Huggens - Complete guide to tarot illuminati

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Complete Guide to Tarot Illuminati 2013 by Kim Huggens

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First e-book edition 2013

E-book ISBN: 978-0-7387-3885-7

Cover design by Ellen Lawson

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This book is dedicated to my parents, William and Eileen, who taught me that everything is possible if you rise to the challenge.
With thanks to Nic for his patience, Alex for his support, and Erik for choosing me to give a voice to his artwork. Its been totally awesome.

Contents

by Pamela Steele

: The Major Arcana: Emanations of the Light

: The Fool, the Infinite Possibility of Chaos

: The Alchemist, the Instigation of Transformation

: The High Priestess, Silence Gestating Mystery

: The Empress, Venus Incarnate in Sensual Earth

: The Emperor, Aries Seated in his Power

: The Hierophant, the Institution of the Sacred

: The Lovers, Yearning for ReUnion

: The Chariot, the Soul Extended in Action

: Strength, the Maiden and the Beast

: The Hermit, the Seed of Light in the Darkness

: The Wheel of Fortune, the Riddle of Constant Change

: Justice, the Scales of Cosmic Balance

: The Hanged Man, the Dark Night of the Soul

: Death, the Sunset Roads of Metamorphosis

: Temperance, the Angel on the Middle Way

: The Devil, the Chains that Bind

: The Tower, the Destruction of the Self at the Edge of the Abyss

: The Star, the Guiding Light of Renewal

: The Moon, the Silver Road of Shadow and Tides

: The Sun, the Light of Truth

: Judgement, the Call to Awakening

: The World, the Cycles of Completion and Beginning

: The Minor Arcana: Illuminating the Mundane

: The Suit of Wands

: The Suit of Swords

: The Suit of Cups

: The Suit of Pentacles

: The Court Cards: Stars on Earth

: The Princesses

: The Princes

: The Queens

: The Kings

: Using the Tarot Illuminati

: Lighting the Way From Here

Foreword

by Pamela Steele

Erik C. Dunnes Queen of Swords appeared on Facebook in late autumn 2011, courtesy of one of the tarot groups. Within minutes, the single elegant image had dozens of fans. I was beyond impressed! Then the artist in me simply had to know if this artist was really this good, and if there were more of these amazing tarot images. Following the cyber breadcrumb trail didnt take long. After viewing his online portfolio, I knew it was pure talent and mastery that had created these breathtaking images, and I was witnessing the birth of a star.

Growing up in a home where both parents were accomplished artists afforded Erik, along with his siblings, the incomparable opportunity to learn from masters. Blending dance, theatre, and travel into the mix yielded a solid appreciation for and experience of artistic creativity that allowed Erik to master several art mediums himself. He was working as a freelance illustrator and designer when, a little over three years ago, the time and opportunity presented itself and he began the series of artworks that would become the Tarot Illuminati.

Erik actually began his tarot journey more than twenty-five years ago when he wandered into a small metaphysical shopsupposedly by chance, but we know tarot doesnt work that way. The owner and Erik quickly became good friends. Soon after, Erik was introduced to the cards and encouraged to pursue a higher understanding of them by his new mentor. Studying and reading with the Rider Waite Smith Tarot, the Aquarian, and the Medieval Scapini gave Erik an introduction to the mysteries and unveiled the inner light of tarot. But as an artist, Eriks own visions of truth and illumination were soon being superimposed over the traditional images. Inevitably, his passion and his love of art and tarot merged and inspiration tackled him like a pro wrestler. He began his tarot creation with the Queen of Swords, trusting the process and allowing the queen to lead.

Creating a tarot deck is not unlike giving birth. Each image draws upon the innermost core of the artist and creator. The artist lives each picture with a totality that encompasses his or her entire being. Every hope, dream, desire, hate, love, and fear is laid bare for all the world to see. And although at times part of your psyche would love to run away screaming and hide in a dark secret place, the need to bring the vision into reality is comparable with the need to breathe. You face your fears. You conquer your demons. You pour your very soul into each and every image. When the deck is complete, it takes its first breath and you realize what you have created is now a living entity. From here on, you can nurture, guide, and protect what youve created, but you cannot control it. The spirit of your creation will choose its own destiny. Its purpose is to bring salvation to the damned, light to the darkness, and beauty to the unspeakable. As the artist, you can finally sit back, take a deep breath, and watch that destiny unfold.

Blending cultures, eras, fantasies, and truths, the seventy-eight-card Tarot Illuminati represents the infinite diversity of human and spiritual experience. Those familiar with tarot will see a Rider-Waite-Smith influence, but it would be inaccurate to refer to this deck as merely a clone. As I wrote this preface, I consulted my eighty-eight-card Steele Wizard Tarot for insights. Ironically, the cards that came up were all additions to the traditional seventy-eight-card decks, which tells me this tarot can and will help you access your inner divinity, going beyond the boundaries of duality. Heres what the cards told me:

• The first card is Soul Twins. It speaks of embracing the shadows and denying yourself nothing. Here is where we accept everything about ourselves, leaving no part hidden. We suspend ego and judgment to allow Spirit full partnership in our lives. The Tarot Illuminati is designed to speak to the shadows as well as the light and accepts all parts of self as valid. The road to wholeness includes all. Sometimes its necessary for our Inner Warrior to protect and defend. Life is not all sweetness and light, so acceptance of our dark side is imperative. How we express ourselves, what actions we choose to takethat is how we define ourselves.
• Next is the Maiden of Wands, who shows the as-yet-unrealized potential. Within and without, the potential for growth and energy is boundless. She shows untried methods and the potential to endow yourself with the true power of attraction. She is telling us this new tarot has untapped resources that are ours for the takingif we are willing.