Author Archives: Natalia

Clearing the waters: Cyprian and the seafarers

Recently, I sat down and read one of the latest publications from Hadean Press by Jose Leitao, Clearing the Waters: A Monograph on Saint Cyprian Divination From the 17th to the 19th Century. It is a compact book, 142 pages long including the index, that explores divination through a Cyprianic lens, especially filtered through theContinue reading “Clearing the waters: Cyprian and the seafarers”

Seeing what there is to see

I have been painting lately, or rather drawing. The hiatus I took between October and now led me down a way where I picked up pen and paper and began sketching and drawing. It happened spontaneously. I was sitting about in my house, thinking on playing cards, barajas, fortunetelling packs, and Cyprianic cartomancy. Reflecting onContinue reading “Seeing what there is to see”

Expanding on crossed cartomancy

It is that time of the year again, September, the month I like to focus on St. Cyprian and St. Justina, as their feast day is in this month. Today as a matter of fact. Seizing this opportunity I’d like to expand a little on crossed cartomancy or what can alternately be termed Cyprianic cartomancy.Continue reading “Expanding on crossed cartomancy”

“Sorcerous Poetics”

I originally began writing this as an exploration of historiolae and their narratives within a Cyprianic context. To be sure, historiola as a thing is the basis for this piece, but my focus has changed. I want to zoom in on “Saint Cyprian as a Healer and Further Considerations on Sorcerous Poetics” from Jose Leitao’sContinue reading ““Sorcerous Poetics””

The Oracular Incantation

We begin in a hall like a cathedral full of echoes, enclosed by high stone walls. There is a cup, a breath disturbs the waters of this upraised cup, prayers are intoned. Within all is holy. Beyond, a sword stabs the earth, sinking deep and disturbing the soil, echoing the words, “the earth gives andContinue reading “The Oracular Incantation”

“When outside forces impose”

I’m quoting myself in the title, it’s from my lyrical exploration of the tarot trumps, or majors. June and July have flown by, maybe it’s more like a rumble, they’ve rumbled by. Now we’re in August and I’m thinking about the world, the card in the tarot pack The World or Lemonde as it’s calledContinue reading ““When outside forces impose””

An Ukiyo-e Lenormand: A review

An Ukiyo-e Lenormand by Robert M. Place is beautiful. It comes in a red cloth two part box that slides out, with arched grooves on both of the boxes for easy access. This is the packaging that Robert Place looks to be implementing in all his new decks and I love it. As per PlaceContinue reading “An Ukiyo-e Lenormand: A review”

Monthly endnotes: June 2020

This closing month has felt like an overwhelming roller coaster, both in wider culture/society and within my small circle. I continue learning, despite bumps along the way, how to find joy in the little things, reading a good piece or writing, listening to music with a glass of spiced rum, dancing in my living room,Continue reading “Monthly endnotes: June 2020”

Tarot dreams, or dreaming with tarot

The eve of St. John the Baptist is here and for me the actual eve, the night, of this day is about imaginal, and not so imaginal, escapades. Wild nights under the starts, ecstatic dancing, and a communion between the living and the spirits (including the dead). Since this is about entering into more fluidContinue reading “Tarot dreams, or dreaming with tarot”