Talk Story with an Advertiser: Mana Cards

Catherine Becker, owner of Mana Cards: The Power of Hawaiian Wisdom, says it was with a deep respect for Hawai‘i’s culture that these Hawaiian-like tarot cards were born.

Whether it was the surf at Honoli‘i or the sacredness of Mauna Kea, Catherine felt inspired by Hawai‘i Island’s mana (power) and wanted to share what she had learned with others new to the islands.

The deck consists of 44 cards, each featuring an image that symbolizes the essence of the Hawaiian word, a brief chant that activates its message, a teaching, and an interpretation. Catherine chose to have 44 cards in the deck because the number four and multiples of four were considered sacred by ancient Hawaiians.

The idea for the cards came to her in 1998, the centennial of the illegal overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani.

Catherine had just moved to the islands from Buffalo, New York and noticed tourists talking loudly and roasting hot dogs on the lava near Pele’s altar. She began to see life through the eyes of her host culture and noticed how the influx of visitors was causing environmental destruction.

“I created the Mana Cards to foster more reverence and understanding about Hawai‘i’s culture, environment, and the need to protect them,” she explains.

Catherine decided to use her background in intercultural communication, plus her lifelong study of spirituality and healing to start Radiance Network, Inc., the company that publishes Mana Cards. She hopes the cards will promote better understanding of Hawai‘i and encourage others to live a life that is pono (right).

Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Āina i ka Pono, the motto of the state of Hawai‘i, is commonly translated as, “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

“Pono is not an end point; it is a process. To move toward pono is to enter into harmony and among various parts of oneself, in all relationships, within and between communities, with the environment. Pono is our driving value, which means that we continually evaluate the impact of our activities. It also means that we take responsibility to honor our sources and give back,” says Catherine.

The cards have successfully done just that. People around the world tell Catherine about their profound experiences using the cards.

Interested in seeking transformation and learning more about Hawai‘i? Mana Cards are available in English, German, Italian, and Japanese.

Radiance Network, Inc.
Publisher of Mana Cards: The Power of Hawaiian Wisdom
Email Catherine Becker