BOHEMIAN GOTHIC TAROT REVIEW

FINDING LIGHT IN THE SHADOWS:
It's rare to find people in Puerto Rico that are as enamored with antiquity as I am. Here they prefer dubstep, pop music, iPods, Forever21, flat screen t.v.s and being wired to social outings while partying in the streets. I spend most of my time pretending I live in a Victorian setting, writing by hand and admiring things made by hand. Often times, you can find Victorian Steampunk undertones in my fashion. I obsess over the French Rococó and have often stated that I was born two centuries too late. I dream of corsets, parasols and of masquerades; anything dating back to the 1800s in aesthetic is likely to aid my heart beat faster. With that same zest I relish the Bohemian Gothic Tarot from Baba Studio. It is up to date my second favorite tarot deck — so much in fact that I have splurged on a second copy with an inflated price due to it being out of print. I have heard from the Magic-Realist Press Facebook page that they will be printing a third edition of this deck in early 2013. Watch out, Bohemian Gothic Tarot, 2013 looks to be a challenge with the arrival of the anticipated Alice Tarot!

This tarot is for everyone, it has a heavy air of melancholy and romanticism, making it an ideal purchase for the fans of Tim Burton. The cards show scenes of the daily events of the creatures of the night. I really love that these cards don't have borders, it makes them unobtrusive to read with. Each picture blends or interacts with the next. The Bohemian Gothic Tarot speaks in whispers, they don't make the messages obvious at first. It takes me long thinking and careful consideration.

As the little white booklet suggests, the Bohemian Gothic Tarot was made to explore the shadow sides of life; the wisdom and truth that may lie in nightmare, dark imagination and fear of the supernatural. It's a deck of many levels, not all of which reveal themselves immediately. The images can be fun and a little unsettling at first, but through study, they offer deeper insight. It offers the perception of the darker, hidden workings of the subconscious, and the power that horror has to both frighten and attract us.




BOHEMIAN GOTHIC TAROT SPREADS:
The little white booklet includes the Secret Fears spread and the Vampire Spread, which have been designed specifically for use with this deck. I recommend it also for spreads concerning the shadow side of a person. It helps us get in touch with the feelings that lie under the surface; feelings that we tend to invest special care in keeping out of view. Something that I find compelling about this deck is that most of the cards depict night time scenes. Even the ones in daylight such as the Sun and the Knight of Swords are shown in a gloomy setting. The warmth that the sun provides seems to scorch the barren threes, the child doesn't even seem to enjoy the rays of sunshine glowing through the gaps. His attention is eerily focused on the viewer. The knight is dreamy for a Knight of Wands. He doesn't seem too happy about the fact the sun is rising, because this means that his night if debauchery is over.

This deck embraces the bittersweet melancholy, as that of fading memories. Barely anybody is smiling, but I find that it adds to the mood.

READING WITH THE BOHEMIAN GOTHIC TAROT:


INTERVIEW:
♡ Most important characteristic:
Ten of Wands. I hold the problems that people find too heavy to carry. This is how I offer comfort, in taking away the nightmarish burdens. I am intended for use in the shadows, that's just the way our dialogue is meant to be. I'll remind you no to take on too much or to try to do far more than you should.

♡ What are your strengths as a tarot deck?
Knight of Swords. I'm stern. I'll tell you the truth when you don't want to hear it and I'll cut through the much of uncertainty with what you need to know. I'll jump right into what you need to know.

♡ What are your limits?
Knight of Pentacles. Don't lose your head. If you place the same meanings on me as your other decks, you will get readings that don't have any light in them. Don't get too creative, either. View me from the perspective of a Bohemian Gothic manifestation, nothing more and nothing less. I won't conform to the normal views of society.



♡ What are you here to teach me?
Ace of Swords. I'll speak for you with inescapable clarity. I'll show the way to clarity, but it will require efforts. Know how to make things to your best advantage, and proceed with strategy. Clarity of mind is most important.

♡ How can I best learn to collaborate with you?
Seven of Pentacles. By reviewing all of your options and taking the time to contemplate what comes next. It requires time and patience to find the right answers. Don't rush the work, you've already come this far.

♡ What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?
Eight of Pentacles. Practice makes perfect. You have a broad knowledge of cartomancy already, but it also takes study and practice to get used to the manner in which my cards read sequentially. Take the time to perfect the craft, to really understand the dialogue.

♡ Which card do you want to show off?
Three of Pentacles. I am fond of classic horror and of working together for the desired goal. Attain a level of mastery through hard work. My cards are composed of different photos, but the collage has been carefully stitched together in the end.


♡ How do you see me?
Queen of Wands. A passionate performer. The Queen of Wands is a flashy queen.With Moon in Aries, you exalt the fire qualities in your shadow side.You come out of your shell to work with others and end up relishing the attention.

♡ How do you see yourself?
Four of Pentacles. I represent dying aspects of traditional culture. I find wealth in tradition and I'm here to show you how it's meant to be done according to my values. I'm beautiful, but I'm an old soul. Don't be fooled by my gilt edges.

Five pentacles in a reading are good omens for work and finance. Maybe this is a tarot deck that calls to be used with the general public once I am done studying it. The day it is used for the general public is far away still, but you can expect more readings + insight in the near future.




I hope you enjoyed this review!
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HELLO WITCHES Nº6

Last week was very pleasant. I had a really great time during the weekend. It feels really good to share instances with people in which you feel light, loved and appreciated. It isn't very often that I get to go out and enjoy myself, but last weekend had just the right balance between work and play. Having a good weekend really helps to begin the week on the right track. That is exactly the message that last week's Hello Witches spread delivered. I'm excited to see what this week brings in.

WEEKLY SPREAD FOR 5.14 —5.20:


I have pulled another spread with balanced elements today. Pentacles, Cups, Wands, Swords and Majors are all present in the reading in one form or another. There is a higher concentration of Pentacles present, projecting the week as one of mostly work. The Swords fall under a negative connotation, with the statement that thinking too much will become a distraction prevalent. With the Majors, I get the feeling one has a lesson to highlight, and the other has a glimmer of hope for the next week.

Three Aces indicate success and new energies at work. This means that there are new beginnings in work, love and in matters of the mind. It could be a refreshing wave of ideas that pass, or little manifestations that aren't necessarily noticeable to the eye. An Ace is just raw energy, it is the suggestion or the manifestation of something that can come to pass if enough energy is devoted to it. With the Ace of Wands not present, I can foresee that without much effort, these Aces are likely to pass unnoticed. Even though the Ace of Pentacles is present as a material gain, it needs the burning passion and the effort of the Ace of Wands to come into being.


☆ Monday. Ace of Pentacles. This material Ace says to focus attention on ideas and projects concerned with work. Energy will stay as just that if it isn't materialized into something. It's time to break out the working materials!

☆ Tuesday. Eight of Pentacles. This card prolongs the message from Monday. It says to continue polishing and refining the work that is started this week. Notice how carefully she paints the star onto the Pentacle, even though there is a big build up of tasks behind her. It stands a reminders to take your time with every task, so that it turns out perfect. Once these tasks are done, there will be satisfaction in sitting back to admire the finished work.

☆ Wednesday. The Devil. This is a day of feeling tied down and not being able to run on schedule. It's clearly a problem because the creature is distracting the lady from going where she wants to go. He sweetly whispers for her to stay and play, and to worry about the things she needs to do later. Since she doesn't get the chance to play very often, she surrenders to his charms. I find this to be a warning more so than an encouragement to play after the work is done.

☆ Thursday. Ace of Cups. The girl's cup is overflowing with emotions. For Thursday, it looks like a romantic surprise. It could also mean the intuitive practice of helping others. She accepts an exchange of currency for her talents, and she loves what she does. This connection is drawn with the other two aces of working with a clear mind. I work at night time, so it is a pleasant surprise to find the moon's influence over emotions.


☆ Friday. Ace of Swords. Friday looks like a day of dialogue and quick action. In the card, she crosses a sword over her heart for protection. It is a sign to keep my guard up and to be aware of my surroundings with a sharp mind.

☆ Saturday. Page of Pentacles. Pages bring with them the news of something new, and in this case it is of opportunity. With the rabbit present at the girl's feet, it looks like a good day to try a ritual in my personal life. I may also receive something special in the mail this week, so it looks to be here by Saturday. Cheers!

☆ Sunday. The Star. This card usually makes me feel that our dreams don't materialize if we don't put effort into them. It promises hope to many of my clients with the message that something good is coming. From experience, The Star takes too long to materialize. By the time dreams spring into being, the people it alerted are already focused on another task. Still, the night is long and it holds with it hopes of light coming soon.


☆ What to avoid. Nine of Swords. Don't think too much about things, because they start blowing out of proportion and they turn into nightmares. It tends to happen. When we don't like something, we focus on it so much that it turns into the very meaning of haunting. The nightmare smiles in quiet agreement of being a product of the mind. She just needs to wave that negative vibe away with her hand, or with one of her swords.

☆ What to strive for. Eight of Cups. Walk away from difficult situations. Often when we cut negativity off from the root, we save ourselves a lot of trouble. This means to turn away the things that don't work or aren't beneficial to the situation. If it isn't that important, I will know to leave it for another day I can work with it.


Both of the advice cards look to the future. Maybe that's where I should look to go as well.
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DARK SHADOWS MOVIE REVIEW

I haven't done movie reviews before because they're not necessarily a part of the esoteric world even when employing the art of illusion. Movies appeal to the things people wish were true. They are dreams that producers and directors make into a motion picture reality. I have always loved movies with magic and witches in them; more so if they show metaphysics in a positive light. People believe a lot of what is in the media nowadays, and sending out the right information matters. Although Dark Shadows doesn't do this, I still enjoy the romantic aspects of being a vampire and finding yourself lost in a sea of emotions for years without really knowing what to do with them.



DARK SHADOWS BY TIM BURTON:
Dark Shadows has been anticipated by my boyfriend ever since the posters came out. I didn't watch the trailer before I went in, so I didn't really know what to expect. However, I trust Tim Burton's work so much that I don't need a trailer to know I will enjoy his films. We're both raving fans of his, so the experience proved to be pretty vivid for us. It was particularly nice not to have children yelling in the room we were in. We were lucky.

The cast is excellent. The flaws of the characters make them feel real enough to connect with, and makes it much easier to love or hate them. Even though some of the side stories felt a little cramped in some places, in general the movie does a great job of unfolding and revealing to the general public. The aspects I enjoyed most were visual. There was something oddly satisfying about watching Johnny Depp shield himself from the sun with a stylized black umbrella. It makes me wish I saw more people that are this strange — or crazy — where I am from. Everyone in Puerto Rico is starting to look the same to me lately. Did anyone else see it as a direct reference to Edward Gorey's Gashlycrumb Tinies?

Something that I feel can be appreciated is the mild violence. I'm really tired of watching people getting hacked to pieces or bleeding to death because it's so rugged. That's part of why I enjoyed the glamor that they dressed death up in. Angelique Bouchard, the witch, looked stunning as she met her picture-perfect death. The event was sugarcoated with stylistic poses and gestures, and contrasted with white. She was a cross between a human doll and my beloved Lady Gaga. I'm really looking forward to pinning the stills from this scene to my mood boards in the future, and won't be surprised to see Nicki Minaj, Kerli and a ton of cosplayers alluding to this scene in the near future.

I didn't like the fact they dramatize the life of a witch and focus on the negative aspects of the craft. People watch these movies and adopt the opinion that witches are greedy and toxic to keep around. It's already hard enough to dispel the initial negativity that comes with



DRAWING CONNECTIONS FROM THE TAROT:
The deep blues and red accents reminded me of the Bohemian Gothic Tarot by the Magic-Realist Press. The general tone of the movie is of decadent beauty and tasteful darkness as it fuses with the world as we know it today, or perhaps knew it 40 years ago. The prevalent themes are dark romance and high magic, which have always been of interest to me. Dark romance is a lifestyle and an aesthetic, I see it as an umbrella term under which I feel most comfortable. I dare say that I identify with this subculture niche. That could be why every time I read with this deck, I wince back at the messages that it delivers with painful precision. Every time this deck is used, it washes over the bright colors of life with hues of melancholy and sadness. It serves as a good reminder that not everything can be sugarcoated, and that sometimes it is necessary to hear things that are unsettling. There is a truth hidden in the shadows, all it takes is a highlight to remind us that it's there.



DARK SHADOWS — THE STORY OF BARNABAS COLLINS:
The movie starts with the introduction of the protagonist since he was a child, the lavish surroundings that he was raised in, and in the pride of the family name. Barnabas Collins, played by Johnny Depp, is an aristocratic man whose life dates back a little over two centuries before our time. Over the years he developed a fondness for beauty, both of the world and the flesh, but he wasn't very good with expressing his feelings. That got him in trouble very fast, because he didn't have to do much to win the heart of a witch that adored him in secret. I love the undertones of obsession and possessiveness, because it makes this movie a staple of dark romance. The media has grown very used to frilly, flirty superficial love, and it often overlooks the beauty of dark romance.



When Barnabas Collins manages to come out of his imprisonment, he embodies the Judgment card. He is setting out for a second life in another time period, but his moral values and interests remain the same. In joining with his family, he is met with melancholy and new-found worth for his possessions. It is subtly implied that the objects used back then are more practical than the objects we use today. His reactions to the abrupt change from his own to ours is quirky and says a lot about the way our society has developed into what it is now. His suggestions are more practical and sustainable than the quick fixes that we use. My particular favorite is when he asked for them to prepare the horses, and he was met with the reality of a car.

The prevalent theme of love and the proper way to court a lady is enjoyable for those that miss the way it used to be done. The movie depicts openly the shades of jealousy that cripple the soul. It reminds us the harm of taking love away from others and manipulating them for the sake of a hidden agenda. Angelique pays the price for love and jealousy after her attempts to win Barnabas over with superficial passion. The characters had enough substance to relate the message of what happens to people that can't make the difference from needs and desires. I drew some connections amongst the characters and my own waking life. It was a worthwhile exercise to compare and contrast what others do around me, and how I have behaved before under the same effects of jealousy. Once the spell wanes, the jealous aggressor is left alone and empty on the inside. Even now, when I look back at my most recent cases, I shudder a little at the thought of getting caught in the mundane web of a bad romance.

This is a romanticized tale of witches, vampires and werewolves with many contemporary twists. It takes the monsters that I grew up fond of and it sheds a new light on their fascinating lives, extending the magic for a couple of more hours. I thoroughly recommend it!

DARK SHADOWS LOVE:
With Dark Shadows now showing, it's a good time to find some dark romantic themes to spice up your personal life. I leave you with a make-up tutorial by Charisma, and a few songs by the industrial vampires, Blutengel. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Dark Shadows Inspired Makeup Tutorial (NYX Face Awards) by Charismastar.

Blutengel — Children of the Night.

Blutengel — Nachtbringer.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review! This post is in anticipation to a review of the Bohemian Gothic Tarot. Consider it a sneak peak to the world of vampires, witches and werewolves of the Magic-Realist Press.
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GILDED TAROT ROYALE REVIEW

CIRO MARCHETTI'S GILDED TAROT MAKEOVER:

Today I am very excited to share with you a fresh addition to my modest collection. It grows slowly but steadily, and proves to be an invaluable source of advice for me and my clients. This review covers the Gilded Tarot Royale by Ciro Marchetti.



This reworking of the Gilded Tarot contains real magic within it. The experience starts at the box, which comes with an open-sesame kind of dynamic to it. The cards are quite large, 3.75" x 5.5" inches, composed of quality stock and gilt edges. They are of thick stock, but thin enough to shuffle nicely and they fan out pretty easily. I particularly enjoy the dramatic use of vivid colors and the dreamy feel of the environment. The figures contained within look too ethereal to be from this world. It feels as if you're watching ascended masters as they float in their astral plane of perfection. They know what it is like to live in a mundane setting, but they are far removed from it as well.

The way I came across this treasure — as it proclaimed itself to be during a quick card pull — was through the search of information for the Gilded Tarot. I first saw it on the all of a dream interpretation community I am a member of on Facebook. I saw the spread cloth that comes with the set and a few scans of the cards, and they really caught my attention. As I joined the dialogue, I quickly learned that they are an updated version of Ciro Marchetti's Gilded Tarot. I had noticed Ciro Marchetti's work before, but I had not yet attained any of his decks. He devoted his time to build a second version of the same deck seemingly from scratch. I love how big the cards are because they can be used for meditation. It's easy to get lost in the ethereal dreamscapes that Ciro has carefully crafted out for us. It feels as if everything about this deck of cards has been thought out with excruciating attention to detail. He did a wonderful job! 




The Gilded Tarot Royale comes with a CD rather than a booklet. Screensavers, avatars, diary templates, and a PDF with information about the cards is contained within. It's a key to a secret world from the creator of the popular series of tarot decks. The CD offers a sample reading from Ciro with cards chosen at random. It was very easy to see how the images showed movement from one situation to another. With this new arrival I may take the time to study each card. It might even come to work as a replacement for my infamous partner in crime, the Vertigo Tarot. They have a similar dialogue amongst them, which I can really appreciate.

I have considered purchasing the Legacy of the Divine Tarot before as well as the Tarot of Dreams, but the Gilded Tarot Royale is definitely a perfect fit for me.





Due to the lavish presentation of this tarot deck, I recommend it for professionals; anyone that will pick this deck up more than once a day.  It begs to be used — with care, of course — and to tell the fortunes of hundreds, maybe thousands of people, and the best part is that it is built to last. Due to the collector's value of this deck, it isn't a set for beginners to use. Beginners can start with the Gilded Tarot and work their way up to this when the time is right. You should be familiar with the archetypes of the tarot already if you are going to invest in a treasure such as this. While it is a worthwhile investment, I find that it is a bit over the top for a beginner. That is, of course, up to the person always.

These special decks are my treasures. They are employed in more introspective ritualistic readings for when I am seeking an intellectual challenge. They are more dear to me than any other of my possessions, and I intend to enjoy the wisdom they share as long as I am able to. I have not yet worn out any cards with gilt edges, but the Gilded Tarot Royale is certainly begging to see the chance.



♡ What is your most important characteristic? Three of Wands. I wait for the right time to be used. You know that there is something there; obscure knowledge and promise of something coming back However, at the current stage you are at in your life you may not be ready for what lies herein.

♡ What are your strengths as a deck? Ten of Pentacles. Oh, the wealth! You have enough material in here to dig, dig, dig and dig. My sparkle and shine can be rather distracting. You will have to learn how to get past that to find the immense riches that I hold. I am pretty to look at and substantial.

♡ What are your limits as a deck? Ten of Swords. I can not enter where there are mental boundaries set up. Sometimes I won't be the appropriate go-to deck if you don't have the time to meditate on the messages I tell you. It takes time to understand me, and I prefer to be used with an abundance in time and attention. I won't work well otherwise.

♡ What are you here to teach me? Temperance.

♡ How can I best learn to collaborate with you? The Magician.

♡ What is the potential outcome of our working relationship? Six of Pentacles.

♡ What is your favorite card? The Fool.

♡ What is your preferred style of reading? Ten of Cups.

♡ How do you see me? King of Swords. Surprisingly masculine and logical for a female. While others are so focused on romance and feelings, you're clearly set on sharpening the mind and your psychic intuition. You follow your goals and settle your problems objectively. There is a strong sense of diligence and discipline coming off you, which can make you a rather intimidating person.

♡  How do you see yourself? Three of Pentacles. uuuuuupuij
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HELLO WITCHES Nº5

WEEKLY SPREAD FOR 5.7 — 5.13:


There is no suit missing in my spread, which makes it pretty general. It covers every aspect of my life with a suggested focus on labor with Wands. The reading also includes two majors, or two karmic aspects of my higher self that I will be working with this week. Whenever a Major Arcana card pops up, I know I can't ignore the issues at hand.


☆ Monday. Seven of Swords. This card gets my week started on some suspicious airs. In the card, the person is stealing 4 swords and hopes that no one will notice the shortage, since 3 are left. He is so preoccupied with slipping away that he doesn't notice there are two pairs of eyes watching over his back as he does it. It gives him the courage to do things behind people's back with a false sense of victory. Two possible interpretations are of not trusting myself enough or finding something I believe true to be a lie. Since this is the suit of the mind, it could also signify a secret that could benefit others.

☆ Tuesday. Ten of Wands. This card has tired drawn all over it. Sometimes we load ourselves with numerous tasks (wands) and several extras (rocks) to deal with. Work is not glamorous but it is necessary. The growing field makes me feel as if there is still a lot of work to go before rest. The burden seems self-imposed, and it's true that we load ourselves with more than we can handle for daily activity. When a task is priority, everything else blurs out of focus; even rest.

☆ Wednesday. Six of Wands. On Tuesday it may be that I had to meet a deadline, because this is a card of triumph by teamwork. This threefold (Human over a bird with two heads,) team is ascending to new heights and basking in the light of what it feels like to be accomplished.

☆ Thursday. Ten of Cups. After all the glory comes the right time to enjoy some quiet time with people I really care about. The ones in the card look like lovers hiding by the tree to tell one another how they feel. The cups decorating the tree have paper heart garlands hanging from them as a sign of celebration. This card can signify a new-found meaning in love, or a celebration to have found one another. They embrace the moment with their happiness and love.


☆ Friday. Judgment. This card showed up last week, so I still need to relate to the turning point it represents higher calling. It could be a call to serve my responsibility or the beginning of a new cycle. Whatever it is, it must be important because it showed up twice.

☆ Saturday. The Lovers. This card has not graced me with its appearance in a while. The animal the couple rides on brings with it a message or news. He embraces her in cold jealousy to onlookers while he whispers stories of unknown places to her. She delights in adding color to his cheeks and engaging in a conversation that only the two of them know about. They delight in one another and forget about the world around them.

☆ Sunday. Two of Pentacles. Back to work on juggling real life responsibility with work. This is an aftermath to a celebration that requires some attention, as well as the reminder that I need to work hard. Sunday is my most productive work day of the week. Get back to work!

☆ What to avoid. Four of Wands. Getting too comfortable with the way things are going. Hard work is the foundation of any future, not relying on the things in progress to sort themselves out.

☆ What to strive for. The World. This means to seek opportunities and to accomplish those goals waiting to be met. It is a sign that anything can come from effort, and dreams can become a reality thanks to that. It sets the grounds for a possible trip to consider.
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