Cosmic Deck of Initiation by Barbara Delong Sealed 1992
In the early 90’s I created a deck of round hand painted Mandala cards called The cosmic Deck of Initiation. Though I have no formal, or informal for that matter, art training I was inspired to do this deck. After giving readings for several decades using a variety of different methods I felt that none of them really resonated to me. I had been painting personal Mandala’s for over ten years and found that they were profoundly and spiritually touching as well as inspirational.
It occurred to me that the same energy used in those paintings could be represented in a deck of cards that would give the general public a different way to get positive spiritual information and wisdom, without putting them “off” with depictions of flaming towers or a death card. Standard Tarot, to me, seemed archaic, depressing and limited, so I set about to create a deck of cards that would serve the novice and the spiritually advanced, as well as the child and the master.
A Light Energy deck that would address the times and transitions that all of humanity was going through, and would bring a greater level of spiritual insight, wisdom and understanding to a population whose level of consciousness had expanded beyond the liner into the multi dimensional levels now available to us. To put it very simply, to shift the focus of humanity beyond the physical to encompass the spiritual as well.
The personal Mandala’s that I created were inspired by and came directly from the soul energy of the individuals I painted them for. They were channeled works that flowed from the soul and were what I called “Light energy”. They were perfect and whole and beautiful, because we are perfect and whole and beautiful at our very core as well. To create a “Light energy” deck was an inspiring project. There had never been one before so there was no pattern or form to replicate; I had no structure to be confined by. Thinking them into existence was out of the question, so I allowed them to flow through me and in doing so awakened parts of myself that I didn’t even know were asleep or even there for that matter. To say I was inspired doesn’t even come close to what I experienced. I was driven and enjoyed every minute of it. I painted for 12 or more hours a day for 9 months while teaching full time, being a single parent and never missing one little league game. It was a process I’ll never forget. It filled me with joy and even bliss and I was never tired, I was invigorated and couldn’t wait to get back to the painting.
The Mandala’s took on energy and lives of their own and to this day they dance and sing for me like nothing else I have ever experienced. I have often said they have taken me on a roller coaster ride that goes on still after many decades. They still amaze me and draw exciting and unusual people and events into my reality that would never have happened if it had not been for the deck.
I knew that I could not use any of the traditional forms for this deck if it was indeed going to be a “Light Energy “deck so I sat and waited until the form started to emerge. The number eleven came up over and over again as the names of the cards and how they were to be arranged in order just flowed from me. All I needed to do was to write them down and then start drawing. Once I had the names of the cards I could then channel the patterns that flowed from their names.
The first eleven represent the physical bodies within us. The first seven, the seven chakras followed by evolution, commitment, laughter and initiation. I took the liberty of renaming the seven chakras because this was a different way of dealing with their energy and so renaming them seemed very appropriate. This first group of eleven represents revelation and illumination of the spirit within. They bring to our physical reality and consciousness the potential and possibilities the spirit realms offer to us. These eleven cards represent the aspects of the channels through which spirit can and will flow to bring enlightenment to our consciousness, and open us to the light that is within as it awakens memories of the past, realizations of the present and the promises of the future.
The second group of eleven represents the major cosmic laws that are ever applied to our evolution each time we reincarnate upon the earth plane. Starting with the Law of Life and ending with the Golden Rule, these eleven cards depict those laws that most frequently come into play within our physical reality. They are those concepts that we need to incorporate into our lives in order to bring the spiritual more directly into play within everyday life. This group of laws is what helps to provide a balance within our reality. These are the spiritual laws that guide us throughout all of creation and evolution.
With these laws in play within our lives we are better able to build a greater understanding of the pathways we are following towards our soul’s goal. With this grouping of eleven cards the total number of cards becomes 22, the number of the master builder. With these laws to guide us we are able to erect those sacred structures within to help to gain enlightenment and greater spiritual understanding of the journey’s we are undertaking.
The final group of eleven is comprised of the Universal energies that ever flow around us and are available to us if we but open to them and allow them to weave into the fabric of our reality and enhance the vibrancy of our lives. Beginning with Universal Love and ending with Universal Spirituality these eleven cards focus up on the energies that we can choose to blend with to further enhance our spiritual understanding of life and the lessons that we have drawn to ourselves. They bring understanding and compassion into our lives and if we choose to blend with them and apply them to or realities then light, love and laughter will fill our spirits and the wisdom of the ancients will emerge and be incorporated into our own philosophies to expand awareness and enlighten our spirits.
This brings the total of the cards to 33, the number of the master teacher. This last group of eleven brings to the consciousness the awareness of universal service. This is the number of service to all of humanity and the cosmos, the aspect of unconditional love for all aspects of creation.
The three groups of eleven cards each form the three sides of a triangle, creating the light triangle of enlightenment. There is much symbolism here both with numerology and the symbol of the triangle. The deck begins to take on even greater meaning when these concepts are included into the understanding of the cards.
The astrological signs were the next group that was included into the deck. I have to admit that I did think some about doing away with one of the signs to keep the number eleven even more present but was convinced by several professional astrologist s that all of them were really needed.
As seen on Barbara Delongs Website
Cosmic Deck of Initiation - Barbara DeLong Spiritual Empath and Psychic