Stellar Magic Tarot is a beautifully designed and spiritually insightful tarot deck that incorporates elements of astrology, astronomy, and magical symbolism. Created by author and professional tarot reader, Martin Wells, this deck offers a unique and powerful tool for divination, meditation, and personal growth. The main idea behind the Stellar Magic Tarot is the fusion of tarot and astrology. Each card in the deck features a specific zodiac sign, planet, or astrological influence, allowing the reader to connect more deeply with the energies and archetypes represented. This integration of astrological symbolism adds another layer of depth and meaning to tarot readings, helping to enhance the accuracy and clarity of the messages received. Another distinctive aspect of this tarot deck is its emphasis on the natural world and the cycles of the universe.
Witches followed a distinct stereotype although we need to be careful not to limit our understanding of what a witch was by following only the stereotype. Witches were, in general, women. They were generally older women. They were more likely to be women without a particularly strong support network of friends or family. They were often women who seemed strange, created tensions or had personality traits that caused them to rub people the wrong way. Most importantly, they were suspected of doing harmful magic, probably over a period of some years. As the historian Christine Larner argued, women were not accused of being witches because they were women; they were accused because they acted like witches. In this way, witchcraft is a sex-related crime, but not a sex-specific crime.
Another step was the establishment of a link between witchcraft and heresy, a link that had not existed before the end of the 15 th century, which emerged thanks to a new theory of diabolical witchcraft that held that the practice of malefice such as using religious objects to curse one s neighbor in fact involved an active pact with the Devil and was therefore a heretical act and not just a ritual performed by misguided country folk. 9 Once he became King of England, he passed the Act of 1604, which made it a capital offense to kill or harm others through witchcraft, consult with evil spirits for any intent or purpose or dig up graves to use the dead bodies in witchcraft.
Another distinctive aspect of this tarot deck is its emphasis on the natural world and the cycles of the universe. The cards are adorned with stunning illustrations of stars, constellations, and celestial bodies, reminding us of our interconnectedness with the cosmos. This cosmic perspective not only adds beauty to the cards, but also serves as a reminder of the vastness and mystery of the universe, helping to broaden our spiritual perspective and deepen our understanding of the tarot’s wisdom.
The Witch Craze in Europe: A Talk by Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz
John Cabot University’s Department of History and Humanities welcomed Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz for a talk called The Witch Craze in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe on November 5, 2019. The talk, moderated by History Professor Fabrizio Conti, traced the origins and nature of the witch craze in Western Europe in the late 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz – The Witch Craze
Witchcraft in Europe
In the late 15th century in Europe, over 80 thousand people were put to death because they were thought to practice witchcraft. They were predominantly elderly women from small villages, who were targeted, labeled as witches, and killed. The witch craze was not a widely spread phenomenon at the time, and it was mostly characteristic of Northern Europe. Witchcraft was believed to be a mix of malefic acts that aimed at pleasing Satan, and it implied a dualistic separation between God and the devil, and good and evil.
Professor Ruiz explained that the term witchcraft was often used to describe religions or beliefs that were not common, such as pre-Christian agricultural cults. When religious men traveled to rural and isolated areas to spread Christianity, they often encountered various kinds of believers and cults, which were mistaken for devil worshippers. Midwives were among the favorite targets because stillbirths were thought to be their way of sacrificing babies to the devil. Brewers were also often accused of practicing witchcraft, because their product intoxicated men and that was thought to make them more vulnerable to the devil’s work.
Summis Desiderantes, Malleus Maleficarum and Compendium Maleficarum
Numerous works have been written about witchcraft. In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued a papal bull called Summis desiderantes affectibus, which recognized the existence of witches, approved their persecution, and threatened those who failed to make the inquisitors’ job easier. This text is considered to have ushered in witch-hunts. In 1486, the Summis desiderantes affectibus was published as part of the preface to Heinrich Kraemer and Jakob Sprenger’s The Malleus Maleficarum, a treatise on witchcraft. An inquisitor and a friar respectively, Kraemer and Sprenger divided the text into 3 main sections that explain how to identify witchcraft, how to protect oneself from it, and how to prosecute the accused.
The witch craze began to spread widely before the Protestant Reformation of the church in the 16th century. Germany was the epicenter of witchcraft because that’s where the Reformation began. In Protestant cities, most of the people accused of witchcraft were Catholic, and in Catholic cities most of the accused were Protestant. The accusers were both male and female, and they were often related to the accused. Among the ways to recognize a witch, according to the beliefs of the time, were physical anomalies such as a third nipple, or marks given by the devil, which usually resembled animals, like bats. These marks were immune to pain and they were mostly found in the accused’s armpits or around their genitals.
In 1608, Italian priest Francesco Maria Guazzo published the Compendium Maleficarum, a witch-hunter’s manual that gives a detailed description of witches’ powers and practices. According to the Compendium Maleficarum, witches had to sign a blood pact with the devil and place it on a crossroads. They had to abjure and cast away their rosaries and religious objects, pay homage to the devil by changing their name, recruit followers and make sacrifices in the devil’s name. They were believed to take part in witch gatherings called Sabbat, where they ate human flesh, murdered children, and had orgies.
The Decline of Witch Hunts
Professor Ruiz concluded that around the 1660s, magic was beginning to be shunned and put to the side. Witch trials gradually diminished and eventually stopped completely. Some still believe in witchcraft, particularly in Africa and Latin America, but people are no longer persecuted and put to death.
Distinguished Professor & Robert and Dorothy Wellman Chair in Medieval History at the University of California, Los Angeles, Teofilo F. Ruiz has been teaching history for almost four decades. Born in Cuba, Professor Ruiz moved to the United States in 1961, and in 1974 he earned a Ph.D. in History from Princeton University. In 1995, Professor Ruiz was named “Outstanding Master’s Universities and Colleges Professor of the Year” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and in 2008 he received UCLA’s Distinguished Teacher Award. In February 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Professor Ruiz a National Humanities Medal. With over thirteen books and numerous articles, Professor Ruiz’s scholarship has been recognized with fellowships from Mellon, Guggenheim, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
The witch craze began to spread widely before the Protestant Reformation of the church in the 16th century. Germany was the epicenter of witchcraft because that’s where the Reformation began. In Protestant cities, most of the people accused of witchcraft were Catholic, and in Catholic cities most of the accused were Protestant. The accusers were both male and female, and they were often related to the accused. Among the ways to recognize a witch, according to the beliefs of the time, were physical anomalies such as a third nipple, or marks given by the devil, which usually resembled animals, like bats. These marks were immune to pain and they were mostly found in the accused’s armpits or around their genitals.
The Stellar Magic Tarot is not only a tool for divination, but also a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. Each card in the deck carries a specific message, archetype, or lesson, providing guidance and insight for navigating life’s challenges and opportunities. By working with this tarot deck, individuals can tap into their own intuition, inner wisdom, and subconscious mind, accessing profound insights and guidance for their spiritual journey. Overall, the Stellar Magic Tarot offers a unique and enchanting approach to tarot that combines astrology, astronomy, and magical symbolism. With its gorgeous artwork and profound insights, this tarot deck is a valuable tool for anyone seeking guidance, inspiration, and personal growth. Whether you are a seasoned tarot reader or a curious beginner, the Stellar Magic Tarot has something to offer, allowing you to explore the mysteries of the universe and tap into your own divine wisdom..
Reviews for "Enhancing Your Tarot Practice with the Stellar Magic Tarot"
1. Jane - 2/5 Stars - I was really disappointed with the Stellar Magic Tarot deck. The artwork on the cards was beautiful, but I found the interpretations to be vague and hard to connect with. The guidebook didn't provide enough detailed explanations either, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. Overall, the deck didn't resonate with me and I struggled to form a meaningful connection with it.
2. John - 1/5 Stars - I have to say, I was quite underwhelmed by the Stellar Magic Tarot. The illustrations are stunning, no doubt about that, but the symbolism feels forced and inconsistent. The card meanings were often unclear and left me questioning their relevance. The guidebook didn't offer much assistance either, lacking depth and failing to provide the necessary guidance for a novice like myself. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend this deck to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 Stars - The Stellar Magic Tarot, while visually appealing, failed to deliver on its promise. The card interpretations were often overly simplistic and lacked depth. I found myself craving more insight and exploration when using this deck. Additionally, the guidebook felt rushed and lacked coherence, making it challenging to fully understand the messages of the cards. Sadly, this deck fell short for me and didn't resonate with my intuitive practice as I had hoped.
4. Michael - 1/5 Stars - I regret purchasing the Stellar Magic Tarot. The artwork is beautiful, but the interpretations of the cards were confusing and didn't align with traditional tarot meanings at times. The guidebook provided minimal guidance, leaving me frustrated and struggling to connect with the deck. Overall, this deck felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness, making it difficult to use for readings. I would caution others to explore alternative tarot decks before settling on this one.