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 
I just purchased a copy of Holistic Tarot. It’s an amazing book. However, in Appendix D information about the suit of swords is missing. Could you please email me the missing information. My email address is belindawellner@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Blessed Be
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your work and the productivity as well as generosity is so inspiring! Thank you so much and I am so grateful for your work 💗!!
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Are you familiar with the seals of Solomon? Please email me cyruskingg98@gmail.com
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Are you the whore who is fucking my husband?
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Classy lol jeeesh
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SDD
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I find you very rude, never replies to people asking questions about your decks. No way am I supporting an artist like that
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she really isn’t obligated to ㅠㅠ plus she has an email people can use 🤷🏽
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I’ve never seen so many free resources given out by an accomplished practitioner, such as herself. She is a saint for giving all of this and being so open with her information, experience and expertise. All of this while maintaining a full time job as a lawyer. She isn’t required to be at our beck and call.
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Pingback: Madhouse Tarot by Eugene Vinitski and Elsa Khapatnukovski – benebell wen
I am not able to purchase the spiritkeepers deck using the links provided, there isn’ta full email. PayPal is saying us are r not found. I am trying to buy 1 standard edition and 1 premium edition. Please help. Thanks so much.
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Hi Myrna: So very sorry about the inconvenience! Are you using the full e-mail abelldelivers at gmail dot com (using the at symbol and the period in place of the wording)? That’s both the e-mail contact for any inquiries about the order and also our PayPal e-mail. If you’re still having trouble, no worries– just shoot us at email at that address and we’ll walk you through it. ❤
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Bene, have a hundred questions for you and ever more dollar$ yet, I’m not broke but in a prison I mean literally. Edging a recovery from criminal thinking reentry program. Hacked a kiosk, drug in an tiger army, jail broke a tablet, tapped into free air from the port, I guess, no matter. Found your blog or what this is your temperance tabaaed you. With the lord of happiness turning me I wish to be freed by the summer of 24. Whatever happens, you have my word, soon as I’m free I will buy your SKT and gift it to a friend that I know will appreciate it. I promise. -Ben(same we have name)
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Yes me follow benebell. Good. Confirmative.
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Exactly the same here. I’m looking for a way to contact her too. batch389@gmail.com.
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Ok I found it. It’s. abelldelivers@gmail.com
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Ok well that doesn’t work either. Sorry. Wow. I’ve been looking forward to this for months.
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Hi Anonymous! Please try https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/benebell if the direct PayPal doesn’t work. So sorry for the inconveniences! ❤ If you have any questions, e-mail us at abelldelivers@gmail.com . The email should work– we've been receiving the orders and communications pretty steadily. ❤ Thank you!
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Hey Bell! I used Zelle. How long does that take to show up on your side? Mine shows it worked, but I haven’t received confirmation. Thank you!
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Tanzania
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Berkshire
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What an incredible body of work! Excellent research and outstanding, concise presentation of the material. Thank you so much for your hard work. I am enjoying the course so much and look forward to checking out other courses as well. Namo Jiu Tian Xuan Nu
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I sent an email two days ago inquiring about your course. Hope you were able to read it. Thank you!
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Is there a beginner’s text for Chinese magic that you have either published or recommend?
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I want to know more information anout jiaobei(筊杯), about where your know it and could you please give me the reference. Because I am writing the graduating essay and need to use it . didn’t find the refernce, but search you on the internet. I will appreciate it very much if youcan give me a replay. Lookig forward your reply and thanks.
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National
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I have learnt your blog. It is very informational. It gives brief knowledge about this topic pic.
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program
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It is a nice deck I have written scripts for languages to be used in tarot. I like the changing names of the deck as they are appropriate translations of similar meanings yet not. The feminine aspect gives light to humanities struggle with the functioning body as mammalian and the divine derived by words. Interesting concepts to decipher in tarot.
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Real interesting fact about tarot. Traditional you needed permission from the Bhudda to engage in what was either post murder of creators that gave their lives by just living in and around Thebes, an overt meaning of actors. I guess I made it illegal to sell readings because of the original meaning. I instructed some later in reading the written “spread” when I was gone. Fascinating the arrows of presentation of dignified or Ill-dignified told the story. Madam President, Elizabeth II really has a true account of the laws of engagement in Tarot.
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A while ago i stumbled on your site, and since then i am amazed by all the knowledge you share. Today again i found a oracle set which attract me instantly and information on Chinese metaphysical is amazing.
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Hi Jessica,
We are now making our way through the post Oct. 6 orders. Our ship-out date, meaning when your deck is packaged and sent out by us, is still set at late December.
You will receive a notification email once your decks are ready to ship. If you have any questions please email abelldelivers@gmail.com. Thank you!
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I cannot recommend this site enough. Thank you so much for all this Curated free content. Excited to get ur planner and for the reprinting of ur tarot deck!
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Dear Bellwen,
Its been a joy and consolation to learn from you. I am currently using your cards and Book of Maps and finding them to be a great tool for me. Additionally I appreciate the multi-lineage approach to the cards. I would like to join the blog. I am a “mixed race white girl” who had connected, through metaphysics, to my Mexican/Native American heritage, Filipino heritage, Scotts/Irish and German blood. I am a doctor of Oriental Medicine learning toward Taoism, a yogi and a recent defector from my 25 years in a Kabbalistic Group. Your work has helped with that process as you seem to embrace the traditions I hold dear. In answer to the question of preferring a solo or group path, I’d agree that it should ultimately always include a healthy portion of an alone journey. If that isn’t present, one falls prey to corruption and worse, may participate in corruptive practices. For now I believe no group is perfect or perfectly evil. Humans and Beings are mixed and the greatest angel is capable of the largest betrayal and a demon may save a person’s or group’s life. Anyway, I am open to other inquiries. I’d love to join the blog.
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Coming from a mixed Asian-American background, I find your work illuminating and personally meaningful. Thank you for making all of this valuable knowledge available. And for Free!
I do not expect a response from you and am surprised at the amount of entitlement I see here in the comments… as if putting so much on here for free isn’t enough. I understand you are beyond busy and heard in a podcast that you only manage to get about four hours of sleep at night while still managing to do and share this deep work while balancing a full time career. Again, thank you. I will try to support you in the ways I can.
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Just wondering if my money came through ok?
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What a beautiful site! Thank you for sharing your research with us. I was referred here by a friend, and am interested to find you are a lawyer. I am too. I hadn’t thought of tarot as a subject that would be fascinating to lawyers, but …Well, wow! It makes so much sense that it would be. I am deeply inspired by your work, and eager to dig into the resources you have made available.
Have you encountered Daughters of the Moon tarot? Would you share with me what you think of it?
Thank you again for you and your work. I hope you are well, and that the earth, wind, fire and water hold you gently. Blessed Be, Lila
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I am a long time supporter of your creative work. It seems I am no longer in FB with you and no emails. 🤷🏻♀️ In my FB tarot communities I see you’re working in a new deck!! Yay!! So I asked for Friending. I wish you only more success. Thank you. 🙏🏼
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Hello! I’m trying to join your waitlist for the spirit tarot deck but it is not working. Are you still looking to produce another edition? This deck is seriously calling to me. Thank you!
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Hello dear Benebell Wen⚜️💐⚜️
Thank you very much for your letter. I’m really booking forward to the second issue of the
Spirit Keeper’s Tarot. I wanted to purchase 2 decks, for me and my sister. I am ready to pay right now and be sure that my sister and I will receive your Gorgeous decks. Please don’t forget us and let me know your opinion.
With great respect, Inessa.
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Hello!
I think someone is trying to impersonate your identity on instagram, with the name of Belllwen, with 3 L.
Best regards,
Blanca
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Are you interested in comparing us to your existing office cleaning provider, I believe that we will beat your current price w/ better quality and customer service than your current cleaning provider.
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Hey there !
I don’t know if you have another accounts on Instagram or if is all fake accounts , but it seems like fake accounts living messages like “ it seems like you need a read “ and things like that
One of them is your account name plus ___
Another one is bel_lwen
And the other one blocked me , I don’t know anymore
I DM you but I don’t think you see those
I try to find a email to send you maybe but didn’t find any ( yet at least )
Anyways, sorry if is you or if isn’t even helpful
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Hello, I am delighted with your Tarot – this is a Masterpiece. Thank you for such amazing work. I really want to have the Tarot of Psyche, please let me know as soon as you have it in stock. I’m really looking forward to it. I wish you and your entire family good health. With great respect, Inessa!
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Hello. Can you advise me of how to properly dispose of my drawings and sketches of goddesses and sacred images, and my practice Lo Shu squares etc. It feels strange to trash these things.
Thank you for your time, and all that you do!
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Hello Benebell,
I would love to have a Tarot card reading by you. I live in New York. In-person or virtual is fine.
Please let me know at your convenience, I’ve submitted my email address as is required to reply to you here. Thanks very much, Carol Lowman
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I was inspired by your beautiful light.
I’m a mexican magician, mechatronics engineer, musician, mathematician & composer.
Im very honored to have read your messages and love through tarot.
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Just ordered the Key of Solomon book on lulu.com. Thank you for your help keeping the ball rolling!
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There is a wealth of study material here, much of it free. As a blogger on the subject of divination who also provides free content, I appreciate this greatly. I’ve been wanting to ramp up my I Ching work and am eagerly awaiting I Ching, The Oracle (I’ve worked with the Wilhelm translation for decades).
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On the divination mat of the I Ching, why the 36 specific hexagrams within the inner circle?? I love your work but here I’m confused.
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This is an amazing site. Thank you for giving so much of you time and effort.
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I’ve used a copy of the Wilhelm Baynes book since the mid eighties. I’m also familiar with Mr Legge’s work.
I’ve just pre-ordered your book. I look forward to another perspective.
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Dear Benebell,
We need your books in french!
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Saw the picture of your disgusting half-retarded carnist husband
He must have had a lot of SNATCH CASH
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You always understand exactly how to make me feel better. You have such a kind as well as caring nature.
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I’m on page 32 of I Ching The Oracle. Looking forward to every page. Thank you for this gift.
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Very inspiring writer. Thank you so much for your work.
Most bizarre comment section I’ve ever seen.
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hey Benebell. Just wanted to say thanks for being you. I feel blessed to be in the same time era as you. As a woman of color i appreciate the support, advice, knowledge and love you pour into everyone.
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I’m grateful to have found such a great well of information from this amazing lady, as someone who enjoys continuously learning about ancient wisdom and occult practices. I will support her channels and look forward to the content she produces. I’m in admiration that someone would find the time to explore such a wide range of topics. I hope that, as we’re all guests on someone’s webpage to benefit from the work that she has put forth, we can manage to stay respectful. The amount of dedication and labor represented here is unmatched.
-JUSTMEG
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in your video on Taoism: a decolonized Introduction, 10:06 the part of Shen /Kami that was missing an English translation should reach as “earth immortal”.
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Hi, I’m impressed by your style. You seem quite versed in ancient China. I am reading a book called the “Secret Power of Music” by David Tame. He goes into much depth of how Early Chinese dynasties revered music as the key to order in the kingdom and happy living. They tightly governed what type of music was allowed. Do you have any knowledge of this or resources I could follow up on?
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WOW , music has been festival and celebration, so drum in lion dance for instance. ☯️🦇🐉🎆🀄🎼Happy New Year.
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Dear, Ms Wen,
I have seen you using a softcover copy of I CHING THE ORACLE in several of your videos from last year, but you never cite the material. Is this the book you wrote? Is is still available in softcover. I cannot seem to find information about that edition anywhere. Thank you for your insight and feedback.
Mike
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