Specs: Trade Paperback | English | 384 pages | 6 x 9 IN
Pub Date: August 2011
SUMMARY
A true symbolic synthesis of the Western Initiatic Tradition, the Tarot is a remarkable tool for connecting to the divine powers of the Hermetic and Ogdoadic Tradition of the Ordo Aurum Solis. Grandmaster Jean-Louis de Biasi offers this innovative system of high magic to help you attain higher states of consciousness and an evolved inner self.
Pairing the symbolic components of the Hermetic macrocosm—including the five elements, the seven ancient planets, and the twelve zodiac signs—with corresponding deities of the Greek pantheon, de Biasi shows you step-by-step how to channel cosmic energies. This is the ultimate system, reconciling magicians, Tarot deck readers, and astrologers. Using original Hermetic Tarot images as talismans, you will invoke and internalize the unique energies of each card through powerful practices and rituals.
—Work with the Hermetic Tree of Life
—Discover astral practice
—Perform meditations and visualizations
—Explore Tarot's earliest Greek Qabalistic symbols and other associations
As you progress further on this initiatic path, you will deepen your inner experience of the divine Arcana, and ultimately bring about a profound transformation in all levels and aspects of your being.
FOREWORD
by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke
​
As they say, that’s a good question but there is no established answer. A Foreword can accomplish anything the writer wants, but the one general criterion is that it is normally written by someone other than the author.
I have my own ideas of what a Foreword should do. It should quickly and concisely forewarn the reader about what is really important in the book that follows, and especially anything that is radical, revolutionary or innovative.
ARTICLES RELATED TO THIS BOOK
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Did You Miss Something? Qabalah Versus Hermeticism
For many centuries the Western Tradition seems to have become reduced to teaching only one aspect of the tradition: Hebrew Qabalah. But is Hebrew Qabalah truly the result of magical evolution, or has it resulted by mistake? Jean-Louis de Biasi, author of The Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis, explains how "Hermetic Qabalah" provides more balance and stability than Hebrew Qabalah.
The Divinities and the Spirit of the Tarot
Jean-Louis de Biasi, Grand Master Order Aurum Solis and author of the forthcoming Aurum Solis Tarot, details how you can connect with the divinities and the spirit of the living Tarot.
TESTIMONIALS
After many years of working with the more conventional and prevalent tarot systems, studying and working with The Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis (including the deck) has brought the tarot to life for me in ways I had never previously experienced. The magical system presented in this volume more truly aligns to the Ogdoadic and Hermetic Tradition, and this is proven in the actual work with the system.
Jean-Louis de Biasi shows us the arcana in their fullness: the historical background of the Hermetic and Ogdoadic mysteries, the Divine Beings represented in the images on the cards, the correspondences (including the meaning and basis of the correspondences), and practical, insightful direction for magical ritual work. To know this system, it must be studied and most definitely must be put into actual practice.
I highly recommend this book to all students of the Western Mystery Tradition!
L. Phillips
This book brings the Tarot to Life
This work presents a newly published version of the Tarot trumps with clear practical instruction for using them as a doorway to communicate with the divine intelligences. Superb scholarship builds on the history of the ancient traditions to demonstrate that the Greek expression regarding the use of words of power is as potent, if not more so than the better known Hebrew usages. Practice and direct energetic change of one's self is emphasized over philosophical contemplation.
The most significant attribute of this work is correcting major omissions and errors in the placement (or lack thereof) of the Elements on the Tree, creating a truly balanced structure of the relationships between the Elements, Signs, and Planets. This makes me wonder if the errors have been intentional, for whatever motives.
To make optimal practical use of the book, you will use the new Aurum Solis Tarot. The techniques of the book may be used with any Tarot trumps, but the Aurum Solis deck is obviously better tailored for this work. The emphasis of this offering is on communication with the gods, and divination is done by seeking their advice and consul. The work is useful for the novice or advanced student.
Magick (and it's practitioners) has been maligned and viciously attacked by the Church for centuries. This book helps show why this good and true knowledge has been demonized because it damaged the power and control of the Church.
The Tarot images can be used as a link to receive energy and knowledge from the divine.
James
A long-time mis-attribution of Elements in the Tree is set right
'Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis' is, in my mind, the most innovative piece of esoteric scholarship on the Tarot as well as on Hermetism I have read in over two decades. This book offers a refreshing and insightful look into the history, philosophy, and practice of the Tarot like no other. De Biasi's erudition and wits serve him well as he brilliantly demonstrate the many 19th century misunderstandings of occult philosophy still hindering our use and knowledge of the traditional Tarot as much as the practice of magic. It bridges, in a balanced and powerful way, ancient Hermetic cosmology with more Modern ways to use the Tarot in divination as much as in ritual.
Historically and philosophically, it is the first time I come upon such a rich and precise exposition of the ancient roots of the Tarot. The mechanics behind this magical tool are thoroughly explained through the Corpus Hermeticum as well as Neoplatonic philosophy, and so are rituals.
Contact with the divinities seems easy when using the proper keys. De Biasi's new attributions of the Arcana founded on his vast knowledge of Astrology and Hermetism offers a clear and coherent alternative to the lumping orthodoxy of Qabbalah. The rituals found in the book are surprisingly simple, balanced, and efficient. Above all, `Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis' seems to breath new life into Hermetic Magic, making it vibrant again with the sap of the Divinities, and ever more closer to its ancient roots.
I invite all who are interested in Hermetism, magic, and the Tarot, but also, occult philosophy and paganism in general to read this great book. I have just read it, and it literally made me reflect on every single aspect of my practice so far. My understanding of Hermetism, and its possibilities, changed.
Peter
An insightful and innovative study of the theory and practice of the Tarot
I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical when I first heard of this book but I decided to buy it and check out; a new (or old) perspective of the Tarot. I was not let down by my decision! I found the ideas in it to be the same as things that I had intuitively thought of on my own. There are many great questions that are asked in the book and with revealing answers. Some of the questions asked are about the kabbalah of the Hebrew tradition; which departed far from the traditions that it was taken from. Why are there only three elements represented in the Hebrew alphabet? and why is the Kabbalistic system of symbols so confused? I have found that that is the main difficulty when one sets out to learn it.
If you are interested in magic and Initiation that is out side of the usual Kabbalistic box then this book is for you. It covers controversial subjects such as the Tarot's origins, its relation to the tree of life, the zodiac signs, the elements and much more! There are many rites to use as tools while walking the way of return that I think any dedicated person would find useful. I highly recommend this book to friends, family and to every one who has an interest in the traditions of the Tarot.
Jason
The Living western tradition brought to light
After many years of working with the more conventional and prevalent tarot systems, studying and working with The Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis (including the deck) has brought the tarot to life for me in ways I had never previously experienced. The magical system presented in this volume more truly aligns to the Ogdoadic and Hermetic Tradition, and this is proven in the actual work with the system.
Jean-Louis de Biasi shows us the arcana in their fullness: the historical background of the Hermetic and Ogdoadic mysteries, the Divine Beings represented in the images on the cards, the correspondences (including the meaning and basis of the correspondences), and practical, insightful direction for magical ritual work. To know this system, it must be studied and most definitely must be put into actual practice.
I highly recommend this book to all students of the Western Mystery Tradition!
Larry
This book brings the Tarot to Life
I find it rather telling that the negative reviews of this book are highly emotional and vitriolic, often going off topic , while the positive reviews actually refer to the book itself. I will endeavor to join the ranks of the latter.
I first looked through the Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis to see how the Order has developed, to learn about interacting with the Greek Gods, and to help me decide whether I wanted to apply for membership in the Aurum Solis. I am happy to say that this book succeeded in all three areas.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a proud member of the Aurum Solis, and it was this book that convinced me that the Aurum Solis was the Order for me. The ritual practices with the Divine Arcana described and explained in this book have helped my spiritual development, and helped my life stay on a smooth positive course.
The descriptions of the Greek Gods helped me get to know Them, how they can help me be a better person, and have enriched my life. I have even become familiar with the Greek alphabet by saying the appropriate divine names.
The rituals in the Divine Arcana are all positive, aimed at personal growth and well-being, and can be performed alone or in a group. Don't have the elemental tools of a long time magician? Use the appropriate suit of the Minor Arcana of whichever deck of cards you work with! I for one think this is a brilliant, unique use of the cards.
The history of Hermetics, from antiquity through the Renaissance to the present day is told in a flowing, enjoyable way, as if the author is speaking directly to me. I found it well told and thought-provoking.
I make daily use of the cards this book describes. I use the book almost as much, for explanations, pronunciations, and the rituals it contains. Coupled with the separate book that comes with the cards, I find their use life-affirming, and continually fascinating.
If I was looking for yet another book on the same old Tarot so I could tell fortunes and be the hit of the party, I would skip this book. Fortunately, the Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis is for people who want to learn and work and grow magically.
The author has a unique vision of the Qabalah which he explains very rationally and thoroughly. It makes this work worth the money all by itself.If I couldn't handle the presence of two extra paths on the Tree of Life I would have to honestly ask myself if I was really equipped to ascend it in the first place.
This book can nicely complement the other works on the Aurum Solis if you have an open mind and willingness to try. It is exactly what it says it is- how to use Tarot Talismans for Ritual and Initiation. It is full of useful information for anyone who wants to know these Gods, balance their life, and strengthen their spirit.
Bruce
I Use This Book Daily (Almost)
Like many students of Qabalah, learning it all over again is never fun. In fact, it's insanely frustrating. Like any Mystery Teaching, Qabalah is not a literal truth. Like the material it's based upon, it's a guide. I think Mr. de Biasi does capture the spirit of this Truth in his philosophy, while creating a maddening situation for most of us after-the-fact. IMO, using the Greek alphabet in place of Hebrew is not only brilliant, but probably brings us closer the the teachings of Pythagoras (and his sources), which predate the Hebrew Tree of Life by some 800yrs. It not only unifies many concepts which were otherwise "forced", but completes the 3,5 and 7 in a way which further aligns the system to it's Neoplatonic (and Gnostic by extension) cosmological roots. This of course requires 2 extra cards, which is frustrating but admittedly necessary. The book does not read as smoothly as his "Rediscover the Magick..." book & almost feels like a work-in-progress in some places. However, he again does an excellent job of explaining what the cards are for spiritually, instead of writing another exegesis on dime store fortune telling like most books on the subject.
Now, on my 4th round or re-learning tarot with Mr. de Biasi I have mentally snapped & learned a Higher Truth through sheer frustration.
H.L.