Overview

The tarot is a symbolic picture of the relationship between spirit and matter. It is the giga-grandchild of DNA, its literal and symbolic ancestor, and an archetypal description of human personal and spiritual development. Spirit and matter are those ancient adversaries and lovers-opposed to each other yet they long for union. When we hold the place between matter and spirit, we can walk the path of what Jung called individuation. By drawing closer to our own nature, we leave a unique legacy that endures beyond death. Our name is written in the Book of Life. The tarot can help with this-it's a dream that holds still. The Xultun Tarot was created by New Zealand artist Peter Balin in 1976. It is the only tarot deck where the major arcana form a complete picture. Michael Owen's classic The Maya Book of Life: Understanding the Xultun Tarot has continued to draw interested readers over the 15 years since it was first published in 2011. Kahurangi Press has re-issued the first edition with a new title, JUNG AND THE XULTUN TAROT, that better reflects its content and intent. This new edition is not a major revision but there are additional sections on synchronicity, DNA, and readings. As before, the minor arcana are not addressed due limitations of space. The major arcana of the tarot are the big picture of our development, the compass for our journey. The minor arcana are the local maps that help us find our way through the bush. With the help of indigenous teachings and the analytical psychology of C G Jung we explore how the Xultun Tarot differs from other medieval and modern tarot decks. It also reveals the profound archetypal patterns, teachings and symbolism held within all tarot decks: The Four Stages of individuation The Three Paths of psychological development The Four Movements of the Book of Life How each card, dreams, awakens, makes love with, compensates, marries and completes each of the other cards All woven on The Loom of Time with the beauty of Maya culture and history. This is the companion book to the Kahurangi Press 2010 classic edition of the original 1976 Xultun Tarot cards, true to their original size and vibrant colours. The new edition of the Xultun Tarot is cause for celebration. The Xultun was the first ""cultural"" tarot, adapting the European images and structures to a very artistic and spiritual tradition. This has become standard but it was Peter Balin's deck that showed the way. It is fitting, therefore, that we now have Michael Owen's deep study, using the insights and wide-ranging knowledge of Jungian studies to open the deck up further and re-connect the Mayan images and teachings to traditional tarot, psychology, alchemy, and ancient wisdom teachings. --Rachel Pollack, author of Tarot Wisdom

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9781067113919

Table of Contents

Reviews

The Tarot enables the inquirer to stand aside and view their own psychological processes in a way few other methods allow. This use of the Tarot is brilliantly explored by Michael Owen. As the painter of The Xultun Tarot, I recommend it highly. --Peter Balin, creator of The Xultun Tarot, author of The Flight of Feathered Serpent The new edition of the Xultun Tarot is cause for celebration. The Xultun was the first cultural tarot and it is fitting that we now have Michael Owen's deep study to open the deck up further and re-connect the Mayan teachings to traditional tarot, psychology, alchemy, and ancient wisdom teachings. --Rachel Pollack, author of Tarot Wisdom In Peter Balin's single painting of the twenty-two Major Arcana of the Tarot, we have a multi-textured tapestry that depicts the Self from a shamanic perspective. This is a profound book of wisdom. --Mary K Greer, author of 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card This book is more than an impressive analysis of Peter Balin's artistic creation. It has warmth. It is to be in touch with Michael Owen's sensitivity to Nature and to his understanding of a world in which all living things are inwardly and outwardly connected. --Ian McCallum, psychiatrist, Jungian Analyst, former rugby Springbok, bush guide. A brilliant, eye-opening synthesis of post-Jungian tarot and the shamanic genius of the classic Mayan civilization. Michael Owen shows a remarkable command of this important and original material. His psychological sophistication and savvy interpretations of the archetypes illuminate a more universal cosmos for the emerging 21st century tarot. --Arthur Rosengarten, PhD, psychologist, author of Tarot and Psychology: Spectrums of Possibility I have been very excited and inspired by your impressive and sensitive integration of shamanism, alchemy and earth consciousness. --Renee Ramsden, Jungian Analyst Michael Owen has performed a dual service. First, he has brought the Xultun Tarot deck to the level of prominence it has deserved since first being revealed in 1976. Second, he has added a significant work to the corpus of Tarot literature. This book not only amplifies and illuminates the Xultun deck but also provides a welcome reminder about how the Tarot enriches consciousness. --Kenneth James, PhD, Jungian Analyst

Author Information

Michael Owen MA is a retired clinical psychologist. After a BSc Hons (Zoology, Manchester) and an MA (Applied Psychology, Toronto) he has been a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist for over forty years, latterly in public and private practice in New Zealand. He has studied at the C G Jung Institute, Zurich and has led wilderness retreats in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Botswana. He now lives in the Waterberg, Limpopo, South Africa. He has worked closely with a group of indigenous elders over several decades.

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