Rabbi Chiam Yosef Sharabi, An Israeli Mystic

I just read an interesting article about an Israeli mystic Rabbi Chiam Yosef Sharabi, who has set up shop in Brooklyn, New York to help seekers of advice see into the future. Talk is not cheap however ($180 a session including a paper amulet) and, according to the article in The Forward newspaper, not always accurate. But what fascinated me about the article was how it described the role of fortune telling and the expectations of the fortune seeker.

Rabbi Chaim uses bibliomancy with a very special book. Bibliomancy can really be used with any book but often the Bible or another religious book is used. Here is an excerpt from the article about the Rabbi's methods. Very interesting -  

Seated behind an outdated schoolroom desk, with a stack of books to his right and an open suitcase full of paper amulets to his left, Rabbi Chaim copied my relative’s birthday and the Hebrew names of her parents onto a yellow writing tablet. Through his wife, who interprets for him from Hebrew, the rabbi asked if she was seeing someone, and she answered that she had just broken off a relationship. Rabbi Chaim said, “Was he born in the third month?” My relative nodded.

Rabbi Chaim then set a laptop-sized book spine-down on the desk and instructed my relative to open the book at random — a clairvoyant methodology known as bibliomancy. After staring at the opened page, full of symbols and dense Aramaic script, Rabbi Chaim announced that my relative would meet her future husband in three to eight months; that he would be born in the third, seventh or 11th month, and that possible names for him would be Avraham, Mayer, Michael and Shmuel. He added this information to the yellow piece of paper and gave it to my friend along with an amulet. The paper was folded to the size of a postage stamp and held with Scotch tape.

When I do a reading I always preface it with a discussion of the purpose of the reading in the seeker's life. The reading is just a roadmap of possible future outcomes. The seeker must take action depending on the reading. If no action is taken, then don't expect the predicted outcome. Example: If a reader tells you that you will meet someone in the next six months and it will develop into a love relationship, that is the time to get out there and look. If you have the attitude, "I am going to meet someone so I can just stay at home and wait", then don't expect the prediction to come true.

Amulets, at least for me, are a great source of comfort. I have several different ones, for different purposes and find that they make great gifts too. There are generic ones for overall good fortune that make the perfect birthday gift. Amulets span all religions and belief systems. Here is one that is for everybody: Good Fortune Magical Talisman Amulet Pendant Necklace

What have your experiences been with fortune tellers or mystics?

Ceremony Stone Symbols

I just took a walking tour of the Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York where, like the famous Pere LaChaise Cemetery in Paris, many famous people are buried. In Greenwood you can find such luminaries as Leonard Bernstein, Louis Tiffany, Horace Greeley, Jean-Michael Basquiat and Boss Tweed.

(The All Seeing Eye of the Oddfellows)

One thing that was noted on the tour was the symbolism on the headstones. There are many symbols and here are a few of the more common ones:

An urn with a cloth draped on it indicates the physical body as a vessel of the soul (urn) draped in a shroud)

Two columns indicate a married couple or closely related relatives like a brother and sister are buried there.

A scroll indicates the life's accomplishments that will be reviewed upon reaching the Pearly Gates.

A grave stone in the shape of a tree trunk often marks the grave of someone who dies young.

A lamb or a small headstone indicates the death of a baby or young child.

On a Jewish headstone, a carving of hands held in the form of a priestly blessing indicates the grave of a Kohein (one belonging to a priestly class).

A ball is a symbol of the cycle of life.

Please check out Living Among Headstones: Life in a Country Cemetery for a fuller list of symbols to look for on headstones.

Wanderlust - Combining Yoga with Indie Rock

I am not sure that I like to exercise while I attend a concert but evidently I am alone in that thought. According to an article in the New York Times there is a new festival that enables audiences to stretch while they listen.

The funk-soul band the Dap-Kings and other bands are providing the background music for powerhouse yoga sessions at a new festival called Wanderlust. Wanderlust blends indie rock and yoga. From Friday to Sunday, visitors could study self-massage and meditation early each morning and hear groups like Broken Social Scene, Girl Talk and Spoon at night.

The setting — the verdant hills of Squaw Valley, a ski resort, usually empty off-season — provided an almost surreally beautiful natural backdrop. All of the concerts and many of the yoga classes were held outdoors; the main stage for music was 8,200 feet up a mountain, reachable only by gondola. 

More than 4,000 people showed up, paying $25 to $165 for tickets to the music or the yoga. About 1,500 of those bought $170 passes that entitled them to experience both.

For those who don't have Wanderlust to travel, try this yoga DVD:

Welcome the Astrology Sign of Virgo

On August 23, 2009 the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Virgo the Virgin and hearkens in a 32 day period of practicality, truth, justice and hard work. Virgo sun sign natives can be a bit stern but they can also be very kind and rather sexy. (They are earth signs after all.) They are always there to give you a helping hand and have a very clear and accurate perspective on things. Ask them for advice, they love to give it. 

 

(Adam Sandler has Sun in Virgo)

Virgos are known to be thrifty with money but I like to attribute this to their innate common sense and acumen that knows when something is worth it and when it is not. 

The best way to attract a Virgo is to recognize their wonderful qualities and treat them to a night out every so often and never, ever take them for granted. 

Famous folks with Sun in Virgo are:

Mother Theresa

Lauren Bacall

Joan Jett

Stephen King

Sophia Loren

If you are born under the astrology sign of Virgo (August 23 - September 22) or if you want to keep tabs on a certain Virgo person in your life, read Sydney Omarr's Day-By-Day Astrological Guide for the Year 2010: Virgo (Sydney Omarr's Day By Day Astrological Guide for Virgo)

Horoscope for Week of August 24, 2009

The summer party is winding down but there is still the clean-up. Thankfully the Sun enters practical Virgo just in time to help out. Focus on areas of your life where you can make a difference this week, even it if it just entails light dusting.

Never miss your horoscope again -- free sign up here.

There is nothing better than getting a jump ahead of the year. Check Your Astrology Guide 2010 and start planning your success.

(Adam Sandler has Sun in Virgo)

 ARIES   (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
Rams are ready to roll up their sleeves and focus on their job. And not a moment too soon! Suspicious bosses were starting to sniff around your desk, looking for any excuse to take action and cut back. Don’t panic. Hand them a kleenex and show them how you can tackle anything they throw at you. By the end of the year you will throw it back at ‘em. 

TAURUS   (APRIL 21 - MAY 21)
If you are interested in trying something new and exciting, this is the week to experiment. Bulls emerge as artistic geniuses and create something wet, wild and wonderful. Or, if the mood strikes you, plan and toss a fabulous end-of-summer party that will have them talking through the winter. Hurry before your muse wanders off to find other amusements.

 

GEMINI   (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)
Attend to home based projects while you are focused and full of energy this week. Twins have let their domestic surroundings stagnate through the summer. Now you need to buff, scrub or even move some pieces of furniture around and make your home into a palace. Family members make their presence known. Hmmm, better consider adding a moat....

 

CANCER   (JUNE 22 - JULY 23)
This is a good week to share your insights with worthy listeners. Knowledgeable Crabs can expound on a variety of topics and find an outlet that gives them gravitas and  power. You will be shocked when a simple, quiet idea finds and inflames an enormous global audience. Will you use your newly acquired influence for good or evil? Uh oh.

 

LEO   (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23)
If you have been a careful and thrifty Lion, this week will bring you a financial reward. If you have been a careless spendthrift who has squandered your wad on wasteful pastimes and undeserving party hounds, this week will teach you a stern fiscal lesson. But maybe that lesson is to live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself....? Keep dreaming!!

 

VIRGO   (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23)
You are thrust into the center of any major social activity this week. Are you ready for your close-up? Virgins are poised to make some important new contacts. First impressions are lasting impressions now. That means you should spruce up your appearance and dust off your wardrobe so you can impress. When in doubt, avoid wearing cellophane suits.

 

LIBRA   (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23)
Expect to have a mellow yellow type of week. Seek enlightenment, seek spirituality and seek ways to unburden yourself of secrets and other psychological baggage that is holding you back. Libras find opportunities to lie back and contemplate their navels. Even better, try to find opportunities to lie back and contemplate someone else’s navel.

 

SCORPIO   (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22)
Friends will play an important role in your day to day activities  now. Scorps find themselves involved in new social groups, grand movements or large influential organizations. Capture the group dynamic and make it work for you. Try to grab the reins of power and ride to the top of the heap. The real question will be, what type of heap?

 

SAGITTARIUS   (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22)
Whether you are fully employed or not, this week will open up some amazing (and possibly very lucrative) employment opportunities for you. Archers have been known to lie back and laze away the final days of the summer but don’t fall into that trap. Putting in a little effort now will have great pay off later in the year. “How little is little?” you say?

 

CAPRICORN   (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20)
Caps are in the mood for one last summer jaunt. Get out of town! Not only will travel refresh you, you will also learn a few new tricks that you put to good use through out the fall. For those who just can’t escape, try to explore new parts of town or some product, food or company that will give you an exotic oomph. How exotic is up to you...

 

AQUARIUS   (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19)
There is something in the air that makes all Aquarians especially alluring and sensual. You attract anyone you set your sights to attract. Why ask why? Whatever it is, maximize your sexual spark to the hilt. Make yourself available and see how much love you can create. Too too soon this planetary power passes and you will be back to phoning it in and dreaming about it.

 

PISCES   (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20)
This is the time to review what you are seeking in a long term relationship. Fish who are currently involved may need to ask themselves if their needs are being met and if they are energized and complete. If so, find ways to make the bond stronger. If not, speak up! For those who are angling for a catch, try swimming in fresh watering holes and be open to new bait.

(c) 2009 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Lichtenstein is the author of the best selling astrology book “HerScopes ”,now in its seventh printing.