The occult tarot deck is a powerful tool used in divination and spiritual practices. It draws upon occult symbolism and esoteric teachings to offer insight, guidance, and self-discovery. This tarot deck is not simply a deck of cards; it is a portal into the mystical realm, a source of wisdom and inspiration. The occult tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into the major and minor arcana. The major arcana contains 22 cards, each representing a significant life lesson or spiritual archetype. These cards embody universal themes and profound teachings, providing deeper insights into the human experience.
"Good day to you, niece," said Baba Yaga.
Self-Resurrection She was once burned to ashes in her own oven, but was so powerful and popular among the mundies that she was able to survive and reconstitute herself. When the evil Max Piper visited Fabletown in the 1920s, she drove him away after a fearsome battle, and worked to restore the Fables fertility after he released virus to sterilize the community.
These cards embody universal themes and profound teachings, providing deeper insights into the human experience. The minor arcana consists of four suits—wands, cups, swords, and pentacles—each representing a different element and aspect of life. The minor arcana cards provide more specific guidance and insights into everyday situations, relationships, and challenges.
Frau Totenkinder (Fables)
She is the Black Forest witch from the Hansel and Gretel story. Her outward appearance as a rather frail old woman masks the fact that she is one of the most powerful Fables to have escaped the Homelands, and she could, in all probability, hold her own against most of those mages working for the Adversary.
Homelands
Totenkinder was born into the Fog Mountain tribe and grew up there. Once she reached puberty, she began to experience premonitions, initially weak, but growing in strength and accuracy, until the tribe made her their shaman. She became romantically involved with Aurac, the son of the tribe's chief, until another nearby tribe invaded their lands. To avert war, the chief's son was married to the daughter of the other chief, leaving the newly pregnant Totenkinder alone. If it became known that the two had slept together, both would have been banished, so Aurac denounced her, accusing her of consorting with demons, leading to her being banished from the tribe. Realizing that she would need far greater power than she currently possessed in order to survive, Totenkinder ritually sacrificed her newborn son and was granted considerable power, which she used to take revenge on Aurac. She learned that, while sacrificing one child a year would keep her power, sacrificing two would prevent her from aging. Years passed as she heaped every indignity imaginable on the tribe that cast her out; ages passed and she remained unchanged, growing only in power and cunning. She assists those who are kind to her, creating the three Billy Goats Gruff to eliminate a bridge troll that was causing problems for a village that wins her favor, and blessing those who she felt worthy.
She took her revenge on the town of Hamelin by creating an enchanted flute that was used to lure away their children. Prompted by her experience with Aurac, she waged her own private war against handsome princes and men of wealth and privilege, during which she was responsible for the curses on Beast and Flycatcher. In order to stem her own physical desires, she allowed herself to age considerably. Finally, tiring of dealing with others, she retired to a cottage deep in the woods, interacting with others only when a child passed, when she would dress up her house with sweets to lure them in to be sacrificed to keep her power. Finally, she encountered Hansel and Gretel, who outsmarted her and burned her in her own oven. Surviving in horrific condition, she was eventually rescued by Snow White and Rose Red, running from the Adversary's forces. Telling her about the mundane world, Snow and Rose attempted to help her reach it, covering a considerable distance with her. However, they became separated while traveling and exactly how Totenkinder ultimately reached the mundane world is unknown.
Fabletown and War with the Adversary
Totenkinder has been instrumental in resolving several crises that have hit Fabletown. When the evil Max Piper visited Fabletown in the 1920s, she drove him away after a fearsome battle, and worked to restore the Fables' fertility after he released virus to sterilize the community. While generally acting in the best interests of Fabletown, Totenkinder is something of a schemer and often seems to be playing her own game. Her help usually comes with a price, as Cinderella found out when she needed one of the witch's potions (although what that price was has yet to be revealed). She has established something of an alliance with Beast since his advancement to the position of sheriff; while this generally establishes itself as a quid-pro-quo arrangement of mutual favours, it remains to be seen if any darker reasons lie behind it
Totenkinder has been instrumental in resolving two of the recent crises to hit Fabletown. She defeated Baba Yaga in magical combat during the wooden soldier assault, much to the shock of the latter, who had always considered her opponent to be minor-league at best. She was also responsible for thwarting the plans of Yusuf, chief adviser to Sinbad of the Arabian Fables, when he released a d'jinn, instructing it to eliminate all his opponents and bring him great power and wealth. Totenkinder anticipated this possibility and ensorcelled him, so that, unknown to him, he actually instructed the genie to kill all his accomplices, then himself (in as drawn-out and painful a manner as possible; as had been intended for his opponents, had to be now intended for him) and then return safely to its bottle. Without her foresight, it seems likely that Fabletown would have been largely destroyed, quite possibly along with much of the mundane world around it.
She has established something of an alliance with Beast since his advancement to the position of sheriff; while this generally establishes itself as a quid-pro-quo arrangement of mutual favors, it remains to be seen if any darker reasons lie behind it. Totenkinder eventually reveals the nature of her spies in the Empire. She installed a magical brush in the woodcarver guild's tools which allows her to look through the eyes of any of the carved beings whose eyes are painted using that brush and to see what they see. Among her unwitting spies is Geppetto's pet owl. She has also been able to apply this spell upon Fabletown's zephyr spies, as per Prince Charming's request. This allowed for members of the Fables' magical community to see what spies saw, in order to make up for the zephyrs' lack of experience with solid beings. Very little escapes her attention in Fabletown; she was the only one to be aware of Snow White's seventh child, for example, and knew of the arrest of Trusty John, despite attempts to keep it quiet. She also has her methods of gathering information from within the Homelands - she claims to have numerous spies there and was aware, for example, that Boy Blue had been captured by the enemy during his time there..
Mister Dark
She continued to assist Fabletown with their needs until the moment Mister Dark attacked. Having decided that the duel with the creature would be her last service, she rejuvenated herself (taking the name of 'Bellflower)' and traveled to the Homelands to find a way to stop him. There she found Clara and the other Fables, she is able to trap Mister Dark inside a gold statue. But he manages to escape and mortally wound her, apparently killing her. She didn't die but transported herself back to the Farm where she reincorporated, but having spent all her magic during the duel, she is no longer a match for Mr. Dark. As she had already decided before the battle that it would be her last, she leaves with Dunster.
She is seen again in the Homeland of the North, having been recruited by the North Wind to help with his sacrifice in dealing with Dullahan. However, they become trapped there until Winter finds them and brings them back with her.
She is seen again as a victim of Goldilocks where she and Dunster are felled by her sword. She is returned to life at the cost of his.
Death
After her apparent resurrection, she had only a few magic left in her. Worse, is that she is again indebted to Rode Res when the latter helped her out, and was forced to work with her during Fabletown's Civil War. Her end came when Cinderella, tasked by Snow White to assassinate her, tracked her down in Dark's castle. The two fought, but eventually, Frau had enough and subsequently demolished the building, taking Cinderella with her. As the two lay dying, Cinderella used all of her remaining strength to jam her glass slipper unto Frau's skull finally killing her.
What sets the occult tarot deck apart from traditional tarot decks is the incorporation of occult symbolism and esoteric knowledge. The cards feature intricate artwork and symbolism drawn from ancient occult traditions, such as numerology, astrology, alchemy, and Kabbalah. These symbols and teachings add layers of depth and meaning to the readings, allowing for a more profound exploration of the subconscious and higher realms of consciousness. The occult tarot deck can be used for various purposes, including divination, meditation, personal growth, and spiritual development. When conducting a tarot reading with this deck, one taps into their intuition and psychic abilities to interpret the symbolism and messages within the cards. The readings offer guidance, clarity, and insight into one's past, present, and future, helping individuals make informed decisions and navigate life's challenges. Furthermore, the occult tarot deck can serve as a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. It provides a mirror into the depths of one's psyche and illuminates areas that may require attention or healing. Through working with the cards, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their patterns, and their life purpose, leading to profound transformation and empowerment. In conclusion, the occult tarot deck is a valuable and intricate tool that combines symbolism, esoteric knowledge, and intuitive guidance. It offers a profound exploration of the human experience and provides insight, wisdom, and self-discovery. Whether used for divination, meditation, or personal growth, the occult tarot deck holds the potential for deep transformation and spiritual awakening..
Reviews for "The Occult Tarot Deck: Exploring Parallel Realities and Timelines"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Occult tarot deck. The artwork was uninspiring and did not give me the eerie and mystical vibes I was hoping for. The quality of the cards was also lacking, with noticeable imperfections on many of them. The guidebook that came with the deck was confusing and did not provide enough information for a beginner like me. Overall, I would not recommend this deck to anyone looking for a truly occult and magical tarot experience.
2. John - 3 stars - I was drawn to the Occult tarot deck because of its intriguing theme, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The cards' illustrations were dark and mysterious, but lacked the depth and symbolism I was hoping for. The cardstock was thin and flimsy, making it difficult to shuffle and handle the cards without worrying about damaging them. The little white booklet that accompanied the deck was also disappointing, as it didn't provide enough detailed interpretations for each card. While the deck has potential, it needs improvement in terms of artwork quality and accompanying resources.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found the Occult tarot deck to be quite underwhelming. The illustrations were inconsistent in style and quality, making it difficult to connect with the symbolism of the cards. The cardstock was thin and easily bent, which was disappointing considering the price I paid for the deck. Additionally, the guidebook lacked depth and didn't provide enough guidance for interpreting the cards. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this deck and would choose to invest in a different tarot deck with better artwork and accompanying resources.
4. James - 1 star - The Occult tarot deck was a complete letdown. The artwork was amateurish and lacked the sophistication I expected from a deck with such a promising theme. The cardstock was flimsy and prone to damage, making it difficult to handle the cards without fear of wear and tear. The guidebook included with the deck was a joke, providing generic interpretations that lacked any real depth or insight. Save yourself the disappointment and invest in a better quality tarot deck with more thoughtfully crafted illustrations.