I’m Benebell Wen, author of I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, September 2023), a guide to the history and cultural heritage of the Book of Change. The text features my English translations of the Zhouyi in an effort to reclaim its shamanistic origins.
I’ve previously published Holistic Tarot (2015) and The Tao of Craft (2016), also through North Atlantic Books. Holistic Tarot was my debut into the Mind, Body, Spirit space, intended to be a reference book on using the tarot for decision-making and self-reflection. The Tao of Craft introduced Fu sigil and talisman crafting to a Western audience, with historical context and practical guidance.
What does the Fire Horse bring this lunar year? Check out the horoscope forecasts here, along with a reading of the corresponding I Ching hexagram for the Fire Horse, hexagram 45: Cui (Gathering Together; Assembly).
FREE ONLINE COURSES is a repository of free, transformative learning materials that are self-paced video lectures, supplemental written handouts, workbooks, and downloadable guides that explore tarot, Taoist mysticism, Chinese esoteric traditions, various divination systems, and creative practice. These courses are designed to expand spiritual insight and practical skills, offered with the mission to democratize esoteric knowledge and remove economic barriers to entry.
What is the I Ching (易經, Yìjīng) Book of Changes? A VIDEO LECTURE AND WORKSHEET SERIES that brings the Book of Changes to life with guided talks on its cosmology, on traditional divination methods and interpretive frameworks rooted in Taoist metaphysics, step-by-step tutorials, and deep-dive explorations of the Lo Shu magic square, Wu Xing five dynamic elements of change, the Ba Gua eight trigrams, and the philosophical foundations of this 3,000 year old oracle. These lectures and their printable transcripts are available at no cost. Be sure to also download the printable PRACTICUM WORKSHEETS that guide you through selected Practicums excerpted from I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023).
Empower Your Tarot Studies with this FREE COMPANION COURSE to Holistic Tarot, a self-paced series of video lectures and downloadable study guides for navigating tarot symbolism, deck structure, and interpretive practice, dispelling superstitions and myths, deconstructing both classical and modern approaches, and to help you build a meaningful tarot study journal. Here is quality tarot education accessible to the public and to students at any level.
Then check out SIGHTSEE THE TAROT, an immersive tour of influential tarot books, tarot spreads, reading techniques, and diverse practices with the cards. These are hands-on guided workshops that will help you to refine your tarot practice. Each video episode explores specialized methods, introduces you to established voices in the tarot community, and gives you practical exercises to try, complete with downloadable handouts and reference tables for your tarot journal. This is the course for deepening your study of the tarot, great for both the curious beginner and the seasoned practitioner.
There’s also the educational series TAROT CARD MEANINGS WITH BENEBELL, which helps you to learn the tarot card by card. This is an ongoing educational video series covering the 78 keys or cards of the tarot, showcasing the distinct attributions for four different deck systems: the Tarot de Marseilles (TdM), the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS), the Thoth deck by Crowley-Harris, and my own deck, the Spirit Keeper’s Tarot. Using audio-visual learning methods, the series facilitates reading fluency with the four listed tarot systems. The card by card primer is designed to help with memory retention in a more visually engaging way than studying them out of a book.
In addition to the free guided, self-paced course offerings, click on the category label “Free Download” for a DATABASE OF FREE RESOURCES.
TAROT. Download complimentary STUDY GUIDES that supplement my book Holistic Tarot (North Atlantic Books, 2015) designed to cover tarot education at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For those looking to launch tarot reading services professionally, check out these TAROT BUSINESS & LEGAL FORMS.
I CHING. For those studying the I Ching alongside I Ching The Oracle: A Practical Guide to the Book of Changes (North Atlantic Books, 2022), you can download many of the REFERENCE TABLES & DIAGRAMS from the textbook to integrate into your grimoire, study journal, and notes. Also check out the digital files for a COMPANION ORACLE DECK.
SIGIL CRAFTING. Download REFERENCE MATERIALS for Fu sigil and talisman crafting in the Eastern esoteric traditions. While these reference materials are provided freely, please note that the full explanation for how to use them, their historical and cultural background, and the practical context can be found in my book The Tao of Craft: Fu Talismans and Casting Sigils in the Eastern Esoteric Tradition (North Atlantic Books, 2016).
My CURRENT OFFERINGS are the 2026 METAPHYSICIAN’S DAY PLANNER (MDP), a personalized organizer blending daily planning with astrological, tarot, I Ching, lunar-solar, and other forecasting insights to help you navigate 2026. The offering provides the PDF digital file only, with instructions on how to print out your physical spiral-bound copy via a third-party print-on-demand service. Your MDP is customized with your birth chart and 2026 solar returns chart.
Also check out the current roster of INDEPENDENT STUDY online course offerings for learning at your own pace. These courses cover tarot, astrology, folk magic, and occult theory with expert-level depth and self-empowering practicums. Strengthen your divination skills and expand your metaphysical knowledge.
Here is an overview of my works-in-progress:
THE BOOK OF THOTH-HERMES
The Grand Etteilla Book of Thoth-Hermes Tarot is my current work-in-progress tarot deck inspired by the late 18th and early 19th century French Etteilla cartomancy system. I’m both the illustrator of the deck art and author of the companion guidebook. Learn more about the project and track its progress HERE.
ABOUT ETTEILLA’S BOOK OF THOT
In 1789, Jean-Baptiste Alliette, writing under the pseudonym Etteilla, creates a tarot deck based on his revelations from the Divine Pymander (or Poimandres), a foundational tract of the Corpus Hermeticum. Etteilla believes his deck reconstructs the true tarot of the Egyptian high priests from the Temple of Ptah, and is thus encoded with ancient knowledge about the creation of the cosmos and the nature of the soul. … That, or he was a business-savvy hustler with a knack for marketing and PR. Learn more about the historical Etteilla tarots HERE.
I have been curating metaphysics related content on this website since 2012, so there’s a lot here. From deck reviews and book reviews to handbooks and insider information for artists, nonfiction writers, and deck creators to social commentaries, to legal forms and templates in various areas of the law that might be useful to you, guided meditations, journaling workbooks, and resources for your personal grimoire. If you’re interested, there’s also a lot recorded here on my past projects.
Spirit Keeper’s Tarot
Although now out of print, the Spirit Keeper’s Tarot was my first major published art project.
The first edition was a limited print run of 1,000 decks, which were direct scans of my black and white line drawings in ink.
During the pandemic while we were sheltering in place, I taught myself digital art to produce the SKT’s third and final edition. Learn more about the deck’s premise HERE.
Cultural Integration & the Prisca Theologia
Medieval philosophers and mystics on the quest to memorialize a single, universal theology searched beyond the borderlines of their own traditions. While their doctrines were based largely in Christian and Jewish mysticism, metastasized by the integration of Platonic philosophy and Sufism, the quest for that universal theology led these thinkers to consider Hinduism, Buddhism, and even a return to unearth the deeper heritage of their own pagan roots.
Cultural integration is conceptual alchemy that blends what had been separate artistic, intuitive paths of wisdom into one unified system of evolved thought.
CONTINUE reading HERE
FREE DOWNLOAD of Kuan Yin’s Great Compassion Mantra 大悲咒. You can also download the above high-res religious art print featuring the Mantra in Siddam Sanskrit, and an invocation of Kuan Yin in Traditional Chinese.
DECK REVIEWS
I get sent lots of decks and books for review from publishers and indie deck creators, and on occasion, I’ll review some of the ones I’ve been loving.
CLICK HERE to look through hundreds of tarot and oracle deck reviews.
benebell wen 
Hi bellwen
You did a reading for me. A big thank you. The detail you gave of one card was fantastic. It felt like the situation I am in and how to work though it. Do you do full readings by email. A big thank you and let me know. Happy to pay you. If you get a chance can you tell me more about the course you are doing. How long does it go for. I’m curious.
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Be careful they don’t burn you at the stake. The Devil’s Picture Book … and it has images with Old Nick in them, whatever next?
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When will you release your book? I’d like to purchase a copy.
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Thanks, Mike! It’s scheduled for release in Fall, 2014. I’ll definitely be posting more info about it once we approach the date! =)
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Delicious and easy, here’s a list of five of my favorite calorie heavy beverages to help you gain weight.
Exercise MYTH #13: You will burn more fat if you exercise longer and keep your heart rate in the ‘fat burning’ range.
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How do I request a reading?
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what is the best deck to work with your book?
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Hey Jacquie!
Any deck that follows the Waite Smith tradition first published by Rider can conceivably be used, but most of the symbolism correspondences are keyed specifically to the original RWS created by Waite and illustrated by Smith, such as the Rider Tarot by US Games. (Though the original RWS is now arguably in the public domain.)
The Radiant Rider Waite could work as well. The Universal Waite. The Albano-Waite. These are all the starter decks I recommend.
If you ever have any other questions, just ask! Thanks so much for your interest! You put a smile on my face this afternoon!
– B
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Thank you so much!
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Love your work!
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Hi benebell
I live in England and note that Holistic Tarot as listed on the Amazon UK website gives the published date as January 15th 2015 and the number of pages as 624 – not 870. Does this mean the text point size has been reduced for the UK market?
Am asking because small text tends to strain my eyes so need to know before I pre-order.
Many thanks for your prompt reply
Elizabeth
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Hi Elizabeth,
I am so sorry for the late reply! Somehow I missed this comment and it didn’t appear in the notification queue! My apologies!
I believe the site you’re viewing simply hasn’t updated its listing. The book used to be listed at 624 pages, though I’m not entirely sure why. Then when the final proofs were complete, the listing was updated to 870 pages, which is what it is now. I don’t think different editions or versions were printed for different countries, but to be honest, the best person to ask would be the publisher, North Atlantic Books. Their contact information appears on their website at http://www.northatlanticbooks.com/store/contact.html.
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Super excited about your book! Will it be available on Kindle as well?
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Hi Nova! Yes, I believe so! Personally, I like the hard copy way better, because it’s more of a reference manual and not a book you’d read cover to cover. =) So you’d cherry-pick the parts of the book you want to read or learn from, for example. Thanks!
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My book just arrived! Excited! It’s massive and seems to cover everything conceivably possible. Seems like an awesome reference book and is the beginning of my collection. So glad I stumbled across this site and now have a great book to use in my tarot studies (I’m a bit of newbie). I have really struggled in how some cards apply to some questions and readings and this book is really helpful to delve a bit deeper and read such cards instead of glossing over them quickly. Thank you so much Benebell, it must have been a massive amount of work and effort to write such a book and I very much appreciate it.
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Hi Rachael! I am so sorry for the late reply– I didn’t see your note until now! Thank you so much and I’m glad the book has been helpful to you. Keep up your tarot studies and I hope your journey with tarot will be a long one, and beneficial one. – b
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Hey! I have been combing over your blog, I just recently started getting into tarot. As a beginner, this is pretty overwhelming, Im hoping your book will help connect things together better for me! And you study guides! thanks so much for all the effort and information you share!! Do you have a facebook page?
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Hey Carissa! Yes, I am on Facebook! My author page is https://www.facebook.com/benebellwen, and you can find me by searching for my name in Facebook. Do let me know if the Beginner’s study guide works for you. I’m always trying to tweak it to make it better, so your feedback would definitely help. Hope to see you on FB! – B
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benebell,
I am so excited about reading your book. I just ordered a copy and I’m stalking my mailman with eager anticipation.
I’ve watched a couple of your video interviews on YouTube and I kept nodding my head because I felt that I am very much on the same page with you in your approach to Tarot. I’ve always felt that Tarot analysis and intuition are not mutually exclusive. It frustrated me when teachers in Tarot classes would order everyone to “throw the books away,” to forget about studying, almost speaking in a negative way about scholarship, as if it were some kind of Tarot taboo.
I love my lists and my associations and correspondences, the richness of Tarot history, the esoteric symbolism. While I certainly don’t use all of that knowledge in every reading, I like having it available to draw upon. There are many different types of readers. I’ve had wonderful experiences with readers who take a more intellectual approach and readers who get me engaged on a spiritual and emotional level, and everything in between.
Thank you for the materials you’ve made available on your website, too. I am so excited about your book and wish you many blessings and much joy throughout your continued journey.
Laura
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I have received your book and it is wonderful, this is the book I needed many moons ago when I was learning my craft! Thank you for the fine piece of work, hope to see more of you and your writing.
Love and Light,
Aeneas
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I’d like to read Holistic Tarot on Scribd but only the preview is available. Are you or your publisher averse to book subscription services?
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Thank you for the study guides. Tgey are excellent companion for your book. I have been enjoying both of them and very happy to relearn another time in a systematical way.
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Dear Mr. Wen,
If you plan to market Holistic Tarot in the New York City area, the Central Queens Library would be interested in having you present a book talk. Our library public would be very interested in your book.
Sincerely,
Daniel Thom
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Hello. Does your book also cover the Thoth deck – the one covered by Angeles Arrien’s book. Or, is the deck used irrelevant. Thank you!
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Hi Kimery! I am afraid my book does not cover the Thoth deck directly. Instead, it is keyed to the Rider-Waite-Smith system. My book should give you a good working knowledge of tarot that will enable you to learn Thoth with ease, but if you’re looking for a book keyed to Thoth, then yes, the Arrien book is amazing! Lon Milo Duquette’s Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot is also fantastic. If you’re willing to wait a few more months, Johannes Fiebig and Evelin Burger are coming out with The Ultimate Guide to the Thoth Tarot later this year, which, given what I know about their first book, is going to be fabulous. – bell
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Soleil Moon Frye simply announced her crafting start-up,
Moonfrye, which is focuseded on households.
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The Web has actually become a necessary propagator of understanding, both through complimentary as well
as paid services.
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Refresh combines a tight-knit group of designers,
home builders as well as tradespeople which style and also build your vision improvement.
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Dear Benebell…
Happy New Year…
I’m a spanish lady who lives in Madrid…A few months ago, just as a hobby I have become interested in Tarot…as I can read a little bit in English I found your web page just beginning of October…I was so impressed and inspired by you that I bought your book through amazon…and you are the one I read and meditate together with another spanish tarot book I have. You have showed me a new path to understand reality and it makes me so happy and fullfilled…you have always the point of view that inspires at the right moment. Thank you very very mucho for your work and your dedication. God Bless You.
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Hi Benebell,
First, I want to say thank you for creating such an informative website! I have especially enjoyed your deck reviews since I am an ultra-newbie and still searching for the best deck for me to get started on. For some reason, this month all I can think about is tarot – tarot – tarot. I want to dive deeper with an open heart and mind.
Second, I am interested in purchasing your book to help guide my learning. I looked at your study notes and I love the idea of a structured schedule – I can see this really working for me!
My dilemma comes with choosing a deck. I stumbled across The Wild Unknown deck online and fell in love. The art speaks to me and no other deck that I have seen has excited me as much.
Would I be able to learn traditional spreads, meanings, and approaches with TWU deck, or would it be a wiser idea to go with something more traditional?
Thank you for the help!
Gigi
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Hi Gigi! I love the Wild Unknown deck! It hasn’t been in my regular use and circulation of working decks as of late, though, so I want to go home, revisit TWU, and see what I think about it in terms of using it alongside a book keyed to the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot. I do know that Kim Krans has put out a most excellent companion guidebook to TWU. I’ve read through her entire book and it’s really fantastic for learning tarot with the TWU. Have you thought about Krans’s book?
In any event, if you email me at benebellwen@live.com, we can talk more. By then I should have had the chance to really sit down and go through my copy of TWU for a proper examination.
– bell
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Hi Benebell! Thank you for all you do! Can you please tell me what version of RWS is pictured here? It seems like maybe your go-to deck; the one with the elemental and planetary symbols on the cards…? I can’t seem to find this with a google search anywhere, since ‘RWS’ and ‘symbols’ brings up so many other results!
Thank you!
jackie
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Hi Benebell,
Congratulations on your recent HUGE award for BEST TAROT BOOK of 2015 with the International Tarot Association (I hope I got the name right). Wow! I was reading the nominees and waiting for the winner to be announced with baited breath. Hooray!!!!! You so deserve it! Your book HOLISTIC TAROT is, and will continue to be, the go-to tarot textbook for beginning, intermediate, and advanced readers for years to come. It’s MY main book, and I have an entire bookcase full of my 25+ years worth book collecting. You are da bomb, baby!
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Hi Bennebel,
I have four decks, Rider Smith Centenial, Holitzka IChing, Hermetic Tarot and the Eternal Tarot ..
The Eternal Tarot is a beautiful republication of the Egipcios Tier.
Would you believe there is very little in the line of review for this deck, possibly because the deck deliberately conceales the four suites, but I assure you they are there, and quite formal too,
Of my deck sit I need to meditate the cards I use the Eternal Tarot, for a short term reading the Rider Smith , but if I need a wise advise that I can rely on, I put that all aside and cast the company me and ponder the Gua
However what I’m asking is maybe you would consider reviewing the Eternal Tarot and giving your impressions?
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Sorry , her with a edited version ( iPhone gives the wrong auto correct)
Hi Bennebel,
I have four decks, Rider Smith Centenial, Holitzka IChing, Hermetic Tarot and the Eternal Tarot ..
The Eternal Tarot is a beautiful republication of the Egipcios Tier.
Would you believe there is very little in the line of review for this deck, possibly because the deck deliberately conceales the four suites, but I assure you they are there, and quite formal too, I believe the creator purposely did that to encourage one to really study the deck.
Of my decks if I wish to study the cards I use the Eternal Tarot, for a short term reading I use the Rider Smith , but if I need a wise advise that I can rely on, and ponder the Gua ( not through a card deck or the Holitzka , but white the three coins and the book IChing)
However what I’m asking is maybe you would consider reviewing the Eternal Tarot and giving your impressions?
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Hi Benebell! I think I already toss my name in for a free reading…just in case:
Jan 14 1947
10:30 PM
Los Angeles CA
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Yes, I believe I have your info! ❤
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Hi Benebell,
Do you think you will review the New Visions tarot deck?
Also, what would you say are your top favourite tarot decks?
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Hi Benebell,
I’m from India. I got hooked on to tarot by chance. The activity, which started as a hobby, gradually progressed into passion. Sometimes the answers bedaze me.
In my pursuit of delving deeper into the esoteric knowledge of tarot analysis, I searched for a perfect tarot book which can answer all my queries. I came across your book and purchased it a few days back. The book has everything a curious learner seeks from a master. Really enjoyed reading it.
You are the best!
Abhishek
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Hi Benebell
Thankyou for doing such a generous deed. Though havnt written a blog yet but have been actively involved with other tarot readers across the globe. At once I got deeply rooted in images of this black beauty would be lucky if I win fingers crossed!xoxo
Cheers!
Priti
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Hi Benebell. I just watched your interview with Tori. I am very interested in the shadow work but the link didn’t take me to your email to request the bonus. Will you please send me the link. thank you Mary
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Hi Mary! Sorry about that. Click here and scroll down for the DOCX and PDF!
https://benebellwen.com/2016/09/09/shadow-work-with-a-tarot-or-oracle-deck-card-reading-magic-summit/
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Hi Benebell,
You did a reading for me about career choices, thank you so much.
I feel that I made the right choice and feel very happy about my program now.
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Dear Benebell,
I am soooo excited that you will be speaking at next years Tarot Con. You are one of my new role models! I have your book Holistic Tarot and am slowly pouring over it! It’s such an incredible achievement. Thank you for your entertaining review of the TCBA certification process. I have had the same response when asking experienced readers about certification. From Mary Greer to Christiana Gaudet. I have taken many, many classes from a prominent Tarot on-line instructor (who shall remain nameless) from Tarot Fundamentals 1 and 2 to the 6 month class on “How to Start an online Tarot Business”, as well as special interest classes on Reading for yourself, the celtic cross, etc. etc, etc, If you would like to get experience as a reader you can PAY this organization to read for people who email questions. (Is this getting fishy?) Then, I received my invitation to apply for certification from the organization for about $1,000. !! I wrote and asked if there would be some type of discount for the students who already were loyal enthusiasts and had spent countless funds on previous classes. This was 2 weeks ago and I have not heard back. Thank you for your refreshing, intelligent, and bright story about your certification process. But what to do?? fondly, Julia
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Hi Julia!
Thank you so much for your kind words about Holistic Tarot. It’s a shame the TCBA isn’t still around. Mary Greer and Christiana Gaudet are some of my favorite tarot people!
I don’t know much about the certification program you’re referring to, but $1,000?! Since I don’t know much about it, I can’t say one way or the other whether $1K is worth it. Upon first impression, I admit getting a visceral reaction to it, i.e., “That’s crazy talk!” But maybe the deal includes a solid gold bar with The Sun card etched into its side, in which case $1,000 is quite the bargain! =) I really just don’t know.
Not sure I have any good advice for what to do, but I know for sure I would never pay $1,000 for tarot certification from a for-profit private organization. Even someone with a net worth of a million dollars would be imprudent to spent $1,000 on tarot certification, so if one’s means is below that net worth, well… the imprudence only multiplies.
Good luck with all your tarot endeavors!
b
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MHry
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Hi Benebell,
I really interested in learning when the online Lenormand course is going to start. I’m hoping, and my fingers are crossed, that it will start sometime this year. I am also interested in learning about the German Kipper and Italian Sibilla, the latter mentioned, it is hard to find anything in the English language in regards to spread layouts but relatively easy to find out about card meanings. Looking forward to purchasing your Us games tarot when it comes out it will go well with my Holistic Tarot. Tao Craft is an interesting book, which I’ve not yet read because it keeps going for walks because more than one person at work seems to like this book. In the meantime with my Tao Craft on walkabout this gave me time on my hands and allowed my mind to wander, found myself wondering what is the theme of your next book?- so looking forward to receiving info on your new book.- Ambergris
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Wonderful !!!!!!!!
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Hello
Was wondering if you received my email and dm on instagram about scheduling a skype divination for Steed
Let me know either way as we would comply with your availability
Thanks
Ferdinand
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Hi, please maybe you can help me with a advice. I want to make a beter webpage for my psychic readings work – http://www.power2change.nl -with book appointment scheduling, with a pay per call, free tarot en thinks like this. I don t know where can I find templates to make a change to my page…
Thanks you,
Ana
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Hi
I now read the book The Tao of Craft, p. 459, pp. 17-16 gift
which should be written in red and black?
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Com certeza você imediatamente ouviu isso anteriormente, não? http://revistatroleo.com/tfw/index.php/k2-shop/surfboards/item/331-surfboards
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gbpK’,,(.”.,.)
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ciwe.),())”,’,
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I love your website and your insight into so many things. I ordered your book HOLISTIC TAROT, and have been dancing around a;; day waiting for it to be delivered. Thank you so much for all the information you share. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!
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Hi Benebel,
Do you have any advice for an orthodox mystic who is discovering the mystery traditions? I have things for which there are no explanations in orthodoxy. I’m just beginning and quite hesitant due to the heretical nature of such studies in the strict abrahamic context. However, when I project my experiences are distinctly…Egyptian.
Any insights you can offer a stumbling novice would be greatly appreciated
Daniel
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hello Benebell,
What is your favorite English language translation of the Tao Te Ching? One that you feel captures the spirit, intent, and the linguistic style of the original texts? I just discovered you today and spent literally the entire day looking over your youtube interviews, et cetera et cetera.
Juan
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___123___benebell wen – author + reader___123___
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Write My Essay Service: http://bettingsportusa45423.blogzag.com/6470564/not-known-factual-statements-about-professional-essay-writing-services
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Sorry wrong email
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I am so very interested in your new deck. I love it. Just learned about it now. Is irt too late to order a copy?
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