Robin Thicke, the Canadian-American singer, has gained immense popularity in the music industry over the years. Known for his soulful voice and smooth melodies, Thicke's songs have a magical caress that captivates listeners around the world. Thicke's musical style incorporates elements of R&B, soul, and pop, resulting in a unique sound that sets him apart from other artists. His songs often explore themes of love, romance, and desire, resonating deeply with his audience. Through his enchanting voice and heartfelt lyrics, Thicke has the ability to transport listeners to a different world, where they can experience the emotions and stories he conveys. One of Thicke's most iconic songs is "Blurred Lines," which became a global hit upon its release.
One of Thicke's most iconic songs is "Blurred Lines," which became a global hit upon its release. This catchy track, featuring Pharrell Williams and T.I.
The English Magic Tarot: Steve Dooley, Rex Van Ryn & Andy Letcher
This Saturday 8th October marks the launch of a Tarot Deck – one with an interesting story – at our favourite South West comic shop Gnash Comics (in Ashburton, Devon – details below). Whilst that may sound like an unusual venue, a glance at the names involved in making The English Magic Tarot reveals why.
Steve Dooley has worked extensively in Britain and Europe painting murals and trompe l’oeil frescoes), Rex Van Ryn is a comic book and occult artist who has worked for Marvel and IPC and Andy Letcher is an author and folk musician, best known to many of you as ex-front-man of Telling the Bees. He is also the author of ‘Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom’ as well as numerous scholarly articles on paganism, shamanism, and folklore.
A cursory glance into their backgrounds will reveal that all three individuals cross paths regularly in a small town on the north-east edge of Dartmoor called Chagford. It is here that they all live. Some of the cards are based on locals and friends including Rima Staines of Hedgespoken who is the gypsy of the Fortune card.
Talking of the images used, Andy explained recently in his blog (andy-letcher.blogspot.co.uk) how Rex’s graphic-style pictures have a movement and a dynamism that he hasn’t seen in tarot before. “They’re like frames from a graphic novel. They invite you in.”
Rex asked Andy to write the accompanying book and to “think of some overarching theme or narrative that would bind the whole deck together, something to do with English magic?”
Andy describes his and Steve’s input as tellings or interpretations – “Steve’s rendering [colouring of the images] is if you like, the first telling, the first interpretation. My writing is the second.”
Andy also adds another interesting dimension to the cards themselves which go back to his task of finding an overarching theme. “If you look at the cards you might spot strange scripts, odd images and references, letters that are the wrong colour and so on. All are clues that point not to treasure alas, but to something from English magic, something that does indeed bind all the cards together. They’re there to encourage you to look at the cards in different ways.”
The roots to the deck lie in the graphic novel John Barleycorn Must Die produced by writer Howard Gayton and Rex Van Ryn. It’s a metaphysical mystery in which John Barleycorn is a magician-sleuth ‘charged by a mysterious woman to protect a young girl from a sinister fraternity known as The Kingdom.’ You can find out more via the John Barleycorn Must Die blog archives.
The tarot deck is also the first of its kind to draw explicitly on the English magical tradition.
Andy explains more in the accompanying book introduction.
“English magic is a distinctive, local branch of natural magic. It has evolved through many iterations, from prehistoric times to the present day, and freely bends high and low magic. One constant is that it regards the cosmos as animate, and our place in the world as significant. It calls us to rediscover a magical connection with the land upon which we happen to live, whether that be England or elsewhere. It supposes that through practice or study (not least, of the tarot!) we can attain a greater understanding of the disparate parts of the self, and the magical connections that permeate the universe. Through English magic, we can attain a state of gnosis and true knowledge of the world….
“A trip to a good anthropological museum (like the Pitt Rivers in Oxford, which is absolutely stuffed full of magical objects, charms, and spells) shows that magic is universal. English magic is simply the English dialect of a language that’s shared by all human cultures. It is our particular, regional way of doing it. It stands to reason that if magic is natural, then it will be shaped by the land it belongs to and the language and culture of the people living there.
“No one really knows why, but this small country named England has produced a great many magicians. The foundations of English magic go right back to the earliest days, to the architects who aligned Stonehenge to the midwinter sun, to the Druids with their ogham tree-lore, and to the early Anglo-Saxons with their runes. The traces of our ancestors’ magical practices lie etched across and buried within the English landscape, and if you look carefully you’ll see those traces in The English Magic Tarot cards too.”
Here, with this deck and book, you have the chance to explore the world of English magic directly, engaging with its peculiar charms and eccentricities. And with what excellent guides!” —Philip Carr-Gomm, author of The Book of English Magic
The English Magic Tarot has a dedicated website here: English Magic Tarot
English Magic Tarot Launch Event – Saturday 8th October – 5:30pm-7:00pm – Tickets £2.50 – 10% DISCOUNT on your purchase of ‘The English Magic Tarot’ with your ticket! Details here
One of the prettiest pip decks I have ever seen, the minor arcana has different colorful florals and leaves on them against a black background which makes the colors really pop, giving it a glow in the dark like feel. The major arcana has an additional symbol at the bottom of each card which is explained in the guidebook and adds an additional layer of meaning to your readings. The cards are etched in black, which gives them an added touch of class and are standard tarot card size that are very easy to shuffle. The deck incorporates a diverse array of many cultures around the world and brings them all together in this one deck. If you are looking for a pip deck that is different and unique then look no further as you will definitely be pleased to add this deck to your collection.
, showcases Thicke's ability to create a mesmerizing groove that makes it impossible not to tap your feet and dance along. The song's seductive lyrics and infectious beat have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by fans worldwide. In addition to his musical talents, Thicke is known for his charismatic stage presence. His live performances are a spectacle that further enhances the magical caress of his music. Thicke effortlessly connects with his audience, making them feel like they are part of the show. His energy and passion are infectious, leaving fans wanting more every time he steps onto the stage. Thicke's career has not been without its controversies, particularly surrounding the aforementioned song "Blurred Lines." The track faced criticism for its lyrics and music video, which some deemed as promoting objectification and misogyny. However, despite the controversy, there's no denying the irresistible charm and magical caress that Thicke brings to his music. In conclusion, Robin Thicke's music has a magical caress that has captured the hearts of many fans worldwide. Through his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating performances, Thicke creates a musical experience that transports listeners to a different world. Despite the controversies, Thicke's talent and charm continue to shine, solidifying his place as a beloved artist in the music industry..
Reviews for "Rediscovering the Magic of Robin Thicke's Iconic Hits"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to listen to "Magical Caress" by Robin Thicke, but I was ultimately disappointed. The song lacked originality and felt like a cheap attempt to create a hit. The lyrics were cliché and uninteresting, and the melody was forgettable. Overall, I found the song to be boring and not worth the hype.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - I couldn't stand "Magical Caress" by Robin Thicke. The song was generic and had no unique qualities that stood out. It felt like Thicke was trying too hard to recreate the success of his previous hits, and it just fell flat. The production was lackluster, and the vocals were uninspiring. I would not recommend wasting your time on this track.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - "Magical Caress" by Robin Thicke was a disappointment for me. The song lacked depth and substance, and it felt like Thicke was just going through the motions. The lyrics were predictable and lacked creativity. The overall production was decent, but it couldn't save the lackluster songwriting. I was hoping for something more from Thicke, but unfortunately, this track didn't deliver.
4. James - 1/5 stars - I really didn't enjoy "Magical Caress" by Robin Thicke. The song felt like a cookie-cutter R&B track that did nothing to stand out. The vocals were uninspired, and the lyrics were forgettable. I found myself bored throughout the entire song, and it left no lasting impression on me. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time on this forgettable track.