Christine Payne-Towler has made a life long study of the imagery, history and practice of the Tarot, Astrology, Kabbahah, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and other traditional branches of the Western Mystery Schools. Starting in 1970 with the purchase of used Tarot deck in a Salem, Oregon bookshop, her interest in occult imagery has burgeoned into a book and deck collection that spans centuries and continents. Contemplation upon these images over time has led to an understanding of the older Classical and European traditions of Tarot which have been nearly eclisped by the modern trend for innovation and eclecticism. In the early 1990's Christine was initiated into a Templar lodge with Martinist affliations, allowing her to further investigate the traditions associated with the imagery and esoteric content of Tarot. Happily, the Secret Society movement is still alive and well, and continues to provide a framework within wich striving individuals can align themselves with the great work of human evolution going on in all places at all times. Christine was made a bishop of the Apostolic Succession in 1995, completing the cycle that was begun a quarter of a century earlier.