AFRICAN AMERICAN TAROT TAROCCHI AFRO AMERICANI TAROT AFROAMERICANO TAROT AFRO-AMERICAIN AFROAMERIKANISCHES TAROT, Se African American Tarot The First Man was African... 2.is common knowledge by now that the human the Aes ts startin Africa: or thousands of years African continent was the cradle of mankind, and it developed great civilizations and many dif. ferent ethnic groups. This is one of the moc: Why we cannot speak of a single African aaline oe ant to use the term to indicate a uniform eet PLmyths, legends and cultural references ig Cis if we want to speak of a unified Afro Wena, culture. | The historic atrocities of slavery, followed by those OL2cism and segregation, have robbed the mere Ane deck is based on a number of key concepts: Archetypes. Each traditional arcane is associated || qidh an archetype that links the structee sie | deck designed in such a way as to be trance Aland thas independent of any specific Armco | gin, culture or ethnic group. Mythology. The cards are associated with one or ree tivinities of African origin, whose ratace I Rblaced, in the most literal way possible. wat symbols of Airican origin, Association. Every mythical aspect is connected to 1 Rreduivalent historic reflection, well defined 44 | Afro-American culture,brings energy to the consultation A key to understanding: Anansi’s Web (see figure on page 2) The Qu tho he “trap” encountered by the querient aton, the way 37 The fear linked to this “trap” 3 ~The dangers of the “trap” 4, The opportunities connected with the “trap” The Way Out 5~Someone’s help 6 - Someone's interference 7 ~ An unexpected event The Test 8~ The test to pass ‘The Outcome 9~ The price to pay 0 — What the querient will obiain Major Arcana Rete Fool ~ Soul. Light: Instinct, curiosity: Rebellion, freedom. from precometee’t ideas, Shadow: " Sienplicity, ‘childlike sentiments” Confusion. Irresponsibility. inet’, Magician ~The first man (Adriambakomanana, Madagascar), Light: Initiative,organizing skills, strong will. Construction of the go. Speaking ability. Shadow: Egotism, swagger, Iying and fraud. Psychological manipulation. IL, ‘The High Priestess — Reason, Language (Minona, the divining sorcerer-goddess, Togo and Benin). Light: Wisdom, intuition, empathy and receptiveness. The feminine cosmic principle, guide of dreams. Shadow: Flight from reality, false- Bess, instability. Difficulties with the feminine side. IIL The Empress ~ Mother (Ositun, goddess of love, | creativity and fertility, Nigeria). Light: Pertility and | abundance. Enagination, creativity. Love reward- ed. Shadow: Envy, creative sterility, laziness. Destructive seduction, meddling, in the affairs of others. TV, The Emperor Father (Olorun, god of the sky and father of the gods, Nigeria). Light: Authority, respon. sibility, experience. Self-control, firmness and moral strength. Shadow: Despotism, obsession. Personal ambition, lack of feeling. Psychological dependency sought or imposed. | V. The Hierophant. ~ Magic, Writing (Tsui, god of witch doctors, Namibia). Light: Secret knowledge, ability to be concise o understanding, Spirituality, | cthical values, guidance, mentoring. Shadow: Bad | advice. Conformism, intolerance, pettiness | VE The Lovers — Land, Agriculture, Harvest, | (Adriambahomanana and Andriamahilala, the first | human Beings, Madagascar). Light: Attraction of opposites, spiritual’ integrity, inner balance. Teemination, moral test. Deep love and friendship. Shadow: Impossible sentimental Utopias, romantic jllusions. Failed tests. Inability to choose. | VIL. The Chariot - Animals, Hunting-Grazing (Oya, goddess of storm arid change, Nigeria). Light: Dynamism, fruitful talents. Success in challenge, search for a social definition. Shadow: Megalomania, arrogance, imprudence and impa- tience. Lack of scruples. i EET IVIL. Strength - Warrior (Shango, warrior god storm, Nigeria). Light: Courage, vitality and go health, cheerfulness. Harmony between reason instinct. Shadow: Loss of self-control. Repression instincts. Inability to realize projects. IX. The Hermit - Witch Doctor (Deng, civilizing go who abandoned mankind in disgust, Sudan). Ligh Spiritual retreat, wisdom, austerity. Meeting with} Master. Shadow: Misanthropy, hostility towards lif lack of compassion, distrust. X. The Wheel ~ Weather, Seasons (Elegua, god crossroads and opportunities, Nigeria). ‘Light ‘Unexpected good luck, new cycle, ability to sei opportunities. Psychological maturity, comprehe sion of destiny. Shadow: Resistance to change, pes simism, superstition, resignation. XL Justice — Law, Tribe-Ethnic Group-Peopl (Chosi, god of justice, Nigeria). Light: Impartial judi ment, law and order, natural law. Evening score, restoration of balance. Shadow: Injustic Hypocritical behavior, cowardice, narrow-mind ness, 4 XIL. The Observer ~ Initiation, Ritual (Jf, god fate and destiny, Nigeria). Light: Wisdom, spiritu: strength, inner depth, mysticism. Self-sacrifi dedication. Shadow: Lack of a sense, isolation, staj nant situation. Renunciation, frustration. XIII, Death ~ Death, Ancestors (Atui, goddess di penser of the gift of death and conflict, Nigeria). Light Transformation, break with the past, new concey of the world. Profound emotion, renewal of Ego, rejection of the superfluous. Shadoi Stagnation and inertia, fear of facing change. XIV, Temperance ~ Medicine, Spirits (Babalu-Ayg god of recovered health, Nigeria). Light: Harmony inner energies, serenity, creative inspiration. Prope measure, generosity. Shadow: Energy imbalana lack of harmony. Instability, apathy. 3 XV. The Devil — Obscurity, Deception (Anansi # SSMocker, West Africa). Light: Charm, seduction, mag- netism. Sexuality experienced freely, passionate spirit. Shadow: Lust, temptation. Greed, lack of scruples. Abuse, evil, self-destructive will. XVI The Tower ~ Corruption, Evil (Gaunab, god of evil, catastrophes and epidemics, South Africa). Light: The end of a cycle, drastic change. New values, psychological growth. Giving up old habits Shadow: Catastrophe, adversity, tremendous chaos, Lack of freedom, anxiety about the future. XVII. The Stars ~The Sky (Aku), god of the sky and the rain, Kenya). Light: Sensitivity, hope, spiritual awareness. Harmony with oneself and others, joy of living. Shadow: Shattered hopes, lack of confi- dence, deceptions of the mand, XVIIL The Moon ~ Woman (Mau, female halfof the creator god Mawu-Liza, West Africa). Light: Introspection, sixth sense, prophetic dreams Imagination. Shadow: Illusions, self-deception, non. existent dangers. Uneasiness. XIX. The Sun -Man (Liza, male half: ‘of the creator god Mavu-Liza, West Africa). Light: Great energy, Joy, enthusiasm. Generosity, intelligence, helpfulness Shadovw: Arrogance, pride, lack of judgment, mepa: lomania. Hyperactivity, frenzied activity. XX Judgment. The Earth, the Origins (Kaka-Guie, god of funeral rites, ferryman of souls, Ivory Coust), Light: Reawakening, new ideas, purification, Perception, inspiration. Social consent, Shadow Fear of change, refusal to make decisions, Self. deception, inner darkness. XXL The World. The World (Oduduwoa, who took over from his brother Obatala the task of conapleting the creation by Olorun, Nigeria). Light: Satisfactory out. come of a cycle, success, completion. Full self. awareness, good reputation. Shadow: Fear of suc- cess, envy. Lack of will power, false appearances, incomprehension.Chalices Esoteric affinity: Water - Sentiments - Soul § Ace ~ Buk (goddess of water and the origins, Sudan) Generating force, vital energy, inexhaustibl source. Vitality, abundance, love. q 2- Unkunlunkulu (the god who invented marriage, Zulu) and Jean Baptiste Du Sable (Faiti 1745, $i Charles, Missouri, 1818) ~ Passion, love, the perf couple. Idyll, a lucky meeting, 3 ~ Mbaba Mwana Waresa (goddess of beer and har. vests, Zulu) and Louis Armstrong (New Orlear 1900, New York 1971) - Abundance, convivialit good cheer and companionship. Resolution problems, psychic evolution. 4 ~The friendship of the orphan and the lion James Augustine Healy (Macon, Georgia, 183! Portland, Maine, 1900} — Noble sentiments, disinté ested friendship, strong bond. New’ beginnin, introspection. Partial satisfaction, economic stabil 5 = Moshanyana (hero slayer of the mons, Kholumolumo, South Africa) and Frederiel Douglass (Easton, Maryland, 1817, Washington D. 1895) ~ Freedom, reconciliation, openness to ney ideas, Humility in success, helpfulness. t 6 Yumboe (the night fairies, Senegal) and Bessi Smith (Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1898, Memphis, 193; = Celebration, joy of living, pleasant place Enjoyable memories, positive experiences. 7 ~ Alouroua (the hidden god, Toory Coast) and Pai Laurence Dunbar (Dayion, Ohio, 1872, Colora 1906) ~ Imagination, ‘daydreams, possibilitig Signs, free interpretations, yearning. 8~ "Tore (the pigmy god of hinting and initiation rit Congo) and Malcolm X (Omaha, Nebraska, 1925, Ne York, 1965) - Maturity, correct assessment, concret ness. Growth, renunciation, sacrifice. } 9 — Kalemeleme and the python’s give (Cent Africa) and Matthew Henson (Charles Coun Maryland, 1866-1955) ~ Gratification, reward, wHog Oshunmare (the rainbow snake, Nigeria) and Joseph Cingué (Mani, Sinn Leone, 1811, 1853) — Rebirth, renewal, perfection of a situati sitive Cutcome. Contentment, happiness, family hare Queen ~ Marve ‘the wom who came back from beyond the grave, South Africa) ~ Wisciom, claire Ease comprehension and Sensitivity. Wife, mj tress, and loyal, id. Pentacles Aioteric affinities: The Earthy - Nature - Objects - 01 ching, ecstasy, Stecees, The perfect gain, 3oWisition, things of valus 2— Yo (the prankster soa Pf Mawu-Lioa, West Afrieg) and Duke Ellington (1899-1974) — "Fun Baiety, cheer. Playfuinese: Pranks, jokes, Benj ABs (G04 of hunt! Benin and Togo) and Benjamin Banneker (Village near Baltimore W731, Ellicott City, Maryland, 1806) ~ Mastery of an art, Geel™ana (Bod who posses d things, Rutanda) nd Granville Woods (Columbus, Ohio, 1856, New York City 1910) ~ Accurnulation, savings, thrift. Greed) soles5 - Aigamuxa (demon man-eater of the desert Southwestern Africa) Sojourner Teuth (? 1797, Bat Creek, Michigan, 1883) Indigence, dificult, poves ty. Lack, shortage, desolation. ' 6 ~ Engai and Naiteru-Kop (the god giver of the flo to the founder of the Masai tribe, Kenya) and Harri Tubman (Dorchester County, Maryland, 182. Auburn, New York, 1913) ~ Generosity, donation gift-giving. Fair distribution, wise J Batons Munificence, charity. 7 ~Tano (god of healing, Ghana) and Henry Ossi: Flipper (Thomasville, Georgia, 1856, Atlanta, 1940}: Commitment, self-criticism, objective evaluation one’s own work, partial gains. Importance of bei able to wait, dedication. 3 8 ~ Gu (god of tools, Benin and Togo) and Flija McCoy (Colchester, Ontario, Canada, 1844, Detrod 1929) — Manual dexterity, craftsmanship, ski Dedication, commitment, 9 - The boy and the coin-filled gourds (Senegi and Jan Matzeliger (Paramaribo, Dutch Guyay 1852, Lynn, Massachusetts, 1889) - Material weal security, ease. Serenity, discernment, prudence. 10 - Ombwiri (ancestral protecting spirits, Gab and Martin Luther King (Atlanta, Georgia, 19: Memphis, Tennessee, 1968) — Family harmo health, well-being. Family incomes, agreemé inheritance. Knave ~ Kamuiu (mortal hero, pupil of Nyan Namibia) ~ Craving for knowledge, applicati study, ability to learn, Student, apprentice. Knight - Domfe (rain god, Central Africa)’ Generous mentor, teacher. Responsible, professioy al help, professional skill, uprightness. Queen — Ala (earth mother, goddess of fertili Nigeria) - Opulerice, material’ security, ma; cence. Heiress, hostess. King ~ Tsoede (conqueror prince and innoval Nigeria) ~ Ambitious man, fighter, valorous perséi 10Innovation, practical intelligence. Initiative, suc- cess, businessman, Wands | Esoteric affinities: Fite - Spirits Bonds with the ori- gins Ace ~ Omumborombonga (the Tiee of Life, Namib) = Beginning, starting point, bud. Creation ee || prise, initiative. [| 2 Qbambow (spirit ofthe unburied dend that poses. | Bigitiaborns with madness, West Africa) and Ball j | Pickett (Travis County, Texas, 1871-1932) — | | Hardship, awkwardness, madness. Confecvon, [ | delirium. Uncertainty, fears for the futase: eae | 3~The Goat the Hyenas and Nat Love (Davidson County, Tennessee, 1854, Loe Angeles, 1921) | aexPloration, discovery. Boldness, decison weit ness of spirit 4 = Anotchi (the healing protector of the Ashantis, Ghana) and Robert Smalls (Beaujort, South Carolina, 1839-1915) — Refuge, Prosperity. Agreement, har. mony, peace Dann okUA and the chameleon (Nigeria) and | Denmark Vesey (St. Thomas, Santo Domingo, 1767, | Charleston, South Carolina, 1822) — Imitation, simu- | lation, camoutlage. Test, training, Preparation, | rane 6 ~ Kintu (legendary King of Uganda) and Jesse Pag (Oakville, Alabama, 1913; Tucson, arbors 1980) ~ Victory, success, honors, Rivalry, envy, | 7—Dubiaku (ite child’ who deceived frecth, Chana) | and Milla Granson (Kentucky 19% century) — | | Lourage, intelligence, imagination. Combgave spirit ability to regenerate oneself, j 8. Eshu (god of communication’ and messengers, | Nigeria) and Jamnec Beckworth (Virginia 1798, | Derver 1867) — Travel, messages, rapid decisions, | [yoblem-solving, opportunities, aseociauone ideas. Sudden events and love at-first-sight. 9 Onyame (guardian and protector god, Ghana) and ! u laaeametes case SF eR Ren errteeerr—rG2r0line Still-Anderson (Philadelphia 1849, 1919) ‘igilance, discretely protective presence, defen Strength in adversity, dependability, 10 = the Nightwalkers (evil witch doctors, South, Africa) and Charles Young (Mayslick, Kentucky, 1864, Lagos, Nigeria, 1922) ~ Duplicity, hidden intend tions, ambiguity. Oppression, fatigue, waleecn [nave ~ Tchue (itero who brougit fire to mankin Kalahari) — Impulsive person but one who is enthu- Siaatic and sincere, craving for new experiences,| Wan for goals that can’be achieved honesty. Willpower, determination, ' Knight ~ Tsui-Goab (god of wizardry and metamor,, Phosis, Soutle Africa) ~ Quick-thinking, quick-acting, person, energetic and willful. Ability to access: inner potential and share ideals, a Queen — Mami Wata (spirit of desire, Central Africa), 7 Charm, amiability, magnetism. Friend, compans jon of adventure. Elegance, dignity Aang=Niambi (god ofthe jungle, Namibia) —Respe for traditions, “authority recognized but Ing imposed. Person respectful of the law, honesty ands Swords Esoteric affinities: Air - Art - Suffering ~The Mind 4 Ace ~ Ogun (the blacksmith god, custodian of oaths, Nigeria) - Triumph, power, conquest, exaltnion of strength, : 2 ~ Adroa-Adro (divinity with a dual nature, Cong Basin) and Dorie Miller (Wiaco, Texas, 1919, Cit, plands, 1943) ~ Balance, adaptability, hardw harmony. Dialectic, confrontation, duct 4 4 The wanderer who defeated Chiruwi (Centra Africa) and George Washington Carver (Diannn Free, Missouri, 1864, Tuskegee, Alabama, 1943) Learning, experience earned with valor, desive for self improvement. Self-knowledge, inner rebirth a 4-Akongo abandons mankind (the creator god wig a 12FRandons his creatures, Congo) and Norbert Rillieux (New Orleans, 1806, Paris, 1894) — Withdrawal, abandon, solitude. Vigil, meditation, reflecins Maret? dion, the leopard and the hunter and Marcus Garvey (St. Arm, Jarnaica, 189% London, 1640) ~ Deteat, failure, loss of privileges, Dishonor, infamy, exile. 6, Neunza traps Death (Angola) and Daniel Hale | illiams ” (Holtideusturg, Penneyloante 1858, Nashville, Tennessee, 1931) ~ Reasoning, curiosity, experimentation. Travel, move to another place, experience. 7 ~ The Baboon tricks the Lion (South Africa) and Paul Robeson (Princeton, New Jersey, 1898, Philadelphia, 1976) ~ Expedieni, subterfuge, decep- tion, Hidden plans, bold attempt ile chatien brag- ging. 8 — Ga Gorib (troublemuking demon, South Africa) ong, tda Wells-Barnett (Holly Springs, Mississippi, 1869, Chicago 1931) — Provocation, cnnflict Crisis, obstacle, trouble. 9 ~ Ublakanyana (divas demon sworn enemy of Kkind, South Africa) and Garrett Morgan (Paris, Kentucky, 1875, Cleveland, Ohio, 1963) = Nightmare, fervor, looming danger. Desperation, remetee ty, Kholumolumo (tie monster that almost decoured the whole world, Lesotho) and Chases Drew {Washington D.C., 1904, North Carolina, 1980) — Loss, inescapability, separation, emptiness Affliction, tears, desolation. -Knave ~ Badimo (guardian spirits, Botswana) — Guardian, protector, vigilance. Cleverness, quick Gu Sensitive to signs. Willpower, judgment _ Pucen— Yemaja (protector godiess ofwsome x childs _ birth Nigeria) ~Intellectual independence, ability to follow many trains of thought simultaneously. : 13 "wo Storr artesComplex, highly intelligent person, balan between emotions and intellect. 3 King — Asa (protector god of mankind, Kenya) Rationality and logic, love of the law. Care for t weaker, intellectual realization of the sel Cautious, objective person.