Tarot traditionalists might gasp, but check out what Kate Albrecht did with some cards, an IKEA cabinet and a glue gun. In 20 short minutes (condensed to just over 4 in this video), she converts a simple cupboard into a magical Tarot pantry.
Albrecht bought four decks for a dollar at a garage sale. And despite the enchanting turban, doesn’t seem to be a reader herself. So purists, please don’t judge her harshly. Be happy that she kept one deck whole and loves the cards enough to want them in her kitchen.
On the other hand, decorators, I welcome your input. Is occult crafting an acceptable design option?
The reckoning’s done and it’s finally time to dole out the rewards. Have you done your fair share? Are you ready to accept what’s due?
Success is coming to those who have done what they can to manifest their goals. It may seem like manna from heaven but look again – it’s more likely compensation for a job well done.
And don’t forget to thank those who have been helping you. We’re never alone in either our successes or our failures.
#16, The Tower in the Tarot deck, is one of the more disconcerting of the cards. It means change – sudden, irrevocable and unexpected. And most of us don’t like that much.
When the Tower appears in a reading, it typically suggests that something significant and surprising is going on. Whether this is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ depends on the question and what other cards are present. As with all the Major Arcana, in and of itself, the Tower isn’t positive or negative.
What it is though, is a new way of looking at things, a breaking down of old structures that no longer support us. A prison, generally of our own design, is coming down. In it’s grandest sense, the Tower is liberation through revelation. And when the lightening bolt hits, there’s no turning back.
I like this slideshow. A live recording of the Cascade Jazz Ensemble and countless images of Tarot Towers. By the end of it, the card’s not so scary anymore. There might be chaos in awakening, but it’s a lot better than staying stuck in the dark.
Gather and celebrate! It’s a day to enjoy what you’ve been working on. The project might not yet be finished, but at least you’re on your way. Well done! You have reason to smile.
Follow your passion and create from the heart. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how it will all turn out, just keep at it. The hard work’s been paying off, and you can take a moment to enjoy before heading on to the next step.
But don’t forget, you probably aren’t doing all the work yourself. Share the glory or you’ll be hearing about it later.
I’ve written about Cornell psychology professor emeritus Daryl Bem and his precognition experiments before. A former stage magician, mentalist and self-described sceptic, Bem has been researching human predictive capacity for two decades now.
His scientific paper, Feeling the Future, will be published in next month’s issue of The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. His focus has been on the human potential to anticipate future experiences. Are we able to know things that are going to happen before they do?
His research involved nine experiments and more than 1,000 university students. According to Bem, in all but one of the experiments, the hypotheses that psi exists is confirmed. He says, “the odds against the possibility that the combined results are merely chance coincidences or statistical flukes are about 74 billion to 1.”
Of course the next step is critical discussion of his work and replication. Bem acknowledges that most academic psychologists don’t believe psi exists. In fact, he claims they’re more skeptical than physicists. But he’s ready for their imput.
His intention has been to provide well-controlled demonstrations of psi, able to be replicated by independent investigators. To that end, Bem has been compiling replication packages for scientists interested in running the tests themselves. As he says, “that is the acid test of any surprising new finding: independent replication.”
Swift communication is at the forefront today. Have you applied for something and been waiting to hear back? Expecting some news to finally come down the wire? Or maybe it will be a surprise. One way or another, the message is on its way and your wait is almost over. You’ll know soon enough.
Now that your plans are in action, things will start moving quickly. Communicate what you want and don’t be shy about it. How else will people know what you’re thinking? This is the time to get your ideas out there and your message heard.
This is a deck I drew a few years ago. Clearly based on Pamela Coleman Smith’s images in the Rider Waite Smith, I meant it to be fun, simple and bright. Not to mention, I wanted some cards I could publish without having to ask permission.
I recommend anyone interested in Tarot to draw their own deck based on one they find significant. It doesn’t matter if you know how to draw or not. I love the Stick Figure Tarot and certainly anyone who can print their name can draw a stick Magician.
And if you still don’t think you can draw (or in this case copy someone else’s drawings), get yourself The New Drawing on the Right Side of The Brain. In the first few chapters you’ll wonder that you ever thought you couldn’t.
The benefit of drawing your own Tarot deck is that you really get to know the images. Focusing on all the lines, colours, facial directions, expressions, objects you’ve never noticed before, it’s really quite amazing what you’ll see.
You may or may not include everything in your own pictures. But you’ll know a lot more about the deck you’ve drawn and probably the general system of Tarot than you did before you started.
Try one yourself! And let me know.
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click here to see my Toronto Graffiti Tarot (Ver.1)
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Are there choices to be made? Decisions you’ve put off for another time? Well this is the time. The Lovers card asks us to finally make up our minds – either commit or get out now.
On a personal level, the Lovers reminds us to balance the opposites within ourselves. Are your ying and yang in sync? Does your conscious experience compliment your unconscious dream state or do they seem at war? Are you living a life that satisfies your soul? Heavy questions, but this is a great day to think about them. In fact, you might find it difficult not to.
This is a serious commitment you’re thinking about. To help you make up your mind, ask yourself which direction brings you closer to your soul’s call. You probably already know the answer.
As a practicing magician, he’s an official member of the Academy of Magical Arts/Magic Castle in Hollywood, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and the British Society of Mystery Performers. And he’s also an attorney.
He’s served for more than 20 years as lead trial counsel, advisor, and coach for politicians, business leaders, and government agencies. He holds degrees in Philosophy and Theatre Arts and has also obtained his Juris Doctorate.
Scott Grossberg
Tonight we’ll be using Scott’s Deck of Shadows and mixing it up with a little Tarot. We’ll be talking symbols, secrets and magic all around. He’ll introduce us to his Wizard of Oz spread and of course – there’ll be free mini-readings for the lucky people who call in early.
Join us live on-line or call in (646) 200-0765. But if you have to miss the show, remember it’s always there in archive.
Today you’ll likely see some movement. The Chariot is the card of change, the card that takes you places. Having finally determined the direction you’d like to go, now is the time to get cracking and go there.
Changing jobs, moving house or some sort of travel are the larger manifestations of the Chariot energy. Sometimes though, it might bring no more than a strong desire to redecorate your living room or go for a long drive.
However it plays out, try not to give up if the going gets a little tough. More often then not, just sticking it out and playing for real is all it takes to ensure victory. You’ve come this far already, why would you give up now?
Wednesday, November 23, 2010
