Tag — circus cast
Circus Cast: Anarchist Reverend
This week at the Magpie Girl circus, we meet The Anarchist Reverend, “a seminary graduate on the ordination path who also happens to be a transsexual man.” Here’s his definition of what it means to be the chaplain of a sideshow, along with a fascinating 3Q Interview. My brother, step right up….
The Anarchist Reverend
in the circus of old we were told
to put our bodies on display for the masses
so they could laugh at us
but some of us took the name of freak
and instead of it making us weak used it as strength
we hold up our bodies as scarred and beautiful
hold up our lives as more than just something to live through
and the anarchist reverend
speaks of crucifixion and resurrection
like a freak show barker
he calls you to harken
listen to tales of transformation
listen to the gospel written in blood and flesh
listen to the life that follows death
listen to the reinvention of the old story
told by someone the world calls a freak
but turned the tables
and called himself beautiful
I write about the reinvention of my body, like the sideshow freak at the circus who claims the title as a matter of pride. I turn the old gospel story into something new that honors bodies the world has called freakish, but that we claim as beautiful.
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Q: So what IS an Anarchist Reverend and what does he do amongst the circus-y edge dwellers?
I am a part-time theologian, part-time poet and full time book nerd. I also happen to be a transgender man. I decided I was tired of queer theology that apologized for the existence of queer folks and decided to do something different. Instead of defending my right to exist biblically, I decide to look at the ways in which the transgender experience is reflected in the biblical stories as well as the ways in which the trans experience speaks to people who are cisgender (a word meaning not-transgender). At the moment I’m writing through the passion narrative (the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection) and talking about how it applies to the trans experience. But it’s about more than doing trans theology; it’s about trying to give people permission to own the scriptures and to see their lives reflected in the pages in a new way.
So often the Bible is used as a weapon against people. I am tired of hearing scripture used as tool to shut people down instead of as a collection of stories that people can go to for comfort and to see their own journeys reflected. Once I was able to read my own story into the Bible I stopped allowing people to use the Bible as a weapon against me. I want other people to have the courage to read the Bible that way as well.
Q: Will you tell us about one challenge you’ve faced as an outlier that you’ve turned into a superpower?
After spending so much time being told that I couldn’t be in ministry (first because I was a woman, and then because I was queer) I’ve realized that no one has a monopoly on the call of God. Once I realized that, I took the fear of failure, of making other people happy or trying to convince them of my Christianity and turned it into power. No one has the power to tell me that I don’t belong in the church or that I can’t do theology. In a way, all of the struggle that I’ve gone through to be okay with my faith and to be okay with my body has made me fearless (most of the time!). I think getting rid of fear is a superpower!!
Q: If he was with the circus folk, WWJD?
He would totally be one of the clowns, using his humor and nonviolence to shake things up and get things done. He would be consistently taking people’s perceptions and turning them upside down and helping them to see things in a new way.
I think also, that as people follow Jesus they get banded into this weird little family, much like a circus. People who live on the edges and fringes of society, who refuse to conform to what the world tells them is important. People who follow their bliss and challenge the status quo.
Bonus Q: Tell us how to find you and do your best circus barker impression for your services… (Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up…) Come one, come all and check out the anarchist reverend! He’s a freak, he’s a mystery, he’s a….theologian? You can find him at:
Blog: anarchistreverend.com,
Twitter: @anarchistrev
Facebook: Facebook.com/anarchistreverend.
What is your circus persona? To get your backstage pass and choose from a mysterious cast of characters, just join my mailing list. (Top o’ the page, stage right.) Email me a picture of your backstage pass, and get featured as a Circus Cast member. (Link love included!) To see our entire cast to date, click here. On with the show!
Circus Cast: Tony Vowles, Strong Man
Round the corner from the entrance, against the big top stripes, there stands a wooden stage. A lone figure paces the platform, his broad shoulders covered by a blue velvet cape. ”Step right up…” the barker cries, “See superhuman acts of strength!”
Throw off your robes and grasp the barbell if you are…
The Strong Man:Well-trained and confident, the Strong Man is unafraid of his personal strengths. Steadily, he hones his skills, besting his less focused competitors. The strong man offers consisent stability (with a side of pride) to those who travel with him. Likes: red meat, sweat, admirers. Dislikes: people who don’t commit, California cuisine, narrow slacks.
Magpie Circus Cast Member: Tony Vowles of The Astrology Blog
Tony arrived on our radar when I announced a circus casting call to the Magpie Girl mailing list. Much to my surprise, he eschewed the ”obvious” role of Forutne Teller and auditioned instead as Strong Man. (I do love people who eschew the obvious!) Now this strapping fellow is ready to dazzle and delight. Tony, take it away…
Q: The Magpies are pretty interested in the intersection between Art + Spirituality. Will you talk to us a little bit about how astrology and poetry connect for you?
Well, they are both languages of the spheres in a way – art connects us to the bigger pictures and the smaller pictures in life – it is a reflection of the unknown, the imaginative, the ‘canvas to the paint’ – and we are painters – as Astrologers, as Poets – in anything we do. Art connects to life in such a profound way. For instance, it is fascinating to watch the media, newspapers and such like and see reflections of Astrological transits happening. As some of the planets hover around Aquarius/Pisces/Aries at present we see the Tate Modern Art Gallery here in London showing exhibitions called ‘Voyeur, Surveillance and Camera’ and Picasso ‘Peace and Freedom’– all very Piscean themes. There is also a bit of Aries thrown in with the exhibition ‘Rude Britannia’. The movie Avatar might be another example of the ‘zeitgeist’ movement being expressed through art.
Poetry is another example, and being quite a literary person, I love imaginative use of language that conveys wider subjects – from the works of Lao Tzu to Rumi to John Milton. They all, in varying degrees captured an essence of the universe through words – and it is this that interests me – this understanding of the nature of the time. Astrology is the tool I use to understand and express these patterns and I spill my understanding upon the page – in the same way that the great Poets did. The poem ‘To Charles Diodati’ by John Milton was a fine example of a Capricorn Man falling in love with a Sagittarian woman – and Milton himself was a Sagittarius Sun with Moon, Mercury, Venus and Saturn all in Capricorn. Art does indeed mirror life.
Q: Tell us why you chose the Strong Man as your circus character. What draws you to this sideshow performer?
Haha! Well, actually when I first looked at it the words conveyed _STRO _AN. I put an A and an M in front to make Astro Man! Plus, the ’Strong Man’ had a star on his arm!
Q: How would you characterize your approach to the astrological arts? What’s your unique style?
Astrology is such a rich subject and there are many people that do many different things with the art. Some are predictive, some are counselors/therapists, some study politics and the cycles of history etc. My own approach lends itself towards the spiritual/therapeutic side – I’m less interested in prediction – more interested in how I can help people on their journeys through life, to express their own unique selves – to find what ‘makes their hearts sing’ and connects them to their own cycles and patterns. I am intuitively strong and this aids me, along with many years of practice in Astrology and energy arts. A business background in IT helps me ground and produce (hopefully) a professional presentation to the work that I do. This art makes my heart sing and I seek to help others discover their own ways – and they are myriad and all fascinating to engage with.
You can find Tony at The Astrology Blog where he writes about the current astrological transits. He can also be found on Twitter (@TonyVowles) and Facebook. Tony’s writing an Astrological Poetry book. And he’ll be offering a range of services – reports, consultations etc. – so tune into the blog for further details. Tell him Magpie Girl sent you!
What is your circus persona? To get your backstage pass and choose from a mysterious cast of characters, just join my mailing list. (Top o’ the page, stage right.) Email me a picture of your backstage pass, and get featured as a Circus Cast member. (Link love included!) To see our entire cast to date, click here. On with the show!
Circus Cast: Tarot Mama, The Fortune Teller
At the edge of the circus, in the shadow of the big top, there lies a gypsy wagon. Wheels worn, paint chipping, it’s colors fading—one can just see the symbols that tell the tale. A scattering of white stars. Lined palms. A crystal ball.
Step through the fringed-curtain and sit at the round table if you are….
The Fortune Teller: Curious, but tolerant of mystery, the Fortune teller has a way of knowing more. A reader of energy, thoughts, and emotions, The Fortune Teller offers oft-unseen sights to those who travel beside her. Likes: candles, metaphors, fringed scarves, things that look ancient, roots. Dislikes:things “everybody knows…”, certainty, solid explanations.
Magpie Circus Cast Member: Trenda Plunkett of Tarot Mama
Trenda and I met online when our internet stars aligned. I love how she sees Tarot as a way to tap into your intuitive wisdom. I’m looking at a big period of transition in my life, so Trenda did a reading for me to help me prepare. Her accesible language and positive approached helped me feel well-equipped and safely anchored for my upcoming challenges.
Join us now in the Fortune Teller’s wagon to learn more about this creative cast member…
Tren w/ her backstage pass. Photo by Regan P.
Q: Trenda, your moniker is “Tarot Mama.” How does the concept of mothering come into your work with tarot?
From childhood, I have been the mothering sort. I mothered my two younger siblings, and oftentimes, my parents as well. Family and friends called me a mother hen, because if someone was sad or sick, I doted on them, doing whatever I could to help them to feel better. Even now, I instinctively shift into “Mommy Mode” when someone in my circle of family and friends is unwell or feeling low. Nurturing others nurtures me, and drawing cards for my clients (or family and friends) is a wonderful way of calling forth that part of my spirit.
Just as a mother wishes to bless her children with gentleness, caring, and wisdom, as a Tarot reader, I believe I am called to bring those things into the Tarot experience for those who entrust me with providing intuitive readings. I approach each reading with the utmost care and attention, setting aside quiet, meditative time before beginning the process of working with my cards. When someone poses a question for a reading, I first allow myself to feel the words subjectively, from my heart chakra. Because I am a natural empath, I immediately feel the vibrational power of the emotions behind their words. This response helps me tap into my client’s energy and allows me to receive a more accurate reading. However, it is vital for me to gently shift my own maternal response to their situation or fears out of the way before I begin drawing cards. To do this, I consciously center myself in my third eye chakra. This ensures the reading comes from my intuitive connection to Spirit and not my emotional (heart) center. I like to have a clear quartz crystal and an amethyst gemstone near to me and my cards during a reading. The clear quartz fosters clarity, and the amethyst supports my third eye.
Q: How do you go about choosing which deck to use for someone’s reading?
If my client doesn’t have a particular deck preference, then it’s up to me to choose for them. I offer readings using five unique decks, though I do own others. It sounds strange to say so, but truly it often feels as if the deck chooses the client, matching up with the personality of the person as well as the emotional nature of the question. I hesitate to name an absolute favorite deck, much like a mother does not wish to call one of her children a favorite. I suppose I could say that the deck I use most often for myself is the Tarot of the Magical Forest
Because I share the images of the cards drawn with my client, I must anticipate the emotional response a particular deck will evoke. Some decks feel more accessible than others. For example, if I have sensed a client is a bit anxious about the idea of a reading, I might work with the aforementioned deck which features forest creatures, or perhaps the sweet and child-like Gummy Bear Tarot
Q: What is one common misperception about Tarot that you’d like to dispel.
The misperception I’m faced with most often is the belief that Tarot is evil, so of course my first instinct in answering this question was to share why I believe that notion is false. However, it is not for me to persuade anyone else what is good or bad, so I will simply say I feel it is a borrowed belief, having been passed down through time and left unchallenged by most. As I have changed and come into my own spirituality, I have challenged my inherited ideas and philosophies, asking myself, “Is this true for me?” Having felt drawn to Tarot for a long time, I finally trusted what my intuition had been telling me: Tarot is a wonderful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Only then was I able to release those old perceptions and embrace Tarot’s truth for me.
Sometimes it is more powerful to talk about what something is rather than what it is not. First of all, I should say I do not consider myself an expert. I am, and always will be, a student of Tarot, just as I will always be a student of Life. I do know that Tarot is not meant to frighten those who work with it or those who seek a reading. A Tarot reading can shine a spotlight on areas of our life, be it beliefs, behaviors, thought patterns, relationships, which we might otherwise choose to ignore.
Now there have been times when I very nearly blew a raspberry at the cards which appeared during a personal reading. I know, I know, that’s so immature, but it isn’t always easy having missteps and poor choices pointed out to us. However, after a moment’s reflection (and a sheepish apology to my treasured cards and the precious realm of Spirit), I choose to absorb the wisdom being offered and begin making an effort to change what needs mending or restructuring in my life and Being.
Somehow, working with Tarot has helped me move more firmly into my own power. Granted, I don’t always stay centered in that healthiest of places, but then who does, right? Taking the time to do readings for myself provides me with an objective view of my strengths and weaknesses, victories and struggles, sorrows and joys. Tarot has brought an incredible sense of grace into my life . After spending time looking within during a reading, I can sense a very real shift in my spirit, a movement toward a sincere desire for gentleness, for myself and others.
You can find Trenda at Tarot Mama, where she offers a weekly drawing for a free reading, along with an on-going series on Tarot 101. Tell her Magpie Girl sent you!
What is your circus persona? To get your backstage pass and choose from a mysterious cast of characters, just join my mailing list. (Top o’ the page, stage right.) Email me a picture of your backstage pass, and get featured as a Circus Cast member. (Link love included!) On with the show!
Cast Member: The Fortune Teller
At the edge of the circus, in the shadow of the big top, there lies a gypsy wagon. Wheels worn, paint chipping, it’s colors fading—one can just see the symbols that tell the tale. A scattering of white stars. Lined palms. A crystal ball.
Approach the wagon, then. Step through the fringed-curtain and sit at the round table if you are….
The Fortune Teller
Curious, but tolerant of mystery, the Fortune teller has a way of knowing more. A reader of energy, thoughts, and emotions, The Fortune Teller offers oft-unseen sights to those who travel beside her. Likes: candles, metaphors, fringed scarves, things that look ancient, roots. Dislikes:things “everybody knows…”, certainty, solid explanations.
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What is your circus persona? Shows us a picture of your backstage pass, and get featured as a Circus Cast member. (Link love included!) To get your backstage pass, sign up on our mailing list. (Top o’ the page, stage right.) Then email me your photos.
Tune in Friday to meet one of our Fortune Tellers! On with the show!
