Clearing the Air with Tingshas

Cathy Hughes has a great post on Tingshas at her Interactive Tarot Blog.

In my post about battling tarot perfectionism, I mentioned that I’ve been experimenting with different ways to clear my energy and ground myself between readings at parties.  I wanted to share with you a tool that has become indespensible to me in the few short weeks that I’ve been using it.  This tool is called tingsha bells or tingsha cymbals.

I first became acquainted with the tingsha (yes, we are already on a first-named basis) at this year’s Reader’s Studio.  Tarot reader and instructor, James Wells, taught a brief class on using the Tarot for inspiration to heal the world.  During his class, he used a pair of tingsha bells to start and end the session, as well as during the session to clear energy and mark changes in activities.  My interest in the bells was certainly piqued.

Later in the conference, I encountered them again as I was shopping for a lovely rose quartz globe at a vendor’s stand.  A woman next to me rang the bells over and over quite loudly and right near my head.  The affect of the sound nearly knocked me over.   I quickly became dizzy and naseaus and had to sit down for a long time.   Although adverse, the effect left a lasting impression.

Months later, when I realized I need something to clear the energy between readings, I immediately thought of these mischevious bells and got myself a pair at the local new age store.  I am so glad I did ….

Go read the whole thing here: Space Clearing Between Readings « Interactive Tarot Blog

Witchcraft and the Medal of Freedom

The source for this story – the turncoat writer Matt Latimer – isn’t reliable, but this column from the Times of London is still interesting: 

Harry Potter, and the White House

Bess writes: This fascinating snippet on Think Progress reveals that officials in President Bush’s administration objected to giving America’s highest civil honour, The Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Harry Potter author JK Rowling. Usually the medal is awarded to individuals deemed to have contributed to world peace, the security of the US or cultural or significant public endeavours. Matt Latimer, a former speechwriter for Bush and author of Speechless: Tales of a White House Survivor says  that some in the White House  discouraged the medal being given to Rowling on the grounds that her books “encouraged witchcraft.”

This  re-opens the intriguing debate over whether Harry Potter will harm the soul, a topic much discussed on Christian forums.

This article from Christian Answers  explains that leaders are divided: some believe the books “just fantasy” others, including occult experts, disagree. A third line is that all magic – white and black – is specifically condemned in the Bible.

Deuteronomy 18:10-14 states categorically that witchcraft is “an abomination” to God. “There shall not be found among you anyone who… practicies witchcraft.” etc

“Those books” a Christian bookseller argues can “open the door to spiritual bondage.”

Possibly my favourite article condemning Potter is this, from a Christian author in the United States. She reads an extraordinary level of symbolic detail into Rowling’s books, as follows:
"Tom Riddle is clearly the God of Christian tradition as other Christian critics of Mrs. Rowling’s books have pointed out. When Potter first sees Tom Riddle the Son, Tom is described as strangely blurred around the edges, suggesting a halo (p. 330).

The reason why Mrs. Rowling calls Jesus Tom is simple. In England, the saying every Tom, Dick and Harry is highly popular and in this case alludes to the omnipresence of God in our world.”

Fancy that. Too much of a good thing perhaps? But a final word on opposition to Harry Potter from believers. Obvious nonsense if you totally deny the existence of the supernatural. But – for those who do accept the possibility of a supernatural realm, beyond nature, a reality attested by the world’s major faiths, it does have a certain,if exaggerated logic. Especially if you further accept the possibility of two opposing forces, one of good, one of evil. The objections of the anti-Potter brigade stem from the fact that they view Christianity as the real good, and the divine source of the supernatural – a belief that takes its origins from the first followers of Christ – and that this is excluded from the books. Maybe they take it just a little too seriously forgetting this is fiction but a point worth considering is that while many Westerners consider cultures that appear to favour belief in the supernatural as “primitive”, many from cultures where such beliefs are prevalent consider Western dismissal and denial of the supernatural as simply “naïve.”

Certainly whatever stance you take, consistency is important across the board.  Dismissing faith but reading horoscopes or tarot cards for instance is a failure in logic.

Source: Faith Central – Times Online – WBLG: Harry Potter, and the White House

Heileen 2: A Tarot Video Game

 

TYCOON GAMES ANNOUNCES HEILEEN 2: THE HANDS OF FATE

September 29th, 2009– Tycoon Games, developers of several award-winning dating sim and visual novels, has announced the development of the sequel to one of their most popular games, Heileen.

The game takes place on the mysterious Caribbean island where Heileen was shipwrecked with a few of her friends at the end of the first game. She stumbles upon a deck of tarot cards that represent the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues. It isn’t long before she discovers that these cards have the power to change both her dreams and her reality.

“The seven deadly sins are a common motif in art, books, comics, movies and songs, but most people seem to forget the seven heavenly virtues. In a world as complex as ours, I felt that it would be wrong to ignore the virtues, as they too are an intricate part of our lives,” says Celso Riva, the designer and programmer of the game.

Like Tycoon Games’ most recent game, Bionic Heart, the events of Heileen 2 rely heavily on the user’s decisions. The final game willfeature more than twelve unique endings and an enhanced version of the original quest system in Heileen.

The game estimate release date is November 2009 for Pc, Mac and Linux platforms.

A teaser trailer is available on the YouTube channel “winterwolves” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpASfC1zX0o

Source: Heileen 2: The Hands of Fate | Press Release by MCV | MCV

A “Witch Hunt” in Boston

From WBZ TV in Boston:

North End Business Not In The Cards For Psychic

BOSTON (WBZ) ― You could call her the psychic who didn’t predict her own misfortune.

Sophia Anderson set up shop in Boston’s famous Italian North End neighborhood September 19th. “I do psychic, tarot cards, palm readings. I do candles, crystals, incense,” she explains.

Her vision never included the chilly reception she’s now getting from some locals who feel she just doesn’t fit in.

She says one man told her to, “pack up and leave because it looks like a carnival, and our business is a nuisance. That’s what they had said. It looks more like a tattoo parlor and other stores that I shouldn’t even talk about.”

When she put up a neon sign and sidewalk sandwich board, neighbors complained she violated the terms of her business contract. She took the signs down. Now, the real estate agent who handled her lease has become her biggest advocate.

“It’s a witch hunt,” says Shirley Musto. “She could afford to pay her rent, and it’s quite expensive. Why can’t she do business here? Personally, I think it’s discrimination.”

Across the street, restaurant owner Khalid Moheydeen says he hears locals talking.

“They feel it’s going to be the wrong element here, people who sort of believe in magic stuff, doesn’t fit with the neighborhood,” he says.

Others say it is a symptom of a neighborhood in flux.

“You have the old Italian population here and then the yuppy population,” explains one resident, Pradeep Mouli. “They want to use every chance they can to keep the new culture from kind of overtaking them.”

There are two neighborhood associations that make recommendations to Boston’s licensing board when a new business applies. One voted not to allow Anderson’s shop. but the other voted to let her in. The city has allowed her to operate as long as she closes by 9:00pm and doesn’t display neon or sidewalk signs.

She feels she’s being discriminated against because the neighborhood is full of those types of signs at other businesses. She says she’s hired a lawyer and is even considering a lawsuit.

“I don’t want anybody to bother me. I want to be here for a long time.”

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Source: North End Business Not In The Cards For Psychic – wbztv.com

Turnkey Tarot Business for Sale: The Tarot Life Coach

The “Tarot Life Coach” website, domain name (www.tarotlifecoach.com), and corresponding gmail and email address are for sale here.  All told, it’s a turnkey business package for anyone who offers tarot card readings, life coaching, or spiritual guidance with the cards.

Customizing the existing site is easy, even if you don’t have much web experience. Simply add your own photos, biographical information, and service details. You can easily change the template, insert sidebar information, or create additional pages. You can even start a matching blog – which will boost your search-engine rankings and draw new clients to you for free.

Worried about competition? Don’t be. This sale includes the rights to FIVE additional matching domain names:

• tarotlifecoach.biz
• tarotlifecoach.net
• tarotllifecoach.org
• tarotlifecoach.us
• tarotlifecoach.mobi

All of the domain names are registered with GoDaddy.com, and they’re all valid for the next year. (They expire on September 29, 2010.) After you complete the purchase, I’ll transfer the names to you. Renewals at GoDaddy are easy and inexpensive.

While you can log in to GoDaddy and take advantage of their email services, this website is also set up to use a gmail address – which is just as professional, but it’s easier and more accessible. The gmail address is tarotlifecoach [at] gmail [dot] com.

Turnkey Tarot Business for Sale « The Tarot Life Coach

Eye of Horus Robbery

Here’s a police bulletin on the guy who robbed the Eye of Horus bookstore — where our Twin Cities Tarot Meetup group meets — along with two other stores in South Minneapolis:

The Minneapolis Police Robbery Unit is investigating two robberies of businesses that occurred this weekend in Sector 3 of 3rd Precinct.

On Friday, Sept. 25, a man entered EBU Design Jewelry, 1530 E. 46th St., Northrop Neighborhood, about 4:30 p.m. At first he acted like a customer, chatting with the owner and looking at the displays, then forced the owner at knifepoint to open the cash register. He ordered the owner to stay on the floor and fled from the store with about $125.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, a man walked into Laughing Waters Gifts, at 2718 E. 50th St. in Keewaydin Neighborhood,  about 1:30 in the afternoon, telling the owner he needed help. He attempted to come around the counter and tried to get into the cash register. He ordered the owner to the floor, taking approximately $100 from the till and the owner’s wallet, and left the store.

The same man is also suspected in the robbery of another small business —Eyes of Horus on Lyndale Avenue in 5th Precinct — earlier Sunday morning. He is described as a light-skinned black male, 30-39 years of age, 5′-6″, medium build, wearing a Hawaian shirt and baseball cap, and possibly armed with a multi-tool like a Leatherman.

Police provide these tips for when a business robbery occurrs: Remain calm and take no action that would jeopardize the safety of you, your employees or customers. Obey the robber’s instructions. If possible activate the silent alarm. Take a good look at the suspect and immediately note any details that may be useful to police. Don’t touch any articles that may have been touched or left by the robbers. Lock the doors and allow no one in except the police. Don’t trust your memory; jot down all information immediately. Try to notice abnormalities, speech problems, scars or tattoos. Notice type of build, or estimate weight. Notice color and type of clothing worn. Observe the direction in which the suspect leaves and get a description of the vehicle from any witnesses. Write down the license number. Be able to describe the size, type and color of guns or any other weapons used.   

The Shooting Star Spread

A beautiful spread from writer and artist Helen Howell, designed to help you understand the growth you have made and hope to make.

• 1: This reveals the distance I have already come.
• 2: This reveals the lessons I have already learnt.
• 3: This reveals the direction I hope to go.
• 4: This reveals the lessons I have yet to learn.
• 5: This reveals the foundation I need to build.
• 6: This reveals the obstacles I may have to face.
• 7: This reveals the desires I hope to fulfill.
• 8: This reveals the strength I need to develop.
• 9: This reveals the joy I hope to experience.
• 10: This reveals the enlightenment I hope to achieve.

Tarot Notes – Major and Minor: Shooting Star – Spread

Rising Fortunes in Korea

Did you know there’s a Department of Divination in at least one Korean university?

Rising fortunetelling

Guess which businesses in Korea see no slump in times of economic recession. Fortunetelling is one of them. Fortunetellers of all sorts have come out of their dimly-lit cottages to downtown offices, busy street corners, subway stations and cafes in university areas, and they thrive with increasing clientele.

Some "cultural centers" in residential districts have tarot lectures for housewives and anybody who would want to give guidance to friends on the basis of the Western-originating picture cards. Art-of-divination institutes have opened to train people who are considering making a career with fortunetelling. A department of divination was established three years ago in a provincial university where "Oriental philosophy" related to fortunetelling is taught in a two-year program. Korea and Dankook Universities operate Oriental divination classes in their non-degree courses for adults.

An estimated 400,000 people live on fortunetelling-counseling nationwide, mostly using the "saju" meaning the "four pillars" of the year, month, day and hour of one’s birth. The change of times has introduced the internet for communication between the gurus and their customers while physiognomists and palm-readers continue with their traditional means of trade.

As entrepreneurs and politicians seek to improve their chances of success in their undertakings by hearing advice from noted fortunetellers, sometimes moving the tombs of their ancestors ahead of elections or opening a new line of business, people go to "jeom" experts and tarot masters for consultations on their problems in job seeking and love affairs. It is not a new phenomenon in this shamanism-influenced society. What strikes us is the fact that youthful minds become weaker in these difficult times and they tend to seek answers from totally irrelevant sources.

Fortunetelling can be a joke to enjoy at an affordable cost or a diversion from the hectic world dominated by the increasingly complex rules of science, technology and economics. Yet, it is not desirable to have it interfere with the important decisions of life. Fortunetellers can do something good to society by giving more encouraging verdicts to our innocent youths with boundless futures.

Source: The Korea Herald : The Nation’s No.1 English Newspaper

Promethea

This web zine article sent me scurrying to eBay in search of a comic book from 1999. Luckily, I found one! Entire collections are available, but the best source of single copies seem to be the eBay shopkeepers. 

I’m late to this party, of course. Diane Wilkes reviewed the issue in 2000, but her report convinced me that the comic would be worth reading.

World Without Borders

Promethea and the Art of J.H. Williams III

By Amanda Tarbet
September 28, 2009

In 1999, Alan Moore and America’s Best Comics began publishing the series Promethea, about a mythological heroine who seemed to be a new recreation of Wonder Woman. By the time the series ended in 2005, however, it had turned out to be an explanation of certain magical and philosophical theories, including (but not limited to) the Tree of Life of the Kabbalah and the Apocalypse. Considering these themes, it is no wonder that the series was so rife with symbolism. Nary a page in Promethea is without a religious symbol or deeply meaningful image, and one of the aspects of Promethea that was commended by critics was Williams’s innovative use of decorative symbols.

In fact, this series was all about symbolism and the meaning in the things we create. Promethea herself is a symbol and messenger for creativity and imagination. As is the Immateria, a higher sphere of existence that is the entire collection of human imagination. In the Immateria, fictional things become real along with the things they symbolize, such as the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood and the darkness for which he stands. Furthermore, the covers from the individual issues of Promethea often imitated the art styles of other pop and pulp artists. These covers are fitting, for if Promethea symbolizes imagination, she is a part of these creative works, as well.

Being a text-heavy comic like many of Moore’s works, there is symbolism in his words, also. Take, for example, the snakes of Promethea’s caduceus. They are named Mack and Mike, symbols for macro and micro. The name of Promethea’s host, Sophie, means wisdom, and the reader discovers that bestowing that name on her was no coincidence. Promethea’s name is a symbol, as well. Just as Prometheus brought fire to man (the fire being a symbol for knowledge), Promethea will bring them understanding of the true nature of themselves and the world. There are meanings stacked upon symbols stacked upon meanings in this series.

Here’s the crux of the tarot connection:

In issue #12 (“Metaphore”), the snakes of the caduceus, Mack and Mike, take Promethea into the Theater of the Mind to show her the history of everything according to the Tarot cards. In this issue, there are no borders separating the various story lines. Each page appears to be very chaotic, considering each contains a tarot card, the snakes teaching Promethea, and a parallel story meant to be an explanation of magic. The pages are limitless and chaotic, just as the human mind can be. However, the pages are made readable by the levels of abstraction that Williams applies to the various threads of the story. The Tarot cards are on the lower end of abstraction, looking much like cartoons. Promethea and the snakes take the middle ground of abstraction, for they are drawn to look like standard superhero comic book characters. At the more realistic end of the scale is the parallel story about magic, where the men are drawn to look like paintings and the background details are more lush. Therefore, though all of these details bleed into one another, because they are all connected, they are also distinguished for the reader by the style of art which is dictated by abstraction. Abstraction is the border, and as such it is a symbol: there is technically nothing physical in one’s mind, and so imagination is the epitome of abstraction.

Read the full article here: Sequential Tart: World Without Borders (vol /iss 9/September 2009)

Awe, Children and the Pages

Carolyn Cushing offers a sweet look at the Pages on her blog. I especially liked these observations, illustrated with cards from the Gaian Tarot:

The Page of Wands is in awe of, and gives attention to, the power of fire. This child invites you to embrace your creativity, enthusiasm, and self-growth. Drawing on the masculine energy of fire, this Page wants to see action and has the courage to try something new, shouting, “Go ahead and do something today to make your dreams real!”

The Page of Cups is in awe of, and gives attention to the power of water. This child invites you to embrace your emotions, bask in your imagination, and connect yourself deeply to others. This child invites you to go with the flow of your emotions and inner messages (perhaps intuitive or psychic) as well as to move toward where there is love in your life. Drawing on the feminine energy of water, this Page wants you to be receptive to what is and accept the responses that come from the heart and the unconscious.

The Page of Swords is in awe of, and gives attention to the power of air. This child invites you to embrace ideas, to explore them with your mind, and to fearlessly communicate your findings. This child invites you to learn, looking at all perspectives, and then synthesizing your findings to share with others. Drawing on the masculine energy of air, this Page wants to share discoveries with others and seeks to contribute to greater understanding and justice in the world.

The Page of Pentacles is in awe of, and gives attention to the power of earth. This child invites you to embrace the world around you and focus on what is in front of you. This child invites you to be in the present moment and trust that you will be provided for. Drawing on the feminine energy of earth, this Page is open to receive what is being offered and grateful for the small gifts of everyday life.

The other night I heard religious scholar Karen Armstrong on NPR’s Fresh Air. She was talking about how when religions were coming into being, people were using words like God to point beyond what could be named, and toward “the silent awe” of the Unnamable Mystery. Perhaps these children of the Tarot model for us how to move toward that Mystery. Perhaps they are the wisest people in the entire deck.

Go read the whole thing here: Awe, Children and the Pages.