BOOK WORMS! BONE FOLDERS!

I write you from the OTHER SIDE of a Kickstarter vortex. We ALL needed a break from that hustle, but what a humbling rush it was to make Counting to Infinity * Stelle Scopa an accessible reality. Than you so much to everyone who boosted the posts and pulled out the megaphone. Your support means so much to me.

With much gratitude, and raging Martian retrograde fire under my ass, I switched gears from promotion to production. And what a tornado that can be in THESE TIMES. I write you now because I FINALLY have some hard updates, material offerings and flowery invitations to extend between now and early April.

As of today…

⭐️ STELLE SCOPA DECKS OF CARDS

🪄 GAMES ARE MAGIC ZINE

☄️ COSMATESCO ALTAR CLOTHS

🌌 STICKER SHEETS and other goodies… ARE COMPLETE & IN MY HANDS!

🔮 And watch amazing documentation of Kasia (Tarot Map) opening the very first Stelle Scopa deck in Poland! She does a fantastic job modeling the cards!

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?!

✨ MASS/ NEW ENGLAND LOCALS ✨

Mark your calendars for the following opportunities to purchase or PICK UP your decks / rewards IN PERSON!

GAMES ARE MAGIC!

Besides doing MANY rounds of edits and product “inspections” with my Stelle Scopa deck of cards, I dove deep into research/re-reads of some favorite mystic materials to support writing the deck’s “booklet” - which became more of a Bible (lol). Juggling 3 documents at once, I decided on Chapter 2: Games Are Magic , at 53 pages, as the official printed Kickstarter zine. The PDF is already available online- for those who have purchased the deck.

This week, I’ve spent HOURS folding and stapling 3,000 pages so that I can have the printed copies ready for purchase! I’ll have them at tomorrow’s Art Book Fair!

The zine includes a bit of history on Italian playing cards and Tarot, a short essay about my experience of playing Scopa and reading cards, concepts behind the Counting to Infinity project, and original instructions for playing Stelle Scopa!

🦋 Purchase copies online and get a FREE PDF when you purchase the deck or follow me on Patreon!

👆Games Are Magic sample of spreads (Layout: Angela Lian / Printer: Snake Hair)

MORE ART BOOK FAIR FEATURES (some available online!)

WANT “PRODUCT” PERKS?

Patreon followers get store discounts and freebies. Additionally, my supporters get access to my creative process, research and writing, global travel tips, studio process, access to private video artworks and lectures, artwork giveaways and more

ASTEROIDS IN ASTROLOGY ☄️ MONDAY APRIL 3, 7PM

And just a reminder that you can sign up for the Asteroids in Astrology webinar with myself + Astrologer Laura Campagna! I’m SO excited about this virtual gathering.

Many asteroids are named after powerful Goddesses and queer artists from antiquity. They serve as a bridge between many versions of the past and all possible futures we are dreaming towards. The asteroids we’ll be covering include: Hekate, Sappho, Polyhymnia, Eris, Iris, Lilith, Arachne, Ceres, Urania, Vesta, and Medusa- plus a surprise guest appearance from Maria’s favorite Trans-Neptunian object ✨

Molteni will also share the divinatory process through which the asteroids were chosen for the 6th suit of their deck as well as how their images were modeled. Campagna will provide astrological context as we explore the stories and attending archetypes of each asteroid. Attendees will learn how they bring greater meaning to the heavens, a birth chart or Stelle Scopa card readings.

RACHEL POLLACK

If you’ve known, encountered or followed Rachel Pollack, you know that the earth plane has suffered a heartbreaking shift this week. Our shining star sister and generous steward of the Tarot (among other things) has moves on to Spirit leaving her wife Zoe and many friends in body.

Strangely, over the last month or so, I felt as if I were in her company, re-reading her texts, namely Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, as I wrote the Cartomancy and Games sections of my Scopa manual. I’ve been in classes/rooms with Rachel and several of my close friends were close with her. But I never got to spend intimate time with her. I anticipated getting the chance to gift her my zines and finally meet her properly. Since I can’t do that, I dedicate “Games are Magic” to her and share this quote from her Introduction to Leonora Carrington’s Tarot deck that I closed the essay portion of my zine with (see image).

My heart goes out to her close friends and to many of my friends who have lost dear ones recently. It seems to be a season of loss, particularly of elder magical femmes and creative community guides (thinking George Fifield, Danielle Abrams, my friend Grace’s Grandmother Carol, my friend Ash’s neighbor Susan. I’m sure there are more than I know). May we honor their lives and wisdom and continue to care for our elders and/or members of the community that can be vulnerable to the shortcomings, weight and pressure of the pandemic and pandemic-era life.

Thanks so much for following along and being interested in what I’m up to. You can always unsubscribe or let me know if you want to opt out of my newsletters.

With love under the stars,

❤️‍🔥 Maria