The flawed method of employing curative magic in manga is a common trope seen in many fantasy stories. This method often involves the use of healing spells or magic potions to instantly cure any ailment or injury, without any regard for the consequences or limitations of such magic. In these manga, curative magic is often portrayed as a quick and easy solution to any injury or illness. Characters can simply cast a healing spell or drink a magic potion, and their wounds are instantly healed. This method of employing curative magic may seem convenient and effective, but it overlooks the realistic limitations of such magic. **One major flaw with this method is that it undermines the importance of consequences and character development.
The anatomy of the Hermetic Tarot is the same as the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) (e.g., VIII is Strength and XI is Justice or their equivalents) and there is substantial crossover of subscribed card meanings to render the Hermetic Tarot user-friendly for anyone familiar with the RWS. At the end of this deck review are correspondence tables that compare the RWS with the Hermetic Tarot. Note the card titles assigned to each card in the Hermetic deck. The essences of the cards as denoted by the titles are almost transferrable onto the RWS.
That being said, the little white booklet that accompanies the Hermetic Tarot provides the meanings of the cards in the ill-dignified position, as reversals are called in the booklet, which suggests that the deck is nevertheless intended for reading with reversals. I will say that I have Improved Familiar as a lock at level 7 for an Imp, Opposition Research Necromancy at level 9 and Spell Perfection spell still up in the air at level 15.
**One major flaw with this method is that it undermines the importance of consequences and character development.** In these manga, characters can easily recover from even the most severe injuries or illnesses, without any lasting effects. This removes the tension and potential for character growth that can come from overcoming adversity or dealing with the consequences of their actions.
The Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson: A Powerful Divination Deck and a Suggested Triquetra Spread
The Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson is a masterpiece. The tone of the deck and Dowson’s artwork invokes the full spectrum of powers within the tarot practitioner for spiritual divinatory work. As a Golden Dawn study deck, the card images are fundamentally focused on alchemical and astrological references such as the decans in the Minor Arcana, with the deck outfitted for theurgy. It can be integrated into personal rituals, meditations, and ceremonies and in fact is probably far better suited for such work than, say, the Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith, or even the Thoth decks.
Godfrey Dowson draws heavily from elemental dignities and affinities, Western astrology as interpreted by the Golden Dawn, and the Qabalah. Corresponding alchemical symbols for the four elements and astrological symbols are embedded into each card to denote the attributions. In the Major Arcana, the Key’s corresponding Hebrew letter appears on the top left corner. In the court cards, the alchemical symbol corresponding with the classical element that the card itself represents appears on the top left and the symbol for the element corresponding with the suit appears on the top right. The Knight of Swords, for example, represents Fire (for the Knight) on Air (for the suit of Swords). For practitioners who adopt interpretive methods reliant on elemental dignities and affinities, that is a godsend. The backs of the cards are illustrated with the Hermetic Rose and hexagrams. As they are non-reversible, it may not be an ideal deck for reading with reversals. That being said, the little white booklet that accompanies the Hermetic Tarot provides the meanings of the cards in the “ill-dignified” position, as reversals are called in the booklet, which suggests that the deck is nevertheless intended for reading with reversals.
The anatomy of the Hermetic Tarot is the same as the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) (e.g., VIII is Strength and XI is Justice or their equivalents) and there is substantial crossover of subscribed card meanings to render the Hermetic Tarot user-friendly for anyone familiar with the RWS. At the end of this deck review are correspondence tables that compare the RWS with the Hermetic Tarot. Note the card titles assigned to each card in the Hermetic deck. The essences of the cards as denoted by the titles are almost transferrable onto the RWS.
Moreover, some imagery in the Hermetic Tarot are reminiscent of the Thoth, such as Key 12, The Hanged Man, Four of Cups, or Ten of Wands, among others. Practitioners who use the Thoth will be right at home with the Hermetic Tarot. Overall, the Hermetic Tarot combines the many practical symbolic elements of the RWS and the haute esoteric nature of the Thoth for the creation of one incredible deck that every serious tarot practitioner will want in his or her arsenal.
While I found the deck dysfunctional when reading mundane inquiries about the prospects of a romantic relationship or whether a promotion will be given at work, the Hermetic Tarot can be consulted when a seeker needs to channel or tap into greater universal life forces for personal empowerment. Thus, if the love inquiry is more focused on what greater forces are at play in a seeker’s love life, the Hermetic Tarot can answer that better than the standard decks. Rather than ask whether a promotion will be given at work, if the seeker asks about the greater karmic threads interwoven into her career and professional development, the Hermetic Tarot will prove to be profoundly empowering.
A reading spread that takes well to the Hermetic Tarot is the Triquetra Spread. It is a simple spread that draws on three cards only, which will keep reading with the Hermetic Tarot under control, as the deck is black and white and detail-intensive. Just try reading a Celtic Cross spread with the Hermetic Tarot and it will become immediately apparent why limiting the number of cards and keeping the message of the cards focused and intense is the better objective when using the Hermetic.
The Triquetra Spread is based on the triquetra symbol, a symbol that is significant to many philosophies and religions. It represents a trinity of forces that combine into a unity. For instance, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in Christianity; the Triple Goddess in Neopaganism; or the three promises of a relationship: love, honor, and protection in the Irish tradition. It can also represent the three parts of the Freudian psychic apparatus, the ego, superego, and the id. Here, the triquetra symbol is invoked to draw out the trinity of cosmic forces that the seeker must command in order to stay in control of his or her situation at hand. The spread reveals to the seeker what forces are crucial for turning his or her luck around.
After shuffling, three cards are drawn and placed around the significator or signifier card (“S”). The cards are set down in the formation of a triquetra in the order illustrated above. Card 1 represents the ego, the self, or the seeker’s own subconscious. In a Holy Trinity attribution, it corresponds with the Son. Card 2 represents the superego, the order of the universe, or the collective unconscious. It corresponds with the Father. Card 3 represents the id, the Holy Spirit, or the final part of the trinitarian force. Of the 3 forces, it is likely the most challenging one for the seeker to master.
The trinitarian force, like the mystical concept of the Holy Trinity, represents three distinct bodies that are one. The Hermetic Tarot lends itself well to the Triquetra Spread because the card titles are immensely helpful in indicating to the practitioner what universal forces have influence over the situation at hand. The three selected Lords, Magis, or Dignitaries from the Hermetic Tarot represent the trinity of forces that will empower the seeker to change his or her outcome for the positive. These are the 3 facets of 1 solution to the seeker’s problem. Using the Hermetic Tarot with the Triquetra Spread is effective when reading for yourself because the reading is introspective. You can ruminate over the three drawn cards in solitude and use them to think on the problem at hand.
Inevitably there will be comparisons between The Hermetic Tarot and the Golden Dawn Tarot by Israel Regardie & Robert Wang (1977) or the Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn by Giordano Berti & Patrizio Evangelisti (2008). For me there is no comparison. Dowson’s Hermetic Tarot prevails over all as the preeminent instructive tarot deck on the Golden Dawn interpretive system. The detailing, the angelic references, the 10 sephirots of the Tree of Life, the astrological, numerological, and elemental symbolism challenge me to advance my own scholastic studies of tarot and related metaphysical sciences. It is a must-have for any tarot practitioner subscribing to the Golden Dawn system.
All that said, the Hermetic Tarot is better used for spiritual reflection and meditation than everyday tarot readings to the public. It is an introspective deck, one that aids indispensably in harnessing your personal power or tapping into the universal unconscious, but I cannot imagine how exhausting it would be on the mental faculties to do a tarot reading party with the Hermetic.
MAJOR ARCANA CORRESPONDENCES
Furthermore, **the use of curative magic as a quick fix also undermines the credibility of the world and the rules of magic in these manga.** By instantly healing any injury or illness, there is no sense of danger or urgency in the story. **The suspension of disbelief that is crucial for enjoying fantasy stories is compromised**, as the reader is constantly reminded that the characters can never truly be in danger. Another flaw with this method is the lack of complexity and creativity in the storytelling. By relying too heavily on curative magic, **the authors miss the opportunity to explore other forms of healing or problem-solving**. In real life, medical professionals and healers must often use a combination of methods to treat an ailment, and this complexity adds depth and realism to the story. In conclusion, the flawed method of employing curative magic in manga undermines the importance of consequences and character development, compromises the credibility of the world and the rules of magic, and limits the complexity and creativity of the storytelling. By acknowledging the limitations and consequences of curative magic, manga authors can create more engaging and realistic stories that will resonate with readers..
Reviews for "The overlooked drawbacks of curative magic in popular manga series"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars -
I was really disappointed with "Flawed Method of Employing Curative Magic". The storyline was extremely predictable and lacked any depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any development. Overall, the manga just fell flat for me. I was expecting so much more, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars -
I couldn't stand "Flawed Method of Employing Curative Magic". The artwork was sloppy and inconsistent, making it difficult to follow the action. The dialogue was clunky and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The pacing was all over the place, and the story just didn't make any sense. Overall, I found this manga to be a major disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2/5 stars -
"Flawed Method of Employing Curative Magic" was a letdown for me. The plot had potential, but it was executed poorly. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without any significant development. The character interactions felt forced and lacked chemistry. As a result, I couldn't connect with any of the characters or become invested in their journey. Overall, I found this manga to be lackluster and unmemorable.