Cosmic Deck of Initiation
In the early 90’s I created a deck of round, hand-painted Mandala cards called
The Cosmic Deck of Initiation. After giving readings for several decades using a
variety of different methods, I felt that none of them really resonated to me. I
had been painting personal Mandala’s for over ten years and found that they were
profoundly and spiritually touching, as well as inspirational. It occurred to me
that the same energy used in those paintings could be represented in a deck of
cards. This would give the general public a different way to get positive
spiritual information and wisdom, without being "put off” with depictions of
flaming towers, or a death card. Standard Tarot, to me, seemed archaic,
depressing and limited, so I set about to create a deck of cards that would
serve the novice and the spiritually advanced, as well as the child and the
master. A Light Energy deck that would address the times and transitions that
all of humanity was going through. It would also bring a greater level of
spiritual insight, wisdom, and understanding to a population whose level of
consciousness had expanded beyond the liner into the multi dimensional levels
now available to us. To put it very simply, to shift the focus of humanity
beyond the physical to encompass the spiritual as well.
The personal
Mandala’s that I created were inspired by and came directly from the soul energy
of the individuals I painted them for. They were channeled works that flowed
from the soul and were what I called “Light energy”. They were perfect and whole
and beautiful, because we are perfect and whole and beautiful at our very core
as well.
To create a
“Light energy” deck was an inspiring project. There had never been one before so
there was no pattern or form to replicate; I had no structure to be confined by.
Thinking them into existence was out of the question, so I allowed them to flow
through me and in doing so awakened parts of myself that I didn’t even know were
asleep, or even there for that matter. To say I was inspired doesn’t even come
close to what I experienced. I was driven and enjoyed every minute of it.
I painted for
12 or more hours a day for 9 months while teaching full time, being a single
parent and never missing one little league game. It was a process I’ll never
forget. It filled me with joy and even bliss and I was never tired. I was
invigorated and couldn’t wait to get back to the painting.
The Mandala’s
took on energy and lives of their own and to this day they dance and sing for me
like nothing else I have ever experienced. I have often said they have taken me
on a roller coaster ride that goes on still after many decades. They still amaze
me and draw exciting and unusual people and events into my reality that would
never have happened if it had not been for the deck.
I knew that I
could not use any of the traditional forms for this deck if it was indeed going
to be a “Light Energy “deck so I sat and waited until the form started to
emerge. The number eleven came up over and over again as the names of the cards
and how they were to be arranged in order just flowed from me. All I needed to
do was to write them down and then start drawing.
Once I had the names of the cards I could then channel the patterns that flowed
from their names. The first eleven represent the physical bodies within us. The
first seven, the seven chakras followed by evolution, commitment, laughter and
initiation. I took the liberty of renaming the seven chakras because this was a
different way of dealing with their energy and so renaming them seemed very
appropriate.
This first
group of eleven represents revelation and illumination of the spirit within.
They bring to our physical reality and consciousness the potential and
possibilities the spirit realms offer to us. These eleven cards represent the
aspects of the channels through which spirit can and will flow to bring
enlightenment to our consciousness, and open us to the light that is within as
it awakens memories of the past, realizations of the present and the promises of
the future.
The second
group of eleven represents the major cosmic laws that are ever applied to our
evolution each time we reincarnate upon the earth plane. Starting with the Law
of Life and ending with the Golden Rule, these eleven cards depict those laws
that most frequently come into play within our physical reality. They are those
concepts that we need to incorporate into our lives in order to bring the
spiritual more directly into play within everyday life. This group of laws is
what helps to provide a balance within our reality. These are the spiritual laws
that guide us throughout all of creation and evolution. With these laws in play
within our lives we are better able to build a greater understanding of the
pathways we are following towards our soul’s goal. With this grouping of eleven
cards the total number of cards becomes 22, the number of the master builder.
With these laws to guide us we are able to erect those sacred structures within
to help to gain enlightenment and greater spiritual understanding of the
journey’s we are undertaking.
The final
group of eleven is comprised of the Universal energies that ever flow around us
and are available to us if we but open to them and allow them to weave into the
fabric of our reality and enhance the vibrancy of our lives. Beginning with
Universal Love and ending with Universal Spirituality these eleven cards focus
up on the energies that we can choose to blend with to further enhance our
spiritual understanding of life and the lessons that we have drawn to ourselves.
They bring understanding and compassion into our lives and if we choose to blend
with them and apply them to or realities then light, love and laughter will fill
our spirits and the wisdom of the ancients will emerge and be incorporated into
our own philosophies to expand awareness and enlighten our spirits. This brings
the total of the cards to 33, the number of the master teacher. This last group
of eleven brings to the consciousness the awareness of universal service. This
is the number of service to all of humanity and the cosmos, the aspect of
unconditional love for all aspects of creation.
The three
groups of eleven cards each form the three sides of a triangle, creating the
light triangle of enlightenment. There is much symbolism here both with
numerology and the symbol of the triangle. The deck begins to take on even
greater meaning when these concepts are included into the understanding of the
cards.
The
astrological signs were the next group that was included into the deck. I have
to admit that I did think some about doing away with one of the signs to keep
the number eleven even more present but was convinced by several professional
astrologists that all of them were really needed. These cards do not refer to
individuals but rather the characteristics and the energy of the sign itself. As
they appear in the different spreads they speak to the qualities of the sign and
what they bring into the life of the one being read. There is special wisdom
within all of them and they enhance the understanding of the energies that are
at work within each aspect of the individual. The astrological signs help to
expand a person’s understanding of the lessons that are being presented and give
some direction as to how they can best be dealt with. They also bring greater
wisdom and understanding to the spiritual aspects as well.
Adding the
astrological cards to the deck brought the total number of cards to 45 but it
felt that there were still some aspects needed in the deck. Unity, duality and
trinity were next added to focus in those aspects that blend the others into a
greater cohesiveness. Unity, to focus on the uniting of all aspects for a
singular focus; bringing all the pieces of wisdom gathered together and weaving
them into a common goal. Duality, to honor the different aspects that are always
present and acknowledging them even though at times they represent polar
differences. Finally trinity was added to represent the body, mind and spirit
that are always needed for us to act in unison in order for us to manifest
within our lives. These three qualities, or aspects of our realities brings the
total of cards to 48, but the deck was still not complete.
The next
three cards were almost a given. Two guardian angel cards were called for. They
represent not only spiritual guidance from the other side but Angelic guidance
as well. These cards indicate that the person has reached a point in their
evolution where they are able to reach, at times, into those aspects of their
own angelic soul energies; that part of their soul energy that is connected to
the infinite, and draw the answers they seek from that inner quality that we all
possess and struggle to touch. Often when this aspect comes into play in an
individual’s life it is easier to rename the magic and claim it comes from
another source. The reality is we are our own guides through time, always linked
to the infinite. Whatever name you care to put upon it.
The miracle
card was the last card to be added, I thought. We all have experienced miracles’
in our lives, be they small or large. This one was the easiest to paint, for no
one can really picture a miracle, they are cosmic and pure and reflect back to
us that we have really achieved something special and it has become manifest
within our reality. Miracles’ come in all shapes and sizes and have no form.
They are drawn to us as we reach turning points in our lives and they are indeed
gifts from spirit that signal we have achieved another turning point. Miracles’
are divine magic that remind us that we are not alone.
I thought the
deck was complete, a total of 51 cards, but I was wrong. There was one more to
come and it was the threshold card. This card represented a new beginning,
crossing a threshold into new dimensions of self. New realizations of the
potential that is carried within and a greater understanding of the spiritual
realms that we have access to if we reach for them with unconditional love and
pure intent. This card brought the deck to a total of 52 cards, interestingly
the number of weeks in the year. There was a time in my life I would have called
it a coincidence, but we all know there are no such things.
At the time I
completed the deck I knew I had created something new and deferent and special.
I had no idea at the time just how special it actually was. That was over two
decades ago and my understanding of just how unique this deck was had only just
begun. I knew that it was a new way of looking at someone’s life, a different
perspective. The deck can and will give the mundane sort of predictions about
our everyday life, but in addition it takes you into the spiritual realms and
the journey that our souls are on lifetime to lifetime and the lessons we are
gathering and often the reasons for those lessons and how to better absorb the
wisdom that is there for us. I have discovered that similar patterns were
channeled in the Pacific Northwest at a spiritual center there at the same time
I painted my deck. They are used at the center as portals for spiritual
journeying and considered sacred. In addition they hold a very close resemblance
to the power shields of several Native American tribes. My favorite
“coincidence” occurred just recently, several of my patterns are very much a
part of some of the elaborate crop circles that have been appearing all over the
globe for the past decades. All of this, I have no absolute explanation for but
I do have a theory. At this point in time I know that the designs are more than
simple designs. They are portals for spiritual information, if you work on using
them. Beyond the spiritual implications, I believe that the designs were seeded
in the consciousness of humanity to be remembered and resonated to. Some of us
put them out there for everyone to see and remember, everyone using a different
modality to present them to the masses. Are they symbols from out of time, a new
cosmic language yet to be interpreted, or an awakening of communication with
other species yet to contact us? I simply don’t know, but at this point nothing
would surprise me, I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Below you
will find more spiritual information for the interpretation of the
cards/patterns. I am currently (2010) working on a book that will explain the
deck in greater detail. I have found that it represents the journey of the soul
from entrance into the earth plane to the threshold to the next dimension. The
book will go into greater detail into each step or design and will give the
quitrent a better understanding of the process of evolution. For now these
expanded explanations should supply those of you who are reaching for greater
explanations some insight into the aspects that the deck provides. As I said in
the very beginning when the deck was published … It’s a sleeper, watch out when
it wakes up!
This Deck is a tool for
All who would seek
To expand their awareness
And become more complete
To cross the threshold and
To challenge the mind
Use it with love, it will
Serve you in kind.
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Cosmic Deck of Initiation
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