In memoriam - Francoise Arati

On April 20th, Francoise Arati passed away in her home country, France, after an enduring battle with cancer. She was 66 years old.

Françoise was an architect by profession and active in urban affairs for years in Mayotte, just off the coast of South East Africa. After a change in her life, she immersed herself fully in the study of the Tarot and co-authored a book on the same, ‘Pelerinage du mat dans le tarot de Marseille’. Having come into contact with the works of Sri Aurobindo, the Mother and Satprem, she left for Pondicherry around 2000 where she lived near the Ashram, helping, among other things, with the final stages of the translation into French of the Life Divine.

In 2003, Françoise joined Auroville, where she lived in Arati (which community, bizarrely, carried her name), and steadily worked as therapist and tarot reader in Pitanga, helping many an Aurovilian through moments of inner need and stress while always placing their situation in the light and context of the Integral Yoga. People who benefitted from her readings gratefully mention her soft energy, skilful guidance and insightful approach to life.

In June 2014, Françoise left Auroville in order to go through challenging times of her own during which she was supported by various friends. Aude Zeller, her best friend and co-author, and Aurovilian Léonard Pietri, accompanied her up till the moment of transition.

Françoise’s remains were cremated at Vannes in Bretagne, on Saturday April 23rd.