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.
If Pre-Qin shamanistic-historical traditions and their legacy as found today in modern folk practices is of interest to you, then you might also like:
Chinese Shamanism Meets Taoism: The Hidden Link in 3,000 Years of Magic and Mysticism
Let’s time travel and step into the mystical lineage of the Neolithic Wu 巫 shamans that laid the foundation for Taoist mysticism. This free public video lecture explores the birth of Taoist magic and the enduring legacy of Wu shamanism.
The written article accompanying the video lecture delves further into the semantics of translating the word Wu 巫 into English, clarifying between lineaged Taoists and the Wu, and also commentary on white academia vs. native practitioners and who gets to speak as authorities on living traditions.
+ Download the lecture outline notes
Taoism: A Decolonized Introduction
This is a video lecture on Taoism from the perspective of its native, lived cultural roots. It frames Taoism as an indigenous Chinese tradition and the fundamental assumptions that tradition is grounded upon. Drawing from classical texts and references, the lecture explores Taoist beliefs and practices as a dynamic, syncretic tradition that bridges philosophy, religion, and mysticism. It reclaims Taoism as a rational metaphysical system born from the ancestral soul-DNA of the Yellow River civilization.
What is the I Ching (易經, Yìjīng) Book of Changes? This is a free video lecture series and companion course to the text, I Ching, The Oracle. Also be sure to check out the free downloadable and printable Practicum Worksheets.
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.
CURRENT PROJECT: ETTEILLA
The Grand Etteilla Book of Thoth-Hermes Tarot, inspired by the late 18th and early 19th century French Etteilla tarot divination system. I’m both the illustrator of the deck art and author of the companion guidebook on the Etteilla system. 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.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS
This project of translating and annotating the Tao Te Ching is a personal journey as well as a public offering. My goal is to explore the text from the perspective of a Taoist mystic. The project will be dedicated to the public domain, which means anyone, anywhere, can freely access, use, and share this work. I endeavor to contribute to the ongoing tradition of sharing ancient wisdom openly and inclusively.
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 Resources
I wish I could present you with a library of free resources and educational downloads, but really this website is more like a hoarder’s attic randomly stockpiled with treasures and tidbits accumulated over the decades. What you can find and discover depends entirely on how motivated you are. Here is a repository of downloadable guides, free courses, articles, studies, practical resources, instructions on techniques, charts and tables, and loads of printables for you to fill your personal grimoires with.
I believe that knowledge is meant to be shared, and that by offering these resources without cost, I can do my part to help make esoteric wisdom accessible to all who seek it.
- Articles with Free Downloads
- Free Online Courses
- Companion Course to I Ching, The Oracle
- I Ching Practicum Worksheets (keyed to I Ching The Oracle)
- Companion Course to Holistic Tarot
- Tarot Study Guides (keyed to Holistic Tarot)
- Astrology Reference Sheet Downloads
- Tarot Business & Legal Forms
- Taoist Metaphysics: Reference Tables & Diagrams
- Fu Sigil & Talisman Design Resources
- Free Spirit Keeper’s Tarot Downloads
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.
Learn Tarot with Holistic Tarot (Video Playlist)
I also offer a structured, self-paced tarot tutorial series. This tarot tutorial is a companion course to Holistic Tarot, meaning it’s keyed to the contents of that book. While someone proficient with the tarot can follow along the above-linked video playlist with complete ease, it may be more difficult for a total beginner, unless that total beginner has my book and is following the free course syllabuses provided here, “Holistic Tarot Study Guides.”
If, however, you’ve got a handy copy of Holistic Tarot and you’d like a self-paced, guided, well-structured tarot beginner course, then start by downloading the “Study Guide for Tarot Beginners” (PDF) check out the below linked Companion Course, and go from there.
Holistic Tarot: A Companion Course
A free online tarot course taught from my book Holistic Tarot. Enter the companion course at any level–beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Organize a tarot journal in a three-ring binder by downloading the study guides and handouts. Begin the course by watching the video lectures.
Sightsee the Tarot
Take a tour of the tarot with this ongoing educational video series. Discover new books and tarot thought leaders. Workshop classic tarot spreads or specialized reading techniques. Let’s explore all the different perspectives of tarot reading through the ages. This video course series of hands-on tarot workshops, 10 to 30 minutes at a time, will introduce you to a diverse range of approaches to the cards.
Sightsee the Tarot Video Series Page
Many of the video workshops include free tarot resources, reference charts, handouts, and workbooks for free download, so be sure to check the Series Page linked above.
Tarot Card Meanings with Bell
This is an 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.
TAROT CARD MEANINGS Video Series Page
Be sure to check the Series Page linked above to download free references, correspondence tables, video transcript, recommended reading or study techniques, and more.
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.
Free E-Book: Key of Solomon, et al.
A 560-page digital book for free download. You can also order a physical paperback copy if you’d like.
What you will discover within the pages of this book I’m sharing, you’re going to find to be the keystones of Persian magic and witchcraft, the magical practices of Muslim-influenced Southeast Asian countries, the Golden Dawn (though many of their correspondences differ), hoodoo, Wicca, and maybe even the traditions you’ve inherited, though perhaps you’ve always wondered where those traditions might have come from.
If you’re serious about your occult studies, then I hope you’ll add this text to your library and read through it cover to cover at least once.
CLICK HERE to read more about the book and then download the PDF.
Free Astrology References
For those learning astrology and keeping a study binder, there are lots of printable astrology resources you can download here.
CLICK HERE for all Free Astrology References.
Glossary of Gemstone Correspondences
This is a free download that has been provided here on this website since 2016. The glossary file was revised and updated on October 21, 2019, so if you haven’t downloaded the latest version, then be sure to do so.
CLICK HERE to download the PDF and DOCX files of the Glossary.
TERMS OF USE & PRIVACY POLICY
SITE MAP
Note on Web Content Accessibility (per Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): ADA website compliance is important to us, and even as a small business proprietor, just a husband and wife team working from our home, we try our best to make our content accessible. Where there’s audio, there’s closed captioning. Where there are visuals, the corresponding text is the alternative, which can be converted via text-to-speech. If there is ever any confusion or difficulty navigating our website (and to be fair, fully-abled individuals tell us all the time our website is a hot mess and difficult to navigate…), never hesitate to e-mail us at abelldelivers@gmail.com for free one-on-one navigation guidance.
benebell wen 
Love the tarot cards and the informative website you made to go along. I am excited to see how many methods you have brought together, as a whole. It’s all related and relevant for giving more precise readings, to clients. Thank you, keep up the great journey of unity enlightenment. We all benefit by having a page like this to reference, bringing multiple varieties together.
❤ Heather
LikeLike
LikeLike
I think you’re a hard working genius. Wauw I have great respect for you. I’m a writer, coach and journalist (and passionate tarot lover) and I really admire your briljant mind. I will donate tomorrow. with great love and respect Mabel van den Dungen
LikeLike
Fantastic site. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it
to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your sweat!
LikeLike
1
LikeLike
1
LikeLike
1*1
LikeLike
1*938*933*0
LikeLike
1+943-938-5
LikeLike
-1 OR 5*5=25 —
LikeLike
-1 OR 5*5=25
LikeLike
1*if(now()=sysdate(),sleep(15),0)
LikeLike
1′”
LikeLike
1%2527%2522\’\”
LikeLike
@@7EhIx
LikeLike
cpa networks for newbies – cpa networks that accept newbies, Content locking marketing
LikeLike
I and my buddies were analyzing the nice information found on your site while at once came up with an awful feeling I never thanked you for those techniques. Those boys were as a result glad to see them and have in effect in actuality been tapping into them. Many thanks for getting simply considerate as well as for opting for this form of impressive issues millions of individuals are really desperate to be aware of. My honest regret for not expressing appreciation to sooner.
LikeLike
Love your work, thank you so much. Do you have tips on how to delve into the I Ching?
LikeLike
Good morning Julia,
Have you looked under the course tab. There is a course available for the IChing.
LikeLike
Hello dear soul!
I’m so excited you’re creating a 2nd edition of The Spirit Keepers Tarot! I would love to buy a copy. I saw on a community page there are pre orders being made, but there’s no info! How do I pre order if I may please? And where do I shop for your other creations such as your books? Is it just me or are there actual secret portals leading to you in other dimensions!!! 💞
Fondly,
Kathy
LikeLike
How can I pre-order 2nd edition?
LikeLike
Hi James! Click on this link to get to the pre-order page. =) https://benebellwen.com/spirit-keepers-tarot/pre-order-the-deck/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Turning $10,000 into $1 Million in Forex | DailyForex: https://tinyurl.com/bestforex-49788
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Benebell. For all the info you bring us and great companion, courses, guides, free things, workbooks, tarot decks and all you do! I am forever grateful! I will be ordering my deck Georgia pee order this Friday, after reading some from that last email you sent, I cannot wait! Again, thank you for all you do! I really enjoy your website since finding it and cannot wait to learn more from the information you provide.us.
LikeLike
Hello…good afternoon,l am Jharry p Kang from tawau , Sabah , Malaysia….l just newly practicing mediumship , before that l am insurance agent… long time ago from year 2002 to 2018 ,….l also possess kuan Kung spirit,tai Shang Lau Chun and Mazu…. hopefully from your program would further enchance my mediumship….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s actually very complex in this busy life to listen news
on Television, so I only use the web for that reason, and
obtain the hottest information.
LikeLike
I just wanted to say thank you Benebell so much for the work you do. I think you’re a prodigious genius! I love your Holistic Tarot and refer to it regularly and am sooo excited about the Vitruvian SKT. Sending good vibes your way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Publish your personal Grimoire please?????
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your work, and your generosity is admirable, refreshing and much appreciated. ❤️
LikeLike
Hello !
It’s a really great web site !
I like the deck you have created, but I also like the deck on the cover photo.. Under the hollistic tarot book, Do you know where I can purchase it, or just the name of the deck ? It’s not the regular Waite Tarot Deck
LikeLike
Hi Benebell,
I have written to you many times on both of your mailadresses and still havn’t got an answer… Now I’m officially worried! I preordered the premium package of the Spirit Keepers Tarot a long time ago, and I have payed for it! Can you PLEASE send me a confirmation mail back on my order? -My mail-address is: bohemianspirittarot@outlook.com
LikeLike
Hi Salima: Oh no! We’re all caught up on sending out e-mail confirmations, so you should have definitely gotten one from our e-mail account abelldelivers@gmail.com. First, check your trash or spam. Sometimes our e-mail gets stuck there. Second, did you send payment to the correct PayPal address? Best thing to do is follow up by e-mailing abelldelivers@gmail.com. Because if you’ve e-mailed us at that address already, then we should have definitely sent a response to you by now. All pre-ordered decks we have on record have received an e-mail confirmation, so if that’s not the case, something may have gone wrong. =(
LikeLike
I love this, also I’m intuitive and amature to my gifts,, would love to correspond with you about which way to go with this gift of mine
LikeLike
Thank you for the generous sharing of your time and your knowledge. I am a Unitarian Universalist Pagan who organizes free workshops, rituals, potlucks, meditations, etc. to help people become more connected to themselves and to others. Your pages are a great resource for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just got out of sleep and Im already reading your blog. It signifies something! Really useful blog. Thank you!
Marmot Footwear http://www.marmotjacketsale.com
LikeLike
Whats your thoughts on the anime Ghost Hunt? I loove Ghost Hunt and is my no1 anime 😉
LikeLike
Hi.Im a Qi gong and Tao student.I want to read and have your Tao of Craft book .but beacause of my location I cant buy it .I dont have credit card.I m living in Iran.How can you help me?
LikeLike
Look at a fine offers for you. benebellwen.com
http://bit.ly/2KzFOnF
LikeLike
How to invest in bitcoins $ 15000 – get a return of up to 2000%: http://v.ht/KdSR0c
LikeLike
Hi, Blessed be.
I have a daughter whose birthday is October 5, 2016, she will have her decisive age at age 15. Your advise for me as a parent? Thank you.
Btw she is multi talented (music and dance) and an active kid.
LikeLike
Investiere Cannabis Australien: https://hec.su/hZCQ
LikeLike
Hello,
I tried to get in touch a few weeks ago, but didn’t get any response. I wonder if you received my message?
My name is Dennis Perpetua and I’m the Blog Outreach manager at qualityguestposts.com. I saw your blog and decided to get in touch. I think that a lot of my clients will be interested in regular article placements, either paid guest posts (we provide an article) or sponsored content (you/your team write it for us).
This could potentially bring some good regular income for you or you business.
Would you be interested?
P.S.: If you don’t want me to get in touch again, please let me know.
Kind Regards,
Dennis Perpetua
Blogger Outreach Manager,
QualityGuestPosts.com
LikeLike
Any chance you might release the 2020 calendar early? I’m already planing into 2020 and would love to start preparing for next year.
LikeLike
Plonk down is a tangibles in pocket-sized carry out own someone a refund in behalf of you. benebellwen.com
http://bit.ly/2NLodfu
LikeLike
I love my SKT! Beautiful and simply brilliant. The words “thank you” pale in comparison to my gratitude.
LikeLike
Divulgar nos formulários de contato funciona?
Benebellwen conheça os melhores Bots (Robôs) para divulgar seu negócio, através dos formulários de contatos, as vantagens e desvantagens deste tipo de divulgação que cresce a cada dia.
https://www.tecnoticias.com.br?noticia=DAb0gTA9
LikeLike
Hi Benebell! I was wondering if “The Tao of Craft” is available for purchase through any other service? I’m eager to support you and even more eager to get the book, but for ethical reasons I don’t like to purchase directly from Amazon.
LikeLike
Hi Emma! Yes, you can buy directly from North Atlantic Books based out of Berkeley. I think if you research NAB a little more, you’re going to love them as much as I do! They’re an amazing press!
https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/shop/the-tao-of-craft/
LikeLike
Pingback: Episode 16: The Tarot Gateway with Benebell Wen – That Witch Life
Please , be understanding I can make a great offering if we can help one another I need to tap into my inner power yet my head trauma injury slowing me down . Will buy book Tao of Craft yet first hand will be most beneficial as I need a Spiritual guide at my age forty five . It is a need for chi force to fix what a Western doctor has done illegally from the U.S. Army(1992). Would like a witness and record. ,Please!
LikeLike
Greetings.
I have been learning much from you in all ways Tarot. Purchased The Holistic tarot last year. Your insights are amazing!
I ‘fooled’ around and missed the purchase of the SKT decks and tbh, I wasn’t that attracted to the First Edition. There was just too much there and I missed the colors. They also sold out so quickly!
I have recently been studying the deck images on your website and reading the incredible ton of information. The Second Edition is much more appealing to me as there are various shades of color, which makes the images pop.
I just wanted to thank you for your tireless service to all of us! I love your wit and your sarcasm and of course your willingness to share your boundless knowledge and insights!
Thank you!
Achello
LikeLike
Hello, my name is James in English. my original I do not use in U.S. Lee Wu Chan, also I was excited to know and find your youtube vlog thank you so much for your service to the Chinese community .
I wish we could work together first hand very important my belief in The Tao has great possibilities. Hope to hear and sometime see in Person .
LikeLike
A Buddhist tarot card reader nice
you reached the simulation hypotheses yet or you just here to laugh at noobs?
LikeLike
I’m very happy that you published the book of tao of craft….as I’m English educated that will benefit of my practice…as I’m not Chinese educated.i hope I can learn more and benefited it to help people and I hope I can personally meet you as a gratitude of thanks for your help and. Learn more from you
LikeLike
You had me at “Although some believe that the tarot can be used for fortunetelling, I don’t believe in fortunetelling.”
I don’t see how anyone thinks their future is already set in stone for them when it hasn’t happened yet. Revisiting some “now” thinking would be in order, in my opinion.
Forgive the pontificating. I haven’t had coffee yet!
Keep up the excellent work.
NAMASTE
LikeLike
Ciao, will you make the tarot again? I wish I could buy them🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
How to earn 0,819 BTC per week: http://cort.as/-SSRq?vWeymP9cU
LikeLike
Hello,
My name is Ines Knotts, I want to know if: You Need Leads, Sales, Conversions, Traffic for your site benebellwen.com ?
I will Find Leads that Buy From You !
I will Promote Your Business In Any Country To Any Niche !
SEE FOR YOURSELF==> http://bit.ly/Promote_Very_Efficiently
Do not forget to read Review to convince you, is already being tested by many people who have trusted it !!
Kind Regards,
Ines Knotts
UNSUBSCRIBE==> http://bit.ly/Unsubscribe_Sales
LikeLike
How to invest in Bitcoin $ 53833 – get a return of up to 9978%: https://earn-1-btc-per-day.blogspot.ru?t=79
LikeLike
How to invest in Cryptocurrency $ 11294 – get a return of up to 2164%: http://tweekusnipa.tk/mca5x?&ieioq=eYPvnEGT
LikeLike
What’s the most convenient means to make $69554 a month: http://freeurlredirect.com/earnonebitcoinperday422207
LikeLike
Ay how do i get a direct li e you witch??
Lmao sorry jk
… You tell me..
Ight yep..
Call me witch…
19167419007
I postulate upone you’re inqureury.. And more
LikeLike
Hey you have something i have yet to define. And somehow i already know you… Wierd hugh… Lmao
LikeLike
Ay you stupid web page got me i a messagw now witch… Sorry
LikeLike
Sorry again.. A thoudand appoligies please… I have to say you are amazing yet… There is another side to the coin girl.. Please.. Much love.. Lmfao… Jk hahaha
LikeLike
Hey i do i dont know what time zone your in but… I want to reach out to… I see youre time witch.. Please contact me 19167419007 text pleaae soon… I know you are real and not a robot.. Samuel stupid right.. You see it is real.. No jk
LikeLike
Hey i do i dont know what time zone your in but… I want to reach out to you… I see you’re time witch.. Please contact me 19167419007 text please soon… I know you are real and not a robot.. Many thanks,,,,
stupid right.. You see it is real.. No jk have questions still… Jk hahahaha
LikeLike
Honestly.. Love is what wins the battle
Dont mean anything by that tho..
LikeLike