‘Indian myth and legend’ by Donald A. Mackenzie; with illustrations in colour by Warwick Goble and numerous monochrome plates. Published 1913 by The Gresham Publishing Company, London.
Espiritismo, the practice of communication with spirits through trance possession is found throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. In Venezuela, a mythological goddess figure of ancient indigenous legend is the focal point for gatherings within the jungles of Mt. Sorte. This religious movement, still regarded by many as a cult, reflects Venezuela ‘s own diverse, cultural history. It is a syncretic mix of the Spanish and Indian, as well as African traditions and beliefs. Theatrical healing ceremonies and colorful pageantry blend to bring forth a knowledge of the esoteric and the hidden life of the Spirit, whose teachings are passed down through spiritual caravans, the pilgrims who are known as the Marialionceras. Each caravan worships at the altar, the “court” of its chosen spirits and saints. From American Indians to African deities, Latin American liberators and Venezuelan folk heroes, even the court of the Vikings exists here. All of these, however, lay at the feet of the “Queen mother of Venezuela” -Maria Lionza- the earth goddess whose beauty and abundant nature is the source of the mystical powers that are said to reside only on this sacred mountain. (http://troianderson.com)
In 1917, Assan Farid Dina (1871-1928), an enthusiast for all things esoteric, commissioned a series of tarot mosaics in the Chateau de Avenieres at Cruseilles in France. He was an engineer and introduced hydroelectric power to France. In 1914 he married the wealthy American heiress, Mary Shillito. In 1913 she had completed the construction of her neo-gothic “castle” at Avenieres as a monument to her sister who had died a few years earlier. In 1917, Dina completed construction of the castle by the creation of a power plant. He added a chapel to the castle, whose walls bear the inscription “The universe is an egg, the egg is a Universe” and are covered with mosaics representing the Tarot cards following the style of Oswald Wirth with the symbolism shifted towards Egyptian imagery. The castle became the meeting place for Parisian high society, who come to discuss philosophy, esotericism and Egyptology.
