What Is Wicked, Anyway?

I want to share with you the delight of seeing Wicked on Broadway in NYC last week. It’s still with me. Have you seen it? Spoiler alert.

First, I treated myself to eighth row seats in the Orchestra. On a Tuesday night, these weren’t so costly and I’m telling you – being up-close brings a power, and skin-prickling goosebumps. I’ve learned this over the past ten years. I save my pennies and invest on acts to get up close. I go to less shows, and the ones I go to, I’m RIGHT THERE.

The truth is, like the keynote song of the show, I’m “Defying Gravity.” My heart is soaring. I can’t get the song out of my head...

So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"

And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who ground me
Take a message back from me

Tell them how I am defying gravity!
I'm flying high, defying gravity!
And soon, I'll match them in renown

And nobody in all of Oz
No wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

~ “Defying Gravity,” Wicked 

Like all good art, Wicked has got so many layers. Paying attention, we see commentary on being an outcast – which can be applied to racism, prejudice, looks, gender, what we value as beauty, image – you name it. There are political references in the show. Being controlled by the man behind the curtain (Oz) who of course has no real power. There are comments on the wisdom of animals – sentient beings who are at risk of “losing their voices” – which can be applied to any human animal who is losing their voice because of appearance, of being differently-abled. The list goes on and on, really.

But the most striking aspect of Wicked to me is the truth that one’s “do-good” actions are often motivated by image, as in the case of Glinda the Good. And the paradox: the people-pleasing, popularity-seeking do-gooder actually creates more problems and disaster for those around her. The witch labeled “wicked,” Elphaba, realizes that there is no real good deed. That even by trying to help the animals, her paramour, her friends – there is an ultimate powerlessness in the world. An inability to control the outcome.

Hannah Corneau prepares for her role as Elphaba Thropp in Wicked, NYC

This is the main crux, the double whammy of Wicked. It forces us to ask ourselves, what is wicked, really? Is the shadow really evil? Is the dark really the problem? What happens when we vilify that which we are averse to? Can we see how it creates an even bigger crevasse, a gap that perpetuates the disgust, the hatred and ill will, often to the point of total destruction (“ding dong the witch is dead”)?

When we look at reality as a whole, we see that it is all perspective. It is good and fine to try to do right by others, for others, but let’s check the motivation: do we have an expectation of how things should look, how they should turn out “for the better”? Or can we simply accept that we can do the best we can, understanding from the point of view of Totality, we ultimately have no idea what is going to happen.

We remember that there are an infinite number of causes and effects occurring simultaneously, and there is no separate volition. It is all interconnected. When this is realized, we understand and embody the wisdom of seeing there is no ultimate reason to impose unnecessary shame or guilt on ourselves or others; additionally, we aren’t entitled to taking full credit for any positive outcomes either. We understand that it truly is as it is, as it is. We find peace, there is acceptance, and the heart is changed for good. 

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good

 ~ “For Good,” Wicked

We are not separate.

With love,

Erin

The Bow Bridge, Central Park, NYC

Erin Reese is a modern psychic, non-dual teacher, author, and intuitive consultant based in the SF Bay Area. Erin has a Master of Science in Counseling and has been reading the Tarot for over thirty years. She works with clients all over the world.

J.D. Salinger, Advaita, and the New York Public Library

Live from New York, it's Tuesday night...

I’m working remotely from the Big Apple this week, alongside my beloved, on a trip that is part-biz, part-pleasure.

Yesterday we visited one of my favorite places in New York City: The New York Public Library. Honestly, I think I’m drawn to it primarily because of the two lions that guard the entrance. Their names are “Patience” and “Fortitude.” When I lived here in 2003-04, I worked very briefly in an office that overlooked these lions – and boy, did I need those two character traits to survive my time in the Big Apple. I’m super glad that I stuck it out.
 

After picking up a brand, spanking new NYPL library card (a non-NY resident is entitled to a card, which lasts 90 days before it must be renewed) to increase my e-book loaning options, we wandered around to gawk at the gorgeous main reading room and painted ceilings. Like my favorite building in Washington DC, the Library of Congress, this library has incredible scenes painted above that simulate being launched into heavenly realms.

I was thrilled to find out about a free exhibition lasting for just one more week: on J.D. Salinger! The Catcher in the Rye (1951) is one of my favorite books. I also loved Franny and Zooey (1961), which is markedly Zen (I can’t wait to reread it). I love reading books that I missed or underappreciated in high school, as an adult. I get so much more out of them.

Salinger was a genius. I am excited to read more about his life (already reserved his e-book biography with my library card!). I knew he was a total recluse for most of his life, and I think there are so many questions as to why. This exhibit clearly showed me one aspect of the bigger answer.

Salinger’s books, notes, manuscripts, photos were all on display. One thing stood out from the objects, which hummed with a high vibration. Salinger was a staunch Eastern philosophy devotee not primarily of Zen but of Advaita Vedanta. Non-duality. Advaita means “not two.” The premise that all is one. That we, as the appearance of an individual, separate self, are not separate from the Source, from All that Is. That we are, in fact, the Source, and the end of suffering lies in the dissolving of egoic identification.

There was a very sweet, rotating bookshelf on display at the Salinger exhibition. The description next to the case explained that these actual books were the ones that Salinger wanted to have by his side at his very last days. Among the few hundred titles of classics of literature, Eastern and Western philosophy and world religion, as well as natural health and healing, was a plethora of non-dual texts. I was humbled and touched when I saw dozens of books by my own master advaita teacher, Ramesh Balsekar, and Ramesh’s teacher, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, staring right back at me, alongside several by Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Ramakrishna. 

I’ve got much to read about Salinger’s spiritual depth and life after literary fame. I’m excited. I feel I’ve met a kindred spirit.

When I lived in India, I would go through spells of reading classic literature with great concentration. I’d take a break from spiritual texts and hunker down and focus on a notable work from Henry James, Mark Twain, Sylvia Plath, Lewis Carroll, Emily Brontë... It is amazing how much overlap there is between a spiritual text and a classic piece of written art. After all, it is what makes it classic: it touches the Truth, brings it into the human element. Whether literature or a gita or a bible or a sutra, it is imbued, illuminated story. It is the finger pointing at the moon, directing our ignited, emotional hearts to the true nature of reality.

My partner and I received darshan (receiving transmission through a person's presence) at the end of our spontaneous Salinger pilgrimage. I had felt something alter in the airwaves as I’d seen the charismatic presence of a very tall, lanky, and strikingly handsome man in his late 50’s entering the hall. As we collected our coats, readying to leave the exhibit, the friendly attendant whispered to us, “That’s his son, Matthew, right there.” 

And there he was – the bloodline of J.D. Salinger himself – his son – gracing us with his presence, in this sacred chapel of the of the revered and awesome New York Public Library.
 

In other news:
If you would like to participate in my online Tarot mentoring group, please sign up soon - the Wednesday night group and the Friday morning group are filling up fast. 

Do you want to partake? More info and registration here. Email me with any questions!

I am excited about my brand new website. Check it out! ErinReese.com

Namaste.

With love, joy, and great appreciation for YOU!

Erin

erin@erinreese.com

www.erinreese.com

Follow me on Instagram! @erin_reese

Tarot Mentoring and Mastery Course - Early Bird Ends Soon!

Join our upcoming Tarot mentoring and mastering group and make your readings simply SING!

Athena, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

Justice in the Universal Rider-Waite, Hanson Roberts, and Robin Wood decks.

Did you know that the Justice card of the Tarot is closely related to Athena, goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, and beyond? You will learn more about the archetypes, symbols, and deities that inform and illuminate expert Tarot readings.

Online Tarot Mentoring Group with Erin Reese

EVENING SECTION: The Wise Owls 🦉

Wednesdays, 7pm to 8:30pm Pacific.
Starts January 29^{th
Ends February 26th}

Focus on: Mastering the Art of Tarot

Group size: 10 to 15 participants

Early Bird Price: Just $250 
when you register before January 24th

Regular Price: $295

This series will be the first time I will be using an online format for a study group. While it’s not the same as gathering in person, it offers a way for people in many locations to come together, and the technology is now good enough to make the connections and rapport that are essential to the work!

The first week will focus on our Overview and Introductions to the material, emphasizing the traditional 10-card Celtic Cross spread (giving us the most information). Weeks two through five will include more in-depth discussion and interaction as we deepen together into the secrets of making your Tarot readings sing with flow and accuracy.

What I hope to share with you:
I have been working with the Tarot for over 30 years and have given thousands of readings to individuals all over the world. My specialty is channeling the wisdom of one's own soul, to provide accurate and important information to my clients. My orientation is a combination of practical, cosmic, Jungian, and psychospiritual. I combine intuition, channeling, and the powerful legacy of the traditional 78-card sacred deck. 

This class is designed to include your unique input and important wisdom included!

Here is a rough outline of background material I will present; the majority of the class will involve looking at actual readings that you, or I, provide with the class in real time!

Week 1 – Introductions and Overview; The Celtic Cross

Week 2 – The Major Arcana and the Fool’s Journey

Week 3 – The Minor Arcana, Suits and Elements

Week 4 – The Court Cards, People, Timing, and Astrology

Week 5 – Putting It All Together

It's OK to miss a class!

In-Person Tarot Mastery Course, Fall 2019

Reserve Your Spot!

Early Bird price $250 before January 24!

Click to register for Wednesday Evenings

  A few requirements:

• Some familiarity with the Tarot. It’s okay to be a beginner, but you must have had your hands on the cards, and have worked with some of the basic spreads such as the 3-card spread or traditional Tarot

• A traditional 78-card deck (Universal Waite, Rider Waite, Thoth, Morgan Greer, Marseilles, etc.)

• You must be able to attend most of the meetings. It’s OK to miss a class with advance notice.

• You must be sincerely interested in the experience of others and willing to share in a group format. (We’ll practice together!)

• You need a computer with a video camera and a good internet connection - to use in a quiet and private space. Seeing everyone is important. We will be using Zoom, but you do not need a Zoom account to join. Just click on the link that I will provide. For privacy, this class will not be recorded.

• Recommended text – Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning (used, new on Amazon, plus Kindle) IF you are still memorizing the traditional meanings of the cards.

Format:

I will lead a warm-up and present material for the first 20-40 minutes, with room for comments and questions. There is an endless amount of great material!

The second part of the sessions will focus on personal sharing, exploration of the cards and their meanings, examples of actual readings, and how to put it all together.

My goal is to create a safe space for personal work and Tarot mastery supported by the presence of other Tarot readers and learners. The group will be limited to 15 people.

Register Today for Early Bird Pricing:

Click for Evening Class: WISE OWLS 🦉
Wednesdays 7-8:30pm PT: Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26

I will send you an invitation to join the meeting via Zoom when the time comes. You don't need a zoom account, just a good internet connection (and a computer with a camera). 

Let me know if you have any questions! REGISTER SOON for Early Bird pricing and to reserve your spot.
Hoot, hoot!

Erin Reese, M.S.
🌺🌺🌺
Check out my new website! 
erinreese.com

Video Post! Erin's Sneak Peak Tarot Class & New Website 2020!

Aloha 🌺🌺🌺🌺

and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🌺🌺🌺🌺

(is that enough positive energy pouring forth?)

Let it shower down upon you. 2020 gonna be a good one!

I wanted to write a post about a couple of exciting events, but instead created a video so I could just talk to you!

In this 7 min clip, I give you a Sneak Peak into my new website (with discount booking code!) AND my upcoming Tarot Mentoring online class. I would love for you to join this 6-week group, once a week!

Check out my new Vlog Video Post here.

Erin's Sneak Peak: Tarot Class & New Website 2020!

 

It's going to be interactive, fun, and powerful. You will learn the arts of mastering Tarot readings, like playing full songs and melodies on a guitar versus just plucking out the notes of card meanings. You will learn to give accurate readings to others, and for yourself.

I need to know what times work best for folks (I give a few options), so let me know if you're interested!

PLUS: I'm so excited to introduce my new fabulous website, designed by the fabulous Kelsey Conroy. Check it out! ErinReese.com

Last but not least... if you would like to attend our monthly online non-dual wisdom satsang, it's coming up this Thursday, 9am PST - by donation. More info and registration here. Namaste.

With love, joy, and great appreciation for YOU!

Erin

erin@erinreese.com

www.erinreese.com

IG & Twitter: @erin_reese

New Moon Eclipse: Grounding Cosmic Energies

Christmas Day, we have a New Moon Solar Eclipse in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn, sign of the Sea Goat. This image is a wondrous animal to behold. Usually, when we think of Capricorn, we think of a serious, driven creature, committed to climbing mountains and securing authority in the world at large. However, what does it mean when we consider the oceanic depths available in the “sea” aspect?

If one has done the earthly, embodied ‘work,’ whether with family, with career, or most importantly, the inner work, one has the reward available to swim freely in spaciousness. 

Eclipses take something away; eclipses bring change that is outside of our control. This is different than a self-will egoic decision to “pivot.” The Universe pivots, and we are not separate.

Moving into 2020, the ground is shifting. We are moving into a collective new paradigm. Some of us are already stabilized there – moving between the crack between worlds, the veil. The old reality is still happening around us, but we are not affected at the core. We are in flow. We are in not just an altered state; we know ourselves to be That which is beyond states. The I Am.

This is important! It does not mean that we abandon planet earth, politics, or people. Rather, it means that doing the inner work of knowing who we truly Are, we are able to toggle back and forth between rest and engagement without reactivity or identification with the cause or the outcome. In this way, we can actually be a bigger help to humanity, to the natural world and ecosystems, and to Consciousness as a whole.

If you find that you’re getting all caught up in the drama, remember, you are playing a role in the entire Lila, or cosmic play. Remember that, yes, while you’re here performing a certain job, having a seeming impact on those around you and on the evolutionary process, you are inextricable from the Whole. 

There is no reason to cling to your role, and there is no reason to not do this role, either. Remember your Shakespeare! All the world’s a stage, and we are merely players. The Bard was spot on.

Spend some time during this eclipse deepening into your inner self. Use the body, use your reactivity, see through the issues. The stories that you are so identified with are only relatively true – one tiny perception of the whole – so why cling to them with such fervor? The stories of your past or your present are always subject to change, according to how we view them from moment to moment.

At this time of the New Moon Eclipse, remember that while you can only be that which you cannot not be (read that about 108 times to internalize that one!), you also could never not play the role that Consciousness has you in. 

This is the blessing of the Sea Goat this Christmas – a worldly animal, grounded on Mother Earth, doing its thing as it must do – and resting in the Eternal Ocean of Consciousness, of Spaciousness, understanding it is inextricable from All that Is.

In Oneness,

Erin
**********
Check out my new website!
erinreese.com