cards made them slippery and tricky to handle during shuffling. It's a shame because the potential for a fantastic tarot deck is there, but it falls short in execution and usability. I would suggest exploring other options before investing in this particular deck.