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On October 15, 2015October 19, 2015 By benebellIn personal15 Comments

“The Semi-Private Ramblings of Benebell Wen”

I just discovered MailChimp. The above is what I typed in for the newsletter title box.

So why should you subscribe to my new mailing list?

You probably shouldn’t.

But if you do, you’re going to see a much more personal side of me. There will be some shameless self-promotion, but I promise very, very little of it.

Instead, you’re going to get information. Woo-woo information.

Like astrological info. For example, right now as of this writing, there’s a stellium of the northern node, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus in Virgo that will stay in Virgo until November 9. November 5th through 7th, the Moon will join that party in Virgo. What might that mean for your planning during this time? November 10th through 12th, we’ll see the sun, moon, and Mercury in Scorpio–an optimal time for divination, but what else might you want to know about this time frame? These could be points I address in my email newsletter.

Tarot is continuing education. The more I learn, the less I know. When I stumble across new, cool, or insightful info, I’ll share. This isn’t going to be a card of the day reflection rumination sort of thing, so fear not. If I wouldn’t find it interesting, I won’t include it. But I guess that’s not helpful… we’re operating on the false premise that you’ll find interesting what I find interesting… oh well. It’s the best I can promise.

You’re also going to get to see just how woo I can get. How do I approach craft? What are some of my… for lack of a better term… recipes? And yeah, what are some of my recipes? As in cooking and do-it-yourself lotions (lotions, I said, for moisturizing, not potions)?

I’ll also get personal and ramble about stuff going on in my personal life. What’ve I been up to? And I don’t mean promotional-marketing what-have-I-been-up-to stuff. I mean, like, Mom’s neurotic phone call to me the other night, successful and failed attempts at contacting the dead, or that time when I met a friend of a friend and was introduced by my real name, as who I am in real life, and that new acquaintance is holding Holistic Tarot in her arms. Um… what? Get out of here!

So yeah. If any of that is not not-interesting to you, then please subscribe. What’s the worst that can happen? I spam your inbox like what everyone else is already doing? Yeah, well. It’s a gamble now, isn’t it.

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The 3x3x3 Tag: Tarot, Oracle, and Other

On October 11, 2015October 14, 2015 By benebellIn cartomancy, divination, I Ching, oracle deck, personal, tarot19 Comments

Tarot Decks (left to right): Haindl, Holy Light, and Hermetic

I came across this tag on Greylady’s Hearth a while back and wanted to pipe in with my own post. It originated among the vlogs, like Kelly’s of The Truth in Story and Divinationary, among others.

First of all, it needs to be said upfront that I’m an Air sign, both sun and rising, and my birth chart is dominated by the presence of Air. I’m fickle and flighty and am always changing my mind. So the most I can say is I’m answering these prompts based on me right now and only right now. Ask in, gosh I don’t know, a year or heck maybe even next month and my answer could change. So there’s that.

Nonetheless, let’s give it a go.

3 Favorite Tarot Decks

I’m naming my 3 personal favorite decks, not my go-to public reading decks. While I do use some of the decks I’m about to name in professional reading situations, I am far more likely to go with a Rider-Waite-Smith (such as the Smith-Waite Centennial or just the Rider Waite 1971) or the Golden Universal (basically RWS). Every once in a while, a seeker’s energy pulls me toward an entirely different deck, so it’s hard for me to give absolutes here. However, generally speaking, my favorite go-to reading deck for others is going to be a straightforward, classic RWS deck and from time to time, a TdM (Tarot de Marseille). There are a multitude of reasons for this discrepancy between personal favorites and public reading favorites, but that may be for another blog entry.

Continue reading “The 3x3x3 Tag: Tarot, Oracle, and Other” →

Tarot Pink: A Deck Review

On October 4, 2015October 9, 2015 By benebellIn cartomancy, deck review, divination, personal, tarot25 Comments

I’m one of the contributors for the Tarot Pink charity deck. Tarot Pink is a collaborative deck where 65 or so artists came together to create art for a tarot deck keyed toward healing, wellness, and compassion. It was a volunteer effort on everyone’s part and all proceeds raised from sales of the deck go toward breast cancer research. You can now order your copy of Tarot Pink through GameCrafter, here.

I talked a bit about the conception process for the card I was assigned, the Two of Wands here. Now I have the deck in my hands and debated whether to do a review. For starters, I’m sure I’ll be biased in favor of the deck, since I contributed to it. Just look at the “little white booklet” (LWB) in the photo above. Just beautiful. However, I will do what I can to be objective. No matter what I might have to say, or what anyone has to say for that matter, please do support the charitable cause and order your copy today. A smartphone app is also forthcoming, so keep your eyes open for that.

Continue reading “Tarot Pink: A Deck Review” →

Chinese Oracle Script Divination Cards

On September 24, 2015April 24, 2023 By benebellIn cartomancy, divination, free download, I Ching, oracle deck, personal, Taoism31 Comments

2019 July 2 Update

A revised and improved Version 2.0 of this free divination deck is now available. Go here or click on the banner below.

Chinese Oracle Bone Divination Deck, Version 2.0, Free Deck + Book Set

2015 September 24: Original Posting

Instagram Pic Cards Snapshot

While writing my forthcoming second book, tentatively titled The Tao of Craft, I had to do some intense study of oracle bone script. That’s where the knowledge for the card content comes from. All citations to the amazing references I used are in the book, but one person I want to thank right away is Richard Sears, who runs ChineseEtymology.org. Now, as for the inspiration, that’s a little harder for me to convey.

On a morning I was to drive my parents to the airport, I thought I heard a voice speaking to me in my room, while I was sleeping in bed, and that woke me up. Then after that, no matter how hard I tried to go back to sleep, I couldn’t, so I relented, booted up my computer, and in that same sitting, a complete first draft of this deck was done. I talk more about the conception of this deck in the accompanying 55-page Guidebook. The deck itself is made up of 33 cards.

Card Images Snapshot — Screenshots of the first 18 cards

These cards are not for sale, but I am offering a free license for you to use them. Keep reading for now. (Or skim and scroll down. Whatevs.)

Continue reading “Chinese Oracle Script Divination Cards” →

Tarot Jam: Get to Know Me as a Tarot Blogger [Blog Hop!]

On September 13, 2015October 14, 2015 By benebellIn divination, personal, tarot33 Comments

<< Previous | NICOLE DAUCH || master list || NISSA LEE | Next >>

Welcome to the Tarot Jam blog hop!

You probably got here from Nicole’s post. The master list is here, to see a roster of all participants. When you’re ready to move on, you can hop over to Nissa’s post.

This is the first tarot blog hop I’ve ever participated in and now come to think of it, maybe the first blog hop, just ever, that I’ve been a part of. So yay to that. Let’s hope I do this right.

The topic at hand is, well, oh hey–me. Get to know me as a tarot blogger. Here we go.

stt1

My Tarot Story

I don’t have an interesting tarot story. I was into cartomancy as a kid, borrowing books on the subject from the public library and then tinkering with it at home, with a deck of playing cards. I got my first tarot deck in junior high and given (1) my previous play with cartomancy, (2) my love for pretty pictures, and (3) a predisposed interest for the esoteric, it was a no-brainer I’d be into tarot. In my college years I became more serious about my study of it. Then several years ago I thought it would be fun to go through the certification process through the Tarot Certification Board of America and then I thought it would be fun to write a book about it (*cough shameless self promotion cough* Holistic Tarot, North Atlantic Books *cough*) and so here we are now.

Continue reading “Tarot Jam: Get to Know Me as a Tarot Blogger [Blog Hop!]” →

My First Tea Leaf Reading Experience

On August 17, 2015October 14, 2015 By benebellIn divination, personal10 Comments

Tarot and Tea Leaf Readings by Tabitha Dial

Prior to getting a tea leaf reading from Tabitha Dial over at Tarot and Tea Leaf Readings, I didn’t know much about the practice. Okay, I still don’t know much about the practice, but my perspective has definitely shifted. Tea leaf reading, or tasseography, is a cross-cultural divinatory practice that I’d seen done before, heard about through my childhood, but never delved into. So I had no idea what to expect from Tabitha.

I asked her about the trajectory of my book writing and publishing endeavors, but also kept open to any related messages that might come through. For my reading, she sent over a five-page single-spaced write-up accompanied by four large, full-color photographs. Tabitha used loose leaf black tea and as the leaves were steeping in the water, a strawberry symbol formed at the bottom of the cup. You can see it quite clearly here:

2015.08.09 Tabitha Dial Tea Leaf Reading 1 (Strawberry)

Continue reading “My First Tea Leaf Reading Experience” →

Edible Rune Divination: Black Sesame Shortbread Rune Cookies

On August 3, 2015October 14, 2015 By benebellIn book review, divination, holistic food, personal16 Comments

These black sesame shortbread rune cookies look like beautiful stone runes but are also absolutely delicious to eat. I am so excited to be sharing this recipe, which comes from a book I’ve been loving, Kyotofu: Uniquely Delicious Japanese Desserts by Nicole Bermensolo and Elizabeth Gunnison Dunn. It’s published by Running Press.

The recipe in Kyotofu is just for straightforward black sesame shortbread cookies, a fantastic recipe, and then I took it a step further and turned these cookies into runes. Now, I don’t know much about runes or rune divination, so bear with me here and I welcome any corrections in the comments section.

Continue reading “Edible Rune Divination: Black Sesame Shortbread Rune Cookies” →

Way of the Horse Oracle Deck Review

On April 27, 2015April 5, 2015 By benebellIn cartomancy, deck review, oracle deck, personal, tarot15 Comments

Way of the Horse 01 Book Deck Set

Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery is a magnificent oracle deck by Linda Kohanov with paintings by Kim McElroy. The set is published by New World Library, a California-based New Age independent publisher that has published the likes of Joseph Campbell before.

I love horses. I always have. As a kid, I got this how-to-draw book on horses and I lugged that book and a sketchpad everywhere until I mastered– okay, “mastered”– the art of drawing horses. I then ended up marrying Hubby, who was born in the year of the Horse per the Chinese zodiac. So the spirit of horses and I have a thing.

Way of the Horse - Box Set

Thus, it’s no surprise that I connected to the Way of the Horse oracle deck right away. It’s also a beautifully packaged book and deck set. Good job, New World Library! Wow. What an absolutely magnificent product to behold.

Way of the Horse 02 Side View

The box set includes a slot for the hardcover book, a book that has that 1980s library book vibe to it, or at least that’s my impression. Then the back half slot opens up (and closes magnetically) to reveal the deck.

Way of the Horse 03 Deck View

Continue reading “Way of the Horse Oracle Deck Review” →

Tarot Pink, a Collaboration Deck: My Two of Wands

On April 25, 2015May 16, 2015 By benebellIn cartomancy, divination, personal, tarot21 Comments

Tarot Pink Promotional Banner by Roxi Sim, Creator of the Pearls of Wisdom Tarot

Tarot Pink for Cancer is a collaborative tarot deck project organized by Ron Leong, founder of Tarot eCards, a digital app for storing electronic versions of whole tarot decks on your smartphone. The mission of the collaborative tarot deck project is to raise funds for breast cancer research. The concept is to reach beyond the tarot community and introduce tarot to the greater public as a tool for emotional, spiritual, and physical healing, with a focus on fighting breast cancer.

The theme of the deck is “Tarot Pink,” with an emphasis on the tarot’s ability to inspire, empower, and support in a person’s physical wellness journey. Although the financial cause is dedicated to breast cancer research, the deck itself is keyed to all forms of physical healing and the path to wellness. The color pink evokes that healing, compassion, empathy, and soft, understanding, non-judgmental support.

You’re going to want to get this deck. Mary Greer is writing an introduction in the guidebook. You’ve got contributions from some of the biggest names in the tarot world: Robert Place of Alchemical Tarot and Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery; Ciro Marchetti of Gilded Tarot and Legacy of the Divine; Eric Dunne of Tarot Illuminati; Marie White of The Mary-el Tarot; Kris Waldherr of The Goddess Tarot; Pamela Steele of Steele Wizard Tarot; Mary Griffin of The Hezicos Tarot; Emily Carding of The Transparent Oracle and Tarot of the Sidhe; Roxi Sim of Pearls of Wisdom Tarot; Major Tom Schick of Major Tom’s Tarot of Marseille; James Ricklef of Tarot of the Masters; Carrie Paris of the Magpie Oracle; J. R. Rivera of Beautiful Creatures Tarot, and oh my goodness, so many more.

You are going to recognize a lot of the names on the contributors list. Tarot Pink will be available as both a mobile app. and a printed deck. The app. will be available as early as July, 2015 and the printed deck available in September, 2015. Please support our efforts over at Indiegogo and please help share news of this deck and our fundraising via social media with #TarotPink.

This is definitely going to be a keepsake deck. A lot of incredible folk have infused these cards with the kind of positive, empowering Qi energy that would help in any path to healing, so use it for yourself, use it for those reading the cards for their healing journey, get it as an inspirational gift for someone, or heck, get it as a collector’s deck. Considering the kind of efforts that have been devoted to the creation of Tarot Pink and the practitioners who’ve worked on it, this deck is going to vibrate at a very cool higher frequency, if you ask me.

If nothing else, please get the tarot app for your smartphone. It’s only a $2 donation. Do it! That is less than your morning cup of joe!

I was so honored and red with delight when Ron invited me to contribute to this amazing project. I hope by sharing about my card contribution, you’ll be inspired to go out and read about all the other amazing tarot people and artists and what they’ve done for this deck. And then, of course, actually get a copy! I’m not sure I have the authority to show you other works, so I won’t, but you have to go searching for them. My below doodle looks rinky-dink compared to what others have done. AH-MAZING! stuff.

two_of_wands — Go forth to plan out an ambitious future. You are called to aspire for the horizon beyond. The orb symbolizes healing and the power that love has for overcoming obstacles. Gaze into that orb and you will see: you walk the path of a soldier. Progress.

The caption underneath the card image is the card meaning blurb that will be accompanying the smartphone app version of the deck. The deck’s accompanying guidebook will have a longer description, which I’m providing after the jump. Continue reading “Tarot Pink, a Collaboration Deck: My Two of Wands” →

The Intuitive Tag | Part 2

On April 13, 2015 By benebellIn personal3 Comments

intuitivetag

It took me a lot of words to answer Question 1 of the Intuitive Tag that’s been going around. Read Part 1 here. Here in Part 2 I finish off the Tag. This was fun.

2. Have you ever had a premonition?

I’m not sure I know how to answer this. Yes, sure. I have.

3. When did you get your first Tarot or Oracle deck? What deck was it?

When I was 9, I was using a regular playing card deck for cartomancy, where all the pips were illustrated with characters from Journey to the West, a classical Chinese novel, and there were also captions that summed up that character. I’d say that was my first oracle deck. Tarot came a bit later for me.

I’ve written about it on this blog before, “My Earliest Foray in Cartomancy.”

4. What element do you connect with the most?

Air. Well, Air and Metal. Air per Western metaphysics; Metal per Wu Xing.

5. Do you believe in Faeries?

It’s not a matter of me believing or not believing. I’ve never personally witnessed faeries and have not come across any hard evidence supporting their existence. That, however, certainly does not mean they don’t exist. It just means that at this moment, I have insufficient knowledge and experiences to formulate a belief one way or the other.

6. Do you prefer the Moon or the Sun?

I don’t have a preference. I’m quite fond of both.

7. What is your favorite Crystal or Stone?

Lapis lazuli or selenite.

8. Can you see spirits/spiritual beings?

No. If I have, I was not able to, with unequivocal certainty, identify what I saw as “spirits/spiritual beings.”

candle

9. Would you rather be able to fly on a broomstick, breathe under water, make things grow fast, or control fire?

Control fire. It’s funny, given that list–those options–it’s not even up for debate to me. Of course: control fire.

10. What is the animal totem that you feel most connected too?

Owl and swan, equally.

11. What is your first animal/spirit totem?

Swan.

I should also mention I have no idea what this whole animal/spirit totem thing is, but as I developed in my own practices over the decades, there were certainly two animals I identified very closely with, surrounding myself with their images or likeness, and even picking up traits from them. The first was the swan, and later I also came to be connected to the owl.

12. Tell us about your first spirit guide?

Huh?

13. Do you feel more connected to the stars or the Earth?

I don’t have a preference. I’m quite fond of both.

14. What is your preferred method of blessing/cleansing?

Blessing and cleansing are two separate functions, per my practice. What I do for blessing is very different from what I do for cleansing. Even when we say “blessing,” that’s vague. A blessing for what purpose?

Also, my approach to these functions are rather personal.

15. What color do you feel most spiritually connected too?

I don’t have a preference. If I thought about it, though, I tend to work predominantly with white, black, and/or blue.

* * *

If you decide to answer these questions on your own blog, please link me below so I can read. I know this is a Tag and that means you’re supposed to get “tagged” to participate but screw that. I didn’t get tagged. I just saw it and went, “Oh, yah, that looks fun.” And went for it. Please feel free to do the same.

benebell wen

Category: personal