Arthur Magazine editor Jay Babcock has re-published his 2004 interview with Alexandro Jodorowsky from LA Weekly:
I don’t suffer to write it. But when I need to write a new series, a new album, for three days I do nothing. The only thing I can do is to see movies, see television, read . . . Because I am as if paralyzed! Suddenly, [with relief] the idea comes. I say thank you, because I am grateful. I am really grateful because I received the idea. But I don’t construct the idea. I am not a constructor. I receive the idea.
Q: Where do you think it comes from?
The unconscious. It comes directly from the unconscious. I think the unconscious is a very, very enormous universe, no? And when you open the doors to the unconscious, you start to receive. Sometimes you see a terrible vision of yourself: desires you don’t want to have, ideas you detest, feelings that hurt you. When you open the door, you can see yourself in a very weird way, like a bad trip on LSD. You can have that. You have all the hell, and paradise, no? You need to have the courage to open the doors.
Arthur: In the Heart of the Universe
Update: we’ve got our responders. Thanks everyone!
Evolver has a special offer for Mutate readers:
Throughout human history, people have looked to the natural world for patterns to provide insight into their lives, and what might await them in the future. This is the origin of oracles and divination: the systematic approach to the deeper patterns of cosmos, mind, and nature. Over two weeks in November, you can join four of the world’s most sought-after divinatory teachers in a series of intimate conversations exploring the ways that these ancient traditions can transform your life. The Evolver Intensives tele-seminar series “Divination: How to Read the Future Now” is a unique opportunity to engage in discussions with four leaders at the vanguard of an archaic revival: celebrated spiritualist and Tarot expert Rachel Pollack; archetypal astrologer VerDarLuz; initiated diviner and I Ching scholar Stephen Karcher; and John Michael Greer, geomancer and Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. Hosted by acclaimed author Erik Davis, take part in a life-changing journey through the deeper flows of reality.
More info
It costs $50, but the first 2 people to e-mail me at redacted will get it for free.
(I don’t have any relationship with Evolver, they’re making this offer so I thought I’d share it)
“This New Moon happened on August 30, and it is the first Blue Moon of the year. A Blue Moon is when the Julian calendar and the 13 months of the Moon are in conflict.
8+3=11, which is the Strength card, take it out and set it down. Now remember that this moon covers the Julian month of September, so think 9+3=12 and take out the 12th card, The Hanged Man. Place it down, crossing the Strength card. And consider both the positives and negatives of The Hanged Man.
This is a Moon that you can not prepare for. Bluntly, expect some personal betrayals this moon. Batten down the hatches and try to ride it out.
Historically, The Hanged Man, who in years gone by was referred to as the ‘traitor’ who under this Blue Moon is influenced by Strength, is going to be a guest that we shall long remember.
While this view is short on words, it is not short on warnings. A tough month in many personal ways is ahead for us.
Step carefully, and tremble humbly, considering the unknowns of ‘betrayal’.
Read the rest of this entry »
Brainsturbator is back, and first up on the brainfood menu is the mind of Tony Smith:
The first website I ever got lost in belonged to a rambling genius named Tony Smith, a cowboy from Georgia who’s physics theories were too radical for Cornell. That kind of resume will definitely get a high school kid’s attention, and years later, one of the first Brainsturbator articles was a bunch of links to Tony’s site. This is an expanded version, which quotes a lot of the material since the site has disappeared completely several times now.
Full Story: Brainsturbator
This article on Smith’s web site is of particular interest: Tony Smith on tarot
“Secrets of the Occult explores the world of the occult from the ancient and modern magicians who practice it to the cutting edge scientists attempting to explain its mysterious claims.”
(via Dedroidify. See also: Pt 2:The Scientists, pt. 3: What is the Occult?)
After discovering the complexity of the different layouts for various situations within the Kolduny Tarot, and finding difficultly in explaining them in a few brief blog posts, Natalia Tikimirov has agreed to walk us through monthly New and Full Moon Tarot readings. These methods were handed down to her from her mother, and her mother before that.
‘The date of the New Moon is July 2 or 7/2. Draw the 7th card of the major arcana which is the Chariot and the 2nd card of the major arcana which is The High Priestess. Lay them down. Add 2 plus 7 and pull the ninth card of the major arcana which is The Hermit.
As the Moon waxes it will be governed by The Chariot, a card of drive and ambition, plowing on to reach its goals. Many decks display The Chariot being raced forward by a warrior. The early Visconti Decks however are unique in displaying a woman wearing a crown operating the chariot at a slower pace. This is to remind us that many times the fastest chariot crashes and never finishes. It is important to operate the chariot skillfully, knowing when to slow down for curves, and knowing how to avoid rough spots in the terrain. As the Moon waxes, remember the skill required to operate and maneuver the chariot.
Read the rest of this entry »
I. The Intern: He set his foot on the beginning of the path. He is the one of the he-doesn’t-work-here-he’s-just-an-intern. Formation and harsh exploitation merge in the same hour for the Intern. He is known for being the weakest and the one under the most uncertain condition, as well as for his optimism: unpaid jobs, petty cash, and three euros an hour of untaxable wages do not frighten him. The Manager asks him to wash his car during his coffee break, and his Estate is his parents. The Intern stands for the skill to learn the secrets of the companies and of his bosses while he is being abused for free. If matched with the Justice (very rarely!) this implies an unexpected lucky shot. If opening the game, the Intern stands for availability, innocence and bad luck. If closing the game, it stands for bad luck and nothing more.
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Full Deck: Almanac of Precariomancy
(via Robot Wisdom)
This is one of the best “modern tarot” interpretations I’ve ever seen. Funny, well drawn, and heartbreakingly apt.
In parts one and two of our interview we discussed the history of the Koldun and their relationship to the Tarot. In this third installment we discuss how to find one’s Tarot Constellation, which form the basis for other Kolduny practices.
TiamatsVision- You mentioned that you use the Tarot Constellation for assistance in helping someone. How does one go about finding their Tarot Constellation?
NATALIA- The process of finding a person’s Tarot Constellation consists of first reducing the birth date down to a single digit. This is the Soul Number. Then find the Tarot card within the major arcana that is associated with that number. Next, you have to find the Persona and Will cards and then the Fate and Path cards. From there you look for the Hidden Influence, Visible Influence and the Inner Teacher cards.
Read the rest of this entry »
In our first interview with Natalia and Anton we discussed the history and superstitions surrounding the Koldun. In this segment we discuss the history and relationship of the Tarot that form the center of their tradition.
ANTON- I think it’s important before discussing the tarot constellation that we should first review the history of the relationship between the Tarot and the Kolduny. The last time I checked Tarot scholars are totally undivided as to the origins of the Tarot. Stuart Kaplan, Mary Greer, and Rachel Pollack as well as other Tarot historians all seem at a loss concerning the origins of the Tarot. The Kolduny are not at this loss. It is our beliefs concerning the origins of the Tarot that set us aside from other “Tarot” readers. It is our beliefs concerning the origins of Tarot, which creates the pathology that makes Kolduny Tarot both unique and incredibly powerful.
The Kolduny, believe heart and soul that the Tarot is theirs. Even today when people think of the Tarot, the most common mental image is an Eastern European woman laying cards down. There is a reason for this collective mental image. Read the rest of this entry »
James Curcio interviews artist Ian McEwan (aka Popjellyfish).
So yeah, I recommend studying Tarot imagery to artists to better inform their art. Especially illustration, and I’m only beginning to play with this, but I can depict emotional states more vividly when I associate a related card to it. Say, even in a generic superhero story, a villain’s plot is foiled. He has an EPIC FAIL moment, where he’s enthralled in the feeling that all is lost. If I want to depict that moment, I’d keep in mind the ten of swords, which Crowley also called ‘Ruin’. And for the hero who just saved the day, probably major 19: The Sun, Resplendant triumph and joy.
Full Story: Alterati (includes download of first issue of Invader).
Timothy Lantz is a full time web developer/graphic artist with degrees in Art Education and Communications. During his career he has worked on seemingly everything including weather maps, television commercials, book covers and tarot cards. View his Flickr set.
He is also the author/artist of the Archeon Tarot, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. (Visit www.archeontarot.com for more info)
Klint has been nice enough to allow me to continue posting bits of occult novelty to his wonderful site here, as I’ve since discontinued Occult Design in favour of pursuing business endeavours here in Edmonton and my work in the field of visual communication design.
But a happy hello to everyone and for today, I just wanted to drop these tidbits I came across this morning via Boing Boing, in case anyone here missed it:
Can hearing voices in your head be a good thing?
Psychologists have launched a study to find out why some people who hear voices in their head consider it a positive experience while others find it distressing.
The University of Manchester investigation – announced on World Hearing Voices Day (Thursday, 14th September) – comes after Dutch researchers found that many healthy members of the population there regularly hear voices.
Although hearing voices has traditionally been viewed as ‘abnormal’ and a symptom of mental illness, the Dutch findings suggest it is more widespread than previously thought, estimating that about 4% of the population could be affected.
continued via EurekAlert
As well as:
Google Books promotes banned books for Banned Books Week
Google Book Search and the American Library Association have teamed up to offer searchable indices and library links to banned books, in celebration of Banned Books Week (Sept 23-30). Included in the catalog are 1984, Lolita, Lord of the Flies, the Great Gatsby, The Color Purple, Brave New World, Naked Lunch, Invisible Man, Cats Cradle, and many other titles that made me a better person for having read them. Link
And this little graphical gem: the Major Arcana of the tarot as interpreted by John Coulthart… like traffic signs to the oracular road of life.
mcbr crtn.
I’ve posted this before, but it’s so good I’m posting it again.
These sites look pretty extensive:
Supertarot.
Tarot study helps.
Learn Tarot is a practical online course in tarot reading, using the Raider-Waite deck.
The Hermitage is an excellent collection of articles and essays about the history of tarot. Of particular note are the history of the Marseilles deck and history of the magician card. The trump histories include images from many historical decks. Exactly the sort of site I’ve been hoping to come across.
Googling this site for tarot turns up quite a lot of complete scans of various tarot decks. A great resource for comparing symbolism, or shopping for decks.
Be sure to check out the Milo Manara Tarot (probably not useful, but very pretty!) and Tarot of Ceremonial Magick (I’m planning on buying this one).
Thelemapedia has a great write up on the history and use of the Tarot.
Link.
Update: this article is actually copied largely from the Wikipedia entry on Tarot, which is actually longer.
Good interview, he talks about his upcoming novel, among other things.
It’s about an ex-special forces SAS soldier who gets kidnapped and is forced to write the manifesto of a terrorist group. The terrorist group is composed of teenagers who claim to come from outer space [laughs]. It’s a bit like ‘Children of the Damned’ meets ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and the basic idea is what might happen if children decided to go to war with adults. The hero has to write the account of what happens and I have to write about him writing it.
Link (via No Touch Monkey!)
“And there you have the true meaning of a deck of so-called innocent playing cards!”
Link.
Huge resource for tarot decks of all types.
Link (via Moose).
Tarot Garden is a huge tarot deck catalog. It includes the traditional Crowley decks, as well as unusual stuff like H.R. Giger, Vertigo, and erotic tarot decks.
Link.
Tarot cards based on Clive Barker’s Hellraiser are available here (link via the Barbelith Underground).
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