Benebell Wen
Benebell Wen is the author of Holistic Tarot, creator of the Spirit Keeper’s Tarot, and is currently at work on a reconstruction of the Grand Etteilla. She is also the author of The Tao of Craft and her latest publication is I Ching, The Oracle: A Practical Guide to the Book of Changes.
Being Keepers Of Spirit With Benebell Wen
We are thrilled that Benebell Wen is one of our headliners for StaarCon 2021. In our conversation for this StaarCast episode, we discuss her books, her art, and her passion for all things mystical.
An Overview of Occult Influences in the Tarot
This is a nuts and bolts foundational primer on the advent of occult tarot, who the key players were, and how esotericism popularized during 18th century France continues to influence occultism in tarot today. We’ll be covering the implications of esoteric teachings hidden in plain sight and the five key influences in occult tarot architecture: Hermeticism, Pythagorean mysticism, Hellenistic Astrology, Renaissance Alchemy, and the Kabbalah. We’ll then explore how these five influences converge through the lenses of Gnosticism, Rosicrucianism, and Freemasonry, lending themselves to the esoteric tarot designs of modern history.
Shamanism and the Tarot
This will start as a study of how shamanism has been practiced throughout history and by various world cultures, though first, we’ll draw the distinction between a shaman and having a shamanistic experience. We’ll then discuss application of core concepts by the modern-day tarot reader. I’ll share my perspective on using a tarot deck to detect spirit presence in a room and what that means in more rationalist, psychology-based terms. We’ll also explore methods for channeling a spirit with the tarot as our tool. This session is moderated by Amie Mouser.
Tarot Art and Artists Breakfast and Discussion
Why did our artists create the cards the way they did? What are our favorite card depictions, and why? How do different types of art stimulate our physic senses differently? How would you like to depict the cards? What sort of deck would you design if you could? Be part of a conversation about our art and with our artists.
Exorcisms, Demonology, and Their Relevance in Contemporary Times
I’ll be sharing my personal life story and why I’m deeply invested in these topics.
We’ll explore the theoretics of exorcisms and find the universal common denominator of exorcism rituals by examining practices from different cultures and religions around the world. We’ll talk about pre-Christian concepts of daimons and demonology from Egyptian mythos, Taoist mysticism, and where these seemingly disparate Mysteries intersect.
Most importantly, we’ll consider the peculiar relevance of understanding demonology in today’s world and why more than ever, spiritualists of the 21st century can better serve their world through deepened knowledge of exorcistic practices and demonology.
(This is not a tarot-related presentation.)