‘Tarot and the Western Hermetic Tradition’

     

On the whole, New York Open Center provides programming that I would say leans to the East (Zen, yoga, et al.) in spiritual matters, but it does host occasional lectures, classes, and other events that look at Western esoteric traditions. Case in point: This workshop next Friday. From the publicity:

Tarot and the Western Hermetic Tradition

Presented by Ellen Goldberg, MA

Friday, May 9

7 to 10 p.m.

Members: $55 / Non-members $65

New York Open Center

22 East 30th Street

Manhattan

The Tarot is a book of wisdom disguised as a pack of cards. The ever-evolving Tarot is an extraordinary compendium of Western esoteric knowledge, a river of Hermetic wisdom into which the streams of Kabbalah, Alchemy, Pythagorean mathematics, and astrology have flowed. In accord with Hermetic ideals, the object of the Tarot journey is the transformation of individual consciousness into a state of unity with the One.

Today we will learn the basic principles of Hermeticism and see how they breathe life and meaning into the Tarot. Viewed as Hermetic Mandalas, the 22 cards of the Major Arcana allow us to radically enhance our quest for self-realization. Through active imagination and inner journey, we will learn to engage these archetypal images. The workshop will leave you with an ability to use the Tarot for your inner development. The Rider-Waite cards will be used as a basis of discussion.

Note: The workshop is appropriate for students at all levels of study.

Ellen Goldberg, MA, is a psychotherapist, artist, and mystic who has been working within the Hermetic tradition for 35 years. She has been teaching Tarot at the New York Open Center since 1986, and is the founder and director of the School of Oracles.


Click here to register.