By Melanie Marquis
At the end of June, I had the pleasure of attending INATS-West, the International New Age Trade Show held in Denver each year. The expo showcases the best of the best in New Age publishing and retailing, so I thought I’d take a look and share some of the highlights of what’s hot right now and what good things are yet to come. Although the show was much smaller than last year’s event, a by-product of the shaky economy no doubt, it was still very fun, with appearances by authors T. Thorn Coyle, Debra Lynn Katz, and many others. I wandered about for hours, scanning displays for the latest and greatest products that might be of interest to the tarot community. I found all kinds of good stuff. Here are the highlights:
COVR Awards
Each year, the Coalition of Visionary Resources presents awards for the best products in the New Age and metaphysical fields. Congratulations to Jessica Galbreth and Barbara Moore for being honored with the Best New Divination Title award for The Enchanted Oracle! http://www.llewellyn.com
Llewellyn Worldwide
In addition to getting to preview the 2010 Magical Almanac, Witches Calendar, and Witches Companion, in which some of my articles are included, I got to see or hear about this other great stuff as well:
Ciro Marchetti’s Legacy of the Divine Tarot, coming September, 2009. Fantastical digital images by the artist of the popular Gilded Tarot inspire dreamy thoughts and prophetic wisdom.
Cristina Benintende’s Tarot of the Sweet Twilight, out this month from Lo Scarabeo. Dark and sweet, surreal and vivid, this deck is intriguing and bewitching.
Lisa Hunt’s Fairy Tale Tarot, coming September, 2009. Based on fairytales from around the world, Lisa has created an enchanting deck that inspires a sense of childhood serenity.
Carl “Llewellyn” Weschcke and Joe H. Slate’s Psychic Empowerment for Everyone: You Have the Power, Learn How to Use It, coming November, 2009. This book, co-authored by Carl Weschcke, chairman of Llewellyn Worldwide and the “Father of the New Age,” and paranormal researcher Joe H. Slate, author of several books including Psychic Vampires, brings something to the table of profound significance to Tarot readers and anyone else who wants to increase their intuitive powers and their understanding of the spiritual universe. A true guide to the psychic realms, and highly recommended.
Cunningham’s Book of Shadows, coming October, 2009. Yes, you read that right—Scott Cunningham has a new book! A lost manuscript from this much-loved, now-deceased author has been discovered! http://www.llewellyn.com
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
This large publisher of Tarot and other card decks is now distributing creations from Australia’s Blue Angel Gallery, including work by Luci Cavendish and Toni Carmine Salerno.
Also featured was the gorgeous Paulina Tarot by Paulina Cassidy, a beautiful deck with inspiring artwork. And in case you haven’t heard, Stuart Kaplan’s Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set definitely deserves a top spot on your wish list. A biography of the Rider-Waite Tarot artist as well as a reissued deck renamed the Smith Waite Tarot, describing the set doesn’t do it any justice. The cards look so OLD, they have a nice weathered, old-fashioned look that makes them appear especially magical. http://www.usgamesinc.com
Hay House
Colette Baron-Reid’s Wisdom of the Hidden Realms Oracle cards will be released October, 2009. Different and expertly executed, we’ll keep our eyes out for these.
Scott Blum’s Waiting for Autumn, a semi-autobiographical parable of spiritual seeking and finding, is an intimate and satisfying story to enjoy on a relaxing day off. http://www.hayhouse.com
Inner Traditions/Bear and Company
Focusing heavily on their extensive line of 2012-themed books, this publisher brought us Geoff Stray’s Beyond 2012: Catastrophe or Awakening this June, and will be debuting Ervin Laszlo’s WorldShift 2012 this September.
Also worth noting is this publisher’s recent release, Drawing Down the Spirits, by Kenaz Filan and Raven Kaldera. Providing a look at the ins and outs of spirit possession, this book can help Tarot readers experience a whole new level of immersion in the spirit. http://www.innertraditions.com
Quest Books
Paul Quinn’s Tarot for Life, a book with a foreword by Rachel Pollack, is a must-read. Released in June, this new title draws on the Hindu chakra system and Jungian psychology to describe the Tarot’s use as a practical tool for revealing unconscious patterns and gaining valuable insights into relationships and personal affairs. http://www.questbooks.net
New World Library
William Whitecloud’s The Magician’s Way is a fun way to take a break from a wearing day of Tarot reading. A fictional teaching tale, the book offers insights into spiritual concepts through anecdotes about alchemy, a topless waitress, and loads of cash.
Eckhart Tolle’s Guardians of Being, coming October, 2009, gives us something to look forward to. Featuring the cartoonish art of Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell, this book is cute, charming, and insightful for old and young alike. http://www.newworldlibrary.com
MoonPath, Inc.
Mary D’Agostino and Nancy Miller Ogren’s company brings us the MoonWays Guide, a yearly calendar featuring New Moon and Full Moon info to help you create opportunities and manifest your heart’s desires. Useful information for those who like to plan their Tarot readings by nature’s cycles!
Nancy Ogren’s Pathways of the Soul oracle deck was also featured. Straightforward and right down to business, this is a useful set for the oracle fan looking for solutions to problems and ways to break negative patterns. http://www.moonpathinc.com
New Harbinger
Doctor Charles T. Tart’s The End of Materialism: How Evidence of the Paranormal is Bringing Science and Spirit Together, is quite interesting. Offering insight into the scientific study of the realm of spirit, the book, co-published by Noetic Books, is worthwhile for any seeker. http://www.newharbinger.com
Emily A. Smith
Emily was at the show promoting her new book Awaken. A truly bright and bubbly individual, Emily offers compassion and depth in her spiritual knowledge and insights, guiding us to see the world family, and our selves, as a whole. http://www.spiritwavehealing.com
Michael Brill
Michael was found offering profound numerological readings and promoting his book Numerology for Healing. Creator of a system called cosmic numerology, Michael offers a whole new method of number interpretation that could be useful for the Tarot reader. http://www.awakener.com
No Mind Publishing
Master Nomi’s Where’s My Zen? is a book exploring ten paradoxes of spiritual existence. Offers new perspectives that could be drawn upon in Tarot readings. Available through http://www.nomind.com
Lotus Light
Delicious, luscious incense and other smell-good products no Tarot reader can do without. http://www.lotuslight.com