The Serpent Ikons
A Sorcerous Distortion of the Tarot de Marseille Major Arcana
by Helena van El
illustrated by Shandi AzK/Bouscatier
The Serpent Ikons: A Sorcerous Distortion of the Tarot de Marseille Major Arcana is a card deck, philosophical commentary, and grimoire; combining at the very heart of its creation primal art, writing, and magickal practice. Forged in the fire of passion for the Mysteries, the Serpent Ikons are an oblation to the Self and its Daemon in the most sacred of experiences – one’s Life as a deliberate, Initiatory journey fashioned by the creativity and will of the magician.
The Serpent Ikons have their roots in the revolt against any religious authority imposing a singular and unilateral relationship with spiritual forces. They embrace the Witch’s way; that torturous path that defies dogma and distorts order. In The Serpent Ikons, the major arcana of the Tarot de Marseille have been subverted to act as a transgression of the Tarot tradition: the Operant needs only the Self for guidance, and prognostications are consciously chosen then brought into being through ritual with one’s Daemon.
Together artist Shandi AzK Bouscatier and author Helena van El have woven a spell of stunning visuals, deep contemplation, and profound magickal practice; and together they invite you to the intimate world of The Serpent Ikons.
An additional word from Helena & Shandi
"We are so glad and grateful for this long journey full of mystery and magickal connections, and, we are proud of this work!
We, as Witches (the two of us), cannot ignore the condition of the planet and the natural world around us. We consider our practice to be deeply rooted in the physical, in the land, and in the reality around us. We stand for the Woods – not only as a conceptual place but as a tangible space from which we draw our power. We are committed to a magickal practice that is not elusive, but rather in relationship and cooperation with the natural world and the beings around us. Our planet is a living being and the most magnificent of all Temples.
It is our Will to use this book and deck as an ecological and magickal act, and as our practice must be based on action and not on words, we, therefore, pledge that for every book and deck set sold, we will plant a tree. This will be done through Forest Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Program once all copies of The Serpent Ikons have sold. Thank you for supporting our arte & vision."
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Table of Contents
Dedications
Preface
Foreword: A Wicked Pack of Cards,
by Gary Lachman
Introduction
Part I
i. The Serpent Ikons – The Vision
ii. The Serpent Ikons – The Royal Path
Part II
The Serpent Ikons – Wielding the Inner World
Part III
Grimoire Space – Rituals
Part IV
Divinatory Speech – Spreads and Questions
Conclusion
Bibliography and References/Resources
Acknowledgments
Epilogue
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Collector’s Edition - Limited to 892 copies
BOOK: 208 pages. Hardbound in Iris 'Grape' fine bookcloth. Gold foil blocking on rounded spine and on the cover + Blind Deboss details on the back cover. Colour interior, with Apple-Red with Marble 'Oracle Antique' Endpapers. White Headbands. Fine typography, printed on Husky White/Smooth 160M archive-quality paper. Comes with a carton-plate insert glued on the interior, individually hand-numbered, and signed by the Author & Artist.
DECK: 35 full-colour custom-sized cards (3.16" X 7.10"), printed on thick 16pt carton with Scuff-Free Lamination, in a custom-made Tuck-Box.
ISBN: 978-1-989339-17-6
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Press, reviews, endorsements
Book and Deck Review by Foolish Fish - watch on YouTube here
Book and Deck Review on the Cipher Grove channel - watch on YouTube here
Book and Deck Review on the Tarot Shrink channel - watch on YouTube here
Interview with Helena van El and Shandi AzK Bouscatier on the BiblioSophia podcast - watch on YouTube here
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About the Author
Helena van El has been a student and practitioner of the Mysteries and the esoteric realms from a young age. She has a particular affinity for planetary and astrological magick, and has been a working Astrologer for over 20 years. She writes, teaches and presents on the themes of existential meaning, Will, death, and agnostic occult practice and philosophy. Helena is an author with Anathema Publishing; having contributed to several editions of PILLARS, and her book The Serpent Ikons: A Sorcerous Distortion of the Tarot de Marseille Major Arcana (foreword by Gary Lachman) is due to be published in Summer 2022.
Helena is also a specialist in conflict resolution; in this field she has a professional Mediation and Restorative practice, is a university professor, and an author of three books and a psychometric instrument on conflict response roles. She brings to her work with clients profound experience with intra and interpersonal dynamics, as well as a deep empathy and compassion for the human condition.
Helena holds a BA in Religious Studies and an MA in Human Systems Intervention. She has certifications in Trauma Counselling and Support and in Mental Health Counselling Skills.
Helena lives and works in her forest sanctuary known as Allhallows in Ontario, Canada, on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabeg traditional territory, in the good company of various fauna and non-material beings.
About the Artist
Shandi AzK/Bouscatier is an art scholar who has studied and taught for more than a decade. He is a jeweller and visual artist, with his artistic practice being informed solely around the witchcraft he also practices. Effigies, tools of power, icons, and other occult objects are all a part of his creation – directed by the Spirits and crafted by his hands. His process is intimate; it is a relationship between living and inhabited matter, the Beings of Otherness and his own vision.
Shandi’s artistic practice is, inescapably a magical one. It draws on the substratum of western occultism and witchcraft, sabbatical witchcraft, tantrism, alchemy, and hermeticism. Shandi studied in Visual Arts, Aesthetic & Art Philosophy, and Cultural Mediation. Shandi can be reached through his social media.
