Benebell Wen
Invocation of the Queen of Pentacles to Facilitate Physical Healing
updated
The version I’ve been working from is the Wang Ming 王明 “Baopuzi Neipian Jiaoshi 抱樸子內篇校釋,” which is the version canonized in the Taoist Canons.
Scans of Baopuzi shown in this video are from this archived copy: benebellwen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/e59b9be983a8e58299e8a681_e68ab1e6a8b8e5ad90.pdf
A digitized full-text version of Baopuzi (300 – 343 AD) can be found at: ctext.org/baopuzi/zh
TIMESTAMPS:
00:12 What is the Baopuzi 抱樸子? (and its Meaning)
02:25 Two Books: Inner Chapters 內篇 & Outer Chapters 外篇
06:22 Nine-Character Secret Mantra 九字真言
--- 06:36 Mudras with the Mantra Recitation (Taiwanese-Mandarin)
--- 07:40 Mantra Recitation with Pin Yin (Chinese, Beijing Proper)
--- 07:48 English Translation of Mantra
--- 07:58 Mantra Recitation with Mudra Illustrations (Hokkien, Minnan)
--- 08:39 Word for Word Study and Meaning of Mantra
--- 10:31 Passage in Baopuzi that the Mantra is Found In
--- 12:08 Meaning of “Liu Jia 六甲,” the Mantra’s Namesake [六甲秘祝]
13:21 Sampling a Few I Ching References in Baopuzi
14:49 Significance of the Liu Jia Secret Mantra; Uses
16:19 Can you separate a book/idea from its author?
17:06 Who was Ge Hong 葛洪?
18:46 Ge Hong’s wife, Bao Gu
20:25 Bridging Folk Taoism and Aristocratic Taoism
21:34 Xuan 玄: Unbridled Mystery (and the Mystery Maiden, Xuan Nu)
--- 22:39 To Know the Way of the Mysteries (Xuan Dao 玄道)
--- 23:30 Guang (Astral Light) & Xun (Thunderous Force; Vajra)
24:54 The Golden Elixir 金丹 [Formula(s) for Immortality]
--- 26:07 Secret Text, Dao Ji Jing 道機經 (Compare: Dao De Jing 道德經); continued: 27:02
--- 26:30 Archetype of The Weaver
--- 27:56 Formulating the Elixir; Cultivating the Person
28:50 Taoist Morality
30:44 Good Samaritan Jurisprudence (according to Ge Hong)
31:18 Are you born with it? Is Craft inherited or learned?
32:44 Hanging Talismans
34:33 Closing Remarks
35:55 Blooper Outro
36:08 Secret Mantra Grid Demo (Taiwanese)
Past Videos Referenced:
Secret Book of the Three Sovereigns (referencing Ge Hong and Bao Gu in connection with another Taoist grimoire), benebellwen.com/2024/03/20/secret-book-of-the-three-sovereigns
On the Lady of the Nine Heavens (Jiu Tian Xuan Nu), youtu.be/uIUcZD3hAr0
Wu Shamanism (referencing xian gu 仙姑), youtu.be/CECViRZ8xqE
Ritual Magic & Shamanism in Pre-Qin China, youtu.be/--DceQ1735Y
"In the beginning," notes Zhuangzi, "yin and yang were in balanced harmony, and because of this balanced harmony of natural forces, there were no cataclysms and no corruption, and no need for knowledge, though the ancient ones possessed great, profound knowledge. This is what we call the state of perfected unity -- ziran." [Outer Chapters]
Let's explore the many facets of what ziran means. Within Taoism as a school of thought, the meaning and the way we interpret ziran is not static, and in fact has been quite dynamic throughout the dynasties.
Timestamps:
00:00 One of the most significant line statements on ziran (TTC, Verse 25)
00:56 An essential esoteric Taoist axiom
01:32 Ziran as the path of least resistance
01:51 Ziran (path of least resistance) is in alignment with scientific principles; ziran as naturalist philosophy
03:02 Zhuangzi on the “ancient ones” and ziran (Zhuangzi, Outer Chapters 16)
04:27 What we mean when we say “good” vs. “evil”
05:35 Ziran wu wei: relation between ziran and wu wei
07:10 First reference to ziran in the Tao Te Ching (TTC, Verse 17)
07:52 Ziran as political philosophy, per the Tao Te Ching
09:08 Ziran is practicing faith (“without faith, there is nothing to have faith in” defining ziran doctrine)
10:58 Laozi and Zhuangzi laying the foundation for ziran discourse
11:15 Ziran defined as “the nature of things” and “it is what it is”
11:23 The five key verses in the TTC (Laozi) on ziran
13:15 A few of the key passages in the Zhuangzi on ziran
13:59 Zhuangzi on ziran as being indifferent, unsentimental; Huizi’s interrogation
15:16 “The Tao gives the Countenance; Heaven gives the Form” - Zhuangzi
17:11 Ziran as the spontaneous nature before interferences, which is innate goodness; interference with the path of that spontaneous nature is what begets “evil”
17:43 Etymology of the ideograms for ziran
18:31 Selfhood and innate identity as key themes in ziran discourse
20:20 Ziran in Taoist mysticism and occult philosophy; ziran and transcendence
22:44 Question to you for discussion in the comments
See also the companion video lecture on wu wei 無為, the principle of non-action: youtu.be/TzAFobogs3Q?si=Cdg8tW8bSshQ7I-S
Companion blog post for the content I cut out of the video: benebellwen.com/2024/05/31/taoist-mysteries-of-the-six-holy-kings
As Mysteries, there is an esoteric facet to the Six Holy Kings. They personify the six powers, which are accumulated through the progression of six hexagram lines in the I Ching. Embedded in the mythology is the arcane knowledge that reveals the Way, or Tao, of Heaven, which is the path of the holy ones.
The transmission of wisdom from one king to the next is symbolic of orthodox Taoist lineaged tradition and Dào tǒng 道統, meaning the Tao is passed on from one generation to the next, the way the wisdom of the Holy Kings was passed from King Yao 堯 to Shun 舜 to Yu the Great 禹, then Tang 湯, to King Wen 文 and his son King Wu 武.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Meaning of “Mysteries”
01:09 Six Powers per the Book of Three Sovereigns
01:36 The Six-Line I Ching Hexagram
01:59 The Six Jade Maidens; symbolism of Six Black (Mystery 玄) Stones
02:33 Six-Line I Ching Hexagram, continued
03:32 Structural Value of Six in Nature
04:24 Six Akasha, Six Powers and the One Tao
05:37 Use of the term “Holy Kings,” Sheng Wang 聖王
06:07 Xia Dynasty
06:30 Shang Dynasty
06:42 Zhou Dynasty
07:03 堯 King Yao
08:55 舜 King Shun
10:29 禹 King Yu
12:34 湯 King Tang
14:14 文 King Wen
16:17 武 King Wu
18:12 King Wen, King Wu, Duke of Zhou
18:42 Other references to the Six Holy Kings
19:13 Mòzi 墨子 on the Six Holy Kings
21:29 Legalist and Zajia References to the Six Kings
22:16 Sima Qian 司馬遷 and Records of the Grand Historian
22:50 I Ching Hexagram 1 and the Six Holy Kings
23:35 Why Learn About the Six Holy Kings
24:23 Assembling and Synthesizing the Puzzle Pieces of this Mystery…
26:48 Mythology is…
27:10 Thank You!
VIDEOS REFERENCED
What is the I Ching? youtu.be/t4aD2yHK7bE
The Lo Shu Magic Square youtu.be/zAME24d0rGw
What is the Way of Heaven? youtu.be/GKu-rgZi3ic
Secret Book of Three Sovereigns youtu.be/khsHNK4FOPE
Lady of the Nine Heavens youtu.be/uIUcZD3hAr0
Your Inner Palace and the Akashic Records youtu.be/iGJdxTTywHc
About the Guan Yinzi: Magical Spells and Aphorisms for Attaining Primordial Truth youtu.be/0UUbnAVY4zw?si=faY1i3C986g2EV_J
Wu Wei youtu.be/TzAFobogs3Q
WORKS CITED
------- Introduction to Taoism 道教概說 by Lǐ Yǎng Zhèng 李養正 (The first to coin the term “Taoism” were the Ru Confucian philosophers, which they used to define the Tao of the six ancestral sage kings and the Five Classics, 使用道教一詞最早的是儒家,把堯舜禹湯文武的先王之道和孔子的五經之道謂之道教), noting that among the Five Classics is the I Ching
------- Mozi 墨子 (490 – 221 BC, Spring and Autumn Period), key references to the Six Holy Kings found in Scrolls 2 卷二, 6 卷六, 7 卷七, 8 卷八, and 12 卷十二
------- Guanzi 管子 (475 – 220 BC, Warring States Period), Legalist text, references to the Six Holy Kings found in Chapter 12, Shu Yan 樞言
------- Hainanzi 淮南子 (139 BC, Western Han), or the Writings of the Huainan Masters, Scroll 9, Craft of the Ruler 主術訓
------- Da Dai Liji 大戴禮記 (206 BC – 8 AD, Former Han), or the Records of Ritual Matters by Dai the Elder, Scroll 6, Yongbing 用兵
------- Shiji 史記 (91 BC, Han dynasty), or Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian (and his father Sima Tian), in Biographies of the Soothsayers and House of King Goujian of Yue
------- Fayan 揚子法言 (9 AD, Han dynasty), also known as the Model Sayings or Exemplary Figures, by Yang Xiong 揚雄, Chapter 1 學行卷第一
------- Book of Later Han 後漢書 (398 – 445 AD) by Fan Ye 范曄 in Biographies of Du, Luan, Liu, Li, Liu, Xie 杜欒劉李劉謝列傳, Vol. 57; see also Biographies of the Diviners, Immortals, and Magicians 方術列傳
------- Li Zehou 李泽厚, The Origins of Chinese Thought: From Shamanism to Ritual Regulations and Humaneness. Robert A. Carleo III, trans. (Leiden: Brill, 2018)
The doctrine is considered common core in many Taoist lineages and traditions. Consider what principles from this philosophy you might be able to build your spiritual foundation with.
***
TIMESTAMPS:
References to the Way of Heaven (Tiān zhī Dào, 天之道) in the Tao Te Ching:
00:30 Verse 9
01:28 Verse 9 continued
02:09 Verse 73 – the archery metaphor
04:10 Verse 77 – cut where there is excess, fill where there is loss
10:18 Verse 81 – final instructive reference to the Way of Heaven
Classical Textual References to the Way of Heaven
15:04 Mencius 孟子 on Sincerity 誠
15:25 The Way of Heaven: Sincerity (& Authenticity) in Verse 22, Hexagram 54 (Gui Mei, Marrying Maiden), and the alchemical wedding
15:48 Doctrine of the Mean on Sincerity and the Way of Heaven
16:07 The Book of Rites on the sun, moon, and divination in the Way of Heaven
16:28 Commentaries of Zuo (Zuo Chuan, 左傳) on divination, the Way of Heaven, and how to interpret prophecy
17:17 Xunzi 荀子 and Confucianist discourse; the Way of the Junzi 君子
19:23 Wenzi 文子 (Book of Master Wen) on the Nine Shields
20:29 Way of Heaven discourse found in the Ten Wings of the I Ching Book of Changes
23:24 Jing Fang 京房’s Commentaries on the I Ching – the Way of Heaven and the 64 Hexagrams; Jing Fang’s discourse from Hexagram 54 (Gui Mei, Marrying Maiden)
24:06 Huangdi Neijing on the Way of Heaven – it is like gazing at the clouds; God
25:32 Huangdi Neijing; the Way of Heaven and Hexagram 1
Supplemental Discussions
00:59 Reviewing a definition for the Tao
02:32 ziran 自然
03:11 the atheistic and naturalist doctrine of Tiān Dào zìrán 天道自然
07:17 Way of Heaven and I Ching Hexagrams 41 (Sun, Debilitating) and 42 (Yi, Burgeoning) embedded in the Tao Te Ching, Verse 77
08:57 Way of Heaven (Huang-Lao) vs. Way of Humanity 人之道 (divide where there is no division)
17:57 distinction between Confucianist (Ru) interpretations of the Tao vs. Taoist interpretations of the Tao, Way of Heaven, and Junzi
20:13 Why study the Tao Te Ching passages on the Way of Heaven
22:30 Revisiting “the exchange of yin and yang is the Tao” and comparing it to the Tao (Way) of Heaven
25:53 The Numinous and the Middle Pillar (Note: I misspoke here. Ji is the Numinous; not the Numinous Void, which is Wuji)
26:12 Closing Remarks
... If a techie witnessed the wholly inefficient Luddite way I cobbled this video production together, they would probably die of a brain aneurysm …
Timestamps:
00:00 Why another “Introduction to Taoism” video
00:19 Historical textual definition of and references to the Tao 道
01:29 Canonical statement defining the Tao “一陰一陽之謂道”
02:39 Cultural understanding and usage of the term 道 [Syncretic Taoism]
03:40 Formalizing Taoism 道教 during the Eastern Han
03:50 Scope of Taoism “道教” prior to the Eastern Han
04:42 Conflating Buddhist doctrine with the Tao 道
05:33 Institutionalizing Taoism in the Common Era
05:50 Taoist Beliefs – Four Cornerstones
---- Wu Wei 無為 and Zi Ran 自然
---- True Name 真名 and True Form 真形
---- Taoist Cosmology
---- Xuan De 玄德 (The Mysteries)
06:53 The Dàoshì 道士
07:15 Taoist Practice – Four Cornerstones
---- Invoking Spirits 崇拜鬼神
---- Divination 占卜
---- Ceremonial Rites 祭祀
---- Shamanic Witchcraft 巫祝
07:59 The Fāngshì 方士 (Methods Master)
08:14 Taoism is the indigenous Chinese tradition premised on three fundamental assumptions
08:24 [1st] Working with spirit entities (and what that means) [鬼神崇拜]
09:39 Classifications of spirit entities in Taoism (and Chinese folk beliefs)
10:23 [2nd] Studying cultivation methods for transcendence [神仙信仰與方術]
10:32 Inner alchemy 內丹術 and outer alchemy 外丹術
11:43 Taoist occultism during the Warring States period (472 – 221 BC)
11:55 The five mystical arts 五術
13:02 [3rd] The Huang Lao 黃老道 doctrine [黃老學說中的神秘主義成份]
14:53 Two Key Concepts to Huang Lao Taoism (the highest priorities of the Taoist)
--- Political doctrine of Lì Mín 利民
--- Philosophical doctrine of Wu Wei 無為
16:38 Historical uses of the term Huang Lao Tao
18:16 Mathematical Structure of the Tao 道 (mirroring the Yi 易, in I Ching 易經)
19:29 Taoism and the I Ching: the Tao referenced in the I Ching
20:23 Taoism from the Hundred Schools of Thought
20:48 Taoism as a school of philosophy
22:18 Western Thought: Taoist Philosophy vs. Taoist Religion
22:37 Eastern Thought: Taoist Beliefs & Taoist Practice
23:10 Evolving understanding of the Tao in Imperial China
23:58 First use of the term Taoism 道教 (Confucius)
24:14 Taoism is exemplified by the Six Ancestral Sage Kings [堯舜禹湯文武]
24:53 Dào Dé Jing 道德經 and Dào Dé Tiān Zūn 道德天尊
25:25 Religious personifications of the Tao Te Ching
26:08 Summary and closing remarks
***
Related Past Videos:
Wu Wei 無為 (Taoist Non-Action), youtu.be/TzAFobogs3Q?si=_BNWxmGDIXqw8jn6
Your Inner Palace and the Akashic Records, youtu.be/iGJdxTTywHc?si=r5bY9muFzSrhdYd1
Three Mysteries of Taoist Scriptural Tradition, youtu.be/gJcit-CTXnc?si=EJH3n3z3Pgd50e4u
Tao Te Ching and Feminist Metaphysics, youtu.be/IqUlYQDtPrY?si=5w1Npbu-0QA6qxHf
What Does It Mean To Be Taoist, youtu.be/FbpUm82U4dg?si=-Ctl9NNlDNwF6rlp
The Lo Shu Magic Square (雒書, Luò Shū), youtu.be/zAME24d0rGw?si=h1ER0OrreB3V6gst
***
Playlist: Introduction to Taoist & Buddhist Mysticism, youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE
Learn more about I Ching, The Oracle: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
:: cringe :: Drinking game -- Every time I say "lineage," take a shot. Drunken good times guaranteed. 😞
TECH EQUIPMENT NOTE: The audio recording and the video footage recording are two separate channels/devices (I don’t know if that’s the right techie lingo…) and for some reason that’s causing hiccups with the syncing.
The Sān Huáng Wén 三皇文 (Book of the Three Sovereigns) refers to a collection of texts currently in the Taoist Canons. Whether they are fragments of the legendary grimoire by that same name, we can’t be sure.
The version of the texts in the canonized Book of the Three Sovereigns date back to the Tang (618 – 907 AD) and Song (960 – 1279 AD) dynasties, with passages integrated from Three Sovereigns texts dating to the Three Kingdoms Era (220 – 280 AD), Jin (266 – 420 AD), and Wei (386 – 534 AD).
The latter half of this video will be a walk-through of the Secret Book’s tutorial on the Seal of the Nine Immortal Realms 九老仙部印圖, a Fu talisman and spirit map for channeling Taiyi 太一, the Supreme Primordial God of Heaven, and unlocking untold powers from within.
Detailed written instructions, downloads, and reference links: wp.me/p32or0-aDa
Timestamps:
00:10 About the Book of the Three Sovereigns and Its History of Transmissions; Video Lecture Objectives
05:58 The Inner Classics of the Secrets of the Three Emperors (“Secret Book of the Three Sovereigns”) and 07:27 the Golden Elixir Tradition (金丹派, Jīn Dān Pài)
07:45 Three Talismanic Seals from the Secret Book of the Three Sovereigns
08:02 Greater Seal invoking the Yellow Emperor
08:14 Lesser Seal invoking the God of the Underworld
08:42 About the Seal of the Nine Immortal Realms and its Powers
09:49 Breaking Curses with this Seal; I Ching Hexagram 40: Jie, Thunder over Water and its relevance in Taoist witchcraft methods for breaking curses
10:27 Start of Instructions for the Seal of the Nine Immortal Realms
12:38 Ten Days (One Week) of Preparatory Spiritual Cultivation
14:02 Design of the Seal of the Nine Immortal Realms
15:13 Wood from a Lightning-Struck Jujube Tree
18:20 Fifth (Solar) Day of the Fifth Lunar Month
20:09 Alternative Option for Timing of the Ritual; Chinese Astrology (Ba Zi)
24:14 Preparing Food Offerings to the God
26:06 Incense Offerings to the God; Consecration
27:06 Preliminary Divination to Confirm Taiyi’s Acceptance & Presence
27:53 Attunement of the Three: Taiyi, Huang Tian (the Nine Primordial Immortals), Dao Jun (you)
28:49 Review of the Taoist Creation Myth: The Tao, Taiyi & the Big Dipper
29:19 The Invocation to Charge and Empower the Seal
30:12 Hear the Incantation Spoken in Mandarin
30:33 Translating the Meaning of the Incantation
32:28 Closing Incense Offerings; Ritual Clapping and Bowing
32:53 Eating the Food Offerings After the Ritual
33:14 Closing Remarks
Timestamps:
00:00 Review of what I said on wu wei in a previous video
00:24 Wu wei in a nutshell
00:59 What the Tao Te Ching (6th century BC) says about wu wei
01:33 Tao Te Ching Verse 2
02:19 The Tao as a divine monad vs. polytheistic view of the many gods, spirits, and demons that are the fragmented parts of the Tao
03:49 Tao Te Ching Verse 38 [Note: There is a typo in the top right corner. It should cite the book "德經" of the TTC]
04:17 Tao Te Ching Verse 37 [Note: Same typo as previous]
05:42 Reflection: Synthesize the word for word translations and interpret Verse 37 for yourself
07:51 Wu wei as political philosophy and military strategy
08:36 What the Xunzi 荀子 (4th century BC) says about wu wei [Text that should have appeared on screen here: 譬之是猶以盲辨色,以聾辨聲也,舍亂妄無為也]
08:56 What the Zhuangzi 莊子 (5th - 3rd century BC) says about wu wei
10:01 What the Xinyu 新語 by Lu Jia 陸賈 (240 BC – 170 BC) says about wu wei
10:37 Xinyu, Article 4 on Wu Wei, Verse 1
11:45 Xinyu, Article 4 on Wu Wei, Verse 2
12:36 Xinyu, Article 4 on Wu Wei, Verse 3
13:40 Comparing Lu Jia’s philosophy of wu wei to the Tao Te Ching Verse 63 | Error in Script: This should be Verse 57: "我無為,而民自化 (Wǒ wú wéi, ér mín zì huà)"
14:08 Tao Te Ching Verse 43; I Ching hexagram 42 (Yi: Burgeoning)
15:03 Comparing Lu Jia’s philosophy with Stoicism and Diogenes of Babylon (200 – 100 BC)
15:57 Key distinctions between Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist interpretations of wu wei
17:03 Reflection: Per your interpretation of these texts articulating wu wei, what does the concept mean to you?
ADDENDUM: How might everyday people like us apply this philosophical principle? Here are my personal thoughts.
- At the government level, it means prioritizing individual liberty when it comes to law and public policy. It means giving people the freedom to be who they want to be, but also investing a great deal in education and inspiring the people toward modeling virtue. A truly just, peaceful, and good society begins at the top. Your leaders must first model virtue before you expect that of the people.
- In terms of our relationship with nature and the environment, it means construction that is in harmony with the natural topography, rather than trying to defeat the natural topography. Basically, feng shui principles.
- And at the family level, it means intuitive parenting. It’s letting the interests, innate disposition, strengths and weaknesses of your child guide how you parent. It does not mean hands-off parenting. It means not trying to change the nature and innate disposition of your child. In fact, it means as a parent, you want to do everything you can to nurture the best out of the nature of your child. Wu wei parenting means modeling virtuous behavior to inspire your child to be virtuous.
- In education, wu wei means teachers don’t force or compel students to learn at the teacher’s expected pace of progress. It’s letting students learn at their own natural pace.
- At the individual level, wu wei doesn’t mean don’t be ambitious. It means doing The Work out of a natural, unforced passion for The Work, and then not desiring credit or glory for achieving The Work.
See also the companion video lecture on ziran 自然:
youtu.be/EvXSuKYA_Gg
How did the role of the wu (巫) then change when we enter Imperial China? What became of Chinese shamanism and Taoist ritual magic once we enter the Post-War Era?
As part of a video series to promote my most recent book, I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), we’ll also touch on the shamanistic-historical origins of the Book of Change and the important link between the wu (巫) and the Yi (易) in the context of the I Ching (易經).
Timestamps:
01:03 The word wu (巫)
01:53 The pre-Qin wu (巫) as an occupational title
03:06 Reference to wu (巫) in the I Ching (Hexagram 57)
04:52 References to wu (巫) in the Book of Rites (周禮)
06:07 The diviner (shì rén, 筮人) as a specialized form of wu (巫)
06:24 Three divination systems utilized by Zhou dynasty wu (巫)
07:21 Yarrow stalks as a ritual tool of the wu (巫)
08:48 Role of the male shaman
09:51 Role of the female shaman
11:07 Punishing the shaman when the gods do not answer
11:55 The shamaness and the queen
12:15 Doctrine of the Eternal (Hexagram 32)
15:01 A Praying for Rain Ritual
15:35 “Dancing the Dragon” ~ “Pacing the Big Dipper”
16:20 Praying for Rain Ritual, continued
16:49 Xuan Ming, the north god of water and rain
17:45 Bei Di (Hei Di), the north god in Taoism
19:22 Requirements of a divination ritual
20:07 Fasting as a prerequisite for divination
20:45 Revisiting the Guan Yinzi text
22:07 Summary of the discussion
23:19 Changing role of the wu (巫): Imperial China and Modern China
Order the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9HX0EQv
About the book & supplemental downloads (free): benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
The more recognized naming convention for the sutra is the Guan Yinzi (闕尹子) or Wen Shi Zhen Jing (文始真經) attributed to the gatekeeper who Laozi encountered. According to lore, the gatekeeper at the Western Pass, named Yinxi 尹喜, later given the name Wenshi (文始), transcribed the teachings of Laozi and that text became the Tao Te Ching (道德經). Alternate tellings have Laozi writing the teachings down into two books himself, which the gatekeeper then receives.
After receiving Laozi’s teachings, the gatekeeper attains enlightenment and subsequently writes his own book, which becomes known as the Guan Yinzi 闕尹子. Guan 闕 means gatekeeper. Yinzi 尹子 means “Master Yin” (like how Laozi means “Master Lao”), an honorific that Yinxi 尹喜 is given upon mastering the Tao.
Historically among Taoist alchemists, mystics, and ceremonial magicians, the Guan Yinzi treated as a book of magical spells and powerful cultivation practices hidden in plain sight. It is a nine-chapter esoteric Taoist sutra and canonized sacred text attributed to the Three Sovereigns (三皇, San Huang) tradition of Taoist ritual magic. It also became the principal text for a mystical Taoist lineage named after the gatekeeper, the Wenshi School (文始派).
The origins of the text is attributed to the time of Laozi, around 6th century BC, though the oldest documented reference we have to it is circa 400 BC in the Liezi 列子, a classical text on Taoist philosophy. Around 400 AD, the text is canonized in the Daozang 道藏 (Taoist Canons).
Also, apparently today (date of this upload) is World Philosophy Day! 😊
Timestamps:
00:04 What is the Tao Te Ching?
01:29 Feminist and Feminine Implications in the Text
08:43 What do we mean by feminist metaphysics?
09:18 How was the universe created?
10:43 What/Who is God?
16:41 Revisiting: What is the Tao Te Ching?
Benebell Wen is the author of I Ching, The Oracle (2023) and The Tao of Craft (2016), both published by North Atlantic Books. Learn more about her work at http://www.benebellwen.com
Playlist | Introduction to Taoist & Buddhist Mysticism youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE
Link: wp.me/p32or0-a9v
Most of us get that the "Akashic" part was inspired by the akasha, a fifth element or essence found in various Asian traditions, associated with the sky, space, aether, and in Buddhism, even a state of mind. But what about the "Records" part?
The Inner Palace (Yuán Chén Gōng, 元辰宮) is a concept that seems to be traced from the Lushan lineage 閭山派 of Taoist magic, a southern tradition that blends Taoism, esoteric Buddhism, and the shamanistic witchcraft of the Min-Yue people 閩越巫法.
I’d like to make the case that the Inner Palace concept originated from the Palace of Mysteries (xuán gōng, 玄宮) located in the Realm of Nothingness, as cited in the Zhuangzi (350 – 250 BC), later integrated into the Book of Supreme Mysteries (Tài Xuán Jīng, 太玄經) (33 – 18 BC) and Ge Hong’s Baopuzi (283 – 364 AD), a Taoist grimoire.
In the library of the Inner Palace, you can gain access to a Book of Life and Death 生死簿. The Book of Life and Death is a mythical register accounting all deeds of all people, that accurately calculates the future and reveals that future.
Perhaps another name for that Realm of Nothingness is the Akasha. And the Western Theosophical concept of the Akashic Records can be traced back to the Inner Palace or Palace of Mysteries.
By the way, initially I was going to title this video “Temple of the Primordial Aeon and the Akashic Records”…
Companion blog post to video discussion: wp.me/p32or0-a84
Timestamps:
01:25 The Mystery Palace, circa 400 BCE
03:11 About Your Inner Palace [Yuan Chen Gong]
05:04 The Palace of Mysteries [Xuan Gong]
07:57 What are Inner Palace Readings?
11:46 Lu Shan; Wu Shu (Wu Shamanism) of the Southern Min People
12:53 The modern New Age practice of Inner Palace Readings
14:15 The Inner Palace and Eastern occult philosophy
15:57 On the Inner Canons of the Yellow Emperor [Huangdi Neijing]
16:44 Defining “Shen”
18:14 Tracing the Roots of the Akashic Records (continuing our excerpted reading of the Huangdi Neijing and defining “shen”)
23:22 Personal Reflections
26:18 How do you access your Inner Palace, or read the Akashic Records?
Illustration Credits:
- “山水背景图片” via nipic.com
- Painting of Akasagarbha by Miki Okuda from the Esoteric Buddhism of Japan Oracle Cards (Card 22: Kokuzo Bosatsu)
Some traditions conceptualize the descent as beginning from the entrance to a cave at the base of a mountain; others conceptualize it as a palace with many floors descending (as opposed to ascending the way floors of a building are constructed in the physical earthly world).
This video serves as an introduction to the practice.
See also:
Wu Shamanism (巫術): Just a Rumination, youtu.be/CECViRZ8xqE?si=i9Iu8PH8qu0cdsds
Taoist Spirit Maps (靈圖, Língtú), youtu.be/1oDID5r_8wA?si=TJaZGMe72jM4pcL7
Watch the full-length videos of the snippets I showed at the end:
- youtu.be/qQ63ARxELKA?si=sJjzOHmVb7JDLq4d
- youtu.be/7KxaW8EId6c?si=_SfjYaJCdtQ8OVfP
TIMESTAMPS:
00:12 What are the Three Mysteries?
01:00 What is the School of Mysteries?
01:50 Xuan and the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens
02:52 Mystery 1: The Zhouyi [I Ching]
03:44 Mystery 2: The Laozi [Tao de Ching]
05:31 What are the Core Values of Taoism?
06:30 Mystery 3: The Zhuangzi
13:50 “Three Mysteries, Three Essentials” (Buddhist Principle)
14:12 3 x 3 x 3 Cube of Space; Lo Shu Square
16:10 “Xuan” Word References in the Three Mysteries
WORD LIST:
Mystery; the Occult; Darkness (玄, Xuan)
School of Mystery (玄學, Xuan Xue)
Three Mysteries (三玄, San Xuan)
I Ching (易經)
Zhouyi [the I Ching] (周易)
Tao de Ching (道德經)
Laozi (老子)
King of All Scriptures (萬經之王, Wàn jīng zhī wáng)
Five Thousand Characters (五千言, wǔ qiān yán)
Zhuangzi (莊子)
--- Inner Scrolls [of the Zhuangzi] (內篇, Nèi piān)
--- Outer Scrolls [of the Zhuangzi] (外篇, Wài piān)
--- Addenda Scrolls [of the Zhuangzi] (雜篇, Zá piān)
Hui Shi (惠子, Huìzi), 370-310 BC philosopher
Línjì Yìxuán (臨濟義玄), 9th c. Chan Buddhist master
Three Mysteries, Three Essentials (三玄三要, sān xuán sān yào)
I CHING, THE ORACLE (BOOK):
Amazon, https://a.co/d/bktPXJi
Penguin Random House, penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
North Atlantic Books, northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
I CHING, THE ORACLE Free Companion Course: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/a-companion-course
I CHING Practicum Worksheets: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/i-ching-worksheets
I CHING, THE ORACLE Amendments to Text: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/amendments-to-text
Learn more about I Ching, The Oracle: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
A previous video in this companion course series might be a helpful guide on how to interpret an I Ching hexagram: youtu.be/_Pd-yv7h2mQ?si=3ORJizoSi4Et6DxM
***
Timestamps:
00:18 The historical origins of the I Ching and the Mandate of Heaven
01:23 The Zhou dynasty births Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism
02:08 The Five Classics, rooting the I Ching in philosophical discourse
02:48 Studying selected lines of the Zhouyi together
04:22 Book of Change as a book on first principles
04:39 Case study of Hexagram 32 (The Eternal) on how the philosopher and the fortune-teller might assess a hexagram
06:48 Book of Change as a book on moral values; the jun zi (the sage)
07:31 Citing passages on moral values found in the I Ching
09:08 Topics of Chinese philosophy found in the I Ching
09:35 Shamanistic divinatory origins of the I Ching: to unite Heaven and Earth
10:21 Historically, consulting the Yi (I Ching) must be steeped in spiritual preparatory work, rites and ritual; philosophical study of the I Ching is the spiritual cultivation necessary for divinatory work with the I Ching
11:01 Why do we characterize philosophy and fortune-telling as mutually exclusive
12:47 Occult uses of the I Ching throughout East Asian history
14:22 Revisiting the Five Classics and 14:54 the thesis of the Book of Change
15:13 Exercise 1: As a Philosopher
15:25 Examples of philosophical questions to present to the Oracle for consideration; also 16:05 for a second list of philosophical questions
16:36 Spiritual cultivation comes from the challenging process of interpreting, assessing, and considering the Yi’s message
17:10 How to interpret your I Ching hexagram casting result; also 17:34 for more tips on how to approach interpreting your reading
18:25 Exercise 2: As a Fortune-Teller
19:18 Exercise 3: Personifying the Oracle
20:58 Leaning in to what you perceive as the tone that the Oracle is taking with you in this instances; what are your feelings and emotions in response to the reading; interpret the visuals you’re receiving as symbolic
21:22 Concluding thoughts on philosophy vs. divination/fortune-telling
***
I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
- Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/cmm0qLP
- North Atlantic Books, a California-based non-profit publisher: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
Your support over the years means so much to me! I would be ever so grateful if you'd consider pre-ordering the book. Release date: September 26, 2023.
- Amazon link: https://a.co/d/fNjydn0
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
- North Atlantic Books: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
Timestamps:
00:01 Ninth Heaven (s.) vs. Nine Heavens (pl.)
00:53 What classification of divinity is the Lady of the Nine Heavens?
02:25 Disciple and messenger of Shèng Mǔ Yuán Jūn 圣母元君
03:06 Connections between Shèng Mǔ and Xī Wáng Mǔ 西王母 (Queen Mother of the West)
03:33 The Sacred Mother of Moonlight 月光皇后圣母 (Yuè Guāng Huáng Hòu Sheng Mǔ)
06:05 Six Jade Maiden attendants of the Lady of the Nine Heavens
07:03 Disciple and messenger of Xī Wáng Mǔ 西王母 (Queen Mother of the West)
07:20 Legend of Jiǔ Tiān Xuán Nǚ and the Yellow Emperor
08:28 Jiǔ Tiān Xuán Nǚ and the Occult Arts 陰陽術 (Methods of Yin and Yang)
09:17 Legend of Jiǔ Tiān Xuán Nǚ (as Yue Nü 越女) and King Goujian
11:19 Divine consciousness and reincarnation; emanations of the divine
12:45 About the Lady of the Nine Heavens, Jiǔ Tiān Xuán Nǚ
13:25 Depictions of the Lady of the Nine Heavens and additional attributes
14:28 Connections between the Lady of the Nine Heavens and Nǚ Wā 女媧
15:38 Connections between the Lady of the Nine Heavens and the Mysterious Heavenly Bird of Destiny, Tiān Mìng Xuán Niǎo 天命玄鳥 (totemic animal of the Shang)
16:34 Lady of the Nine Heavens and the I Ching
17:40 A Caveat on Following Subversive Texts
19:49 Legend of the Last Emperor of Shang (losing the Mandate of Heaven)
21:52 Final Comments on Writing I Ching, The Oracle and the connection to Jiǔ Tiān Xuán Nǚ
* * *
- Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/cmm0qLP
- North Atlantic Books, a California-based non-profit publisher: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
Companion Course landing page, benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/a-companion-course
Download tables, references, and more, benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/reference-tables-diagrams
Read excerpts to supplement the video discussion: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/read-excerpts
CHAPTER 2: MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND CULTURAL HEROES OF THE I CHING, benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/chapter-2-myths-legends-and-cultural-heroes-1.pdf
* * *
Previous video on Lady of the Ninth Heaven, youtu.be/F874dPOFiQI
2017 companion blog post, “Mysterious Lady of the Ninth Heaven (Jiu Tian Xuan Nü, 九天玄女),” wp.me/p32or0-2M3
Supplemental written materials and reference downloads, including a downloadable Ba Gua correspondences table: wp.me/p32or0-9Me
Timestamps:
00:48 Introducing the Eight Trigrams
01:16 Theoretical Origins of the Eight Trigrams (Yin and Yang Philosophy)
04:19 Eight Bodhisattvas and the Ba Gua
05:06 Eight Divinities of the Wu Shamans of Shang
05:28 Eight Immortals Overview
06:24 Han Xiangzi, artistic prodigy; immortality via divine blessing
06:35 Zhong Li Quan, warrior general; immortality via alchemy
06:47 Lu Dong Bin, leader and elite scholar; immortality via sutra recitations
07:00 Cao Guo Jiu, royalty and justice seeker; immortality via renunciation
07:14 He Xian Gu, shamaness, priestess; immortality via fairy spirit guide
07:26 Li Tie Guai, physician, pharmacologist; immortality via solitary practice
07:43 Zhang Guo Lao, alchemist, occultist; immortality via mystical potion
07:57 Lan Cai He, eternal youth; immortality via light and pure of heart
08:52 Eight Immortals and Ba Gua Correspondences
09:32 Ba Gua & Eight Archetypes of the Occultist
10:02 Introducing the Early Heaven and Later Heaven Ba Guas | Ref: “Lo Shu Magic Square,” youtu.be/zAME24d0rGw
10:50 Fuxi and the Early Heaven Ba Gua
11:24 King Wen and the Later Heaven Ba Gua
12:08 The Two Sequences of Eight Trigrams
12:18 Fuxi’s Early Heaven Ba Gua: Natural Laws of Flow
12:32 King Wen’s Later Heaven Ba Gua: How to Control the Flow
13:15 First Principles Playbook of the Taoist Occultist
13:24 First Principle of the Yi (Early Heaven Ba Gua)
13:40 Second Principle of the Yi (Later Heaven Ba Gua)
14:25 Wu Xing Five Movements Drive the Trigrams | Ref: “Wu Xing: Five Movements Toward Change,” youtu.be/dqWbeMv_t5o
14:55 Early Heaven Ba Gua: Numerical Sequence and Order
16:24 Later Heaven Ba Gua: Numerical Sequence and Order
17:25 Twelve Zodiac Animals, the Ba Gua, and Jupiter
18:44 narration mentions six dark crosses that don’t appear until 18:56
18:57 narration mentions six light crosses that don’t appear until 19:07
19:28 Four Trigrams and Four Perfected Hexagrams Aligning with Equinoxes and Solstices; Asc, Dsc, Im, Mc; Four Directional Guardians
21:32 Revisiting the Two Ba Gua Arrangements and Wu Xing Forces (Infinity/Chaos vs. Bounds/Order)
22:17 Numerological Parity with the Yarrow Stalk Divination Process | Ref: “Yarrow Stalk Divination,” youtu.be/r9wnPOtBbK0
22:58 Ancient Chinese Calculus? Similarities to DNA, Computing Processes, and the I Ching | Ref: “What is the I Ching?” youtu.be/t4aD2yHK7bE
24:22 Traditional Sequence of the Trigrams; Overview of Trigram Correspondences and Symbolism
24:33 Heaven: Will, Purpose; Creativity, Inspiration
24:44 Lake: Harvest, Multiply; The Womb; Exchange, Commerce
25:04 Fire: Clarify, Enlighten, Attract; Intelligence, Expansion
25:21 Thunder: Incite, Provoke; Show of Force; Clear the Road
25:44 Wind: Gentle Influence; Fertility; Cultivation
25:59 Water: Catharsis; Reflection; Healing, Medicine; Depths; Darkness, Margins
26:18 Mountain: Stabilize, Sustain; The Peak; Stillness; Self-Control, Endurance
26:31 Earth: Receive, Enrich; Receiving; Reaping; Underworld
21:06 The Three Treasures (Jing, Qi, Shen) and the Trigrams
27:08 Eight Paths to Awakening; Eight States of Superconsciousness
27:55 Wind and Thunder (Wood; Arising, Accelerating)
28:06 Fire (Fire; Expanding, Advancing)
28:19 Earth and Mountain (Earth; Transforming; Balance)
28:36 Lake and Heaven (Metal; Disseminating; Order)
28:56 Water (Water; Dissolving, Flux)
29:21 Planetary Correspondences of the Trigrams and Wu Xing
29:22 Conclusion and Review of the Eight Trigrams
30:44 Mnemonic for remembering the eight trigrams
***
I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
- Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/cmm0qLP
- North Atlantic Books, a California-based non-profit publisher: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
00:40 I Ching, Levi, Carl Jung, Crowley, etc.
01:59 Spirit intelligences of tarot, geomancy, and the I Ching
03:14 Tarot vs. I Ching popularity differentials
03:36 Barrier of entry?
04:05 The I Ching at any level
--- 05:28 Chatting about Hexagram 6 (The Trial)
--- 06:34 Hexagrams 30 (The Spark), 31 (Mutual Accord), and 32 (The Eternal), narrative of love
--- 06:43 Hexagram 25 (Without Folly), Line 5 “勿藥有喜” interpretation and as a health blessing
--- 07:43 Hexagram 57 (Use Gentle Force) in folk magic and spell-crafting for prosperity
--- 07:50 Hexagram 63 (After the Ending), Line 3 “高宗伐鬼方” historical uses in exorcism rituals
--- 08:21 Hexagram 7 (The Army) “容民畜眾”
--- 08:30 Hexagram 49 (Revolution), Line 3 explaining three axioms for a successful revolt
--- 08:59 Hexagram 52 (Listen to the Wind), comparing exoteric and esoteric implications
--- 09:22 Hexagram 56 (The Wanderer), Line 6
--- 10:25 Hexagram 42 (Burgeoning), oft quoted proverb
10:55 Why don’t memes quote the I Ching the way we quote Rumi or Sun Tzu?
11:10 Speculations for why it isn’t as popular
12:08 Browsing the hashtags for sample content
12:44 I Ching in Human Design?
13:32 Browsing the hashtags continued; responding to social media content on the I Ching
18:15 “Bros” in online I Ching and Taoist discourse
20:00 Question presented and your thoughts
Order I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023) via Penguin Random House Retail: penguinrandomhouseretail.com/book/?isbn=9781623178734
Amazon (US): amazon.com/Ching-Oracle-translation-historical-references/dp/1623178738
NAB Author Profile: northatlanticbooks.com/author/benebell-wen
Benebell Wen
Website. http://www.benebellwen.com
Instagram. http://www.instagram.com/bellwen
Twitter. twitter.com/benebellwen
The Masters of the Tarot Conference at Omega Institute (me recounting my 2019 and 2023 experiences): benebellwen.com/2023/07/20/the-masters-of-the-tarot-conference-at-omega-institute
Q#1: Is a divinatory reading always reliable?
Q#2: If a querent presents the same question to five different readers and gets five very different answers, what is your theory of reconciliation? How do you reconcile that?
Q#3: If we see a set spread of cards that hypothetically answers some divinatory question and five different readers interpret that same spread of cards five different ways, what is your metric for determining who is right and who is wrong?
If you enjoy the free content I share, then please consider supporting my work by pre-ordering my forthcoming book, I Ching, The Oracle: amazon.com/Ching-Oracle-translation-historical-references/dp/1623178738
Video Playlist | Introduction to Taoist & Buddhist Mysticism | youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE
DEMO VIDEO, BEFORE & AFTER: youtu.be/DEbxuwmtKac
TIMESTAMPS:
00:23 Why matte and rose petal finish decks tend to have more friction
01:20 About anti-set-off-spray powder
02:35 Homemade “calcium carbonate” powder: eggshell powder
02:48 How anti-set-off-spray is used in the printing industry
03:24 Applying anti-set-off-spray powder to your cards will resolve the friction issue in your matte or rose petal finish cards
03:38 A case for why making your own anti-set-off-spray powder at home is better than trying to buy it
04:24 You’ll need: 1/4 tsp. of cornstarch + pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). If you want to replace these ingredients with are starch flours, do research to confirm that the pH level of your final mixture is between 7 and 9
04:38 Caveat for making your own calcium carbonate powder (eggshell powder) at home
05:22 Personal findings: calcium carbonate not necessary; sodium bicarbonate is a good replacement
05:48 Why the baking soda works in this powder to help add slippage and glide to your matte finish cards
06:06 Fun incidental magical-mystical properties of using baking soda and/or crushed eggshells
06:30 Demonstration of the application process begins
08:38 Conceptualize application as gently rubbing lotion into the pores of that matte finish
10:46 White starchy powder does not have any negative impacts on the coloring of your cards
11:25 Another reminder to be meditative in your approach and to be gentle with the application
11:59 Continuously gather and separate the cards of the deck, and shuffling to get the powder evenly disbursed, rubbing any residual powder gently into the pores of that matte finish on your cards
13:26 Some more insights into the anti-set-off-spray powder and how it’s used during the paper printing and production process
14:02 Gently rubbing residual powder in between the edges of the gilding
14:36 Ingredients in the industrial commercial grade version of the powder is the same as the ingredients you’re using to make your own version of the powder
15:46 Showing immediate results of the powder application and how it has loosened the cards
16:03 This is also a great way to bond with a new deck, especially one that was initially unwieldy to shuffle or work with
16:13 Continued handling of each and every individual card to evenly disburse the powder and making sure it seeps into the pores of that finish
17:26 You only need to apply this process once to fix the friction issue, replicating a standard production process that might have been overlooked or under-applied at the factory (so take your time, be patient with the process, and do it thoroughly that first time ^_^*)
18:22 Reminder: Make sure you’ve removed all jewelry from your hands when you do this, so you don’t inadvertently scratch your cards
19:06 Final steps to the process to ensure that the powder has been fully absorbed into the finish of your cards
20:20 A few concluding tips and reminders
21:21 Why the initial slight friction and resistance in matte and rose petal finish decks is common and how this simple do-it-yourself powder can remedy that
For a video demonstration to see the “before” and “after,” see at this timestamp: youtu.be/CfrqfwohWA0?t=376
Pre-Order SKT Revelation: benebellwen.com/skt/pre-order
Introduction to the SKT: benebellwen.com/skt/introduction
Creating a Tarot Deck – Progress Diary (2018 - present): benebellwen.com/skt/progress-diary
Practicum “Homework Assignments,” [*] wp.me/p32or0-9vV
[*] Practica. Not "homework assignments." Don't know why that was my first go-to descriptive late last night, other than an indicator that I'm a total nerd.
Mantra recitation audio recording at the closing of this video: "Namo Da Bei Guan Shi Yin pusa" (Hail, the Great Compassionate bodhisattva Kuan Yin).
Word List for Reference:
apsara 飛天
ashura 阿修羅
Bhadrakalpika Sūtra 賢劫經
Bön (Tibetan folk magic/shamanism) 苯教
Buddhist sects 佛教派別
Chinese esoteric Buddhism (Tang dynasty) 唐密
dharani 陀羅尼
Diamond Sutra 金剛經
Elder Mysteries (or Elder Arcana) 老密
Great Compassion Mantra 大悲呪
mandala 曼荼羅
mantra 咒
mara 天魔
New Mysteries (or New Arcana) 新密
Smoke Offering Ritual 煙供儀軌
Sutra (Buddhist sacred texts) 佛經
Sutra-based exoteric (Buddhism) 顯宗
Tantra-based esoteric (Buddhism) 密宗
Tibetan tantric Buddhism 西藏密宗
Vairocanābhisaṃbodhi Sūtra 大日經
Vairocanā Blessed Sand 金剛沙 or 金光明沙
Vajrasekhara Sūtra 金剛頂経
1. Wu shamanistic-historical Traditions
2. Wu shu
"能以舞降神者為巫"
Néng yǐ wǔ jiàng shén zhě wéi wū
-- That is the proverbial axiom defining what the 巫 (wu) is.
-- Translation: The one who can use dance (or ritual) to placate the spirits is called the 巫 (wu).
Pre-order my forthcoming book, I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, September 26, 2023): amazon.com/Ching-Oracle-translation-historical-references/dp/1623178738
Word List for Reference:
Li Zehou (1930-2021) 李澤厚
Wu shu 巫術
Xian gu 仙姑
Wu puo 巫婆
Shen han 神漢
Shen puo 神婆
Shen tong 神童
Yang Shao 仰韶
Zhunti Pusa 準提菩薩
Marici 摩利支天
Matsu 媽祖
Xi Wang Mu (Queen Mother of the West) 西王母
Jiu Tian Xuan Nu (Lady of the Nine Heavens) 九天玄女
Eight Forms of Wu Shu 巫術:
1. Incantations and ritual sacrifices
2. Petitions to gods or spirits for divine justice [original: hexes & curses]
3. Divination; the ability to interpret signs and omens
4. Warding off evil and curing spiritual sickness
5. Exorcism, soul retrieval rituals
6. Fu talismans and spell-crafting
7. Metaphysical uses of herbs [original: poison magic 蠱道]
8. Mediumship; ability to communicate and negotiate with spirit entities
I didn't cover this in the video chat, but another way that Forms of Shu are characterized is as the Five Mystical Arts 五術:
1. Spiritual Cultivation 仙學
2. Divinatory Arts 卜筮
3. Study of Appearances (ex. face reading, palmistry) 相學
4. Study of Fate (ex. astrology) 命學
5. Study of Healing Arts 醫學
***
I'd also like to signal boost David Shi's Spirit Voices published earlier this year by Weiser Books.
If this is a topic that interests you, you'll love Spirit Voices. It covers North Asian traditions and legacies of shamanism, with a focus on Mongolic and Tungusic practices. Shi himself is of Manchu ancestry (one of the 56 ethnic groups of China). #aapiheritagemonth
https://a.co/d/9q6xipe
#aapimpact #aapivoice #asianamerican
In this installment of Sightsee the Tarot, let’s do a simple yet impactful two-card reading from Finding the Fool: A Tarot Journey to Radical Transformation (Weiser Books, 2023) by Meg Jones Wall, founder of 3am.tarot.
00:08 Introduction to this Two-Card Reading
00:37 About Finding the Fool by Meg Jones Wall
01:04 Wall's Two-Card Spreads
01:54 Guided Reading Begins
02:05 Free-write your present thoughts, feelings, and what it is you most want
02:39 Shuffle your cards
03:10 Beginning the Reading
03:16 Draw Card 1 (Truth)
03:53 Draw Card 2 (Dare)
04:28 Reflecting on Your Reading
04:40 Closing
***
Decks Pictured in Intro: Jean Dodal Tarot re-mastered by Justin Michael and Shell David; Spirit Keeper’s Tarot: Revelation Edition; Haindl Tarot; Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot; Tattoo Tarot by Megamunden
Decks Pictured in Workshop: Tarot of the Owls by Pamela Chen and Elizabeth Alba; Seed & Sickle Oracle by Fez Inkwright; Heart Align Affirmation Oracle by Kimberly M. Tsan; Oracle of Novice Witches by Francesca Matteoni and Elisa Macellari; Angels of Healing and Hope Oracle by Ellen Valladares and Yasmeen Westwood; Talisman Oracle by Nora Paskaleva; Pink Sugar Lenormand and Black Salt Lenormand by Logan of Lark and Legend; El Camino Oracle by Sabina Espinet; Wanderer’s Tarot by Casey Zabala; Lenormand of Enchantment by Yasmeen Westwood and Kalliope Haratsidis; Lightness Tarot by Zi Kang (Chengdu Arcana); Oracle of Light & Dreams by Scot Howden; Symbolic Soul Tarot by Elisa Seitzinger and Barbara Moore; The Citadel: A Fantasy Oracle by Fez Inkwright; Love Who You Are Oracle by Angi Sullins and Silas Toball
***
SIGHTSEE THE TAROT is a series on my channel through which I take you on a tour of tarot books, spreads, techniques and tips, different decks, and more.
PLAYLIST: Sightsee the Tarot series, youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwar0jcbmIu2MaX3RMVEs0ik
Series Page: http://www.tinyurl.com/sightseethetarot
Download the worksheet (pdf): benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/gods-reading-design-plan-and-blueprints-of-creation.pdf
Companion blog post: wp.me/p32or0-9lF
#walkthroughtheforestofsouls
PLAYLIST: Rachel Pollack, youtube.com/watch?v=RKT4vD1nfMM&list=PLnikT3eGmCc2f6kBCzmXFLTaemFBcCCxU
SIGHTSEE THE TAROT is a series on my channel through which I take you on a tour of tarot books, spreads, techniques and tips, different decks, and more.
PLAYLIST: Sightsee the Tarot series, youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwar0jcbmIu2MaX3RMVEs0ik
Series Page: http://www.tinyurl.com/sightseethetarot
***
Decks Pictured: Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon, Lions Gateway Tarot by Jessica Leigh Henry, Tarot of the Abyss by Ana Tourian, Terra Volatile Tarot by Credo quia Absurdum, Influence of the Angels Tarot by Jody Boginski Barbessi, Golden Universal Tarot by Roberto de Angelis, New Era Elements Tarot by Eleonore F. Pieper, and my Spirit Keeper's Tarot deck.
Benebell Wen, author of Holistic Tarot and The Tao of Craft. Pre-order my forthcoming book, I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, Sept. 26, 2023), amazon.com/Ching-Oracle-translation-historical-references/dp/1623178738
References:
Tarot and Social Inductive Reasoning (2015 Dec. 4), benebellwen.com/2015/12/04/tarot-and-social-inductive-reasoning
Reading Tarot and Social Inductive Reasoning (PDF), benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/benebell-wen-social-inductive-reasoning-and-tarot.pdf
Mary Greer’s Advice for Becoming a Tarot Master, youtube.com/watch?v=qKY0wcMIs9s
===
www.benebellwen.com
I previously brought up the concept of soul dualism in Chinese thought here: “A Thought Tour of the Chinese Occult,” youtu.be/7V4GgT860fM
References from the Video:
Lun Xian (Discourse on the Immortals), 論仙 from Ge Hong 葛洪’s Baopuzi 抱樸子: ctext.org/baopuzi/lun-xian/zh
--- Quoted section in video: 人無賢愚,皆知己身之有魂魄,魂魄分去則人病,盡去則人死。
Líng Shū Jing 靈樞經, the second volume of the Huangdi Neijing 黃帝內經, or Inner Canons of the Yellow Emperor, ctext.org/huangdi-neijing/ling-shu-jing
Běn shén 本神, chapter in Líng Shū Jing 靈樞經 that discusses the hun 魂 and po 魄 being in the blood/liver and breath/lungs respectively, ctext.org/huangdi-neijing/ben-shen
--- Běn shén 本神, Section 12, on hun 魂: 肝藏血,血舍魂,肝氣虛則恐,實則怒。
--- Běn shén 本神, Section 15, on po 魄: 肺藏氣,氣舍魄,肺氣虛,則鼻塞不利少氣,實則喘喝胸盈仰息。
Excerpt from I CHING, THE ORACLE, "Xi Wang Mu, Goddess of the Wu" benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/chapter-10-the-yi-the-wu-and-shamanism-xi-wang-mu.pdf
You’ll find a lot of these references and instructionals in the Spirit Maps of the Mysterious Cavern Scrolls 洞玄部靈圖類 from the Taoist Canons 道藏經, among other grimoires and scriptures throughout history.
Here’s a good online resource for viewing scrolls from the Canons (there’s a whole section on the Mysterious Cavern Scrolls): http://www.taolibrary.com/category95.aspx
And also here, specific to the referenced Spirit Maps of the Mysterious Cavern Scrolls: http://www.ctcwri.idv.tw/CTCW-CJD/CJD02洞玄部/CJD0204洞玄靈圖.htm
Juli, Heather, and Sarah chat about AI Art youtube.com/live/GJTd7f0HSfY?feature=share
Ethony’s take, “Are AI Art Tarot Decks Immoral or Genius?” youtu.be/C67VWZC_xbU
Will and Kate touch on AI created tarot decks in this discussion: youtu.be/uwkZzN2DXsA
Goliath, the creator of the El Goliath Tarot, weighs in as well: youtu.be/aVMiqC0EakE
Chaweon Koo’s article “Will You Burn the AI Like You Burned the Witch?” modernwitch.com/will-you-burn-the-ai-like-you-burned-the-witch
Download PDF "The Five Changing Phases and Their Correspondences," benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/wu-xing-correspondence-table.pdf
This is a supplemental video to the following:
- "The Wu Xing Five Phases," beginning on p. 16, THE TAO OF CRAFT (North Atlantic Books, 2016)
- Chapter 6, "The Five Phases of Change (Wu Xing)," beginning on p. 231, I CHING, THE ORACLE (North Atlantic Books, 2023)
***
I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
- Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/cmm0qLP
- North Atlantic Books, a California-based non-profit publisher: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
***
Benebell Wen
P. O. Box 20021
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Part I: Yarrow Stalk Divination, youtu.be/r9wnPOtBbK0
Worksheet download: benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/interpreting-your-i-ching-reading.pdf
Learn more about I Ching, The Oracle: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
Timestamps:
00:15 Animated Walk-through of the Yarrow Counting Method
00:36 Yi Xue (I Ching scholarship)
01:02 Image & Number (Xiang Shu Pai) vs. Meaning & Principle (Yi Li Pai)
01:11 The Image and Number Tradition
01:55 The Meaning and Principle Tradition
02:42 Six Esoteric or Mystery Traditions of Interpreting the Yi
03:35 Why Philosophy and Cosmology Matters
05:00 Operative Result Yielded from I Ching Divination
06:24 Review of Part I: What Your Hexagram Result Should Look Like
06:57 Review of Relevant Taoist Cosmology
07:34 How the Primary Hexagram Changes to the Secondary/Transformed Hexagram
09:02 Identify the Trigram and Driving (Five) Movements Result
09:47 Changing Lines in Both Hexagrams are the Cruxes of Change
10:49 Consulting the Book and Reading the Entries
11:42 Innate Qi Qualities the Six Lines Exhibit
12:11 Wu Xing: Five Phases of Change (Five Movements)
12:43 Wu Xing Correspondence Reference Tables
13:45 Revisiting the Innate Qi Qualities of the Six Lines
14:41 Comparing Your Hexagram Result to Innate Qi of the Lines (Dignities)
16:06 The Confucian Concept of Lei, via I Ching philosopher Cheng Yi
17:23 Rulers of the Six Lines (Six Line General, Innate Attributes)
18:59 Reading a Locked Hexagram (Single Hexagram Result)
19:51 Reading Primary + Transformed Hexagrams (Hexagram Pair Result)
21:39 He Tu and Lo Shu Diagrams Informing the Hexagram Reading [Ref. Vid.: youtu.be/zAME24d0rGw]
22:40 Decide: Reading the Thesis Statement vs. Reading the Entire Dissertation for Divined Insight
23:14 Diving Deeper into All Lines Analysis
24:20 Interpreting the Ancient Line Text Figuratively
24:58 Interpreting the Secondary Transformed Hexagram
25:24 Primary vs. Transformed Hexagram Attributes
25:59 Comparing the I Ching to the Tarot as Divination Tools
I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
- Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/cmm0qLP
- North Atlantic Books, a California-based non-profit publisher: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
This lecture will focus on theory and principles.
Timestamps:
00:19 Reviewing the diagram of the Lo Shu magic square
00:41 What is a “magic square”
00:58 Original representation of the Nine Palaces, the Temple of Light
01:40 Four Gates (and Four Faces) of the Temple of Light (Hall of Light)
02:58 Mathematics of the Lo Shu magic square
06:15 The magic sum 369, yin lines in the I Ching as 6, and yang as 9
07:13 What is the Lo Shu
07:47 The Lo Shu’s mythical origins
10:20 The 72 rulers of luck governing the Huang Tao (solar path)
11:32 King Wen reconciling the trigrams with the Lo Shu
12:19 The River Maps as maps of constellations (River = Milky Way)
12:52 The He Tu Diagram
14:22 The Lo Shu Diagram
15:11 Astronomical basis for the Wu Xing directional correspondences
16:03 Comparing the He Tu and Lo Shu diagrams
17:20 Simulation of the pathways of Light in the Temple of Light
18:01 An esoteric (apocalyptic) doctrine behind the Lo Shu
19:06 Review of the He Tu Lo Shu
19:22 Why the Lo Shu is a cornerstone in Taoist mysticism
20:13 Reserving discussion of the two Ba Gua arrangements
20:38 Why any philosophical, spiritual, or mystical path can benefit from study of the Lo Shu
***
Reference to a previous video mentioned at 00:17 is “What is the I Ching (Yijing) Book of Changes?” (at approx. the 6 min. mark) youtu.be/t4aD2yHK7bE
Reference to a previous video mentioned at 13:40 is “Yarrow Stalk Divination: I Ching” (at approx. the 2-3 min. mark youtu.be/r9wnPOtBbK0
Introduction to Buddhist-Taoist Mysticism (Playlist), youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE
***
If this video has inspired you to learn more, then check out my third book, I Ching, The Oracle, an updated translation of the I Ching with in-depth annotations, cultural and historical references, and related mystical practices. penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
***
Benebell Wen
P. O. Box 20021
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Historians often date this method to some time between 500 BC and 200 BC, with 500 BC being one of the earlier mentions of the method and 200 BC when more of these details of the process were fleshed out.
Download the PDF worksheet for logging your reading result: benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/02-yarrow-stalk-divination.pdf
Download JPG image files of reference tables and diagrams: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle/reference-tables-diagrams
Learn more about I Ching, The Oracle: benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
***
Timestamps:
00:05 Introduction to I Ching divination methods
00:39 Introducing the yarrow stalk method
01:56 Esoteric and symbolic reasons for 50 stalks
03:45 Why we set aside 1 and divine with 49
04:12 Why the stalks are divided into two bundles
05:33 Yarrow stalk divination as ritual and meditation
06:10 START of guided divination ritual
06:20 Formulate your question for divination
06:43 Line 1, Count 1
09:01 Symbolic meaning of the numerical assignments 5/9
09:54 Line 1, Count 2
11:01 Symbolic meaning of the numerical assignments 4/8
11:43 The Si Xiang (Four Images, Four Faces of the Tao)
12:13 Line 1, Count 3
13:26 Calculating the resulting line from the three counts
15:08 Reviewing the four resulting line outcomes
16:00 Yarrow stalk divination ritual as meditation
16:21 Continuing on to receive Line 2
16:45 Line 2, Count 1
18:15 Line 2, Count 2
19:53 Line 2, Count 3
20:50 Calculating the resulting Line 2
21:07 Reviewing the four resulting line outcomes
21:48 Continuing on to receive Line 3
22:06 Line 3, Count 1
23:31 Line 3, Count 2
25:09 Line 3, Count 3
26:08 Calculating the resulting Line 3
26:24 Line 4, Count 1
27:53 Line 4, Count 2
29:31 Line 4, Count 3
30:29 Calculating the resulting Line 4
30:49 Line 5, Count 1
32:17 Line 5, Count 2
33:55 Line 5, Count 3
34:53 Calculating the resulting Line 5
35:13 Line 6, Count 1
36:42 Line 6, Count 2
38:21 Line 6, Count 3
39:19 Calculating the resulting Line 6
39:40 Determining the trigrams and received hexagram
40:35 Changing lines and the secondary hexagram
41:16 Secondary hexagrams and the Si Xiang (Four Faces)
42:51 Note your secondary hexagram result (and Wu Xing correspondences)
43:08 Trigram to hexagram cross-reference chart
43:26 Locked hexagrams (no changing lines)
43:41 Review of locked, primary, and transformed (secondary) hexagrams
43:49 Closing the reading session
44:26 Conclusion; independent reflection of your hexagram result
The subsequent video will provide insights on how to interpret your received hexagram message.
First Video in Series: What is the I Ching (Yijing) Book of Changes? youtu.be/t4aD2yHK7bE
Audio: Apologies for some wonkiness with the audio. My narration/voiceover isn’t great in some places, but eh, as-is this already was a monumental effort to edit. =) Closed captioning is provided, if that helps. Click the “CC” icon.
Over the millennia, beginning with King Wen and his son the Duke of Zhou around 1046 BC, poetic prophetic lines of text are ascribed to the 64 hexagrams that the binary code is set in, lines steeped in cultural and historical references. Five centuries later, Confucius (or scholars attributing their writings to Confucius) add commentaries that describe, pictorialize, and interpret the hexagrams.
In 10 minutes (-ish), we’ll introduce the framework of the I Ching and its metaphysical underpinnings.
If this video has inspired you to learn more, then check out my third book, I Ching, The Oracle, an updated translation of the I Ching with in-depth annotations, cultural and historical references, and related mystical practices.
***
I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, 2023), benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
- Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/cmm0qLP
- North Atlantic Books, a California-based non-profit publisher: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
- Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
***
Read excerpts to supplement the video discussion:
CHAPTER 1: PREFACE, benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/chapter-1-preface-1.pdf
CHAPTER 2: MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND CULTURAL HEROES OF THE I CHING, benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/chapter-2-myths-legends-and-cultural-heroes-1.pdf
HEXAGRAM 30: LI. THE SPARK, benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/hexagram-30-3.pdf
Would love to hear from you! What does it mean, to you, to be Taoist? What comes to mind when you think of Taoism?
* * *
Map of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties (from Appendix E of I Ching, The Oracle by Benebell Wen), wp.me/p32or0-8yy
* * *
“Zhuangzi and his butterfly dream: the etymology of meng 夢” by Jingjing Chen, thechinastory.org/yearbooks/yearbook-2019-china-dreams/forum-illusions-and-transformations-the-many-meanings-of-meng-%E5%A4%A2/zhuangzi-and-his-butterfly-dream-the-etymology-of-meng-%E5%A4%A2
* * *
PRE-ORDER I CHING, THE ORACLE
Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/3cQ1BB0
Penguin Random House: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724023/i-ching-the-oracle-by-benebell-wen
North Atlantic Books: northatlanticbooks.com/shop/i-ching-the-oracle
This video will provide a general overview of the Taoist-Buddhist lunisolar (lunar & solar) "wheel of the year" that is the basis of East Asian astrology and thaumaturgy.
Click on the preceding hyperlink to access downloadable charts and reference tables to start your studies of this calendar and astrological system.
The content of this video and all reference materials from the linked companion write-up can also be found in my forthcoming book, I Ching, The Oracle: A Practical Guide to the Book of Changes is forthcoming mid-2023 by North Atlantic Books, benebellwen.com/i-ching-the-oracle
***
Random Vanity Note: Funny how pre-pandemic I would actually try to put on makeup before making these videos, even endeavoring to put on false eyelashes. But now I can barely be bothered with a minimum necessary standard [ ... a fun little healthcare data or PHI privacy law reference, for anyone watching this that's in this industry and gets it ... ]. Anyone else found this to be true? =)
***
First, to clarify (or maybe this will just add to the confusion, who knows...), here's something I wrote back in 2019 on witchcraft vs. ceremonial magic: benebellwen.com/2019/12/05/witchcraft-vs-ceremonial-magic
***
Across world history, witchcraft and vibrant magical traditions have long been associated with rebellion, insurrection, uprisings, or an oppressed group’s reclamation of autonomy, liberation, and personal sovereignty.
This is a casual chat exploring Chinese history and how at every turn of insurrection or uprising against oppressive governmental or political forces you’ll find Taoist magic and secret societies of mystico-religious traditions.
Broadening the conversation out to general esoteric philosophy, I wonder if the divinity that answers the witch’s call conditions answer of the call on-- even in terms of psychology or neuroscience-- having endured a specific prerequisite experience of persecution?
***
References:
Andrea Furtick, author of Wild Root: Modern Works of Traditional Hoodoo Magick (forthcoming 2023) and creator of the Afro Goddess Tarot and Oracle cards
Sherry Shone, author of Hoodoo for Everyone: Modern Approaches to Magic, Conjure, Rootwork, and Liberation (North Atlantic Books, 2022)
***
Introduction to Buddhist-Taoist Esotericism (Playlist): youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE
When I say "closed tradition," I mean a culture-specific practice of a magical system and set of doctrinal beliefs integrated into that practice that can only be honorably accessed if certain conditions are met, such as initiation; heredity; clan or ethnic group membership; or a formally established master-student bond.
Don't forget-- if it helps, turn the closed captioning on! =)
***
My third book, I Ching, The Oracle: A Practical Guide to the Book of Changes, published by North Atlantic Books, is forthcoming mid-2023. It's my translation and annotations of the Oracle with cultural and historical references that honor the shamanic origins of the I Ching.
What it really is, though, is a magical grimoire. I began with an aspiration to write a grimoire on Taoist mysticism and magical practices, and then decided to do so through the framework of the I Ching. This is going to be a practical hands-on primer on East Asian modalities of witchcraft and folk magic. A deep-dive learning experience into the history and mythological references found in the Book of Changes is the bonus.
Leading up to the release of I Ching, The Oracle will be this series of videos where I lay the foundation for working with this third book. If this is of interest to you, stay tuned!
***
Introduction to Buddhist-Taoist Esotericism (Playlist): youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE
Course description page: wp.me/p32or0-4n4
Please forgive the mispronunciation of the sephiroth. For a Hebrew pronunciation reference, see The Correct Hebrew Pronunciation of the 10 Sefirot by Hebrew for Masons, youtu.be/d_824rf98a4
Decks Pictured: Tarot de Nicolas Conver (Marseilles 1760, France) derivative based on public domain images of the Conver deck; Scans of the “Pam A” Rider Tarot Deck (1910), the original Rider-Waite-Smith; Thoth Tarot Deck (or “The Book of Thoth”) by Aleister Crowley (U.S. Games Systems, Premier Edition, 2005; first published by Ordo Templi Orientis, 1969); The Grand Belline Tarot (1881); Lions Gateway Tarot by Jessica Leigh Henry; Morgan Greer Tarot; Mystical Tarot (Lo Scarabeo); Way of the Panda Tarot by Kim Tsan (FablesDen); Robin Wood Tarot; Rosetta Tarot by M. M. Meleen
Books Referenced for the Card Meanings: The Tarot (1888) by MacGregor Mathers; The Tarot of the Bohemians (1892) by Papus; Reading and Understanding the Marseille Tarot (Lo Scarabeo, 2018) by Anna Maria Morsucci & Antonella Aloi; The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911) by A. E. Waite; Tarot of the Magicians (1927) by Oswald Wirth; The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages (1947) by Paul Foster Case; Mastering the Tarot (Penguin Group, 1971) by Eden Gray; Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Third Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Rachel Pollack; Tarot for Yourself, 35th Anniversary Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Mary K. Greer; Essential Tarot Writings (2020) edited by Donald Tyson.
Books Referenced for the Qabalah and the Kabbalah: Keter: The Crown of God in Early Jewish Mysticism (Princeton University Press, 2014) by Arthur Green; Qabalah Paths of Light: The Occult Qabalah Reclaimed (2018) by Gary M. Jaron; The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order (1937; Llewellyn, 2016) by Israel Regardie, John Michael Greer (Ed.); The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism (2009) by Daniel C. Matt; Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest in Judaism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) by David S. Ariel; The Kabbalistic Tradition: An Anthology of Jewish Mysticism (Penguin Books, 2008) by Alan Unterman (Ed.); Kabbalat Shabbat: The Grand Unification (2016) by Debra Band, Raymond P. Scheindlin (trans.), et al.; The Mystical Qabalah (1935) by Dione Fortune
BENEBELL WEN
Website. http://www.benebellwen.com
It's been rainy and overcast here in the San Francisco Bay Area, so my lighting is crap.
A written transcript is also provided as a free pdf download: wp.me/p32or0-7Ve
Course description page: wp.me/p32or0-4n4
Please forgive the mispronunciation of the sephiroth. For a Hebrew pronunciation reference, see The Correct Hebrew Pronunciation of the 10 Sefirot by Hebrew for Masons, youtu.be/d_824rf98a4
Decks Pictured: Tarot de Nicolas Conver (Marseilles 1760, France) derivative based on public domain images of the Conver deck; Scans of the “Pam A” Rider Tarot Deck (1910), the original Rider-Waite-Smith; Thoth Tarot Deck (or “The Book of Thoth”) by Aleister Crowley (U.S. Games Systems, Premier Edition, 2005; first published by Ordo Templi Orientis, 1969); The Grand Belline Tarot (1881); Lions Gateway Tarot by Jessica Leigh Henry; Morgan Greer Tarot; Mystical Tarot (Lo Scarabeo); Way of the Panda Tarot by Kim Tsan (FablesDen); Robin Wood Tarot; Rosetta Tarot by M. M. Meleen
Books Referenced for the Card Meanings: The Tarot (1888) by MacGregor Mathers; The Tarot of the Bohemians (1892) by Papus; Reading and Understanding the Marseille Tarot (Lo Scarabeo, 2018) by Anna Maria Morsucci & Antonella Aloi; The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911) by A. E. Waite; Tarot of the Magicians (1927) by Oswald Wirth; The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages (1947) by Paul Foster Case; Mastering the Tarot (Penguin Group, 1971) by Eden Gray; Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Third Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Rachel Pollack; Tarot for Yourself, 35th Anniversary Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Mary K. Greer; Essential Tarot Writings (2020) edited by Donald Tyson.
Books Referenced for the Qabalah and the Kabbalah: Qabalah Paths of Light: The Occult Qabalah Reclaimed (2018) by Gary M. Jaron; The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order (1937; Llewellyn, 2016) by Israel Regardie, John Michael Greer (Ed.); The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism (2009) by Daniel C. Matt; Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest in Judaism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) by David S. Ariel; The Kabbalistic Tradition: An Anthology of Jewish Mysticism (Penguin Books, 2008) by Alan Unterman (Ed.); Kabbalat Shabbat: The Grand Unification (2016) by Debra Band, Raymond P. Scheindlin (trans.), et al.; The Mystical Qabalah (1935) by Dione Fortune
BENEBELL WEN
Website. http://www.benebellwen.com
Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/tarotanalysis
Instagram. http://www.instagram.com/bellwen
A written transcript is also provided as a free pdf download: wp.me/p32or0-7QX
Course description page: wp.me/p32or0-4n4
Please forgive the mispronunciation of the sephiroth. For a Hebrew pronunciation reference, see The Correct Hebrew Pronunciation of the 10 Sefirot by Hebrew for Masons, youtu.be/d_824rf98a4
Decks Pictured: Tarot de Nicolas Conver (Marseilles 1760, France) derivative based on public domain images of the Conver deck; Scans of the “Pam A” Rider Tarot Deck (1910), the original Rider-Waite-Smith; Thoth Tarot Deck (or “The Book of Thoth”) by Aleister Crowley (U.S. Games Systems, Premier Edition, 2005; first published by Ordo Templi Orientis, 1969)
Books Referenced for the Card Meanings: The Tarot (1888) by MacGregor Mathers; The Tarot of the Bohemians (1892) by Papus; The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911) by A. E. Waite; Tarot of the Magicians (1927) by Oswald Wirth; The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages (1947) by Paul Foster Case; Mastering the Tarot (Penguin Group, 1971) by Eden Gray; Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Third Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Rachel Pollack; Tarot for Yourself, 35th Anniversary Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Mary K. Greer; Medium White Book for the Spirit Keeper’s Tarot; Book of Maps (companion guidebook for the SKT).
Books Referenced for the Qabalah and the Kabbalah: Qabalah Paths of Light: The Occult Qabalah Reclaimed (2018) by Gary M. Jaron; The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order (1937; Llewellyn, 2016) by Israel Regardie, John Michael Greer (Ed.); The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism (2009) by Daniel C. Matt; Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest in Judaism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) by David S. Ariel; The Kabbalistic Tradition: An Anthology of Jewish Mysticism (Penguin Books, 2008) by Alan Unterman (Ed.); Kabbalat Shabbat: The Grand Unification (2016) by Debra Band, Raymond P. Scheindlin (trans.), et al.; The Mystical Qabalah (1935) by Dion Fortune
BENEBELL WEN
Website. http://www.benebellwen.com
Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/tarotanalysis
Instagram. http://www.instagram.com/bellwen
Don’t forget to download the companion handout of notes and references (pdf): benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/comparative-study-of-freud-and-jung-for-the-tarot-reader-2022.pdf
The primary deck showcased for illustrative purposes is my Spirit Keeper’s Tarot: Revelation Edition. The first print run is now sold out, but a second printing is forthcoming. Please add your e-mail to the wait list to be the first notified when the SKT is re-released: groups.google.com/g/skt-waitlist
==Timestamps==
00:00 Introduction: Applying Psychoanalytic and Analytic Theory to Card Reading
03:05 Brief Biographies of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung
04:38 Interpretation of Signs and Symbols: Freud vs. Jung’s Theories
06:25 Dream Interpretation and Application to the Tarot
08:28 Brief Comment on the History of Dream Interpretation
09:56 Free Association & Exploration of Emotions Applied to Tarot
11:51 Purpose of Signs & Symbols: Freud vs. Jung, Revisited
13:30 The Psyche: Structure of Personality (Freud vs. Jung)
18:16 The Mind: Three Levels of Awareness (Freud vs. Jung)
20:06 Source of Psychic Power (Freud vs. Jung)
22:10 Freud’s Defense Mechanisms
24:51 Jung’s Archetypes
26:42 Archetype of the Self
27:11 Archetype of the God Image
27:25 Defining Individuation (and the Transcendent Function)
32:48 Alchemy & Jung’s Analytic Theory
34:48 Checklist of Studies to Deepen Tarot Card Interpretation
35:09 Applications to the Tarot; Closing Remarks
Videos in this lecture series are Closed Captioned for our Deaf, H/H, ESL, and EAL colleagues.
The PowerPoint slides content from this video are an excerpt from an all-day course I taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies, “Accessing the Practical and Profound Wisdom of Tarot” (November, 2021).
SERIES PLAYLIST: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwYyaMvo3ablcJ4urTn-q7s1
Let’s explore Nancy C. Antenucci’s Tarot Rituals: Ceremonies, Ideas & Experiences for the Tarot Lover (Llewellyn, 2022).
This guided reading session will open with a 5-minute Grounding Ritual inspired by the one found in Chapter 2, “Helpful Fundamentals.” Then we proceed with the Quadrinity Ritual from Chapter 5, “Deepening Rituals for One.”
Feel free to use either tarot or oracle for this guided, meditative reading experience.
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Decks Featured in this Tutorial: Golden Dawn Magical Tarot by Chic and Tabatha Cicero; Hezicos Tarot by Mary Jennifer Griffin; Triple Goddess Tarot (card back) by Jaymi Elford; Winterseer Animal Oracle by Siolo Thompson (Llewellyn, 2021); The Archeo Personal Archetype Cards by Nick Bantock (Llewellyn, 2021); Bad Bitches Tarot by Ethony
Decks Pictured in the Opening (in order): Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon; Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition by Megamunden; Thoth Tarot; SKT First Edition (with Holistic Tarot); The Muse Tarot by Chris-Anne; SKT Vitruvian (with Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack).
SIGHTSEE THE TAROT is a series on my channel through which I take you on a tour of tarot books, spreads, techniques and tips, different decks, and more.
PLAYLIST of all videos in this series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwar0jcbmIu2MaX3RMVEs0ik
Series Page: http://www.tinyurl.com/sightseethetarot
BENEBELL WEN
benebellwen.com
This video is closed-captioned for the Deaf, H/H, and ESL/EAL communities.
Download the PDF worksheet: wp.me/p32or0-7Pk
For even more "training wheels" support, download the following quick reference table of keywords (DOCX file): benebellwen.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/tarot-journal-printout-keywords.docx
After noting the card drawn for each position in the 21-card spread, write down the keywords from the reference table onto your worksheet pages. The keywords themselves will support your arrival at the divinatory significance of the reading.
Decks Featured in this Tutorial: Smith-Waite Centennial by U.S. Games; Lions Gateway Tarot by Jessica Leigh Henry; Le Grand Tarot Belline (1881); Tarot of the Abyss by Ana Tourian
Decks Pictured in the Opening (in order): Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon; Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition by Megamunden; Thoth Tarot; SKT First Edition (with Holistic Tarot); The Muse Tarot by Chris-Anne; SKT Vitruvian (with Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack).
SIGHTSEE THE TAROT is a series on my channel through which I take you on a tour of tarot books, spreads, techniques and tips, different decks, and more.
PLAYLIST of all videos in this series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwar0jcbmIu2MaX3RMVEs0ik
Series Page: http://www.tinyurl.com/sightseethetarot
BENEBELL WEN
benebellwen.com
This video is closed-captioned for the Deaf, H/H, and ESL/EAL communities.
This is Video 11 in an educational series on the tarot. Closed captioning is provided for all videos in this series. A written transcript is also provided as a free pdf download. Check out the course page to download all handouts and references.
Companion blog post on the Knights: wp.me/p32or0-7QQ
Course description page: wp.me/p32or0-4n4;
Books Referenced for the Card Meanings: The Tarot (1888) by MacGregor Mathers; The Tarot of the Bohemians (1892) by Papus; The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911) by A. E. Waite; Tarot of the Magicians (1927) by Oswald Wirth; The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages (1947) by Paul Foster Case; Mastering the Tarot (Penguin Group, 1971) by Eden Gray; Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Third Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Rachel Pollack; Tarot for Yourself, 35th Anniversary Edition (Weiser Books, 2019) by Mary K. Greer; Medium White Book for the Spirit Keeper’s Tarot; Book of Maps (companion guidebook for the SKT).
Books Referenced for the Qabalah and the Kabbalah: Qabalah Paths of Light: The Occult Qabalah Reclaimed (2018) by Gary M. Jaron; The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order (1937; Llewellyn, 2016) by Israel Regardie, John Michael Greer (Ed.); The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism (2009) by Daniel C. Matt; Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest in Judaism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) by David S. Ariel; The Kabbalistic Tradition: An Anthology of Jewish Mysticism (Penguin Books, 2008) by Alan Unterman (Ed.); Kabbalat Shabbat: The Grand Unification (2016) by Debra Band, Raymond P. Scheindlin (trans.), et al.; The Mystical Qabalah (1935) by Dion Fortune