CROSS
CAMELIA ELIAS
MARCH 2023
FINE PRINT SERIES / DIVINATION
PAPERBACK | 120 X 210 | B&W | 104 pp
ISBN 978-87-92633-94-1
PAPERBACK $15
LIMITED EDITION $53 | SOLD OUT
EBOOK $12 I AVAILABLE
DESCRIPTION
In this book Camelia Elias reads the Marseille Tarot in various cross layouts. The 15 examples she goes through offer the reader unique insight into method, practice and personal experience. The cards are cast with a steady hand and the crosses are read with a strong heart. The result is nothing short of awesome.
All the examples in the book are based on real life fortunetelling with the cards for questions that are both of a predictive and reflective character. Each reading also features extrapolations that showcase a precise application of the Read Like the Devil method and principles to classic spreads: French Cross, Celtic Cross, Do and Don’t Cross and an X-tempore Cross.
THREE EDITIONS
This book comes in three editions: an unlimited paperback edition, a limited edition paperback of 47 copies that’s crafted as a talisman, and ebook.
THE TALISMANIC ROSARY EDITION | SOLD OUT
As a talisman the paperback features enchanted unique vintage rosaries wrapped around a French lace band that goes across the book enclosing it. In addition the book comes with a sigil card, the Pope printed on Italian bronze coated parchment paper, featuring stencil-like post production, so no two cards are the same. The talisman edition is signed and numbered.
The book as a talismanic object is prepared in a ritual whose purpose is to effect the magic of ‘uncrossing’ for the ones who own this object. In various folk traditions we find the idea of amulets and talismans bestowing the owner the capacity to overcome resistance, obstacles, or a situation that can’t be helped. The book, each accompanied by a unique rosary and the sigil card, has been enchanted with the idea of ‘uncrossing’ in mind.
THE STANDARD & EBOOK EDITIONS | AVAILABLE
If you missed the special edition, you can still get the standard paperback or the ebook.
CONTEXTUALIZING THE CROSS
The Cross is a symbol mostly associated with Christianity, but its use predates Catholicism by millennia and has occurred on several continents in other cultural and spiritual practices. In Europe pre-Christian usages in Pagan rituals are documented through petroglyphs and other representations. The Cross has its four directional geometry which lends itself to many symbolic meanings – cardinal points, seasons, elements, etc.
As Christianity conquered Europe we see the Pagan cross and the Christian one cross-pollinate and merge in interesting ways. An amusing instance of that is the Danish foundational rune stone carving in Jelling, celebrating the establishment of the Danish Royal lineage that has lasted since ca. 960. On that stone is a crucified figure, which Christians would read as Jesus on the Cross of Calvary – but which Pagans would be equally justified in reading as Odin suspending himself on Yggdrasil, the World Tree, to gain insight. Both these images are again twisted, yet reflected in the Tarot card of The Hanged Man.
In our encounter with the Cross, the question is this: what must we give up, not so much in order to gain knowledge – for that we may meet a certain someone at the crossroads and make a pact – but rather in order to strengthen our faith that things actually take the course they take and we have full acceptance of it? This is the Zen path uncrossing our perceptions…
