​​​​

​Personal Oracles: Designing Your Own Oracle Deck

(ONLINE CLASS)

​

​

Have you ever wanted to create your own oracle deck—not just reinterpret existing systems, but develop a unique symbolic and reading structure of your own? This class will guide you through the creative and conceptual process of designing an original deck, helping you build a system that reflects your personal vision and intuitive approach and bring it to fruition. ​In this course series, we will create truly personal oracles, decks that come directly from us – our experiences, cultures, thoughts, fears, hopes – to communicate back to us immediately relevant information for self-study, problem solving, and spellwork. This three part series is ideal for artists who want to explore the esoteric and magicians who want to broaden their creative practices in connection with their occult craft. No specific artistic or magical background is required for this class, but some prior experience reading cards will be helpful (beginner level is fine). Artist materials are the choice of each student; participants are welcome to design using any tangible medium they like (paint, collage, illustration, etc.) or digitally, however use of Ai generation alone is discouraged. Materials and scale will be discussed during the first session.

​

Interested students may take all three parts in the series or self-select one or more parts depending on individual goals. Pre-requisites are listed with the descriptions of each part of the series. SPECIAL PRICING AVAILABLE IF TAKING ALL THREE PARTS.​​

​

​

Part One: Concept Development (5 weeks) April 27 – May 25

All classes are Sundays, 3-5pm (Central Time)

$185 for this session only

We’ll begin Part One by discussing what makes an oracle deck function and practicing our card reading skills. Each participant will design their own oracle system, including selecting a theme, concept development, and fleshing out their system. We will study visual symbolism and brainstorm possible visual approaches for at least ten cards.

Part One is open to any student. Prior experience reading tarot or oracle cards will be helpful. No visual art/design experience required. Throughout this course, I will be using examples from my deck The Personal Oracle to explore oracle symbolism and deck structure. I would like you to select a deck to study during this course as well, and have it available before the class begins. There will be a pre-class assignment with your chosen oracle deck.

 

Part 2: Visual Creation (8 weeks) June 8 – Jul 27

All classes are Sundays, 3-5pm (Central Time)

$300 for this session only

In Part Two participants will strengthen their oracle systems and study different art styles and techniques in order to communicate their concepts most effectively. The goal of Part Two is to determine imagery for at least ten cards, so weekly activities will include visualization exercises, design and production demos, and continued practice with card reading skills. As your imagery develops, the class will offer supportive feedback on designs as well as effectiveness of symbolic communication.

Part Two is open to any student with an oracle system fleshed out on paper and at least 10 concepts ready to be visualized. If you already have visual designs for an oracle underway and want to increase the number of cards completed, this would also be a great class for you.

​

Part 3: Completion (4 weeks) Aug 10 – 31

All classes are Sundays, 3-5pm (Central Time)

$150 for this session only

Part Three includes creation of a guide booklet with a description of your deck concept and assigned meanings for all cards. The form this takes will be determined individually. We will also explore creative uses for your oracle, special spread creation, and package design, as well as possibilities for publishing or production of your cards, depending on your goals for your project. We will test completed oracles and their accompanying content in readings with others.

This section is open to any student with an oracle deck completely or underway (at least 10 finished cards) who is ready to assign meaning to their cards and find creative ways to use them.

​

TAKE ALL THREE PARTS FOR $600.

​

REGISTRATION LINK

​

​​

​​​​

Missions and Manifestos: The Artist Statement and Beyond

(ONLINE CLASS through Portland Literary Arts)

​

​

This is a course for artists, writers, or any human wanting to better define their purpose in life. Missions and Manifestos is a study of how creative people have declared themselves and their missions for life and work. This goes beyond setting goals. This is big level, Magnum Opus declarations of purpose, and figuring out how the work will follow those assertions consistently. We will read historical manifestos as well as contemporary artist statements and look at those people's work in the context of their words. Participants will then write their own statements, leaving the class with a long version, a condensed version, and a sense of how their practice will change to follow their stated purpose. This will serve both practical functions (website content, statements for shows and publications, etc.) and creative/philosophical functions (stronger sense of purpose, ideas of next actions, clearer sense of self, etc.). In this writing-focused course, attention will be paid to clarity vs. artfulness/interest, word choice, tone, and so forth.

 

May 7 - June 11, 2025, Wednesdays, 5pm-7pm Pacific (7-9pm CT)

REGISTER HERE

​

​

​

​

​

​​​​​​STORYTELLING THROUGH DESIGN

(ONLINE CLASS)

​

​​

Storytelling is a primary way that we make sense of our lives and the world around us. Whether it’s traditional folktales or contemporary fiction, poetry, and film, we tell personal stories and echo universal motifs to convey our joys and concerns, encourage empathy, convince others of important truths, and persuade them to act. Not all these narratives are composed in direct and linear ways. This course will examine indirect and non-sequential storytelling methods found in art and design. From religious iconography and still life painting, to traditional textiles and fashion design, to contemporary advertisements and product design, we’ll listen to images and objects telling us stories and then respond with our own words. This generative creative writing class is open to writers in any genre, but participants will be asked to try a variety of literary approaches including poetry, short fiction, and personal essay. Each week will present a different subject for study, followed by a writing prompt inspired by our analysis.

​

Wednesdays, July 9 – August 13

5pm-7pm Pacific Time (7-9 Central)

4pm-6pm Central Time

REGISTER HERE

​