Dancing One’s Fortune: Told in Tarot Cards
Photos from Mariona’s "Book of Thoth" Production
by Gabriel Monserrat Lopez
Intro text by Helwa
posted July 19, 2012
Mariona Cruz is a young, talented dancer and instructor in Spain who has established her dance school in Palma de Mallorca, naming it the "Escola de Dansa Oriental of Mariona Cruz". Mariona has always produced her annual shows and recitals using a theme, and in 2012, "The Book of Thoth" was her theme of choice. The show took place on June 10, 2012, at the Auditorium of Paguera in Calviá, Palma de Mallorca.
According to ancient tradition, "The Book of Thoth" was the legendary repository of Egyptian mysteries that are connected forever with occult knowledge, paranormal studies, and other esoteric secrets as well as magical systems. The Book of Thoth has long been associated with the Tarot system.
The current edition of "The Book of Thoth" was inspired by the magic that contains the knowledge of the destiny life, converging finally in the production of Tarot cards. It is said that the Gypsies have inherited the art of circus from "The Book of Thoth", a book written by an Egyptian God, encompassing all the mysteries of Cabala and alchemy. The magic contained some spells that revealed scenes and stories from the past, the present, and the future! Thoth knew that the book should remain hidden because, revelation of its secrets would be dangerous. This god, Thoth, gave the book to the Sphinx for her protection, keeping it secret for many centuries until the moment when the Gypsies emerged from India. "The Book of Thoth" transformed into the Tarot cards and was taken to Europe by the Gypsies along with their music.
Each dance of Mariona’s 2012 show was an interpretation from one of the Tarot cards with their specific stories, characterizations and magical spells. The show begins by presenting a circus titled "Habibirot" that was formed by artists from many parts of the world. A professional orchestra came from New York, and the "tallest woman in the world" came from India. Additionally, from Italy, there was an incomparable "tightrope-walker", "leopards from Africa", and from Egypt, the "most beautiful dancer in the world"! From Turkey, a "Gypsy fortune teller" revealed what she saw from the future and the past.
The colors and stage decorations were created by Aina Cruz (Mariona´s sister, who is also an Oriental and Classical dancer). The songs were selected by Mariona Cruz. The live music was played by Gabriela Seguí on violin and Laura Martín on piano. The costumes were custom-made by Rosa Valls (Mariona´s Mother and also an Oriental Dancer) and Laura Martin who is a costume designer and one of Mariona´s students. The result of this collaboration was a 2-hour journey of an enchanted dancing. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seat on this intensive dance tour!
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Mariona Cruz
The Fantasy of Veil Dance
The Maximum Cambré
Multiple fans of silk
The New York Orchestra
"The Tallest Woman in the World"
"The Tightrope Walker"
The Devil and the Dancers
The Final Step
Neus Vila leading the line of Isis wings
Rosa Valls & Nuria Sastre
Final pose for a Trip of Fantasy
Oriental classic dance
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Here it was, the pivotal moment, the moment where what you say determines what happens, or what doesn’t happen, the moment of which you are either proud in retrospect or in which you feel defeated and ashamed, covering it up with the sands of time and silence and try to forget about it.
MARIONA CRUZ
Jul 23, 2012 - 12:07:12
The story of my show “The Book of Toth” has been wonderful, thanks to the wonderful pictures of Gabriel Montserrat.
Mariona Cruz
Director and teacher Escola de dansa oriental Mariona Cruz