The occult tarot deck is a type of tarot deck that draws on esoteric and mystical themes from various spiritual traditions. It incorporates symbols and imagery associated with occult practices and philosophies, such as astrology, alchemy, numerology, and Kabbalah. Each card in the occult tarot deck carries its own symbolism and meaning, which can be interpreted by a tarot reader or practitioner. The Major Arcana cards represent significant life events, archetypal energies, and spiritual lessons. The Minor Arcana cards, on the other hand, reflect day-to-day experiences and aspects of daily life. One of the most well-known occult tarot decks is the Rider-Waite Tarot, created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.
How Different Religions View Cremation
With a full range of cremation services in Oakwood, OH, the cremation planning process is comprehensive and offers many different options for memorializing loved ones and using the cremains to remember them perpetually. However, religious beliefs have always had an impact on funeral planning, and most of the world’s major religions have distinct ideas about cremation.
Religious beliefs about cremation sometimes change over time because of general trends in society and culture. They also can change because of logic and common sense, as well as practical reasons such as those that face very small countries or island countries where there is simply a finite amount of land available for burial.
It’s important to understand that individuals have the right to choose whether they want to be cremated or not. In Christianity, for example, the Bible does not forbid cremation as a funeral disposition choice. In fact, it doesn’t say anything at all about it.
But when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine, cremations were associated with pagan worship. Specifically and significantly, though, dead people weren’t cremated. Instead, pagans offered living people as sacrifices to be burned in worship of their gods. This included both adults and children, and this practice is specifically condemned and prohibited in the Bible.
Regardless of the facts, Christianity discouraged people from being cremated for centuries. This dissuasion came to America through the English colonists and stayed entrenched in American culture through the 1960’s, when the Baby Boomer generation overturned societal norms, including opting for cremation as a means of final disposition of their bodies. Eventually, cremations became a common option for most Americans to consider.
The Catholic Church forbade cremations until the early 1960’s. In an updated policy from Pope Frances in 2016, cremations are allowed, but cremains must be kept in a sacred place and not scattered or home in an urn.
Protestant churches today leave the decision of whether to be cremated up to the individual. Cremation no longer has a stigma attached to it, so many Protestants are choosing it as their final disposition method.
In most cases, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not permit cremation. However, cremation is allowed under circumstances, but a priest must give approval before cremation can be done.
Judaism historically has forbidden cremation. However, today, whether cremation is permissible or not is dependent on the type of Judaism that is practice. Cremation is expressly forbidden for Orthodox Jews. Burial is preferred for Conservative Jews, but cremation is allowed. Cremation is perfectly acceptable for Reform Jews.
Cremation is prohibited without exception in Islam. Burial is the only sanctioned final disposition of the dead.
Buddhism permits cremation as a means of final disposition. Funeral rituals in Buddhism are identical whether a person is buried or cremated, and the rituals matter more than what happens to the deceased in the end. Chanting part of these rituals and monks, if they’re present, will chant during the cremation. If monks are not present, then the deceased’s family will do the chanting while their loved one is being cremated.
In Hinduism, cremation is preferable to burial, except for saints, babies, and children, who are considered to be detached from their bodies and perfectly pure, and can, therefore, be buried.
If you want to learn more about cremation services Oakwood, OH, our compassionate and experienced staff at Glickler Funeral Home & Cremation Service can help. You can come by our funeral home at 1849 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH 45406, or you can contact us today at (937) 278-4287.
Organizing a Memorial Service for a Pagan Family Member
The loss of a loved one can be exceptionally challenging to bear. But one way to honour their memory is to organize a funeral memorial service that is aligned with their spiritual beliefs.
If your loved one considered themselves a pagan, you can host a beautiful memorial service that celebrates nature and the wonders of the Earth.
At Perth Cremations , we can help you organize a memorial service according to your bespoke needs and requirements. Feel free to speak to us today to discuss your options.
What is paganism?
Paganism is a branch of spirituality that does not pertain to any specific religion. Instead, practitioners of paganism consider Mother Nature and the elements to be a form of divinity and focus on nature worship.
If your loved one considered themselves a pagan, you can give them a loving Pagan funeral memorial service that is aligned with pagan natural practices.
Tips to organize a pagan memorial service for your loved one
Different branches of paganism – such as Shamanism, Druidry, Wicca etc. – have different ceremonies prescribed for funerals. But one commonality between them all is the celebration of nature. When you’re planning a memorial service for a Pagan family member, consider doing the following:
1. Have wreaths made of local indigenous flowers and plants
Pagan practitioners celebrate the bounty of the land they live on. Having funeral wreaths made of local, indigenous flora is a great way to celebrate the beliefs of your loved one. You can check the symbolism of different local flowers online to infuse specific significance into the memorial service. For example, Irises for honour and respect.
2. Bring small statues of their matron/patron deities to the memorial service
Some pagans do worship deities – either Christian deities or gods & goddesses from another culture. If your loved one had a matron or patron deity, you can honour their beliefs by bringing the statues of the deity to the service and placing them next to the burial site. You can even keep these statutes on the burial site for a few more months.
3. Read poems on nature instead of religious verses
Poems on nature are one of the best offerings you can give to a Pagan loved one during their memorial service. Poems such as “ Rain Light ” by W.S. Merwin, “ Nothing Gold Can Stay ” by Robert Frost, “ I Thank You God for Most This Amazing ” by E.E. Cummings and “ The Grasses ” by Rumi are a few choices you can consider.
4. Encircle the burial site with candles
Many spiritual practitioners use candles in their practice. Candles represent the steadiness and brightness of the soul, and they represent divine light. A beautiful way to showcase your love for your family member is to light white candles around the burial site. White represents the purity of intention and renewal.
5. Light incense, sage and myrrh
Incense, sage and myrrh are herbs that are believed to have the power to remove negative energies. They infuse the air with positivity and power. Additionally, many Pagan rituals use incense as an offering to the divine. Lighting incense, sage and myrrh during the memorial service can be a wonderful way to help your loved one’s spirit connect with their matron/patron deity.
6. Place your local, seasonal fruits and vegetables as offerings on their gravesite
Just as with local flowers, indigenous and seasonal vegetables and fruits can make wonderful burial site offerings. This is a way to celebrate your loved one’s spiritual beliefs and also give back to the local community.
7. Consider burying them with their sacred altar tools or books
If your loved one had any sacred spiritual tools and/or books, you can consider burying them with them. While not all pagans use altar tools, some may use crystals, deity statutes, divination decks, chalice, spiritual books, etc.
At Perth Cremations , we understand the importance of honouring your loved one’s spiritual beliefs and wishes. We will help you organize a funeral memorial service that helps you celebrate their memory in the most beautiful, loving and authentic way possible. Contact us to speak to one of our memorial service directors today.
Pagan Funerals: Rites, Prayers & What to Expect
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Rooted in the ancient agrarian lifestyles, pagans around the globe hold great reverence for the powers of nature, women, and many deities. Pagan religions are known to have existed longer than Judaism, Christianity, or Hinduism. They’ve been around for as long as 10 or 15 thousand years.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Pagan View on Life and Death
- Pagan Funeral Ceremony Protocol
- Pagan Burial Customs and Soul Releases
The first recorded existence of pagan religions is in the works of Bede the Venerable who was a monk that lived around 735 AD. This was approximately the same era as Caedmon’s Dream of the Rood , which marks the earliest known mention of Christ in Old English literature.
Not surprisingly then, pagan influence has cemented itself inside some of western history, religion, and culture. Certain days of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) are named for Heathen gods.
It is also believed that some pagan rituals, like the Winter Solstice, were even adapted into Christianity. Even with the pejorative labels, judgment and fear attached Paganism has persisted. Despite this, so have their funeral customs.
One of the most well-known occult tarot decks is the Rider-Waite Tarot, created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. It features a blend of occult symbolism, Christian mysticism, and traditional tarot imagery. The Rider-Waite Tarot has become a popular choice for both beginners and experienced tarot readers due to its accessibility and clear symbolism.
Pagan View on Life and Death
Within the many sects of Paganism, there are many beliefs about death, including the afterlife. Yet, life and death are eternally woven together, no matter the belief.
Unlike Christianity, Heathens believe in a great hall (or halls) where people go after they die. They don't believe in reincarnation or anything close to Christianity's view of heaven. Nor do they spend too much time mourning death as in other religions. Instead, they choose to celebrate life which was lived.
Druidry, much like Heathenism, holds a reverence for (Mother) nature. Here, Druidry becomes even more distinct. The geography where one lives also brings diversity to the religion. Whether you live in a temperate rainforest or an oak savanna, with the changes in topography come changes in the gods celebrated.
Like Druidry and Heathenism, both Shamanism and Wicca believe in the transformative powers of nature. Shamanism heals by working with the spirits within nature, whereas Wicca heals by utilizing the gifts granted by nature itself.
The difference is that Shamanism is isolationist and tribal, while Wiccan beings share some beliefs with the spiritually minded. Both are dogmatic.
Hellenism, like the aforementioned pagan spiritualities, is also polytheistic. The divergence here is that one will discover a reverence for the gods of ancient Greece instead of one in nature.
Hellenists align themselves with philosophers—like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Their goal is to achieve civility and a higher mentality.
Unlike most religions, Hellenistic Gods are tangible; they are present in daily life. Hellenists believe that they possess an eternal soul, which allows for an eternal afterlife whether through reincarnation or by sharing a table inside the halls and realm of the gods.
Upon death, pagan spirits travel to the afterlife. They may reach Summerland, or the Otherworld—places of eternal youth, health, and abundance.
Others believe that they are reincarnated, which is a belief not only found in Hinduism but also believed to be of great influence on Roman thought. Still, others believe they will eternally feast with the gods in the great halls, while others may succumb to the dark Underworld, ruled by Hades.
Other occult tarot decks include the Thoth Tarot, created by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris, which draws heavily on Egyptian and Hermetic symbolism. The Hermetic Tarot, created by Godfrey Dowson, is another popular occult deck that combines Hermetic and alchemical imagery. The occult tarot deck can be used for various purposes, such as divination, self-reflection, spiritual guidance, and personal growth. It is believed to tap into the wisdom of the collective unconscious and provide insights into one's past, present, and future. However, it is important to note that the occult tarot deck is not a tool for fortune-telling or predicting the future with absolute certainty. It should be approached with an open mind, as its interpretations can be subjective and open to personal interpretation. Practicing with the occult tarot deck requires patience, intuition, and an understanding of the cards' symbolism. It is often recommended to study tarot books and take time to familiarize oneself with the meanings and associations of each card before attempting readings. In conclusion, the occult tarot deck is a powerful tool for exploring the deeper aspects of the human psyche, spirituality, and the mysteries of life. It offers a unique and rich visual language that can be used for personal growth, spiritual guidance, and self-reflection. Whether one is a beginner or an experienced tarot practitioner, the occult tarot deck provides a fascinating journey into the realm of the unknown..
Reviews for "The Esoteric Wisdom of the Occult Tarot Deck"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆ - I was really disappointed with the Occult Tarot Deck. The artwork was just not appealing to me at all. I found the illustrations to be dark and even a bit creepy, which took away from my enjoyment of using the deck for readings. Additionally, the guidebook that comes with the deck lacked clear explanations and interpretations for the cards. Overall, I didn't feel a connection with this deck and ended up purchasing a different one that suited my tastes better.
2. Michael - ★★☆☆☆ - I was initially drawn to the Occult Tarot Deck because of its unique theme, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. While the artwork is interesting and intricate, I found it to be too busy and confusing when trying to interpret the cards during readings. The cardstock quality was also a letdown as they felt flimsy and easily damaged. I prefer decks that are more straightforward and easier to connect with, so I ended up shelving this deck and not using it as much as I had hoped.
3. Rachel - ★★☆☆☆ - The Occult Tarot Deck has a lot of potential but falls short in execution. The illustrations are detailed and rich in symbolism, but they lack a certain clarity that makes them difficult to interpret for a beginner like myself. The guidebook could have provided more comprehensive explanations and interpretations to assist in understanding the meanings behind the cards. Overall, I found it to be a bit too complex and inaccessible for my liking, and it didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped.