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| Ani, led by the god Horus. |
I needed my copy ofThe Egyptian Book of the Dead
for research purposes recently and couldn’t find it - which is what happens
sometimes when you have too many books for your bookshelves! I went
through a few books in the attic and a few more in other spots, got frustrated
and decided it would be easier to order another copy.
I picked a Faulkner translation out on Amazon and then, on impulse, decided to pay a few more dollars for an illustrated edition.
When the book arrived a few days later I was disappointed to see that it was very over-sized. “Great,” I thought. “It won’t even fit on the shelf.” My disappointment evaporated however the minute I opened the book. This edition, created by James Wasserman, is breathtaking. My review of this amazing edition with some general background on The Book of the Dead follows.
I picked a Faulkner translation out on Amazon and then, on impulse, decided to pay a few more dollars for an illustrated edition.
When the book arrived a few days later I was disappointed to see that it was very over-sized. “Great,” I thought. “It won’t even fit on the shelf.” My disappointment evaporated however the minute I opened the book. This edition, created by James Wasserman, is breathtaking. My review of this amazing edition with some general background on The Book of the Dead follows.
The title The Book of the Dead refers to
several distinct but similar ancient texts which were traditionally included
in the tombs of wealthy Egyptians. These texts are not so much about death
however as they are the afterlife and were originally, and more poetically,
called "The Book of Going Forth by Day."
One of the best examples of these amazing texts, the Papyrus of Ani, chronicles the journey of the deceased Ani, a royal scribe of Thebes, through the underworld and into the world beyond in a series of painted vignettes accompanied by hieroglyphic text. It may be viewed in a wonderful fully illustrated edition produced by James Wasserman with translation by the noted scholar Dr. Raymond Faulkner and additional translation by Dr. Ogden Goelet, Jr. The book is in itself a story, having been the realization of a life long dream on the part of Wasserman who first became acquainted with The Papyrus of Ani when working at Samuel Weiser’s bookstore in New York City in the early 1970s.
One of the best examples of these amazing texts, the Papyrus of Ani, chronicles the journey of the deceased Ani, a royal scribe of Thebes, through the underworld and into the world beyond in a series of painted vignettes accompanied by hieroglyphic text. It may be viewed in a wonderful fully illustrated edition produced by James Wasserman with translation by the noted scholar Dr. Raymond Faulkner and additional translation by Dr. Ogden Goelet, Jr. The book is in itself a story, having been the realization of a life long dream on the part of Wasserman who first became acquainted with The Papyrus of Ani when working at Samuel Weiser’s bookstore in New York City in the early 1970s.
At that time The Papyrus of Ani could be read in translation in one book while viewing the reproduction of the actual scroll in a second book (the British>Museum’s 1890 facsimile edition). Fascinated by the images of the scroll, Wasserman purchased the facsimile from Donald Weiser in 1979. “Soon after,” he tells us in the forward to his edition of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, “I found myself literally “watching” a vision of the book you are now holding in your hands taking shape – that is the exquisite papyrus in full color running along the top of the page, with a readable uncluttered English translation below.”
Wasserman’s book is indeed a work of art, reproducing the 3300 year old, 78
foot long scroll in full with complete translation directly beneath the images
it describes. This beautiful edition allows us to not only read the
incredible story but to view and understand the artwork in the context in
which it was created. A display volume worth displaying, this
edition is perfect for anyone with an interest in ancient Egypt, ancient
religion, mythology or any sort of art.
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| My Lovely Newly Gifted Hanson-Roberts Tarot |
I consider myself so lucky to have such a dear and thoughtful friend. Everything about this gift was perfect from the lovely gypsy graphic with the tiny purple third eye sequin to the gift of a deck I have long admired. It's rare to find such a giving and supportive person, let alone one who is so alike in spirit and has such wonderful energy! Actually the only person besides myself, I allow to handle my cards. I will always treasure this deck!
Tarot cards have the ability to speak to us in so many different voices. They can be emotive, spiritual, or symbolic. They can be read in terms of numbers or colors, elements or history, or through the images themselves. Their interpretation is frequently dynamic, shifting according to the relative proximity of the cards to one another or per their placement in a predetermined spread. For those who read reversals, even the orientation of individual cards tells a story.
Many readers have multiple interpretations for every card. This is part of what makes reading Tarot an intuitive process and can add considerable depth to the messages we receive. There are times however, in my own experience, that knowing too much about a card has added a layer of fuzziness to a reading. That is why I find it helpful to look at the cards as individuals not only in terms of the nature of their associations but in regard to number.
I consider most Tarot cards expansive. I feel that I can explain some of them at relative length. Apply them to different situations. Make intuitive or deliberate choices about the way I will interpret them. Their meaning morphs according many of the factors I discussed at the beginning of this article. While this is, in itself, an evolutionary process I think that I have a sense of the complexity of certain cards even when my knowledge base is incomplete.
There are other cards however that I consider constant. They speak to me very directly and there is no expanding upon them, no over thinking them. There meanings are fixed and they say the same thing over and over whatever the reading. And while it would be limiting , in my opinion, to read the entire deck this way I find that having a few very focused cards allows me to be, if not predictive, at least a better conduit for spirit.
Here are some examples:
Two of Swords = stop, nothing else on this for now.
Three of Cups = yes or go for it.
The Ace of Swords = write on this.
The Wheel of Fortune = on your path.
Eight of Pentacles = apply yourself.
Very curious to hear what others' focus cards might be!
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| My Grandparent's farmhouse in NE PA. Very pleasantly haunted! |
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