Are you willing to brave the perils on the path that leads to Olympus? Can you walk forever apart from your fellow mortals, following the whispered counsel of a centaur or satyr? Armed with god-given weapons, can you defeat the modern day equivalent of a multi-headed hydra or a freakish chimera? If your soul yearns for mythical adventure, it may be worth your while to quest for the out-of-print works of Murry Hope on the heroic Greek Tradition..

Ms. Hope, a metaphysical writer and lecturer with over forty years of magickal experience, has authored such diverse works as The Way of Cartouche, Atlantis: Myth or Reality, Practical Techniques of Psychic Self-Defense, Practical Egyptian Magic and Practical Celtic Magic. She was also the founder of the Institute of Transpersonal Sensitivity and co-founder of the Atlanteans.

In her Greek magickal system, based on the classical heritage upon which Western civilization has rested for millenia, the aspiring hero awakens slowly to their divine nature by undergoing initiatic ordeals clothed in mythic symbolism.

Without relying on anyone else, the aspiring hero must first identify their Olympian patron. Then they must wait patiently until they receive god-sign, proof positive that they have chosen wisely and have been accepted by one of The Twelve. The deity will grant their charge a magickal weapon or artefact that is essential in triumphing over the trials that are sure to come. In turn, the hero must establish and maintain an altar to their tutelary god and, above all, learn how to recognize deific guidance (which is oftimes revealed through mundane events and chance utterances).

A tutor will appear when the hero is ready, half-human kin to wise Cheiron and crafty Silenius of old. Another task which must be completed is the establishment of a functioning oracle.

The hero, armed, guided and divinely blessed, must then confront life's many perils (compounded by initiatic quickening) until he/she has successfully triumphed in all inner and outer contests, conquered death and overcome mortality. Only then can the god within truly manifest.

Practical Greek Magic (Aquarian Press, 1985) and The Elements of The Greek Tradition (Element Books, 1989) complement eachother fairly well, revealing the particulars of the Heroic Path and exposing the seeker to an overview of Hellenic arcana. Olympus: An Experience in Self-Discovery (Aquarian Press, 1991) is an oracular system which expands on certain aspects of the path merely touched upon in the previous works. The Key and the Labyrinth are two spreads used to gain insights and answers.

Whether you are a mythic hero in embryo or not, Murry Hope's pioneering work is a welcome edition to any mythophile's library.

To those in Neos Olympos however, the heroic path is a way of life.

Which brings us to Oracle Quest. We are currently seeking a new system of divination to guide us into the future. Although we pride ourself in charting our own unique course and making our own decisions, we've both found that oracular systems often provide startling insights and help shatter old ways of thinking.

In this feature we'll be introducing resources that we've found helpful and which will resonate deeply with those who still honor the Olympians.

The Olympus Tarot, a deck that I was enthused on exploring, shows much promise. A Lo Scarabeo product, it was created and developed by Manfredi Toraldo and uses artwork by Luca Raimondo. It is available in the US through Llewellyn.

The Major Arcana are primarily the Olympians and other great powers such as the Moires (Fates) and Eros.

The Minor Arcana are handled in an interesting way, one that adds multiple shades of nuance (and fun) to interpreting the spread.

Chalices are replaced by Places, mythic and historic locales in which adventures take place. Will your road lead to Athens, leave you stranded in the Labyrinth on Crete or bring you to fabled Atlantis?

Pentacles become Objects: armaments, vessels and artifacts that served as tools in the accomplishment of great deeds. The Argo is here, as are Icarus' wings and Achilles' Weapons. How can you use them to triumph in your own quest?

Wands are the magickal Creatures you may meet along the way: the mighty Cyclops, seductive Sirens, the enigmatic Sphinx. Will they help or hinder you? Can you tame them, as Bellerophon did Pegasus? Or will you be led astray by nymphs?

Swords are Heroes, each with a lesson to teach. Heracles and Theseus are here, as you would expect, but so are Midas and Narcissus. Remember, the qualities they embody are found within each of us and we can learn much by contemplating a hero's tale.

The spread also keeps to the spirit of the myths: Which god protects? What power was offended? What does fate decree? What does valor demand?... very, very effective and powerful stuff.

Knowing the Greek myths helps tremendously as familiar stories often play themselves out through the cards. Knowing the revealed tale will suggest a course of action or provide a needed insight.

I find myself enjoying this deck and will continue exploring its many mysteries in the months ahead.

Reviews by Thor the Barbarian