Reflections on My MFA Experience: Key Takeaways and Must-Know Tips for Future Artists

Reflecting on my MFA journey years after graduating, I see how much my viewpoint has evolved. Although my experience at UC Berkeley laid the groundwork, I aim to share insights with a wider lens, emphasizing the lessons that have influenced my development as an artist and providing practical advice for those on their own creative journeys.

My Nonlinear Path to Art Practice

One important lesson I’ve learned is that there isn’t a single "correct" approach to obtaining an MFA or building a career in the arts. My journey was not linear; I started with a master’s in counseling, applied to MFA programs, and faced several rejections before fully committing to my artistic practice. I aim to make this unconventional journey more approachable for those who feel bound to follow a traditional path. It’s perfectly acceptable to take alternative paths, try out different careers, and return to your passions when it feels right. In fact, those diverse experiences can profoundly enhance your art in unexpected ways.

Key Takeaways from My MFA Experience

During my graduate studies, I gained profound insights into the relationship between the physical and digital realms, as well as the material and conceptual aspects of art, and how interdisciplinary approaches can enhance creative output. I was fortunate to collaborate with remarkable faculty and peers, which created an environment for me to both challenge and broaden my artistic practice. Nonetheless, grad school also revealed some deep-seated insecurities I had regarding artmaking—anxieties, uncertainties, and societal expectations about what art should represent. Although this process was challenging, confronting those insecurities was crucial for my development as an artist.

Five Tips for Aspiring Artists and MFA Applicants

If you’re thinking about pursuing an MFA or are simply working on growing your practice, here are a few lessons I’ve picked up along the way:

1. Give Yourself Time and Space to Rest:
Following significant achievements, taking time to pause and reflect is important. In a world that often asks "What’s next?" it's vital to acknowledge that resting can also be productive. This becomes even more crucial when managing several projects or applications simultaneously.

2. Rejection Isn’t the End—It’s Part of the Process:
I applied to MFA programs multiple times before receiving my acceptance, and each rejection offered valuable lessons. It’s perfectly fine not to succeed on your first attempt. Continue to refine your vision and believe that the right opportunity will arrive when the time is right.

3. Diversify Your Portfolio (and Yourself):
When applying to graduate programs, ensure that your portfolio's top three images are strong and diverse. Highlight various projects to showcase your versatility as an artist. This principle extends to your life as well—celebrate your multifaceted identity. Engage in different roles, skills, and practices. You are not limited to a single identity, and it’s perfectly fine to follow non-linear paths. Sending much love to all my multi-hyphenate kin out there! If you see this, leave me a comment to let me know you’re here!

I also invite you to learn more about my MFA Art Portfolio that Led to Acceptance at UC Berkeley's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Art Practice Program!

4. Build a Supportive Network:
Graduate school connected me with a community of artists and mentors who still support my development. Whether it's through structured education or informal DIY environments, seek out your peers. Engage with those who inspire and challenge you—these connections are as vital as the technical skills you acquire.

5. Keep Pushing Boundaries:
The journey doesn’t end with a degree. Continue experimenting, learning, and evolving. Whether it's embracing new media, working across disciplines, or breaking down hierarchies in art, stay curious and open to growth.

Moving Forward

As I progress in my practice, I’m eager to delve deeper into materiality and sculpture while also broadening my digital work. For artists, charting their unique paths, embracing risks, making shifts, and redefining their own version of success is important. Whether you're applying to MFA programs or seeking personal growth, trust your intuition and continue to move ahead.

I’d be eager to learn about your creative journey! Which aspects of my MFA experience resonate with your current path?

Whether you’re contemplating an MFA application, developing your art portfolio, or finding a balance between rest and creativity, please share your thoughts or questions in the comments—I’m here to help! How do you approach applying to graduate programs or coping with the highs and lows of being an artist? If you’ve encountered challenges or celebrated successes, I’d love to hear about them. Let’s start a conversation about how we can support and grow alongside one another as artists. I look forward to reading your stories and insights!

Leave a comment below.

For even more intimate details about my journey and some major tips on applying to MFA programs, check out the video I’ve included above in this post. I share my personal experiences and additional insights that can help guide you on your creative path.

Subscribe to my newsletter to connect with me or explore how you can collaborate with me, including the option to hire me for one-on-one coaching. 

Unveiling the Itinéraires Fantômes Oracle Deck: A Journey Through Art and Divination

All 72 cards from the deck. Courtesy of X Artist Books and Alexandra Grant.

As an artist and oracle deck enthusiast, I've had the incredible opportunity to contribute to and explore one of the most unique decks I've ever encountered: the Itinéraires Fantômes Oracle Deck. Created by Alexandra Grant in collaboration with Hélène Cixous, this deck is a true masterpiece that bridges the worlds of art, literature, and divination.

The Genesis of Itinéraires Fantômes

The Itinéraires Fantômes deck is more than just a set of oracle cards; it's a celebration of Hélène Cixous's work and a companion to an art exhibition of the same name. Curated by Marion Vasseur Raluy and Ana Iwataki, the exhibition runs from June 21, 2024, to January 19, 2025, at the CAPC Musée d'art Contemporain de Bordeaux.

Courtesy of X Artist Books and Alexandra Grant.

Inside the Box

The deck consists of 72 beautifully designed cards, each measuring 5.1 x 3.5 inches (13 x 9 cm). These cards are housed in a sturdy cardboard box, measuring 7.9 x 6.3 x 2 inches (20 x 16 x 5 cm). Accompanying the cards is a thoughtfully crafted bilingual booklet in English and French, sized at 6.3 x 4.7 inches (16 x 12 cm).

Courtesy of X Artist Books and Alexandra Grant.

A Diverse Artistic Collaboration

What sets this deck apart is its incredible roster of contributors. Alongside Alexandra Grant and her partner Keanu Reeves, the deck features work from a diverse array of renowned artists and writers. From historical figures like Victor Hugo and Franz Kafka to contemporary artists such as Jeffrey Gibson, Johanna Hedva, and Louise Bourgeois, each card is a unique creation reflecting a variety of voices and styles.

The Six Categories

The 72 cards are divided into six intriguing categories:

1. Those from Below

2. Those from Above

3. Those Who Fly/Steal

4. Portals

5. Messages and Symbols

6. Superpowers

These categories add depth and structure to readings, allowing for rich interpretations and insights. Each card was created as a brand new artwork by an artist and/or curated from a selection of existing artwork. This gives the deck an eclectic yet harmonious composition. On the backside of each card is a unique drawing done in gold against a white background. When brought together these different drawings create a map designed by Alexandra Grant.

View fullsize

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L'étranger Redoutable and "La Non-Forme, both 2024. Courtesy of Edgar Fabián Frías

My Contribution

As one of the contributors, I had the honor of creating two cards for this deck: "L'étranger Redoutable" (The Formidable Stranger) and "La Non-Forme" (The Non-Form). The creative process was both challenging and rewarding, as I sought to capture the essence of these concepts in visual form.

Upcoming Launch Event

For those eager to experience the deck firsthand, there's an exciting launch event coming up:

Date: Saturday, August 24 at 7 PM

Location: Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-talk-itineraires-fantomes-oracle-deck-launch-tickets-942419942417

Final Reflections

The Itinéraires Fantômes Oracle Deck is more than just a divination tool; it's a journey through art, literature, and the collective unconscious. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a seasoned oracle reader, or simply curious about unique creative projects, this deck offers something truly special.

To learn more about the deck or to purchase your own copy, visit X Artists Books

https://www.xartistsbooks.com/books/itineraires-fantomes-oracle-deck

And if you're interested in seeing more of my work, you can find me at:

https://bio.site/edgarfabianfrias

Also, to hear more thoughts of mine about this deck, see an unboxing, and flip through of all the cards, as well as learn who the artists that created are, watch this video below.

Have you encountered any oracle decks that have left a lasting impression on you?

Share your experiences in the comments below!

Communing with the Missing Witches Deck Of Oracles

source

Introduction

I'm thrilled to share my latest YouTube video where I dive deep into the mystical world of the "Missing Witches Deck Of Oracles." This deck, authored by Risa Dickens and Amy Torok, has been a profound addition to my collection, and I couldn't wait to give you all a detailed review and flip through.

The Deck and Booklet

The "Missing Witches Deck Of Oracles" is not just a tool for divination but a bridge to connect with historical and legendary witches. This deck features 52 cards, each presenting a unique illustration and message on one side, while the other side shares the story, insight, or meditation related to each witch. The accompanying booklet offers a wealth of information, making it easy to incorporate the deck into your daily, weekly, or as-needed rituals.

Flip Through

In the video, I take you through a complete flip through of the deck, card by card, so you can appreciate the intricate designs and the powerful energy each card holds. The artwork is not just visually stunning but also deeply symbolic, resonating with themes of empowerment, reclamation, and resistance. Each card serves as a portal to the wisdom and magic of witches from different eras and backgrounds, from Octavia Butler, Audre Lorde, María Sabina, Zora Neale Hurston to Hildegarde, Leonora Carrington, Anna Halprin, and Mayumi Oda.

A Powerful One-Card Reading

Towards the end of the video, I perform a one-card reading that turns out to be incredibly powerful. The message I received was so profound that it left me visibly shaken. This reading demonstrated the potent spiritual connections facilitated by this oracle deck, making it an invaluable tool for both new and experienced practitioners of the craft.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy the video and find the "Missing Witches Deck Of Oracles" as enchanting and transformative as I do. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to oracle readings, this deck offers a unique and enriching experience.

Watch the Video

Check out the full review by clicking here: https://youtu.be/iKq9Cj0XnAM?si=5BI3W0iSVof9

and flip through on my and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Additional Information

For those interested, the deck is set to release on July 9, 2024, and is available for preorder. It's published by North Atlantic Books and is priced at $19.95. The deck is designed to be a standalone tool but also complements other works by the authors, such as "Missing Witches" and "New Moon Magic"【13†source】

My Art Spells Are Now On The Moon!

I'm beyond thrilled to share that I've been selected as one of the 135 contemporary artists featured in the Arch Lunar Art Archive (ALAA), which has just made its historic landing on the moon aboard the Odysseus lander! 🚀

The ALAA, a project by the Arch Mission Foundation, is an extraordinary collection of contemporary art from 135 artists worldwide, extending humanity's cultural footprint into the cosmos.

This groundbreaking endeavor began during the challenges of Covid-19, aiming to capture the essence of our present moment through diverse artistic expressions. I'm deeply honored to be part of this global initiative, which brings together artists of varied backgrounds, ages, and mediums, reflecting the richness of our world.

Each artwork, including my own, is etched into nickel sheets using cutting-edge NanoFiche technology, ensuring its preservation for eons to come. Moreover, these artworks will be minted as NFTs, offering collectors a unique opportunity to support artists' practices in this new frontier.

Participating Artists

Aaron Naves

Adrian Pijoan

Alex Anderson

Alex Mackin Dolan

Alex Seton

Alice Wang

Allen Hung-Lun Chen

Allie Zhang

Amalia Ulman

Anarchy Dance Theatre

Andreas Rønholt Schmidt

Andrew Hahn

Andrew Norman Wilson

AP Nguyen

Asha Schecter

Asya Nur

Aura Rosenberg

Aushin Chang

Barak Zemer

Bart Seng

Bjarne Bare

Brigid Mason

Candice Jee with Yaya Huwat

Carol Strober

Casey Kauffmann

Chen Chien Jung

Chen Zi Yin

Chia Lee

Chris Hanke

Cindy Conrad

Dakota Blue

Danielle Dean

Donel Williams

Edgar Fabián Frías

Elliot Kaufman

Emily Yang 艾蜜莉

Emma Hazen

Erik Frydenborg

Erin Calla Watson

Ewa Wojciak

Filip Gilissen

Fiona Connor

Fung Yee Lick

Gabby Davis

Gauntlett Cheng

Giacomo Giannantonio

Gianna Surangkanjanajai

Gina Mei

Graham Epstein

Hanna Rose Stewart

Henri McMaster

Hooz

Horacio Alcolea Crespo

Ian Stanton

Idolate

Ilja Karilampi

Jacob Cruzen

Jared Madere

Jared Richardson (JVY)

Jasia Rabiej

Jason Meadows

Jasper Spicero

Jaybe Lee

Jeff Beall

Jeffrey Scudder

Jennifer Zhang

Jessica Hang

Johnny Forever Nawracaj (with sound by Gambletron)

Jon Pylypchuk

Jonathan Moore

JPW3

Julia Yerger

Juliana Halpert

Julie Lai

Kaiyen Tu

Kate Sansom

Kathy Haddad

Kent Twitchell

Lane Stewart

Lin Pei-Yao

Lindsay Lawson

Liya Yu

Liz Magic Lazer

Louie Shirase

Luis Serrano

Maria Petschnig

Martin Lammert

Mathias Toubro

Matt Siegle

Matthew Cherrie

Michael Pollard

Ming Yao Chang

Mitchell Syrop

MM33

Mooncat

Nao Bustamante

Natalie Astraea

Negashi Armada + Mickey Goodman

Ni Hao

Nick Hamburger

OUCHHH

Olammy

Paige K.B.

Paulson Lee

Peggy Peiting Huang

Peter Schulman

Rachel Zaretsky Radimir Koch

Ralph Kuo Chiang Wu

Rasmus Røhling

RESEARCH Publications

Retro1999

Robin Sparkes

Sam Anderson

Sam Mason

Sarah Rara

Scott Benzel

Scroll

Seyoung Yoon

Shana Moulton

Shang-Ru Lin

Shang-Yang Wu

So Youn Lee

Sylvia Hardy

Anna Lind-Guzik (The Conversationalist)

Tobias Sprichtig

Tore Wallert

Travis Diehl

Viola Morini

Wednesday Kim

Will Wharton

Wyatt Naoki Conlon

X-TRA and Project X Foundation For Art And Criticism

Zhuxue Deren

Zuzanna Bartoszek

Being part of this project is a dream come true, and I'm excited about the possibilities it holds for the future of art and exploration. 🎨✨

An example of one of the artworks of mine that is now on the moon.

Stay tuned for updates on the ALAA and its upcoming NFT releases. And if you're curious to explore the archive or join the conversation, check out the links below! 👇

An example of one of the artworks of mine that is now on the moon.

Website: lun.art Community Discord: discord.gg/uvFsFtqgBG Medium: @arch-lunar-art-archive Instagram: @arch_lunar_art_archive X: x.com/arch_lunar Farcaster: warpcast.com/art-archive

I have been selected to be a part of LA County's PAiD Artist Council!

Cover Image (top left to right): Adee Roberson, Noé Montes, Terrick Gutierrez, Brianna MacGillivray, Michelle Sui, Edgar Fabián Frías, Grace Ramirez Gaston, Emily Womack, Allie Ihm, Jazmín Urrea. Not pictured: Dominique Moody, Star Montana, and Pat Gomez.

I'm absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news with you all. Drumroll, please... I've been selected as one of the inaugural members of the Public Artists in Development (PAiD) program's Artist Council! 🥳 Being part of this prestigious cohort feels like a dream come true, and I couldn't be more honored to join such a talented group of individuals.

Let me introduce you to my fellow council members: Adee Roberson, Dominique Moody, Jazmín Urrea, Michelle Sui, Noé Montes, Star Montana, and Terrick Gutierrez. Each of us comes from diverse artistic backgrounds, united by our passion for promoting the growth and empowerment of underrepresented artists in Los Angeles County. Throughout this blog post you’ll see photos from our wonderful kick-off event at Los Angeles State Historic Park!

The PAiD program is a beacon of hope for artists facing barriers to participation in Civic Art and the wider public art sphere. It's designed not only to address these obstacles but also to pioneer new practices that better cater to artists' needs. As part of the Artist Council, I'll be engaging in profound discussions with fellow artists, experts in various fields, and public art administrators. Together, we aim to craft recommendations that will enhance Civic Art practices and provide valuable resources to our Los Angeles arts community.

But that's not all! Each council member, including myself, will also embark on a journey to develop a temporary public art project. These projects will not only serve as a creative outlet but also allow us to delve deeper into the topics we discuss within the program.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for making this program possible. Their support is invaluable in fostering the growth and success of artists like myself. Additionally, a big shoutout to Dyson & Womack for their role in developing and managing the Artist Council. Your dedication to the arts is truly inspiring.

I can't wait to embark on this journey with my fellow council members and see where it takes us. Together, we'll be making waves in the art world and championing the voices of underrepresented artists.

Stay tuned for updates on my PAiD journey! And once again, thank you all for your unwavering support. Let's make some art! 🎨

Photos provided by LA County Arts.

Trans Hirstory In 99 Objects Book Release At The Hammer Museum

Zackary Drucker, Edgar Fabián Frías, Raquel Gutiérrez, Amos Mac, David Evans Frantz, Christina Linden, Chris Vargas at The Hammer Museum for the release of MOTHA’s (Museum of Transgender Hirstory and Art) book Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects

Last night was truly a profound and unforgettable experience. Being invited to participate in the iconic event for the release of Chris E. Vargas' Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects book at the Hammer Museum was an immense honor. To be surrounded by such trailblazing trans luminaries like Zackary Drucker, Raquel Gutiérrez, Amos Mac, Uri McMillan, Christina Linden, and David Evans Frantz was incredibly powerful.

The entire evening had an almost sacred energy, as if the spirits of our trans ancestors were present, guiding and blessing us. Chris' vision with the Museum of Trans Hirstory & Art (MOTHA) as a "forever under construction" container to celebrate trans hirstory and existence is so profoundly needed. In a world that has tried to erase and deny our narratives for centuries, MOTHA unapologetically inserts trans magic into the spaces where it is most vital.

I felt immensely grateful to Chris, Christina, and David for their years of labor in crafting this phenomenal book that weaves together our vast, complex trans lineages and legacies. The care and intentionality they brought in organizing this event was palpable.

Edgar offering a collective three card tarot reading using Rachel Pollack’s The Shining Tribe Tarot at The Hammer Museum. Photo taken by Maria McKee.

Being invited to share a personal three card tarot reading using The Shining Tribe Tarot deck, which was also my contribution to the book, allowed me to open up in unexpectedly emotional ways. Drawing The Strength card for our collective present moment imbued the space with a sense of fortitude and resilience that I know we'll all need as we navigate the continued challenges ahead.

Photo by Christina Linden.

Witnessing the outpouring of love, support, and celebration for this work and our community left me in awe. I hope the recording of this historic gathering is released publicly soon so that the ripples of trans brilliance and affirmation can extend even further. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to have been a part of such a sacred night amongst my siblings and ancestors.

You can watch the full video of this event below:

HoliGay Gift Guide 2023

The holiday season is giving many of us a moment to reflect and connect with loved ones. As we take comfort in traditions, we remember all communities do not share in that privilege. I cannot ignore the injustices happening now, like the crises happening in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, Yemen, and other places. If you wish to help, consider donating to reputable organizations supporting human rights like Doctors Without Borders, the World Food Program, and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. You can also check out some non-monetary ways you can get involved in supporting the work of If Not Now and National Students For Justice In Palestine.

Gift-giving, however small, can also spark joy and help support small businesses that are helping to create another vision of a more equitable and inclusive world. In that spirit, I want to share my list of creative gifts for artists and witches under $100, predominantly from small businesses owned bypass LGBTQ+, women, and people of color.

Click here for a 1-minute video preview!

The suggestions span artisan goods for various interests and budgets. I aimed for makers offering quick shipping during this busier time of year.

I'll wrap up by spotlighting some community-nominated businesses. My goal is highlighting diverse creatives while encouraging more conscientious consumption. I hope somewhere within this list you find inspiration, whether through action, advocacy or gift-giving gentleness.

Top 15 Gifts Under $100

1. Chani Nicholas’ 2024 Astro Planner is filled with 291 pages of rituals, reflections, exercises, astro cheat sheets, planetary movements, and daily and monthly calendars that allow you to map out your year, track your intention for the day, and make the most of the current astrology. Plus, each 8.75" x 6.25" planner includes a customizable birth chart, 100+ astro stickers, and a free month of premium content in the CHANI app for new users. Here’s to an abundant 2024. $54.99 (affiliate link)

2. The Evanesced [Tarot Deck] by Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle & Olomidara Yaya is inspired by The Evanesced Series, an expansive body of work channeled by Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle a.k.a. Olomidara Yaya. Through 100+ drawings and paintings that Hinkle/Yaya calls un-portraits and a suit of site-specific performances, she/they are creating a body of work that interrogates the erasure of Black womxn historically and presently. This deck and its creation stand in solidarity with various intersections of what it means to be femme, especially Black and femme, and is in conversation with the #SayHerName movement. All un-portraits featured in the deck are from The Evanesced: The Untouchables (2020) commissioned for the traveling exhibition The Black Index, curated by Bridget R. Cooks. $65

3. Radical Tarot By Charlie Claire Burgess is a dynamic re-envisioning of the tarot, including tarot card imagery, that describes how the tarot is queer, that the archetypes are alive, and that tarot doesn’t tell the future; it creates it.

Radical Tarot meets the tarot in a space of evolution, deconstruction, and creation, using the historical and common meanings of the cards as a launchpad for digging into limiting beliefs and societal conditioning and unlocking the personal truths beneath. $19.99

4. Crystalpedia By Athena Perrakis, PhD With dazzling photography, this book is not only a reference guide but also an oracle to guide your journey, whatever your goal is. Simply set an intention, ask a question, and then flip through the pages until your intuition tells you to stop. You’ll meet the stone you are being guided to discover. $26.99

5. The Green Gold Ancestral Plant Spirit Oracle by Botanica Cimarron is a 68 card deck and guidebook connecting you with diasporic contemporary guidance rooted within the ancient wisdom of our oldest ancestors on earth — plants! 

The reverence of nature as our original family is the heart of indigenous traditions. But this experience of connection can be hard to access in the modern world without the right tools. With Green Gold as your guide, enter an enchanting portal for accessing divine knowledge that can unlock your timeless memories ripe with creative solutions for transforming your reality.  $48

6. Wild Medicine By Shelby Bundy and Kate Belew is a gorgeously illustrated herbal from the witchy experts at Tamed Wild, this handy guidebook introduces readers to the most common and powerful healing herbs and the wisdom gained over centuries of use. Ideal for green witches and budding herbalists! Inspired by Tamed Wild’s best-selling herb decks, this handbook covers more than 60 magickal herbs–a must-have for anyone interested in the power of herbal healing. A lovely hand-painted watercolor introduces each herb, offering an artist’s look at the identifying characteristics. $21

7. Spellbound Sky’s Sage & Soil Scented Ritual Candle Burn this candle to get back to Earth, feeling rooted, revitalized and purified. Inspired by the protective and grounding powers of Smoky Quartz, this earthy metallic beauty was created to clear your space of bad vibes and evoke the feeling of being deeply connected to your Root Chakra. Use this candle by itself or with other candles to ground the energy of your ritual work. The warm and earthy scent brings you back to nature, infused with Desert Sage, Oakmoss and Cactus Flower…topped with Sacred Dirt, Smoky Mica and Bronzed Gold flakes. Burn as needed to get grounded and realigned with the healing powers of Mother Earth! $20

8. The Liberation Tarot Deck is a collection of 79 tarot cards and accompanying guidebook, created over the course of four years by more than thirty artists and writers living in the US, Canada, France, Brazil, Palestine, and Mexico (including me!). The booklet includes an introduction from deck organizer Elicia Epstein, insightful essays by adrienne maree brown and lawrence barriner II, and beautifully crafted card descriptions from poet emet ezell. $50

9. Stelle* Scopa Deck of Cards by artist Maria Moltenia is original deck of playing/divination cards- inspired by Italian Scopa & Tarot cards- charmed by celestial + terrestrial iconography. “Stelle Scopa- The Deck” includes 61 Card Deck in a silver bag. $40

10. Grandes Maestros del Arte Wixárika: Acervo Negrín is a gorgeous book jointly published by the Secretary of Culture for the State of Jalisco, Mexico and the Wixárika Research Center in honor of the Year of Indigenous Languages and to celebrate the exhibit Grandes Maestros del Arte Wixárika: Acervo Negrín at the Museo Cabañas in Guadalajara (June 21, 2019 - January 12, 2020). This is a tri-lingual publication - Spanish, English and Wixárika. Sales support the Wixárika Research Center. $75

11. Le Nouveau Belline by Anne Horel is a luminous 52 card reproduction of the original Le Tarot Belline originally created in 1863. Anne is a digital witch and a pioneer in social media and GIF art in France and globally. This deck is truly a magical work of art and reflects Anne’s deep relationship with the esoteric, divination, and visual & digital spells. The deck is in French and the art is universal. $40

12. The Ignota Diary 2023 is a beautifully designed diary and week-to-view planner is filled with historically significant magical and sacred dates from around the world. Drawn from events such as the Buddha’s birthday, esoteric festivals and artistic and occult history, the diary touches on the lives of characters such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Ithell Colquhoun, Zora Neale Hurston, Carl Jung, Simone Weil, Leonora Carrington, Maya Deren, Aleister Crowley, George Bataille, Timothy Leary, Hilma af Klint, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, William Blake, W.B. Yeats and Octavia Butler.  $22

13. Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects is a compelling exploration of trans art, activism, and resistance. Spanning over four centuries, this volume brings together a wide-ranging selection of artworks and artifacts that highlight the under-recognized histories of trans and gender-nonconforming communities. Through the contributions of artists, writers, poets, activists, and scholars, this title reflects on historical erasure and imagines trans futures. An expansive array of objects chart not a patriarchal history but a gender-neutral, trans-centric hirstory. The first publication of its kind, this survey celebrates trans forebearers, highlights struggles and triumphs, and reflects on the legacies of trans creative expression.

Contributions by Kate Bornstein, Ria Brodell, Vaginal Davis, Leah DeVun, Mo B. Dick, Zackary Drucker, David Getsy, Martine Gutierrez, Andrea Jenkins, Jade Guarano Kuriki-Olivo (Puppies Puppies), Thomas (T.) Jean Lax, Abram J. Lewis, Miguel A. López, Amos Mac, Cyle Metzger, Deborah A. Miranda, Morgan M Page, SA Smythe, C. Riley Snorton, Dean Spade, Sandy Stone, Jeannine Tang, Michelle Tea, McKenzie Wark, and many others probe new horizons where institutional critique and trans culture meet. This book is copublished by the Museum of Trans Hirstory & Art (MOTHA), a conceptual art project of artist Chris E. Vargas that is forever “under construction” by design to allow continual transformation.

14. In New Moon Magic, Missing Witches authors Risa Dickens and Amy Torok offer Witchy practices to change your life and reshape the world, without falling prey to the commercialization that belies the true heart—and power—of magic.

Witchcraft is praxis: how we do what we believe, and how we make those beliefs manifest. New Moon Magic is an offering to all witches, honoring the Craft’s roots in centuries of empowerment, survival, and resistance—despite capitalism’s attempts to co-opt and dilute its practice. $19.95

15. Turning Terrestrial Tides Tarot Deck. We’re in turbulent times. The US is experiencing its first Pluto Return, and Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are all set to move into new zodiac signs in the near future.

The astrology suggests that we’re collectively standing on the precipice of a major shift here on Earth. So, how do we use this astrological energy of change to our advantage? The 78 tarot archetypes invite us to self-reflect and entertain curiosity around designing our future within our larger communities. During these times of intense transformation, tarot can act as both a mirror and an anchor for personal empowerment, reminding us that we write our tomorrow. This DIY quality is reflected in the Turning Terrestrial Tides Tarot artwork. The travel-friendly, poker-sized deck was created in the approachable cut-and-paste collage style of 90s zines and includes the astrological linkages to each tarot archetype as well as words to reflect on, both on the cards and within the included mini guidebook. $40

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Honorable Mentions

Dream Job Spell Analog VR by yours truly published by Stories To Change The World. There are just a few of these limited edition artworks left. They contain a word and visual art spell created to invoke expansive and infinite potential when it comes to dreaming your dream job into existence. As an added bonus, Anne Horel (mentioned above), has also released a limited edition Analog VR set titled Macro Vitae. $36

Goddex Sugar Scrub from Ever’s Apothecary. The Goddex is Sacred Fluidity, Versatility, Enthusiasm, Adaptability, and Unconventionality. It's about honoring all sides of our nature and embracing our natural non-conforming energies. Our Goddex Sugar Scrub is crafted with ingredients to work into any beauty ritual. Formulated with our favorite exfoliating agent, Oatmeal, to soak up excess oil and help hydrate dry skin from seasonal climates; Safflower Oil infused with Butterfly Pea Flower Powder is packed with antioxidants and aids in rebuilding elasticity to reduce redness from external irritants visibly; Unrefined Shea Butter rich in vitamins A, E, and F, to heal and promote skin circulation while softening and toning. Dressed with Whole Oats and Blue Cornflower, this scrub vibrates to awaken your psychic awareness, heal intuitive blocks, and connect to our queer ancestors to liberate inner wisdom.

Eden Sky | Labradorite by Siren of The Sea. An enchanting, sunset-colored Labradorite with peach orange hues & blue/green undertones. This spectacular & rare piece was combined with an elegant design using sterling silver. Labradorite exudes magical energies associated with intuition, protection & transformation. $98

Community Nominated Businesses

Theyfriend Candles is a queer, nonbinary, trans witch-crafting candle venture. All candles are crafted by hand and enchanted by Kirkean (Circe-based) Witch Rune Rainwater (they/them). Theyfriend seeks to be in a non-extractive relationship with all crafting materials; our candles are made with sustainable materials: beeswax & hemp wicks. They never use synthetic dyes or oils, instead crafting our candles with food-grade sustainable dyes like pomegranate powder. Their packaging is eco-friendly: boxes are reusable and biodegradable, and candles are wrapped in heavy paper that can be reused for any purpose (they highly encourage you to use the wrapping paper for sigils, petitions, and other witch work!).

Eagle Screen Printing is a queer run print shop based in NE Minneapolis that creates t-shirts, tote bags, prints, and more.

PublicParts creates hand made designer dildos using body safe platinum silicone.

Paige Emery’s Blue Garden Apothecary provides plant remedies intentionally made to aid the body, mind, and spirit in transformative and difficult times between a dying world and a new world we want to exist.

Good Mexican Girl has the best vegan empanadas and baked goods with gluten free and non-vegan options as well. Based in the Los Angeles area they are able to ship nationally and also offer free delivery to certain zip codes in LA.

Kaitlyn Graña Mother of Mystics is an East Los Angeles-based Espiritista, trance medium, expert occultist, and doula of radical spiritual awakenings.

DYEShemportraits based in Hollywood, California makes crystal jewelry, clothes, candles n soaps as well as has a journal PDF download.

Interview with Nicole Ruggiero

Nicole Ruggiero in her New York home studio.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Nicole Ruggiero, a 3D artist based in New York. Nicole's work, inspired by video games and the internet, explores the intersection of technology and culture. During our conversation, Nicole discusses her journey into digital art, emphasizing the role of online forums in shaping her early experiences. We also explore her recent projects, including an animated series called Wish ‘N Wash, set in a late/post-capitalist society. Nicole shares her insights on the evolving role of digital and 3D art, noting a shift towards exploring nostalgia in various forms.

Click on this image for more information and to register.

Nicole and I are teaming up for the "Mixing Digital and Physical Worlds Workshop" on Dec 16, 2023, at 9 am PST / Noon ET. Join us for a 1.5-hour exploration of tools for 3D and 2D art, NFTs, and bridging the digital-physical gap. Engage in a discourse on web3, blockchain, and NFTs. This donation-based workshop ($11 - $33) ensures accessibility for all and nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

You can learn more and register for it here.

My Interview with Nicole

1. Would you mind introducing yourself and letting us know a little bit about you and your work?

Hi I'm Nicole! I make 3D art about the internet and technology. I've always loved connecting with people through tech and I love adding a bit of warmth to something that can typically feel pretty cold.

2. Is there a reason you started to work digitally? What has that journey been like for you?
That's a good question. I actually started making digital art when I was about 12.  Before that I didn't really have anyone to show my work to, but being on online art forums made me feel pretty excited to share my work and get critique.

3. Is there a recent project you’ve done that you’re particularly proud of? If so, why?
Recently I've been working on this animated series with my partner, PLANTTDADDII, called the Wish ‘N Wash.  It's about a late/post-capitalist society, in a world where soap is scarce so people go to the local Wish N Wash laundromat and casino to win soap and wash their clothes.

I also have another WindowsXP themed piece that I’m coming out with sometime in January that I’m pretty excited about.

Collaboration with PLANTTDADDII, 2022, sold on SuperRare & 2/2 editioned prints.

4. Could you share your perspective on the role of digital and 3D art in the contemporary art world and how it has evolved over the years?
Originally I think 3D art was somewhat of a novelty. Now I'm seeing a lot of people making work with different forms of 3D nostalgia whether that be for video games or for previous digital eras. And, of course, 3D technology is heavily used in the metaverse or in digital worlds.

5. What advice would you give to emerging artists who are looking to make their mark in the world of 3D and digital art, considering your own journey and success in this field?
Right now, I feel like there are two pathways. The first pathway is to play into social media algorithms. The second pathway is getting into NFTs and related communities. The former is more client-focused, and the latter is more artwork-focused. I think a mixture of both is a good balance if you can manage it.

6. As a 3D visual artist, your work often blurs the line between the virtual and physical worlds. How do you see the future of art evolving in the context of emerging technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality?
I was just talking to my partner about this and we were talking about how one day we're going to have to explain to younger generations what a mouse cursor was LOL. I mean we're already seeing this, for example, with Meta and Ray-Ban’s collaboration on the smart glasses.

7. Collaboration and curation are part of your creative portfolio. Could you share an experience or project that challenged your artistic boundaries and pushed you to explore new creative territories?
I think the Wish ‘N Wash is something that has really pushed me. For the onset of this project I decided to sculpt and rig all of my characters from scratch and that's been a huge creative journey. First, I had to learn all the tools to do this and then I had to execute it. I'm still learning how to do all this. Sometimes it's discouraging but it’s also rewarding. I'm always getting better and trying my best.

8. What are some of the things that inspire you and/or your art?
I'm really inspired by computer user interfaces, video game characters, cities and neon lights, sci-fi, and good storytelling.

9. What do you hope people take away from connecting with your artwork?
I think ultimately I really want people to emotionally connect with my work.

10. How can people work with you? What’s the best way to learn more about your art?
I’m open for commissions and freelance starting in December! I have done a lot of album covers, music videos, character design, motion design, & 3D generalist work. People can find more about me on my website: https://www.nicoleruggiero.com or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleruggiero or Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/_nicoleruggiero.

The best way to contact me is my email: nicole@nicoleruggiero.com

New Moon Spell For Empathic Care ❤️‍🔥

“Everything we do to help each other is an act of resistance”

- Beverly Smith (from New Moon Magic: 13 Anti-Capitalist Tools for Resistance and Re-Enchantment)

Today's New Moon in Scorpio marks a transformative celestial dance, akin to a scorpion shedding its exoskeleton. Embrace Scorpio's potent energy tied to authenticity, truth, love, and courage. Channel this intensity into a spell, envisioning yourself as a conduit for empathic care that extends beyond personal boundaries.

Picture this compassionate energy field as a dynamic force—a collective tide of love merging with intentions worldwide. Let this spell be a catalyst for positive change, a ripple of kindness weaving through humanity's interconnected web.

Whether practicing alone or with companions, Scorpio's power thrives in collective experiences. Energetically invite others through methods like bibliomancy or a symbolic calling in of their energies. Join forces in person or virtually via Zoom or Facetime. Together you amplify your magic and add potency to your spellwork.

Today's New Moon in Scorpio calls us to be architects of compassionate change. Use the energy of death and rebirth, truth, love, and courage to cultivate care beyond our immediate sphere. Embrace celestial synergy and uncover the alchemy of connection and collective compassion.

A new moon signifies renewed optimism, a time to gather energy for the upcoming weeks. It fosters self-reflection, clarifying desires for contribution, and reception from the world. This phase is ideal for divination and imaginative exploration, envisioning and manifesting a change process.

How to begin

Gather the following materials (all materials are optional):

• Salt

• A white or black candle

• A bowl of water

• Crystal and/or plant friends who want to join & support (e.g. watermelon tourmaline, figs, pomegranates, rose quartz)

• A few books for bibliomancy and/or your trusted tarot or oracle cards

• Your journal or a notepad and a pen

Find a place that feels safe and secure. This could be in your bedroom, next to a tree friend in the forest, or in a private Zoom call with your closest friends. Set aside 10 - 30 minutes for this ritual.

How to begin

Start the spell by casting a circle of protection around you and anyone who is joining you. You can do this by physically creating a circle of salt around you and/or the candle you are using in this spell. You can also do this by taking a moment to visualize a circle of energy surrounding you and anyone else you want to bring into the center of this circle.

You can also use this time to cleanse the space with aura mists, crystal clearings, smudgings, bells, or prayers and affirmations.

Light the candle when you are ready. Let the spirit realm know you are ready to commune.

Check-in and connect

Take a moment and check in with yourself and/or each other. What are you feeling? How are you? Do you need anything right now? Feel free to use your notepad to take notes or write out reflections.

Ask for guidance

Turn towards bibliomancy and/or divination for sacred support. To work with bibliomancy, pick up a book you have brought into the circle and let yourself be guided to turn to a page and see what is the first thing that catches your eye. It could be a word or a phrase. How does it impact you? How does it make you feel? What comes up as a result? Again, feel free to use your notepad to take notes or write out reflections.

Similarly, if you are using tarot or oracle cards, I invite you to pull one card and take a moment to reflect on it. Let the card’s visuals and text connect with you deeply. What is real? What is authentic? What is here?

Feel free to pull another card for further guidance or clarification. Or do a three-card pull and assign meaning to the cards as you see fit (e.g. past-present-future, situation-intervention-outcome, desire-prayer-action, etc.)

Water Connects Us

Whenever you are ready, I invite you to hold the bowl of water you have in your hands. Or spend some time with your eyes closed and visualizing. I invite you to imagine your heart producing an electrical field of energy. This field can expand and contract with your intentions and desires. You can imagine this field of energy starting to expand to hold you and all your complexities. The parts of you that you love and admire about yourself and the parts of you that feel difficult to sit with or that you might even dislike. Imagine the water acting like an amplifying element, helping you expand and grow.

When you’re ready, imagine this field of compassionate caring energy starting to expand beyond your body and touching all those who are in your circle. The crystals, ancestors, plant kin, and other participants who are in this circle with you. Let your field of energy encompass them in all their complexities. Embracing and holding them.

From the circle, you will now imagine this force of love emanating outward from the circle. Touching your neighbors and their loved ones, touching those in your neighborhood, in your city, in your country. Let yourself envision this field of energy reaching out, moving at the speed of love, and touching, holding, and embracing, all those who need this energy right now. Let yourself embrace all living and non-living beings in all their complexity. Tune into your heart. Take deep breaths here.

Once you feel your energy field expand to connect with your whole country, imagine your field of compassionate care reaching out and touching other people in other countries. Countries that may be filled with joy, grief, pain, celebration, shock, and hope. Let your compassionate care touch this country and the living and non-living beings residing there. Let yourself hold everything you encounter in its fullness. In all its complexity. Share care. Share love. Breathe. Come back to your heart.

For the last part of this visualization, you can imagine your empathic field of energy expanding out to hold the entire planet and all its living and non-living beings in all their grand complexity and wholeness. Taking another deep breath, you can imagine this field of energy moving out to touch all the planets in our solar system as well as all the stars, meteors, comets, space trash, and dark matter that exists in this space. And, if you’re able to, you can envision this field expanding out from beyond the solar system and touching all the other galaxies and living and non-living beings that exist in our universe.

Grounding Your Care

Take a few more deep breaths. Let yourself come back to your body and being. Perhaps touch the floor or rub your hands together. Do something to let yourself know that you’re back. Spend a moment writing any reflections you have about that experience, any intentions, or prayers you want to share or remember.

I am a big believer in the fact that all things are spiritual. Spiritual practice is done in ceremony and it’s done every time we offer our love, attention, and care to others. Spiritual practice is washing your dishes, donating to an organization you support, and advocating for peace out on the street with others.

Below I offer a few options for groundign your spiritual practice with specific actions that demonstrate care. Please feel free to choose one that resonates with you and/or create your own!

Craft Art & Stories for Change - Use art and narratives to expose truths, challenge misinformation, and counter disinformation campaigns by powerful entities. As artists and storytellers, unite against the manipulation of truth and amplify silenced voices. Imagine alternative worlds through your creations, resisting the status quo and demanding accountability. Your creative power is a force for change, shaping a narrative that advocates for justice and equity. Remember that there are MILLIONS of dollars (if not more) being spent on paying creatives to promote war and justify it. Check out this great conversation starter article What Roles Does Art Play In Protest by Art 21.

Sustain Awareness and Engagement - Make a commitment to stay vigilant and engaged with the evolving situation in Palestine. Align yourself with credible news outlets to stay abreast of developments. In this ongoing lunar cycle of awareness, continue to advocate for change, ensuring your efforts remain tethered to the evolving needs of those affected by the conflict. Check out this video by Travelgrrl which shares some people and organizations to follow for up-to-date information about the ongoing situation Gaza. You can also visit Genocide Watch to learn about other unfortunate situations unfolding around the globe.

Nurture Economic Empathy - Plant the seeds of support by championing Palestinian businesses. Seek out and patronize Palestinian-owned enterprises, nurturing local economies and fostering growth within the region. Whether online or within the vibrant tapestry of local markets, your conscious consumerism becomes a beacon of solidarity. Here’s a list of 24 Palestinian-owned Brands to support.

Champion Transformation - With newfound awareness, become a catalyst for change in Palestine. Channel your energy into advocating for political reform—penned letters to elected representatives, the resonance of your signature on petitions, and active support for campaigns echoing the call for peace and justice. Elevate your voice to illuminate the plight of the Palestinians, contributing to the positive transformation of their circumstances. Check out this blog entry by Haute Hijab on how to contact your representatives and what to say.

Tax Magick - A lot of people are angry that we don’t get to decide if we want our tax dollars to be going toward funding war and genocide or towards basic needs we have both here in this country and elsewhere. I have definitely seen a lot more people talking about protest via Tax withholding or writing official letters of complaint. While this is not financial advice this is meant to get you to start thinking about this as a strategy/practice/tactic and for you to see how and if it makes sense for you and your situation. Check out this great resource from the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee. I have also seen some very interesting conversations happening on TikTok and Reddit that have gotten my gears going. I’m definitely doing my research on this one and would love to hear any thoughts you have!

Illuminate with Generosity - Let the glow of the hidden new moon inspire a gesture of generosity. Cast your contribution towards reputable organizations dedicated to providing humanitarian aid. Click here for a list of reputable places to donate to from NPR. Donate directly to Doctors Without Borders here.

Publicly Promote Harmony & Ceasefire - Traverse the city streets with a collective heartbeat resonating in unison for peace. Join the assembly of compassionate voices, echoing a fervent plea for an immediate ceasefire and a resolute commitment to diplomatic solutions. Let the streets become a canvas for peace, where your advocacy paints a compelling picture of a world united against the ravages of war. Find a protest near you here (this list has been getting updated frequently). Here are some protest tips & resources from NYU Law.

Conclusion & Future Offering

I cannot stress enough that protest & spellwork are creative spiritual practices! They are also emergent ones. Meaning that we can sometimes receive messages from within or without that share information about our next steps. That inspires us to dream and experiment with the ways in which our spellwork and protest take forms. I am hoping this New Moon spell can guide you in connecting with your own intuition and that you are able to explore and create the perfect containers and creations that you need at this moment. Remember there is no wrong or right way to do this. Listen to your intuition and ask for help and/or support if you need it!

And, if you are wanting a space to co-create art spells together in community I am offering a Full Moon Art Spell Ceremony for my subscribers on Instagram on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 11 AM PST (and also available asynchronously). This is a perfect time to bring together any insights, downloads, or channelings you receive from this New Moon time up until the Full Moon as this lunar cycle is going to be RICH and DEEP with messages & moonifestations. Come make magic with me and others and help amplify the Art Spells you are making by creating them in a community of other witches!

You can join by clicking the subscribe button at the top right of my posts or on my Instagram profile page. If you found this helpful and are feeling called to send me a donation or energy exchange, please do so. Your support helps me continue to thrive and do this work.

Please also share this spell as a resource for others and sign up for my newsletter to receive future offerings & updates.

This spell is inspired by Risa Dickens & Amy Torok’s New Moon Magic: 13 Anti-Capitalist Tools for Resistance and Re-Enchantment.

Interview with Hermés

I am so excited to share this wonderful interview I just had with Hermés who is a FEMME ICON and an incredibly talented artist, advocate, activist, and so much more. You can learn more about her and all of the amazing things she does by clicking here.

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E: Hi, can you share a little bit about yourself! How did you come to be the incredible artist, shapeshifter, sorceress, and monstress that you are? What is important to you at this moment? 

H: Thank you, Edgar! Including being an artist and all the things, I also claim and embrace being a trailblazer. As an Aries, being the first has been a recurring theme in my life. The first to be born in the states, the first born of 3 siblings, and the first to graduate from college. The first to move out from my hometown and move to the Bay Area. 

My familial roots come from México, El Salvador, and Spain. What is important to me at this moment is the process of deconditioning and divesting from patriarchal capitalist colonial programming, which includes reclaiming ancestral wisdom and practices.

E: I am obsessed with the art you’ve shared on the tezos blockchain on objkt and would love to hear more about it! 

H: Yes, how I would describe the art that I put out there is FFF – Fantastical, FEMME, and Fun!

E: What is your relationship like with art practice, performance, and digital art? Does it intersect with other mediums/practices and, if so, how? 

H: What comes to mind is the performativity of gender. As philosopher Simone de Beauvoir said: “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”. Performance can also be ritualistic, ceremonial, and ancestral. I think performance can be elevating and seductive.

I’m inspired by femme, feminist, and surreal visual art, which in college I took a women’s studies class called, feminist-art-power. My favorite visual artists that are  coming up for me are Leonora Carrington, Leonor Fini, and Remedios Varo. I love that these artists incorporate their mysticism into their art. For example, Leonara Carrington created her own version of the Major Arcana cards.

 To me, art, creativity, magical praxis are all interconnected. Art intersects with my astrology and tarot studies and practices. Overall, my art/work is devotional.

E: Do you have any advice you’d like to share with any baby witches or aspiring artists? 

H: Take risks and experiment! How I personally learn and grow is through trial and error. I’m also a big book nerd, so I love to read! 

E: What are your favorite forms of ritual or magic that you incorporate into your daily life? 

H: Good question! I like to keep it simple and cute. I pull tarot cards everyday. I give little offerings to my guides, such as offering incense,water, and leaving sweets, flowers, and adornments to my altar spaces. 

E: Are there any people, practices, or artworks you’d like to uplift and share? Why does it feel important to share them? 

H: I love my star poets and artists. With my own astrology practice and study, I’m tremendously indebted to astrology/tarot reader/educator/writer Diana Rose Harper and her mentorship, workshops, and readings she offers and her Patreon. I definitely recommend checking her work for those wanting to dive deeper and learn about astrology. Her wonderful workshops that I want to highlight include, Fundamental Needs, Required Resources: The Collaboration of the 1st and 2nd Houses and Fierce Compassion: Natal Astrology as Radical Self-Care.

E: This is a very intense time astrologically (or so I’ve been told by a few friends) do you have any astrological insights that you feel are important to share? 

H: Based on what’s happening, I think discernment is crucial and seeing beyond the veil. At this time, cultivating community care is crucial. Despite the challenges, we have to remind ourselves that we have agency and autonomy.  

In addition to Diana Rose Harper and her work, I love tuning in to astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo’s Ghost of a Podcast. Each week she goes over weekly transits. She also does episodes on what to expect for the year ahead. Aside from the astro data, she also provides valuable solid advice. For example in an episode she mentioned that an antidote to fear can be by taking action, and that taking small incremental steps can create a big impact. 

E: What’s something you are hoping to accomplish in the next year or two? 

H: Alongside the visual art that I create, I want to dedicate more time to my writing and grow my girl blog! 

E: Please let us know about anything exciting going on in your life right now! 

H: Ah there’s always so much going on! What comes to mind is how energizing living by the water can be and being immersed with the Bay Area magic and connecting with other Bay Area artists and witches! 

 E: How can folks connect with you and your work? 

H: I’m always open to collaboration! (I’m a libra rising.) You can find me on instagram (@hermes_hermit). I also have my linktree posted there. You can also check out my blog and podcast!

Five Lessons I've Learned This Chariot Year 2023: Embracing Transformation and Growth

As the year of the Chariot draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the profound journey I've experienced over the past months. This period has been marked by a surge of learnings, energies, messages, and guidance that has led me to reorient and reorganize myself both internally and externally. The Chariot year has brought with it a series of powerful lessons, paving the way for transformation and growth in ways I could never have imagined. Here are five lessons I have been reflecting upon, receiving, working with, playing with, dancing with, etc. these past few months.

1. Change is holographic and nonlinear.

Change can happen in the most microscopic levels. From you taking a moment to make a different choice, access a different part of yourself, or choose a different path home, change can often feel small and incremental. Change can also happen all at once, like learning to cope and adapt after receiving a life-changing diagnosis, leveling up in your practice or career, taking a big risk, or going through a spiritual crisis. Change cannot be contained. It is messy, wild, and emergent. It has its own consciousness, its own process, and its own flow. Change is holographic as it touches everything. Change moves within and without. Change is the universe and the soul.

Change has an energy you can tune into and that you can speak with, commune with, and flow with. What does change feel and/or sound like for you? For me, it’s electrifying, tingly, uplifting, enlivening, and sentient. I feel it moving through my hands, my heart, my back, my neck, through my third eye. It has structure, scaffolding, and a certain sense of unfurling, reaching, stretching, and contracting. It asks you to listen, to be present, and to feel its presence.

It moves forward and not at all. It is nonlinear as it exists now, existed before, and will exist for time immemorial. It moves in cycles, in seasons, in waves, in moments of eruption and transcendence, and moves slowly, imperceptibly, in chthonic underground fermenting, rotting, interconnected ways. Change can feel like a river, it can feel like a trickle, like a big flow, like a void, or a pause. Change is mutable and mutates. Change will not stand still. What does change feel like for you?

2. What we feel and think matters deeply when it comes to making changes.

I’ve been sitting with the profound power that our feelings, emotions, stories, and imagination have when it comes to how change happens in our lives. The Chariot can often be associated with action, with taking the reins of life, and while that is an important aspect of this tarot card, it is also important to look at what is underneath our desires, our dreams, and, ultimately, our decisions. This year, I have been asked to take a deep look at my own motivations, catalysts, and the emotions and stories that I am consciously and unconsciously producing. It is challenging me to take risks, dream bigger, and expand my ability to tolerate the unknown, the seemingly impossible, and the great discomfort that comes with trying on new ways of existing, perceiving, thinking, and behaving. It is important to take action and it is important to ask ourselves why we are taking action. To look at the maps we are creating and to re-direct, re-draw the map, access other dimensions, and form new possibilities. It is also important to really take a look at what is fueling our Chariot. What is driving us? Why are we taking action?

3. There is control and there is allowing.

I have been directed to take expansive and microscopic looks at my life. To think about the next few decades and to make decisions in the present moment based on the goals, visions, fears, doubts, hopes, wishes, and desires I see moonifesting in them. This has helped me make some tough decisions and start to create structures, processes, and changes in my life that are reflecting this deep work and the insights I am receiving about the many paths my life is taking/will take. I have also been directed to trust. To let go of control. To allow and receive. To feel into the synchronicities that want to unfurl in my life. To enjoy the mistakes, the failures, the moments of serendipity and surprise that accompany this type of change. To know that there is control and there is allowing and that both of these energies are important. To try and find balance, flow, and enjoyment within these ways of being and doing.

4. Clarity and imagination are keys!

Keys are potent forces of fire in our lives. Keys help us unlock doors of possibility and they help us enter into other dimensions and other realms of being. Keys are psychic tools and psychic gifts. Clarity and imagination and two magical keys we are being called to connect with deeply.

Clarity allows us to see things clearly and to get specific. The devil is in the details and so is the divine. Let the universe know exactly what path(s) you see yourself on and what it is you are looking to bring into and/or change in your life. Write a list. Make a map. Draw up a plan. Put it in your calendar and check off those items on your checklist. These are the gifts of clarity.

Imagination on the other hand opens us up to possibility. It allows us to dream beyond the current constraints we may have or imagine possibilities emerging where we once could only see obstacles or limitations. Imagination is a realm of the unknown, and an invitation to pause, re-center, and tune into what is present and what is wanting to emerge, be born, and blossom. Imagination is closely connected to our intuition. It can sometimes want to be expressed through art, dance, song, somatics, poetry, breath, channeling, and other forms of non-linear and expansive containers. Our imagination should surprise us, confuse us, and make us wonder and reflect. These keys are, of course, not binaries and can sometimes mutate into each other and be a part of a similar tool and process.

5. Grief and change bloom together.

This one has been hard. But a big lesson I have been learning this year has been to truly sit with the grief of change. Of letting go of past versions of yourself, past relationships, or even stories that have provided us comfort, solace, and meaning. Grief means mourning the person we were, the possibilities we clung to before, and the existential worlds we created as a result. It means feeling the loss that comes with change. We cannot move forward without looking back and without acknowledging the sadness that emerges when we depart from somewhere with our chariot pointing in the direction of a different land, a different career, a different version of ourselves. Grief and growth are friends. They are mirrors of each other. We are blessed by their presence in our life and must learn to dance with them. They are here to teach, guide, clarify, enrich, soothe, transmute, and transform.

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As an added bonus, I am excited to say that a few folks from my newsletter have decided to share their own lessons and experiences from this year!

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Ohhhhhh soooo much, where do I even begin? How do I even put it into words?!

Everything is a sign

I often teeter between giving everything meaning and straight up nihilism. When I have that tickle in the back of my head asking if something happened because it was meant to be a message, I now embrace that notion. First of all… life is more fun when you believe it is magical, and you also never miss a message. This is true ESPECIALLY when you ask yourself “was that a sign?”

I am from the past and the future.

Not only do I represent what’s to come… one stroke beyond the pendulum of time that swings back and forth, but I am of the past… reflecting a time before colonialism and white power when my ancestors clung closer to their core and the earth and each other.

Every move in the physical world makes moves in the spirit world.

And vice versa. They are inextricably linked. Every chant, manifestation, dance, song, etc. effects all energies and spirits around me and connected to me. I’ve been “pushing” more than ever in the spirit world… and I have still yet to see its total progress in the physical world. So much has happened already!

Everything is a mirror because everything is me.

I look into the eyes of another and I greet myself, wishing myself a great day. I am happy for myself for having an experience, and sad when I’m stuck in a depression cycle. The collective mind is a humbling place to return to and remember.

I am creative because I am a creation.

I remember this when I feel a lack of creativity flow.

The tools I need in life are easily accessible to me… almost like I can grab them out of thin air. 

This relates back to the “everything is me” theory. I have done literally everything in the world, so why not access what I want to now? The tools I’ve used for lifetimes can return to me now.

No matter how “enlightened” I become, I will always struggle with my core trauma and wounds.

 They will find their way back in my body, in my mind and all I need is better tools to fight them. Just when I think I’ve slayed the last self-hate demon, another one starts to infest. Just when I think I’m done trying to appease my parents, some pattern of behavior reveals itself. I try not to beat myself up for it.

Being on Earth is a divine experience. 

Embrace it and feel every aspect of it… hell and heaven exist here!

Text by Mads Ambrose

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My chariot year is intermingled with my personal year, the star/strength (January 9th bday). I am 33 years old, just finished my masters in counseling psych and have studied human development and healing for over a decade (aquarius rising and Gemini Moon). Having said that, I was never really good at actually implementing or embodying the practices that I learned over the years, but this chariot year is helping me have the courage and self-love to put the healing in action when I need it. 

When you wrote about widening your window of tolerance, I wanted to "like" your email! Through EMDR and trauma healing, I now realize that I couldn't implement all that I had learned because my nervous system's imprint of the past was overriding my experience of the present. Slowly, very slowly, and gently (I see the imagery of the strength card), I am feeling sensations in my body and the time it takes me to realize when I have been triggered is becoming shorter and shorter. I celebrate this growing capacity to put my knowledge into action so it may become embodied wisdom and muscle memory. I feel myself walking through the world with a more grounded and sure footing, and at a much slower pace than before. I am learning to be a better steward of this chariot, which to me feels like it's more about checking in with and taking care of the sphynxes than controlling them. 

Text written by Erin F. Bower, Songwriter, Therapist, Teacher

Talking with Adrienne Maree Brown about withcraft, animism, divination, and so much more!

In the world of podcasting, there are moments when you get the chance to sit down with someone whose work has profoundly influenced your life. For me, that moment arrived when I had the incredible honor of speaking with Adrienne Maree Brown, co-host of the thought-provoking podcast "How to Survive the End of the World." Together, we delved into a realm of enchanting topics, from bibliomancy and the myriad paths of divination in nature to the profound wisdom of animism. Our conversation flowed, touching on the rich traditions of the Wixárika people and the profound ways that art and magic can shape our lives. You can listen to our episode here.

A Fan's Dream Becomes True Reciprocity:

As someone who has long been an admirer of Adrienne's transformative work, including her groundbreaking books "Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds" and "Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good," this podcast was a dream come true. Adrienne's most recent work, "Fables and Spells: Collected and New Short Fiction and Poetry," further showcases her ability to tap into the collective wisdom of humanity and the magic of storytelling. It was incredibly moving to have adrienne share an excerpt from this book during the podcast and, as if that weren’t enough, to also share that she is a big fan of me and my art as well.

**Bibliomancy: Unveiling Messages in the Written Word**

We talked about divination and focused on bibliomancy, which is the practice of finding divine messages in books. Adrienne shared her own experiences with this mystical art, stressing the significance of approaching it with an open heart and mind. She also highlighted the importance of "curating" your experience by paying attention to what emerges and how you choose your reading material. We also discussed how beautiful it is when serendipity leads you to a passage or phrase that deeply resonates and becomes a guiding light in your life.

**The Many Paths of Divination in Nature**

Nature, with its infinite wisdom, became another focal point of our discussion. Adrienne and I eloquently described various forms of divination rooted in the natural world, highlighting the profound connections we can forge with the environment around us. From the patterns of birds in flight to the whispers of the wind, nature offers us endless avenues to tap into its sacred knowledge.

adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown (click on this image to be taken to the podcast episode)

**The Wisdom of Animism**

Animism, the belief that all living beings and natural elements possess a soul or spirit, resonated deeply with both of us. We explored the ways in which animism invites us to engage with the world around us on a profound level, recognizing the consciousness present in every tree, rock, and creature. This perspective fosters a sense of interconnectedness and reverence for all life.

**Wixárika Traditions: A Journey into Indigenous Wisdom**

Our discussion shifted towards the Wixárika, a global indigenous community with deep traditions and wisdom, of which I am a descendant. I shared my experiences with Wixárika culture and my connection to its cosmologies, marakame (medicine people), and deities. I emphasized the significance of respecting and learning from indigenous communities as we aim to expand our understanding of the world. I brought up the incredible work that Diana Negrín has been doing with the Wixarika Research Center and her father’s legacy of uplifting and preserving José Benítez Sánchez’s incredible oeuvre. I also mention the work of Mama Chali and María Sabina.

**Art and Magic: Letting Creativity Flow**

As our conversation unfolded, we found ourselves immersed in a discussion about the inseparable connection between art and magic. Adrienne emphasized how both can be powerful tools for transformation, allowing us to channel our inner creativity and shape our lives in ways we may not have imagined. We shared personal stories of how art and magic have guided our own journeys and brought profound meaning to our existence.

**Profound Messages and Channeled Guidance**

In the spirit of sharing, Adrienne and I opened up about the profound messages we've received from the everyday world around us. From chance encounters with strangers to the synchronicities that seem to guide our paths, we explored the idea that life itself is a teacher, offering guidance and support when we are open to receiving it.

Quote by Edgar Fabián Frías

My conversation with Adrienne Maree Brown was a deep dive into the realms of magic, wisdom, and the everyday miracles that surround us. As someone who has long admired Adrienne's work, this podcast episode was not only a dream come true but also a reminder that when we open ourselves to the mysteries of existence, we uncover profound insights and a deeper connection to the world around us.

Adrienne's books, including "Emergent Strategy," "Pleasure Activism," and "Fables and Spells," serve as beacons of inspiration, guiding us to shape change, find pleasure in activism, and embrace the magic of storytelling. As we continue on our respective journeys, may we remember the wisdom shared in this conversation and carry it with us as we navigate the ever-unfolding story of our lives.

Behind the Scenes of Mz Neon's "So Far" Music Video

Click on this image above to watch Mz Neon - So Far (Official Music Video)

I am beyond excited to share my extraordinary experience as a back-up dancer in Mz Neon's revolutionary music video, "So Far." This is more than just a video – it's a powerful statement about the struggles and triumphs faced by the trans and gender-expansive community, particularly in the United States amidst the alarming surge of anti-trans rhetoric, discriminatory laws, and heartbreaking violence. Join me as I take you on a profound journey behind the scenes of this impactful creation.

**A Vision of Empowerment and Inclusion**

Directed by the brilliant duo Allen Henson and Mz Neon, "So Far" transcends the boundaries of music videos. It's a visual and auditory masterpiece that brings to light the challenges that the trans and gender expansive community navigates daily. Mz Neon's meticulous attention to art direction, set design, and wardrobe choices ensured that every element conveyed the message of resilience and empowerment.

**Strength in Unity**

The video boasts an impressive lineup of talents, each playing a vital role in conveying the song's powerful message. Alongside Mz Neon, the video features artists like Tricky Youth, Dagger Polyester, Clem Goldberg, Lilian Void, Love Bailey, Emily Lucid, Sasha Forests, Drew Arriola Sands, and numerous others who contribute to the video's diversity and depth. It was an absolute honor to share the stage with such a passionate and talented group of individuals.

**Voicing Resilience**

The lyrics of "So Far" are a poignant reflection of the challenges faced by the trans and gender expansive community. The song emphasizes the importance of fighting back, standing tall against adversity, and embracing our authentic selves. As a back-up dancer, I felt an incredibly deep connection to these themes, moving in harmony with a group of individuals unafraid to defy the bigotry and transphobia that is running rampant in this country and around the globe.

**Portraying the Journey**

The music video beautifully encapsulates the song's core message. Through choreography and cinematography, it vividly depicts the struggles and triumphs that the marginalized community experiences. Each scene tells a story of resilience and strength, offering a window into the indomitable human spirit.

**An Anthem of Empowerment**

"**So Far**" transcends its role as a song; it's a rallying cry, a call to arms, and a celebration of the diverse tapestry of identities. The chorus resonates with the idea that, even amid adversity, we stand strong and committed. The song's authenticity and raw emotion make it an anthem of empowerment for everyone within the trans and gender expansive community.

**A Heartfelt Thank You**

My gratitude knows no bounds as I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mz Neon, Allen Henson, and the entire team for allowing me to be a part of this profound undertaking. I also want to acknowledge my fellow dancers, the talented artists, and the unsung heroes behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to breathe life into this video. Your passion and dedication shine brightly.

**A Call to Stand Strong**

"In the face of adversity, an act of defiance..." These words now hold even more weight for me after my involvement in "So Far." This video is a reminder that embracing our identities and fighting for justice is a revolutionary act in itself. Let's celebrate our diversity, challenge injustice, and continue pushing boundaries in the face of adversity.

Don't miss out on experiencing the impactful music video "**So Far**" available on all major streaming platforms here. It's a testament to resilience, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for change.

My art is being exhibited in Australia! OE Available for 24 Hours!

I am thrilled to share that my artwork Ancient Mutant has been curated by Chris Truman into the group exhibition "One Blown Fuse Away From Irrelevance" about internet visual language, meme's gifs, and adopted personas with an amazing lineup: Lorna Mills, WAAMBAT, Casey Kauffmann, and Carla Gannis.

This exhibition is taking place at TWFINEART in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Chris was also able to get my artwork exhibited on the side of the Alcyone Hotel as seen above.

As if that weren’t enough, this artwork will also be minted on a contract created by @thr33som3s and infused with his utility. The artwork has been minted as an open edition that will be made available for 24 hours.

Please click here to purchase an edition.