The Occult Tarot Deck is a set of cards used for divination and fortune-telling purposes. It is based on the traditional Tarot deck, but with a unique occult theme. This deck is often sought after by individuals interested in the esoteric arts and hidden knowledge. The deck usually contains 78 cards, consisting of the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that depict significant archetypal figures and symbols, such as The Magician, The Fool, and The High Priestess. These cards represent major life events, spiritual growth, and profound transformations.
The Lilin are Lilith’s loyal army of demonic offspring who are at her beck and call and may one day take over the world. Though, her son Pilgrim proves to be the most loyal of the Lilin, standing by her side through many bloody battles.
Forming alliances with Nightmare, immortal Centurious, Darkholder spy Randolph DeGuzman, and others, Lilith sent her son Fang to mystically mutate Morbius, empowered ninja assassins to send against Victoria Montesi, briefly remade Dan Ketch s disembodied spirit into a Lilin, and otherwise undermined the Nine before the Lilin were dispatched to the Shadow Side Dimension by a mystic explosion caused by Ghost Rider. When Atlantis gods faded from human consciousness, new ones arose, with Lilith taking her place among the Annunaki, worshipped in Mesopotamia, but she reportedly deteriorated into a storm demon before withdrawing to the desert beyond the Euphrates River, which flowed through what would become Iraq.
These cards represent major life events, spiritual growth, and profound transformations. The Minor Arcana consists of four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit has 14 cards, including the Ace to Ten and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King).
Laboratorio Olfattivo Cozumel
If the name rings a bell, you probably have seen it tagged in images of spectacular coral reefs and underwater paradisiac sunken worlds, as Cozumel is one of the most breath-taking (pun intended) snorkeling and diving spots in the world. Located in the Caribbean Sea, along the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel has managed to keep its rugged and untamed beauty, making it a perfect destination for anyone seeking to explore a vacation spot that would provide both a taste of wild adventure and all the pampering leisures of a luxury vacation. And with its rich history and amazing heritage, you will get more, much more than an #instamagrable vacation. Let’s scratch at the surface of its history, using Cozumel from Laboratorio Olfattivo as our olfactory tour guide.
Collage with a screenshot from The fountain movie, a statue of Ixchel, and Cozumel bottle
The island was a pilgrimage center during the Mayan period (250 – 900 A.D.) where women would come from all over the land, even from places as far away as what is now Belize or Guatemala, to pray in the temples of Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. The tradition dictated that at least once in her lifetime, every Maya woman had to make the pilgrimage to Cozumel and take on the current-filled canoe trip from the mainland to the temples of the island. After the long and perilous journey, the pilgrims could finally give offerings and receive the blessing of the goddess in the temples of San Gervasio – parts of which still stand today in the center of the island. The pilgrims could also meet the ah-men (the Mayan doctors, translated as he/she who knows) who were responsible for keeping the balance between nature and the spiritual world and who believed in the healing power of plants, assigning hot and cold descriptors when choosing the right plants for treating a disease (for instance, a venomous bite would be treated with “cold” green plants because a snake’s bite was a “hot” condition).
Cinematic sequence: Arriving at the temple, crisp dawn. Placing the offerings at the altar of the goddess, you submerge your hands in the cool pond of ice-cold water with green leaves floating on top. You wash your face and reawaken to the voice of the ah-men, rhythmically chanting their incantation, hands rapidly moving, crushing the bitter, aromatic herbs on the stone that serves as a mortar. You place the satchel with the precious medicine around your neck, under your shirt, and slowly begin your ascent to Ixchel’s statue. Having been told never to look the priest in his eyes, you keep your gaze to the floor while climbing the narrow path to the top, so narrow that it forces you to graze the walls as you pass, dusting microscopic ghostly remains of gum and crushed shells on your skin. As you approach the top and see the silhouette of the statue, your hands reach for the small satchel pressed to your chest. Heated by your raising pulse, the herbs will release a new, hypnotic smell. Reality glitches into the next frame.
The Spanish came in 1518, and Juan de Grijalva, arriving on the island on the Holy Cross Day (May 3 rd ) proclaimed the land as property of Doña Johanna and Don Carlos Kings of Spain. In 1519, the infamous Hernán Cortés expedition came and persuaded the chief of the Maya to peacefully submit and accept the Christian faith, proceeding to the destruction of many of the temples and religious shrines and sculptures of the island. One member of the Spanish crew had smallpox, a disease that had not existed in America until then, and in a short time, the disease wiped almost all the inhabitants: only a few hundred survived, out of the 20.000 Maya who lived at the time on the island. By the time the expedition of Cortés left Cozumel, the ancient civilization lied in complete ruins and almost depleted of its population. Over the years, pirate attacks grew in frequency, making life on the island very dangerous, and pushing the remaining survivors to move to the mainland. For the following 200 years, the island was completely uninhabited, except for pirates, who used the island as a headquarters for their quests, its caves, cenotes, and remains of Maya sites providing excellent hiding places.
The Curse of Monkey Island game artwork and bottle of Laboratorio Olfattivo Cozumel
Flash of synesthesia synched with old gaming memories, back when LucasArts (videogame company founded by THE George Lucas) weaved their magic unto antediluvian floppy disks. At this point, the perfume feels like a mixture between Indiana Jones & the Fate of Atlantis (the title is pretty self-explanatory) and Monkey Island (a point and click adventure game series where you follow the ill-fated Guybrush Threepwood as he struggles to become the most notorious pirate in the Caribbean).
Cinematic sequence: In the heart of the perfume, we leave behind the smells of underground water-filled corridors, stone puzzles, and ancient aliens and are easing into the new scenario: the pirate smellscape universe. On the sun-drenched deck of the ship, with hands still burning from lowering the sails, you are eagerly preparing to dock the ship to the island. Around, yer mates are preparing the supplies for the expedition, in the chaotic dance that precedes any descent: the young buccaneer cursing while trying to unravel the tangled hemp rope coils; the satchels filled with dry tobacco leaves, tingling everyone’s nose with their rich, almost honeyed warm aroma. The soft breeze brings wafts of milky coconut promises from the island, and the hot Mexico sun is sizzling on your adrenalized skin. Everythings melts into the background creamy, woody, olfactive bubble of the ship.
Fallon Michael, via unsplash
In our days, Cozumel still proves to be a magnet, drawing in visitors from all over the world, as the island is ringed by 30 coral reefs that, that together with the crystal clear transparent blue waters make it one of the most spectacular diving sites in the world. But …there is still certain energy connected to the place. “Even today,” notes a local historian, “we still find straw figures and other offerings at Ixchel’s shrine”. There seems to still be an aura of the sacred hovering around the site, and Mexican women still make pilgrimages to Ixchel’s shrine, where, in a little box in front, flowers, coins, and incense are left as offerings to the goddess. In the dry down the fragrance floats on introspective incense, the creamy sandalwood fading into woody cedar, with a beautiful, dark, and multifaceted tonka comes into play (the tonka that Marie Duchene masters at black-belt level, see Tonkade for reference). From top to bottom, Cozumel is a perfume that feels like an incantation, with a rhythmic metronome-like tempo, changing sceneries from cold to hot and from green aromatics, through multifaceted tobacco and hemp-infused creamy sandalwood to meditative and ritualic incense. Absolutely unisex, it manages to conjure an immersive guided meditation into a paradisiac setting with more layers than one would expect.
Overall, Laboratorio Olfattivo Cozumel made me feel like I’m browsing through the miscellaneous objects section of an olfactive inventory, mixing and merging the notes to solve the puzzle that will unlock the final boss fight. Aromatic healing herbs, cool and green savory basil, hemp rope, blonde tobacco, cleaning sage, and holy incense? As with any riddle, once I figured out my answer, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Of course, your answer may differ from mine, and that’s the beauty of perfume – how anyone can create his own narrative to make it “dance” on your skin to the rhythm of your own drum.
*Also see my reviews of Tonkade and Vanagloria from Laboratorio Olfattivo.
**Notes about Cozumel gathered from Hajovsky, The True History of Cozumel; Mayan Medicine: rituals and plant use by Mayan Ah-Men by Kaylee Doemel; Wikipedia
Top: Bergamot, Vietnamese Basil, Aromatic Notes
Heart: Clary Sage, Indian Hemp, Blonde Tobacco, Amber
Base: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Incense, Tonka bean
Disclosure: Laboratorio Olfattivo Cozumel bottle kindly provided by Laboratorio Olfattivo, opinions are my own
Lilith’s powers have fluctuated over the millennia as her status has shifted to angel, demon, goddess, and more. Originally, she was so infused with the universe’s ambient mystic energy that direct combat with her could potentially weaken dimensional barriers. At present, she possesses at least the typical superhuman strength (up to Class 25), endurance, and durability of a god. She can conjure visions of distant events, create bolts or walls of mystic energy, kill via invisible force, teleport, and perform other magical feats. The full extent of her power, whether current or potential, remains undetermined.
The Minor Arcana represents everyday life and practical matters, such as emotions, intellect, and material abundance. The artwork of the Occult Tarot Deck often incorporates occult symbols, mystical imagery, and esoteric references. This allows the reader to tap into a deeper level of interpretation and spiritual guidance. The imagery serves as a visual representation of the concepts and messages conveyed by each card. When using the Occult Tarot Deck for divination, the reader typically shuffles the cards and lays them out in specific patterns, such as the Celtic Cross spread or the Three-Card spread. The reader then interprets the cards based on their position, symbolism, and intuitive insights. The Occult Tarot Deck has gained popularity in recent years, as people become more interested in spirituality and alternative forms of guidance. It provides individuals with a tool to explore their subconscious mind, receive insights, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. However, it is important to note that the Occult Tarot Deck, like any other form of divination, is not a definitive answer to life's questions. It is simply a tool that can help guide individuals on their spiritual journey and provide them with different perspectives and insights. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to interpret the cards and apply the guidance to their own lives. In conclusion, the Occult Tarot Deck is a powerful tool used for divination and self-reflection. With its unique occult theme and symbolic imagery, it offers individuals an opportunity to connect with their intuition and gain spiritual insights. Whether used for personal growth, spiritual guidance, or simply for curiosity, the Occult Tarot Deck is a fascinating and valuable resource for those interested in the esoteric arts..
Reviews for "Finding Inner Guidance: Navigating Life with the Taeot Tarot Deck"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to get my hands on the "Occult tarot deck" as I am a big fan of tarot cards. However, I was severely disappointed with this deck. The artwork is mediocre at best, and the images are not as visually appealing as I expected. The cardstock used for the cards feels flimsy, and I worry that they won't last long with frequent use. Overall, I don't think this deck lives up to the hype and I would not recommend it to serious tarot enthusiasts.
2. Sarah - 1 star - This "Occult tarot deck" is a complete waste of money. The images on the cards are difficult to interpret, and there is very little guidance provided in the accompanying booklet. The illustrations lack depth and the colors are dull, making it hard to connect with the cards on a spiritual level. Additionally, the card stock is thin and feels cheap. I've used many tarot decks before, and this one is by far the worst. Save your money and invest in a better quality deck that will truly serve you in your tarot practice.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I bought the "Occult tarot deck" hoping for a unique and inspiring set of tarot cards. Unfortunately, I found the images on the cards to be rather dark and gloomy, lacking the vibrant energy and symbolism I usually look for in a tarot deck. The card descriptions in the booklet are also quite brief and don't provide enough insight for a beginner like me. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unimpressed with this deck, and would recommend exploring other options before settling for this one.
4. Mike - 3 stars - The "Occult tarot deck" didn't entirely meet my expectations. While the artwork is intriguing and has a mysterious quality, I found the symbolism on the cards to be a bit convoluted, making it difficult to interpret the messages they are meant to convey. The cardstock is of average quality, though I did appreciate the matte finish. Overall, this deck may appeal to those looking for a darker and more enigmatic tarot experience, but for me, it didn't quite hit the mark.
5. Lisa - 2 stars - As a long-time tarot card enthusiast, I was excited to try out the "Occult tarot deck." However, I found the artwork to be overly complex and lacking in clarity. The cardstock is thin and feels flimsy, which is disappointing considering the price of the deck. The accompanying guidebook is not very comprehensive and doesn't provide enough information to properly understand the cards. Overall, I don't feel that this tarot deck is worth the investment and would suggest looking for more well-rounded options in the market.