Manteia

" Manteia" was published during 1989-97. Partly to fulfill Spilkammeret’s aim of documenting the mantic scene in the 20th century, a publishing arm, "Ouroboros" was established. During 1989-97 "Manteia", informed its readers and reviewed material within a scope of approximately 680 A4-pages (a European format similar to US Letter size), 470 tarot and cartomancy decks and 400 books on related mantic and symbolic systems like the I-Ching and runes. Many of Manteia's reviews were critical, expressing my personal opinions. The general focus was on the symbolic, historical and artistic aspects. My attitude towards tarot is positive, considering tarot, like I do, as a psychological and personal magical tool. On the other hand, I find that a majority of the decks and books on this theme are not worth the paper they are printed on, and that we easily could do without them. I am against the commercialization of tarot and the mass market publishers' economical exploitation.

All tarot and cartomancy decks and major books on the subject published in English as well as important books in other languages, were reviewed in Manteia during its existence. Manteia became the most comprehensive documentation of the wealth of mantic tools published in the last decade of the 20th century. Two further issues followed after the regular publication ended: "Manteia Courier 1997" and "Manteia Courier 1998-99", which included various tarot related articles.

Other documentary publications published by Ouroboros are a series of catalogues.

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