About this item
- The Book of Doors Divination Deck is a 65 card oracle deck, based on the symbols and deities of Ancient Egypt.
Specifications
Name
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Book of Doors Divination Deck
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Creators
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Athon Veggi,
Alison Davidson
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Publisher
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Destiny Books
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Deck Type
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Oracle Deck
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Cards
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65
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Deck Tradition
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Ancient Egyptian
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Minor Arcana Style
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None
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Card Back
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Non-reversible
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Reviews
the universal language of the symbols of Egypt, and on
the archetypal nature of Egyptian deities. Two occult
keys comprise the magical system behind this deck: the
alchemical text known as the Emerald Tablet of Hermes
Trismegistus (which describes the transmutation of primal
elements to pure gold), and the numerical system of
Pythagorus (specifically the magic square that provides the
basis of the numbering for the Neteru).
Within this
magical square the eight families of the Neteru are
arranged according to element (which defines their
function) and by the evolution of the Mysteries in the major
religious centers of Heliopolis, Memphis and Thebes.
This
is a system meant to be used with great care - with
emphasis on the sacred when working with divination,
meditation, and magical invocation and evocation. It is meant
to act as a doorway to the voices of ancient Egypt,
much as Tarot acts as a doorway to the archetypes that
it represents. The Neteru as presented here represent
their evolution over the ages - some merging with
others, some fading away, some coming to the forefront of
their time.
The eight families of the Neteru are based
on the four elements and the principles of alchemy.
As represented by the Emerald Tablet, they are as
follows:
1. Tepi-Aui-Un: The Family of the Eight Primordials
1 Nu
2 Nut
3 Hehu
4 Hehut
5 Kekiu
6 Kekiut
7 Kerh
8 Kerhet
2. Pet: The Family of Heaven
1 Kem-T
2 Shen Ur
3 Ra
4 Kheper-Ra
5 Sepdet
6 Neith
7 Sesheta
8 Maat
3. Aakhut: The Family of Fire
1 Ptah
2 Bastet
3 Sekhmet
4 Bes
5 Nefertum
6 Het-Hert
7 Asthoreth
8 Imhotep
4. Aah: The Family of the Moon
1 Amon
2 Apet
3 Amsu
4 Khnemu
5 Tehuti
6 Mut
7 Khonsu
8 Kematef
5. Ra: The Family of the Sun
1 Atum
2 Shu-Tefnut
3 Seth
4 Nebt-Het
5 Auset
6 Geb-Nut-Shu
7 Heru
8 Ausar
6. Nef: The Family of the Wind
1 Meskhenet
2 Renenet
3 Meh-Urt
4 Af-Neteru
5 Bennu
6 Serqet
7 Shai
8 Mafdet
7. Ta: The Family of Earth
1 Geb
2 Sobek
3 Udjit
4 Nekhbet
5 Hapi
6 Akeru
7 Satet
8 Aner-En-Rekh
8. Duat: The Family of Duat
1 Sokar
2 Apep
3 Anpu
4 Shesmu 42
5 Ammit
6 Amenta
7 Unu-T 4-5
8 Pert-Em-Hru
The
"Book Of Doors" consists of 65 cards - the eight cards
of the eight families, and a final card called the
Neter of Neteru, which has no number and belongs to no
family. It represents the All, the Absolute.
At 2 3/4"
by 4 1/4", the deck is slightly smaller than the
regular size Tarot deck, and is a very nice size for those
of us with small hands. The card stock is stiff and
glossy, but not coated, and will take care to keep in good
condition.
The backs of the cards have a 1/4" white border,
followed by a labyrinth like series of gold lines that
surround a blue scarab on a gold background. The face of
the cards has a 1/4" white border, followed by a 1/2"
gold border. The family name, number, and function
title are presented at the bottom of the card in white
on a black background. The pictures themselves are
combinations of Egyptian hieroglyphics and symbology.
The
authors go into great depth to explain the Egyptian system
of deities, the Pythagorian theory of numbers, and
the alchemical meanings behind the numbers. Quite
frankly - they go into a bit too much depth, sometimes
with little backing. I also know more than I thought
that I wanted to know about Egyptian hieroglyphics and
their pronunciation! Having said that - when I went to
do readings with the deck, I found the results
fascinating - and accurate.
There are two methods presented
for setting up a reading with this deck: the first
method involves using the eight sides die provided with
the deck. The die is rolled twice - once to obtain the
column in the Pythagorian square where the Neter will be
found, and a second roll to determine the number of the
row, or family, that the Neter belongs to. The second
method is to shuffle the deck and draw the cards in a
manner similar to drawing cards for a Tarot reading.
The
spread that was presented by the authors is the ten card
Tetractys Spread. It is presented in the form of a pyramid,
with the following position definitions:
1
2 3
4
5 6
7 8 9 10
1. Sirius, the
Sun beyond the sun, the archetype shaping of all
matter, the cause of the situation.
2. Shows how past
thought patterns and actions affect the present.
3. The
inner energy that we carry for transformation - this is
a guide for our future actions.
4. This represents
sexual energy, and the point of contact between the
Seeker's inner and outer worlds.
5. This is the
connection between our physical and spiritual lives, and
speaks of the type of emotional and social relationships
that the Seeker will have.
6. This represents the
flowing of our emotions, expectations and wishes.
7.
This card relates to past actions and how they are
currently influencing us.
8. This card shows how the
Seeker will act in given circumstances.
9. This card
speaks of our power to manifest - to do things.
10. This
card speaks of what actions we can perform to
accomplish our goals.
Each card is presented with a black
and white scan of the card, a discussion of the
energies held within and a divinatory meaning (there are no
reversed meaning given). From the book:
The Family Of The Eight Primordials: Number 8 - Kerhet Secret
Kerhet is
standing int he primordial water, with the two-headed snake
of Kerh now out of the mud and in the light. The
power is thus being manifested as the seed is emitted
into the world;
the transmission has been given. In the
mark of an adept, she holds her finger to her lips.
In
Kerhet the quality of secrecy is recognized int he oath
to Keep Silent, to keep the creative operation in
perfect secrecy. Kerh and Kerhet are the Neteru to whom we
have to call for the secret initiation as there are no
intermediaries. These initiations lead to an accelerated spiritual
metamorphosis, and can give information in the dream state to the
higher bodies, to the ba and ka. This is the initiation
which permits us to transform our destiny.
Kerhet is
number eight, meaning resurrection. The final sound he in
her name describes the bringing forth of light. With
love Kerhet distills the energy from the dense matter
of the physical , to take control of the subtle
bodies and the many dimensions of existence. She is the
only female primordial with a frog head, showing the
dominion over the earth element we must achieve before the
"leap" into the spirit.
Kerh and Kerhet show how to use
the power most effectively, that is with great
secrecy. Every useless exhibition of this power linked with
the ego, every use not strictly necessary for the
spiritual work, is severely punished by losing the power,
and in extreme cases, by losing the life.
The silence
of Kerhet relates to the Saturnine influence within
all of the Primordials. It holds the secret of the
formation and aggregation of matter, the seeds of existence
and karma. And so Kerhet concludes the powerful, the
awe-ful, the magical ogdoad.
Divinitory Meaning:
Secret
initiation. The Transmission of occult power.
This is
definitely not an oracle for beginners, or for those that
have no interest in Egypt and Egyptian symbology. For
those with an interest in things Egyptian, who are
willing to do the work required to understand this deck,
the "Book Of Doors" is exactly that - a book
containing the doors that open to ancient Egyptian archetypes
and archetypal wisdom.
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